Seminary Shout Out

Dear Father Harbin,

You will not remember me, but we overlapped briefly in the Diocese of Northern Indiana, when I was a fresh-out-of-seminary curate in South Bend. I'm teaching liturgy now, at Sewanee, and I stumbled onto your parish's video of Easter Vigil baptisms on YouTube, which in turn led me to poke around the church's website, especially the section on baptism and baptismal preparation.

I can't tell you how grateful I am to see a thriving parish doing what you do:  the catechumenate (called Pilgrims in Christ @ St. John's); immersion baptism; communion of all the baptized, regardless of age. It is what I learned from people like (liturgical scholars) Louis Weil and Lee Mitchell, it is what I now teach, and it is something almost none of my students have experienced before coming here. Sometimes I feel as though I'm rolling a boulder uphill, and you and your parish have given me a booster shot of hope.

Thank you!

Jim Turrell

The Rev. Canon James F. Turrell, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Professor of Liturgy

School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, TN 

Pilgrims in Christ

Pilgrims in Christ, Journey #5 will begin in mid-October.  Interested in strengthening your spiritual journey?  Want to learn more about God and the History of Salvation?  Always wondered what "xyz" means?  Need to update your credentials to serve at St. John's (Diocesan Council, Vestry, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, etc.)?  Enjoy meeting new people?  Want to learn more about how we worship in the Episcopal Church?  Just want a great free meal and fellowship on Thursday evenings?  Then Pilgrims in Christ is the process for you to experience. 

Begin praying for those God is bringing to this process.  Click here to send an email indicating your interest!  Please indicate if you will need provided childcare.

Visit our YouTube Channel

St. John's now has its own YouTube Channel.  Use this link to visit, and view our newest video-Come to the Water-that includes footage from the 2014 Easter Vigil Baptisms.

Join a Small Group

Small groups at St. John's are called "Scott's Creek," in honor of the first such group that met in a home on the banks of Portsmouth's Scott's Creek.  Small groups are a great way to deepen your faith, build friendships, and become more connected to the St. John's community.

What began as one group has now multiplied to three!  Scott's Creek Small Groups continue to multiply and we invite you to become a part.  You are invited to become a part of Scott's Creek Group 3.  The group meets Sundays at 5:30pm (October 12 & 26; November 9 & 23).  Email Dick Devers or call him (757.630.6884) to get connected!

St. John's Community Oyster Roast

Celebrate fall as St. John's hosts an Oyster Roast for our wider community on Saturday, November 15.  Save the date, begin to invite your friends, and look for registration details in upcoming editions of St. John's eNews!

For the Church

Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Katherine, the Presiding Bishop; Holly, our bishop who is away on sabbatical; David, our visiting bishop; Derek, our priest; Heidi & Russ, our missionaries in Chile; our parish staff, wardens and vestry

For Justice and Peace  

For those in any Need or Trouble  

In our Parish: Bobby Barclay; Sophie Belouet; Donald Bowles;  Kevin Carrigan; Mary Colby; Jake Devers; Bill Edwards; Darryl Foytik; Ron Fritz;  Vivian Hillman; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Clifford King Harbin; Dody Mason; Bob McBride; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Alice Robbins;  Betty Jo Ross; Sue Taylor; Jennie Todd; Sonny Wilkinson; Andre Williams; Mark Woodland

Thanksgivings