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WANTED:StJ Ushers

S t . J o h n ’ s E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h N e w s l e t t e r L e n t , H o l y We e k & E a s t e r

Folks, my name is Jack Reed, and I have been asked to head up the USHER ministry here at St. John’s. I have agreed to pick up that mantel, finally realizing the awesome respon-sibility of the joke badge my wife Terry gave me a few years ago by actually becoming “The USHERiff.”

My first call to action is to strengthen the number of USHERS, so I am hoping to swell the ranks. If you are wondering if you qualify, wonder no more. St. John’s USHER ministry is open to all interested parties: male, female, young, old and in-between.

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IN BRIEF

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Spring CalendarFebruary 13 Shrove Tuesday DinnerFebruary 14 Ash WednesdayFebruary 23, Lenten Friday ProgramMarch 2,9,16,& 23 March 18 St. John’s ConcertMarch 24 Make PalmsMarch 25 Palm SundayMarch 29 Maundy ThursdayMarch 30 Good FridayMarch 31 Holy Saturday/Easter EveApril 1 EasterApril 7 Tasty Wine & Ugly ArtApril 22 St. John’s 411April 29 Youth SundayMay 13 St. John’s ConcertMay 20 EvensongMay 27 Bishop Visitation/Confirmations

Cover photo: Liz Tindall

THE CLERGYThe Rev’d David Stangebye Houk Rector, x421The Rev’d Andy Johnson Curate, x422 The Rev’d John A. Thorpe School Chaplain, x110The Rev’d Herbert R. DeWees Assisting Priest, x419

THE PARISH STAFFMelissa Newsome Parish Administrator, x411Benjamin Kolodziej Organist, Choirmaster x416Jeneé Oxley-Echard Director of Children and Family Ministries, Communications Coordinator, x444Paul Perrone CustodianPatty Boren Director of Child CareImelda Garcia Child Care AssistantAnnie Houk Child Care AssistantDeneé Oxley Child Care AssistantDavid Porcheddeu Faith@5:30 Music Leader

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

848 HARTER ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS 75218-2791T 214-321-6451 WWW.STJOHNSEPISCOPAL.ORG

Through January 2020

Kathryn Britt-PriceTiffany FleckensteinD.R. MarshallBen Thomas

Through January 2018

Bill Kiraly Michelle ReedJim StacyAnn Ward

Through January 2019

Joe DolenChristopher TielensKristin TodoraCharlotte Wiles

THE VESTRY

St. John’s 411 Brunch St. John’s 411 brunch is an opportunity for newcomers to get to know the parish, our people and ways to get in-volved in worship, growth and service. The next brunch is Sunday, April 22 at noon in the Parish Hall Library

Theology on TapTheology on Tap is a fellowship group for men meeting on the second Thurs-day of the month at The Lot (Gaston Road), 7:30-9:00 PM for beer and friendlydiscussion. For more information, contact David Farrell at david@farrell architects.com.

Children’s ChapelChildren’s Chapel meets on the first Sunday of the month during the 10:30 AM

Choral Eucharist. The children meet in the Undercroft (basement of the church) next to the large cross at 10:15 AM and proceed to the Chapel. When Children’s Chapel concludes, the chil-dren rejoin their parents in the church before Communion. For more informa-tion, please contact Gwen McAllenat gnmcal@sbcglobal.net.

BaptismsThe next opportunities for Holy Baptism are at the Easter Vigil on March 31 and at the Bishop’s Visitation on May 27. The deadline for signing up is March 1. Please contact Melissa Newsome in the parish office to register for preparation. For more information about our prep-aration programs, please contact Jeneé Echard at jechard@stjd.org.

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In December, we had our three day weekend with Ministry Architects, the “main event” of the parish-wide Vision Jour-ney that started when I returned from my 2017 sabbatical. Two cool consultants, Leslie and Debbie, were on site and facilitated a number of listening groups for vestry, staff, lay leaders, school families, school staff, and then several come-all sessions with all members and attenders were invited.

