From the Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Elaine H. Breckenridge

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1 Committed to living a faith journey that is sacred, intentional, compassionate and inclusive. From the Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Elaine H. Breckenridge Worship Sunday, June 4 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 11 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 18 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22 7:00 p.m. Celtic Worship Sunday, June 25 9:30 a.m. Special Events Friday, June 30 5:00 p.m. Soul Kitchen The Feast of Pentecost is upon us and our yearly celebration. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles appointed for this day, we learn of the Holy Spirit descending upon a cosmopolitan gather of people. In a flash, people speaking different languages were suddenly able to understand one other. Where there was once no understanding, now all gathered were one in their understanding. For a moment in time, a diversity of people were brought together into a global village. In our time, we too live with diversity, a global village. We don t have to travel to faraway lands to meet people of color, or to encounter those who are not Christian. Our cities, villages and neighborhoods are now populated with the peoples of the World. No doubt, for many this diversity is overwhelming, frightening and filled with conflict. But diversity also creates a fertile opportunity for conversation, mutual understanding, cooperation and peace-making. This is the hope to which God calls us. Who are our neighbors? In our neighborhoods, there are people who practice an array of the religions of the world. It would be interesting to know about them and to know them. It would be interesting to develop or enhance our appreciation of the faith traditions of the world. And more than interesting, it is one way that we can respond to the Great Commandment of loving our neighbors. Come fall, we will be partnering with a non-profit organization called the Interfaith Peace Project by offering a series of presentations on the religions of the world. This will be a monthly series held on a Saturday morning, September-December. We have found an excellent teacher, a catholic priest and scholar to be our guide. Inside this newsletter, you will find more information. Continued on next page

2 Worship News Continued from Page 1 For those who choose to participate, we will gather to learn about and experience the religion and spirituality of the Hindu and Sikh traditions, the Buddhist tradition, Judaism and Islam. Not only will we learn about these faith traditions, but we will learn how these diverse traditions inform and relate to our own tradition. From there, perhaps new friendships and new partnerships will emerge as we reach out to neighbors we have not met yet. Ideally, we will be given new tools to create our corner of the world as a place where the love of Christ is visible. SAVE THE DATES! ALL SESSIONS WILL RUN 9:30-12:00 Dates: 9/16 Hindu, Sikh 10/14 Buddism 11/4 Judaism 12/9 Islam Let a New Pentecost begin! Pentecost, June 4 Next Sunday is our annual observation of the Feast of Pentecost! The liturgical color of the day is red, a color for the Holy Spirit. Members of the congregation are invited to dress in red to celebrate. It will be the last Sunday to hear our choir sing, as they traditionally take the summer as a break. Next Sunday, following the Eucharist, there will be a barbecue and potluck lunch. Please plan to join us on this festive day Graduation Sunday June 11 On June 11, we will honor all graduating seniors from high school. We will also offer prayers of thanksgiving for all members of St. John the Baptist (and their relatives) who will be graduating this spring from Junior High, High School, College and Graduate Programs. As per parish tradition a roster of graduates from our extended families will also appear in the June edition of the newsletter. A sign-up sheet is at the Ministry Table for names to be listed. Page 2 St. John s Episcopal Church

3 Worship News A Celtic Eucharist, June 22, 7:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of informal worship on Thursday, June 22 as we gather to celebrate our congregation s namesake and the official beginning of summer. We begin in the church for readings, chants and Eucharist and will then process to gather around a small bonfire on the patio for a time of prayer and contemplation. Participants are given lavender sticks to feed the fire and are invited to offer an intentional prayer for the world, someone else and themselves. It is a beautiful way to let our prayers as incense rise to the Holy One. A festive party follows. The Lord s Prayer We are now using the Rite II form of the prayer that Jesus taught. For those who are new to our congregation we use the Traditional Lord s Prayer from Advent to Pentecost and the more contemporary version for the season of Pentecost. Celebrations of Life YVONNE SCHILDT Please make an effort to support Yvonne's family and friends as we celebrate Yvonne's life on Saturday, June 10 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. All Eucharistic Ministers are invited to vest and process. GINI HART We are sad to announce the death of Deacon Gini this past weekend. Her memorial service will be Friday, June 16 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. June 2017 Page 3

