November 2016

Rector’s Thoughts On Giving Thanks As we are drawn deeper into fall, we begin November and a season of thanks. In a country such as ours we have so much to be thankful for. Our lives contain riches that are beyond the grasp of so many in our world today. Here in the U. S. we have one of the highest standards of living in the industrial world. As such it is a good and proper thing for us to pause and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us. Blessings abound for each of us at St. John’s. Here are just a few of the many blessings I’m thankful for when I think about our faith journey together: ! Our parish continues to grow as we welcome new individuals and families to journey along with us in faith. Their energy, insights, and joy blend with the same qualities expressed by our long-time members and together contribute so much to enriching the journey for each of us. ! Our youth group meets Sundays and for dinner each month and now we have two mission trips. Heidi Marcotte, along with a core group of parents, is committed to working with our youth in creating this vital ministry for our parish. I give thanks for their excitement and enthusiasm. ! Shifting the time of our summer worship brought an increase in attendance. ! Our outreach activities continue to be a positive influence in our community and the world. Whether it’s support of local food banks, working at Father Bill’s, or our mission trips, we are blessed with a number of opportunities for involvement. ! Our Sunday school program and the dedicated staff of teachers continue to make Bible stories come alive for our young children. I give thanks for their willingness to be a part of the spiritual growth of our children. ! Our Cherub, Youth, and Senior Choirs continue to enrich our worship as they add their collective voices in song. Ed Broms, Kim Glattstein, and Dan Kostreava lead and direct our choirs. ! Our dedicated staff gives long hours, going above and beyond, as they strive to bring life to our programs and services. ! Vestry members give of their time, talent and treasure to they join with me to form your leadership team. ! Our Legacy Fund is now well over $500,000.00. Many people have committed to being founding members of this fund dedicated to St. John’s financial future. Later this month we will celebrate our nation’s day of thanks. As we look forward to gathering with family and friends, I hope you will plan to join us as we celebrate Thanksgiving by attending our Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 20th. At our 10:00 AM service we’ll sing the wonderful hymns that our synonomous with Thanksgiving. What better way to begin the Thanksgiving Holiday week than attending this wonderful service with family and friends. Our blessings are too many to count. They provide the energy of gratitude, which allows us to be, Partners in Faith. Partners in Hope. Partners in Mission. I wish you a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Peace. Roy+

ELECTION DAY PRAYER VIGIL PLANNED Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Throughout that day, St. John’s will be hosting a community prayer vigil. From 6:00AM to 8:00 PM, you are invited to come and spend some quiet time in prayer and meditation. The doors to our sanctuary are always open 24/7 and on this day where many will vote to elect our next president and other elected representatives, it’s particularly important to spend time in prayer, for each other and our country.! DON’T FORGET TO “FALL BACK” as we return to Standard Time. Turn your clock back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 5. COME TO SCOTLAND NEXT OCTOBER! We are planning a pilgrimage to Scotland in October 2017. This nine-day trip will include visits to the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as visits to Oben and Iona. Please learn more by going to http://www.travelillume.com/trc/teu. Pack your bags and join us on a wonderful trip to one of Celtic Spirituality while supporting St. John’s.. ALL SAINTS SUNDAY JAZZ MASS “For all the Saints, who from their labor rest…” This opening verse from one of the Church’s most beloved hymns sets the tone for our All Saints Sunday celebration. Plan to be at either the 8:00 AM service or our Jazz Mass celebration at our 10:00 AM service as we honor the saints in our lives

AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP As a member of St. John’s, you are a friend and a partner in hope, faith and mission. Recently you should have received a letter asking for your help in supporting our 2017 financial requirements. They are not small nor meager. We are about growing the presence of Christ in our community—nothing small or meager about that. The pledges and gifts you give are the foundation of our ministry. Look for your letter and complete the simple form at the bottom and return it to the parish administrator today. Let us all show our commitment by participating as generously as we can. Remember we serve a God of abundance not scarcity and we can show our love and support by doing our part YOGA RETURNS TO ST. JOHN’S! A weekly Yoga class will return to St, John’s beginning Tuesday, November 15. The class will meet in our parish hall at 3:00 PM and will be taught by Karen Donahue. As part of her bio, Karen states: “I was first introduced to the practice of yoga in 2007 after a long struggle with daily seizures and brain surgeries. I felt very vulnerable—like I was taking a “leap of faith.” I showed up for my first time on my mat with no idea what I was in for, but I knew I needed to do something. Since that Sunday, there was no looking back. My seizures went from every day to one every couple months. A miracle! At the time I was still unable to drive, so each time I found my way to my mat once a week a sense of total freedom washed over me. As a runner, I was not there for the physical, so instead the internal work began, the healing began, getting to know who I am began. Six months later I found myself seizure-free and with my driver’s license. The power of the mind, body and spirit yoked together was happening … and the bonus? It was a great workout, too! The yoga practice has been transformative for me. I now have a strong desire—a passion—to share the gift of the practice with others. I graduated from the Open Doors 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Program in 2009 and have been teaching ever since. I’ve explored many teaching modalities and enjoy mixing things up. I’m certified in Power Yoga, Yoga for Anxiety and Depression, Brain Therapy, Kids’ Yoga, Reiki 1, and the School of Energy Healing. I’ve incorporated meditation, slow flow, and other techniques to my group classes as well as the therapeutic teaching I’ve done in day programs for adults with severe disabilities. My experience includes teaching both kids and adults, power yoga from beginners to experienced yogis, as well as teaching students to become instructors. My belief system: Yoga is Therapy.” Classes will run for 10 weeks and there is a cost of $10.00 per class if you pay in advance and $12.00/per individual class. The classes are for all skill levels and everyone is welcome. Come check it out.

Without question the beauty of St. John’s is greatly enhanced by all of the surrounding trees and natural vegetation. However, that “beauty” creates an incredible amount of work this time of the year as the leaves change color and then fall all over our parking lot and lawn. PLEASE mark your calendars and plan to join us with your rakes, blowers and tarps during our Annual Fall Cleanup on Saturday, November 5th, from 9am to 1pm. Whether you have an hour or the morning available, many hands DO make light work! Thank you in advance Doug Godfrey, Building and Grounds

DEACONS DREAMS For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The last six months have been very difficult for me. I wasn’t sure if I would continue to another placement or retire. After much prayer and thought I have decided that I am supposed to go to another placement where I can share the gifts that God has given me. This means that in about three months I will be leaving St. John’s as my placement here will be over. I was blessed that the Bishop and Archdeacon allowed me to stay an extra year, but at that time they told me I would not be allowed another extension. It is hard but a deacon knows when it is time to leave. A deacon’s ministry is one of coming and going. We are usually in a placement for three years then after a respite time to pray and prepare for my new placement as well a time to ponder my goodbyes to my sisters and brothers here. I do not tend to visit or communicate with anyone in the parish for a year. You need to get used to not being with me and I need to get used to a new parish family.

At the beginning of my ministry I told you that I walk and pray my way through the church. I do the same as I prepare to leave. I feel an energy in this place that is on the cusp of something new and exciting. I know the Holy Spirit is working within each one of us. We need to be open to receive what the Spirit would like us to do even if it means moving out of your comfort zone. You will never know if you don’t try! That still small voice that is calling you needs to be answered. Step out in faith and take the risk. Remember that God goes before you in everything you do! Please pick up your bible and read Philippians 4:6. You will be blessed. I praise God for his faithfulness May God’s love and comfort surround you. Peace, Deacon Sharon

Bagged Suppers: We will be bagging suppers on Saturday, November 20th at 4 P.M. We are so grateful for all the donations you make to the bagged suppers each month. Our needs are bologna, cheese, bread, granola bars, individually bagged chips, and bottled water

Community Dinner : We will not have a Community Dinner the month of November as it would be on Thanksgiving Day. Our guests all have a place to go for the day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday School: We will have Sunday School on November 13, 20 and 27. I have sign up sheets on the table on the landing. Please sign up to teach a class. If you haven’t ever taught it is very easy and I will be happy to go over everything with you. It is so much fun to see the bible through the eyes of a child. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:

Thankful Tidings!

TALK “…if we want to preseve faith: we need to teach our children to love it. We teach our children the faith that was passed down to us, we teach them what justice and truth mean to us, and we help form the faith that will grow in them. Part of what I claim as my faith is a gift from people who loved me enough to teach me about their path. That’s what we do. We hear the stories, we try to live into them, and we spend our lives teaching children as best we can what it means to carry the faith on.” Rev. Becca Stevens, Snake Oil: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling

There are many opportunities to share your faith with our youth and with one another this year:

Participate in Family Sundays Family Sunday Services are the first Sunday of each month. Susanne Chinetti is partnering with me to support these Sundays and we would like to get more families involved! Say “YES!” to engaging in worship from a different perspective. Talk to Susanne or Heidi or signup at church if you would like to participate. Thank you! Host a TNT Dinner There are only two more TNT (Teen Nights Together) dinners in 2016! Mark your calendars and come to Sprague Hall for an unstructured time to be together, talk and eat! Youth parents host these dinners; please signup and be a host! Remember to bring $5.00 to contribute to the cost of the meal. See you there!

