Choral Evensong: Sunday, February 1

The St. John's Choir has enjoyed the opportunity in recent years to combine with the choir of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to sing Choral Evensong, and will do so again on Sunday, February 1, here at St. John's, for the feast of Candlemas. The Evensong will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the church. A reception, to which all are warmly invited, follows in the Parish Hall.

We are delighted, as part of our Annual Music Series, to be welcoming back to St. John's the Boy Choristers of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City on Sunday, March 8. St. John's has forged a firm friendship with St. Thomas - our own choir having sung there on a number of occasions. The boys will give a concert here in the church at 5:00 p.m., and will be joined by our own altos, tenors, and basses for several pieces in the program. 

As part of their Florida tour, the boys require housing for two nights on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8. If you might be able to offer accommodation to at least two boys (they are required to stay in pairs), please contact Ginny VanOsdol, who has kindly agreed to coordinate housing. Ginny can be reached at 701.8029, or virginiavanosdol@gmail.com

Simon Morley

The Outreach Projects Committee will be holding an Outreach Rally Day in the Parish Hall on February 1 following the 9:15 a.m. service. We hope to introduce or re-familiarize parishioners with our outreach ministries and recruit volunteers to serve our community.  Please contact Dennis Carr at dcarr@elevationarch.com with any questions.

Focus on Faith is a small group experience to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its beliefs. The program, which begins February 1 at 12:20 p.m. in the Parish Hall, is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith.  It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey.  The program is led by Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector. Download a brochure about Focus on Faith by clicking here, or pick one up in the parish offices. Questions? Contact Mother Alice at asadler@stjohnstampa.org.  

On Monday, February 2, at 4:30 p.m. there will be an organizational meeting to form a Grief Support group.  The meeting will be in the Lowry Room.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the content of the meetings and establish the dates and time of the meetings.  Please contact Alice Sadler, Associate Rector, at 397.1005 or asadler@stjohntampa.org for questions or if you cannot attend the meeting, but are interested in joining the group.

A new class begins February 5, focusing on the Daniel Plan.

Time: 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Discovery House

Who: Anyone interested in feeling better, more energetic, more focused

What:The Daniel Plan is a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle program founded on Biblical principles, focusing on: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends.

Cost: The cost of the book

The class runs from February 5 to March 5 (5 weeks total). The program works better when done in community because God designed us to thrive in loving supporting communities. The overreaching message is that of abundance not deprivation. The Daniel plan is a transformational and sustainable lifestyle. 

Any questions, email lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org.

The Rev. Dr. Bob Owens, a professor in The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, February 8.

Also, as part of our Adult Education Series, Fr. Owens will be discussing the importance of the Old Testament to our Christian faith on Sunday afternoon. This event will take place in the Parish Hall beginning at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served. RSVP to parish@stjohnstampa.org, or call 259.1570. More information on Bob's background can be found on the website for the General Theological Seminary at www.gts.edu.

On Tuesday, February 10, CWBS will begin a new study of the Gospel of John, using the study guide JOHN by Mark A. Matson from the Interpretation Bible Studies series. The group meets on Tuesdays from 6:45 to 8:00 a.m. in the Peterson Room at the Middle Division campus. After conversation and a light breakfast (fruit & some type of bread) that members take turns bringing, the study starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends shortly before 8:00 a.m.; a few people may leave early if they have to go to work. All women of St John's and their friends are welcome; the group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ's church.  We would love to have you join us.  

For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com for more information.
 

Please mark your calendars for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper aka Fat Tuesday.

Where: Parish Hall

When: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person or $20 for whole family

Who: ALL are invited to dinner to prepare for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

Any questions or if you would like to help, please email lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org

The St. John's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, February 17, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room.  Patsy Carte will lead the discussion of The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Come one and all: actors, singers, dancers, poets, musicians, comedians, and backstage helpers, get ready for the 10th Annual Mission Possible!

Questions? Email lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org.

Info Session for Youth Mission Trip to El Ayudante in Nicaragua (July 11 to 18)

Thursday, February 12 from 6:00 to 6:30 pm. 

In the Parish Hall

High School Skating Party

Sunday, February 22  6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   

Meet at United Skates of America on North Armenia

Saturday, February 28  8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lunch from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

St. John's "Outreach Saturday" will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a fellowship lunch at the Parish Hall.  The outreach projects will consist of two to three hands-on volunteer assignments at Metropolitan Ministries.  Please start spreading the word about this outreach opportunity as we will begin sign up during the February 1 Rally Day.   Questions? Contact Erin Carr at erin@sunfishholdings.com.

Many parishioners will have heard about Tampa native Jackie Faircloth, who was recently injured by a car when on a trip to Tallahassee. Jackie is the granddaughter of Miriam Faircloth, longtime parishioner and volunteer at St. John's. Jackie was one of Sugarshack's first employees, so store owner Jean Paul has generously offered to donate the net proceeds from sales on four Sundays to support Jackie's recovery. 

Please visit Jean Paul at Sugarshack at 1521 S. Dale Mabry Highway on Sundays, February 1 and 8. More information about Sugar Shack, including hours and menus, are available by clicking here.

Focus on Faith is a small group experience to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its beliefs. The program, which begins February 1 at 12:20 p.m. in the Parish Hall, is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith.  It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey.  The program is led by Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector. Download a brochure about Focus on Faith by clicking here, or pick one up in the parish offices. Questions? Contact Mother Alice at asadler@stjohnstampa.org.  

Rob Greenway offered an insightful and compelling historical perspective of Islam in his presentation to the Men's Ministry early in January.  He has agreed to return for our February meeting to offer Part II - The Struggle With and Within.  This presentation will cover the expansion of the Islamic faith from the time of Muhammad through the Crusades, the fall of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire, all the way to modern-day events that are shaping today's Muslim faith.  Rob, who served our country for 20 years in the military and is now a civilian Senior Intelligence Officer at Central Command,  will again deliver this material from a Christian perspective and we expect a spirited conversation on how we, as Christian men, can deal with Muslims in our daily lives.  Remember, Rob's views are his own, and not those of his employer. 

If you made the January meeting, we're sure you were impressed with Part I and will return for this one; if you missed it, Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II, so, either way, we hope you can make this one.  Please RSVP for the February meeting by emailing Dallas Coffield at dcoffield@gmail.com.  Just like for Part I, we'll start this meeting at 5:00 p.m., sit down for Holy Hog BBQ at 5:30 p.m., and get Rob on by 6:00 p.m..  Your donation of $12 buys a dinner and a great seat for this captivating presentation and discussion.