Homecoming Sunday @ St. John's - Rector's Rambling for October 26, 2014

Welcome home!  Nothing sounds better to one’s ears, especially after a long time away, than to hear those words.  Welcome home.

We have lots of friends who at one time or another made St. John’s their parish home.  But a move further away, and then the birth of young children, caused them to settle in a neighborhood parish closer to home.  Others discovered St. John’s at one time or another, and have made us their special occasion church; Christmas, Easter, Tiger Baseball game.

I suggested we start celebrating a Homecoming Sunday in the fall as an occasion for both groups of folks to make the excuse to come to St. John’s.  And as we all know, a parish potluck always adds to the fun of a trip downtown to worship in this great old building, using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, and accompanied by a glorious choir.

This year, under the leadership of the St. Catherine’s Guild of the Episcopal Church Women, we are also having a rummage sale.  Heavenly Treasures, as we have called it in the past.  Be sure to wander over to the Chapter Room side of the basement (under the offices) to see what you might need or just want!  Money raised will support the ministries of the Guild.

Although much about St. John’s doesn’t (and shouldn’t change), today you will also have an opportunity to view some of the proposed designs from Olympia Development for changes in the neighborhood.  In addition to the new hockey arena being built, there are plans to build apartments and retail spaces in the two Olympia parking lots in front of the baseball stadium, spilling over Montcalm onto our property.  Discussions are underway that would include leasing of some of our property to them, their tripling the size of the garden, and free use of the four-story parking garage to be built directly behind St. John’s.  There are lots of details to be worked out, and nothing has been agreed upon, but the prospects for the good of St. John’s and opportunities for ministry are exciting to think about.  All by His Grace, and all to God’s Glory.