Lead a Sunday Morning We need you to walk with our youth! All youth parents are asked to signup to spend a Sunday morning in the youth rooms with our youth. You will be given the lesson/talking points a week in advance for that morning and I am happy to go over it with you. Take this opportunity to learn alongside our youth and share your faith story with them.

Middle School dinner is November 16 from 5:30-6:30 High School dinner is November 22 from 6:30-8:00

Attend and Chaperone - Middle School Retreat All youth in 6-8 grades are invited to a middle school youth retreat from November 18-20 at the Barbara C. Harris Camp in New Hampshire. This is a fun, faith filled weekend spent with youth from around our diocese. If you are interested in attending or if you are able to chaperone, please contact Heidi. Detailed information can be found at www.diomassyouth.org.

Serve at Father Bill’s Each month the high school youth will have an opportunity to go to Father Bill's to help prepare and serve a hot meal to their guests. As we learn to "live missionally" this year, we would like each high school youth to pick a Sunday to serve. Please sign-up here www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040C49AFAA2EAB9-father My thanks to John Rappe for leading this ministry!

You Can

HELP! Youth Mission – April 2017 This April our high school youth mission team is heading to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to cleanup, muck and gut homes affected by the August flooding in Southeast Louisiana. Camp Restore in New Orleans has established an additional volunteer camp in Baton Rouge. We are excited to support Camp Restore in their new endeavor while helping our neighbors in new way!

UPCOMING DATES TO KEEP IN MIND: Coffee Cakes - youth mission fundraiser December 11th - 18th TNT dinner date: December 14th for Middle School & December 20th for High School

Throughout this month of thanksgiving, I am thankful for each and every one of you! For walking alongside me, for pushing me in my faith, and for being my family in hope, faith and mission… Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings, Heidi Marcotte [email protected]

IF: StJ Women Our IF: women's study of the Nicene Creed has gotten off to a fantastic start and we have decided to make it a weekly gathering! All women are invited (friends too!) to join us in Sprague Hall on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 or Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30. Pick a time that works best for you as we gather to learn and share the roots of our faith. (you do not have to stick to the same time each week, and if you can’t come every week that’s ok!) The study can be found at www.ifequip.com . From the Lesson Menu scroll down to I Believe. For November we will be discussing weeks 4-7. Please contact Heidi Marcotte with any and all questions.

Contact Information Office Phone: 781.934.6523 Fax: 781.934.5488 To submit information for Tidings please email Dottie Melcher at [email protected] Next Tidings Deadline: November 20, 2016 Rector: The Reverend Roy Tripp [email protected] Parish Administrator: Susan Sorrento [email protected] Christian Ed Director Pre-K/5th Deacon: Sharon Powers [email protected] Youth Formation and Parish Ministry Coordinator: Heidi Marcotte [email protected] Organist/Choirmaster: Ed Broms [email protected] Bookkeeper: Beth Casey Vestry Members Co-warden: Ken Beeby [email protected] Co-warden: Fred Von Bargen [email protected] Clerk: Karen Renner [email protected] Finance Chair: Bill Albritton. [email protected] Allen Newell : [email protected] Dan Kostreva : [email protected] Christian Education: Treasurer: Liz Bayston [email protected] Administration: Sue Perkinson [email protected] Building & Grounds: Doug Godfrey [email protected] Parish Life: Susanne Chinetti [email protected] Youth Representative: Luke Prime [email protected]

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church 410 Washington Street PO Box 2893 Duxbury, MA 02331-2893 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Father Bill’s / Main Stream is a long standing mission for St. John’s. Once a month parishioners make and donate a simple entre of Meat Loaf, Chili Con Carne, Chicken & Broccoli or Beef Stew. If you are interested in preparing a meal the recipes are listed below. Entrée should be cooked, properly sealed, labeled and placed in the St. John’s freezer or refrigerator by 8:30 am on the date of the Sunday they are needed. Parish volunteers from St. John’s also serve the meal in Brockton at Father Bills. If you are interested in joining us for this outreach ministry we caravan from the St. John’s parking lot at 9 am. Meals are served from 12:00 noon to 1:20 pm. Should you have any questions please contact Kevin Rosenhoover at 617.851.5910 or [email protected]

November 20-Chicken & Broccoli- Serves 6 11/2 lbs cooked boneless chicken 1 large head of broccoli 2 cans cream of celery soup 1 lb shredded cheddar cheese Mix together ingredients in a 9 x 13 ovenproof pan or casserole dish. Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbly.