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E-mail submissions to parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com;

mail to 3480 Main Street, College Park, GA 30337;

deliver to the office door mailbox;

or fax to 404-761-8403.

Taizé focuses on light, silence, prayer, and music. We hope you will find it a beautiful way to add to your worship experience. Beginning in December, Taizé will start at 5 p.m. on the first Sunday. Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner at a local restaurant after the service.

Don’t miss this Speeders! Rev. Ruth Healy will show pictures and discuss her trip to Ethiopia. Beginning in December, Speeders will meet the first Thursday of the month.

Come one, come all to the Annual Parish Meeting! Enjoy food and fellowship with friends old and new, review together where we have been as a community, and renew our commitment to serve God with love. We will also vote on the 2007 Vestry nominees. Bring your favorite dish to share with others. Don’t forget to bring food for Family Life Ministries.

Jim will be at Perk Place in Hapeville on North Central, near Dogwood. Come enjoy a cup of joe and an open mic discussion with Jim.

New date to be announced.

Come and sing!

Speeders, 10:30 a.m.—Join us for a special Art Talk & slide show from the High Museum of Art

Senior DYC (Grades 10-12)

Trip to the High Museum of Art to see works from Paris’ Louvre Museum, 1p.m.

2nd Sunday Brunch, 11:30 p.m.

Vestry Meeting, 6 p.m.

Members

Ministries

The Church

Katharine, our Presiding Bishop

Neil, our Bishop

Jim, our Rector

Ruth, our Priest Associate

Liz, our Seminarian

Government

George, our President

Sonny, our Governor

Friends & Relatives

Those who have died

We extend our deepest sympathy to Debbie & Whitney Reeves for the loss of Rick, beloved husband, father, and friend.

The flowers on the altar last month were dedicated to the glory of God and

Coffee Hour between and after Sunday morning services is a wonderful time to see old friends, make new ones, and generally catch up with fellow parishioners. We need your help to make this pleasant hour happen. If you would like to help prepare coffee and provide light refreshments one Sunday, please see the sign up sheet in Bott Hall. Thank you!

A huge thank you goes out to St. John’s! Everyone did a phenomenal job collecting Thanksgiving meals for Emmaus House. A total of 112 bags were collected. So many families enjoyed Thanksgiving at home because of your hard work! Thanks especially goes to Ernie Radaker, for organizing the project.

Peter Richard Conte, Grand Court Organist at the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, returns for a gala holiday concert following the traditional St. Nicholas Dinner.

“Music making of the highest order...rich in nuance and virtuosity...Bravo!” - The American Organist. Contact Linda Bailey at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (770-955-5453, 404-881-0835, AllSaintsConcertSeries@yahoo.com or allsaintsatlanta.org for more information.

"Renewing Hope: An Advent Gathering for Health Ministry" will be held from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 6 at St. Luke's, 435 Peachtree St. The ecumenical event offers a variety of speakers from the faith and health communities. For details, contact Joan Purdon, 404-873-7614.

Join EH staff, volunteers, neighbors, and children of all ages on Thursday evening, December 21. Meet at Emmaus House at dusk for an evening of caroling in the neighborhood followed by pizza and hot chocolate. All are welcome!

Tickets for the next production offered by Theatrical Outfit will be offered 2 for the price of 1 in honor of our Diocese of Atlanta Centennial. The offer applies to shows on Friday ($25) or Saturday ($30) evenings, depending on availability. Currently on stage is Waiting to be Invited, the story is about four women following desegregation in 1961, who are on a mission to be among the first African-Americans to dine in the restaurant of one of Atlanta's finest downtown department stores. This endearing comedy tells a tale of friendship, fear, faith and fortitude and is based on playwright S.M. Shephard-Massat's grandmother's experiences. For tickets call 678-528- 1500 and mention "Diocese of Atlanta's Connecting." Theatrical Outfit is at 84 Luckie St. in downtown Atlanta. The play runs through Dec. 3.

