3 December 2015

"Who are you, Jesus?" app featured this Sunday

Last year's Giving to Christ at Christmas gift focused on evangelism as we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd around the world. Through your generosity, St. John's became a major national funder of the "Who are you, Jesus?" app to facilitate the relationship between children and God , wherever the child may be, using an iPad. With the guidance of Nouma, a beautiful, yet playful and mysterious animated dove, the app will enable the child to engage directly with Jesus' words. The child can use the functions of the app to listen to or read the scripture and wondering questions, then type on the keyboard, speak into the microphone, or draw a response on the iPad. The responses will be saved by the app, resulting in a unique book created by the child.

This Sunday we welcome the visionaries behind the app, Suzanne Haraburd and Pam Moore, who will speak at all three Eucharists and demonstrate the app at Adult Forum. Don't miss this very special day to see the fruits of your generosity!

With a crowd of over 225 from Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, Georgia, and as far away as Oklahoma, St. John's new Exsúltet Organ was opened in concert on 11/20 by international virtuoso Jeremy Filsell. In the words of one attendee, "You could feel the music move inside your spirit and soul...awesome what God gifted us with that night!" For more images, see our facebook page.

Credentials Committee Announce Vestry Candidates

The 2015 Credentials Committee, consisting of Senior Warden Margaret Perkins, Martha Rush, & Shawn Timm, have completed their work of submitting a proposed slate of new vestry members for election by the congregation as mandated by parish by-laws.

Other nominations for vestry members may be received via email or hard copy to the parish office by Tuesday, 12/8. Each nominee must be certified as to eligibility, be willing to serve, and have answered the same questions in writing that appear in print below.

Vestry elections will be held during each Eucharist on Sunday, December 13. Parish by-laws direct that three persons are to be selected to hold three-year terms.

Mick Kauffman

1) How does your faith in Jesus Christ impact your everyday life? I try to implement Jesus' commandment that we simply love God with all our heart and soul and we love one another as we love ourselves with everything I do.

2) At which service do you regularly worship and how long have you been a part of St. John's? I attend the 9am Eucharist. I have been a part of St John's for five years.

3) In what specific ways have you worked toward the growth and nurture of the Body of Christ in this parish and/or elsewhere? My ministry is the 9am band. I am so happy and thankful for this parish calling me back to worship, growing closer to Jesus through St. John's and sharing that happiness with friends and family who have chosen to attend as well.

4) What gifts would you bring to the vestry? That's a good question and I am eager to serve. I love St. John's and its people. We need a strong team to manage both the structural needs of the building as well as the spiritual needs of the parish. I believe we are gathered here for a reason. I personally have over forty years' experience fulfilling customer needs and over eleven years owning my own business. I understand distinguishing desires from necessities and understand the need to prioritize within budgetary constraints.

5) What are your hopes for the future of St. John's Church? My greatest hope is that we continue to attract more and more people to the beauty and grace of living for Jesus Christ. I, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, hope that we can combine and apply our talents properly to allow that to happen. I am honored to be a part of St. Johns as I feel something very special is going on here.

Jo Ann Rose

1) How does your faith in Jesus Christ impact your everyday life? My faith in Jesus Christ impacts my everyday life by helping me through any problems that I have big or small.

2) At which service do you regularly worship and how long have you been a part of St. John's? I attend the 11am Eucharist and have been a part of St John's for about 2 ˝ years.

3) In what specific ways have you worked toward the growth and nurture of the Body of Christ in this parish and/or elsewhere? I have worked toward the growth and nurture of the Body of Christ by welcoming new and old members and by inviting others to our parish.

4) What gifts would you bring to the leadership team of the vestry? What I would bring to the vestry is friendship and a steady hand in helping us be together in Christ.

5) What are your hopes for the future of St. John's Church? My hope for the future of St John's is for us to grow and evolve around the community to help others to know the Word of God.

Jeff Sheler

1) How does your faith in Jesus Christ impact your everyday life? I look to Christ and to the power of the Spirit for strength and guidance as I seek to serve him and follow his example. Resting on his mercy and trusting in his care is my daily source of hope.

