** Report-Out Today from Ministry Architects **

Fifty Years of Ordained Ministry:  

A Celebration of Fr. John Peterson

    

  

Women's Advent Mini-Retreat

     

Food Committee Judith Holmes, 

Carol Ihrig, Joan Lochridge, 

Mary Jane Schenk, 

Joanna Hall 

Peace and joyful anticipation highlighted the Women's Advent Mini-Retreat on Saturday, December 7.  Attendees made ornaments for Cornerstone Kids, spent time in prayer and meditation, heard harp music by Sharon Stoll, and enjoyed fellowship over a baked potato lunch. All enjoyed taking time to ponder the meaning of the season outside the rush of earthly duties and activities!  

Carmichael Ordained

Congratulations to our Associate Chaplain to the School, Alisa Carmichael, on being ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Cathedral in St. Petersburg!

Youth Fun!

  

Middle school youth, don't miss the fun: this Sunday (12/15) will be our study break at 4:00 p.m. at the Youth House.  Come take a break from cramming for exams and join Chaplain HQ for snacks, fellowship, and prayer.  Our middle school youth Christmas party and caroling is up next!  We'll meet at the Youth House at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22.

Christmas 2013 Service and Office Schedule

Men's Ministry: Tuesday, January 7, 6:00 p.m.

Join us on Tuesday, January 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall for a very special Men's Ministry meeting as we welcome speaker Mark Merrill, president and founder of Family First.  Family First is a widely respected national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the family. Family First promotes principles for building marriages and raising children through three successful programs.  Mark is also the co-founder, with Tony Dungy, of All Pro Dad.  Click here to see Mark's full bio.

We will also have our usual fine dining!  For this month only, RSVP to Ron Walker at rwalker@walkerbrands.com if you plan to attend so we can get a count for food.

Christmas Music In St. John's

Christmas Concert

The Choir of St. John's Church, together with Concordia Vocal Ensemble, will give a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m. that will include traditional carols of the season.  Program to include works by Harold Darke, William Mathias, Philip Marshall, and Sir David Willcocks. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

College Christmas "Welcome Home" Breakfast

All our college-aged parishioners and their parents are invited to join us on the morning of Sunday, December 22, after the combined 10:00 service of Lessons and Carols, as we celebrate our college students' homecoming!  A special breakfast will be cooked by our children and youth, and we will meet for fellowship in the courtyard of the church (weather permitting).

Moses Basket or Baby Rocker/Cradle Needed

The Christmas Pageant is in need of a baby rocker or cradle or a Moses basket to use for the baby Jesus.  Please contact Leland Baldwin if you can help.

Faith Cafe News

The patrons of Faith Cafe, specifically the men, are in need of clothing (jeans, shorts, and socks) as well as toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, razors).  Please bring donations to the parish offices.

Help Wanted: Make Christmas Special for Families at Metropolitan Ministries and Alpha House

A reminder that St. John's will be collecting unwrapped gifts for Metropolitan Ministries and diapers for Alpha House, so that everyone who wants to help others during the holiday season will have an opportunity to do so.  The Toy Drive is sponsored by the Dads' Club of the School, and they encourage all parents and parishioners to support the effort.  In particular, please note that donations of cash or gift cards are appreciated, and that if you are thinking of purchasing several smaller gifts,  Metropolitan Ministries asks that you please instead consider purchasing one larger gift.  Those toys and gifts are typically more durable and fulfilling for the receivers.

Bring your gifts or diapers to services on Sunday or to the parish offices during the week, there will be blue barrels for you to put the toys in.  The deadline is Friday, December 20. Thanks to those who have already contributed!

Cornerstone Kids: Christmas Gift Return 

Those parishioners that did take the name of a Cornerstone Kid, your wrapped gifts need to be brought to St. John's or St. James House of Prayer no later than Wednesday, December 18.  The Christmas party is the following afternoon at 3:30 at SJHOP, 2708 Central Ave, Tampa 33602. Contact MC Jenkins with questions, and thank you for your generosity!

Sandwich Sunday Hosts Needed

A host family or families are needed for Sandwich Sunday on March 16, 2014.  Hosts purchase supplies for Sandwich Sundays (costs fully reimbursed by St. John's), help coordinate assembly on the day of, and deliver the lunches to Faith Cafe.  Want to help?  Contact Amanda Sansone at asansone@carltonfields.com.

Before exam week, we will have a Study Break from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Youth House on Sunday, December 15. There will be snacks and games and just some time to relax in between study sessions. We will also pray together for the kids and their tests. 

Deadline for Christmas Toy Drive

Friday, December 20, is the deadline for dropping off toys for the joint church/school toy drive for Metropolitan Ministries.  Please place your toy(s) in one of the blue barrels, available on all three school campuses, by that date.

A Celebration of the Ministry of the Rev. Douglas Remer

The Rev. Douglas Remer will return for a final Sunday in St. John's on December 22.  He will preach at and celebrate the 7:45 a.m. service and preach at and officiate at the 10:00 a.m. combined Lessons and Carols service.  A reception will follow, please join us to celebrate Fr. Remer's time with us.

College Christmas "Welcome Home" Breakfast

All our college-aged parishioners and their parents are invited to join us on the morning of Sunday, December 22, after the combined 10:00 service of Lessons and Carols, as we celebrate our college students' homecoming!  A special breakfast will be cooked by our children and youth, and we will meet for fellowship in the courtyard of the church (weather permitting).

Middle School Youth Christmas Party and Caroling

High School Girls' Retreat

The Bishop's Ball

The Bishop's Ball is a free dance for all the youth in the Diocese. The dress is semi-formal and there will be a Christian band  (Captive) and a Christian DJ and a whole lotta fun! It's at St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Youth from St. John's will carpool there and back. Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin if your youth would like to go.

Men's Ministry

We will also have our usual fine dining!  For this month only, RSVP to Ron Walker at www.rwalker@walkerbrands.com if you plan to attend so we can get a count for food.

Safeguarding God's Children

This training is required by the Diocese of Southwest Florida for everyone who works with children or youth (Sunday School teachers, assistants, nursery personnel, youth ministers), eucharistic visitors, clergy, church staff, and vestry members. Once you take the original class, your certification is active for five years and then can be renewed via a brief online review program.

The training will take place at Lamb of God Episcopal Lutheran Church, 19691 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33967-6217 on Saturday, January 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To register, contact Wendy Smith at Church Office (239) 267-3525 Ext. 223 or e-mail Wendy@lambofgodchurch.net