This hilarious play about one of Atlanta’s oldest high society blueblood families is truly a PEACHTREE BATTLE! Written by John Gibson and Anthony Morris, Peachtree Battle is the longest-running theatrical production in Atlanta theatre history. It has set records for number of attendees and shows. It is constantly updated to reflect top news and political activities; the show one night may be different than the show performed the night before. It is currently being made into a major motion picture planned for release in 2007. And now that St. John’s own Hayes Mercure, son of Bill and Martha Mercure, is performing in the play, it is sure to be even more entertaining! All those interested in seeing a performance, please call 404-875-1193, visit AnsleyParkPlayhouse.com, or go to the box office at 1545 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309. Break a leg, Hayes!

Odyssey Family Counseling Center,

3578 South Fulton Avenue, Hapeville, GA 30354, www.odysseycounseling.org.

The City of East Point will host the East Point Fantasy of Trees at the Wagon Works office park beginning Sunday, December 10, through Sunday, December 17. Everyone is invited to tour beautifully designed trees that have been decorated by residents, organizations, and businesses. In addition to the trees, visitors will also see tabletop displays of animations and a Santa’s Workshop, where children can make their own holiday ornaments. It is a free event and refreshments will be served. Donations are appreciated, however, and will be used to provide toys and clothing for some of East Point’s disadvantaged children. For more information, please contact Council Member Earnestine Pittman at 404-344-0005.

The East Point Fire and Police Departments are hosting the annual Christmas Toy Drive. Donations are now accepted at any fire station or police precinct. For more information, contact 404-765-3409 or 404-209-5176.

The next time you go to the grocery store, remember Family Life Ministries. Through FLM, we serve the families of those who fall between the cracks of society: the poor, distressed, & underprivileged.Remember to pick up a new FLM bag on the last Sunday of the month and bring it in filled with nonperishable food & goods on the first Sunday.

Plans are to complete a building project at Tru d’Nord, a town near Cap Haitian. To complete this project, we must raise approximately $1,000 to purchase building materials. If you feel led to assist in this effort, or want more information about the project, please contact Fr. Anderson. Thank you for your support.

by Linda Kavelin Popov

I learned of The Family Virtues Guide when Linda Kavelin Popov, the author, spoke at a breakfast Angela Joyner and I attended sponsored by the Interfaith Children’s Movement of Metropolitan Atlanta. Ms. Popov was an inspiring speaker, and I couldn’t wait to get the book and use it for the parenting support group that meets Wednesday nights at 6:00 (while the children are in choir practice). The parents and I quickly realized that its appeal and helpfulness go far beyond parenting. The subtitle is instructive: “Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves.” Simply put, this book is a guide to nurturing the character of one who is grounded in and practices the virtues provided to us by our faith.

The book begins with three chapters about how and why to use it. It would be a great mistake to skip these chapters. Although they assume that the reader is a parent, as I said above, they provide wonderful insights for all of us, the premise being that one must develop one’s own character in order to be able to instill character in children.

After the introductory chapters, the book consists of fifty-two virtues, one for each week of the year. Examples are: caring, compassion, consideration, excellence, faithfulness, generosity, helpfulness, humility, justice, kindness, love, modesty, peacefulness, respect, self-discipline, tact, tolerance, trust, and unity. For each virtue, the book provides short descriptions of: What is it? Why practice it? How do you practice it? It also gives signs of success, and an affirmation.

Please note the liturgical changes we institute to mark the season of Advent, which begins December 3^rd. Advent, the first season in the Church year, is a time of anticipation, waiting, preparing, and longing. We will mark it with a special entrance ritual, new service music, a different Eucharistic Prayer, and hymns appropriate to the season. You will not see Christmas decorations and, unlike many churches, we Episcopalians don’t sing Christmas carols until Christmas. Why? Because our liturgical year tells the story of God’s coming to save us, and the Church is a good storyteller. Good storytellers know that joyous news is made more so when it is preceded by a period of anticipation, of longing. Good storytellers know that there is value in the preparation itself. Good storytellers know that if you want a baby, you have to go through a pregnancy. (This, in many ways, is metaphorically true even for adoption, as anyone who has gone through that long process can tell you.) How odd, mysterious, and wonderful it is for me, a man, to invite you to join me in being pregnant as we await the coming of our Lord!

