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June 2017
The Voice The Episcopal Church
of St. John in the
Wilderness
Inside this issue:
Several things have converged over the last few weeks that together send a very
strong message: the church meets in buildings but does ministry else-where. Of course, that is an overstate-ment, but it makes a good point. Bishop José spoke eloquently and passionately about his vision for our diocese when he visited with us on May 3. The gospel lessons appointed for the Sundays of Easter all point to the instruction our Lord gave to us through the disciples. In the post-resurrection period, He sought to make sense of the world-changing events the disciples had so recently experienced. In the limited time he had left, Jesus left no doubt: disciples face outward more than inward. Disciples think less of self and more of the needs of others. Disciples spend a short time planning, most of their time doing.
So we are trying to follow those teach-ings better. Perhaps we might think that our current emphasis on the completion of the new parish house doesn’t conform with that goal. But it can, if in fact the whole project was conceived with more outward, diverse, and vigorous ministry as its
From the Rector The Prayer List
2
Parish Register
2
What’s Happening at St. John
3
Flower Memorials
3
The Little Voice
4
Flower Memorials
5
Vestry Highlights
5
Birthdays 5
Calendar 6
goal. The Bishop saw that right away. Now we have the joyful task of doing the work. To that end, I have asked several members who are involved in various ministries to study ways that our new parish hall and the remodeled old parish hall can be put to good use. The possibilities that emerge will, I am sure, be numerous and exciting. As we approach completion in a few months, we will begin to refine the ways we might leverage this new facility for ministry.
By now nearly all of our seasonal parishioners should have arrived, so welcome home! For the few who go elsewhere for the warm weather months, hurry back! Seasonal members are very important and are missed when away. They add fresh ideas and perspectives we would lack with-out them. I am shamelessly selfish when I say I wish we had all of you all the time! Keep coming back, and bring a friend with you if you can.
On another subject: remember this is the month we begin the new procedure for building and maintaining the prayer lists. Beginning June 1, a new prayer list will be compiled for both Sun-day and Wednesday services. The goal is a shorter list for Sunday and probably a longer list for
Page 2 The Voice
for Wednesday. A note is included below in this edition of The Voice but, as this will be a visible change to the Sunday service, I include this here to enhance the chances the word will get out. Thank you for understanding.
And Congratulation to all our new High School Graduates! Stephen Byrd, Philip Green, Lauren Kanipe,
Ruthie Morton, Turner Morton, and Harper Swing
Parish Register
Transfers In Bernard J. Fox, Jr.
Deaths John Roethle
The Prayer List
Over the years our Sunday prayer list has grown and grown. That is a good thing. However, it has grown so much that it is too long for inclusion in the Sunday liturgy. In recent months, numerous members have voiced concern over its length. I have discussed this with our clergy, other clergy, and various others. One method of dealing with this happy problem seems right. It is actually only a refinement of our long-standing practice—only somewhat more detailed.
Beginning July 1, we will start a new Sunday prayer list afresh every quarter made up of the names submitted to us within the 30-day period prior to the creation of that list. The Sunday prayer list is intended to hold those with an acute need (illness or some other serious problem). The list we use for the Wednesday Healing Service is more expansive and is intended for those with chronic illness or other long-term need. Those names will be retained for a six-month period and may be resubmitted in the same manner.
To clarify, the Sunday prayer list is for acute and serious issues. On July 2, this list will be comprised solely of the names submitted after June 1. If you wish a name to remain on the Sunday prayer list, you will need to resubmit it at that time. Those names will remain for three months (along with any additions made during that time) until October 1. The Wednesday prayer list is for chronic, long-term issues. Names for this list will need to be submitted after June 1, as well, and will remain for six months, through the end of the year.
We pray for all on the Wednesday list by name every week. The primary focus of the Wednesday service is on spiritual and physical healing. That list is in no respect “lesser” than that read on Sundays.
Thank you for understanding.
John+
The Voice Page 3
What’s Happening at St. John
Readers in the Wilderness meets the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Parish House Library.
Friday, June 2 – Euphoria by Lily King A rich character study of three young anthropologists set in the wild New Guinea bush of the l930s. Loosely based on the early life of anthropologist Margaret Mead.
Do join us for lively discussions!
Women of the Church. The June 16 ECW Lunch Bunch outing will visit the North Carolina Arboretum for a special exhibit, Winged Wonders, Step into the World of Butterflies, with lunch at the Arboretum's Savory Thyme Cafe. No reservations are required - we'll meet at the parish hall at 9:45 to carpool. Admission to the Arboretum is free, but parking is $14 per car for non-members, so we're suggesting sharing the cost. The exhibit is indoors at the Baker Exhibit Center, with lunch at the Education Center. Moderate walking will be required. Please call or email Linda Sokalski at 828 696-9419 or [email protected] for more information.
