August 1, 2012 Issue 

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Evangelism
: Evangelism is sharing the Good News of God in Christ by word and example, inviting others to become part of the Christian community, and welcoming all people into a loving Christian fellowship.




St. John's Episcopal Church, South Tampa
Calendar for the Week Ahead
Wed, August 1
Thu, August 2
Fri, August 3
Sun, August 5
Mon, August 6
Tue, August 7
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News
St. John's Clergy Are Signatories to Common Witness for  Political Parties' National Conventions 
 
St. John's clergy have put their names on the following prayer for the attendees of the two national political conventions this summer.  As we prepare to welcome delegates from all over the nation to Tampa in a few weeks, let us add our prayers to theirs for a safe and productive political year in our country, that we may serve as a beacon of democracy and hope for the whole world.

The Conventions:  A Common Witness from the Clergy of Tampa and Charlotte

     In late August and early September, tens of thousands will descend upon Tampa and then Charlotte for the Republican and Democratic Conventions.  We clergy welcome our guests.
     A nine hour drive separates our two cities.  The platforms of our two political parties might feel even further apart.  And yet in both Charlotte and Tampa, we have conservatives and liberals, undecideds, many who've given up caring, and others who are waiting for somebody to show them a better way.  We believe that what all these have in common, although we forget this in the heat of debate, is that we are people who love, strive for happiness, long for meaning, and wish to be part of something exciting.  We are all made in God's image, yet find we are all broken, capable of doing well but also flawed, and in need of mercy.
     While a growing number of folks in our country claim no religious affiliation, or just don't believe in God at all, prayer seems to be in order.  To pray for a convention is risky.  Politicians on both sides of the aisle have played the religion card when it helps them get votes.
It may be that attaching God to a particular political agenda makes the public cynical about faith, and its leaders.
     But we do believe it is possible to offer up non-partisan prayers, especially during these anxious days in our world.  And so we pray for our country, that we might be a nation where goodness matters, where justice and kindness are our passions, where truth matters, and is told.

     We pray for peace - in the world, and in our own communities.
Conventions can bring out the worst in people.  We have far too much rancor in our country as is.  We forget how to disagree respectfully, and to consider the possibility that the other person might have a point.  Anger is toxic and poisons us all.  Working together might be better than getting our own way, even if we are dead sure we're right.
     As clergy in the host cities of Tampa and Charlotte, we think of the delegates, media, protesters, and other visitors who are far from home.  We pray for their families and friends who miss them.  We pray for them, that they may be strong and alert, and be filled with wisdom and good judgment.
     Residents of Charlotte and Tampa have mixed feelings about hosting a convention.  Some are proud and energized.  Others are annoyed and inconvenienced.  We pray for the citizens of both Tampa and Charlotte, that they might be patient, and hospitable.

     Both cities will put on their best appearances, striving to look impressive on this stage of history.  But in both cities, as in our country and world, we have those who are poor, hungry, homeless, children nobody cares about, military veterans who've never been appreciated, garbage collectors and school teachers who never get thanked, policemen and firefighters who keep everyone safe.  We pray for them, and for all of us to be a better society that can embrace in whatever way might be best for those who have fallen on hard times.
     We pray that all of us, because of conventions and the political process, will not let our cynicism balloon into bitterness; rather, we pray that all this might lead to a renewed sense of citizenship, and pride in community and nation - and that we will learn to be participants in finding solutions, instead of just critical onlookers.
     As clergy, we believe that all people in our cities and in the nation harbor deep longings for meaning, purpose, and belonging; we would say these yearnings are for God.  We can pray, for those who are overtly religious as well as for those who remain unpersuaded of the things of God, and everyone in between, that we will discover the richness in our selves, and the wonder beyond ourselves.  We pray that we might tap into our dreams for better lives, and a better world, and that because of these conventions, and the simple goodness of being alive to see it all unfold, we might stretch upward, and become more, closer to our ultimate destiny.
     This is our prayer as clergy friends who live nine hours apart but are united in love and hope.

