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The Rev. Gia Hayes-Martin, Rector

Vicky Turner Office Coordinator

Sara Seidel Director of Music

Carrie Troester Director of Children’s

Ministries

Newsletter Staff

Vicky Turner

Virginia Nussbaum

700 High Street

Worthington, OH

43085

T (614) 846-5180

F (614) 846-1564

www.StJohns

Worthington.org

Crossroads Volume 102, Issue 8 August 2020

_________________________________________

Continued on page 2

Preparing for Outdoor Worship

As Jesus was disputing with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians one day, a scribe came near to listen. He asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus replied, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

The Great Commandment anchors our practice of our Christian faith. Situations change, people come and go in our lives, and wherever we find ourselves, whomever we are with, our responsibility is always to love God and love our neighbor. Yet those two commandments can sometimes be in tension with each other, as the pandemic has made clear. Love of God requires worshiping God, yet love of neighbor demands that we minimize activities that might spread Covid-19. Love of God demands obedience to God’s commands to protect the most vulnerable people among us, yet love of neighbor requires us to seek out the lonely and isolated. We are constantly asking, “How best do we love God and love our neighbor?” There’s no easy answer.

As I shared with you in an email on June 30, our planning team—me, senior warden Steve Ellcessor, junior warden Linda Weatherholt, music director Sara Seidel, and chair of the worship committee Donna Somerville—has discerned a path forward for resuming in-person worship at St. John’s, following the Diocese of Southern Ohio’s guide for a phased return to increasing in-person parish life. We will continue to offer pre-recorded services over YouTube as we have been doing since mid-April, which the majority of respondents to the worship survey preferred. At the same time, we will begin to plan for a limited return to in-person worship. When the public health markers indicate that it is safe to do so (more on that in a moment), we will hold one in-person service on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the St. John’s graveyard, for those who are ready to return to face-to-face worship.

At this in-person service, physical distancing will be maintained with at least six feet between members of different households at all times. Everyone including the lector and me will have to wear a face mask; the lector and I will remove our masks while speaking but will wear them for the rest of the service. Because singing appears to spread this particular virus easily, only instrumental music will be included in our in-person worship. We will record the names and contact information of everyone in attendance to allow for contact tracing in case someone becomes ill. (Names would be kept confidential.) The graveyard accommodates enough people that, at this time, we do not believe that any kind of advance reservations to attend services will be necessary. We will set out some chairs, and you are welcome to bring your own picnic blanket or lawn chairs. In case of rain, a decision to proceed or cancel would be made by 8:00 on Sunday morning and posted on St. John’s website. We hope these plans will help us to love God through both in-person and online worship while loving our neighbor by gathering in ways that lower the risk of virus transmission.

The Rev. Gia Hayes-Martin

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Preparing for Outdoor Worship continued from page 1

Join Us Online for Worship!

Join us online at 10 am for worship on Sundays - go to www.stjohnsworthington.org and click “Church Life Under COVID” near the top.

Now, when will we begin outdoor services? The Ohio Public Health Advisory System gives us the data we need to make a loving decision. As I write this in late July, Franklin County is at Level 3, with several data points indicating very high exposure and spread of Covid-19. At Level 3, the Department of Health urges Ohioans to limit activities as much as possible. Even if only low-risk people attend services, people at low risk can spread the virus to others who are higher risk, and an influx of otherwise healthy people infected with Covid-19 can still overwhelm our hospitals. The planning team and I believe that love of neighbor requires us not to resume in-person worship until the virus is less prevalent in our community. We have decided that outdoor services will begin when Franklin County has been at Level 2 for two consecutive weeks. This will indicate a sustained decrease in virus spread and a lower risk of anyone becoming infected at our worship.

I do not know how long this phase of our common life will last, and I recognize that outdoor worship in cold weather will be a challenge. We will re-evaluate these plans more or less continually as the seasons change and as scientists learn more about this virus.

Several groups in the parish have expressed interest in meeting in person. I ask that you share any plan for in-person gatherings with me before you publicize it, so that the wardens and I can review it with you. We want to work with you to enable groups to get together while keeping everyone as safe as possible.

