September 17, 2023, was the third Sunday of Creation Season at St. John’s. The Church service was full of hymns and prayers giving thanks for, and asking for the care of all creation, including the skies, the earth, and the waters. These were beautiful messages which made me think, and also worry, about our fragile…
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) on Sept. 26 9AM – 5PM Mental Health First Aid for Adults teaches people to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Topics covered…
As you likely know by now, starting Oct 1 we have a few big changes coming to our weekly Sunday morning schedule: First, our weekly Sunday School program at St. John’s (using the Godly Play curriculum during the 9:30 am church service) will go on hiatus for a year so we may experiment with a different…
11:15 AM Eucharist You may want to join us at TAPESTRY if: you would relish a style of worship where all ages may fully participate and enjoy each other’s presence (a TAPESTRY woven from the wisdom of God in all ages) you sometimes wish you could discuss with others what you’ve heard in the sermon (just after…
God-incidence I am grateful to Mother Sarah Phelps for her leadership and her confidence in inviting me to fill this role of Associate Rector. When I finished my seminary education, I was torn which direction to go — as a parish priest or into campus ministry. Fortunately, an opportunity came to do both part-time. After…
Next week 59 little children will line up to start St. John’s Preschool’s new school year. Many have never been in any preschool program before or even been separated from their parents. There may be tears, some from the children and some from the parents. When I was raising my own little ones, I never really could appreciate…
A Prayer Calendar for Creation Season 2023 is available for you to pick up from the table in the Narthex starting this Sunday. This calendar was created by Julie Arthur, Creation Care Leader, and is designed to enrich your spiritual journey by guiding your daily prayers towards creations of God. As you utilize this calendar,…
The Rev. Philip Zoutendam, Associate Rector and The Rev. Sarah Phelps, Rector First, a message from Fr. Philip: Dear beloved people of St. John’s, I have some bittersweet news, and I’m sorry that the bitter part will inevitably come as a shock. I’ll be moving to New Jersey this fall to follow my wife,…
We’re moving………..the choir pews 😊 Have you noticed how many individuals are sharing their musical talents with the Cantate Vocal Choir at our 9:30 AM Eucharist? The choir pews are filling up and the time it takes us to gather up by the keyboard and altar rail has increased and the risk of choir members…
COHESION: the act or condition of cohering; the tendency to stick together. Since returning from the Intergenerate Ministry Conference last month, there is a “buzz” around St. John’s. That “I” word keeps surfacing in conversations, sermons, announcements, the eNews. There is excitement paired with nervousness, right? And that nervous energy is a positive attribute! Imagine…