The Interchange
The Interchange features articles of interest submitted by parishioners along with messages from the priest and senior warden. It also includes critical information about what is happening in the parish, diocese and The Episcopal Church (TEC) generally. To submit content to be featured in The Interchange visit the Parish Communications page.
Flood Recovery
Over the weekend, many communities in southern West Virginia and surrounding areas were devastated by floods.
SAGA @ St. John’s Lenten Learning & Discussion Series - Submitted by Rev. Eric Miller
SAGA @ St. John’s invites families, allies, and community members to a special three-part learning and discussion series designed to equip participants with the skills to better understand and support LGBTQ youth. This welcoming and interactive series is open to all ages, including youth and their support networks.
Updates from The Wardens - Feb 2025
Updates from Diane Hendricks and Brian Hamra for February 2025
Love The Neighbors
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Padres Ponderings Feb 2025
Sunday, January 26, we had over 70 parishioners eager to hold space for conversation about St. John’s ministries! That is quite incredible if I do say so myself. Brian Hamra and Maggie McCabe provided us with pizza for our appetites, and Vestry made themselves present at each table to listen and take notes during our table conversations. I have sat through and presided at many an annual meeting, and I was ecstatic with the level of engagement I witnessed in Hunter Hall.
Social Justice at St. John’s
St. John’s is excited to announce a new ministry, SJ@SJ, Social Justice at St. John’s.
Outreach Update - Kroger Card
Do you shop at Kroger? Did you know that Kroger has a rewards program that will donate money to St. John’s Outreach?
Shrove Tuesday 2025
For Shrove Tuesday March 4, we are continuing our tradition or pasta delights and sinful desserts as a congregation-wide pot luck dinner.
Episcopal Church joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches
The Episcopal Church is among dozens of multifaith plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. government’s recent rescission of guidelines that limited immigration enforcement in sensitive areas such as churches, schools, and hospitals. The suit was filed this morning in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
A Week as a Seminarian
As I write, I’m wrapping up my week as a seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, VA. I’ve had the good fortune to experience seminary life; staying in a dorm room (with a surprisingly comfortable bed), sharing meals with classmates in the refectory, walking across campus to Addison where class was led by Dr. Lisa Kimball and experiencing the Daily Office and Holy Eucharist in the chapel.
Seek. Love. Serve: Grow in Christ: Adult Formation at St. John’s
Adult Formation. Bible Studies? Social justice? Prayer? Deepening faith in community? We’re taking a look, and considering these and other forms of formation, and how we are organized to support that which we offer under the umbrella of Adult Formation here at St. John’s. Please join me following the Holy Eucharist Sunday, February 23 in room 209 for a forming meeting where we’ll have a general conversation and begin the deeper work of forming community. If you’re interested but can’t make the February 23 meeting, let me know we’ll add you to our email list.
Concerts @ St. John’s - Romantasies, a Valentine treat - Sunday February 16
Concerts @ St. John's will present Romantasies, a Valentine treat, on Sunday February 16 at 4:00 p.m. Violist Sandra Groce and Pianist Pegeen Eslami will sing from the heart with Romances by Beethoven, Schumann, Vaughn-Williams and others. Violist Virginia Groce assists. The artists are offering this as a benefit to sustain the series. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. St. John's Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St. at Leon Sullivan, Charleston,
St. John’s memories: Carpet and cushions, oh my!
David Morton remembers when wealthy parishioners’ limousines lined Quarrier Street on Sunday mornings, and their chauffeurs were allowed to gather in the church kitchen for coffee. He also recalls that those knobs on the ends of the choir pews had fleurs de lys atop them, but a priest whose vestments got caught on them demanded that the ornaments be removed. I didn’t arrive here until ’73, so I don’t have those recollections, but here are some things now long gone that I do remember.
Flower Guild Update - Feb 2025
February 2025 marks the 11th month that our little Flower Guild has been in existence at St. John's! We have settled into our designated space, and we have settled into a routine of working in tandem with the Altar Guild. If you like or love flowers and would like to join us, we would love to have you join our team!
December 2024 Acknowledgments
At Worship Committee and Vestry meetings we take a few minutes to think about and acknowledge people and things we’ve noticed and wish to commend. Here’s this month’s!
From the Archives of Saint John’s - What is an Archivist?
As your church archivist, I look forward to serving the Saints of John in the coming year keeping you informed of events pertaining to the preservation of our collection for future generations and sharing our store of “treasures.
St. John’s Memories: Half-Act Players
For the most part, we weren’t professional theatre folks; we were amateurs, hence the play on words in our name. The same was true of Deep Man’OR, the medieval castle that Hunter Hall was transformed into to serve as the scene of the ridiculous plays we performed.
St. John’s is Blooming
We may be on the threshold of Advent with colder temperatures for the next several months but the energy of new and renewed ministries at St. John’s reminds me more of spring!
November Acknowledgements
At Worship Committee and Vestry meetings we take a few minutes to think about and acknowledge people and things we’ve noticed and wish to commend. Here’s this month’s!
Padre’s Ponderings - December 2024
Dear beloved of St. John’s, the night falls upon us much earlier these waning November days and early December days. As I write, we’re preparing to host a large family Thanksgiving at our new home in Charleston. My mind is on Advent, our Bishop’s visitation, and celebrating our first Christmas together as new rector and parish.