St. John s Episcopal Church November 2016 Ocean Springs, Mississippi ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARCH 2015 OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.

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1 St. John s Episcopal Church November 2016 Ocean Springs, Mississippi ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARCH 2015 OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI The Grapevine Special Services in the Coming Month (1) All Saints Day service at noon on November 1 (2) All Saints Sunday service on Sunday, November 6. Will include prayers for the deceased during the Eucharistic prayer. If you have someone you would like remembered on All Saints Sunday, please record their name on the information blank on the ministry table in the parish hall. All Saints Sunday will also be an opportunity to be baptized. To arrange for a baptism on All Saints Sunday, please see the clergy as soon as possible. (3) Thanksgiving worship service on Wednesday, November 23 at 5:30 p.m. Thanksgiving is one of two civil holidays on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church. March at St. John s (4) The first Sunday of Advent will be Sunday, November 27. Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming. Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming. Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Practices associated with Advent include keeping an Advent calendar, lighting an Advent wreath, praying an Advent daily devotional, as well as other ways of preparing for Christmas, such as setting up Christmas decorations, a custom that is sometimes done liturgically, through a hanging of the greens ceremony. Phone: Website: stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org

2 Happening St. John s Jackson County Pet Shelter Please consider donating the following items to the Jackson County Pet Shelter: Clorox Bleach, Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Dawn Dish Soap, Animal Shampoo, Liquid Laundry Soap, Paper Towels, Newspaper; and Food Dogs (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Puppies (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Cats (Purina, 9 Lives, Friskies, Meow Mix), Kittens (Purina). For more information about the Jackson County Pet Shelter contact Jill Roth. Spanish Lessons Are you interested in practical Spanish lessons? The Rev. Margarita Swetman is available to teach Spanish lessons. Schedule to be determined by participants. Contact Margarita for more information , or sign-up in the parish hall. Donations to Spanish-speaking ministry gratefully accepted. Merry Widows The Merry Widows generally meet on the first Friday of the Month at 5:00 p.m. The November meeting is Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony s Under the Oaks. Contact Ame Severson to RSVP at Chancel Choir The adult choristers of St. John s meet for rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in the choir room on the second floor of the education center under the direction of the Choirmaster, Cynthia Ramseur. Some of the choristers sing at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Family Service and some sing at the 11:15 a.m. Sunday Principal Service. For more information about the Chancel Choir contact Cynthia Ramseur. Learning, Serving... Sanctuary Choir Sanctuary Choir is the new name for choir for children and youth, ages 3 rd grade Middle School. They meet on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the choir room. For more information contact Cynthia Ramseur, Tuesday 4:30 p.m. Family Night at Wonderful Wednesdays. Family Night at Wonderful Wednesdays is the first Wednesday of the month. Come to celebrate parish birthdays and share cake. Fun for the whole family. For more information contact Cecil George Smith.

3 Happening Centering Prayer Mission, Ministry... St. John s Children s Chapel Children s Chapel is held during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service each week. Children process to the Children s Chapel during the Sequence Hymn (the hymn that follows the second lesson). All preschool and elementary school age children are invited to attend Children s Chapel. Sunday School is back in session each Sunday at 10:05 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information regarding Sunday School at St. John s contact Alexis Williams, Centering Prayer meets on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Sharon Manuel at Nursery Nursery Care is available for young children on Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. worship service, Adult Bible Study (or, Adult Forum), and the 11:15 a.m. worship service. Nursery Care is also available during the Wednesday evening, 5:30 p.m. worship service. The Joy Room next to the nursery has live video and audio of the service for parents with unhappy babies. Coffee Hour Sunday Coffee Hours are the perfect time to meet new and old friends. We host two coffee hours every Sunday morning: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Come to coffee hour and greet newcomers and meet parishioners who attend a different service.

