Knock Out Hunger Food Drive: This time of year, the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank is in crucial need of extra donations. To help out those in need and encourage a little friendly competition between the downtown Hampton churches, St. John’s is competing in a “Food Fight!” The rules are simple: during the week of November 15-22, donate as many non-perishable food items as you can. You can bring these donations to church on Sunday, or to the office between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. If you would prefer to make a financial contribution, visit this link. At the end of the week, the church with the most combined financial donations and food (by weight) will be declared the winner!
Christmas Eve Survey: You should have recently received an email containing a survey about this year’s Christmas Eve services. Obviously things are going to look a little different than usual, and we want as much feedback as possible so that the services are safe and well-attended. If you would like your voice to be heard, please complete the survey by Sunday, December 6. You can find it in your email, or follow this link.
Need Heaters and Big Tents: We are considering ways we can safely celebrate Christmas Eve. One of those ways is doing parts of our worship outside. Therefore we are looking for outdoor patio heaters as well as large tents (in case of rain). If you have any you could loan the church, please contact the church office. Thank you!
Communion to Go: Have you missed communion but don’t feel comfortable attending church because of COVID? We will be creating bags with consecrated bread and wine, as well as the prayers we use for at home communion. We will even deliver them to you if you can’t come to pick it up. If you are interested, please contact the office at gro.notpmahhsnhojts@eciffo. You can also call between 9am and 3pm on weekdays at 722-2567.
Confederate Memorial Update: The new committee has been approved by the vestry. Part of what they will do is spend time (over Zoom) with African American faith leaders from the Diocese of Southern Virginia as well local pastors involved in Race and Reconciliation in Hampton. They will discuss ways that this potential modification might lead to more healing in our community. They will also explore various modifications that can be made. Ultimately this committee will make a recommendation to the vestry. The members of the committee are: Heidi Wallace, Susan Edmonson, Jay Hogg, David Bishop, Phyllis Henry, Linda Curtis, Will Hudgins III and Greg Brauer. The senior warden and clergy will serve as ex officio members. We are grateful that every person who was invited agreed to serve.
Prayers for our Nation: A St. John’s parishioner suggested that we pray for our nation every day at noon. You can do this anywhere with any words that you choose. The idea is that we know somewhere, other members of St. John’s are praying for our country. While you can pray in any way that you would like, the Book of Common Prayer is a treasure trove of prayers. Therefore, we will be providing a different one every week. Here is this week’s: Gracious God, we give thanks for military men and women, both from the past and present, and for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people to secure the blessings of life, liberty, and justice for all. May our remembrance be a timely reminder that our freedom was purchased at high cost, and should not be taken for granted. Give us resolve to labor in faithful service to you until all share the benefits of freedom, justice, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.