Treasure hunt - Rector's Rambling for September 24, 2023

       What a busy weekend this has been here at St. John’s with our Trash to Treasure Sale.  Thank you to Debbie Swain, Chris Golembiewski, and all the ladies who set up, priced and worked the sale days.  It is a remarkable labor of love (although in the middle of it they may not have used those words….).  Events like this not only provide funds for the various St. Catherine’s Guild ministries, but also builds comradery among the participants.  Kudos to everyone who pitched in.  The sale continues this morning downstairs in the Undercroft.

In addition to the treasures being sold, on Friday we had Food Trucks in the lot to attract people from the local offices and new housing in the area.  There has been some thought that this is something we should consider doing on something of a regular basis, having the Church open as well, perhaps an organist playing a concert of maybe a bounce house for the kids living nearby.  It is a challenge for us to get people who are around us to interact with the parish, as God opens their hearts join us in worship and faith.

Speaking of Faith….we are a little more than a week away from the beginning of The Alpha Course!  10 Tuesday nights of dinner and discussion on topics about our Lord and His Church.  This wonderful program out of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, in London, is a God-send for the church at large to introduce inquirers to the faith, and to re--vitalize current members as well.  If you have not taken Alpha I would love to see you take it!  Sign up today and give it a few weeks try! 

The next few Sundays have the interment of Ronald and Patricia Pike’s cremated remains in our columbarium, a 50th Wedding Anniversary renewal of vows for The Monacos, and then our Homecoming Sunday Luncheon.  Mark your calendar and be sure you plan on being here to participate in the worship, to be fed in Word and Sacrament, and to be encouraged in the fellowship of the church...and to be an encouragement to others just by being here!

 

A busy couple of Sundays upcoming - Rector's Rambling for September 17, 2023

     Thank you to the leadership of the St. Catherine’s Guild, our chapter of the Episcopal Church Women, for organizing the luncheon last Sunday.  A catered meal by  Edwin Smith, a relative of our own Harriett Mottley, was a big hit, and God willing we will see more of his good work with us in the future.  A meal together is always a great way to build the bonds of fellowship.

The fact that it is Sunday makes our gatherings for worship ‘special’.  But in the coming months we have other extra-special events happening on Sunday to add to the comradery and to welcome guests among us.

Next week the Trash to Treasure sale is Friday and Saturday as well as on Sunday morning.  Be sure to be here for the sale and food trucks on Friday, to shop on Sunday, and to worship and shop on Sunday as well.

On Sunday, October 1, after the 10 AM Service, we will repose to the columbarium in the chapel to inter the cremated remains of Patricia Pike who died this summer, as well as those of her late husband who died in 2008. Her son Jeff and his friends and extended family will be joining us that day.

Then on Sunday, October 8 will have a renewal of vows for the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Mike and Sally Monaco at the 10 AM Service.

Homecoming Sunday will be celebrated on October 15th with a wonderful potluck luncheon!

Of course, we need to be sure that we make attending worship on Sunday at St. John’s our #1 priority, and we should be inviting our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us as well!

 

Having a routine/rule of life - Rector's Rambling for September 10, 2023

     Today we get back into the regular routine of life at St. John’s from September through May.  Worship (all year of course) but with the full choir, Sunday School, meetings of various organizations and guilds, and a full schedule of events.  Just this past week I put a deposit on our parish outing to the Tigers Baseball Game on April 28th.

I hope that you will take advantage of the special events AND the regular routine ones as well.

For those in the religious life (priests,  nuns, monks, friars, etc), one is expected to follow a Rule of Life.  The Rule is a set of expectations of activity, how you live, from day to day, week to week.  This usually involves the regular praying of the Daily Office, saying or attending Mass, studying scripture and doing other spiritual study and reading, and activities to build up the person and which contributes to the health and vitality of the community to which they belong.  Following the Rule helps to form you, and rather than being cumbersome or odious, it is actually freeing. 

Following a Rule helps one to be disciplined in the growth of the spiritual life, even when one doesn’t ‘feel’ like it, in the same way one brushes their teeth and showers regularly for their health, even if you don’t ‘feel’ like it.

Being in a routine is like following a Rule, if you have as a part of that routine things that build you up in the spiritual life!  Prayer, Study, attending Mass, and helping the community around you (at St. John’s and around your home) can all help you to grow in grace and virtue.  One doesn’t have to be in a religious habit (monks or nuns robes) to have the good habit of a Rule of Life.    Set up some minimum standards like those listed above, and make it a GOOD habit.

 

Eagle Article for Autumn 2023 - Rector's Rambling for September 3, 2023

         With the coming of Labor Day Weekend we have the psychological start of Fall.  School gets back in session, summer vacations are in the rearview mirror, and life gets busier at home in in our jobs. 

And here at St. John’s the programming year goes into full effect with the return of the full choir, Sunday School, Daughters of the King meetings, St. Catherine’s Guild activities, and our full schedule of weekday and Sunday worship.  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved here at St. John’s for your spiritual benefit and for the good of the parish.  See inside this newsletter for more details.

As you see above, we will be once again offering the Alpha Course, with the first session beginning October 3rd and continuing for 10 Tuesday nights (except for 10/31).  It is important that if you have NOT taken the Alpha Course, you do so!  It is Christian Fundamentals for the newcomer AND a powerful refresher for those who are already a member of the church - so that we are all standing upon the same foundational teaching about Jesus Christ and His Church!

What is Alpha?  It is a space for honest conversations about life, faith, and meaning.  We begin at 6:30 with dinner, watch a short video teaching, and have an open and honest discussion on a variety of topics about the faith.

Last week on Sunday afternoon I was praying about the Alpha Course and doing some planning.  When we were then preparing for Sunday Evening Prayer, I looked up to see a priest walking in to join us.  I introduced myself and discovered that it was Fr. Nick Perryman, the Global Chief Executive Officer of the Alpha Course, and a staff member at Holy Trinity Brompton (London), the originating Church.  What a Spirit filled opportunity that was to discuss Alpha and what God is doing in His Churches that are reaching out those who do not know Jesus.  That is our Mission!  To know Christ and to Make Him Known (parish motto) - and The Alpha Course helps us to do both of those things in a wonderful way. Email me to sign up today!