I welcome your input, and I encourage you to reach out to me, Steve, or Linda with any questions or comments you have about our worship plans or gathering in person. Whatever this pandemic brings us next, whether we are worshiping in person or online, all of us know our responsibility as followers of Jesus: to continue to love God and love our neighbor.

Blessings, Gia+

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St. John’s Early Ed Center

Make a Joyful Noise: Music Notes

Click on me!

As difficult as it is not to sing together as a congregation, it is an important way in which we can show our love for one another. During this time, we are hoping that many of you will add your voices, one by one, to the hymns that will be used in our online worship services. Our website has been updated to include a special page for hymns—Church Life Under Covid: Recording Congregational Hymns. Upcoming hymns and directions for how to record and submit them are posted there. New hymns will be posted each Friday and will be available for you to participate until the following Monday evening.

I want to share some exciting personal news. As most of you know, the Director of Music position at St. John’s is part-time (as most Director of Music positions are). My kids are getting a little older, and I have been starting to consider what I might do to fill in some of those other hours. I have spent a lot of time over the past several years volunteering in various capacities at our elementary school, and in the last 18 months, I’ve really felt the Holy Spirit nudging me further in this direction. This summer, I began a two-year program to get my teaching license in Early Childhood Education. I am enjoying my classes tremendously, and I am grateful for the opportunity to model being a lifelong learner for my children.

In this spirit of lifelong learning, I hope that many of you will take a chance and try participating in the hymns for worship. I know it’s not the way we are used to doing this, and I’m sad about it, too, but I hope you will give it a try. You may be surprised by how good it feels to hear the hymns on Sunday mornings (or whenever you tune in) and know that you were a part of making them happen.

~ Sara Seidel

We have been keeping busy over the summer figuring out how the school year will look. Our dedicated staff is working on plans for our best practices when we open after Labor Day.

We continue to have our wonderful reputation precede us and have had many alumni enroll their children at their preschool alma mater. Our dedicated teaching staff continues to provide an exceptional educational experience for young children. Most parents are finding us on the web (www.sjpreschool.com) but do come in to tour and ask questions. We have a few spots available for the 2020-21 year, so if you (or a friend) have an interest in touring the school please contact us through email earlyed@stjohnsworthington.org to schedule an appointment.

We are back in the office most mornings and have had a few tours for possible fall enrollment. Reach out if you have any questions.

Stay safe and six feet apart.

Cathy Wahoff, Director

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Children and Youth Formation

This month, we got together for the first time at church to enjoy Kona Ice with one another! It was so fun to see everyone in person, even with masks on and six feet of distance. The Children and Youth Committee will be meeting this month to discuss the year ahead. Although things will certainly look different, we hope to offer our children and youth a program that will allow them to fellowship with one another and grow in their faith. As has been the case with our children's education, more will be asked of parents and caregivers, whether that be logging into a Zoom call, or picking up a packet, or reading through Sunday School materials at home. Do what you can when you can and forgive yourself for what you can't. These last several months have been overwhelming for everyone. Unfortunately, it looks like we will continue to be living in this reality for a while longer. I am comforted by the fact that we truly are in this together. Knowing that we do not have to figure out everything alone, means so much. I am hoping that we can create a program this fall that will allow you and your children to experience community even though there is distance between us. As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything or if you have suggestions for how we can creatively connect with one another during this new school year.

~ Carrie Troester

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The Food Pantries

Thank You for Your Support

I would like to thank all those who have sent cards and emails to me and called me over the past month or two offering their support and good wishes as I undergo treatment for cancer of my vocal cords. I’m over half way through and it has all been much easier than I imagined it would be. I feel very fortunate to be a member of such a warm and caring community as St. John’s. Your prayers and encouragement have been an immeasurable source of comfort to me. Thank you all.

~ Eve Herold

As summer marches on, the various hardships brought on by COVID-19 mean that our Food Pantries continue to experience an urgent need for supplemental food for many of our neighbors. Although we still don’t know what ‘back-to-school’ will mean this fall, many families will be struggling with extra expenses if they need to purchase new clothes, shoes, and school supplies for their children. Our Food Pantries are continuing to provide more food to our neighbors than ever before, both in car side distribution at the pantries, and in deliveries to neighbors who are homebound.

