By Linnsey M. Amores, Esq

On Holy Saturday, March 31, Linnsey and Jon Amores and

Mary Ann Fitzgerald applied a fresh coat of paint to all the

walls and shelves in the nursery. We think it’s looking great!

Thanks go to Mary for

her skill and expertise.

Everyone learned some

handy tricks to make the

painting easier and more

efficient. The Rev.

Marquita Hutchens

exclaimed that Linnsey,

Jon and “Fitz” achieved

wonders on “paint day.”

The new carpet

arrived on April 12.

Linnsey and Jon emptied

the nursery in the

afternoon after church in

preparation for the carpet.

Regarding remaining

“extractions” from the

nursery, Linda Workman listed an anchored wall bookcase and

shelving and dismantling old cribs and bedding. The old cribs

will not return; there are modern cribs coming to take their

place. The carpet was finally installed on April 20, and the

team has been busy returning toys and other furniture to the

room. Jon and Linnsey took a trip to Ikea to buy some updated

children’s’ items including easels, art supplies, frames for

children’s art work, as well as bathroom items for toddlers.

Additionally, the Amores family and Margaret and Bren

Pomponio are donating cribs, and Jon and Linnsey are

donating a play rug.

Rev. Marquita sends a big thank you to Linnsey and Jon,

Fitz, Linda Workman, Rose Smith, Janet Robertson (Rose and

Janet are on the Aesthetics Committee and selected the paint

colors) and all who have had a hand in the nursery project.

What a difference!

St. John’s Episcopal Church 1105 Quarrier Street Charleston, WV 25301

May 1, 2018, Vol. 58, No.4

Saint John’s

IInntteerr hhaannggee CC

St. John’s Mission Statement: We reach out to the world in Christ’s name in the

hope that all might find a home in God’s healing love.

Jon Amores snapped this shot of his wife, Linnsey (on right) poised, with Mary Ann Fitzgerald (on left), to tackle the painting of the nursery!

SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP

Sixth and Seventh Sundays of Easter – May 6, 13;

Day of Pentecost – May 20; and,

First Sunday after Pentecost – May 27

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Nursery open

9:30 a.m. Adult Forum, room 109, see listing below

9:30 a.m. Godly Play, room 299

9:30 a.m. Journey to Adulthood, (J2A), room 223

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, with choir

Adult Forums for May

May 6 – Recap of the Lenten series on Civil Discourse, including

discussion of the proposed Civility Covenant, led by the

Rev. Marquita Hutchens and Margaret Chapman

Pomponio

May 13 – Exploring today's world through the lens of Jesus,

the “NOOMA Series” by Rob Bell – Travis

Baldwin

May 20 – Great church, great people, “Great Courses” – the

Rev. Kent Higgins

May 27 – The spiritual journey – Una Karner and the Rev.

Marquita L. Hutchens

Seek • Love • Serve

A new look for our nursery!

Come celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with us!

Read all about our plans on page 4

May 6 Easter VI – Acts 10:44–48–

Psalm 98 –1 John 5:1–6 John 15:9–17

“For Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit meant their full

inclusion within the messianic community. The joyous

mood of celebration in Psalm 98 is closely related to

God’s vindication before the nations. Christological

confession, with strong insistence that Jesus actually did

come in the flesh, figures centrally in today’s epistolary

lesson. The Gospel reading is a continuation of last week’s

lesson, Jesus’ discourse on the vine and branches, with an

explicit call for the disciples to love each other as Jesus

had loved them.” (p.261)

May 10 Ascension of the Lord – Acts

1:1-11 – Psalm 93 Ephesians 1:15–23 –

Luke 24:44–53

“All of the readings, in one way or another, relate to

ascension or heavenly exaltation. The . . . lesson [from

Acts] is the Lukan account of the Lord’s ascension, a

narrative way of theologizing about the Lord’s departure.