4 Learning, Serving St. John s Adult Forum The Adult Forum meets one Sunday a month during the coffee hour (at 10:10 a.m.). For more information about Adult Forum, contact John Switzer. You can reach John at Bell Choir St. John s Bell Choir meets on a variable schedule. For more information about St. John s Bell Choir, contact Martha Thompson at Wonderful Wednesdays Wonderful Wednesday Dinner Volunteers. Eight teams of volunteers rotate preparing dinner for Wonderful Wednesdays at St. John s. For more information call Melissa Johnson at or Cecil George Smith at Morning Prayer While many say Morning Prayer as a private devotion, it is really meant to be prayed in community. If you have never prayed Morning Prayer in community, this is an excellent opportunity to experience it. For those of you who are familiar with the service, it will be like visiting with an old friend. Join us at St. John's, any morning, Tuesday through Friday, at 9:15 a.m. The Lord is My Help St. John s is responsible for volunteers for The Lord is My Help on a rotating schedule. If you can volunteer, contact Peggy Butera ( ) or Jim Lancaster. St. Luke s Guild St. Luke s Guild meets on the third Thursday of the month for their monthly potluck dinner. St. Luke s is composed of ladies from St. John s and the community who meet for fellowship and support our preschool. Everyone is invited - come make a new friend. Happening Thursday Theology Group Thursday Theology Group with the Rev. Harold Roberts meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in the Kindness Room on the second floor of our education center. For more information contact the Rev. Harold Roberts: Second and Fourth Thursday 2:00 p.m. Saints & Sinners Saints & Sinners (the men s group of St. John s) meet on the second Tuesday of each month. All the men of the parish are invited to join in the fun. For more information on Saints & Sinners contact Terry Armstrong at Second Tuesday of the Month 6:00 p.m.

5 Mission, Ministry Healing Service Public Service of Healing with Anointing and the Holy Eucharist is held each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Nursery care available during the worship service. Worship service is followed with dinner in the parish hall. Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study with the Rev. Bruno Schroeder meets in the Kindness Room on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. and Wednesday Mornings at 10:00 a.m. For more information contact Bruno Schroeder at EYC meets once a month at one of the member parishes. EYC-East Gulf Coast is a ministry of Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi; St. Mark's, Gulfport; and St. John's, Ocean Springs. All Middle School and High School age youth are invited. For additional details, contact Luke Gautier at Sundays, Once-a-Month 4:30 p.m. Daughters of the King The Daughters of the King meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact Ginny Dugaw ( ) or Kay Cox ( ) for more information about the Daughter s of the King. Flowers and Lamps Did you know? There are weekly opportunities throughout the year to remember those you loved either in memory or in thanksgiving. Altar Flowers are 450, Madonna Flowers are $25, and Lamps are $6. The sign-up book in on the Ministry Table in the Parish Hall. Envelopes are available for your convenience to mail in or bring in your check. Happening St. John s Ultreya Ultreya. St. John s has several Ultreya groups. The first meets on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Rawls Room. Another meets on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Foley Ranson s Office. The third meets the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the parish hall. The fourth meets on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Rawls Room. The fifth meets at Pat Spear s home on Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. The sixth meets monthly on the 1 st Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. For more information about Ultreya at St. John s, contact Lena Melton ( ) or Foley Ranson ( ). Spanish Language Holy Eucharist Spanish Language Holy Eucharist meets Sunday evening at 4:00 p.m.: Our Spanish-language service with the Rev. Margarita Swetman; brings together communities and cultures to celebrate God in the Episcopal tradition.

6 SR. WARDEN NOTES Each Vestry meeting begins by saying the following prayer together. O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grand us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen September Vestry Meeting: Treasurer s report was accepted. St. John s financial audit, covering fiscal years 2014 and 2015 has been completed by, Jason Keenum, CPA. Financial statements for both years were found to be in compliance with generally Accepted Accounting Practices. August Vestry minutes approved. Copies available on hall bulletin board. Ms. Mike Cuevas will be collecting donations for the Jackson County Animal Hospital on Sunday, October 2 nd and Wednesday, October 5. At this writing $350 had been raised for the shelter. Cheers, kudos, thanks to Ms. Mike and all who donated. The Spanish Language worship service on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 has been added to the church sign. Lay Ministry Fair October 2 nd. For those who were unable to attend this event Time and Talent cards are available in all the pews. Thank you to all the committees for setting up the displays and greeting our parishioners. Stewardship Sunday will be October 30. There will be one worship service around the Labyrinth at 10:30. A catered lunch will follow. Julia Weaver and Nita Owen are co-chairing this years campaign. Tom McGraw is in charge of the lunch. The four outgoing vestry members will begin the process for nominations to the Vestry. Their term will expire at the Annual Meeting in January. Watch for information in the Sunday bulletin and . Thank you for your continued use of the suggestion box. All ideas are passed on to the appropriate person and/or discussed at the Vestry Meeting. We value your input. Informal annual review questions for Vestry and Rector were distributed. Cindy will collect and report on results at the October Vestry meeting. -Cindy Johnson, Sr. Warden