How Can We Help?

The Worthington Pantry needs volunteers to fill various roles, such as picking up food at the Pantry’s grocery store partners, packing food, delivering bags of food to neighbor's cars, or delivering food to homebound neighbors. There are even volunteer roles you can accomplish in the safety of your home. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are not holding Volunteer Orientation sessions, but they still need many volunteers. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Christa Hester, at christa@worthingtonresourcepantry.org, or call the Pantry at 614-985-1766 to see how you can help.

Our pantries can amplify the impact of every dollar donated. You can donate online at www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/donate, you can text "WRP" to 41444, or you can send a check to: P.O. Box 27; Worthington, OH 43085. You can donate to the Gladden Pantry in Franklinton at www.gladdenhouse.org/donate/.

The Worthington Resource Pantry strives to include fresh produce in the food orders whenever possible. If your vegetable garden is producing abundantly, the Pantry will be VERY happy to take your extra peas, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, etc. You can make deliveries to their location at 6700 Huntley Road (the gray building on the east side of the street, just north of Schrock Road) - check the days and times at their website, www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/hours.

Weekly suggestions for August are given below, even though we probably still will not have in-person services. If not, you can still help feed our neighbors with a monetary donation in one of the ways mentioned above, or by filling a box with the items listed below and delivering them directly to the Worthington Resource Pantry.

August 2 - canned chicken, pet food

August 9 - chunky soup, deodorant

August 16 - canned fruit, toothpaste

August 23 – canned diced tomatoes, shampoo

August 30 – baby food, formula, diapers (size 4-5-6)

Thanks to everyone who brought food and travelled downtown to serve the homeless at Trinity on July 5. I emailed a group of faithful ITG volunteers in mid-June and within 24 hours had received replies to cover all the food we needed and more. plus 6 who volunteered to drive to Trinity and serve the food. St. John’s volunteers are awesome! Thanks to Susie Bonnell, Lily Balukjian, Wendy Ciriegio, Teri Foley-Nelson, Paula Redden, Melissa Redmill, Andi Reiger, and Kim Rice for their food donations and to Karen Graham, Jeff Nelson and Teri Foley-Nelson, Janet Souder, Nancy Wiseman, and Irene Zahm for helping down at Trinity. The folks that receive this food need it and are very grateful for our help.

~ Eve Herold - Outreach Committee

July 2020 In the Garden Thanks

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Connecting to the Sacred by Awakening your Heart is this year’s Fall Women’s Retreat Theme. The retreat, held on October 3rd will be “virtual” this year. Donna Hissrich, Kathy McFalls, Irene Zahm and Diana Shirley are planning a retreat via Zoom. The retreat will begin at 9 am and end at 4 pm. We will begin at 9 am for coffee hour and an opening session. You will have time away from Zoom for part of the day, to do your own reflecting and activities. Please watch the announcements for further details as plans are developed. If you have questions, please send them to Donna Hissrich at donna.hissrich@gmail.com or call or text me at 614-203-3562.

~Donna Hissrich, Women’s Retreat Coordinator

Connecting to the Sacred by Awakening your Heart

The Rev. Gia Hayes-Martin and the Stewardship Committee believe that St. John’s parishioners are yearning to have face-to face contact with each other. This was apparent from Gia’s experience at the Bible study book pickup in our church parking lot in June and at the Kona Ice gathering in the parking lot in July. Parishioners of all ages were eager to meet and visit with Gia in person, and everyone was simply thrilled to see each other, to talk to one another and hear how each other were doing. The results from our informal survey on Sunday worship options indicated that most people don’t feel safe resuming regular worship in the nave just yet, but many expressed regret and sadness in not being able to have actual person-to-person contact with fellow parishioners.