The objective of Ministry Architect’s visit was to get a 360° snapshot of our parish. As we seek to grow and be the best church we can be, the vestry and I desired an objective look at our strengths, challenges, and to receive some recom-mendations about what requires our time and attention go-ing forward. The 24-page report we received from Ministry Architects at the end of the weekend contained all of that, and it is available at the parish office for anyone who wants a copy. Here, by way of reminder, are the main take-aways from the weekend:

St. John’s Strengths• Highly-committed, supportive parishioners. (From MA’s perspective, we had an extraordinarily high percentage of members who participated in discussions—119 people in all.) • Well done worship, music, and preaching—highly valued by the parish.• A congregation that desires to grow and reach out.• Many new, highly enthusiastic members coming aboard in 2017.• New ministries that have started in 2017 and are drawing people to the church.• A strong clergy and lay staff, especially with the new hires of Benjamin Kolodziej as organist-choirmaster and Jeneé Echard as CFM director—these additions have energized the parish.• Success with the REFLECT capital campaign topping $1 million and running ahead of schedule.

St. John’s Challenges• We are hit or miss with newcomers. We need to improve our system for welcoming, incorporating, and engaging the new people we see literally every week, getting more to “stick.”• An invisible volunteer onramp. It seems that many folks don’t know the opportunities or the pathways

toward deeper involvement and finding a place in ministry.• Children’s ministry. Yes, there are good things afoot now that we have Jeneé at the helm, but there is more to be done in strengthening and promoting the program, and Jeneé needs a team of committed volunteers to further this work.• Church visibility. No one knows where our church is! • Nursery. MA’s report called on us to improve our nursery care immediately and to offer nursery for all major parish events.• Sustainable youth ministry. Again, Fr. Johnson has reinvigorated the Youth Group since his arrival at St. John’s, but he needs to build a team in order to take it to the next level.

MA’s report also contained a lot of metrical data about church attendance, demographics, best practices for the ratio of staff to constituents, budgetary norms for church programs, worship patterns and priorities of millennials, and successful strategies for building sustainable teams of staff and volunteers. And then, the report concluded with some concrete recommendations to address our challenges, shore up our foundation, and then build for the future.So, what’s next?

The big news is that in January, the Vestry engaged Ministry Architects to coach and lead us through the next year and a half of implementing our consultant’s recommendations. In the months ahead, you will see an emphasis on recruit-ing parishioners into ministries, establishing parish-wide guidelines and job descriptions for ministry heads and team members, improving our systems and structures, expanding our children and youth programs, and then yes, more visioning.

Let me know if you’re interested in lending a hand with any of the above. And then look forward to hearing more in-formation about the Visioning Summit we are planning for June, a come-all event in which we will look at our mission statement, core values, and set strategic goals for 3 years out.

Glad to be on the journey with you,

Vision Journey

Cover photo: Liz Tindall

Next Steps

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christian Education

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For more information or to RSVP for christian education classes listed here, contact Jeneé Echard (x444) or Father Andy Johnson (x442) at 214-321-6451 or jechard@stjd.org; ajohnson@stjd.org.

Disciples are people of all ages who are following Jesus on a path of love and growth. “God is love,” says St. John, and “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:8,11) Discipleship is an all-of-life endeavor that calls us to prayer, Scripture, renewing our minds, and living out of our faith. St. John’s offers opportunities to learn and grow on Sunday mornings and during the week.

Sunday School

Following breakfast in the Parish Hall (8:45 – 9:15), these Sunday morning offerings are available to children, youth, and adults from Sunday, February 25 – May 13.

Sunday Classes for Children

Frolic – Nursery (age 0-2)Frolic is designed to connect developmental and spiritual milestones as children take their first steps in faith. This program sees the Christian faith a key component in and upon which physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and language skills are developed.

Godly Play – age 3 - KindergartenGodly play takes children on a journey through the stories of God’s people as told in Scripture. This Montessori style program provides them with the language of our faith while encouraging them to interact and engage these stories at their own level of understanding.

Holy Moly! – 1st-3rd gradeAt these formative ages, Holy Moly invites children and their teachers to have a biblical imagination, bringing the Bible to life through a combination of animated videos, creative activities, and age-appropriate Bibles.

