July Highlights 10 Daughters of the King 19 Vestry Meeting 22 The Gathering Place 24 Outreach Meeting 29 5th Sunday Luncheon The Signs of St. John’s July 2018 Dear Friends, On the second Sunday of the month, I rush out of the parish, jump into my car, and drive about two hours to Pisylvania County. I do this to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s Peytonsburg (Java). I grew-up in St. Paul’s and when I was asked would I be willing to assist in doing some supply work with them, I jumped at the chance. Every month is like a homecoming for me. While I had preached several times at St. Paul’s since my ordination. I had never been the Celebrant. Now, I have the privilege of being so monthly. It is truly a holy experience to stand where my godfather stood and say those words he said hundreds of times. There is something to be said about returning to our roots and revisiting the places, people and events that shaped our fundamental centers. This summer will be a time of return for Aubrey Lindsey and me. Each year, all of the major denominations—Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, etc. hold sessions to train musicians in the liturgy appropriate for each of the denominations. The Episcopal Church has several of these trainings, one of the most comprehensive being at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Musicians are taught how to respond musically to the liturgy which includes selecting hymns and other music. The Episcopal, Lutheran, and Catholic churches have the most structured liturgies, perhaps Episcopal being the most consistent. Our music director will be aending the conference/training at the University of the South in July. At the conference he will be learning different responses to the liturgy, selecting music for the choir, and be reviewing numerous resources designed to enhance the worship experience for our parishioners. Recently I culled my bookshelves. As I did so, I made a pile of old journals and 19 books. These journals con- tain my thoughts, reflections and insights spanning a 17-year period. The first entry of the first journal was made May 27, 2000, the day I was ordained a Deacon. The books are those that have greatly shaped my spiritual life and my understanding of what it means to be a Priest. After 17 years of ordained life, I want to look back and examine where I have grown, where I have been stag- nant, what have been the disappointments and what have been the great joys. Its going to be a good summer! In Christ, Dale+
Transcript
July Highlights10 Daughters of the King19 Vestry Meeting22 The Gathering Place24 Outreach Meeting29 5th Sunday Luncheon
The Signs of St. John’sJuly 2018
Dear Friends,On the second Sunday of the month, I rush out of the parish, jump into my car, and drive about two hours to
Pittsylvania County. I do this to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s Peytonsburg (Java). I grew-up in St. Paul’s and when I was asked would I be willing to assist in doing some supply work with them, I jumped at the chance. Every month is like a homecoming for me.
While I had preached several times at St. Paul’s since my ordination. I had never been the Celebrant. Now, I have the privilege of being so monthly. It is truly a holy experience to stand where my godfather stood and say those words he said hundreds of times.
There is something to be said about returning to our roots and revisiting the places, people and events that shaped our fundamental centers. This summer will be a time of return for Aubrey Lindsey and me.
Each year, all of the major denominations—Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, etc. hold sessions to train musicians in the liturgy appropriate for each of the denominations. The Episcopal Church has several of these trainings, one of the most comprehensive being at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Musicians are taught how to respond musically to the liturgy which includes selecting hymns and other music. The Episcopal, Lutheran, and Catholic churches have the most structured liturgies, perhaps Episcopal being the most consistent.
Our music director will be attending the conference/training at the University of the South in July. At the conference he will be learning different responses to the liturgy, selecting music for the choir, and be reviewing numerous resources designed to enhance the worship experience for our parishioners.
Recently I culled my bookshelves. As I did so, I made a pile of old journals and 19 books. These journals con-tain my thoughts, reflections and insights spanning a 17-year period. The first entry of the first journal was made May 27, 2000, the day I was ordained a Deacon. The books are those that have greatly shaped my spiritual life and my understanding of what it means to be a Priest.
After 17 years of ordained life, I want to look back and examine where I have grown, where I have been stag-nant, what have been the disappointments and what have been the great joys.
