by the Rev. Christopher Potter, Vicar
Greetings of God’s generous love, people of God.
In the first days after Rev. Karen’s retirement, I can tell you that it wasn’t easy, but I have survived. I was able to meet and pray with people, plan on a couple of big events, and the hardest of all, I had lunch by myself!
Though not directly related, her leaving does make clear the importance of raising up, preparing, and anointing ministers at St. John’s. We have such a rich history of strong leaders in ministry, from DJ and the Women’s Ministry to Roger and now Dena and Gary for the Blood Drives – and dozens more. You are always eager to take up the call of the Gospel to make Christ’s message available to people around you.
What I hear the church calling for now is making this a little more formal. To select and to recognize people of the community who will be leaders and – in a sense – ordain them; not as clerics or professionals, but to ordain them as Spirit-leaders and Spirit-called members of the parish who are inhabiting their rightful place as servant-leaders in the church and community.
If, for example, you learn that a financial crisis has hit a family, you would know to contact Joe (a fictional church member) who has been raised as “Almoner” (a fascinating ministry of the church), who would meet with the family and extend your generosity in support. Joe might also call another church member who was raised up as Health Advocate to come over to the house to pray with the mother, who is struggling with COVID.
One of the places this kind of leadership is taught, fostered, and celebrated is in Education for Ministry, EfM. There, Episcopalians study our history, our scriptures, our polity and practices – making graduates well qualified to fulfill a baptismal call to minister to God’s people. I appeal to you EfM graduates to initiate conversations amongst yourselves and with your spiritual directors about where God may be calling you to ministry at St. John’s.
Not contingent only upon EfM graduation or enrollment, recall that your baptism was the first place you received the call to minister in the Church of Christ. “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people?” With these words, you were invited, encouraged, and invested in the ministry to all of God’s people. If you recognize a stirring within you to become more active in a particular ministry – whether it is being practiced at St. John’s now or not, please call or email me to have a conversation to discuss this further.
Blessings, Christopher+
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We’ll see you at St. John’s this weekend:
• Saturday worship at 5 p.m. in the Chapel; potluck following on the Learning Commons courtyard
• Sunday Holy Eucharist and worship at 8 a.m. (in-person only); and at 10 a.m., in-person and on ZOOM
• Nursery care begins at 8 a.m. and continues through the 10 a.m. service.
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Our Red Cross Blood Drive is set for Sunday, October 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up at 1.800.733.2767, OR here — use sponsor code St. John (no ‘s’)
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Trunk or Treat is Sunday, October 30, 4 – 6 p.m. Time to Invite Your Friends to this Great Event!
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Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins Now!
The shopping list is on the Narthex counter. Bring your donations when you come to Church Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings. Last day to collect is Sunday, November 13. If you can help out with preparing and loading bags at St. John’s Saturday, November 12 from 2-5 p.m. and/or Sunday, November 13 after church until we are done or help out with food distribution at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, Wednesday, November 16, contact Roger Bradshaw or at 949.505.4663.
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The Worship Bulletin for Sunday, October 9, 2022
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ZOOM Worship Link – Sunday, 10 a.m.
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Sunday’s 9 a.m. Adult Forum is Back! This Sunday we continue our look at “The Sacred Art of Listening” in the Learning Commons
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We’ll see you at St. John’s!