The Tower June Fr. Bill+

Transcription

1 The Tower June 2018 The Seventh Sunday of Easter brought us the story of the choosing of a new apostle to replace Judas. The 11 remaining apostles said a brief prayer, cast lots, and chose Matthias. The End. Not exactly the year long, multi-team effort that we are going through to find a new rector. The story reminds us, however, that simple or complicated the work of choosing a new spiritual leader is one of discernment. The process that the church is going through in the search for a new rector looks very much from the outside like a standard hiring process. Characteristics and needed skills have been defined, applicants have been sought, the Discernment Team will review resumes, conduct interviews, come up with final candidates, and then recommend someone to the Vestry. However, all of this is by way of a process supported and overseen by the Bishop s Office, and the Bishop will have to approve whoever is voted on by the Vestry. The fact is, St. John s is not hiring a new staff member, you are calling a priest. It is significant, then, that the group doing the reviewing and recommending is the Discernment Team. This process is one of prayer, of being open to God s will and to the Spirit s leading both for the church and the priests involved and it will end with your entering into a spiritual, liturgical, and pastoral relationship with your new rector. This distinction between hiring and calling, on the one hand, is reflected in canon law. The rector cannot be unilaterally fired nor can the rector unilaterally quit (a resignation has to be offered and accepted by the Vestry). More importantly (and less legalistically), the quality of this relationship is reflected in the Celebration of New Ministry that will take place to officially institute the new rector. There, representatives of the congregation will present symbols of ministry and pray that the rector will be a pastor and priest, a person of prayer, a healer and reconciler. These are not so much job descriptions as indicators of a deep relationship as a priest comes to take responsibility for the spiritual care of a community. I pray that your discernment will be led by the Spirit and that your relationship with your new rector will be rich and deep and equally led by the Spirit. Faithfully, Fr. Bill+

2 DIRECTORY Clergy The Reverend William Locke Interim Rector Ext. 16 The Reverend Robin Higbie Deacon Ext. 15 Staff Dale West Parish Administrator Ext. 11 Mary Clark Business Manager Ext. 13 Heather Annis Children & Youth Ministries Director Ext. 18 Jacob Stott Director of Music Programs Ext. 19 David Murray Head of Buildings and Grounds Ext. 12 Vestry Lou Massa Sr., Warden Michael Obel-Omia, Jr. Warden John Cavanagh, Clerk/Secretary Kelly Deering, Treasurer Stephanie Adamek Pat Anderson, Jay Billingsley Jeff Davidson, Jan Malcolm Pattie Mitchell Encore will be closing for the summer on June 14th. Our 1/2 price sale starts on Saturday, June 9th and we will have a special Sunday opening between services on June 10th for our parishioners from Please support this wonderful outreach effort of ECW and buy yourself something special!! We will re-open on Tuesday, September 11th for consignments and open for business on Tuesday, September 18th. Have a great summer!! 2 ST. JOHN S TOWER Please consider writing for The Tower. Personal reflections, articles, poetry, essays and commentary are always welcome! Next Tower Deadline: June 14th. The July Tower will be mailed on June 28th. Please send articles, announcements and Letters to the Tower to dale@stjohnsbarrington.org

3 June 2 nd 10:00am ENCORE Open June3 rd 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Formation 10:00am Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Holy Eucharist June 5 th 9:00am Staff Planning Day 10:00am ENCORE Open June 6 h 9:30am Holy Eucharist 10:00am ENCORE Open 10:15am Women s Bible Study June 7 h 7:30am Not Your Average Bible Study 10:00am ENCORE Open 12:30pm Warm Wooly Knitters 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal June 9 th 10:00am ENCORE Open 1/2 Price Sale June 10 th 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am ENCORE Open 1/2 Price Sale 10:00am Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Holy Eucharist June 12 th 9:00am Staff Meeting 10:00am ENCORE Open 1/2 Price Sale 7:00pm Executive Meeting June 13 th 9:30am Holy Eucharist 10:00am ENCORE Open 1/2 Price Sale June 14 th Tower Deadline 7:30am NYA Bible Study 10:00am ENCORE Open 1/2 Price Sale Last Day 12:30pm Warm Wooly Knitters June 15 th 5:00pm Lobster Roll Sale June 16 th 8:30am John s Meals June 17 th 9:00am Holy Eucharist 10:00am Lemonade on the Lawn Starts 11:30am Loaves & Fishes RI 5:30pm Holy Eucharist June 18 th 6:00pm Finance Meeting 7:00pm Vestry Meeting June 19 th 9:00am Staff Meeting June 20 th 9:30am Holy Eucharist June 21 st 7:30am NYA Bible Study 12:30pm Warm Wooly Knitters June 22 nd 5:00pm Lobster Roll Sale June 23 rd 8:30am John s Meals June 24 th 9:00am Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Holy Eucharist 9:00am Staff Meeting 10:00am ENCORE Open Continued on page 4 3

