ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARCH 2015 OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI St. John’s Episcopal Church September 2017 Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Phone: 228-875-4454 Website: stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org

The Grapev ine

Ministry Fair September 24th On September 24th, we celebrate the mission and ministry of St. John’s. Tables and sign-up sheets for each ministry and mission will be in the parish hall during the Coffee Hour. Take a few moments to see the various ministry

opportunities to serve that are available at St. John’s. There are many talented parishioners in our parish ― and St. John’s needs your gifts of time and talent! A

representative from each ministry will be available to answer your questions. Please join us on Sunday, September 24th. Pray about your gift of time and talent and “Come to

the Fair.”

If your ministry or mission group at St. John’s would like a booth at the fair, please contact the church office.

Spanish Lessons Contact The Rev. Margarita Swetman for more information 228-273-2425. Donations to Spanish-speaking ministry gratefully accepted. Jackson County Pet Shelter Please consider donating the following items to the Jackson County Pet Shelter: Clorox Bleach, Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Dawn Dish Soap, Animal Shampoo, Liquid Laundry Soap, Paper Towels, Newspaper; and Food—Dogs (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Puppies (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Cats (Purina, 9 Lives, Friskies, Meow Mix), Kittens (Purina). For more information about the Jackson County Pet Shelter contact Jill Roth.

St. John’s

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g . . .

H a p p e n i n g

Merry Widows

The Merry Widows meet on the first Friday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The September meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, Sept. 8 at Cora’s (White House). All are welcome. Contact Martha Thompson

to RSVP at 228-875-7331.

A note on Stewardship from Father Charles

One of the vestry goals for our parish is to maintain

financially sustainable practices. The parish has made great strides in this regard as we made pledges to eliminate our debt. The “Praying it Forward” campaign continues to be a great success. We are in the last year of the “Praying it Forward” campaign. By this time next year, it will be completed.

A second challenge for our vestry is our annual giving. The vestry has set as a goal to raise the average annual pledge at St. John’s to the diocesan average by the time the “Praying it Forward” campaign ends.

The average pledge at St. John’s was $2,583. The average pledge in the Diocese of Mississippi was $3,222. Raising the average annual pledge at St. John’s to the diocesan average by the time the “Praying it Forward” campaign ends is an achievable goal. Just as we rose to the occasion and successfully met the challenges of the “Praying it Forward” campaign, we can rise to meet this challenge.

Some of us will never be able to give as much as the diocesan average. Some of us can give more than the diocesan average. All of us, however, can prayerfully consider our gift and give as God calls upon to give.

Putting the temporal goal aside for a moment, the real challenge of being a good steward is not some external fund raising goal. The real challenge of being a good steward is internal—a matter of the heart. Not everyone who pledged in the past will be able to increase their pledge this year, even if they deeply desire to do so. Not everyone who has never made a pledge to St. John’s will be able to make a pledge for the first time this year, even if they deeply desire to do so.

What we are able to give, what God is calling us to give, is different for each one of us. And, while it is important that the vestry make the parish aware of the financial needs for the mission of St. John’s and set goals accordingly, ultimately what you as an individual give, is contingent upon your life situation, including your current place on your journey into Christian discipleship and your current place on your life’s journey. Giving is a deeply personal decision. Take time to pray carefully about what God is calling you to give to St. John’s in the coming year.

The Very Rev. Dr. Charles Hawkins

Coffee Hour Sunday Coffee Hours

are the perfect time to meet new and old friends. We host two coffee hours every Sunday morning: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Come to coffee hour and greet newcomers and meet parishioners who attend a different service.

Nursery Nursery Care is

available for young children on Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. worship service, Adult Bible Study (or, Adult Forum), and the 11:15 a.m. worship service.

Nursery Care is also

available during the Wednesday evening, 5:30 p.m. worship service.

The “Joy” Room next to

the nursery has live video and audio of the service for parents with unhappy babies.

St. John’s

Children’s Chapel Children’s Chapel is held during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service each week. Children process to the Children’s Chapel during the “Sequence Hymn” (the hymn that follows the second lesson). All preschool and elementary school age children are invited to attend Children’s Chapel.

Center ing Prayer Centering Prayer meets

on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Sharon Manuel at 229-9307.

Ha ppe n i n g Mis s ion , Min i s t ry . . .