2) At which service do you regularly worship and how long have you been a part of St. John's? Doreen and I attend the 11am Eucharist. We have been part of St. John's since we moved here from the D.C. area in 2000.

3) In what specific ways have you worked toward the growth and nurture of the Body of Christ in this parish and/or elsewhere? Over the years I have taught adult Sunday school classes, served on the Vestry and sung in the Choir. Currently I am a member of the Choir and lead Bible studies in our Scott's Creek small group. I am also a small group leader of the Pilgrims in Christ men's group this year. Before moving to Hampton Roads, I served in leadership positions and in the choirs of churches we attended in various other cities.

4) What gifts would you bring to the vestry? I enjoy working cooperatively with others in problem-solving and strategizing. Whatever the task, I believe working as a team makes the burden lighter.

5) What are your hopes for the future of St. John's Church? I am thrilled with the way God is working through St. John's in the building of his Kingdom. I look forward to helping our parish have an increasing impact on the community as an example of Christ's love and light.

Parents on Board @ Scott's Creek, 12/4

We had a great time at our first get together for the new small group at St. John's for parents with young children. We are hoping you can join us for the next gathering scheduled for Friday, 12/4 @ 6pm.

Plan to join us in Chisholm Hall at St. John's Church for food and fellowship. We will all eat together in the Hall and then the children will go off with a babysitter so the adults can have some time to visit and relax.

Please contact either Evelyn Stallings (757.620.3138) or Barrie Harper (757.339.2186) with any questions and to let us know how many will be attending from your family, ages of the children, and any food allergies so that we can plan food and childcare accordingly.

Please feel free to invite anyone that might be interested in joining us. Thanks so much! We look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.

Harp and Flute Concert, 12/12

In the midst of the busy holiday season, renew your spirit at a candlelight harp and flute concert on Saturday, December 12 at 5:30pm (note new time). Virginia Symphony members Debra Wendells Cross on flute and Barbara Chapman on harp will perform an hour-long free concert of seasonal selections in the historic worship space of St. John's Church as part of Portsmouth's Annual Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival. Admission is free and a festive cookie reception follows the concert.

St. John's Concert Series in our historic worship space is one of the many ways we follow the example of Jesus by moving into our neighborhood to bless our community.

The Epiphany Pageant is Coming!

St. John's Church invites adults and children to participate in this year's Epiphany Pageant to be held on Wednesday evening, 1/6/2016, at 6:30pm. Sign up the next two Sundays in Chisholm Hall or email Clifford King Harbin to be in the cast. Please note if you would like a speaking role.

Staying in the Black

As of 11/30/2015, pledges to the ministry budget of St. John's Church were $24,211 in arrears. Please note that our new Exsúltet Organ was gifted entirely by donors; no 2015 program budget funds have been used to purchase this amazing instrument.

We need your help. The Vestry asks for the abundant financial generosity of all at St. John's in these final four weeks of 2015 so that we can continue our historic practice of ending program budgets each year in the black! Thanks in advance for your passion and commitment to this wonderful parish and its ministry.

Miscellany

Christian Formation for adults and children resumes this Sunday.

12/24 Christmas Eve Worship Schedule: 5pm (contemporary music format) & 11pm (classic music format)

12/27 Sunday Worship at 4pm only. There will be no morning worship (8, 9, or 11am) offered on Sunday, December 27. Instead, everyone is invited to a 4pm celebration of the Feast of St. John with the singing of carols, blessing of the Exsúltet Organ, and performance by Christopher J. Rusk.

Altar Guild Members will be polishing silver and brass on Saturday, 12/19 @ 9am. Come join in the fun!

The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas Holidays from December 23 at Noon through the end of the year. Please make sure that your mailed pledge payments are in the office before the 23rd. If you are making a stock transfer, please contact the Parish Office for specific instructions for donations and advise your financial manager this transaction must be completed by December 23rd.

Interested in financially supporting the ministries of St. John's in 2016? Contact the parish office to make your written Estimate of Giving.