[Psalm 93 is] an enthronement psalm, . . . which makes it a

natural psalm to read on the occasion of celebrating

Christ’s ascension . . .. The magisterial tone of the

epistolary reading underscores Christ’s ascension from a

different perspective, with repeated emphasis on his

exaltation ‘in the heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:20). The Gospel

reading is the final section of Luke’s Gospel, with its

cryptic reference to Christ’s ascension (v. 51).” (p. 267)

May 13 Easter VII – Acts 1:15–17, 21–

26 – Psalm 1–1 John 5:9–13 – John

17:6–19

“As the season of Easter draws to a close and we move

toward Pentecost, the lectionary readings become

concerned with transitions. In the first lesson, we have

Luke’s account of the replacement of Judas by Matthias,

hence the reconstitution of the Twelve as preparation for the

events of Pentecost. The Gospel reading, part of Jesus’

farewell discourse, anticipates his departure and the effects

it will have on the disciples left behind; consequently, it

expresses explicit concern for their care and protection in

his absence. The epistolary reading is not as directly

concerned with passing the torch, but does locate eternal

life in the ever-present Son of God. The psalm, which

serves to introduce the entire Psalter, draws contrasting

profiles between the righteous and the wicked.” (p. 274)

May 20 Pentecost – Acts 2:1–21 –

Psalm 104:25-35, 37 – Romans 8:22–27

– John 15:26—27; 16:4b — 15

“The central reading for this day is, of course, the one that

fixes the day as Pentecost, Acts 2:1-21. The other New

Testament readings concern the Spirit of God, promised as

the Counselor and the Spirit of truth (John 15 and 16), and

as the Spirit who helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:22–

27). The special note in this regard in Psalm 104:25–35,37

a hymn of praise, concerns the power of God’s Spirit to

create and renew . . .. [On] the Day of Pentecost, the

emphasis [is on] the power of the Spirit of God as a gift

that enlivens the people of God.” (p. 279)

May 27 Trinity Sunday — Isaiah 6:1—8 —

Psalm 29 — Romans 8:12—17 — John 3:1—

17

“The New Testament readings for Trinity Sunday continue

from the Pentecost emphasis on the Spirit of God and at

the same time call attention to the threefold nature of God.

Psalm 29, a hymn of praise, celebrates the awesome power

of the voice of God in the world; its final verses describing

the Lord on his throne are linked directly to Isaiah’s

vision. Isaiah 6, because of the threefold Sanctus and the

fact that God speaks in the first-person plural (‘Whom

shall I send, and who will go for us?’ v.8) has long been a

classical Christian Trinitarian text.” (p. 286)

References: The Lectionary Page – www.lectionarypage.net

Fred Craddock et al., “Preaching Through the Christian Year B”

DON’T FORGET OUR DEADLINE! Please send in your articles, announcements and

photographs for the June “Interchange” by Wednesday, 23

May, at 4 p.m. All submissions should go to both Mel

Cann at meloracann@gmail.com, and to the church office

at church@stjohnswv.org. Early birds feast on our praise!

The “Interchange” is published cooperatively by Melora

Cann and Bob Rosier as co-editors, and with the excellent

proofreading of Patricia Hammer.

The Rev. Marquita L. Hutchens,

Rector

LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES

AND COMMENTARY

Scriptures for Sundays

In Year B, May 2018

Page 2

By Travis Baldwin, senior warden

On pruning and generosity

I sit here gazing out of my kitchen

window on a scene filled with the

beginnings of new life—embracing warm temperatures

during the day and cool temperatures at night, while

drinking in the rain drops falling from the clouds above. It

is a refreshing sight, one long in coming this year.

I have been busy over the last couple of weeks

cleaning out flower beds, raking leaves, adding new soil,

mulching, planting some perennials, pruning and pulling

up the three azaleas I planted last fall that did not survive

the bitter temperatures of January and February. In doing

so, I was reminded of the parable of the fig tree (Luke

13:69) and the gardener who begs the landowner for one

more year of fertilizing and care. I was not so forgiving, as

it was obvious my plants were dead as a door nail. There

would be no hope of revival, so they were carted off to the

rubbish heap! I thought it was best that I save my mercy

and tender care for new acquisitions to my garden.

And now, for this leap of consciousness – how should

I treat my brothers and sisters whom I encounter in my

daily life? When I am troubled about the lessons of life, or

in holy writ, I often turn to views and practices of the early

Celtic Christians. How should we use the time we are

given efficiently and with some promise of making a

difference in our own lives and those of others?

Giving to others was an ancient custom of the Celts.

It is a sure demonstration of love, not only for others but

also for God. We cannot honestly say we love God if we

are not actively engaged in showing love – in concrete,

practical ways – to those around us. The “Carmina

Gadelica,” the 19th century collection of ancient oral

traditions, contains this Scottish “rune” that echoes Jesus’s

words recorded in Matthew 25: 31-40 (concerning the

final judgement):

We saw a stranger yesterday.