4 Calendar continued June 25 th 6:00pm Property Meeting June 26 th 9:00am Staff Meeting June 27 th 9:30am Holy Eucharist June 28 th Mail Tower 7:30am Not Your Average Bible Study 12:30pm Warm Wooly Knitters June 29 th 5:00pm Lobster Roll Sale June 30 th 8:30am John s Meals COMMISSION ON OUTREACH Adopt-a-Bed If you re looking for a wonderful family project for the summer, or just an easy way to grow some food for yourself and others we want you in the Open Hands Garden. We are offering you the opportunity to adopt one of our raised gardening beds behind the church for just $10!! Imagine being able to have your own garden plot for the summer for just ten bucks! All that we ask is that you give a portion of your harvest back to St. John s so that we may share it with those less fortunate through TAP-IN. You provide your own plants and gardening tools, and we will provide the water. Call Dale at the church office at if you are interested. We only have a few left. 4

5 Church School Schedule COMMISSION ON CHILDREN S FORMATION Sunday, June 3 10:00 a.m. Last Day of Classes Older Youth Formation Dates Sunday, June 3 6:15 p.m. Youth group party Wednesday, June 6 7:00 p.m. High school group Tuesday, June 19 2:30 p.m. Art team party, location TBD Wednesday, June 13 7:00 p.m. High school group MISSION TRIP UPDATE: EAST BAY GOES SOUTH! This July, ten members of the St. John s youth group, accompanied by four adult chaperones, will travel to a little island in Belize to work with the staff and students at Holy Cross Anglican School. Founded in 2006 by two missionaries from Virginia, the school serves over 450 students from preschool to 8th grade. Holy Cross is located in San Mateo, which at one time won the dubious honor of being recognized by the Red Cross as the most at risk community in all of Belize. In addition to educating its students, the school provides a literacy program, nutritious lunches, and volunteer doctors. For those who cannot afford their own, Holy Cross also supplies pencils, paper, shoes, scholarships and more so they can attend school. The school was built and is maintained by volunteers and all of their supplies are donated by visiting groups and individuals. Our youth will become part of this tradition by contributing their time, supplies, sweat, enthusiasm, and the blessing of your support for seven days this summer. Our trip has been funded almost entirely by your generous donations, and we look forward to sharing our experiences with you when we return. Thanks to your relentless and cheerful support of the young people at St. John s, they have the opportunity to support the children of the Holy Cross community. We ask for your continued prayers as we embark upon this adventure! 5

6 COMMISSION ON CHILDREN S FORMATION Coffeehouse On Wednesday, May 16, Field Hall was transformed into a cozy venue for songs, poetry, and some surprises. The doors opened at 6:30 and we had a packed house! There were baked goods and mac and cheese made by the youth group. The proceeds go to our high school mission trip to Belize this July. It was a great success and a fun night!! Thank you to all who attended. th 6

7 COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATION Lobster Roll Fridays are Back! Beginning June 15 h our ever popular Lobster Roll Fridays will return! Every Friday evening this summer, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. St. John s will be selling Lobster Roll dinners that will include: a large lobster roll, chips, and a bottled water for $15. This is a St. John s project to raise money for all of our ministries so we need all of our ministries to do their part. We are coordinating an effort to have 2 or 3 people from different ministry groups to work the sale each Friday. The schedule will be sent out soon. This is a great fundraiser so get the word out that the Lobster Rolls are back!! Summer Changes Mark your calendars! The summer office hours for the church office begin on June 4 th and are Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. We will be closed on Fridays. Beginning Sunday, June 17 th we will begin a new summer worship schedule. Our ONE morning worship service during the summer will be at 9:00 a.m., with music. Our ONE evening worship service during the summer will be at 5:30 p.m. Episcopal Charities A gentle reminder regarding Episcopal Charities It is not too late. If you have not already sent in your donation, please prayerfully consider doing so. Without support in this very important ministry, many of the outstanding organizations that provide assistance in our area may not be able to reach out to those in need. My sincere thanks to all who have already made their donation to continue God's work in our community. Judy Tavares 7

