www.stjohnsportsmouth.org2 October 2014

Exploring our Anglican Spirituality: 

a Pilgrimage to Scotland and England

September 12-25, 2015

 


 

Pilgrimage is truly praying with your eyes open.  Spirits are renewed, friendships are formed, and lives can be changed forever.  Just ask those who participated in the transformative Advent 2012 Holy Land pilgrimage sponsored by our parish!


St. John's Church is pleased to announce that our next pilgrimage opportunity will be September 12-25, 2015 as we explore the spread of Christianity from its roots in the Holy Land to England and Scotland.  In Exploring our Anglican Spirituality, pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of many early Celtic and Catholic saints who were central to forming the unique Anglican heritage we cherish in the Episcopal Church today.  


Though sponsored by St. John's Church, this pilgrimage is open to anyone who desires to journey with us.  The pilgrimage is limited to a total group size of 30.  Brochures are available in Chisholm Hall or via this link.  Is God calling you to be a part?


Pilgrims in Christ begins 10/16

 

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 for easy, online registration!

 

Holy Waiting: an All Saints Day Women's Retreat, 11/1

 

Calling all women!  You are cordially invited to the All Saints Day Women's Retreat sponsored by AWE Women's Ministries of St. John's Church.  Invite your friends and neighbors to join you for this special day.  The retreat runs from 9am to 3pm, includes a delicious lunch, and costs only $20/person.   Register online today! 

 

The retreat leader for this special day is Kimberly Logsdon.  Kimberly is the Executive Director of Care Net Resource Pregnancy Centers and is responsible for two centers in Newport News and Williamsburg.  Care Net is a life-affirming, non-profit organization providing practical help and hope to people facing pregnancy decisions and  offering healing in Jesus Christ to those struggling with the regret of past pregnancy decisions.

 

She became the Executive Director a little over a year ago, after God called her out of the corporate world. Since coming to real belief in Jesus in her early 30's, Kimberly has served in women's discipleship ministries and as a volunteer chaplain in emergency room, hospice, and jail environments. She is frequently asked to speak to groups and loves to point people to pursuit of increased intimacy of with Jesus.

 

Kimberly has a daughter who was married in May.  Kimberly herself says she received a second chance at love in mid-life, with the gift of marriage to her husband Barry two years ago. The Logsdons are members of Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach and friends of St. John's Episcopal Church.  One of her first phone conversations with Barry at the start of their courtship was when he called her to ask if she would agree to pray for St. John's as they sought a new rector.  God answered that call with the arrival of Fr. Derek.


Rector & Associate to attend International Celebration

 

Fr. Derek & Clifford King Harbin will be away on Continuing Education the first several days of October to attend the 60th Anniversary International Celebration of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd being held at the Black Canyon Conference Center in Phoenix, Arizona.  Over 550 adults from 22 nations have registered to attend this event, including a priest from the People's Republic of China!  Please pray that this time will be both enlightening and renewing for all.

 

St. John's Community Oyster Roast, 11/15

 

Celebrate fall as St. John's hosts an Oyster Roast for our wider community on Saturday, November 15 beginning at 2pm.  Oysters, Brunswick Stew, Hot Dogs, Beer, and more!  Live music will be provided by the Olde James River Jazz Band.   $25 for adults (12+), $5 for children (ages 6-11), and young children (ages 5 and under) are free.  Purchase your tickets online today!

 

Miscellany

  

There will be no adult Christian Formation this Sunday.  The Rector's Forum will continue on Sunday, 10/19.


Christian Formation Fall Break is Sunday, 10/12.  There will be no 10am Christian Formation that day for adults or children.  All Christian Formation will resume on 10/19.


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!

 

Now seeking readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers for worship.  Interested readers must be baptized and interested chalice bearers must be confirmed.  Contact Fr. Derek if you would like to participate in this ministry.   