We put food in the eating place,

Drink in the drinking place,

Music in the listening place,

And with the sacred name of the triune God

He blessed us and our house,

Our cattle and our dear ones.

As the lark says in her song:

Often, often, often, goes the Christ

In the stranger’s guise.

These virtues of generosity and hospitality became

known in the Church as the seven corporal works of

mercy: 1. Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirsty. 3.

Clothe the naked. 4. Shelter the homeless. 5. Visit the sick.

6. Visit the imprisoned. 7. Bury the dead.

Such virtues make clear that the spirituality to which

Jesus called his followers is to be lived out in the physical

world in ways that benefit human bodies in practical ways.

In the Early Middle Ages, Celtic followers of Jesus were

very mindful that they were called to “doing good” with

their own bodies on behalf of others’ bodies.

Interestingly enough, Saint Brigid, one of the Celtic

saints, never tried to convert anyone using what is referred

to as the “Four Spiritual Laws” (a simple way of

organizing the important information in the Gospel into

four points); she never talked about sin or hell, nor tried to

persuade others to “give their hearts to Jesus.” Instead, she

attended to their physical needs, spreading God’s love in

practical ways.

Her example challenges us: How should we be

spreading the Good News? What are we to be doing with

our body on this earth? How do we treat others and their

bodies? However we answer these questions will say much

about our relationship with Christ.

With continued friendship and affection,

Travis F. Baldwin

A fond farewell to Gardner and Libby Stultz

On Sunday, April 22, a reception was held during coffee

hour after the 10:30 service to say farewell to Gardner and

Libby Stultz. Congregants gathered to bid Godspeed to the

longtime congregants, who are moving to North Carolina.

Parishioners from St.

Matthew’s joined in,

sharing the sorrow of

goodbyes to such

dear friends, as well

as sending them off

with love and well-

wishes.

The gathering

was held on our

parish house's newly

renovated third floor.

Christy Morris, who took photographs, commented that

the repurposed rooms are now “my new fave space!”

Happy May birthdays ahead

Let us pray for the lives and ministries of those celebrating

birthdays this month: May 1, Una Karner; May 3, Harriett

Beury; May 4, Lee Cabell, Karon Myers; May 5, Lynn

Clarke, Frank Martin; May 8, Mary Barkalow, Julia

Barrett, Gary Frame; May 9, Ellen Blackwood; May 10,

Aaron Gumm; May 14, Anna Clarke; May 17, Cass

Amores, Forrest Heckert, Bob Westmoreland; May 23,

Ann Morris; May 24, Andrew Hendricks, Barbie McCabe,

Doug Richardson; May 25, Nelle Chilton; May 26, Aiden

Jones; May 27, Margaret Workman; and, May 30, Teddy

Johnson.

Page 3

Mother's Day Brunch, May 13,

is for everyone! All mothers and anyone who has or had a mother are

invited to join us for the St. John's annual Mother's Day

Brunch on the third floor of the parish house following

the 10:30 Eucharist on May 13.

St. John's men who wish to help with the preparation,

service, and/or donations for the brunch, please call Bren

Pomponio: (304) 610-5120. We plan to meet to prepare for

the brunch on Saturday, May 12, at 2 p.m.

St. John’s invited to Twin Falls

for Father’s Day weekend

By Bren Pomponio

Father’s Day 2018 is bringing something new to St. John’s.

Thanks to a team of parish men, we have been celebrating

Mother’s Day for many years. Now we want to do something

fun for fathers and their families. Everyone in the

congregation is welcome. This will be a weekend event at

Twin Falls Resort State Park in Wyoming County.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 15-17, rooms in the

lodge, as well as cottages and campsites, are being held for

St. John’s parishioners, with a 10 percent group rate discount

and no W.Va. state tax.

On May 16, 30 days before we arrive, any blocked

rooms not reserved will be released. Getting the discount

after that date is a bit more complicated but not impossible.

The group services coordinator, Robin Laxton, can help you.

