However, health regulations prohibit the clergy from being informed when our parishioners are in the hospital, so we will not know if you or someone you love is there unless you tell us. W e want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email
For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1
This Week in
St. John’s
Thursday, February 2
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) and Healing & Anointing (Chapel)
Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch
11:45 a.m., Peterson Room
The Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group meets on Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at the School’s Middle School campus. The readings the group will study are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday.
Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP todlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
The Christian Formation group will meet in the Lowry Room at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays February 5 and February 26 for a pre-Lenten study of The Bible for the Biblically Challenged
. Our Lent study will begin on Sunday, March 5.
Adult Formation classes meet at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and will take place in the Lowry Room. Bring your coffee and join the conversation! For more information, contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kmoore@104.237.132.142.
11:15
a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
4:30 p.m.
Middle School EYC (Discovery House)
5:00 p.m.
Parish Hymn Sing (Church)
5:30 p.m.
High School EYC (Discovery House)
Monday, February 6
Bible Women
4:00 p.m., Lowry Room
The study group for Bible Women by Lindsay Freeman meets on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room. All women are welcome and each week is a standalone lesson. The book may be purchased from Forward Movement for $15. Please complete the noted readings and reflections.
CWBS continues their study of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
After conversation and a light breakfast (fruit & some type of bread) that members take turns bringing, the study starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends shortly before 8:00 a.m.; a few people may leave early if they have to go to work.
All women of St John’s and their friends are welcome; the current group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ’s church. For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
Wednesday, February 8
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
Wednesday Nights In St. John’s
6:30 p.m., Parish Hall
The group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at
The next event in our Annual Music Series will be a Parish Hymn Sing this Sunday, February 5,
at 5:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to come together for an hour and sing your favorite hymns with St. John’s Choir and organ. We all have our favorites – some of which come around in the liturgical cycle and others that are sung less frequently. All of the hymns that we will sing on this occasion will be by request, irrespective of the season, so if there is a hymn that is dear to you, be it one (or more) that we sing regularly, or one that you’ve been longing to sing, please contact me by email or phone at smorley@104.237.132.142 or 397.1012 We hope to raise the roof!
Simon Morley
Youth Confirmation Classes Begin February 26
All youth who are at least twelve years of age, or who have entered the seventh grade, are invited to pursue confirmation at St. John’s. The first Confirmation Class will be held in the Discovery House immediately following the 9:15 a.m. service on February 26 . Parents should attend this first class, as we will discuss the overall theology of confirmation as well as distribute the class schedule and requirements for the course. Confirmation by Bishop Smith will occur during the 9:15 a.m. service on May 7 during his annual visit to the parish.
The Annual Meeting of St. John’s Parish will take place on Sunday, February 12, following a combined service at 10:00 a.m. There will also be an 8:00 a.m. service as usual that Sunday. A lunch of Cubanos, regular Cuban sandwiches, chips, dessert, as well as coffee, tea, lemonade, and water will be served at the meeting.
Voting for new Vestry members will take place before the Annual Meeting begins on Sunday the 12th. Votes can also be cast the two Sundays before the meeting (January 29 and February 5) between all three services. Additionally, ballots can be cast in the parish offices during the weeks of January 29 and February 5 during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no absentee voting.
Christian Education
Wednesday Nights In St. John’s Starts New Study
Beginning Wednesday, February 8 , The Reverend Doctor Robert O. Baker , Chaplain of the School and Associate Rector will teach a series on the religions of Game of Thrones. This series will continue for 6-8 weeks.
George R.R. Martin has been described as a postmodern Tolkien. In his multi volume book series and the subsequent HBO serie, Martin narrates the rightful succession of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, a mythical Kingdom. Martin is a master of description. He describes the food, clothing, armaments and religious practices of Westeros in painstaking detail. Over the course of this class we will explore the religions of Westeros and through a process of comparison and contrast seek to understand our own Anglican faith more intimately.
The group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at pgamefla@aol.com for more details.