 

Acolyte Training.  Every person at St. John's has a ministry -- no matter how old, no matter how young.  All baptized persons at St. John's are invited and welcomed to explore ministry as an acolyte -- no matter how old, no matter how young... as long as you can carry the gospel book!  Acolyte gatherings for lunch and learning will be scheduled in the next two months.  Please contact Sister Heather Rollins or the parish administrator to learn more.


Fall is the time for visitors to worship.  Traditionally, the fall months are when St. John's has the largest number of visitors in worship seeking a new faith community.  Please be especially aware and greet those you do not recognize both during worship and in Chisholm Hall.


Content deadline for St. John's eNews is Tuesday before publication.

 

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the latest parish directory, parish handbook, access worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Click here.  

 
Parish Calendar

Click here to access our Parish Calendar


In our Prayers this Week

If you would like to add a name to the prayer list, please contact the prayer chain.

 

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 Peace in the Middle East & Ukraine; for Barack, our president;  Terry, our governor, Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Mac Baechtold; Erin Elliott; Trevor Jackson; Nate Kingsbury; George Lang; Nicholas Reyes; Dariana Torres; Bill Wolter who are serving our country overseas or away from home; for Joe, Stephanie, Claire and Kitty Ryder as they prepare to deploy to Goose Creek, SC (this Sunday is their last at St. John's); for the Coast Guard Personnel on watch and on patrol from Coast Guard Base Portsmouth.

 

For those in any Need or Trouble  

In our Parish: Bobby Barclay; Charles Beard; Sophie Belouet; Donald Bowles;  Kevin Carrigan; Mary Colby; Jake Devers; Bill Edwards; Darryl Foytik; Ron Fritz;  Vivian Hillman; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Dody Mason; Bob McBride; Cody Miller; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Alice Robbins;  Betty Jo Ross; Sue Taylor; Jennie Todd; Dave Walker; Sonny Wilkinson; Andre Williams; Willy Wolter; Mark Woodland; Joy Young

Related to our Parish: Kaleb (grandson of Lena & Larry Simmons); The Downes Family (daughter of Jeff & Doreen Sheler); Joseph (friend of Franklin Marzullo); Kathy (friend of Andy Graham); Betty (mother of Linda Mathews); Hope (premature granddaughter of Dave Jacobsen [Mardi Gras & Oyster Roast band leader]); Skip (brother of Anne Davis); Lowry (friend of Anne Davis); Wally (boyfriend of Heather Gonzalez); David (nephew of Heather Gonzalez); Linda (aunt of Al Gregg); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children. 
 

Thanksgivings  

For the birth of Ellie Lynn to Greg & Casey Hicks

 

Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 9/28
 

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (14), 9am (56), 11am (82)

 

Worship Offering:  $6,670

Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,678

 

Pledge amount currently in arrears: $23,594

 

This Sunday in Worship
 

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, 10/05: Isaiah 5:1-7 & Matthew 21:33-46

The flowers are given to the Glory of God in thanksgiving for Sunday's marriage of Michael & Amy Rush by Michael's mother, Martha Rush.
 
The Rt. Rev'd Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop
The Rev'd Dr. J. Derek Harbin, rector

Rick Bishop, kitchen manager
Keith Byers, bookkeeper
Philip Goodrich, sexton
Ellison Gregg, staff photographer & twitter
Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector
Linda Mathews, receptionist & coordinator of office volunteers
Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator
Sr. Heather Rollins, technology & facebook  
Scott Rollins, organist and choir director

Position open, publications

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Services
 Contemplative Eucharist, Rite I at 8:00am
 Contemporary Eucharist at 9:00am
 Traditional Eucharist, Rite II at 11:00am

Monday Contemplative Prayer, 6:30pm
Wednesday Healing Eucharist, 6:30pm

Holy Days as Announced

You'll find us at 424 Washington Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 or by phone at 757.399.4967

Our office hours are 10:00am - 1:00pm M-F. We look forward to seeing you!
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Google+