April 2013 Tidings

TidingsApril 2012

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It is a delight to be back at St. John’s after twenty years away. Having spent 7

years here beginning in the late 80s, soon after I graduated from Amherst College, and having been sponsored for ordination from this parish while my husband Mark Dirksen was the organist, I find it a lovely “full circle” blessing to be called upon to walk with you for these next weeks as you await the appointment of your new Priest-in-Charge. I will be in the office Wednesday and Friday mornings and every Sunday except the last weekend of April, when I had a previous commitment to be out of town. Since our years living on West Street in Beverly Farms, we have resided in Chicago, West Virginia, and Fairhaven MA; I’ve served as a rector, a university chaplain, and a seminary adjunct lecturer. Since 2006, I had been leading a residential neo-monastic community in the Glouces-ter Crossing neighborhood of Beverly, where younger adults came to live with us and be mentored in liturgical prayer life, community living, and outreach. We bought the property where that ministry took place, and remain onsite even as I have begun seeking a permanent rector call again. As we begin this walk together, I am

reminded of an iconic story of this Easter Season, the Road to Emmaus story, found in the 24th chapter of Luke’s Gospel. Two

From the Transitional Priest

St. John’s Episcopal Church

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beleaguered disciples are trudging 7 miles home from Jerusalem just after the deeply disappointing reversal of seeing their Teacher arrested, crucified, and buried. They have heard, but not taken seriously, the news that Jesus has been raised to new life. As they walk, a stranger comes alongside, someone who seems so out of the loop that they have to fill him in on the events of the recent news cycle and how all their plans for the future fell apart. In a deep moment of irony, however, that very stranger is finally revealed as the Risen Christ himself, whom they failed even to recognize in their own preoccupation. Luke tantalizingly writes that “he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” supernaturally enabling them to look back over what has happened with new eyes, to discover that what they’d thought was a depressing story had an additional chapter that revealed it to be in fact a story of hope through the power of God. At the end of their en-counter with this One who was there all along, they are so energized that they actually rush all 7 miles back to Jerusalem to share the news that Jesus is alive. My hope, over these next several weeks, is that our walk into St. John’s future and your own futures will be full of Road to Emmaus encounters – that we, as well, will discover how the Risen Christ has already come alongside and is just waiting to be addressed, to be called upon for energy, insight, and mercy. My hope is that all of us in this Eastertide can listen for him to retell our story, not just as a parish but as individuals, revealing it to be what narratives that have Jesus in them always are -- stories of healing and possibility. He is truly alive and waiting, not even as far away as arm’s length, for us to recognize and receive him. Please do drop by the office and introduce yourself during this time that I’m with you, and let’s keep our eyes open for the Risen Christ together.

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Beth MaynardTransitional Priest


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A Look Ahead

Saturday, April 20 SoulCollage with Susan Teague, 1-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 27 2nd Confirmation Day at the Cathedral in Boston

Sunday, April 28 Confirmation Sunday – to congratulate the Confirmation Class and reception after the 10:00 a.m. service Special Guest Priest Susan Esco-Chandler and Guest Preacher the Rev. Canon Mally Lloyd In-Pew Diocesan Capital Campaign 4 p.m. St. John’s Concert Series with Gigi Mitchell Velasco and Noel Espirítu Velasco, vocalists

Saturday, May 4 5-7:30 p.m. 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off

Sunday, May 5 9 a.m. Altar Guild Meeting

Sunday, June 2 10 a.m. Service – Teacher Appreciation and Parish Cookout, Last Sunday of Church School

Sunday, June 9 Summer Schedule Starts with Service Times of 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

July 29 - August 2 B-SAFE Week

and Save the Date!!Saturday, September 7thSt. John’s Auction Party

That’s right, break out the feather boas and fedoras because on September 7th, St. John’s is going back in time to the Roaring 20s for its annual Auction Party! This is a great time of year where everyone enjoys fun and fellowship - and helps to raise money for the church. There will be great auction items, food, dancing and live jazz.But wait... first we have to plan it, right? Won’t you volunteer? Please contact Steve MacKinnon at (508) 735-4607 or [email protected]. The first meeting will be in May.


