We recently celebrated the Moving On Ceremony at the preschool and of course I got emotional. Saying goodbye is difficult after you have poured so much into such sweet relationships. It’s not just letting go of the children that we have cared for so much but also the parents/families that become such a special part of…
It’s graduation season, and there are signs of celebration all around! There are balloons and flowers, candy bouquets and class parties, yard signs and yearbooks, and caps and gowns as far as the eye can see. Social media platforms are exploding with pictures of little ones now all grown up and moving from one level…
Awesome Arts Adventures Camp! 2nd graders thru High Schoolers welcome Registration is now open – CLICK HERE to register! St. John’s Music Director, Marcia Klinder-Badgley, will be holding a Summer Day Camp at St. John’s from June 19-June 23 from 9-Noon featuring: Djembe Drum Circles, Ukuleles, Visual Art Projects, Games and Snacks. Open to 2nd graders through…
“Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:35 Can you feel the incredible energy in the air at St. John’s? It’s AWESOME! God’s presence is heard/felt/seen in all things and the excitement that is generated for worship, formation, outreach,…
Now what? We have arrived at Easter. Our Lenten journey is complete, and we have witnessed our annual reliving of the drama of the Last Supper, Passion, and Resurrection again. Finally, the tomb is empty, Angel’s proclamation is heard, and Jesus lives! What a relief, but now what do we do? In my Sunday sermon,…
What was it like for Lazarus to be resurrected? Our gospel reading last Sunday, and Fr. Stephen’s probing sermon, brought us to the very precipice of the mystery of new life made possible in Jesus. What is it like to see new life spring up in the midst of death? What is the experience of…
I wanted to provide an overview of staff transitions coming up this Spring/Summer at St. John’s and what our Vestry and I are doing to address ongoing parish needs in response. I know many are curious as to what options we are considering, and perhaps a little nervous because we’re facing quite a lot of…
Spiritual Formation Classes I was preparing for tomorrow night’s class about the Holiness Tradition and was struck by the narrative about the Ten Commandments and not only following them, but following the spirit of the law. God desires holiness, purity, and virtue in our lives as a way to make our lives whole and pure. To trust…
“Making mistakes in the spiritual life is an essential part of growth—as important as forest fires, blow-downs, and insects are to the life of a thriving forest. You grow only in being burnt, bent, and bitten. You have to stumble before you walk…” As one who has spent their life incessantly striving for perfectionism, the…
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…