At Worship ministry team 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!

Small Group Ministry, also known as Covenant Groups, Chalice Circles and other names, offer a place for members to experience mutual growth in Christ through conversation, connection, belonging and working and learning together in intentional ways. Made up of 6-12 people, groups meet at least monthly over dinner or coffee, in homes, at church or in public places. Some groups would meet during the day, others on the weekend or in the evening, as the group chooses.

During Lent we’ll be reading and discussing Bp. Budde’s How We Learn to be Brave. We’re prepared to offer this in two different settings. First, in person as the Connected Communities offering on Sundays March 9 – April 13. The second, via Zoom, on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm, Mondays, March 10-April 14. If you’re interested in being part of the Zoom group, please let Beth Marquart know; we’ll need a commitment from a minimum of 6 people to go ahead with this option.

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.

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.

Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 6, 4 p.m. in St. John's Garden

Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV) are lay persons authorized to take the consecrated elements following the Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, are unable to be present at the celebration.

St. John’s Parishioner and member of the House of of Deputies Beth Marquart provides a summary of the 2024 General Convention.

Br. Luke Ditewig, with the Society of St, John the Evangelist (SSJE), was with us February 16-18 at the invitation of Chris+, who is an associate of the Order.

On the weekend of February 16-18, Brother Luke from the Society of St. John the Evangelist will be with us for a parish retreat.

Chris+ is offering this course for those Saints of John seeking baptism, confirmation or reaffirmation during Bp. Cowden’s December 17 visitation.

The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden will be here for his visitation on Sunday, December 17th and will perform Baptisms, Confirmations, and Reaffirmations, as well as speak at the Adult Forum, join us at coffee hour and meet with the vestry. (Just a normal Sunday for our Bishop!)

We asked some Saints of John for their thoughts on seeking, loving and praying.

The Blessing of the Animals: Wednesday, October 4, 5:30 p.m. in the Garden

If you’ve been to St. John’s during August, or live streamed the service, you know things have been a bit different during the Holy Eucharist. Chris+ has re-introduced the use of our free-standing holy table, which brings the Holy Eucharist in the midst of the people in the pews.

We cleaned up and cleaned out Saturday morning! Armed with trash bags and boxes - donuts and coffee - we took on the Women's and Men's Robing Rooms and the Crafts Supply Room. In addition, the Museum was cleared for painting.

Congratulations to 2023 Stuart and Lucille Armstrong Scholarship recipient, Elliott Blackwood.

Update from Beth Marquart, Vestry Clerk, on some exciting property updates approved at the last Vestry meeting.

SAGA is gearing up for the Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 3.

In last month's Interchange we reported what some Saints of John told us about their intentions during Lent. We followed up with a few of them and found discovery and fresh understanding.