Volunteer Receptionists Needed

There is a need for volunteer receptionists on Tuesday,

Thursday and Friday afternoons. You may choose to work a four-hour shift or a two-hour shift. Duties include answering the phone, greeting visitors, running

bulletins, etc..

If you have a few free hours in your week to spend with us at the church please contact Father Charles.

Thank you for your consideration.

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g

Adult Forum The Adult Forum meets periodically during the coffee hour (at 10:10 a.m.). For more information about Adult Forum, contact John Switzer. You can reach John at 251-380-4669. Bel l Choir St. John’s Bell Choir meets on a variable schedule. For more information about St. John’s Bell Choir, contact Martha Thompson at 228-875-7331. Wonderfu l Wednesdays Wonderful Wednesday Dinner Volunteers. Eight teams of volunteers rotate preparing dinner for “Wonderful Wednesdays” at St. John’s. For more information call Melissa Johnson at 228-239-1235 or Cecil George Smith at 228-424-6899. Morning Prayer While many say Morning Prayer as a private devotion, it is designed to be prayed in community. If you have never prayed Morning Prayer in community, St. John’s is offering you an opportunity to do so. Join us at St. John's, any morning, Tuesday through Friday, at 9:15 a.m. for Morning Prayer.

St. John’s

Thursday Theology Group Thursday Theology Group with the Rev. Harold Roberts meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in the Kindness Room on the second floor of our education center. For more information contact the Rev. Harold Roberts: 228-380-4700. Second and Fourth Thursday 2:00 p.m.

The Lord i s My Help St. John’s is responsible for volunteers for The Lord is My Help on a rotating schedule. Our next week is September 4 thru 8th. If you can volunteer, contact Peggy Butera (228-875-7049) or Jim Lancaster.

St. Luke’s Guild

St. Luke’s will resume September 21st

St. Luke’s Guild meets on the

third Thursday of the month for their monthly potluck dinner. St. Luke’s is composed of ladies from St. John’s and the community who meet for fellowship and support our preschool. Everyone is invited - come make a new friend.

H a p p e n i n g

Happening

Ultreya & Curs i l lo Prayer Groups

• Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Rawls Room.

• Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Foley Ranson’s Office.

• The third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the parish hall.

• Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Rawls Room.

• Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Pat Spear’s home

• The Ultreya meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. For more information about Ultreya and Cursillo Prayer Groups at St. John’s, contact Lena Melton (219-9711) or Foley Ranson (990-5548).

St. John’s M i s s i o n , M i n i s t r y

Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study with the Rev. Bruno Schroeder meets in the Kindness Room on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. Rev. Schroeder’s Wednesday morning bible study is on summer hiatus. For more information contact Bruno Schroeder at 228-697-3376.

Daughters of the King

The Daughters of the King meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact Ginny Dugaw (360-661-0691) or Kay Cox (228-239-9275) for more information about the Daughter’s of the King.

Heal ing Serv ice Public Service of Healing

with Anointing and the Holy Eucharist is held each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Nursery care available during the worship service. Worship service is followed with dinner in the parish hall.

Flowers and Lamps Did you know? There are

weekly opportunities throughout the year to remember those you love – either in memory or in thanksgiving. Altar Flowers are $50, Madonna Flowers are $25, and Lamps are $6.

Sign-up in the Parish Hall.

Spanish Language Holy Euchar is t

Spanish Language Holy Eucharist meets Sunday evening at 4:00 p.m.: Our Spanish-language service with the Rev. Margarita Swetman; brings together communities and cultures to celebrate God in the Episcopal tradition.

R E Q U E S T S F O R P R A Y E R

There are two prayer lists kept at St. John’s. (1) the prayer list that is regularly published for the entire

congregation kept by the parish office (2) the confidential prayer list kept by the Daughters of the King. Requests for the published prayer list can be made or renewed by

use of the notebook in the vestibule, by note, or by phone, or by text, or by email.

Phone or text: 228-238-7010. Email: charles.hawkins@me.com For a month’s time your requested prayer will be published by the

parish for the prayer of the entire congregation. Prayers requested for the sick, will also be offered verbally each week at the Public Service of Healing with the Holy Eucharist and Anointing with Oil.

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g

St. John’s H a p p e n i n g

Something to think about…

I Am A Newcomer

Smile at me as I walk in the door. You are my first impression of the church, during the first few moments I am in your building, and this first impression will probably stay with me a long time. Won’t you please…

• Help me find my place in the service?

• Speak to me during the coffee hour?

• Tell me good things about your church and your priest?

• Notice me – even if I’m not a “family”?

• Talk to me again the second week when I come back?

• Invite me to become part of some church group or organization?

If you can find it in your heart to do these things for me, I will come back, the second Sunday, the third, and maybe forever. I will worship with you, join the choir, teach in your church school, contribute to your canvass, and become a highly involved member of your church and, in so doing, I will find my own life immeasurably enriched as a result of having become a part of your community. (Written by the Rev. Christopher Chamberlain Moore, reprinted in the Anglican Digest and The Cross and Crown, All Saints Episcopal Church, Tupelo) Newcomer Committee: Carolyn Sanders, Max Hewish and Cindy Johnson

Training Events with the Rector:

Check the schedule below and mark your calendars. Sep 7 Lay Eucharistic Minister Training Sep 14 Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training

Newcomer classes with the Rector this Fall: Attention all “Newcomers” (and “Old-timers” that are interested)

Sep 21 “Welcome to the Episcopal Church” Sep 28 “What it means to be an Episcopalian” Oct 5 “An Introduction to the Book of Common

Prayer” Oct 12 “Sacraments: Participating in Signs of God’s

Grace” Oct 19 “Baptism: Sacrament of New Birth” Oct 26 “Do this in Remembrance of Me” Nov 2 “Jesus was an Episcopalian” Nov 9 Story of the Episcopal Church: Part I: From

Jamestown to Revolution. Nov 16 Story of the Episcopal Church: Part II: The Call

to Mission. All Thursday evening classes with the Rector will begin at

6:15 p.m. and will be held in the Kindness Room.

Wonderful Wednesday Invitation Welcome back to Wonderful Wednesday at St John’s. We have enjoyed a summer of semi-catered meals thanks to Buddy Broom’s handiwork and our teams are revived and once again ready to amaze. Thank you Stuart Smith for your extra help these past nine weeks. Please join any Wednesday evening crowd for food, fellowship, music, and the occasional surprise! Dinners are a modest five dollars and children are always welcomed guests. Keith Stuart has poured over wine publications to bring engaging grape delights to his followers. Thank you, Keith. Dinner begins around 6:15. Come to the healing service at 5:30; join us for dinner; or do both. The tables are set, the food prepared. I hope to see you soon. Cecil George Smith

EYC meets once a month at one of the member parishes. EYC-East Gulf Coast is a ministry of Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi; St. Mark's, Gulfport; and St. John's, Ocean Springs. All Middle School and High School age youth are invited. For additional details, contact Luke Gautier at 228-617-0905.

Sundays, Once-a-Month 4:30 p.m.

Happening

St. John’s M i s s i o n , M i n i s t r y

Music Did you notice there is a new baby grand piano in the Parish Hall?

Glen Nardi gifted the Young Chang piano to St. John’s to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Karen Reilly Nardi. In 1996, Glen’s first wife, Karen, insisted they buy a piano so their five children could learn to play. A piano was purchased and delivered to their home in Columbia, South Carolina. All the kids did learn to play but fairly elementary. Glen remarked, “I sat thru many, many challenging recitals!” After Karen’s death the piano followed Glen and his family to 3 different homes. Its last stop was here in Ocean Springs at Holly and Glen’s house. Glen retired in 2016 and the Nardi’s have decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, closer to their families. Holly was charged with finding a new home for their beautiful piano. The Nardi’s had been to the St. John’s Derby fundraisers, but it was Holly’s connection with the Friendship Club (who meets monthly in St. John’s Parish Hall) that sparked the idea to donate the piano to St. John’s. Upon inquiry, Cynthia Ramseur, the choirmaster agreed to come look at the piano. The condition proved superior and the tone remarkable. The Nardi piano was coming to St. John’s! Not only did Holly and Glen Nardi generously donate their piano but also paid for the movers to make the delivery. Glen told Cindy Johnson that “we are just delighted to have the piano at St. John’s knowing it will be used by so many, especially the kids. This is everything our hearts desired”.