Connect – 4th-5th gradeHow we experience God and the Bible changes as we grow and change. Connect takes our pre-teens on a two year journey through key texts of the old and New Testament, challenging them to See, Explore, and Make connections between the Bible and their own lives.

Youth Class and Youth Groups

Decisions and Jesus Among other Gods, 6th – 8th gradesIn a world of conflicting views, how does a Christian teenager decide how to live? Eric Mason encourages students to make every decision out of a world view shaped by God’s Word. Then, in Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias examines other major religions and makes a case for Christianity. Fr. Andy and Mark & Jenny Kraemer will facilitate.

High School students are invited to join an adult class, the other youth, or to serve in children’s ministry.

Youth GroupsThe Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (9-12) youth meet on alternating Thursday nights during the year from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. With time for food, fellowship, and discussion, the Youth will follow up on themes and Scripture from the Sunday morning classes.

Faith-Filled FamiliesThird SundaysFaith-Filled Families is St. John’s fellowship ministry for families with children of all ages. We will meet on the third Sunday of every month to learn about Christ and his message through fun activities, service projects and field trips for the whole family. We will enjoy lunch together and engage the kids with different Scripture and discussion topics every month. Every-one is welcome to openly ask questions, seek advice and offer unique perspectives that will bring our families closer to God and each other.

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christian Education

The Gospel of Mark – Parish Hall Library

Only relatively recently has the Gospel of St. Mark been carefully studied, as it was thought to be the last gospel written and of minor interest. But it carefully and subtly focuses on who Jesus was and how to be a follower of Him. Please join Deacon Roger Button and others in a mix of discussion and lecture as we try to learn how to be better disciples in our own culture and how to pass that on to our children and grandchildren.

Women’s Bible Study – Parish Hall Classroom

Lea France and the ladies group are continuing their study of 1 Corinthians this spring as they continue a word-by-word look at Scripture with the help of the “For Everyone” series by N.T. Wright.

Living Faith - Chapel

The Living Faith class is offered to all who are interested in thinking through the Christian faith as held by Anglicans and for all who want to be confirmed when Bishop Sumner visits the parish on May 27th. Fr. Houk teaches this class on Sundays in the Chapel of our Savior. Readings based on liturgy, Christology, theology, prayer, and Christian living are required during the week, allowing the class to have a seminar feel as topics are discussed week by week.

Marriage and Parenting – Undercroft Red Room

This spring, we will feature a five-week session on marriage followed by a six-week session on parenting. Improve your marriage and learn how to stop The Crazy Cycle as we learn from Dr. Emerson Eggerichs during Lent. Then, in the Easter season, come learn about the art of Sacred Parenting where you gain the tools to allow dirty diapers, a toddler’s tantrums, or a teenager’s silence to help you reflect and demonstrate the image of Christ in your home.

Weekday Classes

For additional weekday adult offerings such as Small Groups, Yoga, Theology on Tap, Daughters of the King, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s, please see the church web site or call the office.

Classes for Adults

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Lenten Fridays

Devotions for the Whole Family

Beginning Friday, February 23

Dinner: 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall We begin with a Lenten meal, cooked and served by one the church’s ministry teams. The menu offers something for all ages, with a cost of $5.00 per person and $10.00 for a family.

Devotions: 7:30 PM in the Church and UndercroftAfter dinner, adults and youth gather in the church for Stations of the Cross, followed by a meditation by a guest speaker and sung Compline. This year’s theme is the provocative question we sing in the great African American spiritual, Were you there when they crucified my Lord? The implied answer is, Yes: the people and personalities who surround Jesus at the time of his passion are not so different from us. This year’s schedule of speakers will help us get to know Pontius Pilate, the Virgin Mary, Simon of Cyrene, John the Disciple, and Joseph of Arimathea—on the way to getting to know ourselves and the Lord who loves us from the cross.

This year’s speakers include:

February 23 Fr. Casey Shobe, Rector of Transfiguration, DallasMarch 2 Fr. Thomas Kincaid, Vicar of Incarnation, DallasMarch 9 Fr. Ryan Pollock, Curate at St. Matthew’s CathedralMarch 16 Fr. Perry Mullins, Rector of St. Peter’s, McKinneyApril 23 Fr. Bob Corley, Rector of St. Mark’s, Irving

Children from Kindergarten through 5th grade will meet in the Undercroft (church basement) for their own Were you there? series, which will combine Bible stories and crafts.