Its going to be a good summer!In Christ,
Dale+
2 The Signs of St. John’s
July Birthdays1–Taylor Howsmon, Zachary Carpenter; 3–Jim Col-
onna; 4–Chris Day, Jim Puckett; 5–Coleman Mueller, Jim Plymire; 6–Bebe Alexander, Kristi Higgins, Ron Neely, Becky Farr; 7–Taylor Davis; 8–Jen Fideli; 10–Margaret Twilley, Patrick Harrell, Herb Marsh, Bernie Lotti; 11–John Gaster; 12–Erin Daugharthy; 13–Tamara Evans; 15–Larry Maher; 16–Angela Howsmon, Joseph Smythe, Phillipa Smith, Floyd Jarvis; 18–Brenda Wood; 19–Karen Gaster; 20–Blake Scruton; 24–Donna Neely; 26–Arlene Lotti; 31–Vivian Burgwyn, Val Paredes
If your name should be included here, but is not, please call Debbie at the Church Office so your record can be updated.
Articles and information for The Signs of St. John’s should be submitted by the 19th of each month. Submissions may be made in email format or as an email attachment in any word processing format directly to Alex Heggie, [email protected]. Photographs or other illustrations may also be submitted. Digital images are preferred but not mandatory.
Notes from the Vestry MeetingJune 21, 2018
nominated a person for the trustee’s position. =received from CCHASM a Certificate of =Thanks, given in recognition of St. John’s devoted service over the years.learned of Brian Sheetz’s volunteering to fill =the job of lawn mower.heard of plans to continue the Wednesday =evening Bible study started this past Lent; it will be lectionary-based and will commence in September.
Pat Robinson, Junior Warden
CommunicationsThanks to everyone who has stepped forward and
signed up for ushering. A special thanks to those who have other commitments during the year but are us-ing the summer months to help with ushering. Please consider signing up for any month of the year. Even an occasional Sunday would be great. It is actually fun to greet our friends with a smile as they arrive for Sunday worship. If you would like to give ushering a try but need information or instructions contact Ruby DiVit-torio. The sign-up sheet is located in the front vestibule (narthex) to the left of the front doors
Planning a church event? Please notify Debbie so she can put it on the calendar. Also let her know as soon as possible about any event date change. It is nice to let everyone know about a future event rather than what has already happened
In addition to this newsletter and the weekly bul-letin, there are ways to stay plugged in and up-to-date with news and events from St. John’s. The church website (www.stjohnschester.com), St. John’s page on Facebook, and the weekly e-Signs are several ways of doing so.
If you or your group have an article or pictures to share in the Signs newsletter, please email to Alex Heg-gie at [email protected] by the 19th of each month. A caption or information for your submitted photo would be helpful. Information for the e-Signs is due to Debbie at [email protected] on Tuesdays. The Sunday bulletin deadline is noon on Wednesdays.
Ruby DiVittorio and Teresa Duncan
Notes from Debbie's Desk:Please note that my office hours are Monday, Tues-
day, and Wednesday 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., and Thursday 8:00 a.m.–12 noon
1 & 8 The Dream of God discussion6 Feast of the Transfiguration26 Blessing of the Backpacks
September 5 Weekly Bible Study begins16 Stewardship Fair
More Info from the Rector
Music NotesIs the organ repair completed? When will it be fin-
ished? What are they doing to the organ? These are questions that are asked weekly. It is encouraging to see the folk of St John’s having an interest in this unique and beautiful instrument. “Repair” probably is not a word that adequately describes what the skilled crafts-men are doing. “Renovation” might be a better word because there is renovation as well as repair.
The work on the organ is being completed in three phases. The first order of business was to repair and ren-ovate the mechanics of the instrument which included replacing parts, rebuilding the keyboards, and making other repairs. Parts of the organ had to be removed and taken to the builder’s shop in Staunton and some parts had to be manufactured. The second phase was to re-voice and tune the basic pipes. Re-voicing addresses the quality of the sound produced while tuning adjusts the pitch. Each of the 1000 pipes had to be removed from the organ to ensure each matched the other in the quality of sound. The third phase will be the tuning and voicing of the reed pipes (trumpets). This is the most difficult due to the lack of compatibility of the reeds with the remainder of the pipes in the instrument.
As of the writing of this article, the first two phases of work have been completed. The third phase is to be completed in the next several weeks. All of this has been accomplished through the generosity of the Members of St. John’s. Thank you!
