Pledge Sunday: We firmly believe that all who wander are not lost. During the pandemic, we have all felt a bit lost, but our faith and belief in the one true God will always lead us home. The St. John’s community has not missed one Sunday. We have continued to gather virtually and now in person throughout the pandemic. We have tried to highlight some of our efforts in the three stewardship videos. Thank you to the many who have already pledged. We asked that you try to pledge by November 1. We hope that you can turn in a pledge card at your earliest convenience. We understand if you are not able to fulfill your pledge because of financial challenges. If this is the case, please consider contacting our pledge keeper (Margot Rous) at the following e-mail: ten.xoc@suorwm or our treasurer (Linda Curtis) at gro.notpmahsnhojts@1ecnanif.
Tailgate this Sunday: After our 9:15 service we will have the St. Meinrad All Saint’s Tailgate gathering in our parking lot. St. Meinrad is the patron saint of hospitality. We will have packaged snacks and drinks. Unfortunately we cannot have anything that is not packaged due to COVID. We are also celebrating Pledge Sunday which is when we are asking everyone to turn in their pledge cards.
Adult Forum: The adult forum is back with a special guest, The Rev. John D. Ericson. He will be presenting on November 15 at 10:15am on the topic of Race and the Church. Race, as we know it today, is a social construct rather than a scientific designation. It was invented in the context of Colonial Virginia in support of an economy that needed a cheap source of labor for its tobacco product. Learn how this changing definition of race made its way into law and how English Colonists in Virginia changed their identity from that of Christian to White persons. We will also record it so you can watch from home.
A Season of Prayer: For an Election Forward Movement and The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are calling Episcopalians and all others to join in A Season of Prayer: For an Election. Starting October 27 and continuing through the day after the election, we invite you to pray for the election of leaders in the United States. Materials are available below in English and Spanish for use at home or to share with you congregation. These prayers, drawn from The Book of Common Prayer, can be printed out and tucked in a Bible or prayer journal. The prayers will also be posted daily on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, under the hashtag #seasonofprayer. Click here to learn more and/or to sign up for email updates.
Flower Deliverers Needed: Did you know that every Sunday we bring our lovely flowers from the altar to parishioners who are either celebrating an event or just need a little sunshine in their life? It’s true! But it is harder and harder to do that, as most of our flower deliverers are unable due to COVID. Please consider volunteering to deliver flowers once a month. It’s a great way to connect with other people from the parish and remind people that we care.
Home Communion: We are delighted to be celebrating communion again on Sundays. However, we know that some will not feel comfortable attending. If you would like a clergy person to bring you communion, please contact Samantha (gro.notpmahsnhojts@rotcerjs), Mark (gro.notpmahsnhojts@kram), or the church office (722-2567). Our preference will be to share communion with you on a porch, deck, or front stoop if possible. We know that will not work for some and we can come inside if that is the only option. We are just trying to keep everyone as safe as possible!
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: Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.