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December 1 - 31, 2005 St. John’s Episcopal
Church SPECIAL EVENTS
Looking Ahead
December Birthdays
Emmaus House Christmas The Emmaus House Christmas Ministry gives us incredible and wonderful opportunities to serve others during the season of Christmas. We are participating in two ways. First, we will provide gifts for children at Emmaus House (they distribute gifts to over 600 children on Christmas Eve morning from 8-12. It is a wonderful trip!) We are buying gifts in the $5-15 range. Needed are: baby dolls (of color), portable CD players (with batteries), outdoor basketballs and footballs, and backpacks. Please bring your (unwrapped) gifts to St. John’s before December 16. You can also volunteer at Emmaus House Dec. 10 or 17 to help wrap gifts. Call (404) 525-5948 for times and directions. St. John’s will also adopt a family at Emmaus House. The “Adopt-a-Family” program emphasizes articles of daily living for families. We will take our family shopping to be sure they get what they want and need. Emmaus House encourages gift certificates from Kroger, Target, and Old Navy since these are within an easy MARTA ride for people in the community. They have learned that a gift of $75.00 - $100.00 per member is a wonderful contribution to assist a family along with a gift card for groceries. We will adopt Evelyn Mack and her three children: Roderick Mack (M), Age 15, men size 34/34 & XL shirt (favorite color: Red); TyRhonda Mack (F), Age 11, girls size 16 (Sky Blue), and Trebreh Turner (F), Age 7, girls size 10, (Pink). Evelyn is thrilled! You may bring your gifts for the Mack family to St. John’s. Please mark them clearly so they will not be confused with children’s gifts. If you are unable to shop or would prefer to give money, you may write a check to St. John’s marked “Emmaus House Christmas,” and we will apply it to one or both these programs, depending on the need. You are welcome to specify which program if you wish. Thank you for helping St. John help make Christmas wonderful for the good folks at Emmaus House! St. John’s Vestry Nominees for 2006 - 2009 Members in good standing may vote to fill four positions at the Annual Parish Meeting on December 11 after the 10:00 combined service. Candidates are elected by a majority vote. The canons of the Church require that you be present to vote. A Member in good standing means that you (1) are a member, (2) attend at least 3 times/year except for cause, and (3) pledge. Please thank each nominee for their willingness to serve the Church by standing for election. Candidates are presented in random order Dan Seipel I was born in 1954 in Columbus, Ohio. I have five brothers and sisters, and I graduated from Grandview Heights High School in 1974. After graduating, I enlisted in the Army and served as a crash firefighter until 1977. I left the service and worked for the City of College Park as a firefighter until 1986, when I started work for the City of East Point as police officer. In 1998 I transferred to the Community Services Department as a Code Enforcement Officer, then worked as the Rental Property Inspection Coordinator until 2003. I am currently employed as a security officer at South Fulton Medical Center. I have two sons, Josh and Jon. I started going to St. John’s in 2001, and I was confirmed into the Episcopal Church on June 5, 2005. While at St. John’s, I have been a greeter, an usher, and also very involved in the Begin Again program. I have also been a member of the choir and have helped out with the Speeders program. My whole adult life has revolved around the helping and caring for others, and St. John’s has helped me carry on that goal. When I was approached about being on the vestry, I felt honored to be considered. I can never give back enough for all the help I have received from Jim and Ruth and the rest of the congregation, so if elected I will do my best to serve with pride and dedication in the best interest of St. John’s. Jason Barringer I have been attending St. Johns since I first moved to East Point four and a half years ago. Early on, I knew that St. Johns would be a good fit for me. The last two-plus years found me joining the church, beginning to attend regularly, and even making pledge commitments – a level of involvement I have not had with a church in over 15 years. St. Johns has provided me with a solid spiritual foundation in the past few years and I have gladly accepted that. But, as Jim often reminds us, part of our spiritual growth comes from giving. I am ready to take the next step in my spiritual life and service to God and offer my time and talents and become a more involved member at St. Johns through service on the Vestry. I recently graduated with a Masters degree in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech and am currently employed as a research scientist at the Georgia Tech Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development. Prior to that, I spent the previous 7 years in business management. These experiences have given me a solid foundation in strategic long-range planning and in financial management. I believe that I could use these and my other skills in service to God on the St. Johns Vestry. On a more fun note, I am an avid trail runner, a bluegrass guitar picker, and a committed environmentalist. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be considered for the vestry at a wonderful church like St. Johns. Martha Spring I joined St. John’s in 1980. I have been a member of the choir, taught Sunday school, and co directed Children’s Church. From 1996-2000 I was a member of Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church in Hollywood, FL. where I was Director of Children’s Ministry for 3 years while teaching at the Church’s Academy. I was Principal of the Academy the last year of residence. My duties included co-coordinating Sunday School programs for children and teens, Children’s Choir, Christmas Pageants, one-day outreach events for all ages, organizing and training staff for vacation bible school week long camps for our local community and programs for short term mission team. The fourth year I also participated in the Short Term Mission to Jamaica. After my return to St. John’s in 2000, I have sung in the choir and organized a puppet workshop for children. I am now serving as a group facilitator in the Disciples of Christ in Community program. I believe passionately in nurturing and encouraging the creative spark in all ages. I love to worship through all the arts but believe that young and old alike are called to go beyond worship and bring our overflowing hearts that are so well fed here in our Church community to those outside our walls. I am committed to living life in community, and thankful for the discipline of experience that gives us courage to venture into the unknown, confident that Christ is there ahead of us and delights in our dance as we listen for the Holy Spirit’s song. Carl Franzman I am honored to be included in such an elite group of nominees. I know most of the nominees and know that any of us will make good candidates. I had the opportunity to serve on the vestry in 2004 filling Beverly Gordy's unexpired term. This gave me a good insight into what is involved in running St. John's and it was an eye opening experience. I think that one year "trial" really prepared me for what is involved and I think my comfort level in taking on whatever commission is assigned will be much greater than it would have been without that experience.For those of you that don't know me, here are just a few facts, if you want to know more just ask. I usually attend the 10:30 service but have been known to go to the 8:00 service, usually with my five year old daughter Carlie. Most folks know me as "Carlie's Dad." I am a native of Atlanta and have lived in College Park since 2001 which is when my wife Lisa and I joined St. John's. My job is that of an attorney, but I'm a runner by avocation - I've been running for over 25 years. I'm slowly coming to the realization that my fastest days of running are long since over and am now a little less "competitive." I would be honored to serve on the vestry but know whoever is chosen will do a great job. Ruth Crook I seem destined to be at St. John’s! After having been a Methodist (at a church named St. John’s), I joined the Episcopal Church in West Point, GA (also St. John’s) before attending Epiphany (Atlanta) and finally joining St. John’s in College Park. In West Point, I was on the altar guild for ten years, sang in the choir, and was active in all the church’s other activities. At Epiphany, I cooked breakfasts, helped with sales, and generally pitched in when needed. At St. Johns, I am a new member of the altar guild. I have been constant in maintaining my pledge. I appreciate very much being asked to have my name placed in the vestry election.Jackie Berlin I am honored to have my name put up for vestry election. If elected I will do my utmost to fulfill whatever duties I am asked to do. I am a “cradle Episcopalian.” I have been very active in every church I have been associated with. I have taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, run the nursery (4 children), been a member of church circles, and even helped start a church in Fayetteville, N.C. I have been a member of St. John’s since September 1969. We were Army and raised three sons (all acolytes) and a daughter in the church. I taught Sunday School, was an Altar Guild Captain, Bazaar Chairman, was in the St. Mary’s Guild for some 20 years as either President or Program Chairman, was asked by two different priests to re-activate the ECW, and was a charter member of St. John’s Chapter of the Daughters of the King. I am retired from Delta Airlines — 25 years — as a stenographer and accountant in the Refunds and Records section of Revenue Accounting. Prior to coming to Atlanta, I was a legal secretary for Judge Coy Brewer in N.C., and prior to that secretary to the Dean and eight professors in the School of Public Administration at FSU. Yes — I’m a Seminole! Ray Townsend St. John’s has been my church family since 1967. My other family consists of Bill Hill, whom many of you know, and Pepper, our Schnauzer. My life with Bill has been the truest and best for almost 40 years. I have been fortunate to have sung in the choir almost all of my years here. I regularly continue to serve in Outreach, primarily through service at Family Life Ministries, and in Pastoral Care through Eucharistic visits and by just keeping in touch through visits and phone calls. I also enjoy assisting with Parish Life activities. I have served several times on the Vestry and as Junior Warden. Do not think that I am claiming that my prior service makes me better qualified. On the contrary, I find it wonderful and exciting that we have new nominees with new ideas and little or no prior service on the Vestry. I honor them and personally thank them for their willingness to serve. Vestry Appoints Sarah Clark to fill Unexpired Term In November, Mary Hill resigned from the vestry because she found that she was unable to commit to it as she had hoped. Our bylaws require the vestry to appoint someone to fill an unexpired term (in this case, 2 years). The vestry voted to ask Sarah Clark, who was previously on the ballot. Sarah has agreed, and will join the vestry immediately. We wanted you to know more about Sarah (an “8:00er”), so we’ve printed her picture and bio below: Sarah M. Clark I was born January 3rd, 1939, in Decatur County Georgia (Bainbridge, Ga.). I attended school in Bainbridge, Georgia and in Orlando, Florida. I graduated from Savannah State College with a B. S. in Home Economics in 1962. From 1962-1964, I worked with the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture, as a county agent in Thomasville, Ga. In 1963, I married Jonathan Clark. In March 1965, we had a son, Jonathan D. Clark. In August 1965, we moved to the city of Atlanta. In 1966, I worked as a Dietian at Hughes Spalding/Grady Hospital. In 1967 I worked as an Occupational Therapist at Sadies Mays Nursery Home. In 1968, I was hired by the Atlanta Public Schools as a School Food Service Supervisor. I retired from the Atlanta Public School System in June 2004. I was baptized as a Baptist in the early 1950's. I was a regular church-goer, active in Sunday school, the church choir, and