Music Notes September 2017

Royal School of Church Music

Program is now in session. Please

note the revised times:

Cherubs - Kindergarten thru 2nd

grade - Tuesdays, 3:15-3:55pm

Sanctuary Choir - 3rd grade & up -

Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm

Chancel Choir (Adults) -

Wednesday rehearsals, 7:00-8:30pm

Full choir at 9:00 service, rehearses

at 8:30am

Unison Ensemble at 11:15 service,

rehearses at 10:45am

Instrumentalists: If you play an

instrument and would like, on occasion,

to bring a musical offering to our

worship services, please let me know.

For more information: Cynthia

Ramseur, 228-282-5000,

choirmaster.stjohns.osms@gmail.com

For more information about Royal

School of Church Music visit:

www.rscmamerica.org

Many thanks to this year’s choir

volunteer helpers! May God bless your

efforts this year.

Cherubs: Judith Brown, Kay Howell,

Pam Heard. Santuary: Todd Fayard, &

Pam Heard

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

St. John's Royal School of Church Music presents the first of the 2017-2018 Recital Series at St. John's

Harpsichordists JOHN PAUL and SHAWN LEOPARD

featuring works by J.S. and J.C. Bach

Sunday afternoon - October 29th

CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office 705 Rayburn Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

telephone: 228-875-4454 fax: 228-875-4485

email: stjohnsosms@cableone.net website: www.stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org

Clergy

Rector, Charles Hawkins - 228-238-7010 – charles.hawkins@me.com Deacon, Jim Lancaster - 228-380-0775

Priest for Hispanic Ministries, Margarita Swetman

Vestry David Grigsby (2018) – Treasurer– 228-282-0681 Cindy Johnson (2018) – Outreach – 314-616-4622

Lena Melton (2018) –Worship – 228-219-9711 Darlene Stuart (2018) – Christian Education – 228-374-8325

Gail Bishop (2019) – Sr. Warden – 601-454-4251 Judy Krecker (2019) – Worship, Preschool – 228-806-0318

Debbie Miner (2019) – Clerk – 228-424-0143 Margaret Reynolds (2019) – Finance – 228-875-2759

Marty Capalbo (2020) – Building & Grounds – 228-872-2965 Henry Furr – Jr. Warden – (228) 219-3921

Bonnie Luft – Parish Life — (228) 547-7424 Maraya Slaff – Christian Education – (831) 241-1582

Administrative Assistant to the Rector

martha.stjohns.osms@gmail.com

Organist and Choirmaster Cynthia Ramseur – choirmaster.stjohns.osms@gmail.com - 228-282-5000

Sexton

Stuart Smith

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Office Volunteers

Charlie Clark, Ginny Dugaw, Flinda Hill, Bonnie Luft, Debbie Miner, Cecil George Smith, and Darlene Stuart.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS *Following the Wednesday night service, the parish enjoys a meal prepared by one of eight teams. Everyone is invited. The

first Sunday of the month is a birthday celebration with cake provided by our Ultreya Cursillo Group; the third Sunday of the month features a children's activity. We welcome all children each week but try to have something special for our little ones at the third Wednesday meal.