Aubrey Lindsey
Sunday Afternoon Centering Prayer St. John’s has a Centering Prayer Group that meets
each Sunday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. With an emphasis on cultivating interior silence, the practice nurtures an awareness of being, always, in God’s Presence.
In August, the group will start reading a new book, Margaret Guenther’s My Soul in Silence Waits: Medi-tations on Psalm 62. Reading the book is optional for joining the group. It will be used to guide the groups conversations. However, the important part of the group’s life together is the 20 minute period of silence that is practiced.
Centering Prayer can be the answer to a life that feels frenzied, loud, and lacking focus.
August Book StudyVerna Dozier’s The Dream of God is a brilliantly writ-
ten and wonderfully stimulating read. In it she wrestles with the “dream” in which we are called to follow Jesus and “not merely to worship him.” Her reflections on Scripture invites us to once again awaken to our sense of calling and desire for God.
Wednesdays, August 1 and 8, we will meet from 6:00 p.m.–7:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall to dive into Dozier’s text. Please pack a sandwich and join in the conversations. Our first gathering will focus on chapter 1–3. Chapters 4–5 will be the topic of conversation for August 8.
The Feast of the TransfigurationSt. John’s will celebrate The Feast of the Transfigu-
ration on Monday, August 6 with a Eucharist at 7:00 p.m.
At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John are witnesses to Jesus’ divinity. This occurs soon after Je-sus foretold of his Passion and the event prepares the chosen three for the terrible struggle which they were to witness in Jerusalem, by giving them a foretaste of the glory and heavenly delights that will be open to all because of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection.
The Blessing of the BackpacksAs teachers and students turn their attention to a new
academic year, they are asked to bring their backpacks, messenger bags, tote bags, or whatever they use to as-sist in organizing their lives with them to St. John’s on Sunday, August 26 for the 10:00 a.m. service. The bags will be blessed during special prayers for a safe and fruitful school year.
Weekly Bible Study Starting Wednesdays in September
Building on the success of the Spring’s Luke-Acts Bible Study, St, John’s will have a weekly Wednesday night program of study using the scripture reading for the upcoming Sunday starting September 5. Meeting in the Parish Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., please pack a sandwich and join in the conversations.
4 The Signs of St. John’s
Outreach Committee Remote Area Mission
Our collection of socks and underwear in support of Redeemer Midlothian’s clothing drive for Remote Area Medical (RAM) 2018 has been a great success. Thank you to all who contributed! Special thanks go out to the Men’s Bible Group who provided a large quantity of very large briefs and to Don Raybould who again collected many boxes of items donated by Lucy Corr. Our reputation as the underwear church remains intact! The last clothing sorting night was held on June 26, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Redeemer Midlothian (2341 Winterfield Rd.) Teresa Duncan did a great job coordinating the collection.
Baby Bottle CollectionThe fund-raising effort for the Pregnancy Help Center of Chesterfield ended on Father’s day. Thanks to all
who contributed! We’ll continue to accept contributions as they come in. We appreciate Nancy Fast organizing the campaign.
Recycling PerksThe recycling perks program sign-up continues until June 30. For every sign-up, St. John’s will receive a $5
donation which will go towards our Rise Against Hunger packing event. Go to https://recyclingperks.com/purl/StJohn and use the promo code StJohn to sign-up. Questions may be addressed to Brenda Wood. Please pass this link and information on to family and friends!
Birthday Box—Heifer InternationalUsing the funds collected in the Birthday Box, the committee purchased 2 flocks of chicks, a goat, a sheep and
a flock of ducks to be provided to families in need worldwide.
New Collection BinsYou may have noticed the new collection bins in the office lobby. In an effort to keep the area safe and organized,
we’ve placed 4 bins along the outside wall. Signs will be placed on the lids of each bin letting you know what’s being collected in them. Thanks to Brenda Wood for sourcing the bins and printing out the lid signs. Please note that we are not collecting clothing, food pantry items or toiletries at this time.