Here are some specifics: On December 3^rd (the first Sunday of Advent), we will observe Advent Lessons and Carols at the 10:30 service (the 8:00 will be Holy Communion Rite 1, as usual). Come hear the stories and sing with us as we begin our Advent season right!

On December 10^th, we will have a combined 10:00 service, followed by a Second Sunday Brunch and our Annual Parish Meeting. Please come to the service and meeting! Often when we have a combined service, some folks from both services don’t show, and we end up with fewer folks than usual for the Sunday. I hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity not only to enjoy fellowship as we eat together, but also to see your bothers and sisters who go to the other service!

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year. On December 24^th, we will have a combined service at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent (using Rite 1, which will be something new for the 10:30 crowd). Please plan to join us. After that service, we will decorate the church for Christmas (we need your help!) and hold Christmas Eve services at 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. We look forward to worshipping with you.

Finally, I want to comment on a new practice that I hope will be with us long after Advent has gone. In the Prayers of the People, after reading aloud a few names from the prayer list (the complete list is in your handout), the reader will invite us to name aloud others for whom we wish to offer prayers. During the pause that follows, I hope you will feel free to say aloud the names of anyone for whom you would like us to offer prayer.

That baby that we’re looking for — I have a feeling that he’ll tell us that when it comes to prayer, we should not be shy!

Kay Alston Bolton is a native of Savannah, GA. She was baptized there at Beth Eden Baptist Church at the age of seven. Completing her high school education in Savannah, she ventured north to Atlanta to continue her pursuit of educational goals. Kay is a dedicated educator. Her career has afforded her opportunities to study the learning process at each of the public school levels. She has served as a teacher of the arts and/or gifted education at the High Museum of Art, Cobb County Schools, and presently, Fulton County. Schools; in addition, Fulton County Schools assigned Kay to the role of curriculum support teacher providing curriculum and instructional support to elementary art teachers. She was recently honored as Teacher of the Year for her contributions to the implementation of her school's program. Kay has also served the students of Clayton County Schools as an instructional lead teacher. In 2003, Ms. Bolton and her three children, Cecille, Camille, and Richard, IV, became members of St. John's Episcopal Church. Kay, Cecille, and Camille were confirmed in June, 2006.

Nathan Esparza grew up in a conservative Christian family. His parents were missionaries to Mexico. He was born in Brownsville, Texas, and traveled frequently with his parents as they planted new churches. Nathan began piano lessons at five and was playing for church services by the time he was nine. Nathan's teenage years included rebellion and questioning of his own faith. During his attendance at the University of Houston, he went with a friend to a Catholic mass. The beauty of the liturgy and traditions intrigued him, yet Nathan was not comfortable with the Roman Catholic theology. After several years of sporadic church attendance, it was time to find a church to attend on a regular basis. Nathan attended St. Andrew's, Peachtree City, for over 14 years. In July of 2005, he moved to East Point and immediately was welcomed into the fold at St. John's. "From day one I felt like part of the family and while I had come to St. John's from a very conservative parish, I so admire St. John's openness and inclusion of all peoples- the greatest command is definitely practiced here." On a personal note, Nathan has two grown children, a daughter working on her Master's and quite involved in church music, and a son and his family living in Colorado. Nathan is a partner in a real estate firm and loves to travel. Hobbies include music and cooking.

Comfort Obi is the second of six children to an Anglican Church priest in Nigeria. Comfort has been married for 29 years to Vincent Obi and blessed with 4 loving children and a son in law. She has been a registered nurse for the past 29 years with experience as a nurse educator and administrator, and she is currently a clinical manager with Grady Memorial Hospital. Service in the Lord’ s ministry has been a lifelong journey for Comfort, and she has served in in various Anglican churches in the Girls’ Guild, the choir, Anglican Youth Fellowship, the Women’s Guild, and the Mothers Union. She also served at her former home church in Lagos, Nigeria, conducting marriage counseling sessions prior to weddings, attending to families in crises, and working in the Evangelical Outreach Ministry. Comfort is currently serving at St John’s Church as a lay Eucharistic minister and a reader. Her community activities include a weekly Home Fellowship started in 1996. Her hobbies include a love of cooking, motivational/conference speaker, reading and sharing the word of God.