Her hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If

she is away from her desk you may leave your phone number

Twin Falls Resort is located near Mullens, 19 miles

from Beckley. Guests can enjoy the onsite restaurant, golf

course, hiking and cycling. Free Wi-Fi and an indoor

swimming pool are available for lodge and cottage guests

only. Pioneer Farm is nearby, where we can interact with the

farm animals.

Call (304) 294-4000 by May 15 for a discounted

reservation in the lodge or a cottage. Press zero for the front

desk to assist with a discounted reservation. Discounted

rooms are not available using the online reservation system.

Lodge rates are (less 10 percent, plus hotel tax) two

double beds, $99 per night; two queen beds, $109 per night;

single king bed, $109 per night. Cottage rates are (less 10

percent) two bedrooms, $109 per night. RV campsites (no

group discounts, but seniors [60+] and veterans get 10

percent discount) with electricity, $25 per night; without

electricity, $22 per night.

We will have a few group activities available and free

time. Eucharist will be at noon on Sunday. A supply priest in

Charleston will provide services for those who cannot be

with us. Call Marquita, (304) 989-5982, with questions.

Godly Play By Maggie McCabe

It has been a delightful year for Godly Play. We have many

volunteers who help with the telling of the stories and who

serve as doorkeepers. This program is for children from

three to 10 years old and is based on the Montessori idea of

education with traits of St. John’s added.

From after Labor Day until just before Memorial

Day, the children are told a story of the Old Testament,

New Testament or parable from memory, whenever

possible. They listen quietly, sitting on the floor in a circle

around the story teller, while the story teller shares each

week’s story in a contemplative manner using the hand-

made figures. Once the story is complete, the children

create their work, which reflects what comes to their

individual minds. In closing, the group shares in a feast,

which is commemorative of the Eucharistic feast.

The story tellers this year have been Bren Pomponio,

Aaron Gumm and Maggie McCabe. Our newest story

teller who has completed training is Olive Meyer. Thank

you, Olive, for committing to this training. The door

keepers include Carol Lynn Tweel, Gail Higgins, Olive

Myer and Maggie McCabe. Our wonderful children are

Maggie McEwuen, Brooklynne Latimer-Sheely, Franklin

Latimer, Joellen Latimer, Cass Amores, Amelia Amores,

Harper Peck and Spencer Peck.

The last day of Godly Play will be May 20 for this

school year. If you are interested in working with these

beautiful and talented children during Godly Play, please

contact Marquita Hutchens, Bren Pomponio or Maggie

McCabe. Godly Play will resume in the fall the Sunday

after Labor Day. We look forward to the return of our

current children and to those who will turn three over the

summer.

Thank you! By Maggie McCabe

I want to sincerely thank all of the children and adults who

have led me through the past three years as Christian

Education coordinator. These times of my life have been

filled with joy, turmoil, love and humbleness. Thanks

especially to the late Karen Glazier, and to Doris Redfield,

Jo Blackwood, Bren Pomponio and many others for

guiding me through this ministry. It is time for someone

else to lead these beautiful children in their Godly Play

education. I will continue as a story teller, door person,

and volunteer, but I pass the honor of leading our group to

another individual.

I have worked in Christian Education on and off for

30 years. It is one of my passions to educate these

children. I sincerely thank the Rev. Marquita Hutchens for

the opportunity to serve in this honorable capacity for the

last three years. To the young Saints of John, I love each

of you and look forward to working with you in the years

to come.

Peace and love, Maggie Page 4

In memoriam

We are sad to announce the passing of longtime congregant

Mary Jane Knighton on April 8. A graveside service was held

on Friday, April 13, at Spring Hill Cemetery.

On Saturday, May 12, at 2 p.m., there will be a memorial

service in the main nave of St. John’s for Jean Dickson

Dupont, who died Nov. 3, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va.

Jean and Philip Dupont were members of St. John’s for

many years. A reception will follow in room 109. Her

ashes will be inurned in St. John’s columbarium.

Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Amen.

The Hunt! By Maggie McCabe

The Easter celebration for our St. John’s children began

with lots of donations of delicious candy. A team of

several volunteers, including Sharon and Avery Orr,

Donna Hamra, Joann Christian, Raymond Smith and

Diane Tharp, stuffed 700-800 plastic eggs. On Sunday

morning the teens and their friends hid the eggs on the

second floor, due to the chilly morning.