Sept 6 Melissa Johnson melissadjl@gmail.com 239-1235, Rhonda Yegerlehner 238-8132, Linda Schroeder lbsms@aol.com 875-8173, C.G. Smith, cgsmith1945@yahoo.com 424-6899, Alta Mereo themereos@gmail.com 282-0196, Jeanne Grigsby jgrigsby68@gmail.com 875-8513, Shelia Muzzy* bmuzz@aol.com 985-707-3912 September 13 Lee Armstrong lee_armstrong@co.jackson.ms.us 238-3556, Toni Norman 365 9598, Margarita Swetman 228-273-2425, Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com 228-281-3768, Jean Holder deveene@att.net 228 875 4921, Jean Hanlin robertkhanlin@bellsouth.net 282 3386, Barbara Barrilleaux 228 297 0880 September 20 Leah Snyder eastbeach@cableone.net 806-9481, Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com 228-281-3768, Rhonda Yegerlehner 238-8132, Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com 228-238- 4230, Glenn Huff huffrg@yahoo.com 228-875-1762, Shelia Turner sheilak1603@cableone.net 228-365-6069, Martha Brown Septemner 27 Lena Melton drlena2@gmail.com 219-9711 or 875-8480, Gloria Richmond gloriarichmond1940@yahoo.com 238-0108, Lisa Baker lbaker@ossdms.org 282-3733, Jean Hanlin robertkhanlin@bellsouth.net 282-3386, Lynda Knight lynd_knight@yahoo.com 875-4896, Jo Anne Calhoun drjocalhoun@yahoo.com 875-8928, Meribeth Hopper 875-7157, Kate Penrose irmadukate@hotmail.com 282-9332, Merrill Markham merrill73@yahoo.com 257-0391, Bill Schaum 872-4024, Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com 228-238-4230, Pat Spear patspear1@att.net 228 218 0565, Wilse Manning wilsedm@bellsouth.net 228 243 6255, Oct 4 Darlene Stuart kdstuart152@cableone.net 347-8325 or 365-6246, Bonnie Luft 875-8553 (h) 547-7424, Harriet Perry harrietperry@bellsouth.net 875-2713, Max Hewish cmaxhewish@bellsouth.net 228 875 7932, Carolyn Sanders carolynsanders1cj@gmail.com 228547 5337, Oct 11 Anne Williams annfwilliams@cableone.net 324-2203, Sheila Turner sheilak1603@cableone.net 228 365 6069, Kay Cox kaycox711@gmail.com 239-9275, Mike Cuevas 228-493-4002, Oct18 Stuart Smith stuartabcsmith@yahoo.com 508-371-6812, Cynthia Ramseur cynthram@bellsouth.net 282-5000, Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com 282-0155, Lisa Greenberg 619 0055, Flinda Hill* 228 238-7650, Charlie Clark cmackeyclark@gmail.com 875-1343, Gail Bishop lgbishopos@gmail.com 601-454-4251, Flinda Hill* 228 238-7650, Carolyn Whitehead whitehead1962@gmail.com 601248 8530, Evelyn Dorn adorn2-ed@yahoo.com 228 261 2777 Oct 25 Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com 282-0155, Steve Miner steveminer@yahoo.com 228-424-0145, Debbie Miner debbie.miner@yahoo.com 228-324-8317, Millie Page milliepage@gmail.com 228 324 8317,Cindy Johnson cindysjohnson79@gmail.com 314-616- 4622, Elva O’Brian 228-760-7717, Barbara Ackerman barbaraackerman@cableone.net 228 547 1107, Marcia Blevens mblevens@bellsouth.net 228 324 7696 Nov 1 Melissa Johnson melissadjl@gmail.com 239-1235, Rhonda Yegerlehner 238-8132, Linda Schroeder lbsms@aol.com 875-8173, C.G. Smith, cgsmith1945@yahoo.com 424-6899, Alta Mereo themereos@gmail.com 282-0196, Jeanne Grigsby jgrigsby68@gmail.com 875-8513 Shelia Muzzy* bmuzz@aol.com 985-707-3912 Anne Driebergen will be back in October to begin making salad *indicates a possible substitute. Please ask for help twenty-four hours ahead.

PRAYING IT FORWARD

A Capital Campaign for St. John’s $725,000 - goal $726,704 – pledged (142 pledges) $539,267.58– paid on pledges (through June 30, 2017) $187,436.42 to go

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Year-to-Date Report: June 2017 Actuals vs. Budget Tithes, Offerings, etc.: $165,203 $165,333 Expenses: $151,147 $180,162

2017 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

So far in 2017, 115 pledges have been received totaling $297,043

In 2016, 142 pledges were received totaling $320,358.

If you have not yet made a pledge for 2017, please prayerfully consider making a pledge today. Pledge cards are available in the narthex and the parish hall.

Mailing Address

Grapevine St. John’s St. John’s Episcopal Church 705 Rayburn Avenue Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Electronic Service Requested

MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION STATEMENT

Mission Statement. We will know, love and serve God, be renewed by His Spirit and share Christ. Vision Statement. Inspired by Christ, we will strive for spiritual maturity to attain a greater knowledge of

God’s divine plan. We will embrace those seeking spiritual renewal and growth. We will offer a diversity of programs and worship to fulfill the needs of all ages and backgrounds. We will be responsive to the changing needs of our Parish and world community. We will develop facilities to support our Vision Statement.