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Just what is Pilgrims in Christ?
The following was excerpted from Rebecca Mina's Adult Forum presentation earlier this summer. Pilgrims in Christ (Journey #6) begins Thursday, October 22 at 5:30pm. Sign up cards will be in Chisholm Hall and on the piece of furniture (in the back of the church) at the front doors on Washington St. Contact Clifford King Harbin when she returns to the office (9/29) if you have any questions!
 Pilgrims in Christ is a seven-month process that prepares adults (16 and older) to deepen their faith through baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation of their baptismal vows. Every meeting begins with a small evening prayer service, followed by a short teaching, a free hot meal prepared by Pilgrims alumni, in-depth teaching and conversation about Christianity, and small-group Bible study
As St. John's website explains, "There should never be a point in our lives when we stop growing spiritually. At St. John's Church, no one has all the answers or is going to make you feel inadequate for what you do not know. We don't make assumptions. Every opportunity offered for adults attempts to meet people where they are, and aims to integrate spirituality with the realities of daily life. "
In the small groups, you will find people that you'd never expect to relate to breaking down their walls and opening up. A past Pilgrim described this experience to me, saying that in her group it was like they all found out they were broken at the same moment, and from that point on they were all close friends, able to share things they'd kept bottled up for years. Another Pilgrims alumna stated that the program is "amazing because it's learning and relearning aspects of our faith and church, but it is also an opportunity to forge bonds and friendships within the parish and community." The opportunity to form strong bonds with people in the parish that you wouldn't normally find yourself opening up to is one of the most rewarding parts of the Pilgrims process. Even years later, Pilgrims find themselves still close friends with other Pilgrims and mentors from their small groups.
When asked about the Pilgrims in Christ process at St John's, Father Derek stated that "It is what we're all about. Without Pilgrims, we wouldn't be here." Pilgrims are given the means to communicate, open up, pray with and for each other, and share in their spiritual journeys. This process allows Pilgrims to grow as people and as Christians, deepening their faith and resolving many religious conflicts and questions they have. As Pilgrims, we also begin to learn and exemplify the principles of St John's: Dwell, Feast Journey, and Shine. Pilgrims dwell by going forth into the neighborhood and doing things such as participating in feeding the homeless and washing feet on Maundy Thursday. They Feast at every meeting, recognizing that Jesus' presence is experienced in the breaking of bread. They Journey spiritually with each other and by themselves, and have the opportunity to join pilgrimages to holy places offered by the church. They Shine in the parish and on the day of their baptisms, confirmations, and reaffirmations, showing their dedication to God and the church.
The only cost associated with Pilgrims is a few hours of your time one evening a week. The friends you will make, the journey you will go through, and the free food you will enjoy make Pilgrims more than worth the time you will spend here. If you have children, they will be not only accepted and accommodated, but welcomed warmly into the process along with you. There are also no real requirements for being a Pilgrim, other than the compassion to listen and not judge or demean. People have many reasons for wanting to enter this process: the desire for friendship and understanding, curiosity about aspects of Christian faith, a final step on their journey to baptism; whatever the reason, all Pilgrims end the process satisfied with their progress and eager to continue learning and growing in the Christian faith. You don't have to be in crisis to be a Pilgrim like I was. You don't need to be an expert on faith. You can be young, old, male, female, Christian, just curious, or anything in between. Pilgrims is for everyone, and everyone should get involved at least once, either as a Pilgrim or as a mentor.
Rebecca Mina
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Ministry Fair & Atria Open House, 10/4
St. John's Church will offer a Ministry Fair during the Adult Forum time on Sunday, October 4 to highlight all the ministry opportunities available in our parish. Everyone currently worshiping at St. John's is encouraged to wander around the Ministry Fair and decide how you will grow the church, inside and outside, during this upcoming school year. If you have an idea for a new ministry opportunity, now is the time to showcase it! As long as it reflects our parish's Marks of Mission (Dwell, Feast, Journey, and Shine), you're free to suggest it. Contact Clifford King Harbin.
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Sunday Christian Formation Resumes 10/11
There will be no Adult Forum or Catechesis Atria through September as we finish building renovations on the second floor of the Parish House. Both HVAC roof units have now been replaced and, after a year of work, all water intrusions into the walls and ceilings have finally been eliminated! Workers will begin repairing the plaster walls and ceilings damaged by water in the next couple of weeks. After the plaster work is completed, the rooms will be repainted and new cork flooring will be installed.
If all goes according to plan, Sunday Christian Formation will resume on Sunday, 10/11 with an open house for the parish to see the renovated Atria on Sunday, October 4. During this construction process, the Creation Atrium will continue to be open from 10:45-11:30am for children not yet potty trained.
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Financial Peace University begins 10/5
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God's ways of handling our finances. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! St. John's own Jason Lowe, who is a trained FPU group leader, will lead this first FPU class at our parish. The first session will meet on Monday, October 5 from 6:30-8pm in Chisholm Hall. Classes will meet weekly through November 30. You can see what will be covered each week here and can get more information here. Cost for the class is $93 for a couple or individual and is open to anyone in the wider Hampton Roads community. Sign up in advance for the class using this link.
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Discovering the Bible begins 10/14
Fr. Derek will once again offer this 26-week introduction to the central text of our faith on Wednesday evenings at 7pm beginning October 14. This is a great exploration for those who have no prior study of the Bible and also for those who have taken some Bible classes in the past. The Kerygma curriculum helps participants get familiar with the whole story of the Bible from cover to cover. We'll look at the different books in chronological order, learning about the origins and themes, stories and characters to help us navigate our own faith in light of the Word. The minimum class size is five adults (ages 16+). The $30 fee covers the cost of your participant book. Contact Fr. Derek to register.