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Confirmation Class 2013

The Confirmation Class first convened in early December, and after nine

Sunday evening classes discussing topics such as Faith, Worship, Spirituality, and Navigating the Church, the class completes itself at the Cathedral on April 13 and April 27! Those confirmed on April 13 include Amber Shaw, Anna Arntsen, Ben Coughlin, Charlotte Bichet, Gordon Bahr, Matt Kenney, and Nicholas Potter. The group on April 27 will include Darcy McAuliffe, Duncan Anderson, Grace Stevenson, Hannah Langer, Pennie Gould, Sarah McGrath, and Sam Gause. Please join us at the Cathedral on Saturday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. to honor this Confirmation Class. If you can’t make it, please join us in church on April 28 for Confirmation Sunday when we will honor this group. A big thank you to this class for their energy, enthusiasm, and all their questions. Also a special thank you to the parents who kept us well-fed before class and to Mark Delcuze, Glenn Blakney, Frank Candido, Beth Hackler Candido, and Susan Teague for their work

in teaching this group! Spring is certainly peeking in around the corners at this point, which means the end of the Church School year is coming. On Sunday, June 2 we will celebrate the end of the year, honor the teachers that have worked so hard this year (and who have put up with me all year!) and we will follow all of this up with a Parish picnic! (More information to follow about that shortly.) On June 2 we will also celebrate my time here at St. John’s. I will be leaving sometime that following week (after I make sure whoever sits at my desk next can find everything!). I could never thank you all enough for my time here – this has been a remarkable learning experience from my first days in field education right up though the recent transitions around the church. This place will hold a special spot in my heart as I journey forward to ordination!

Top Ten Reasons to Come to Church School this Spring

Number Ten It has been an especially long ski season this year!

Number Nine It is now the liturgical season of Easter, when Jesus spent time here on Earth with the disciples after the Resurrection. It’s a great time to bring your kids to classes where they can hear more about the love that Jesus has for them and perhaps also volunteer as a teacher’s assistant to hear more about how we do that in the church school. Or head to the pews after drop-off and hear about it from the Gospel and from our wonderful Transitional Priest Beth Maynard.


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Number Eight Sunday, April 21 we welcome everyone back from public school vacation with Church School classes. We will have combined classes for Grades K-3 with Jodi Klein as lead teacher and Grades 4-6 with Kelly Zaval as lead teacher. Kingdom will be a regular class with Peggy Pates leading.

Number Seven Sunday, April 28 we will have regular Church School classes and Susan Esco Chandler will be here as our guest priest. It is also Confirmation Sunday where we honor this year’s class of 8th graders as well as their mentors and adult lay leaders.

Number Six Saturday, May 4 is our Chili Cook-off Event, which is very family friendly! Do you have a great recipe to enter? We will have kid favorites, too, for the little ones who may not dig the chili..and the bounce house will be set up.

Number Five Sunday, May 5 we will have regular Church School classes. After the 10 a.m. service, we will have a Special Church School Meeting in Loring Hall to talk about what we love about our Church School at St. John’s and how we can shape it for next Fall. Anyone who is interested in Church School is invited: there will be pizza, a movie, and childcare provided for kiddos.

Number Four Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day and a Family Service. Our Transitional Priest, Beth Maynard, is excited about preaching a special sermon that day to members of all ages.

Number Three Sunday, May 19 is Pentecost, a celebration of the Holy Spirit. We will have regular Church School classes and a Baptism in church.

Number Two Sunday, June 2 is Teacher Appreciation Family Service followed by Parish Cookout. Come and give thanks to our volunteer teaching team and to Dave Prentice. Dave will be concluding his service here at St. John’s after holding things together with his patience and good humor during this past year of transition. If you have something yummy you would like to contribute, we will be sending out a Sign-up Genius email in the next few weeks. Our experienced Grill Masters are already lined up…

And the Number One Reason to Come to Church School this Spring The following teachers are scheduled to bring their energy, love of

Christ, and teaching wisdom to the classrooms over the next 5 weeks: Eileen Young, Mary Beth Massillon, Denise Gagnon, Susan Potter, Jodie Stevenson, Dianne McCarron, Karen Lowrie, Jodi Klein, Kelly Zaval, Peggy Pates, and Sarah Bates-Ryan. We look forward to seeing you there.


