The Messenger

August 2011

Feature Articles

Search for Director of Youth Ministries is underway 

Last spring, a committee was formed to begin the search process for our next Director of Youth Ministries. The committee's goal is to find the best fit for the youth of our parish. It includes representatives from the youth, parents of youth, the Youth Committee, Vestry, Administration Committee, and clergy. After announcing the open position on May 20, the committee received 12 applications from all over the country. Three candidates were selected for online interviews using Skype, a computer application used to make video calls over the Internet. Once the committee has interviewed all the qualified candidates, they will select candidates to interview in person."We realize there is anxiety about the future of our youth ministry program now that Dorian has left for seminary," explained Rev. Scott Fleischer, chair of the committee and assistant priest at St. John's. "We are making every effort to prayerfully consider each applicant, while trying not to rush the process." In the interim, parishioners Jimmy Hartley, Rebecca Dillard and Bryana Close, along with other volunteers, are heading up EYC at St. John's. The Youth Committee will continue to advertise the upcoming EYC events through SJYouth email updates, the SJYouth Facebook page, bulletin announcements, and The Messenger. For more information, contact the Parish Office at 799-4787.

Church volunteers make a difference in weekend food program

Last year, over 30 students received backpacks with six meals of nonperishable food weekly from the St. John's Helping Hands weekend backpack program. The program is a success because of 150 hands (75 volunteers) who packed bags and delivered them to Hand Middle School each Friday of the 2010-11 school year. Because of this outstanding number of volunteers, St. John's was nominated for Richland District One's Volunteer of the Year award.

The weekend food program was funded by contributions from the parish and from a Matthew 25 one-year grant, awarded by the Upper Diocese of South Carolina. "Through St. John's generous donations and the Coins of for Change offering, the church will be able to continue the program in the 2011-12 school year," said Servant Ministry Committee Member Barbara Mullen,who is also the lead organizer of the program.

While Hand Middle School has received the Palmetto Silver award for academic achievement the past three years, the poverty index for its student body is 57.9%. Parents who fall within that category are very thankful for the weekend food program. “Not having to worry about whether my children will have food relieved a lot of stress and allowed me to concentrate on other parental duties,” said one parent from the school. Another parent explained, “(The program) helps my daughter recognize the benefits of a healthy meal which she passes on to the family and helps us with hard times keeping food at home.”

Mullen requests for St. John's to: pray for God's grace to provide what we need for the program; look for information about volunteering soon; write a check to St. John's for the Weekend Food Program; and keep bringing your coins on Sunday mornings. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Adult formation offers four classes this fall

Beginning Sunday, September 18, Adult Formation will offer four classes, three of which are described below. The fourth class is "Devotions for sports fans." Look for a description of this class in future bulletins and in the next newsletter. Classes begin at 10:15 am each Sunday unless otherwise noted.

The story of redemption, part I

Boring. Harsh. Irrelevant. Scary. Have you ever used words like these to describe the Old Testament? If so, then prepare to be surprised! Join us in the multipurpose room each Sunday for a brisk walk through the Old Testament. We will engage in a 12-week survey course of the first half of the Bible, moving through stories of victory and defeat, glory and disgrace, sin and redemption. The good news of the New Testament is impossible to fully understand and appreciate without the context of the Old Testament. On Sunday mornings we'll put the pieces together for a more complete view of the big picture of our redemption.

Tales from the madhouse

This class features a set of 15-20 minute vignettes of a series of visits to an 18th Century insane asylum in Tales from a Madhouse. The series takes you to hear the following people who were present at the crucifixion: Pilate's wife, the centurion, Judas, the penitent thief, etc. Each has his or her unique tale to tell. These brief cameos were produced by BBC and feature many of England 's finest actors. Following the vignettes, the class will have an opportunity to chat and reflect on the visit - and why the inmate is there. Class meets every second Sunday of the month in the multipurpose room following the 7:45 am service. 

Get Wired!

Interested in thought-provoking, stimulating discussions over how scripture is applied to current events? Each Sunday, participants will be met with warm fellowship, challenging topics, and coffee!  Eager minds and interest in caffeine is a plus! Class meets in the parlor each Sunday.

St. John's Commentary

Relevant Mission is a new series in The Messenger, featuring commentary and testimonials from ministry team members about their mission involvement, especially recent missions to Ecuador, Augusta and John's Island. The series is about St. John's collaboration on mission and how adults and youth learn and share in each mission experience. The first articles in the series are refelcttion from the recent mission trip to Ecuador.

Relevant Mission

Ecuador

St. John's sent 14 people to Ecuador to work with Youth World in Quito from June 6-16, 2011. For the third year, youth and adults from our church have ventured there to serve. Youth World is an ecumenical, multinational missionary organization. The group's liaison was diocesan missionary Cameron Vivanco, who was called to Ecuador nine years ago. Michaela Close, Winston Collins, Katie DuBose, Austin Lewis, Samuel Miller, Beaumont Smith, Lindsay Smith, Patrick Smith, and Anna Williams were accompanied by Bryana Close, Dorian Del Priore, Jimmy Hartley, Anne Miller, and John Sherrer. Each person's expenses totalled $1800. The funds were raised through group fundraisers, such as: the Galatic Yard Sale; personal assistance; and parish donations. Mission sites included the coast in Atacames, the capital in Quito, and the highlands in Quicono.

The following are two Relevant Mission perspectives on Ecuador:

Reflections on St. John's Mission in Ecuador

By John Sherrer, adult team member

Have you ever tried to convey to a loved one, a friend, acquaintance, or stranger the essence of something so great, so complex, and so meaningful that your words simply fail to do the subject justice? No matter how hard you try, it seems that with every passing attempt you fall further and further from goal. Your experience proved allusive to capture and yet you still try because you feel in doing so you may compel others to share in your joy. (Pictured: John Sherrer with a elder from Nueva Jerusalén) Read More.

Reflections on St. John's Mission in Ecuador

By Beaumont Smith, EYC member

I have been to Ecuador three times now, and each time it begins to feel more and more like home. When I first embarked on this mission experience in late 2008, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought it would be awesome to go to another country; the mission aspect was more on the back burner for me. But that week changed my life. I had never seen so much poverty before, but there was so much beauty at the same time. And the good that we were doing there was basically tangible. I remember standing on the  

grounds of our first site, Carmen Bajo, and just staring out in awe. I had no doubt that God was at work in that place. Because of my time there it was no question to sign up again last year, and this year it seemed almost routine. 

(Pictured: Beaumont Smith with a girl from Atacames) Read More.

 

Music Ministry at St. John's