August 5, 2015 Issue 
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We are always looking for church-related pictures to share with the congregation.  Submit them to LLowry@stjohnstampa.org.
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Health regulations prohibit the clergy from being informed when our parishioners are in the hospital, so we will not know if you or someone you love is there unless you tell us. We want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.  
 
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email 
parish@stjohnstampa.org to let us know when you need us.


 


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From the Parish Register


 


 

Birthdays:

 

August 6,  James Carte, Ethan Elliott, Deborah Jones, John Lackey, Mark Mellon,  Madden Morales, Richard Osborne, Joseph Salzer

 

August 7,  Thomas Fluharty, Andrew Lutton, Laura Straske

 

August 8,  Mary Katherine Leach, Raleigh Lutz, Kathleen Purdy, Carolyn Yelverton


August 9,   Abigail Chilldon, Carolyn Lane

 

August 10, Wilson Ayala, Jr., Mary Ellen Collins, Adrienne Feltner, Alexander Hancock, Julie Norton, Jennifer Shelton

 

August 11, Thomas Cassedy, Jill Johnson, Lucy Scarritt, Harrison Sunich, Williamson Sunich

 

August 12, Richard Arcuri, Sr., Tristan Bess, Mia Carastro, Marie McClelland, Darryl Petters, John Rabbitt

 


 

 






 

Parish News
(choose Track Two)
Staff Changes in Ministries for Children and Youth

Leland Baldwin met with Kristie Salzer, our Senior Warden, and Fr. Connelly, our Rector, earlier this week to tell them that she will be resigning her position with St. John's Parish. Opportunities for the full-time practice of law have become available to Leland, and she is going to direct her energies to that discipline for which she has been trained and which she loves. She feels in the depth of her heart that the Holy Spirit is working in her life at this time in calling her to a season of re-creation and re-formation. Through her ministry in St. John's over the past ten years, Leland has touched countless adults and children, bringing Christ more fully into their lives. We will miss her and we wish her the very best.

 

We are happy to announce that Miranda Harrison-Quillin, currently Youth Director and Associate Chaplain to Saint John's School, has accepted the new position of Director of Family Ministries in St. John's Church. In addition to continuing her ministry to the youth of St. John's, Miranda will assume the duties that were formerly Leland's responsibility. We are very excited about the possibilities for the future that we believe this combination of responsibilities will offer.

 

We will make arrangements for a celebration of Leland's ministry this fall. Please keep Leland, her family, Miranda, and St. John's Parish in your prayers.

Call the parish offices for more information. To RSVP, send your check for $22 for each ticket, made payable to St. John's to 906 South Orleans Avenue. Deadline to purchase is Wednesday, August 26.

Save These Upcoming Dates

Sunday, August 23

Combined Services and Rally Day, 10:00 a.m

On Sunday, August 23, we will combine the 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. services into one 10:00 a.m. service and celebrate the beginning of the parish year with Rally Day 2015! Following the service, at which casual dress is welcome and appropriate, we will gather on the church grounds for a picnic. The main course, beverages, and dessert will be provided by St. John's. Parishioners with last names starting with A through L should bring a side dish, while those with last names from M to Z should bring a salad or veggie. Parishioners representing our more than 50 ministries will be mingling and answering any questions you may have. Fun for the kids and fellowship for adults are also on the menu!

 

Sunday, August 30

New Children's Service, 9:15 a.m.

Starting Sunday, August 30, a new monthly service created especially for families with young children will begin. The service will take place in the Parish Hall and will run concurrently with the 9:15 a.m. service. Much like our annual Easter service in the Parish Hall, children will participate in the service, and the sermon and music will be geared to their growing minds and faith.

EFM: Education for Ministry Organizational Meeting

Do you know about EfM, Education for Ministry? It is a program offered since 1975 through the Episcopal School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN. Over four years, students study the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and Christian Theology.  It is not a process for ordination to the priesthood.

 

Participants complete weekly assignments with the help of resource guides. Students are responsible for setting their own learning goals. They spend a minimum of two hours in study and preparation each week. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them through discussion and guided reflection.  The small group process provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of the reading and study materials.

 

More important is the development theological reflection skills.  The goal is to learn to think theologically. By examining your own beliefs and relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, you learn what it means to be effective laity in the world.  In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has potential for manifesting the love of Christ, we discover that our ministry is at hand wherever we turn.