In response to this desire, the Stewardship Committee wants to offer all of us a way to foster the stewardship of relationships. We believe that staying connected as a parish is the foundation of Christian fellowship and community formation. Our plan is to offer a series of small group conversations - we would be socially distanced and wearing masks, but would be able to visit person to person. This would be an opportunity to reconnect, to check up on each other, to share our activities and experiences in the pandemic, and maybe to identify new ideas and directions for ministry and give parish leaders feedback on how we are doing in these unusual times, or anything else you want to talk about. In short, we hope to share each other’s stories to further our parish relationships and discern where the Spirit is leading us.

We plan to offer a series of conversations in which we would invite 6-8 parishioners to meet outside for about an hour and just visit - either at the church or another agreed upon location. We know that many of us truly miss being at St. John’s, and sitting under a shady tree in the cemetery visiting with others may have some appeal. Other possible church locations could be one of the patios or the parking lot area. Another option might be meeting in someone’s back yard. Wherever we meet, we will sit 6 feet apart and wear masks. Our hope is that many of you will be excited to attend. If you are uncomfortable with this format, we can meet in an even smaller group or individually at a later time. Still uncomfortable with these formats? Zoom is always an option. In fostering stewardship of relationships, we want to be mindful of each person’s different level of comfort in meeting with others and staying safe.

As of July 17, Franklin County remains at Level 3 (Ohio Public Health Advisory System) and part of the description for Level 3 is to “limit activities as much as possible.” The Stewardship Committee feels that we cannot begin this effort under the Level 3 designation and hopefully, Franklin County will trigger fewer indicators in the near future and drop to a Level 2. We are much more comfortable holding these conversations at that time.

We hope to eventually reach all the parishioners of St. John’s with this plan. If you are eager to help launch the effort, please feel free to call me at 979-966-7120 or email me at <romack625@gmail.com>.

~Bob Hays, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee

Staying Connected During a Pandemic

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Garden Glories!

An Ode to Joy

I just read Connie Schultz’s Op Ed in the morning paper. She said, "Sometimes I feel guilty in moments of happiness. But I try to remind myself that no good comes from squandering what remains. Life still brings us joy and what a waste of a heart to deny its entry. We must rely on the researchers to find the cure for this virus, but we can do our part to limit its destruction."

“Life still brings us joy and what a waste of a heart to deny its entry.” What a compelling thought. We ourselves may be culpable, responsible for not ameliorating the situation, for actually making it worse if we deny joy at this time.

Life is lived in the little moments. It is literally putting one foot in front of the other. Living one minute at a time. Weeding the garden, dusting the house, taking out the trash, filling the gas tank. These are the moments that, knit together, make up the fabric of today.

The joy we experience may be as crass as the thought ”There but for the grace of God, go I”. Or as fleeting as a rainbow or the flight of a bird. It may be as trivial as a new lipstick or as significant as a conversation with a distant friend.

Joy is often given, but we can also create joy. Practicing a beloved craft, reading an interesting book, or cooking a favorite food may be sources of joy for ourselves and others as well. A smile over our mask or a wave to a stranger offers acknowledgment and welcome.

Joy can come from simple things, if we take time to recognize them. A stretch with outstretched arms upon waking. A deep breath of air perfumed by a flower. The fall of a maple seed, twirling toward an earthly home. The quiet glow of sunset reflected on a building.

Joys such as these do not detract from the world’s woes. They do not violate the grief and pain of others. They neither ignore the past nor validate the future. Evanescent as they are, these joys offer us the permanence of connection with reality. Like the soft music of a piano, these joys bring harmony to confusion, allowing acceptance of the uncontrollable, providing sustenance and hope to the heart. Joy is a gift from God.

~ Tricia Herban

When two or three are gathered together....

.....We had a couple more than that on the Fourth of July. Layweeders assembled on the terrace by the Atrium to begin a light work session on the St. John’s campus. We were greeted by the St. John’s flamingo mascot. Before work began, we listened to Cat Stevens sing “Morning has Broken,” courtesy of iTunes and Bose.

Ellen Stukenberg read a brief prayer, "For our Country," from the Book of Common Prayer, that befits our times:

"Almighty God, who hast given us the good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP, p. 820

We were inspired by being in this spot, on this day.... God made it.