participated in most of the church's program's. In 1967, we joined St. John's Methodist Church, where I served as a primary Sunday school teacher, and also on the activities board. In 1985, I was confirmed an Episcopalian at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In 1996, I came to St. John's with my mother (Myrtle Sapp), and we both loved it, so we stayed! My community and volunteer experience are as follows: Community Involvement: Member of Ruth Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Herions of Jericho. Westwood Community Organization. AARP #3793. Elegant Hat Ladies. Volunteer Involvement: Nutritionalist with the Boys and Girls Club. The John Lewis election campaign. M.L. King Day parade. Voter registrar with the Fulton County registration office. My hobbies include: sewing, reading, gardening, traveling, and working puzzles. My mother and I attend the 8:00 a.m. service. I have no vestry experience, but I am willing to work and learn. I pledge every year and keep my pledge current. Connecting… Get Connected with Connecting… Online! Up to date weekly newsletter straight from the Bishop! Sign up Today At: www.episcopalatlanta.org The Buck Family—Tamara, Richard, Kaitlyn, and Michael. The Buck’s address is 140 Woodcrest Overlook, Fayetteville, Georgia, 30215 and their telephone number is 770-716-6311. Wendy and John Burns-Ardolino and their children Adrian and Adam aRDOLINO. Their address is 155 Millwood Lane, Fayetteville, GA 30214 and their phone number is 678-466-4723. Those Baptized at St. John’s on November 6: Grant Vinal Barthelette, son of Joe and Lee Barthelette and grandson of Linda Vinal. John Edward Kosar, IV, son of John and Karla Kosar. Thank You: On October 28 St. John’s hosted the Executive Council ‘s Anti Racism Committee. Afterward, we received. this note (The “lovely woman” is Carolyn Pierce.):To the Parish of St. John’s, This is just a personal note of thanks to the church for the hospitality extended to me and all of my fellow committee members on Executive Council’s Anti-Racism Committee, which met at St. John’s last Friday. Jim Pritchett was kind enough to meet us and greet us first thing, Ernie Radaker gave us all a great mug and lots of written information about the parish, and a lovely woman—whose name, I ‘m embarrassed to say, I didn’t catch—was very generous with her time and efforts, setting out both breakfast and lunch for us and picking up the food afterwards. I’m just sorry we didn’t have a chance to join St. John’s for worship, especially all the favorable comments RPM Bowden shared with us about the warmth and openness of the congregation. With Thanks and good wishes, yours faithfully— Adeeb Fadil, New YorkFrom the Rector Advent is a defiantly counter-cultural time. As the world around us blares Christmas carols (one local radio station began “non-stop Christmas music” on November 1st), we gather in quiet solitude, restraining ourselves from pretending that Christmas has already arrived and instead living the season of anticipation, of “coming” (the meaning of “Advent”), not “here already.” As we gather for Advent, I invite you to use the reflective, contemplative time it provides to think about the world around us. It is so very different than the world to which Jesus came. We fly in jets and spaceships; we talk on cell phones; we use the Internet, the list goes on and on and on. It is a very different place, and we who live in it are very different people. But in so many ways, both the world and we are the same as the world and the people Baby Jesus came to. We resolve conflict with violence and war. We worship false idols (which the cultural liturgical season, the Christmas Shopping Season, is designed to heighten). Our world is full of brokenness and pain. And who among us cannot join with St. Paul as he says, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Rom. 7:15). This Advent, try to restrain yourself from acting as if Christmas has already come. Try to use this more solemn time to reflect and prepare. Because if we don’t know why Jesus needed to come, and if we’re not astounded at the way Jesus did come, we could listen to Christmas music year-round and still not grasp how much we need, and how much God gives. May you have a meaningful Advent and, when the time comes, a Merry Christmas. Financial Report: Time to Catch Up! Our expenses are right on budget, but pledge income is down about $25,000, so we are operating at a deficit. This is worrisome. Please remember to make your pledge commitment current! Thanks! Keep those (pledge) cards coming, folks! If you haven’t turned in your 2006 pledge card, please do so. The vestry needs all cards in before making the 2006 budget. This is not just good for the church; it’s good for your soul. As the next step on your spiritual journey, can you increase your commitment by 1% of your income? Thank you.
Christmas Flower Orders Being Taken If you would like to order Christmas flowers please complete the following and turn the form in to the church office by December 14. A minimum donation of $25 is suggested. Your Name: _________________________________________ Given in honor or memory of: (Please specify in honor or memory) _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ A Caroling We Will go! On December 21 at 7:00, we will gather to go caroling. Look for details, but save the date (there is no other Wednesday program). Plan to come sing! If you do not move well, we’ll have a truck for you to ride in (bundle up!). Plan to come to the Pritchett’s for hot chocolate afterward. Children’s Christmas Pageant The Children of St. John's will present Our Christmas Pageant at the 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service. All children will have a part even if they are guests only for the service. Our Sunday School classes will be preparing props and practicing some songs and a few members will have narration to read. No extra rehearsals are scheduled! Please send in empty tissue boxes and paper towel rolls. If your would like to help please come to the 9:15 Sunday School times as little hands will need help cutting and gluing.
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Eagle Notes