Charlotte Clergy
Bishop Claude Alexander, Jr., Pastor, The Park Ministries The Rev. Dr. Alton Cadenhead, Jr., Senior Minister, Providence Baptist Church
The Rev. John M. Cleghorn, Pastor, Caldwell Presbyterian Church
The Revs. Russ and Amy Jacks Dean, Pastors, Park Road Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Steven P. Eason, Senior Pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church
Rabbi Murray Ezring, Temple Israel
The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Henderson, Sr., Senior Minister, Covenant Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Minister, Myers Park United Methodist Church
The Rev. James C. Leach, Senior Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte
Monsignor John J. McSweeney, Pastor, St. Matthew Catholic Church
Father Frank O'Rourke, Pastor, St. Gabriel Catholic Church
The Rev. Dr. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr., Associate Professor of Bible, Union Presbyterian Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Scott J. Suskovic, Senior Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church

Tampa Clergy
Rabbi Richard J. Birnholz, Congregation Schaarai Zedek
Mr. Robert Blount, President, Abe Brown Ministries, Inc.
The Rev. Charles E. Connelly, Associate Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Fitz Conner and the Rev. Kathy Conner, Pastors, First Presbyterian Church
The Rev. John T. DeBevoise, Pastor, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
Sister Anne Dougherty, The Franciscan Center
Franciscan Friars of Sacred Heart Catholic Church
The Rev. Dr. James A. Harnish, Senior Pastor, Hyde Park United Methodist Church
Joshua and Alison Haupt, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, University of Tampa
The Rev. John Reese, Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Douglas E. Remer, Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church
Rabbi Marc Sack, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
The Rev. Ken Shick, Lead Pastor, Hyde Park Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Stefanie E. Taylor, Curate, St. John's Episcopal Church
Women's Mid Morning Bible Study
Coming soon!  New time!  New location!  And a slightly new name!
Beginning Tuesday, September 4, the women's Bible study that has been meeting at noon for the last several years will commence a study of "Parables of the New Testament" at 10:15 a.m. in the Lowry Room, adjacent to the parish offices at 906 South Orleans Avenue.  There will be time for fellowship, followed at 10:30 a.m. by an introduction to the study of parables given by Father Randy Hehr.  We will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

As a group we have decided to change our meeting place with the  hope of providing a more easily accessible location for those who have found the stairs and parking at Plant Avenue a deterrent to participation.  We will continue the format of meeting on alternate Tuesdays with each session being led by a facilitator, generally a member of the clergy.

We invite you to consider joining us beginning September 4, at 10:15 a.m. in the Lowry Room.  This is a great opportunity to expand your understanding of some of Jesus' most puzzling teachings in the midst of a welcoming and supportive community of women.  If you have questions, contact Sally Wiley at swileytampa@aol.com or 813.253.3906.
Events
"Baseball with the Bishop"

Friday, September 7, 7:10 p.m., Tropicana Field

Join us for "Baseball with the Bishop" on September 7, when the Rays play the Rangers!  The game starts at 7:10 p.m.; gates open at 5:10 p.m.  Lower Level tickets are $20 ($25 value).  A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Episcopal Charities Fund.  Please RSVP by bringing your check, made payable to St. John's, to the parish offices by Monday, August 20.  This is a great opportunity for fellowship and a way to support our diocesan outreach! 

Youth, Get Ready to Rock the Universe!

Saturday, September 8 

St. John's Youth (grades 6-12), you are invited to attend the Christian music event of the year!!  Universal Studios will shut down the park for youth groups from all over to enjoy fellowship together and ride all the rides they want!

Where: Universal Studios Orlando 

When: Departure from the Youth House on the School's Middle Division Campus at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8.

Cost: $75.05 for the ticket, plus pocket money for dinner and snacks (no need for more than $20). Price includes charter bus and driver.

How do I sign up? Send your check or cash for the ticket to Stefanie Taylor at the church with the name of the young person wishing to attend by August 25.  This deadline is firm, we cannot accept late reservations, as the bus must be reserved by this date. 

Return Time: Youth will return to the Youth House at 3:00 a.m. Sunday, September 9 for a lock-in until 6:00 a.m.  Pick up is at 6:00 a.m.Sunday, September 9. 