7 JR. WARDEN NOTES Multiple repairs were made during October throughout the Parish Hall and Education Building. The Viking Refrigerator was repaired; the grease trap vacuumed; the kitchen hand washing sink drainage opened; the upstairs women s restroom repaired; and the air conditioning units cleaned and dampers closed to reduce humidity in the choir room. The leaking windows in the Melton Room were caulked to prevent leaking inside and the room repainted. A Fall Cleanup was scheduled for October 22 to prepare for the outside church service and picnic on Stewardship Sunday, October 30. Thank you for all the volunteers and staff members who help to keep up the building and grounds. A special note of appreciation goes out this month to Dr. Ben Cheney for his work to repair the pew kneelers. He has suggested that our historic pews are in need of cleaning and an application of tung oil to cover the minor scratches and dents. Perhaps you have a favorite pew you would like to work on. A group of 20 or more volunteers are needed to get the work done quickly so the tung oil has a chance to dry in time for the next service. A date will be announced soon to meet and work on the pews. Please lgbishopos@gmail.com or call Gail Bishop at if you are interested. -Gail Bishop, Jr. Warden Music Notes To 11:15-ers who love to sing: we want to continue to grow the ensemble at the 11:15 service. Currently we have three singers who lead music and liturgy for that service. We practice each Sunday at 10:45. Call Cynthia if you are interested! Singing the psalm at Sunday services: Usually on Sunday mornings we sing one of two simplified Anglican chants for the psalm. Occasionally we sing a metrical version of the psalm to a well-known hymn. To help us sing with one voice, there are some rules of thumb: -To improve our unison singing and to better amplify the text, breath only with punctuation (which is not always at the end of the printed line of text) -Voices sing just after the organ sounds the chord changes that allows singers to hear the chords before During the season of Epiphany, I hope to introduce a new chant to the congregation. More on that after the New Year! -Cynthia Ramseur Choral Evensong and Organ Concert We will celebrate the completion of the organ restoration project in loving memory of Kay Duda and Kevin Benefield with a Choral Evensong on Thursday, December 1, 6:30 pm. Dr. Michaelle Harrison is our guest organist. Several choristers from the coast convocation will join our Chancel, Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs. The 1960 Wicke Pipe Organ will serve St. John s Parish for many generations to come. Praise be to God.

8 WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY ROTA November is shaping up to be a tasty, fun month for Wonderful Wednesday dinners. Elva O Brian is planning a Latin Fusion menu for November 9. The meal will feature a Cuban taco buffet, Costa Rican rice, Mexican salad, and Latin American mango pudding. Chocolate and black bean brownies will finish the feast. You might be the best turkey caller at St John s! Start practicing today. The second annual Turkey Calling Contest will follow the November 16 dinner. Bring the children and come prepared. There will be judges, prizes, and loads of laughter. Gobble, Gobble, Gobble. Make Wednesday at St John s a weekly event. The five-dollar meal is a delicious bargain and our children, as always, are non-paying guests. November 2 Lena Melton drlena2@gmail.com or Gloria Richmond gloriarichmond1940@yahoo.com , Lisa Baker* lbaker@ossdms.org , Jean Hanlin robertkhanlin@bellsouth.net , Lynda Knight lynd_knight@yahoo.com , Jo Anne Calhoun drjocalhoun@yahoo.com , Meribeth Hopper , Kate Penrose irmadukate@hotmail.com , Merrill Markham merrill73@yahoo.com , Bill Schaum Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com , Jill Roth ronj0804@bellsouth.net November 9 Becky Stanley* becagrand1@hotmail.com , Steve Miner steveminer@yahoo.com , Debbie Miner debbie.miner@yahoo.com , Millie Page milliepage@gmail.com , Cindy Johnson cindysjohnson79@gmail.com , Elva O Brian November 16 Lee Armstrong lee_armstrong@co.jackson.ms.us , Toni Norman* , Margarita Swetman , Missy Garoza mgaroza@unm.edu, Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com November 23 No Wonderful Wednesday dinner tonight November 30 Melissa Johnson melissadjl@gmail.com , Rhonda Yegerlehner* Linda Schroeder* lbsms@aol.com , C.G. Smith, cgsmith1945@yahoo.com , Alta Mereo themereos@gmail.com , Jeanne Grigsby jgrigsby68@gmail.com , Shelia Muzzy* bmuzz@aol.com December 7 Stuart Smith stuartabcsmith@yahoo.com , Cynthia Ramseur cynthram@bellsouth.net , Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com , Lisa Greenberg , Charlie Clark cmackeyclark@gmail.com , Gail Bishop lgbishopos@gmail.com , Flinda Hill* flindahill@bellsouth.net December 14 Darlene Stuart kdstuart152@cableone.net or , Bonnie Luft (h) , Harriet Perry harrietperry@bellsouth.net , Jill Roth ronj0804@bellsouth.net , December 21 Stuart Smith stuartabcsmith@yahoo.com , Cynthia Ramseur cynthram@bellsouth.net , Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com , Lisa Greenberg , Charlie Clark cmackeyclark@gmail.com , Gail Bishop lgbishopos@gmail.com , Flinda Hill* flindahill@bellsouth.net December 28 Anne Williams annfwilliams@cableone.net , Mark Seepe seepemesr@gmail.com , Kay Cox kaycox711@gmail.com , Mike Cuevas , Skip Baxter skip.baxter@yahoo.com January 4 Ame Severson* aaseverson@aol.com or , Leah Snyder eastbeach@cableone.net , Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com , Rhonda Yegerlehner , Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com , Glen Huff huffrg@yahoo.com , Sheila Turner sheilak1603@cableone.net , Steve Moniot papasteve1260@yahoo.com Ann Driebergen outlander7@att.net is an extra hand with prep in the kitchen. She usually makes the salad. * Can substitute in the kitchen if given twenty-four hours notice. *Following the Wednesday night service, the parish enjoys a meal prepared by one of eight teams. Everyone is invited. The first Sunday of the month is a birthday celebration with cake provided by our Ultreya Cursillo Group; the third Sunday of the month features a children's activity. We welcome all children each week but try to have something special for our little ones at the third Wednesday meal.