Adult Christian Formation
The Christian Formation group will meet in the Lowry Room at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays February 5 and February 26 for a pre-Lenten study of The Bible for the Biblically Challenged. Our Lent study will begin on Sunday, March 5.
Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and takes place in the Lowry Room. Bring your coffee and join the conversation! For more information, email Kathleen Moore or call her at 221.6253.
Mid Morning Women’s Bible Study
The Mid Morning Women’s Bible Study will meet in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7. They will be continuing the study of Luke’s Gospel which they began in the fall. On February 7, the group will be studying Luke 11 and will be led by the Rev. Chase Ackerman.
The group invites all interested women to join them in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on alternate Tuesdays. For more information, you may contact Joan McKay at mckayjhm@aol.com or Pat Wilson at 644.4640 or patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com.
The St. John’s Book Club
The St. John’s Book Club will meet on February 21 at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room. Ronnie Goodheart will lead the discussion of The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. All are invited to attend.
Focus on Faith Adult Confirmation Begins February 26
Are you an adult seeking confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of your faith? Focus on Faith will prepare and direct you toward an expression of this deeper commitment. The format is a small group experience where participants learn more about the Episcopal Church and our Christian beliefs. It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey.
The eight-week program will begin February 26 and is led by Rev. Janet Tunnell. Visitation for Confirmation by The Right Reverend Dabney Smith, Bishop of Southwest Florida, is May 7. Questions? Pick up a brochure, call Janet at 518.5232, or email her at jtunnell@104.237.132.142. Register by phone or email with Janet
by February 15
.
Children and Youth
EYC Sings This Sunday
Do you love to sing at church? Do you love to sing in the shower where no one can hear you? If you answered yes to either of these questions, be sure to come to EYC this Sunday! Junior EYC will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Discovery House, and after having a bit of fun (and warming up our voices), we’ll head over to the church at 5:00 p.m. to join in the Parish Hymn Sing! Dinner will follow in Discovery House as usual. Senior EYC-ers are encouraged to come early and sing as well! Come as you are – there’s no need to get dressed up. See you there and feel free to bring a friend! Contact Fr. Ackerman with questions.
Next Mom’s Morning: Thursday, February 16
The next Mom’s Morning will meet on Thursday, February 16, at 8:45 a.m. in Discovery House. Come for as little or long as you’d like and please feel free to bring your little ones. Toys and coffee will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142.
Parents’ Night Out: Friday, February 24
Book a sitter, plan a date night, and start the evening off with your friends from St. John’s! Stop by O Cocina on Henderson Blvd. anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, and stay for as little or as long as you’d like to enjoy conversation and camaraderie with other parents from St. John’s. The rest of the night is up to you!
Please RSVP to wwolf@104.237.132.142 or respond to our evite so we know how many people to expect and can reserve space accordingly.
Hope to see you there!
Easter Egg Painting Party Volunteers Sought
The Children’s Ministry is looking for volunteers to lead our Easter Egg Painting Party on Saturday, April 8 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. If you’re interested in joining a team to lead this event – or helping out in any way, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142.
St. John’s School News
Ahoy! St. John’s Biggest Fundraising Event Is Ahead!
Celebratio 2017: Shipwrecked and Stranded on Eagle Island!
Saturday, April 29
Tampa Yacht and Country Club
Patrons’ Party 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Main Event 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Dinner Open Bar Silent & Live Auctions Music
Live Entertainment Island Attire
The St. John’s Parents’ Club would like to invite you to join us for Celebratio 2017. Plan to enjoy an incredible evening with faculty, staff, and friends as we continue to chart our course for educational excellence.
Become a Celebratio Patron, and join us for our VIP-only party: “Before the Ship Wrecks.”
