News

Walking the Mourner's Path: New Session Begins September 25 

Walking the Mourner's Path is a bereavement support program open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one at least six months prior to the beginning of the workshop and who is willing to commit to weekly sessions.  Our purpose is to help people begin to heal their sorrow by offering the outstretched hand of Christ.  The group is limited to 10 participants, creating a safe place to share feelings with each other and with God.  Two trained facilitators guide the group in consultation with a clergyperson.  For eight weeks, group participants meet for 90 minutes on Tuesday evenings.  A workbook provides questions for reflection as well as exercises that will help you define a new  relationship with your loved one through Christ.  As a group you will sort out feelings brought about by the death of your loved ones and together find a renewed joy in each of your lives. 

Individuals have benefited from the program even if years have passed since the death.  There is no time limit on grief.  Weekly sessions start on Tuesday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Division Library, upstairs at the Orleans campus; the last session is on Tuesday, November 13.  For information and registration, contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253; Jan Elliott at 243.0700; or the Rev. Randy Hehr at 259.1570.

Women's Mid Morning Bible Study
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.  The group will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

As a group, they have decided to change their 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.  They will continue the format of meeting on alternate Tuesdays with each session being led by a facilitator, generally a member of the clergy.

The group invites you to consider joining them 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 253.3906.

St. John's Clergy Are Signatories to Common Witness for  Political Parties' National Conventions 

  St. John's clergy have put their names on a 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.
Click here to go to the St. John's website to see the Common Witness in its entirety.

Events

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

Join the Rev. Doug Remer and friends from our parish and beyond 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 (a $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 Cafe Needs Your Help 

Fatih Café was forced to close its Kennedy Avenue location on Saturday, July 28.  The St. John's crew of volunteers served one last day on Friday, July 27.  Faith Café's interim solution is to assist First Presbyterian downtown by assembling sack lunches (non-refrigerated, non-perishable items) to be distributed each morning Monday through Friday.  Volunteers will meet in the  Bayshore Baptist Church kitchen each Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. to assemble lunches for the week, which will then be transported to First Presbyterian on Tuesdays.  They will be increasing the number of lunches First Presbyterian is able to distribute, so that is one good result.  Some volunteers may also want to help out First Presbyterian in the preparation and offering of a hot breakfast in their gym on Saturdays.

In the meantime, the property for the new Faith Café has been purchased, and building plans are well underway.  A ground-breaking may take place later this month.  The fundraising campaign is also advancing, but the effort is short approximately $100,000.  Please keep Faith Café in your prayers.

For more information or to offer help, please contact Hugh Cruse at hugh.cruse@gmail.com. (Mary Jane Schenck is on leave until the end of September.)

This Week at St. John's

(Chapel)

(Peterson Room, St. John's School Middle Division)
The group continues its discussion of Truth, and Nicholas Nitch will facilitate the August 9 session using 3 John as the departure point.  Sandwiches will be provided for $5 per person. Newcomers are always welcome in this group so please invite a friend to join us.  Please e-mail mkconstcorp@aol.com or phone Marie at 831.4696 if you plan to attend, and let us know if would like to participate in lunch.  Parking is in the school's lot across Plant Street under the Selmon Expressway.

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.

Upcoming Events