4 Ministry News From Seminarian Greg Masztel Greg is a postulant for the vocational diaconate and is in his final year of seminary. Part of his requirement for ordination is to do a one year field education placement. He has been assigned to us! He and his wife Linda will be with us every Sunday beginning in August for the academic year. His letter of introduction is below. Have you ever started a conversation with So, what s the craziest thing you ve ever done? The stories that follow that question can be quite surprising. THIS is that kind of story. Linda and I have been married for 34 years, this July, and have two daughters who we are quite proud of (one a High School music teacher, and the other a high school English teacher). In your mid-50 s having reached that point in life with the kid s college loans just about paid off, you start thinking about a comfortable retirement. Do you know that dream? I m going to sit back on the front porch, sipping a morning mimosa, and laugh at all the people going to work. In the afternoon maybe I ll go kayaking or biking, and grill on the back deck this evening. There s an old Yiddish proverb, however, that goes If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. I first sensed a call to being a Deacon in 2008, but I couldn t swear to uphold the teachings of a Church that excluded people: divorced people from Communion; women from ministry; two people who loved each other from marrying; or married men from the priesthood. None of these issues affected me personally, but they affected my brothers and sisters in Christ. In 2013 I met Pastor Kathy West of St. Paul s in Modesto (she recently passed away) who brought Linda and me to a Church that doesn t exclude people. Our hearts were so filled with joy in coming to the Episcopal Church. Our first service at St. Paul s was on Maundy Thursday that year. This is the crazy part of the story! The following year, after the Good Friday service, Pastor Kathy called me back from the parking lot and said You know, you have a call! I can see it. This started a conversation that re-ignited that yearning I had felt back in 2008, but this time in a Church that excluded no one. I spent the first several months trying to say No! and then hoping for a negative answer from someone in my first year of the discernment process, but to no avail. Here I am, though, in my third year of the process, sure of my call, hopeful of the future, and feeling blessed by God to be called to this role of Servant Leader. In the Steps to Ordination you Page 4 St. John s Episcopal Church Continued on next page

5 Ministry News start as an Applicant for the first year or so discerning if this is the right path for you. Once you are approved as a Postulant you begin your education process. (For me this has been attending the School for Deacons in Berkeley, CA where I ll begin my third year of a 3 year program this August). At some point in your final year of education the Commission on Ministry, and Standing Committee of the Diocese of San Joaquin, advance the Postulant to Candidate. Towards the end of your education, after extensive review of canonical requirements, the Candidate then advances to Ordinand, with ordination soon to follow. As I write this, I m a Postulant soon to be considered as Candidate. As part of my final year of education I am required to serve at a Parish Field Assignment, which has brought me to St. John s in Lodi. This assignment gives me the opportunity to see Church from a different perspective, and gives you the opportunity to know Linda and I. We attended our first Eucharist at St. John s in May, somewhat incognito, and fell in love with St. John s as soon as we walked in. I will be officially starting there in August, but you may find us wandering in from time to time before then. For those who are asking What is a Deacon? Well, that s another story Peace and Love, Greg Father Edward Dondi We have enjoyed having Fr. Dondi in our midst and sadly we have been asked to share him with the Diocese. Beginning in June, Dondi+ will be functioning as a supply priest for the community in Atwater and Merced. He will be with them on the second and fourth Sunday each month. We will still see him on first and third Sundays. Meetings There is a meeting of the Vision Committee, Tuesday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. The vestry holds its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. June 2017 Page 5

6 Education and Spiritual Renewal People of Faith Update June People of Faith Bible study has been cancelled. They will be meeting July 17 and 31. Join us at 10:00 am in the hospitality room in July. If interested, please contact Ruth Diekman. Introduction to World Religions Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting series which will be held this fall. On four different Saturdays of the month, we will have the opportunity to learn about four different religions from a Roman Catholic priest and scholar named Fr. Tom Bonacci, C.P. the Executive Director of the Interfaith Peace Project. The mission of the Interfaith Peace Project is to provide home and local based education programs to persons and groups interested in developing or enhancing their appreciation of the faith traditions of the world. One of Tom s dreams is The Intrafaith Project, involving conversations, projects and experiments exploring the reality and possibility for the practice and study of interfaith spirituality. More information regarding the shape and structure of the offerings will follow soon. SAVE THE DATES! 9:30-12:00 9/16 Hindu, Sikh 10/14 Buddism 11/4 Judaism 12/9 Islam Tom was ordained in 1972 for the Passionist Religious Order of the Roman Catholic Church, and is recognized for his scriptural scholarship. He is committed to offering introductory programs to help participants gain a general knowledge of the many faith traditions of humankind. Page 6 St. John s Episcopal Church