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LENT

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Palm Sunday

10:30 AM Eucharist: We gather in the Prayer Garden adjacent to the Parish Hall and the Chapel, bless palms, then make a procession around the church.

Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday

The liturgies for these days are celebrated according to our regular schedule: 9:30 AM on Monday6:30 AM on Tuesday6:00 PM on Wednesday (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:45 PM.

Maundy Thursday

7:00 PM: Maundy Thursday Liturgy. Childcare is provided in the nursery for children 5 years and younger. Following our celebration of the Liturgy this night, parishioners keep vigil in the chapel until 9:00 AM Friday morning. Please sign up for a half-hour shift.

Good Friday

12:00 PM and 7:00 PM: The Solemn Liturgy of the day is offered. Childcare is provided in the nursery for children 5 years and younger at the 7:00 PM service.

Confessions are heard in the Chapel of Our Savior between 1:00 and 2:00 PM this day.

Holy Saturday

Noon: The short Holy Saturday liturgy is read in the chapel. In it we remember the day on which our Lord’s body lay in the tomb, awaiting the Day of Resurrection.

Confessions are heard in the Chapel of Our Savior between 12:15 and 1:00 PM this day.

Easter Eve (The Great Vigil)

8:00 PM: Great Vigil, the drama of Christ’s Passover, his passing from death to life, is celebrated in four movements: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Holy Baptism, and the First Mass of Easter.

We conclude the evening with a big celebration in the Parish Hall.Childcare is provided in the nursery for children 5 years and younger.

Easter Morning

8:00 and 10:30 AM: Eucharists offered. After both services there is a reception in the Parish Hall. Following the 10:30 liturgy, children are invited to our Easter egg hunt on the playground.

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HOLY WEEK

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The Joy of Acolyting

By Fr. David Houk

St. John’s has a new Acolyte Master: Wade Wiles, who was born in a cassock and cotta and learned to carry the cross the moment he was able to walk.

If that legend seems a little far-fetched, it is at least true that Wade grew up acolyting at St. Matthew’s Cathedral during the years that his father, the Very Rev’d Preston Wiles, was cathedral dean. Wade’s fond memories of advancing through the ranks of acolyting—from torchbearer, to crucifer, to bell-ringer, to assisting the clergy at the altar—translates into his tremendous enthusiasm in incorporating new acolytes into the fold at St. John’s. While we employ acolytes of all ages ten-years and above, Wade is especially eager to see children begin and advance in this ministry. Many a young person has found acolyting a way to engage in and appreciate our liturgy.

The word acolyte comes from the Greek akolouthos, meaning “follower” or “attendant.” The first written re-cord of acolyting occurs in Eusebius’ famous Church History, in which the author refers to a letter written in 251 by Pope Cornelius to Fabius, Bishop of Antioch.

In the letter, the Bishop of Rome documents those serving in his diocese: “forty-six priests, seven deacons, seven sub-deacons, forty-two acolytes, and fifty-two exorcists, lectors, and doorkeepers.” During the same period, across the Mediterranean, Bishop Cyprian of Carthage mentioned throughout his letters the ministry of acolytes in his diocese.

In the twenty first century, acolytes continue to serve in ways similar to the way they did in the early Church. At St. John’s, acolytes vest in red cassocks and white cottas (a cotta being a shorter version of the surplice) and assist the worshiping com-munity in a variety of ways. Acolytes lead us into worship with torches (candles) and the processional cross. The acolyte who carries the cross is called the crucifer, literally “cross bearer” in Greek. At the Gospel procession, the acolytes ceremonially focus the attention of the congregation on the reading of the Gospel. Flanked by torches, the Deacon reads the words of Jesus, who is himself “the light of life.” (John 8:12) Acolytes assist in collecting the offering, helping the Deacon prepare the altar for Holy Communion, and then, yes, ring the bells during the Eucharist Prayer. This, too, is a way of focusing

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The Joy of Acolyting

our worshipers’ attention: that when we say the words of Jesus, “This is my Body…this is my Blood” it is a holy moment and we believe that his real presence is among us.

