The Advocate. From the Rector. David+ Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.

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1 St. John Episcopal Church phone: (717) The Advocate V O L U M E , I S S U E 1 0 O C T O B E R MONT H L Y A D V O C A T E This newsletter is intended to update the members of St. John Episcopal Church on all of the things going on in our parish. I N S I D E THIS I S S U E : St. Nicholas Pouches 2 From the Rector At this time in the life of St. John s parish, I invite you to stretch your minds and your hearts for it is in fact a time of change. After years of conversation and planning, construction has begun that will invite us to use our buildings in new ways that will provide a more secure, accessible, welcoming place for all people. In the meantime, construction will invite us to flexibility and sharing that at times may feel uncomfortable and different. Our approach to ministry among our parishioners and our ministry to the community will have to change at least for a short time. I invite you to engage this change with an open mind. What can we learn from this new experience? In what ways are we engaging in God s mission for the church that we might want to continue beyond the current time? We are faced with a time of change at St. John. All Saints Day Offering St. John s Concert Series Diocesan Convention Adopt-A-Block CROP Walk October St. Zita s Gild Volunteers Annual Parish Meeting Family Ministry We are accustomed to things being a certain way and change involves difference. The way things have been or the way we have always done something is going to be challenged by changes that are taking place. Change will require reflection and will push us to discern who God is calling us to be in the world today. I see the next few months as an opportunity to listen to the stories that emerge and the call of those stories as we live out our mission to be a community of believers that welcomes all people to celebrate God s presence in today s world. David+ Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts. ~ Arnold Bennett

2 P A G E 2 What does God desire of us? We often struggle with questions about what is required of us. We are taught that the tithe, 10% of income, is what we are to contribute to the church. We are to offer our abilities and time without question so we can receive our reward in heaven. Is that what God desires of us? The story of the building of the tabernacle in Exodus 35:4-36:7 reframes these questions. After the people of God have been freed from slavery in Egypt, Moses asked the people to give of their possessions, particularly gold and jewelry to build a tabernacle. Those who were once slaves now give freely out of their abundance in response to God s liberation, covenant and promise to them. The term used for the offering was spontaneous and unrequired. The remarkable aspect of this sharing was not just what was given but who gave. Both men and women gave of their material wealth but also abilities and time. The entire community gave to build a dwelling place for God. The community was so convinced of their covenant relationship with God and life of grace they did not ask, What is the least I can give? What is it that God desires of me? They gave freely and it was more than enough. Gifts flowed out of gratitude for what God had done, was doing and would do. The people of Israel, like those of us who are the church today, are invited to give freely as an expression of gratitude. What does God desire of us? Grateful hearts that share spontaneously and generously. Freezer Sale Preparation Divine Delights Freezer and Gourmet Bake Sale will be on Saturday, November 21. It takes lots of hard work to provide the goods we sell to help fund our outreach ministry budget. During October you are encouraged to join the fun in the Parish Hall kitchen as we prepare for the sale. Cooking dates are as follows: October 3, 10, 17, 30 and 31. With the help of cooks, packers, dish washers and Holy Rollers we are planning for another successful sale. Appetizers, soups, entrees, and desserts prepared by the exceptional St. John s cooks will be sold just in time to grace your holiday table. Help spread the word! Mark your own calendar November 21 is the date! St. Nicholas Pouches Did you pick up your small green money pouch in January so you can share in the spirit of St. Nicholas? Have you been filling your pouch each month with quarters? Pouches for those who did not pick them up can be found on the table at the front of the church building. On Sunday, December 6, we have the privilege of offering our quarter filled pouches to assist a family or families in the York area enjoy the Christmas season. Please join us in this special offering. All Saints Day Offering Envelopes for the All Saints Day offering may be found on the table at the front of the church building. This fund provides scholarships for advanced education students from our parish and assistance in time of need. Envelopes must be returned to the Parish Office by October 21 so we can include those remembered in our prayers.

