In the Episcopal Church, Bishops are in Apostolic Succession, meaning that the laying on of hands transmitted through history by Popes and Bishops can be traced back to the Apostles. Those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have undergone instruction, to make a public affirmation of their faith and their commitment to the Baptismal Covenant. They then receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop and become part of a continuous tradition that has been unbroken for centuries. 

On Sunday, May 3, 10 young people and 13 adults joined this community of believers in a joyous ceremony. The congregation joined them to celebrate after the service in the courtyard on a beautiful Florida spring day. 

Robert Baldwin Barnes
Abigail Lee Burden
William Baker Danzi
Andrew Rutherford Duryea
Peter West Duryea
Virginia Love Elliott
Charlotte Adaire Graham
Noah Gregory Hearing
Blake Scott Heyer
John Banks Whiteley

Adult Confirmands

Timothy Allen Andreu
Maxwell Rhodes Grimard
Melissa Kim Ariss-Menendez
Obiamaka Parma Obianyo
Cinda Lou Reyes
Layla Pearle Ringhoff
Robert Stanley Stephens, Jr.

Reaffirmation of Faith
Helen JoAnna Hall
Edwin Davis Mills
Celia Elinor Nieto
Jeremiah Glenn Pederson
Darryl Lindin Petters

Received into the Episcopal Church
Patricia Estelle Richards

 

We'll meet at Sargeant Park at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday for our 4 1/2 mile trip, finishing our adventure at Morris Bridge Park about noon -- so please pack a lunch. We'll have "Critter Sightings" worksheets for the kids to check off along the way, and pictures to color in their favorite critter afterwards. Expect to see turtles, osprey, otters, and lazy sunbathing gators. Most of the trek is canopied but be sure to bring your hats and sunblock.

Please contact Kevin Kellar or Leland Baldwin with questions. To inquire about financial assistance, please contact Fr. Connelly. You may drop a check off at the office, or with Kevin or Leland -- no later than May 31st.
 

See you on the river! 

From the battlefields of World War II to Harvard Law School....from co-founding the University of South Florida to co-founding the Holland & Knight law firm, St. John's parishioner John Germany has always been a visionary leader, and was instrumental in the planning of the downtown library which was named in his honor.

 

WEDU TV (PBS), Tampa Bay's public media station, profiled 92-year old Tampa lawyer John F. Germany Thursday night, April 30, on the "Suncoast Business Forum." The program will be re-broadcast this afternoon, May 3rd at 1:00 pm. Following the program, the profile can be viewed on the web at: wedu.org/sbf.

As most of you know, we at St John's have for some time been praying for Kathleen Moore as she begins the process of preparing for Holy Orders.  Kathleen is attending the diocesan School for Ministry Development at Dayspring as a postulant for ordination as a vocational deacon.  As part of her training, Kathleen is required to complete a year-long Field Education experience in a parish other than her home parish. We are pleased to tell you that Kathleen will join the staff of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clearwater where she will be mentored by our good friend Father Randy Hehr.  At Holy Trinity, Kathleen will serve at the altar, preach, visit parishioners in the hospital, and help develop outreach and Christian Formation programs.  So while we will miss Kathleen on Sundays at St John's, we wish her well in her work with Father Hehr at Holy Trinity.

St. John's former Director of Children's Education Billy Daniel has been called as rector for a church in Geneseo, New York. From the church newsletter:

I am very pleased to announce that The Reverend William O. Daniel, Jr., Ph.D. has accepted our call to be the next rector at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Geneseo.

 

He received his undergraduate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tennessee. He then went to Duke University and Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Nashotah, Wisconsin, for Divinity School. This was followed by a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Father Daniel has a long list of accomplishments, which include numerous publications, presentations, lectures, and guest sermons.

 

He is coming to us from Hagerstown, Maryland, where he has been serving as Chaplain and Professor of History and Religious Studies at the Saint James School, which is an Episcopal boarding school.

He is married to Amanda and they have two children, Wyles who is in the 7th grade, and Aydah who is in the 5th grade. They will live in the Rectory beginning in June of this year. He hopes to take a couple of weeks to get settled, but he will begin conducting the Sunday services on June 7th.

 

Please join us in welcoming the Daniel family to Geneseo and St. Michael's.

While Mom will get lots of "Luvs" and "Huggies" on her special day, remember that others need to be pampered too! We can all help the Mothers and babies at Alpha House by bringing "Wish List" items on (or before) Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10. All donations will be collected in the courtyard prior to all three services on Mother's Day or drop off in the parish offices prior to May 10.

*****Volunteers are needed to receive collection bags prior to all three services on Mother's Day. If you can lend a hand, please call Ruth Giordano at 254.4332 or email her at tampagio@aol.com.

St. John's Book Club: Tuesday, May 19