My sisters and brothers in Christ:

We worship as usual this weekend: Our convenient community Holy Eucharist service on Saturday (Oct. 15) at 5 p.m. and on the 22nd Sunday After Pentecost at 8 and 10 a.m. We’ll hear the parable Jesus Christ told to those who were tempted to lose heart because they were afraid God wouldn’t answer their prayers for justice. The gospel and our other readings this weekend invite us to keep praying, studying scripture, proclaiming the Resurrection, and (when circumstances require it) wrestling with God.

Our Christian faith, like all faiths, invites us to constancy over a lifetime. If we’re going to rise to that challenge, if we make that kind of commitment, then we had better take our faith traditions seriously. But what happens when they come into conflict with other traditions or offend those who don’t share our beliefs? Prof. Pam Kelley, you, and I will take up those questions this Sunday (Oct. 16) at 9 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room in the latest installment of our conversation about practical Christian ethics — entitled, this week, “What Does A Christian Do About…The Burkini? Part II: Jews Who Kiill Chickens, Muslims Who Want Different Seats On The Plane, And Christians Who Think They Deserve Sundays Off.” Please join us, because your insights are always the best parts of these conversations.

On behalf of all your parish leaders, each an exemplar of constancy in faith, I invite all our members to attend one of our three stewardship meetings this year. The first one takes place this Sunday (Oct. 16) at 11:45 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Our drive is called “All For St. John’s.” At each meeting, we’ll review the year so far – our ministries and finances – €“ tell you our plans for 2017, and solicit your questions and views. I’ll also do my best to answer any questions you may have about the bishop coadjutor search. Each meeting will last about 45 minutes; a light snack or lunch will be served. We’ll do it again on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 11:45 a.m. and Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. See you there.

Yours in Christ’s love,

Fr. John

P.S.: Please make plans to be on campus for a family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat event from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30 in the front parking lot. St. John’s Church and School families will decorate their cars in creative ways that you can only imagine. We’ll have games, snacks, and music. This is a great excuse to invite family, friends, neighbors, and even coworkers to experience typical St. John’s fellowship. Volunteers are invited to a brief organizational meeting this Sunday (Oct. 16) right after the second service.

P.P.S.: Speaking of St. John’s fellowship, you won’t want to miss the last St. John’s fellowship dinner (on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Gym) before this gracious ministry, which has been delighting us for six years, goes on hiatus. You’ve already heard it through the grapevine that the theme is a “Tribute to Motown,” featuring the musical gifs of Tony Odell Rogers and Lisa Naulls and dinner from Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill. We are asking a minimum of $25 per person to help cover costs and make the event extra extra special.

P.P.P.S.: This is the weekend to bring your food offerings to church for next Thursday’s (Oct. 20) food pantry at The Bridge Church. Coordinator Roger Bradshaw and your fellow volunteers can use your help anytime between noon and 5 p.m. Write Roger at parisbradshaws@me.com for details.