A Celebration of New Ministry

Saint John's is entering a new phase in our life together as a parish. Some might say that it is a "resurrection" of sorts.  This Sunday, August 24th, at 5:00 p.m. in the church, it will be the pleasure of your Wardens to address Bishop Smith publicly and request his Celebration of a New Ministry by inducting Fr. Connelly as Rector of this parish church.  All of us in attendance will be asked to support and uphold Fr. Connelly in his new ministry, just as we agree to support the newly baptized during that rite.  

 

This service will officially mark a new life for this church; fortunately, one that has already begun with our call to Father Connelly.   We urge each of you to join us on Sunday evening for this very meaningful service. With God's grace, it doesn't happen often, but it is monumental when it does.

 

Greg Gaar

Senior Warden

 

Paul Brokaw

Junior Warden

Please join us following the 9:00 a.m. service this Sunday, August 24, for Children's Ministry Rally Day! You will be able to register your child for Sunday School, learn about upcoming fun family events, see highlights of the curriculum your child will be taught, and learn what the rest of 2014 holds for children's Christian education at St. John's...

 

Once you have registered, you and your child will receive name tags and an information sheet. You will then be able to visit the Sunday School classrooms and meet your teachers for the fall.

 

For each class visited, your child will receive a sticker. Once your child has visited all four classrooms and has received all four stickers, he or she then can go jump in the bounce house.

 

There will be popcorn and a mystery snack... We can't wait to share our plans for this year!

Starting September 8, at 8:15 a.m. in Discovery House (918 South Orleans Avenue, the free standing bungalow to the right of the School's Lower Division campus), we will begin a weekly Mom's Sanctuary on Monday mornings. Come have a cup of coffee, meet new friends, and reconnect with old friends.

 

No homework, just bring an open mind and heart. If you have any questions, please email St. John's Church's Director of Christian Education, Leland Baldwin, at lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org, or call 259.1570. Your RSVP is requested so we can make sure we have adequate seats, coffee, and materials.

Cornerstone Kids Receive Backpacks

At the start of this school year, all 35 children at Cornerstone Kids went back to school with new backpacks and supplies, thanks to the generosity of our parish! Over $2,200 was raised, which was above and beyond our goal of $1,200. The smiles in these pictures really tell it all. Thanks to everyone who participated in this effort, including our Youth who made 35 additional goody bags for the kids.

 

St. John's Service Continues During the Summer

Just because the temperature is steamy and kids are out of school doesn't mean St. John's service at Faith Cafe has taken a break.  Many of our parishioners are still helping cook meals for needy community members on the last two Fridays of each month.  Thank you, church friends, for your work for these deserving people! 

Farewell to Fr. Doug Zimmerman

A lovely breakfast was held this past Sunday to bid farewell and bon voyage to our departing Associate Rector for Pastoral Ministries, the Rev. Doug Zimmerman. Thanks to all who helped prepare the meal and make the morning such a success.  We wish you and your family well on your new adventure in England, Fr. Doug Z!

Choir Enjoys Special NYC Trip

Our choir enjoyed their trip to New York City last weekend to sing for the wedding of former St. John's chorister, Matt Henry, to Meagan Bromley at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue. They also sang the following morning at the Festal Eucharist for the feast of St. Mary the Virgin. This service can be accessed by visiting www.saintthomaschurch.org.

 

 

We will have a reception following the 9:15 a.m. service on Sunday, September 7, for our newest clergy member.  Mark your calendar and plan to join us to meet and welcome her!

As our Rector, Fr. Connelly, announced last Sunday, in response to multiple requests, we will be adjusting our service times slightly. The 7:45 a.m. service will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the 9:00 will be at 9:15 a.m. The 11:15 a.m. service remains at the same time. 

 

Please note that these changes go into effect on Sunday, September 7, and that until then, the times remain 7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.