Surprisingly about 35 children came to enjoy the

hunt. They and their families then enjoyed a light

breakfast with the help of Brian Hamra. It was very

humbling to see so many children and adults enjoying

the annual Easter egg hunt. Thanks to all who donated,

stuffed and hid eggs.

St. John’s to host ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ By The Rev. Kent Higgins

At its April meeting, the vestry approved participation in a worldwide project of the Archbishop of Canterbury called “Thy

Kingdom Come.” Simply stated, it is a concerted effort to pray for people to find God through a knowledge of Jesus Christ. The

project is in its second full year, and this is the first time it will be offered at St. John’s. The dates are from May 10, Ascension

Day, to and including May 20, Pentecost. During this time, people will gather in the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pray for an

indwelling of the Kingdom. We hope to see participation from all parishioners as well as from the other area Episcopal Churches

and other denominations.

The Steering Committee consists of the Rev. Kent Higgins, Christy Morris, Beth Marquart, Cindy Melton, Deanna Lyons

and Ray Lowther. We will provide further information as we have it, and that will be soon because May 10 is not very far away!

Please keep the project and the committee in your prayers as we work to make this happen.

These photographs by Christy Morris

memorialize candlelight from the sunrise service

on Easter Day, the Garden of Gethsemane where

we waited with Jesus, views from

Maundy Thursday service, and from the

Good Friday service, which included guest

homilist Carolyn Tillman, who chairs the

Commission on Racism and Diversity in the

Diocese of West Virginia.

Page 5

Journey to adulthood – J2A By Brian Hamra

As the school calendar and our J2A program moves toward

another year end, this would be the perfect time to

acknowledge the awesome core members of our teen

group: Makayla Jones, Mackenzie Jones, and Nadia

Osman. Without them, there would be no J2A. Thank

you, girls, for being part of this journey and your

contributions to our J2A group.

COMING SOON: Our J2A group is already

discussing possible fundraising activities for future

pilgrimages. Be on the lookout for our next fundraiser –

St. John's t-shirts. A large variety of sizes will be available,

small to XXXL. We will also try to get some women's and

children's sizes.

Details will follow in the next few weeks.

Volunteers, donations needed for Ronald

McDonald House dinner We will be preparing dinner for the Ronald McDonald

House families on May 27 at 3 p.m. in the parish house

kitchen. Donations and volunteers are appreciated. Contact

Bren Pomponio with any questions at 304-610-5120.

Note from our calendar On Tuesday, May 1, there is a “Moms Demand Action for

Gun Sense in America” meeting at 5:30 p.m. in room 109.

The public is invited.

The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council wraps up triennial work, looks to General Convention

Departing members urge their successors to keep

leading church into new ministry By Mary Frances Schjonberg, Episcopal News Service

Tying up loose ends, moving the mission and ministry of the

church forward and saying good-bye to half of its members, The

Episcopal Church’s Executive Council on April 23 wrapped up

its triennial work.

At a news conference after council adjourned, Presiding

Bishop Michael Curry said council concluded its work “with

laughter, a sense of joy and a sense of accomplishment.”

“We got some stuff done. We faced some difficult issues.

We faced them, we figured them out, we said our prayers and did

some pretty darn good work,” he said.

House of Deputies President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings

said that council and the church’s executive leadership team have

clarified their roles and responsibilities as well as their

obligations to each other and the wider church.

“It’s been a lovely journey, and I think we’ve grown

immensely in our respect for one another,” she said. “We trust

one another. We don’t always agree with each other, but we

seem to be able to just keep at it. When we don’t agree or when

we have an issue, my experience has been that we speak the truth

in love.”

Final concert of the season

is May 13 at 4 p.m. By David DeBolt

Concerts @ St. John's will present

Ching-Wen Hsiao, piano, on Sunday

May 13 at 4 p.m. Admission is free

with donations accepted to support

this series. The May program

includes music by Corigliano,

Debussy, Handel, Schubert and

Liszt.

Ching-Wen Hsiao, a stellar new artist-faculty pianist

at West Virginia University, has performed throughout

North America, Europe and Asia. She has appeared with

such esteemed conductors as Kurt Masur, James DePriest

and James Conlon and has performed at Carnegie Hall,

Weill Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, David Geffin Hall,

Steinway Hall, Ravinia Festival, ancient Olympia in

Greece and also on WNIB and WQXR radio.