~ Alex Lagusch

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As you know, this Spring the PIMIL Council made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s PIMIL Fundraiser and Luncheon scheduled for July 18, 2020 due to the current state of the public health pandemic.

The PIMIL Council has been busy fundraising virtually and we thank all of you who have already made donations. Despite the global pandemic, PIMIL’s support of the Liberian students continues to grow and we are called to meet that need.

The PIMIL Council is hopeful that we can still meet our $20,000 fundraising goals. While our fundraising year ends August 31, 2020, contributions and donations are always welcome and always needed. We are still seeking individuals who wish to sponsor a student. There are many opportunities to be a sponsor – whether you want to sponsor a child in the middle of his or her academic career or support a child from kindergarten through the end of high school. Even sponsoring a child for one semester makes a big difference in the life of that child. To sponsor a child, please visit our website – pimil.org – for more information or contact the Rev. Abby Flemister, PIMIL Director, at 614-891-2960 or Caroline Fraker, Vice-Chair, PIMIL Council, at 614-823-4916.

PIMIL 2020 Fundraising

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

As we all continue to love our neighbors at a distance, the Pastoral Care Committee would like to offer some opportunities to deepen community with one another.

A tangible reminder of love can make a big difference when someone doesn’t have a hand to hold. The Prayer Shawl team continues to work their fiber magic, and if you would like to knit, crochet, or weave along with them, contact Jane Kuntz kuntz@columbus.rr.com for more information.

Major events, both joyful and sorrowful, continue in all our lives. Would you like to support one another in those events by sending cards and letters? Contact Diana Shirley at dianashirleyOH@gmail.com

Some occasions require a little extra tangible support. Can you make a couple of freezer meals for those who could use that help? Contact Jane Kuntz at kuntz@columbus.rr.com to join in.

Do you have the flexibility to run errands for high-risk parishioners? Contact me at diana.mccullough@gmail.com to be added to our roster.

So many of you have already been hard at work: providing for one another, listening to one another, and sharing your immense compassion. Thank you for your warmth and faithfulness— it strengthens not just those you care for, but also those who witness your love.

Fondly,

Di McCullough

Thank You for Being a Friend

Jane Kuntz

Diana Shirley

Diana

McCullough

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Adult Formation

Continued on page 10

Your Adult Formation Committee has had to re-arrange our regular meeting time this summer in order to accommodate some schedule changes, and so we do not have a meeting till past the deadline for this Crossroads issue. We will ‘catch you up’ with things in education and formation, and then have more extensive information in the September edition!

COFFEE & CONVERSATION : Our program offerings following Coffee Hour each Sunday continue our attempt to explore topics of interest to a wide variety of the St. John’s parish. All programs are geared to be enjoyed online via Zoom, but in that happy day when we can return to meeting in our building, the programs will convert to in-person gatherings. Programs through the near future are:

Aug. 2 - Our Book of Common Prayer: Exploring Deeper (Nancy Elkington)

Aug. 9 - Finding Strength in Sorrow: the Work of Our Care-Givers and Grief Support Group (Cynthia Woodbeck)

Aug. 16 - Protest As Civic Duty (Ella Stevens & Friends)

Aug. 23 - Sacred Ground: Learning the Truth about Race (Karen Peeler and Panel)

Aug. 30 – Spinoza: 17th Century Pantheist (Bostwick Wyman)

Sept. 6 – NO PROGRAM (Labor Day Weekend!)

If you have ideas that you would like to see us discuss at C&C, contact Bostwick Wyman: bostwick.wyman@gmail.com

MONDAY EVENING BOOK STUDY will be finishing its current selection, THE WISDOM JESUS, by Cynthia Bourgeault by early August. A new book will be chosen, and all are welcome to join at any time. If you have a book of particular interest or want to know more, contact Karen Peeler karenpeeler42@gmail.com

LISTENING GROUPS continue to meet monthly and always welcome new members. Planning continues for a “virtual” WOMEN’S RETREAT in October . New events for education and spir itual growth will begin in September. Many have found that small online discussion and meetings groups have been a blessing in this time of isolation and stress, so let us hear from you about what you like, don’t like, and what will help you grow spiritually as we get through these strange times together! ~ Karen Peeler

Two compelling books are on offer: So Y ou Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo and Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman. Karen Peeler will lead one zoom discussion and Tricia Herban will lead the other. Both will take place on Thursday nights, August 20 and 27 and September 3 and 10 beginning at 7:30 pm. Both books are available for under $15. at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The books we have chosen speak to different aspects of today’s environment—one taking a spiritual path to reconciliation and understanding and the other looking closely at our personal journey through racism.

