Join us for Sunday Worship

Unfortunately Bishop Carol has had to re-schedule her visit to St. John’s. While we do not yet have a new date, we look forward to having her celebrate worship with us soon. We will keep you updated.

The Invite, Welcome, Connect group would like to thank all who attended the Baked Potato Bar Fellowship dinner on Friday April 26. We served 38 people and had a wonderful evening sharing in fellowship and the blessings of God. Thank you to all who donated and helped with the cleaning, Valerie, Steve, Mary, Kathy and Fr. Al.

Fr. Al will be adding a Wednesday noon weekday service to the calendar. Start date to be determined.

Quilters Group meets at 1pm on Wednesday, May 8, in the Parish Hall.

Prayer Shawl Group meets at 2pm on Wednesday, May 8, in the Parish House.

Counters are Needed to count the offering, especially after the Sunday service. Having more volunteers for this important internal control function will allow us to rotate responsibility for this task each week. The count is quick and easy to complete, and there are always two (unrelated) people performing the count. Training will be provided. If you are interested or have more questions, please contact Celia Bailey-Ochoa.

Bishop Election Update: The Diocesan Transition Committed invites you to of a series of open meetings around the diocese May 7-11, giving the people of the diocese an opportunity to meet and learn more about the nominees for election as the diocese’s 17th bishop diocesan.

The Diocese of Massachusetts has scheduled a series of “Meet and Greets” to give the people of the diocese an opportunity to meet and learn more about the nominees for election as the diocese’s 17th Bishop Diocesan. Locally, please join Father Al on Wednesday, May 8 from 10-11:30am at St. Mary’s Church, 3055 Main Street in Barnstable. You may go to one or more of the listening sessions. To learn more about each candidate, visit www.diomass.org/bishop-search/bishop-nominees.

The meet-and-greet gatherings:

· Tuesday, May 7 at All Saints’ Parish, Ashmont in Dorchester, 7-8:30 pm.

· Wednesday, May 8 at St. Mary’s Church in Barnstable, 10-11:30 am.

· Wednesday, May 8 at St. Thomas’s Church in Taunton, 7-8:30 pm.

· Thursday, May 9 at Christ Church in Needham, 2-3:30 pm.

· Friday, May 10 at Christ Church in Andover, 7-8:30 pm. (with childcare)

· Saturday, May 11 on Zoom, 10:30 am-noon (with special Zoom rooms for youth and young adults).

Additionally, there will be a “Coffee & Conversations with Clergy, Postulants and Candidates” session on Thursday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at St. Paul’s Church in Dedham.

Information about Zoom access and other details will be posted at www.diomass.org/bishop-search/meet-greets.

All in the diocesan community are invited to attend, particularly those who are voting members of the to be held on Saturday, May 18 at Trinity Church in Boston. Find information about the preliminary slate of nominees at www.diomass.org/bishop-search/bishop-nominees.

CARING FOR CREATION

During January, February, and March we focus on the importance of water in our Caring for Creation section. Likewise, as we move through the Lenten season, we are reminded of our own baptism by water that calls us to a change of heart, to be a source of livingwater for our world and each other. May we see conservation of water as the new Lenten way of fasting for those of us who have enough. May we find ways to give clean water to those who are thirsty.

Quotation for your Meditation

                                             “The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” –   St. John of Damascus

Suggestions for Personal Action

On January 6, 2021, the feast of the Epiphany, the Orthodox Church of America released a film entitled The Face of God. It is found at this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wdRr1pFLM). In the spirit of the quotation above from St. John of Damascus the film underscores that nature is sacred. “It is how God dresses.” As the season of Lent continues may we experience the repentance, the change of heart, that is necessary to re-order our relationship to nature in some specific way: use less water; avoid plastics and single use containers; reduce consumption of meat; increase plant-based nutrition, etc.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus from the cross are commonly used in churches around the world during Lent.  Please pick up a copy of the Seven Last Words Coloring Pages booklet from the table in the Narthex to use during Lent.

Sunday School kids will sing on Palm Sunday, March 24. A short rehearsal for this will be held this Sunday, Feb. 18^th after Coffee Hour. Music will be recorded to send to interested families. Please see Lynn Tozier with any questions.

Please plan to come see the production of The Wizard of Oz, starring Rev. Barbara as the Wizard, Molly Donaruma as Dorothy (March 1 and 2 performances only), and Eileen Donaruma. There will be 4 performances in the church: Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7PM, Friday, March 1 at 7PM, Saturday, March 2 at 7PM, and Sunday, March 3 at 2PM.

As the 2024 Bishops’ Annual Appeal launches, the bishops invite everyone to join in deepening covenants formed as the Diocese of Massachusetts: A goal of $200,000 has been set for the 2024 appeal, in support of shared mission as a diocesan community committed to being disciples of Jesus, seekers of justice and protectors of creation. Please take a brochure from the table in the Narthex.  March 10^th is the scheduled In-Gathering for this appeal.

FREE ADMISSION! Mark your calendars for February 21, 2024 9:30 am to 4:00 pm!  Courtesy of a generous grant provided by the Highland Street Foundation we invite you to take advantage of complimentary admission to the Sandwich Glass Museum. Glass Blowing Demonstrations hourly, on the hour. Don’t forget to participate in the museum’s scavenger hunt for added fun and exploration!

Creative Sundays is on the calendar again for Feb. 25th at 11:30AM in the Parish Hall. Please join us with your favorite craft to work on until . . . . .? This is a place to gather with old and new friends. Feel free to bring a buddy. You might just learn something new!  Contact Carolyn Cuilty with questions.

Local author and parishioner Christie Lowrance will present a talk on the life and legacy of naturalist and renowned children’s author Thornton W. Burgess at the Sandwich Library on Wednesday, February 28 from 6:30PM-7:30PM.  Space is limited and registration is required o the library Event Calendar.

From the Baby Center: At this time we are not taking clothing donations due to structural changes happening at the building. We can still take donations of diapers, wipes, and formula. Cash donations and grocery gift cards are also greatly appreciated.  Thank you from the Director and Staff of A Baby Center! Please see www.ababycenter.org for more information, including employment opportunities and volunteering for this Cape Cod Council of Churches organization.

CARING FOR CREATION

During January, February, and March we focus on the importance of water in our Caring for Creation section. Likewise, during the Epiphany season we commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the waters of the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Our own baptism calls us to a change of heart, to be a source of living water for our world and each other.

Quotation for your Meditation

“Nearly one-third of the total water footprint of agriculture in the world is related to the production of animal products. The water footprint of any animal product is larger than the water footprint of crop products with equivalent nutritional value. The average water footprint per calorie for beef is 20 times larger than for cereals and starchy roots…..Animal products from industrial systems {e.g., corporate agriculture} generally consume and pollute more ground- and surface-water resources than animal products from grazing or mixed systems. The rising global meat consumption and the intensification of animal production systems will put further pressure on the global freshwater resources in the coming decades.” A Global Assessment of the Water Footprint of Farm Animal Products(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10021-011-9517-8