Last Sunday afternoon I joined our awesome EYC leaders (Christina Kastendike and Mike Phelps), Father Philip, and about ten of our youth in the Parish Hall to discuss Outreach at St. John’s (AKA “worshiping outside the walls of church”). Most of them were familiar with some of the work we do in the community to…
Over the years I have heard hundreds of times that our congregation cares deeply about food security. Our faith in action has made St. John’s known in the community as a church that works to feed the hungry. Historically and currently, our time, treasure and talents support our deep conviction to feed the hungry and…
“Christians Taking Seriously What Jesus Took Seriously” On Saturday evening over 200 people gathered at Wellington Mobile Home Park to listen to the stories of and show support for the residents there who face losing their homes in the impending sale of the land their mobile homes are on. Residents diverse in age, ethnicity and…
Being in close proximity to marginalized people always challenges and clarifies my faith. Listening to the stories of the poor, those experiencing food insecurity, those dealing with chronic health problems and mental illness is messy and time consuming, and I almost always reflexively play the old tape in my head that questions, “Where is God…
Spring has brought many gifts to St. John’s such as our EYC gathering in person for fellowship and worship outdoors, warmer and brighter evenings to serve food at our Community Meals Program on Monday and Wednesday nights, thriving new walking groups within our parish, time together working in our native garden and the new Northeast…
“You’re packing a suitcase for a place none of us have been A place that has to be believed to be seen” -U2- Walk On An oracle to which I frequently turn to answer life’s big questions are the lyrics of Bono, lead singer for the band U2. In our Parish Survey on Regathering and…
As we “Walk with Jesus” this Lent by studying the Stations of the Cross together, we focus on Station 5 this week: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross. For me, the genius of Henri Nouwen’s little book on the Stations of the Cross is that he invites us to relate the well known…
Wake Forest Community — Covid Memorial What: All are welcome to use the large outdoor labyrinth at St. John’s Episcopal Church (a circular meandering path meant for walking and reflection that leads you to a center point and guides you back out to an exit point) to honor and remember all who have been…
The Church of the Awakening: Services Begin Around 3:00am. For the last ten months, I have been regularly attending a new church, and I venture to guess that many of you have too. Looking back, I have been a faithful member of this new church since I started teaching high school, and until an “Awakening”…
This past week the Community Council through the Town of Wake Forest named its Citizen of the Year and Organization of the Year. This committee and ceremony have many ties to St. John’s including members of the committee, the Mayor who announced the winners and a beautiful painting by our beloved Shirley Matheny that has…