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Miscellany
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 before you greet your friends!
The Magnificent Obsession is the title of the 10am Thursday morning women's Bible study that begins this week. With video messages by Anne Graham Lotz, this study explores the life of Abraham as a model for embracing a God-filled life. Dates for the study will be 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/19, & 12/5. For more information contact Patti Devers.
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. Multiple groups with diverse interests and age groupings are available and we invite you to be a part! (The Crew at Scott's Creek will be beginning soon and is for young adults who are single or married with no children!) Email the Parish Office to get connected!
Jeremy Filsell, internationally acclaimed organist and artist-in-residence at Washington National Cathedral, will be giving the opening concert on our amazing new instrument at St. John's Church on Friday, November 20 at 7pm. The organ will be blessed during worship on the Feast of St. John (Sunday, December 27).
Your gift can help make history. Won't you consider joining with those faithful parishioners, Vestry, and Endowment Committee who have pledged or contributed funds to bring the installation of our new organ to debt-free completion? Please contact Fr. Derek or Senior Warden Margaret Perkins to make a cash gift or pledge (up to 36 months) to help with the extra costs incurred to install this incredible instrument in our historic worship space.
Wednesday Eucharist is not just for summer! This worship was especially created for those who were traveling during the weekend so that all could still receive Christ's Body and Blood as strength for the journey. This 30-minute Eucharist begins at 6:30pm and includes hymns, a brief homily, and healing prayers. Miss on Sunday? Come on Wednesday.
Have someone to honor, remember, or celebrate? Flowers offered to the Glory of God
and for your special intention are needed on almost all Sunday mornings of the summer. The sign-up sheet hangs on the bulletin board in Chisholm Hall closest to the London St. Parking Lot entrance. The cost is $75 per Sunday (and can always be shared with someone else) and is due in the Parish Office two weeks before your requested Sunday.
Want a St. John's name badge? Are you ready to look outward and be welcoming, greeting those you do not know before you greet your friends and offering hospitality to those you meet? If your answer is "yes," then complete a name badge request form found in the worship space and Chisholm Hall. These badges have a magnetic back. (which should be kept away from medical devices and credit/debit cards).
Need a Priest? Please call the Parish Office during the weekdays. While Fr. Derek is away leading the Scotland and England pilgrimage, call Fr. Bob's cell phone on the weekends. Let us know if you are in the hospital, have a scheduled surgery or an emergency, or desire Last Rites for yourself or a loved one. The hospitals, due to the HIPAA laws, no longer inform the parish when there is an admission....it is up to you to inform the priest of an emergency so he may offer the healing prayers of the church. (Need the phone numbers? You can find them in the Parishioner Corner of our website[(see below]).
The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use. Here you can access the September 2015 Parish Directory, parish handbook, worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports. Need or don't remember the password? Contact the parish office.
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In our Prayers this Week
For the Church
Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Katherine, the Presiding Bishop; Michael, the Presiding Bishop-elect; for Holly, our bishop; Derek, our rector; Heidi, Russ, & Amanda, our missionaries; and our parish staff, wardens and vestry
For Justice and Peace
Peace in the Middle East; healing of racial divides in this nation; for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor; Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Clint Carlson, Erin Elliott, Carolyn Higgins, Nate Kingsbury, George Lang, Will Oast, Christopher O'Meara, Jessi Staley, Kristina Starcruiser; Dariana Torres, Shaun Tuttle, and Bill Wolter who are serving our country overseas or away from home; 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: Barbara Bowles; Donald Bowles; Taraleigh Casteen; Mary Colby; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Al Gregg; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Mason; Cody Miller; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Ann Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor; Peggy Tuthill; Ruth Waldo; Mike Wall; Sonny Wilkinson; Joy Young.
We pray for the nineteen sisters and brothers in Christ from this parish who are on pilgrimage to Scotland and England. May God's holy angels protect them on their journey.
We ask God's Holy Spirit to surround, protect, and move to successful completion the renovation of the second floor Christian Formation rooms and the installation of the new organ.
Related to our Parish: Rebecca Jayne (website request); Robbie (friend of the parish); Maribeth (niece of Martha Rush); Sanise (friend of Claudia Tomlin); Judy (mother of Crystal Gower); Tim (son-in-law of the Van Arsdale family); Marcus (husband of Kim Hyde); Delores (grandmother of Eri Brown); Sareana (friend of Barrie Harper); Francis (friend of Deb Soyk); Kenzie (friend of Erin Burke); "Mac" (friend of Raquel Pulido); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children
Thanksgivings
Matthew & Juliann Krogh and Matthew & Krissie Wiggins who are each expecting a child.
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This Sunday in Worship
17th Sunday after Pentecost, 9/20: Jeremiah 11:18-20 & Mark 9:30-37
No flower memorial has yet been given for this Sunday.
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Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop
J. Derek Harbin, rector
Keith Byers, bookkeeper
Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader
Bob Gilman, assisting priest
Philip Goodrich, sexton
Ellison Gregg, staff photographer
Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector
Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator
Heather Rollins, technology
Christopher Rusk, organist/choirmaster
Claudia Tomlin, organist emerita
Justin Young, publications
Welcome to our Sunday Worship Services
Contemplative Eucharist, Rite I at 8:00am
Contemporary Eucharist at 9:00am
Classic Eucharist, Rite II at 11:00am
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 10am - 1pm M-F. We look forward to seeing you!
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