7 Education and Spiritual Renewal The Virgin Mary, Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Are you a woman who loves Mary? Are you interested in learning more about the relationships and experiences of other women in the diocese who also love Mary? IF SO Canon Anna needs you! Please contact Canon Anna at (canonanna@diosanjoaquin.org) to indicate your interest in participating in her research study on Walking in the Ways of Mary. Deadline to respond: JUNE 14 June 2017 Page 7

8 Parish News Graduation Sunday Sunday, June 11 On Sunday, June 11, we will offer prayers of thanksgiving for all members of St. John the Baptist who will be graduating this spring from Junior High, High School, College and Graduate Programs. Congratulations to our graduates: Ashley Buck, graduate of Life Training Academy High School, family of Diana Buck Christy Jocelyn Kafton, graduate of Linden High School, family of Dan, Katie, Natalie, Matthew & Andrew Kafton and Sarah Gay Gerard-Platt Michael Hernandez, Edison High School, Family of Tom & Caroline Ramonda Brandon George, Tokay High School, family of Rose & Chester George Xemis McDonald, University of Turabo, family of Sheila Filomeo Darian Hasseltine, Barry University, family of Pat Fehling Alexandra Goldsborough, San Francisco State University, family of Pat Fehling Wyatt Griffith, San Andreas High School, family of Sharon Farnsworth Benjamin Camacho, San Jose State University, family of Paula Saubolle Emily Gilbert, University of Davis, family of Paula Saubolle Gethin Wied, Virginia Theological Seminary, friends and family of St. John s Claire Augusto, graduate of Bear Creek High School, Augusto Family Congratulations to all of you! Page 8 St. John s Episcopal Church

9 June Celebrations JOYFUL JUNE CALENDAR Pentecost BBQ Potluck, SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017 following the 9:30 service Burgers and Hotdogs will be provided. Last names A-M to Bring Desserts, N-Z to Salads. See the signup sheet on the Ministry Table, so we have a head count for meat purchase. Tuesday, June 6, 6:30 pm, Visioning Committee Meeting, Hospitality Room Wednesday, June 7 & 28, 7:00 pm 8:30 pm Discernment Committee Meeting, Hosp. Rm. Saturday, June 10 at 11:00 am Yvonne Schildt A Celebration of Life Friday, June 16 at 11:00 am Gini Hart A Celebration of Life Sunday, June 11, Graduation Sunday We will be honoring Jocelyn Kafton and Claire Augusto (in absentia). Tuesday, June 13, 7:00 pm, Vestry Committee Meeting, Hospitality Room Thursday, June 22, 7:00 pm A Celtic Celebration for John the Baptist and Solstice: Eucharist, bonfire and party Friday, June 30, Soul Kitchen, at 5:30 pm Join us for a free nutritious meal served to our community! June 2017 Page 9

10 Adornments We are grateful for these donors whose gifts adorn our worship in June June 11 Beth & Jim Elwood in memory of her father, Darwin Lindsley, for his birthday June 3. Beth & Jim in celebration of her sister, Sara Ferry s birthday June 8 June 11 Mary Mustain in celebration of her husband, Bob s birthday June 10. June 18 June 25 Vinita Shinn in loving memory of her parents, Eula & John Coulter, for their wedding anniversary June 17 Jan Cariati & Amanda Cariati, in loving memory of Gina Cariati for her birthday June 30. If you would like to dedicate flowers in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving, please call the parish office at A Celtic Celebration For the Summer Solstice Thursday, June 22, 7:00 p.m. Worship, Bonfire & Party Join us as we celebrate the Feast of John the Baptist and the summer solstice. You are invited to bring a beverage or snack to share for the party. Page 10 St. John s Episcopal Church

11 June Celebrations 9: Celisse Johnson 11: Elaine Breckenridge 13: Haley Leffler 15: Haley Pott 16: Abigail Freund 17: Christine Denny 19: Harry Hakala 21: Edyth Ledbetter 22: Colleen Walton 23: Steve Augusto Jay Bell Beth Elwood Sara Olds 25: Charlotte Rosson 26: Mary Baker 27: Catherine Jennings Natalie Kafton 28: Greg Tudor 29: Diana Martin 30: Rosemarie A Ostberg 14: Teresa and Steve Culbertson Casey and Brandon Stevens 16: Lila and Don Smith 19: Dani and Fred Cook 20: Sylvia and Steve Augusto Heather and Charles Jennings June 2017 Page 11

12 The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Rd. Lodi, CA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Lodi, CA Permit No. 161 Phone: Return Service Requested We re on the web