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From The Music Director

I want to express my gratitude to the choir whose members did such a marvelous job with music for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Hard work went into

our rehearsals and the results of the work were realized in excellent renderings of each sacred piece of music for multiple services. Also, many thanks to those who were so complimentary to us. I am very proud of the choir. I look forward to the remainder of the choir year which will conclude on Trinity Sunday.

“Music is a genuinely spiritual phenomenon, the most spiritual of all the arts. You cannot lay hands on it. You cannot see it, except when it is performed. It exists in the material world only as mysterious dots and lines on paper, symbols charged with meaning for the insiders, but utterly meaningless for all others. It springs up in the mind of the composer, transmits to the performer and reaches the listener as a ray of light from outer space.”

Conductor Herbert Bloomstedt

The Choir leading the way on Palm Sunday.


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Building and Grounds Update

We are grateful that the winter caused minimal damage to our beloved

building and grounds; once the parking lot is regraded, the grounds raked, and the lawn fertilized and weeds prevented, our landscape will be primed for a lovely pastel bloom of magnolias, lilacs, crabapples, and peonies. Be sure to visit the Memorial Gar-den, too. Big thanks to George Greenough for his continuing help and expertise with snow removal. As responsible stewards, our most immediate task is to repaint the windows, stucco, and trim on the east and west sides of the church, a demanding project that has already started. Protecting wood materials from water and sun damage may not be the most glamorous job, but it is a crucial role in passing on our blessings to coming gen-erations. We are so grateful to the private benefactors who have funded this effort. Our other immediate task is the main entrance to the church. The original

oak doors and framing were sadly neglect-ed in the past and now need urgent care. This is also funded, gratefully. We remain hopeful that funds to protect the rest of the original building, in-cluding the beautiful hard pine floors and the slate roof and copper trim will mirac-ulously appear. Though blessed that St. John’s original builders used the best ma-terials, we are challenged that those same materials (and labor) are very expensive to replace in today’s world. There are small free things we can all do to demonstrate good stewardship and the awesome creation with which God has surrounded us. Picking up litter, recy-cling plastic, and avoiding the temptation of idling your car in the parking area, make a real difference. If you wish to help even more, please contact Rob or see our Wish List.

John Newberry

The window frames and sides of the Church are getting a badly-needed coat of paint.


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Third Annual Chili Cook-off May 4, 2013 5-7:30 p.m.

The Third Annual St. John’s Chili Cookoff, “Take, Heat, This is My Chili” is sched-uled for May 4th from 5-7:30 p.m. Anyone can enter, and anyone can win! Compet-itors make chili in red, green, vegetarian, and everything in between! Break out the secret family recipe and go for those bragging rights! We’ll have hot dogs, Mac ‘n Cheese, and the Bouncy House for the kids. Bring your thirst and your appetite for a good time! Entry forms are on the back shelf in the Sanctuary, in the office, and available on Sundays from Glenn or Anita Blakney. The entry fee is $20 and is due on April 28th. Bring about two and a half gallons of heated chili to the church by 4:15 on Saturday, May 4th; the church will provide simple chafing dishes and sterno for you, and sampling bowls and spoons for the public to be wowed by your chili skills.

Bring your own ladle and any condiments you might need for your offering. Sorry, there is no place to prepare food on site. Friends, relatives, even random strangers are all welcome! This is a great time for everyone and we’re looking for-ward to seeing you. Fee at the door: $10 adult, $5 Child, $25 family of four, Beer & Wine $5, Soft Drinks $2, 50:50 Raffle and $0.10(yes, ten cents) People’s Choice voting.