The group is supported by a life of prayer and regular worship.  EfM groups are encouraged to develop a pattern of worship appropriate to their situations.  Are you interested in developing or strengthening these components in your life? Come to the meeting on August 16 at 10:30 a.m. in the Lowry Room.  Dr. Oliver Roberts will be the mentor for our class.
Ministry Spotlight On... The St. John's Banner Group
We are grateful to our Banner Group, Mary Mixson, Sheila Luk, and Jeanne Wilhelm. The group creates the dozens of baptism banners that celebrate our newest Christians each year at St. John's

The group may be small in number, but they are mighty in determination and strength. They are looking for new members who can glue names straight on a banner, there is need to have cutting skills. This is a fun fellowship with lots of laughs. The group visits together and shares lunch.

The group would love to have you join them. They meet the last Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Discovery House, next to St John's Lower Division campus on Orleans Avenue. Lunch is provided. Please call Mary Mixson at  813.254.2880 any time between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for more information.

 

Thanks to Louise Krikorian for the article and photos.
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study Plans New Fall Series of Ephesians
On Tuesday, September 8, the Women's Mid Morning Bible Study will embark on a study of the Letter to the Ephesians, using the book,Paul, the Prison Letters by N. T. Wright, as our study guide.  We feel very blessed that our session leaders this fall will include each of our St. John's clergy, as well as inspiring lay women and a retired Episcopal priest who attends St. John's when he is in Tampa.  We invite all women of the parish and interested friends and neighbors to join us at 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. in the Lowry Room on alternate Tuesdays, September 8 - December 1.  
 
For more information contact Pat Wilson at patwilson68tampabay.rr.com or 644.4640 or Sally Wiley at swileytampa@aol.com or 253.3906.  Whether you are new to our group or returning for your seventh year or somewhere in between, we look forward to welcoming you on September 8 or whenever you can join us.
Action Items and Opportunities
School Supplies Needed for Cornerstone Kids

As the new school year approaches, your generous support is requested for the children at Cornerstone Kids. The goal is to raise $1,200 to cover the cost of backpacks and school supplies for 35 children.

 

You may drop off your monetary donation at the parish offices no later than August 16. Please make your check payable to St. John's. Contact MC Jenkins with questions at Bucsjenkins@aol.com. Thanks! 

Safeguarding God's Children: New Class Scheduled 

Safeguarding God's Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. The next session will take place on Thursday, August 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

 

Who needs to attend?

  •  All paid parish staff members, and staff and faculty of the School. 
  •  Any volunteers working with children and youth in the church or School (including Christian education leaders, chaperones, and other School volunteers)
  •  Anyone who wishes to learn more about how the parish and School can protect children and youth.

Recertification may be completed online. Email parish@stjohnstampa.org with questions, to RSVP for the August 13 session, or to learn about the online option.

Faith Cafe Needs

Now that hot weather is here, we need men's t-shirts and shorts for the patrons of Faith Café. Toiletries, underwear, and socks are also always welcome. Please bring contributions to the parish offices, and they will be taken down to Faith Café.

 

Questions about Faith Café? Contact Mary Jane Schenck or Sally Wiley.

Candle Available

The candle in the sanctuary light is available on September 27. Please contact the parish offices at 259.1570 if you would like to take this  opportunity to support St. John's and honor a loved one.

This Week at St. John's
Thursday, August 6
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and Healing (Chapel)
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Men's Interactive Bible Study and Lunch (Peterson Room)

The Men's Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group will continue to meet weekly during the summer of 2015. The readings the group will study are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday. The group will continue with this pattern, reading and studying the lessons for the Sunday to follow so as to better understand and absorb those readings and the sermon on Sunday.

 

Extra parking is available in the School's parking area across Plant St. under the Cross-town expressway if the regular lot is full. Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.

12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Friday, August 7
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Sunday, August 9
(choose Track Two)
8:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
9:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)

Sunday School for Children (Parish Hall)
Sunday School will continue throughout the summer.
Following the 9:15 a.m. service
Coffee Hour Fellowship (Parish Hall)
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I)  (Church)
Monday, August 10
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Tuesday, August 11
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)

CWBS continues a study of selected passages from 1 & 2 Samuel.  This course will run through August 25.  The course is designed in such a way that if people cannot attend all the sessions, they will still find each session interesting and not dependent upon what came the week before.

 

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. 

12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Wednesday, August 12
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Nights at St. John's (Parish Hall)

Jesus the New Way presented by N.T. Wright. Series begins Wednesday, July 29.


Jesus the New Way is a magnificent account of the life and message of Jesus of Nazareth. N.T. Wright is truly one of the most outstanding contemporary Jesus scholars, which is evident throughout this entire production.

Program 3,  August 12 - Longing for a King: In a Jewish world ready for the welcome and recognition of a Messiah, how did Jesus redefine what that should mean? What were the implications for the main symbols of Israel's life such as the Holy Temple?

 

The Wednesday Nights at St. John's group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at pgamefla@aol.com for more details.