Pilgrims in Christ Meal Sign-up is now posted in Chisholm Hall. Please consider providing a simple soup and bread meal for those strengthening their spiritual journey with Christ. This can be part of your pledge to "support these persons in their life in Christ" as we vowed in our baptismal liturgy. Team up with a friend, submit your receipts, if necessary, contact Bob McBride, this year's Meal Coordinator if you have any questions.

Annual Women's Retreat is February 20. St. John's Women's Ministries (AWE) is excited to announce we are returning to the relaxing and welcoming Founders Inn. The AWE Annual Retreat is scheduled to begin Saturday morning, February 20, 2016. Two programs are set for Saturday and one on Sunday morning, with free time Saturday evening to enjoy the spa and local dining. Save the weekend and plan to spend both Friday and Saturday night; or just one, if you prefer.

Centennial and Bicentennial Celebration From October 2015 to September 2016, St. John's Church is celebrating the bicentennial of our first rector's birth, the centennial of the construction of Chisholm Hall, and the enduring legacy of this saint's life and witness as a hero of the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic.

St. John's has a blog! Think of a blog as an online magazine where we can share church events, personal stories, and highlight wonderful things happening behind the scenes at St. Johns. Visit the site here and sign up to follow St. John's new blog! Thanks to Fallon and Matt Graham for their work in bringing this vision to reality!

Calling all men. You are invited! The men will gather again on Tuesday, 12/14 @ 6:30pm in Chisholm Hall. We hope you can join us!

David: Seeking a Heart like His is the title of the new 10am Thursday morning women's Bible study to begin on January 7 at 10am. We will meet together in Chisholm Hall every first and third Thursday from January through May. If you would like to attend, please contact Patti Devers (757-615-3227) to reserve a Study Guide. You do not want to miss out on this special study!

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! Email the Parish Office to get connected!

Wednesday Eucharist is offered year round! 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.

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).

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use. Here you can access the November 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.

Content deadline for St. John's eNews is Wednesday at noon before publication.

In our Prayers this Week

For the Church

Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, the Presiding Bishop; 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, George Lang, Will Oast, Jessi Staley, 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; Mary Colby; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Al Gregg; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Reese Johnson; Dody Mason; Martha Ann Oast; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Emily Schultz; Anne Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor; Peggy Tuthill; Patricia Viera; Ruth Waldo; Dave Walker; Sonny Wilkinson; Janet Willey; Joy Young.

We ask God's Holy Spirit to surround, protect, and move to successful completion the Parish House roof repairs and the renovation of the second floor Christian Formation rooms.

Related to our Parish: Danny & Scott (sons of Franklin Marzullo); Suzanne (community friend of St. John's); Justin (friend of Sister Heather); Ruth(friend of Barrie Harper); Thomas (father of Dody Johnson); Chris (brother-in-law of Marti Austin); Mrs. Dr. Kersey (friend of Ava Park); Chad, Thea, Rusty, & Mandy (friends of Erin Burke); Mike & Betty (friends of Niki Park); David (Janice Cuneo's husband); Nancy (Andy Gray's mother); Cameron (Taraleigh Casteen's godson); Steven (friend of the Gregg Family); Maddie (friend of Doreen Sheler); Patsy (friend of Andrea Graham); Robbie (friend of the congregation); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

Thanksgivings

For the construction underway on the parish house roof, for the launch of the "Who are you, Jesus?" app, and for the blessings of watching and waiting in this season of preparation

Departed

For those who died in Wednesday's San Bernardino massacre

Stewardship of God's Resources

Week of 11/22

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Exsúltet Organ Opening Concert (225+); Community Oyster Roast (127) Sunday 8am (13), 9am (49), 11am (78)

Worship Offering: $5,175

Week of 11/29

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (13), 9am (68), 11am (73); Wednesday 6:30pm (17)

Worship Offering: $7,532

Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977

2015 Pledges in arrears as of 11/30/2015: ($24,211)

This Sunday in Worship

Second Sunday of Advent, 12/6: Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 3:1-6

No memorial Advent greens have been given for this Sunday.

Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop

J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader

Courtney Devers, staff chef

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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