Easter OfferingOur Easter Offering this year was greatly successful, and we would like to thank all of those who contributed to St. John’s Global Mission work. To date, we have raised $4839 to aid in the work of REACH (Reconciliation Evangelism and Christian Healing) and The Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem.


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Vestry Notes

A warm welcome and thank you to our new 2013-2014 Vestry Members:Sarah Kaull, Lewis Leathersich, Anita Schwechheimer, Mark Young

The 2013-2014 Vestry

Senior Warden Curtis R. Vouwie 2014

Junior Warden Pamela Morss 2015

Treasurer Robert J. Kosty 2014

Clerk Terrill M. Jennings (Terry) 2013

Members of the Vestry 2014 Stephen MacKinnon John S. Newberry Susan Potter Kelly Zaval

2015 Louise Huntoon Joseph D. Malek Kathy McDiarmid Eve Seamans2016 Sarah Kaull

Lewis Leathersich Anita Schwechheimer Mark Young

Anne N. Dodge, Vestryman Emeritus Nathaniel Reed, Vestryman Emeritus


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Mowing the Lawn

It hardly seems possible but last November was the fifth-year anniversary of the end

of construction and completion of our new building. As I walk through the halls it occurs to me that it has held up remarkably well. Yes there is some wear and tear here and there, a little clutter scattered about that we should probably deal with, but overall the building looks pretty darn great. This is no accident. As a congregation we have done a very good job looking after and caring for this place. It’s been a long and very hard winter. Finally though, spring is in the air and things seem brighter. John Newberry has been working in the gardens. George Greenough has cleaned up the parking lot and raked out

all the mountains of pebbles inevitably pilled up by the snowplow. Right now we have painters on ladders giving two sides of the church a badly needed fresh coat of paint. We’ve even started to talk about putting some plants in pots around again this year. It is an exciting time of year, a new beginning, and things are starting to look up. With the spring the grass will also soon start growing and it won’t be long before we have to start thinking about mowing the lawn. Shortly after construction ended, Peter and I decided that we would take on that responsibility. Now, keep in mind that the bigger building eliminated a large swath of grass, so the job is considerably easier then in years past. Never-the-less we let our lawn service go and the two of us took over the job of mowing our lawn. Weather permitting, Peter usually cuts on Tuesday and I usually start up the lawn mower sometime on Saturday. We like the grass to be freshly cut for Lemonade-on-the Lawn Sunday morning. Cutting the grass is one job that you won’t hear us complaining about. You see there is a basic truth – nothing connects you with a place quite like mowing the lawn. Knowing every inch of the lawn, every stone, slope and bump, even watching and feeling how all the plants slowly grow and get bigger as they brush against you as you push the mower year after year is a special thing. Yes, mowing the lawn is one job we don’t mind. It makes us feel good when St. John’s looks well-tended, like someone cares. And at the end of the day that’s important. We want to make sure that it is unmistakably clear to anyone strolling down the sidewalk or driving past on Hale Street, we want everyone to know that this place is dearly loved.

St. John’s Episcopal ChurchBox 5610 • Beverly Farms, MA 01915

978-927-0229www.sjcb.org

To Reach Us at St. John’s . . .978-927-0229

Voice Mail E-Mail

Beth Maynard, Transitional Priest [email protected] Prentice, Interim Minister for Children and Youth 14 [email protected] Bush, Minister of Music 12 [email protected] Rautio, Office Administrator 15 [email protected] Ginn, Parish Administrator 10 [email protected] Crossan, Sexton 17 [email protected] Mailing Address: St. John’s Episcopal Church Fax: 978-927-6025 P.O. Box 5610 Beverly Farms, MA 01915 Website: sjcb.org Street Address: 705 Hale Street (Rte. 127)

St. John’s StaffThe Rev. Beth Maynard, M.Div.

Transitional Priest

David PrenticeInterim Minister for Children and

Youth

Brink BushOrganist, and Minister of Music

Alexis RautioOffice Administrator

Rob GinnParish Administrator

Peter J. CrossanSexton

Documents

April 2013 Tidings