First Prize winner of the National Piano Competition

in her native Taiwan, Dr. Hsiao has won the Gina Bachauer

Piano Competition and the Steinway Solo Piano and

Concerto Competitions in Chicago. She is a recipient of the

New Rising Star Award, granted by the Ministry of Culture

in Taiwan. She earned BM, MM, and DMA degrees in

piano performance from The Juilliard School.

The 2018-2019 season will include October 7,

Oktoberfest, with the return of David Porter's popular

Hillside Brass Quintet; November 11, The Leviathan Trio

with Lindsey Goodman's flute, cello and piano ensemble

returning from an extended European tour; March 3,

Gerald Lee, pianist and West Liberty University faculty

artist known to Charleston Chamber Music Society and

Cavendish Hall audiences; April 7, "1's Again" chamber

music by Ian Jesse and friends; and May 19, The Kent

Camerata, acclaimed international touring

vocal/instrumental ensemble previewing the group's

European program.

Page 6

Photo on left: Presiding

Bishop Michael Curry,

right, and House of

Deputies President the

Rev. Gay Clark Jennings

serve April 22 as the

emcees of a dinner during

which continuing

members of the Executive

Council of The Episcopal

Church honored the

service of their colleagues

who are completing their

six-year terms. Photo by Mary Frances Schjonberg / Episcopal News Service

Video series invites Episcopalians to revisit

slave trade, share truths about race today From Episcopal Church Office

of Public Affairs

“Door of Return: Racial Truth

and Reconciliation Pilgrimage

to Ghana” is a series of three

powerful, short films and

discussion tools that open

conversation about race, faith and the path toward healing.

The videos were filmed during a pilgrimage led by

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Relief &

Development to Ghana, West Africa. A group of 23 pilgrims

visited sites critical to understanding the trans-Atlantic slave

trade and its legacy.

They traced the journey of captured Africans to the coastal

“castles” or slave forts of Elmina and Cape Coast, where they

were held before being forced onto ships bound for the

Americas. The Anglican Church actively blessed these forts

and the slave trade for much of its history.

“We went as followers of Jesus, pilgrims daring to face a

painful past of the enslavement of human beings by other

human beings,” Curry said. “A sinful and evil past in which

even our own church was complicit and woefully silent. And

yet, we came away, not paralyzed by the pain of the past, but

committed to following the way of Jesus of Nazareth and

forming God’s beloved community. So now we invite our

fellow Episcopalians to join us on that journey and in that work

of racial healing and reconciliation.”

Task Force presents updated Safe Church

Policies, including LGBTQ issues From the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

The General Convention Task Force to Update Sexual

Misconduct Policies has updated the Safe Church Policies for

The Episcopal Church to help and enable clergy,

congregations, volunteers and individuals understand and live

into the importance of this training.

Robin Hammeal-Urban of the Diocese of Connecticut,

chair of the Task Force, explained that the work of the

committee was authorized by the 2015 General

Convention. “We have looked at the current Safe Church

Policies, and our recommendations reflect updated models,

policies and practices that address updated issues, including

bullying, social media, mission trips, overnight events and

LGBTQ experiences,” she noted.

As stated in the document, the Model Policies are “an

updated and expanded set of policies, recommended practices

and resources designed to foster healthy and sustainable

ministry with vulnerable people in The Episcopal Church

(TEC). The purpose of these policies is to create safe and

welcoming space for all minors, elders and people with

disabilities and those engaged in ministry with them, in all of

the congregations, institutions, organizations, schools and

agencies of each diocese.”

“I think it is important to point out that this is a model

policy,” Task force member Cookie Cantwell of East Carolina

said. “It is designed so that dioceses and congregations can

address their issues and needs in their local context.” The updated document can be found online at

https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/21313

ABOVE: Protesters gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., April 25, while the court justices consider a case regarding presidential powers as it weighs the legality of President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban targeting people from Muslim-majority countries. Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Episcopal bishops add voices

to Supreme Court case on travel ban By Mary Frances Schionberg, Episcopal News Service

More than 50 bishops of The Episcopal Church are among the

hundreds of voices the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing as it

considers the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s

travel bans.

The current and retired bishops have asked the court to rule

that the ban violates the establishment clause of the Constitution,

which prevents the government from establishing an official

religion, acting in a way that unduly favors one religion over

another or preventing people from exercising their faith.

