It seems amazing that this is my seventh year at St. John's.  Having come here from the UK to look after a four month interim when Ellie Taylor retired in 2006, it's become a long interim!  You will have heard me say before that those who make up the choirs of St. John's are fabulous, both as people and musicians, and this was a major factor in my deciding to accept the permanent position here.  Perhaps lesser known, however, is that that the position of Organist and Choirmaster for a program of this size, busyness and complexity is very demanding.

Rehearsals take place in one form or another on four days a week, as well as before each service, together with a considerable amount of administration and personal preparation.

 

We all need proper time in our lives to be able to reflect on where we have been, are, and are going, and for this reason, I will be taking sabbatical leave from St. John's from January through early April 2013.  I will be spending much of this time as interim organist of St. James' Anglican Cathedral in Toronto (which will be a little cooler than Tampa!) This opportunity has been made possible through my old friend from Truro Cathedral days, David Briggs, who is now the Artist in Residence there and who played here at St. John's in October this year.  I will be responsible for accompanying the professional choir for the Sung Eucharist and Choral Evensong weekly, as well as two weekly organ recitals, one on Tuesday lunchtime and the other prior to Evensong on Sunday afternoon.

 

I am very grateful to my colleagues Kevin Page and Nick Herrin, who will keep the flag flying here during my absence.  I know they will, as I do, feel the support of our congregation during this time.

 

Simon Morley

The gifts have been selected and wrapped for the more than 180 children who will be treated to a wonderful Christmas by St. John's this year!  The party will be this Saturday, December 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you are able to assist us by driving a family, helping with crafts, or helping in any other way on Saturday, please contact Ginny Van Osdol.

Music At St. John's In December

There are a number of special musical events being presented during the month of December in celebration of Advent and Christmas. In the church on Sunday, December 16, at 5:00 p.m., the Combined Choirs will present a Christmas Concert.  This popular annual event includes music  sung by our spectacular choir, as well as the opportunity for the congregation to sing along to favorite carols.  The evening concludes with a reception in Rudisill Parish Hall, to which all are warmly invited.  We hope you will join us!

 

Also mark your calendars for Sunday, December 23.  The 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services will be combined that morning at 10:00 a.m. as we celebrate Christmas Lessons and Carols.

The end of the calendar year marks the beginning of the 2013 Every Member Canvass campaign for St. John's Church.  Please prayerfully consider what you can contribute this year for the glory of God and the support of St. John's.  Please click here to read Fr. Doug Remer's letter regarding the canvass, and access our online pledge form here. You can also download a pledge worksheet by clicking here, or by visiting our website at www.stjohnstampa.org.

The search for a new site for Faith Café began in the spring of 2011. Since then, the group has raised almost $400,000 from small and large donations. They have purchased the property, the site has been cleared, and the concrete slab was poured on October 31, 2012!  The group currently has $284,000 in their building fund after paying for the land and the permitting fees. The cost for the building is $368,000 and they also need to purchase interior furnishings, as well as cover operating expenses for 2013.  Therefore, the Café hopes to raise a final $200,000 by December 31.

To contribute construction materials, contact Burk Clark at  Burk@thesinclairgroup.com.  To donate funds, contact Mary Jane Schenck at mjschenck@ut.edu or Hugh Cruse  or hugh.cruse@gmail.com.  You may also donate directly through the website at www.faithcafetampa.com. Some smaller items needed are: a commercial dishwasher, washable plastic plates and glasses, and a microwave.  Please give prayerful consideration to donating so that Faith Café can re-open its doors and serve a hot noontime meal to over 100 very needy members of our community six days a week.

Questions?   Email Ginny Van Osdol.

High School Youth Christmas Party

We will meet at Canterbury Tower at 4:00 p.m. to visit the elderly residents there and bring them Christmas cheer.   Those who have RSVPed will then go to the home of Avery Guyton for Christmas dinner and the exchanging of gender-neutral $10 gifts. Questions? Email Arthur Taylor at ataylor895@gmail.com.