EYC Hosts June Men’s Breakfast to Benefit Only Hope Earlier this year, the EYC was visited by Michael Absher, founder and CEO of Only Hope. Only Hope is a local nonprofit organization that serves homeless youth in Henderson County. Michael was himself a homeless teenager, so he understands the needs of the young people he helps. He told us there are over 300 homeless children and teens in this county, living with or without their families in cars, abandoned mobile homes, and other inadequate or unsafe places. Some "float" from one friend's home to another, staying a few nights at a time and then moving on. We can only imagine the difficulties they have with schoolwork, nutrition, and security.
Our own teenagers were so moved by his presentation that they wanted to do something. They were already scheduled to help the Men's Club cook and serve the June breakfast, and then they found out June will be the annual "charity donation" breakfast: instead of the usual price, donations will be requested and all the proceeds will be given to a local charity. Jim Vint asked if the EYC had a charity in mind. Their response was quick: Only Hope.
So be sure to join us for breakfast between services on the first Sunday in June! Our youth had a lot of fun helping the men last year, and they'll have even more fun this year, knowing their work will help buy food, clothing, school supplies, and toiletries for children and teenagers in extreme need. We'll keep you posted on what else the EYC is doing to help this worthwhile cause. Our plans include a work project this summer and participation in the OH annual "sleep-out" in October. For more on Only Hope, the services they provide, and their needs, go to www.onlyhopewnc.org.
Church Flower Memorials
It is important that ALL Flower Memorial donors, new and existing, contact Gaston Motes at [email protected] (preferred) or (828) 243-9091 to verify their information. Please include donor name, address, phone number, email address, and memorial information (name, by whom, and date). Any changes or new memorials must be made at least four weeks in advance to be included in The Voice and the bulletin. A suggested amount for your memorial is $70. Payments should be made directly to the church at P.O. Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Please note “Flower Memorial” on the memo line of your check. Updating your information will enable us to honor your loved ones properly. Thank you for your continued support for the Flower Memorial ministry.
Page 4
Young Family Ministry
School’s Out!
Even though our school systems will soon be on summer break, Young Family Ministry and Sunday School continue all summer. We are so proud of our graduating seniors: Stephen Byrd, Philip Green, Lauren Kanipe, Ruthie Morton, Turner Morton, and Harper Swing. We hope that we have done our part in preparing them “lo these many years!” We are proud of all our children and hope they enjoy learning from us as much as we enjoy learning from them!
Creation Care Camp
Creation Care Camp will be at the Inglis Family Farm in Traveler’s Rest on June 20-22 once again this year with a 100% return attend-ance! Contact Mary Anne Inglis at maryanne.Inglis@ gmail.com if you would like for your child or grandchild to attend
or if you have any questions. The theme this year is “Wild Wonder” based on Psalm 104:24. The group will gather at the church parking lot at 9 a.m. each day to carpool down and return to the church parking lot at 2:00 p.m. A light lunch will be included each day. Wear comfort-able clothes and shoes, and plan to have a won-derful time in the great outdoors!
Summer time is a time when many of you will head out onto the highways and byways. We pray for good times together with family and friends and a safe journey.
Travel Prayer
O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: preserve those who travel, particularly St. John in the Wilderness young families and parish as a whole; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every
danger; and bring them in safety to their jour-ney’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Easter Blessings! Father Alex and Miss Sandy
EYC News
At the time of this writing, the EYC is preparing for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Jackson Park on May 20. Weather permitting, we'll be there – and if it’s postponed (as last
year, due to thunderstorms), we’ll be there for the rescheduled one! "Relay" sounds like a race, but it's not; instead, it features a short walking circuit lined with luminaria which people have bought to honor cancer survivors or departed loved ones. Our youth group is one of many local organizations that will be selling handmade crafts to support the fight against cancer.
On June 4, the EYC will help the Men’s Club cook and serve the par-ish breakfast. This will be a “donations only” meal, with the proceeds going to Only Hope, a local nonprofit that assists homeless youth in Henderson County. That same day, following the 11:00 ser-vice, we’ll go to Coontree Picnic Grounds in Pis-gah Forest for what’s become our annual picnic and swim.
In Sunday School, we’re watching Jesus Christ Superstar as we continue to build our “Seven Deadlies Sculptures.” We watched this movie a few years ago, but over half of our group wasn’t present back then—and the ones who’ve seen it don’t mind a rerun! Periodically, we pause the DVD and compare it to scripture and the histori-cal records. (Interestingly, we just found out that NBC will be airing this musical live in 2018.)
Many thanks, as always, to our youth, their par-ents, and everyone at St. John who supports this wonderful group!