Sponsorship levels $1,200 and above are invited to the Patrons’ Party. Patrons will enjoy:
Early admission to Celebratio
Live Entertainment-Steel Drum
Caricature Artist
Exclusive Swag Bag
Exclusive event…. Each Patron will receive a wristband to enter
T
he Cornerstone Kids
,
Inc. Board of Directors will host its
Twenty
–
Seventh Annual Lincoln-Douglass Ball
~
celebrating
and honorin
g
the relationship between
Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass ~ on Saturday, February 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 11 : 00 p.m. at the E mbassy Suites at the U niversity of South F l o rida . The theme of thi s y ear ‘s B all i s “ Valen t ine Celebration.” St. John’s has purchased ten seats to the event. If you would like to attend and support Cornerstone Kids, RSVP to Regan in the parish offices by email or by calling 259.1570.
The proceeds from the Ball will
benefit our partner
Cornerstone Kids, Inc., the after-school program located in Tampa Height
s
. The program is designed specifically to reach at-risk
,
inner city children from
ag
e
5-11 who reside in lower income, single
–
parent h
o
useholds
.
The mission of
C
orner
s
tone Kids
i
s to assist
in
their educational, spiritual and emotiona
l
development in a safe
,
secure and nurturing en
v
ironment.
An opportunity has arisen for a young British organist, who is taking a year out between school and university, to spend some time with us here at St. John’s between the beginning of March and the end of May. The aim of this is for him to gain experience of Anglican music and service accompaniment in the Episcopal Church. This has come about through the Director of Music of his school, who is a long-time friend of mine. It is very important to encourage young church musicians, and this opportunity will, hopefully, be beneficial on both sides. We are in need of somewhere for James to stay for the duration of the three months that he will be here with us, so if you feel able to help in that regard, please be in touch with me by phone or email to discuss this further.
Simon Morley
Shrove Tuesday, February 28: Flipping Dads Needed
This year, Shrove Tuesday falls on February 28 and our Fathers Ministry will again be hosting a Pancake Supper to mark the last day before Lent.
This annual family-friendly dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Set up will begin in the Parish Hall at 4:45 p.m. Kevin Kellar is organizing volunteer dads. Ideally, he needs two to three fathers for setup, four or more in the kitchen, four or more in the serving line, and two or more to break down/do cleanup. Can you help? Contact Kevin.
Kitchen Help Needed
The Kitchen Guild was formed to provide the opportunity for all of us to break bread and be together as one Christian community, regardless of which service we normally attend. The guild is also a community unto itself, enjoying Christian fellowship with one another as we serve the Body of Christ. The following opportunities are open to those who wish to step out in the capacity of servant. Pick one Sunday morning or one Wednesday (or both) to come and join in the us in the kitchen. No experience necessary. The following days/times are available. Email Dave Kenyon for more details or to sign up to help You can also send him a text or call him at 404.5000.
Help Needed
Annual Meeting of the Parish (February 12): Arrive 8:30 a.m., we will serve about 125 people.
Lenten Dinners 2017 (Wednesdays from March 8 through April 5): Arrive 3:30 p.m., we will serve about 40 to 50 people.
Confirmation Classes (February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 23, 30): Arrive 9:00 a.m., we will serve 12 to 20 people.
Sandwich Sunday Hosts Needed
We are in need of hosts for the following dates: March 19, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, October 15, November 19, and December 17. Contact Cindy Martin if you can help. Hosting includes shopping for the supplies, coordinating the sandwich preparation on the day-of, and delivering the meals to Faith Cafe. Costs are reimbursed by the church.
From the Parish Register
Birthdays
February 2, Halina Bereday, Jarvis Bereday, Olivia Kirkpatrick, Gwyn Schabacker, Carol Tucker
February 3, Emily Leonard, Frederick Niell
February 4, Alva Casey, Allison Decelles, Richard Hadlow, Michael Lykes, Caleb Rugg, Christopher Stewart, Henry Wiley, Jeffrie van Loveren
February 5, Meredith Fulford, Kari Power, Kevin Rowe, Elise Whiteley, Lucas Wiegand
February 6, Marion Gustin, Barbara Hendry, Joseph King, Jane Lowry, Byrne Marston, Tatiana Paula
February 7, Mary Giddens, David Kenyon, Isabella Kirkpatrick, Marjorie McDuffie, Bear Nicola, Hansen Rix