Advent at Home: We know that many of you will not be venturing to church this Advent. However, you can still find ways to observe Advent from home. Follow this link to see the prayers that we are using on Sundays when we light the Advent candles. We hope you will use these same prayers with us. Additionally, Virginia Theological Seminary is offering meditations and images during this holy season beginning Sunday, November 29. Images and meditations can be experienced via the #AdventWord website, direct daily emails, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and ASL videos via YouTube.
Christmas Altar Decorations: If you would like to make a donation for altar decorations (poinsettias), please return a completed donation card and a check to the parish office. The list of memorials and honorariums will be published in the February newsletter. Thank you!
Christmas Eve Survey: Please continue to fill out the survey with your Christmas Eve service preference. We’d like input from as many people as possible! Please complete the survey by Sunday, December 6. Direct questions to gro.notpmahsnhojts@snoitacinummoc. You can find the survey 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!
Update on COVID and Sundays at St. John’s: The Bishop has asked that each of us to follow the positivity rates for COVID testing. When our area reaches 8%, we are told that we need to “pull back.” When our area reaches 10% we will have to close. The percent positivity is holding steady at 8.5% in Hampton. This means that we will have service in person this Sunday. That said, cases are on the rise and we encourage you to exercise caution. If you have travelled this week or celebrated in a large group, please consider staying home and worshipping online. The best way we can show God’s love is by protecting those around us.
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 (chair), 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: Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.