Widespread media coverage of aspects of white supremacy---from police brutality to the injustices of our judicial system and the mass incarceration of Black Americans--has put a spotlight on racism in our society and brought to the fore a decades-old need for open and frank discussion. Yet racism is a difficult topic to talk about; fear of hurting or offending others, or saying the "wrong thing" often drives attempts at conversation towards anger or silence. Moreover, persons of color have a very different perspective of history than whites and their lived experiences influence their interactions with a majority white world.

Jesus and the Disinherited is a heartfelt examination of the impact of racial prejudice on persons of color presented by the noted civil rights spiritual leader and activist who mentored and advised Martin Luther King, Jr. Howard Thurman authored 20 books of which Jesus and the Disinherited is the best known. He attended Rochester Theological Seminary and served as Dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston university. His message of faith and reconciliation is as relevant today as when it was first published in 1949. At 102 pages, this book is a comfortable read. To register, email Tricia Herban: mtherban3@gmail.com.

Join us for One of Two New Book Discussions beginning Thursday, August 20

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St. John’s has purchased two Zoom accounts for congregational use, to help us stay connected. Below are some, but not all of the upcoming meetings scheduled on Zoom. Contact those listed for sign in links, or watch the Announcements in Saturday’s email. Or watch your email for a link to specially scheduled meetings. Email VirginiaN@StJohnsWorthington.org to schedule Zoom for your group or committee.

Sun., August 2, 11:00 AM St. John's Zoom Coffee & Conversation

Mon., August 3, 7:00 PM Atrium Seekers Book Discussion Group with Karen Peeler

Wed, August 5, 1:00 PM Listening Group with Geralyn Esselburn

Sun., August 9, 11:00 AM St. John's Zoom Coffee & Conversation

Tues, August 11, 5:00 PM Finance Committee

Wed, August 12, 1:00 PM Listening Group with Geralyn Esselburn

Wed, August 12, 5:30 PM Transitions Listening Group with Nancy Elkington

Sun., August 16, 11:00 AM St. John's Zoom Coffee & Conversation

Tues, August 18, 7:00 PM Vestry

Wed, August 19, 1:00 PM Listening Group with Geralyn Esselburn

Thurs, August 20, 7:30 PM Book Discussion Groups beginning on Zoom

Sat., August 22 Vestry Retreat

Sun., August 23, 11:00 AM St. John's Zoom Coffee & Conversation

Tues, August 25, 7:00 PM Adult Formation Committee with Karen Peeler

Wed, August 26, 1:00 PM Listening Group with Geralyn Esselburn

Wed, August 26, 5:30 PM Transitions Listening Group with Nancy Elkington

Thurs, August 27, 7:30 PM Book Discussion Groups on Zoom

Sun., August 30, 11:00 AM St. John's Zoom Coffee & Conversation

St. John’s Calendar on Zoom

So You Want to Talk about Race has been called a “landmark book for our time.” Not only does Oluo offer tough, blunt truths about racism, power, and oppression, but she does so with humor, originality, and vision of hope, She explores and explains a wide range of topics, from intersectionality to affirmative action to "why can’t I touch your hair?" with candor, clarity, and truly helpful ways of thinking about, and talking about often "taboo" subjects. Ms. Oluo, a Black writer and educator, has added a "Discussion Guide" that helps facilitate getting the most out of the book. The book is easy to read with fairly large print. To register, email Karen Peeler: karenpeeler42@gmail.com.