There is a little town I once called Home

Where I have kith and I have kin

Where many have left

Through Heaven’s wonders to roam,

Dusk there is a lovely time of day,

Whether winds blow cold or cool

The sun withdraws its banners from the sky

Leaving is tinted with afterglow, an inverted pool

Where drowns all weariness,

Softly, softly is the theme,

Earth and sky accede

So man may pause at the end of day

And drink, according to the need.

Would you like to order Christmas flowers in honor of someone special? If so, please call in or e-mail your order to the church office by December 18. A donation of $25 is suggested. The money raised from the Christmas flowers is used throughout the year to help cover the cost of flowers for Sunday services.

Advertising pools creative ideas in order to promote or sell a product or idea. A relatively simple idea can generate millions. For example, chikin-lovin’ cows, cars with faces, and talking wine bottles are all probably very familiar to each of us, and each drive very valuable campaigns.

What else is a valuable campaign effort? Family Life Ministries doesn’t sell a tangible product or offer a quick getaway, but it does offer a way for people to care for those less fortunate and the flexibility to help whether the help is “hands-on" care or not. We offer the opportunity to be philanthropic and still maintain busy schedules, take care of families and work hard.

A major source of advertising for FLM’s valuable “product” is you! No expensive campaign can promote FLM like you can! Just by talking with your friends and co-workers, FLM will be able to increase what they give away to the needy. With your help, many more people will become aware of and help out with providing much-needed financial support, household items, donated food, and more to FLM. FLM can help you help them, too. They are happy to come speak to your office or social group, or mail brochures or newsletters for you to share.

Are you willing to work on behalf of FLM and help those in our community that need it? FLM would like to offer you this full-time opportunity to reach people they will never have the opportunity to meet otherwise. Won’t you be a part of the FLM “advertising” campaign?

New Time!

With the rush of the holiday season, December 27, the feast day that we remember St. John, often gets overlooked. Here are some facts about our parish’s patron saint:

Profile: Son of Zebedee and Salome. Brother of Saint James the Great, and called one of the Sons of Thunder. Disciple of Saint John the Baptist. Friend of Saint Peter the Apostle. Fisherman. Called by Jesus during the first year of His ministry, and traveled everywhere with Him, becoming so close as to be known as the beloved disciple. Took part in the Last Supper. The only one of the Twelve not to forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion, standing at the foot of the cross. Made the guardian of Mary by Jesus, he took her into his home. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb; when he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, he was the first to recognize Him.

During the era of the new Church, he worked in Jerusalem and at Ephesus. During Jesus' ministry, he tried to block a Samaritan from their group, but Jesus explained the open nature of the new Way, and he worked on that principle to found churches in Asia Minor and baptizing converts in Samaria. Imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. The Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation are traditionally attributed to him. Survived all his fellow apostles.

Patronage: art; printers; writers; editors; publishers; bookbinders; booksellers; typesetters; papermakers; engravers; lithographers; painters; tanners; theologians; friendships; burns; against poison.

Representation: book; cauldron in allusion to his being a martyr in will but not in deed; chalice with a serpent in allusion to the cup of sorrow foretold by Jesus; chalice; eagle in his role as evangelist; serpent.

Giving a gift from Episcopal Relief & Development is giving hope for the future. It will help give someone permanent victory over hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation. Below are some great gift ideas from ERD:

Visit Episcopal Relief & Development on the web at er-d.com or call 800-334-7626, ext 5129 to purchase the above gifts for friends and loved ones, or for even more great gift ideas! Giving a gift from ERD will help one person improve his or her life immediately and help move us all toward achieving the worldwide Millennium Development Goals in the long run.

Please contact EH for gift suggestions for these programs. And call before you wrap! For up-to-date information about our greatest needs, please contact Anne Rein at 404.917.9185 / a.rein@att.net or Mary Kay Kohles-Baker at 404.276.0014 / mkkb@att.net.

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a good, Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys!”