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9 COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATION Transitions June Anniversaries ~ Congratulations Davis & Robin Dewey ~ June 2, 1979 ~ 39 years Bob & Deb Bostian ~ June 6, 1970 ~ 48 years Alan & Dallas Russell ~ June 7, 1980 ~ 38 years David & Diane Neville ~ June 8, 1991 ~ 27 years Scott & Kristyn Whitney ~ June 9, 2000 ~ 18 years David & Linda Bainer ~ June 10, 1967 ~ 51 years Jim & Beth Holmes ~ June 11, 1988 ~ 30 years Ben & Becky Chwalk ~ June 12, 2004 ~ 14 years Ned & Debby Barton ~ June 13, 1970 ~ 48 years John & Julie Vanier ~ June 13, 1992 ~ 26 years Ron & Peggy Hillegass ~ June 15, 1963 ~ 55 years Bob & Carol Boyden ~ June 20, 1959 ~ 59 years John & Elinor Rosevear ~ June 20, 1964 ~ 54 years Tom & Felice Billups ~ June 21, 1980 ~ 38 years Sandy & Dotty McCulloch ~ June 24, 1950 ~ 68 years Richard & Cheri King ~ June 25, 1988 ~ 30 years Charlie & Charlotte Tracy ~ June 25, 1966 ~ 52 years Frank & Jayne Nightingale ~ June 26, 1965 ~ 53 years Phil & Mudge Anderson ~ June 27, 1959 ~ 59 years Marty & Charlotte Sornborger ~ June 27,1959 ~ 59 years Bill & Cindy Wall ~ June 28, 1986 ~ 32 years Matthew & Meghan Siket ~ June 30, 2006 ~ 12 years Baptisms Robert Francis Reilly 9

10 SEARCH UPDATE Sunday, May 27, 2018 Our search for a new rector has gained increasing momentum during the past few weeks. Here s the latest: The Discernment Committee recently met with The Rev. Linda Grenz, the canon who overseas parish searches in the diocese. Candidates interested in positions here are vetted by her first to be sure they meet our criteria before we do our own vetting process. Linda gave the committee six qualifying résumés. Rose Murrin, the committee lead, says these appear to be very viable and attractive candidates. Committee interviews through Skype will begin this coming week. In other words, we remain on track with our plans to have a new rector in place by late September. Meanwhile, our existing website has been updated. There s a new welcome message and a new section for the search effort thanks to the Communication Committee and Mary Clark, our new parish business manager. If you have questions about the search effort and your questions and comments are always welcome please seek out anyone on one of the search committees or the vestry. 10

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12 Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord St. John s Field Hall ~ In Principio Players ~ Tea & Crumpets On a beautiful Sunday afternoon with sun shining in the Field Hall windows parishioners and friends, young and old enjoyed our own Jacob Stott and the In Principio Players in action. They presented an afternoon of music of the English and Italian Baroque period. Field Hall was beautifully appointed by the caring, loving hands of long time lady parishioners along with baked treats by Jacob and his mother. A huge THANK YOU to all involved, especially, Ann Glosson, Laura Barton, Phyllis Fragola, Debbie Jerome and Nancy Tripp for all the time and effort they put into this event. We look forward to another High Tea in 2019 as we continue to Make a Joyful Noise. The mission of St. John s Church is to be a community of Christians committed to the care, nourishment and spiritual growth of all. Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 3 Barrington, RI Return Service Requested June 2018 The Reverend William Locke, Interim Rector The Reverend Robin Higbie, Deacon St. John s Episcopal Church 191 County Road, Barrington, RI Phone: Fax: Website: Summer Parish Office Hours Monday Thursday 8:00am - 2:00pm Friday Closed Worship Services Starting June 17 Sunday: 900am and 5:30pm Wednesday: 9:30am 12