Mother Taylor's Contact Info: staylor@stjohnstampa.org, 917.921.6434

 

Note: Due to Mother Taylor's advanced pregnancy, she will NOT be attending this trip.  Chaperones will be Page Pearson (Mother Taylor's sister and one of the chaperones from the summer Middle School mission trip), Coach Chris Sopko (coach and teacher at the School's Middle Division), our assistant organist and School music teacher Nick Herrin, and Nick's girlfriend, LeeAnna Avila.  Parents may also be asked to chaperone if needed. 

Your Action Needed
FAITH CAF� NEEDS YOUR HELP 
We must vacate our current location by July 31 and are making every effort to find a temporary site in order to avoid interruption in providing our
lunchtime meal.  This meal is vital to our community members in need.  Faith Caf� will continue to offer the noon-time food to the best of our ability, as soon as we complete the arrangements for a temporary location.  We will keep everyone informed.

Any
help you might offer in locating an appropriate facility that would be available for a maximum of six months will be deeply appreciated.  Please contact Mary Jane Schenck at mjschenck@ut.edu or Hugh Cruse at hugh.cruse@gmail.com with any information.     
If you would like your information to be included in next week's Scroll, please email all content by Monday at 9:00 a.m.
to Lee Lowry at LLowry@stjohnstampa.org.

This Week at St. John's

Wednesday, August 1
12:15 p.m.-
12:45 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Nights at St. John's 

(Rudisill Parish Hall)

Following a shared potluck dinner, Diana & Jack Overton will present the continuation of a series on parables, including a short DVD movie, commentary by the Overtons, and discussion by the group.

When Jesus taught about life's toughest issues, he used short, simple stories. Rob Bell's modern "parables" on film follow his lead, featuring concise, powerful 10- to 14-minute DVDs.  Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in. 


Thursday, August 2
10:00 a.m. -
10:30 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) and Healing
(Chapel)
12:15 p.m. -
12:30 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Friday, August 3
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Sunday, August 5
7:45 a.m.

The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)    

 9:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)
10:20 a.m.
The Roundtable (new location: Rudisill Parish Hall)
The Roundtable will meet throughout the summer between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services on Sundays.  The group looks at secular issues in the news today and discusses them in relation to the Church and our Christian duties.  The discussions are very lively, intellectual, and respectful, and all are invited to join.
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
Monday, August 6   The Transfiguration of our Lord
Feast Day Facts:  The Transfiguration is not to be understood only as a spiritual experience of Jesus while at prayer, which three chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John, were permitted to witness.  It is one of a series of supernatural manifestations, by which God authenticated Jesus as his Son.  It is at one with the appearance of the angels at the birth and at the resurrection, and with the descent of the Spirit at Jesus' baptism.  Briefly, the veil is drawn aside, and a chosen few are permitted to see Jesus, not as the earth-born son of Mary, but as the eternal Son of God. 

The Feast of the Transfiguration was only accepted into the Roman calendar on the eve of the Reformation, and for that reason, was not included in the reformed calendar of the English Church.  Since its inclusion in the American revision of 1892, it has been taken into most modern Anglican calendars.
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
Tuesday, August 7
6:45 a.m.



The Contemporary Women's Bible Study  

(Peterson Room, St. John's School Middle Division)

Women of St. John's and their friends of any denomination are invited to join this dynamic group for prayer, lively discussion, faith and fellowship.  After a light breakfast, scripture and selected topics of interest are explored in new and creative ways.  Members take turns serving as facilitator.  This week's scripture verses are from Isaiah, Chapters 36 and 37.

 

The CWBS study of Isaiah concludes next week on August 14 with Chapters 38 and 39.  There will be no meetings on August 21, 28, or September 4.  The group will resume on September 11 with a study of the "General Letters" of the New Testament.  Beginning on December 4 (start of Advent), the study of Isaiah will resume with Isaiah 2, 40 - 66.

 

Contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com with questions. 

12:15 p.m. -
12:45 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)