And then there’s the thurifer, Greek for “incense bearer.” This acolyte, scheduled at St. John’s in the celebrative season of Christmas and Easter, allows us to worship God with all five senses and makes the connection that we read

about in Revelation 8:4, where incense is associated with the ascending prayers of God’s people.

Wade Wiles is looking forward to a brand new season of recruiting, training, and making the ministry of acolytes an enriching and rewarding way of serving Christ and his people. If this article has piqued your interest get in touch with Wade at wade.b.wiles@gmail.com.

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REQUIEM IN ETERNUMMilton Bludworth November 29, 2017Dorothy Carneal December 28, 2017Vanette Hopkins January 8, 2018Alan Cook January 20, 2018

WANTED: ST. JOhn’s Ushers (cont.) F R O M ?

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Now let’s discuss the need for USHERS. Just imagine, if you will, what would happen if our members showed up for service and no one was there to offer that day’s bulletin or deliver the sacraments at the altar or collect the offerings? I’m telling you, an unsupervised Communion alone would be utter chaos. So, as you can see, USHERS are an integral part of our service.

Something else about USHERING which might surprise you is that it’s actually a pretty easy way to serve the St. John’s community. You just need to arrive about 15 minutes early, put on a very cool and colorful pocket square that designates you as an Official USHER, and then hand out bulletins as you greet people. Cake! Plus, the scheduling is set up by quarter, and we are currently called on to serve about once a month. With more USHERS in the ranks, it may end up being even less, so this is an excellent way to serve your church community without much imposition upon your time.

I will be hosting an event (likely in March) for all USHERS to go over the whole procedure and answer all questions. I definitely want to get everyone on the same page knowing exactly what to do. One thing to note is once the service begins you are welcome to sit with your family if you wish until the next duty comes up.

So, please look for these cards in the entryway at church and contact me. I would love to sign you up to be an USHER at St. John’s. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to serve.

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Vestry Voices

My name is Katherine Britt-Price. Most people call me Kathy or Katherine. I have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. I am a nurse at Methodist Dallas. I work in a teaching clinic serving an under-insured, indigent population. I love the chal-lenges and have never regretted becoming an RN.

I have been at St. John’s 10+ years. When I was looking for a church home, my son Jeremiah said, “Mom, you should try St. John’s. Fr. Houk is there, and I think he’s great.” Here I am, and here I stay. I am truly grateful God led me to St. John’s through my son. This is my home. I am rooted. We are a family, and as all families, we go through our joys together and our difficulties together.

Last year I decided to make the commitment to formally offer my confirmation to St. John’s. That same year I was nominated and elected to the vestry. This is my first term and I am close to completing my first year. What a wonder-ful year! I am the Ministry Coordinator and will joyfully help any of you who have questions regarding any of the minis-tries St. John’s supports or what ministries we have. There is something here for everyone. I am in the directory, so feel free to call or email me.

I was raised in the Presbyterian Church. When I think of those times, my greatest memory is love. The Presbyterians were big on John 3:16. First bible verse I ever learned. I also

fondly remember VBS. Lots of macaroni art. It is a won-derful gift to have God choose you. I went through many years in my adult life going down the road I chose and not the one God chose for me. He never gave up, never abandoned me. He was always nudging, always talking to me. I knew he was there. He was

always on stand-by, waiting for me to open the door....and one day I did. It has been open ever since and is not a door I intend on shutting again.

I am also in the prayer ministry here. We consistently pray for the parish. One thing God has told us is great things are go-ing to happen at St. John’s. And he has not let us down. All the new families we have and all the new children we have! Our education and music programs are renewing and we are contracted with Ministry Architects to help us continue to grow these ministries, as well as others. I am very excited about the new opportunities God is giving us.

I am grateful to be at St. John’s and hope God gives me many more years here to serve as he sees fit. - By Katherine Britt-Price

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Milton Bludworth November 29, 2017Dorothy Carneal December 28, 2017Vanette Hopkins January 8, 2018Alan Cook January 20, 2018