The main question before the justices is whether any

president can ban travel and immigration to the United States

based on nationality if that ban contradicts the power over such

immigration and travel given to Congress in Article I of the

Constitution.

Trump’s executive order suspends entry, subject to

exceptions and case-by-case waivers, of certain categories of

people from eight countries that do not share adequate

information with the United States or that present other risk

factors. Page 7

RECTOR

The Rev. Marquita L. Hutchens

STAFF

David Morton Director of Music and Choirmaster

Linda Workman Parish Administrator

Daniel Faber Organist

James Webb Sexton

VESTRY

Travis Baldwin ‘19

Senior Warden

Kris Morris ‘19 Junior Warden

Julia Beury Treasurer

Christine Teague ‘19

Clerk

Matt Brown ‘18 Ray Lowther ‘18

Christy Morris ‘18 Cindy Melton ‘18 Dale Snyder ‘19 Fred Boothe ‘20

Margaret Pomponio ‘20 Jessie Reckart ‘20

Rose Smith ‘20

MINISTRY CONTACTS

Acolyte Masters Matt Brown

Brian MacAulay

Altar Guild Karon Myers

Carter Blundon

Archives

Mary Fitzgerald

Bell Choir Ray Lowther

Christian Formation

Godly Play and Nursery

Maggie McCabe

Journey to Adulthood Robin O'Brien

Adult Bible Study Pat Hammer

Adult Forum The Rev. Marquita L.

Hutchens

Communications

St. John’s Interchange

Melora Cann Bob Rosier

This Week at St. John's and Announcements

Patricia Hammer

Sunday service booklet

Linda Workman Mike Klausing

Facebook, Instagram and Website Jon Amores Jake Jarvis

Blaine Mullins

Compassionate Cities / Interfaith

Jon Amores

Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

Travis Baldwin

Eucharistic Visitors TBA

Greeters Dwight Foley

Knitting Group

Mary Ann Deisen

Manna Meal

Bren Pomponio

Newcomers and Pastoral Care

Diane Hendricks

Op Shop / Back Door Thrift Shop

Cindy Melton

Outreach

Donna Hamra Christy Morris

Parish Life Brian Hamra

Photographer TBA

Property Mike Klausing

Reading Camp Melinda DiCarlo Christy Morris

Margaret Lieberman Jeannine Boothe

Integrity / Straight and Gay Alliance

Travis Baldwin

Stewardship Fred Boothe

Doris Redfield Bren Pomponio

Taize Ray Shackleford

Ushers Christy Morris

Verger Bob Westmoreland

Women in Faith, Fun and Fellowship

Mary Ann Deisen

Worship and Sacramental Services The Rev. Marquita L.

Hutchens

Exciting times ahead and music changes for the summer!

By David Morton, director of music and choirmaster

Our beloved Ernest M. Skinner pipe organ, built in 1927 and rebuilt in 1995, will

continue its 2018 extensive rebuild this summer. As you know, a portion of the rebuild

was done this winter. Some of the wood pipes were restored. The Muller Pipe Organ

Company of Croton, Ohio, has been commissioned to be the rebuilder and curator of

the Skinner.

The removal of portions of the pipes for repair and revoicing as well as chests in

the pipe chambers and the entire workings of the console will go to the Muller shop in

early June and be returned in late

August. A new complex

computer system for the organ

will be installed as well.

We will be using the piano

during the summer. This limits what we will do musically, but each Sunday we

will have music. As a result, and good timing as well, the choir will have its

first-ever full summer vacation. This break for them is needed very much and is

well deserved. We are planning solos, duets, quartets, flute, cello, and piano

works for preludes and offertories.

It will be an exciting time indeed to have the organ back in tip-top shape.

There are no words adequate enough to express our gratitude to everyone who

has been so lovingly generous and even sacrificing in donating to the organ

rebuild fund. We continue to solicit donations – large and small, everything

counts – so that everything that needs to be done can be accomplished for the

future life of our valuable organ. Photos by Linda Workman

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHARLESTON, W.Va.

Established 1837 ~ Present building consecrated 1901 ~ A Jubilee Center since 1985

Please address correspondence to: 1105 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25301-2493 Email church@stjohnswv.org / Telephone 304-346-0359 / Facsimile 304-342-2810

Website www.stjohnswv.org www.facebook.com/St John’s Charleston