3 P A G E 3 St. John s Concert Series The concert series is off to a great start thanks to LYRA, a group from St. Petersburg, Russia. We are blessed to have an outstanding series planned. Help us spread the word by inviting those you know who enjoy good music to attend these concerts. We do not charge for the concerts but we do take a freewill offering to help support the concert series. We also invite sponsorships to underwrite the cost of the series. The series this year includes: November 1 at 4 PM the St. John Choir will sing Evensong followed by a concert performed by the York Symphony Chamber Singers. Formed in 1982, the group presents a musical repertoire that encompasses both sacred and secular music. December 4 at 7:30 PM the Hershey Handbell Ensemble will present a concert of holiday music using seven octaves of Malmark Handbells, Handchimes and other instruments. January 24 at 4 PM Lawrence Golan, music director of the York Symphony, will present a violin concert. He is known for his inspirational performances and imaginative programing, February 7 at 4 PM the St. John Choir will sing Evensong followed by a cello concert performed by Rachael Kauffman, the principal cellist of the York Symphony Orchestra. Rachel has performed in many music festivals and teaches at York College. March 13 at 4 PM the Apollo String Ensemble will perform a concert of chamber music. The Ensemble has impressed audiences with their musical repertoire. April 17 at 4 PM we observe Jazz Appreciation Month with a concert by the Jost Project. This Philadelphia based band is devoted to jazz and has played to packed houses in New York as well as Philadelphia. July 4 following the 10 AM Eucharist the First Capital Brass will return to play a concert of patriotic music. We are looking forward to another great year of exceptional music at St. John! Diocesan Convention Diocesan Convention will be convened on October 16 and 17 in Altoona. Your delegates are: Mike and Vicki Kearns, Marlene Corcoran, Linda Just, Janet Brown, Steve Alwine and David Lovelace. This will be the first Diocesan Convention for the Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan. You are encouraged to visit the diocesan website. Under the Diocesan Convention tab you will find the proposed resolutions. The proposed resolutions are titled as follows: Engagement with the Church and Community, Care of God s Creation, Stewardship of God s Creation, Committee on Social Justice and Equity, Quality Education for All, Using Education Policy and Community Dialogue to Respond to All Forms of Racial Injustice, Abolish the Death Penalty in PA, and Safe Environment (Parish alcohol policy). Please read the resolutions and share your thoughts with your delegates before the Convention. Our delegates are interested in representing you!

4 P A G E 4 FROM THE PARISH REGISTER Death Unto God s gracious mercy we commend Albert W. Bitzer Marriage To whom God has joined together Shawn Clarke McPhee & Sarah Reid Naylor Adopt-A-Block is Saturday, October 10. Join us at 9 AM at the front of the church to pick up trash in the 100 block of North Beaver Street. This project is part of our outreach to the city. With many hands the work is accomplished in less than one hour. CROP Walk The 46 th Annual York CROP walk will take place on Sunday, October 11 at John Rudy Park. Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we walk to help feed those among us who are hungry. The walk is a 10 K walk, or as far as you feel you can walk. There is a short flat route and a longer route that traverses the perimeter of the park. The CROP Walk supports the work of Church World Services and 25% supports feeding programs in York County. See Milton Leake for a walker form or if you cannot walk please sponsor one of St. John s walkers. October St. Zita s Guild Volunteers Altar Linens Ministry - 1 st Sunday Ann Kordenbrock 2 nd Sunday - Polly Stetler 3 rd Sunday - Jane Linebaugh 4 th Sunday - Ruth Delp Bulletin Board Ministry - Linda Lopez Hospitality Ministry Alison Vedder Kitchen Ministry Sylvia Salerno Need more information regarding St. Zita s Guild? Please contact me at ministrycoord@stjohnyork.org to find out what will fit your interest and your schedule. Thank you, Alison Vedder Building Committee Update September was an exciting time with the beginning of our building project at St. John. Early in the month, Whiting-Turner named Jack Keys as its full-time construction manager on the job, and the graves to be impacted by construction were excavated by Prospect Hill Cemetery for eventual reinternment next to the Memorial Garden. The church offices were temporarily moved into the Guild Room to allow for the start of demolition in the Education Building, and by month s end, excavation for footers for the gathering space and the elevator pit between the two buildings will be underway. October will bring new walls and construction inside the buildings and work on the new entrance to our facility at the Education Building. We extend big thank yous to all who helped during the transition and to all parish members for your patience and understanding during this exciting time. Tom Warman, Chair Building Committee