Join us for One of Two New Book Discussions beginning Thursday, August 20 (continued

from page 9)

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Financial Summary for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

(Under) or Over

Budget Actual Budget

Operating Revenue:

Pledge Contributions 262,550 260,938 (1,612)

Other Plate Contributions 19,752 21,755 2,003 Other Revenue 17,074 85,097 * 68,023

Total Operating Revenue 299,376 367,790 68,414

Operating Expenses:

Human Resources 145,196 152,208 7,012

Diocesan Expense 35,542 30,139 (5,403)

Other Administrative Expenses 14,334 9,292 (5,042)

Building & Grounds Expenses 70,934 55,240 (15,694)

Committee Expenses 31,743 17,957 (13,786)

Total Operating Expenses 297,749 264,836 (32,913)

Operating Cash Flow 1,627 102,954 101,327

* - Other Revenue contains the proceeds from the Payroll Protection loan that will be used towards payroll costs for the church and the EEC Financial Summary: At the end of June, our pledge contributions were under budget by $1,600; our other plate contributions (which consist primarily of contributions from non-pledging members and plate cash) were over budget by $2,000; and our total revenues were over budget by $68,000, primarily due to the receipt of a Payroll Protection Loan to help with payroll costs for the church and the EEC. In total, our operating expenses were under budget by $32,900, which, in combination with our revenues, left us with a positive cash flow of $103,000. However, when excluding the proceeds of the loan, the positive cash flow amounted to $34,200. The church was anticipating a positive cash flow due to the very successful stewardship campaign last year, however, due to the recent life events, our cash reserves have diminished significantly during recent months. Many people are asking how they can continue making pledge donations during these unprecedented times. Please be aware that you can mail donations directly to the church office; use Vanco, our online giving option available on the church’s website; or Give+, our giving app, to continue your support of the church. Many thanks for your continued support of the church!

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August Birthdays

The following people have recently made a donation to the St. John’s All Saints Fund:

Susie Bonnell Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

William and Julie Brokaw Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Carolyn Devoe Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Loraine James Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Karen Kuhr Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Stephen Lin Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Ruth Mitchell Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Mary Kay Palmer Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Seth Reichenbach Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Georgianna Roberts Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Dave and Peggy Roggenkamp Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Ellen Stukenberg Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Richard Suddendorf Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

Bill and Linda Weatherholt Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

John and Molly Winters Donation in memory of Lorey Roggenkamp

All donations to the All Saints Fund are used for permanent or semi-permanent improvements for St. John’s programs or premises. If you wish to make a contribution in honor of someone or in thanksgiving for any event, simply write a check to St. John’s Episcopal Church with a notation for the “All Saints Fund.” The name of the person or event being memorialized should be included in the memo line.

Donations to the St. John’s All Saints Fund

Alice Shepherd Aug. 1

Cynthia Woodbeck Aug. 3

Diana Chappell Aug. 4

Diana Vanek Aug. 5

Allen Fuller Aug. 5

Zach Reat Aug. 5

Scyld Anderson Aug. 6

Olivia Slykhuis Aug. 7

Debbie Price Aug. 9

Michael Hohl Aug. 9

Elijah Reat Aug. 9

Trudi Snediker Aug. 11

Ken Whalen Aug. 11

Evelyn Bradley Aug. 13

Gerrie Zust Aug. 16

Sophia Starkie Aug. 16

Elyse Sturtz Aug. 17

EJ Anaba Aug. 17

Stephanie Stevens Aug. 18

Sharon Belknap Aug. 19

Rowland Anaba Aug. 19

Alice Carroll Aug. 19

Jose Rivera Aug. 20

Bostwick Wyman Aug. 22

Tom Bailey Aug. 22

Mauria Watts Aug. 23

Femi Adeyanju Aug. 24

Wilson Slykhuis Aug. 24

Jim Lee Aug. 25

Andrew Troester Aug. 25

Laura Dodds Aug. 27

Susan Mancini Aug. 27

Philip Clark Aug. 28

John Starkie Aug. 28

Matt Sturtz Aug. 28

Cristy Brinegar Aug. 29

Nevaeh Spencer Aug. 29

Michael Hamilton Aug. 31