Our Vicar, Fr. Randy Hehr, has accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clearwater, beginning February 1.  In making the announcement in St. John's on Sunday, December 9, Fr. Hehr said this was a very difficult decision after ten wonderful years here in Tampa. He added, "At sixty years of age, if I am going to embark on a great adventure, it better be now."

 

Holy Trinity, located on McMullen Booth Road, has grown tremendously over the past twenty-three years under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Diaz.  When Fr. Diaz arrived in 1989, there were thirty-five active members.  By the year 2002, the parish had grown to more than seven hundred.  Fr. Diaz retired this year, and the parish is at an important crossroads.  As Priest-in-Charge, Fr. Hehr will lead the congregation through a transition period. The vestry has the option of calling him as rector in the next several years.

 

On Sunday, Fr. Hehr said, "This morning I remember a call ten years ago to serve here in St. John's Parish.  In that case, the voice of God sounded remarkably like Fr. Doug Remer!  I am so grateful for these past ten years, and for the constant support and encouragement Fr. Remer has given me."

 

Fr. Hehr's last Sunday in St. John's will be January 27.  He will be missed, but we wish him all the best in his "great adventure!" 

Please click here or visit our website to see a listing of all Christmas services.

The 2012 Angel Tree party was our biggest and best yet, with more than 150 people in attendance for a party that included dancing, lunch, and games.  Over 200 gifts were given to deserving children, and the 75 families also went home with the ingredients for a delicious and festive dinner to make at home.  Many St. John's parishioners were instrumental in making this event such a success, especially Angel Tree coordinator Ginny Lindquist, driver coordinator Paul Carastro, gift organizers Betsy and Charlotte Graham and Nicki Weekes, and the children of St. John's who gave their time and talents by appearing in our Christmas pageant.    

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.

FATHERS Couples Christmas Party 

 

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.