Prayer for the Unemployed

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Letter from the Senior Warden

January 1, 2021

The St. John’s Search Committee is in the initial stages of reviewing information from candidates for our Rector/Campus Minister position. The search committee recently met and discussed the information we have received so far.

Confidentiality is crucial to the hiring process because it preserves the integrity of the search and helps build trust between St. John’s members and the candidates. The search committee has the responsibility to protect each candidates’ information. Members of the congregation may be eager to learn the names of candidates or information about them such as age, gender, location, experience, and interests. However, this is all confidential information that cannot be shared outside the committee. Please don’t put search committee members in a difficult position by asking them about the candidates.

I will continue to provide updates as we move forward!

Peace,

Sharon

Liturgically Speaking

What is the Epiphany Season?

The Epiphany, January 6^th, is the climax of the Christmas season and the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25^th-January 5^th) and celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the people of the earth. The term epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to the Christ child. These wise men or magi were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as “King” and were the first to “reveal” Jesus to the wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, all nations, all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.

The Epiphany season begins on the Feast of the Epiphany and ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (which is on February 17^th this year). The length of the season varies according to the date of Easter—this year we have a six week-long Epiphany season since Easter is on April 4^th (the earliest date that Easter can fall on is March 22^nd and the latest date is April 25^th). The gospel stories that we hear during this season describe a variety of events that manifest the divinity of Jesus. On the Sunday after the Epiphany (January 10^th this year), we observe the Baptism of Our Lord. The gospels for the other Sundays of the Epiphany season describe the calling of the disciples and some of Jesus’ miracles and teachings. On the last Sunday after the Epiphany, the Transfiguration gospel, describing Jesus’ radical change of appearance while in the presence of Peter, James and John on a high mountain, and revealing Christ’s glory prior to his crucifixion and anticipating his resurrection and ascension, is used. During the Epiphany Season, we are called to respond in faith to Christ through the revelation of his divinity as recorded in the gospels.

White vestments and altar hangings are used on the Feast of the Epiphany, and the Baptism of Our Lord. Green vestments and altar hangings are used during the remainder of the Season of Epiphany.

The Ven. Rose Bogal-Allbritten, Deacon Worship Committee

Invitation to Attend the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24^th

Each Episcopal Congregation is required, by Canon, to hold an annual meeting which will include an address by the Rector (when the Parish does not have a Rector, the Senior Warden gives a report), a report by the Treasurer and reports by various Parish representatives (e.g., outreach, pastoral care, Christian Formation, etc.). At the meeting, each Parish shall elect members of the Vestry and deputies to Diocesan Convention.

The following individuals shall be allowed to vote at the meeting: Communicants in good standing, of the age of 16 years old or older who have, in some way, contributed to the support of the Parish.

Normally, we would hold this meeting in person after the Sunday service. Since this is not possible this year, the meeting will be held on Zoom at 1:00 p.m. on January 24^th. Please remember that you do not need to have a computer to participate. You can use a phone, including a land line. Directions for “attending” the meeting on Zoom can be found in each Sunday’s bulletin (under coffee hour). An invitation will be sent to the Google group the day before the meeting.

Since we won’t be meeting in person, voting will be different from previous years where we gave paper ballots to every eligible person in attendance at the meeting. This year, voting will be done by a show of hands or verbally (for those individuals on a phone). Since this will not work for the election of individuals, all eligible persons attending the Zoom meeting will be sent a paper ballot which will need to be marked and mailed back to St. John’s.

If you are interested in running for a position (e.g., deputy to Diocesan Convention), please let Janie know by January 23^rd at the latest. “A lay deputy to Diocesan Convention shall be an adult member communicant in good standing. Individuals 16 years of age and older are to be considered adult members.” St. John’s is entitled to have 2 deputies and 2 alternates (alternates will attend the Convention but do not vote unless they have been certified to replace a deputy who is unable to serve). Each congregation may also elect a youth representative, not less than 14 nor more than18 years of age at the time of the election. All youth representatives will have seat and voice, but no vote. The youth representatives present at Convention shall elect from among their number, 5 individuals who will serve as lay deputies and will have the right to vote.

Join the Sunday Coffee Hour or Adult Forum Without Internet

Do you know you can join us for the virtual St. John gatherings even if you do not have internet at home? There are phone numbers for Zoom meetings in addition to the internet links. You can join by calling in and you will just be missing the video feed. We hope to hear you on the next coffee hour gathering!

For calling please follow these instructions:

1) Call the phone number for the meeting you want to join (listed below)

2) Enter the Meeting ID when prompted

3) No participant ID is needed so enter # when prompted

4) Then enter password when prompted. 

The phone numbers are as follows:

Coffee Hour: Call 1-312-626-6799 meeting ID: 918 8359 3995

Adult Forum: Call 1-312-626-6799 meeting ID: 876 3164 1175

You can call the parish office at 270-753-6908 a few days before if you forget where to find the number.

Are you curious about how to submit information for the newsletter?

If you want to submit information to be included in the newsletter, please send your submission to Janie the parish administrator at stjohnsmurray@gmail.com and she will include it in the next month's newsletter if appropriate.  Please contact Janie with any questions.