5 P A G E 5 Many thanks to our moving helpers the week of September 13. Jackie and Roger Lang helped to move the nursery items to 124 N. Beaver St., Grant Froman worked with Shawn Lauer to move the heavier office items (including the safe and a concrete lined fire safe filing cabinet) and Tom Warman helped to move all of the computers to the Guild Room where the office will temporarily be located during construction. Their help is very much appreciated and helped with saving costs of hiring workers to do this for the fee of $60/ hour. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Our Daily Bread Thanks to the following persons who helped serve our hot dog and bean casseroles at Our Daily Bread on Tuesday, August 25: Sue Krebs, Susan Leake, Peggy Ruth, Jo Bailey, Michael Jerrard and Milton Leake. We served 239 meals to adults and a number of children. Annual Parish Meeting The Annual Parish Meeting has been scheduled to follow the 10 o clock service on Sunday, November 8. The Nominating Committee places in nomination the names of the follow persons for election to parish leadership positions. Biographies of each person will appear in the November Advocate. Incorporated Vestry Associate Vestry Nominating Committee Convention Delegates Jim Gleba Wes Huff Steve Alwine Tom Hinton Holly Kahley Corey/Denise Miller Susan Arial Carolyn Hinton Stephen Linebaugh Janice Wilhelm Ann Kordenbrock Rich Lutz Kendall Menzer Anne Moul Bill Rosevear Deb Rosevear Neighbors Helping Neighbors Hospice Volunteering Makes a Difference SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice is in need of caring individuals interested in serving our local community by becoming a hospice volunteer. Did you know that you could change your life and the life of someone who is facing a terminal illness by just giving a few hours of your time? Our volunteers are part of the SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice team and provide friendship at a time when companionship is needed most. Free training is provided. Training classes will be held at SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, 1651 Mt. Zion Rd., York, PA on October 23 and 30 from 9:30 AM 1:00 PM. For more information about our volunteer opportunities or to register for upcoming training classes, please call our Volunteer Coordinator at

6 P A G E 6 Jennifer Morris, Director familyministry@stjohnyork.org My favorite time of year is fall. I love the evening chill in the air, football, apple picking & the gorgeous colors nature has to offer. It s also a VERY busy time and easy to get lost in all the events on our calendar. This page offers family friendly events for all ages. Participate and invite others to our scheduled events. We thank all who donated school supplies over the summer. Penny Musselman had the vision to start this collection and more than 500 items were donated to Devers K 8 Elementary School. The school was genuinely grateful for such generosity. Your ideas for ministry in our community are appreciated. If you have an idea or suggestion, please share it and together we can make it a reality. Intergenerational Faith Formation meets in the Parish Hall 9:00AM 9:45AM A series on the Ten Commandments Runs through November 22 We welcome you to join us as you are able for this series. An Advent series will begin November 29. Volunteer needs are listed in the right column. Faith Formation Lesson Leaders Materials are provided and you choose the portions you wish to teach. Open dates at publication are Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 Faith Formation Breakfasts Hosts Provide muffins, pastries, fruit, etc. Oct. 4, 18 & Nov. 1 are still available Sign up on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall to help! Upcoming Events: November 13 2nd Friday Bunco Night November 29 Advent begins December 5 All Pro Dad Breakfast December 6 St. Nicholas Visit December 11 2nd Friday Parents Night Out December 24 Christmas Pageant CROP WALK October 11 All are welcome to take part in the 46th annual CROP walk at John Rudy Park Sunday, October 11 Registration begins at 12:30 PM The walk begins at 1:30 PM Sponsors for St. John s walkers are welcome St. John Episcopal Church (717)