9 Christmas Pageant -Presented by our Children and Youth on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, 4:00 p.m. -Please sign up your family member who wish to participate in this year s Pageant! Sign-up forms are in the Parish Hall, or call the church office: If your children (3 & up) or youth (though High School) would like to participate, please complete the form in the Parish Hall to Assist us with planning. There will always be a place for friends and family to participate at the last minute, but the primary participants need to be identified early so we have ample costumes. -We need singers, instrumentalists, readers, angels, stars, shepherds, stable animals, wisemen, and a holy family. -Practices will take place during Advent Church School hour. Thank you! -Katherine Kingren ( ) Coast EYC Coast EYC will meet on Sunday, November 20, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at St. John s Pascagoula. We will create and distribute Thanksgiving Baskets to families in need. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food for our effort. Thanks! - Luke Gautier Thank You for Your Generosity St. John s is such a generous church. We have had several successful collection drives over the past month. -Pet Shelter: Donations of food and cleaning supplies were made and have been taken to the shelter. In addition, $350 was donated, which will be divided into three increments and used to purchase food and supplies over the next 3 months. -Honduras Medical Mission: We collected four large trash bags full of medical supplies which Fr. Charles and Deacon Linda took to the Gray Center for the Diocesan Honduras Medical Mission. Christmas Flowers Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Altar and Nave Flowers are always very special. Sign up on the pink sheets in the Altar Flower Book on the ministry table in the Parish Hall. Please note in memory of or in thanksgiving for your loved ones.

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11 PRAYING IT FORWARD A Capital Campaign for St. John s $725,000 - goal $737,506 pledged (146 pledges) $412, paid on pledges (through July 31, 2016) $325, to go FINANCIAL UPDATE Year-to-Date Report: August 2016 Actuals vs. Budget Tithes, Offerings, etc.: $246,287 $262,538 Expenses: $251,225 $286,937 At the end of August, the parish was below budget for "Tithes, Offerings, etc." For the first time this year, St. John s was in the red (with expenses exceeding income ). VESTRY NOMINATIONS Each year four (4) Vestry members rotate off the vestry at the Annual Meeting in January and four (4) new members are elected. This year Tristan Armer, Kay Cox, Charles Smith and Marty Capalbo (filled remaining one year of Angela Bishop's term) terms will end. Tristan, Kay and Charles have completed a three year term and are not eligible for re-election, however, Marty has only served one year so he is eligible for re-election. Tristan, Kay and Charles will comprise the nominating committee. If you are interested in being nominated to the ministry of Vestry, please speak to a member of the nominating committee.

12 Grapevine St. John s St. John s Episcopal Church 705 Rayburn Avenue Ocean Springs, MS Electronic Service Requested Mailing Address There are two prayer lists kept at St. John s. REQUESTS FOR PRAYER (1) the prayer list that is regularly published for the entire congregation kept by the parish office (2) the confidential prayer list kept by the Daughters of the King. Requests for the published prayer list can be made or renewed by use of the notebook in the vestibule, by note, or by phone, or by text, or by . Phone or text: charles.hawkins@me.com For a month s time your requested prayer will be published by the parish for the prayer of the entire congregation. Prayers requested for the sick, will also be offered verbally each week at the Public Service of Healing with the Holy Eucharist and Anointing with Oil.