The Little Voice
The Voice
The Voice
June 4: In loving memory of Frank and Margarita Fitzsimons, Mather
Fitzsimons, Frank and Millie Fitzsimons, and Candy Priest By: Hank, Dunk, Pam and Mindy June 11: In loving memory of Reed Finlay By: Lucretia and children, Reed III, Lucretia and Douglas
June 18: In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dethero and Carter Dethero By: David Dethero
June 25: Open
June Birthdays
2 Becky Goodman
3 Hal Reid
5 David Christenbury
5 Jackie Hornsby
5 Tommy Vellanti
6 Ginny MacNeil
6 Ian Macpherson
7 Gibson Sims 8 Nelson Motes
11 Jane Caulder
11 Bridget Swing
12 Stephen Franks
12 Barbara Bowers
13 Joe Kovaz
14 Jonathan Ward
17 Tom Green
17 Janet Smith
18 Tom Bullard
18 Bill Bowers
19 Cathryn Harrell
20 Newell Doty
20 Bettie Orr
21 John Ball
21 Lucy Pharr
23 Luann Ham
24 Mary Edwards
24 Susan Dobson
25 Alan Ward
25 Peter Fricke
25 Sandra Jeffery
26 Katherine Gee
27 Mary Howes
28 Robin Howe
29 Matthew Bullard
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June Flower Memorials
May Vestry Highlights
• Church Windows accounting system has been installed in the office and will soon be up and running.
• Father John thanked everyone who made Bishop McLoughlin’s visit so successful.
• A Tuesday night series on Winston Churchill will be starting soon.
• The new building is projected to be complete by September. The existing Parish House will also be renovated.
• One-half of the funds on hand have been spent on the construction. There are still pledges which have not been paid, and those people will receive statements.
Page 6 The Voice
June 2017 Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.
1 2 3
7:30 AA/Early Birds
7:30 AA/Early Birds
8:45 Backpack grp.
10:00 Readers ITW
11:00 Eucharist/Lake Pointe Landing
7:30 AA/Early Birds
9:30 Historic Flat Rock (PH)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8:45
Eucharist
9:30 Youth and Men’s Breakfast
11:00
Eucharist
7:30 AA/Early Birds
6:45 pm AA/Newcomers
7:30 AA/Early Birds
10:00 VFY
3:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Tuesday Gathering
7:30 AA/Early Birds
8:45 Backpack grp.
10:30 Healing Service
7:00 pm Choir
7:30 AA/Early Birds
7:30 AA/EB
7:30 AA/Early Birds
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
8:45
Eucharist
10:00 Sunday School
11:00
Eucharist
7:30 AA/Early Birds
6:45 pm AA/Newcomers
7:30 AA/Early Birds
3:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Tuesday Gathering
7:30 AA/Early Birds
10:30 Healing Service
7:00 pm Choir
7:30 AA/Early Birds
5:00 pm Vestry
7:30 AA/Early Birds
9:45 ECW Lunch Bunch
10:00 Caregivers grp.
7:30 AA/Early Birds
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
8:45
Eucharist
10:00 Sunday School
11:00
Eucharist
7:30 AA/Early Birds
6:45 pm AA/Newcomers
7:30 AA/Early Birds
3:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Tuesday Gathering
7:30 AA/Early Birds
10:30 Healing Service
7:00 pm Choir
7:30 AA/Early Birds
10:00 Needle Work Ministry
7:30 AA/Early Birds
7:30 AA/Early Birds
25 26 27 28 29 30
8:45
Eucharist
10:00 Sunday School
11:00
Morning Prayer
7:30 AA/Early Birds
6:45 pm AA/Newcomers
7:30 AA/Early Birds
3:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Tuesday Gathering
7:30 AA/Early Birds
10:30 Healing Service
7:00 pm Choir
7:30 AA/Early Birds
7:30 AA/Early Birds
The Voice Page 6
The Rev. John A. Morton,
Rector
The Rev. Alex Viola,
Priest Associate
The Rev. Joyce Beschta,
Deacon
Leslie Stott, Secretary
Sharlene Pond, Bookkeeper
Dewitt Tipton, Organist
and Director of Music
Sandra Hunter Jones,
Christian Education
Director
Kevin Hunt, Sexton
1905 Greenville Highway
P.O. Box 185
Flat Rock, NC 28731
Phone: 828-693-9783
Fax: 828-696-4859
E-mail: [email protected]
The Episcopal Church of
St. John in the
Wilderness
Visit us on the Web at
www.stjohnflatrock.org
Vestry
Robin Howe Senior Warden
Ginger Quarles Junior Warden
Marie Hyder Treasurer
Jinny Bell Clerk
Michael Jeffery, Mary Anne Inglis,
Beth Melton, Tom Savage, Nancy Cooper, Tom Head, Jodi Sundeen, Jim Olson,
Margaret Barker, Debby Staton
Deadline for the July Voice is
Friday, June 16. Email items for The Voice to your editor, Leslie Stott, at [email protected] or
deliver them to the church office.
Page 7
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sundays 8:45 am Holy Eucharist 10:00 am Sunday School for Adults and for Youth 11:00 am Holy Eucharist (1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays) or Morning Prayer (2nd and 4th Sundays)
Wednesdays 10:30 am Healing Service with Holy Eucharist in the Parish Hall
Our Mission Statement To know and love God as He is revealed to us
in Jesus Christ, to bring others to His saving
love, and to serve the world in His name.
Relay for Life