Upcoming eventsThe Outreach and Stewardship Committees are partnering together again to share information about the mis-
sions we support. On July 15, during our ‘Christmas in July’ collection, St. John’s will host a speaker to describe the services the USO offers at the Richmond airport to boost the morale of the U.S. Military and their families from across the country. If you’d like to support their mission, ornaments on our ‘Christmas in July’ tree with gift suggestions will be in the Narthex from July 1 to July 22. Gift cards from Kroger or Walmart are preferred to help purchase the snacks and drinks they provide for free at the airport.
We also plan to have a speaker from CARITAS visit us in August to describe the many programs they provide to support people recovering from addiction or homelessness. We’ll put those new bins to good use with a col-lection called Sweet Dreams. Sheet sets and blankets, preferably twin XL or twin size, are needed for the recovery program at the Healing Place and at emergency shelters. We’ll be collecting them from July 29 to August 12.
For His Sake…I am but one, but I am one.I cannot do everything, but I can do something.What I can do, I ought to do.What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.Lord, what will you have me do?
Members of the Order undertake a Rule of Life, in-corporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. A Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism. If you have a prayer need, we will be happy to add your name to our prayer list. If you are interested in learning more about the or-der, you can visit the DOK website, www.doknational.org, or feel free to contact one of us.
As our chapter has done for the past few years, sev-eral of us helped sort clothing at Redeemer Episcopal church on June 12 for the RAM project. Linda Ricker will be joining us on July 10 to talk about prayer and apps that she has found to be helpful. Our next regular meeting will be in September.
For His Sake,Nancy Fast
Parish LifeGet ready for our Beach Party (Fifth Sunday) Lun-
cheon on July 29 immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service. Parish Life will be providing the chicken, bever-ages, and ice cream sundaes for dessert. Please join us and bring a salad or a side dish to share! Our thanks to those who helped with Coffee Hour in June; we are tak-ing a coffee hour vacation in July and August and will resume in September with the start of the new school year. But don’t be alarmed, there will be birthday cake on July 8 and August 12 to celebrate the birthdays of our summer parishioners!
The Men’s Bible Study group will not meet over the summer. We will resume meeting on September 17, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. John Howsmon will be the facilitator.
The Men’s Bible Study Group purchased $100 worth of underware for the RAM project. Thanks to Jim Col-onna for taking care of this project.
All men of St. John’s are invited to participate in the group for fellowship, a lively discussion of selected scripture, and breakfast. Plan now to join with us.
Alex Heggie
Lectionary Readings for JulyJuly 1—6 Pentecost, Proper 8
2 Samuel 1:1, 17–27 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 8:7–15 Mark 5:21–43
July 8—7 Pentecost, Proper 9 2 Samuel 5:1–5, 9–10 Psalm 48 2 Corinthians 12:2–10 Mark 6:1–13
July 15—8 Pentecost, Proper 10 2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19 Psalm 24 Ephesians 1:3–14 Mark 6:14–29
July 22—9 Pentecost, Proper 11 2 Samuel 7:1–14a Psalm 89:20–37 Ephesians 2:11–22 Mark 6:30–34, 53–56
July 29—10 Pentecost, Proper 12 2 Samuel 11:1–15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14–21 John 6:1–21
Resurrected to New Life in Christ:Ernest P. Gates
Rest eternal grant to these, O Lord: let light perpetual shine upon them. May their soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Gratitude Is The Heart Of Stewardship“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what
we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie
St. John’s is a loving and generous congregation. We express to your our gratitude for your many acts of generosity throughout the year. Thank you!
Jackie Colonna and Val Paredes
PropertyThank you to all who are tending to the various
garden areas at St. John’s, weeding and pruning and otherwise keeping the property neat and attractive.
Thank you, too, to Bryan Sheetz who has volunteered to share in the mowing duties with Chris Day. If you have the opportunity, thank these two gentlemen for all that they do to help at St. John’s; their spirit of steward-ship is alive and well..
Larry Maher
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St. John’s Episcopal ChurchP. O. Box 3886Chester, VA 23831–8471(804) 748–2182
July 29—Fifth Sunday Luncheon
St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThe Rev. R. Dale Custer, Rector
Elizabeth Pectal, Treasurer Aubrey Lindsey, Interim Music Director
Hazel Sloane, Register Deborah L. Freed, Parish Office Coordinator
