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February 1 - 28, 2002 St. John’s Episcopal Church 404-761-8402 SPECIAL EVENTS
EACH WEEK WE OFFER
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
CHORAL EVENSONG AT ST. JOHN’S On February 23, at 8:15 p.m., everyone is cordially invited to attend a service of Choral Evensong conducted by Jon Marc Rutherford, who, in addition to being our Organist/Choir Director, is a student at Emory University. This concert of Anglican choral music is presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Music degree in choral conducting. The Matej Waschek choir of Emory University will perform along with the Capitol City Opera Madrigal Singers, with Dock Anderson, organist. What a treat! CONGRATULATIONS BARGAIN SHOP! In 2001, the St. John’s Bargain Shop provided clothing for three hundred and sixty-three families. "I was naked and you gave me clothing. . . ." FOYER KICK OFF Foyers, randomly assigned groups which meet for fellowship for six months, kicks off on Feb. 17. If you’re interested, see Anne Meroney. WORK DAY IN MARCH The Properties Commission asks you to mark your calendar for a Work Day on March 23 from 8 a.m. until noon (or any part of that). More next month. LENTEN SUPPERS AND PROGRAM On Wednesdays from February 20 through March 20, we will gather in Bott Hall for a light supper at 6:00, followed by lessons and discussion from the Emmaus Road curriculum. Bring a friend! APPEAL TO CHURCHES REGARDING RACISM The National Church has asked me to share the following. I find it very encouraging, and do so happily. Jim In January of 2002, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, nine Christian communions inaugurated a new relationship with each other called Churches Uniting in Christ. As the first step in this journey toward unity, we issue this appeal to every member of our churches, "that we all may be one." (John 17:22) The struggle for unity among the races and among the churches has a common denominator: racism. To envision unity, without addressing racism, is to ignore our history in North America and deny the insidious nature of that which divides us. If we are to overcome both the sin of disunity, including the sin of racism, then we must hold a common vision of God's Beloved Community: - a community in which all people and their particular gifts are included, respected and valued; - a community that seeks alternatives to violence to settle its differences; - a community whose core values stand in sharp contrast to a culture in which violence, obsession with profit, and the maldistribution of wealth and power is the norm; - a community committed to eradicating racism and making no peace with oppression; - a community in which God is given the glory. To this vision, many, known and unknown, have given their lives in the hope that we shall overcome our separateness, heal our divisions, and ensure justice for all. It is fitting, therefore, that this appeal calls us to begin our new life as Churches Uniting in Christ on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2002. Our struggle is with principalities and powers. We affirm that love, repentance and forgiveness are powerful sources of unity, and reject the values of distrust, envy and personal institutional survival. We affirm that power is perfected in weakness, and reject any idea that the strong may do what they will and the weak are left to suffer what they must. We affirm the values of principle, human community and equality over against the values of profit, property and status. We affirm that Christ died for all people (see John 3:16). We proclaim that we are all children of God, made in the divine image, and accountable for our individual and collective actions. We engage in this struggle with the radical hope that springs from our resurrection faith, and the belief that those who seek to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives for Christ's sake will save them. Emboldened by this vision, we appeal to you, to join us as participants in Churches Uniting in Christ, as sojourners toward the Beloved Community. We will engage in a process of overcoming racism as we seek to demolish the institutional barriers which keep us from being a united Christian community that is truly catholic, truly reformed, and truly evangelical. Together, we will seek to find the common ground where we can all sing with integrity that it is on "Christ the solid rock we stand." We will do the painful work of honestly facing our history, seeking mutual compassion, developing a common vision and identifying the sacrifices we must make. Our purpose is to see the vision realized, to raise from the bedrock that is Christ the sure foundation for all our houses. We believe that God is calling us to this vision and to this task, and we know there is a balm in Gilead that heals the sin-sick soul. Our appeal to you is to join in the audacious and prophetic quest to incarnate this vision and, with God's help, renew our faith, proclaim the good news, unite our churches and heal the nation. In Christ, signed by representatives of the following churches: African Methodist Episcopal Church; African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; The Episcopal Church USA; Community Churches; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); United Church of Christ; The United Methodist Church. WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT RACISM? Here’s one thing: The Commission on Racism is sponsoring a two day retreat to help us "become better witnesses of Christ against the oppressive power of racism that hinders the coming of the Kingdom." The retreat will be at Camp Calvin from 7 p.m. June 14 until 4:30 p.m. June 15. To register, send your name, address, phone number, parish, and registration fee of $69 to: The Diocese of Atlanta, c/o Bob Hudak, 130 Antioch Road, Fayetteville, GA, 30215.
FROM THE RECTOR "How’s it going at St. John’s?" I just got back from a clergy retreat at Camp Mikell. Naturally, many of the other clergy ask, "So, how’s it going at St. John’s?" I thought you might like to know my answer. Right now, things are hectic, and we (the staff) are not really keeping up. My father ‘s illness and death, combined with Beverly’s treatments (and the side effects), have meant that on some weeks we are doing well to get the bulletin out (and then only with lots of help—thanks!). Things have been piling up. But that will pass. I’m back at work, and Beverly will be well again after her upcoming surgery. Until we are back on our feet, we appreciate your patience. All of that is only the preface to my answer to the question, "So, how are things going at St. John’s?" All of that is temporary (though tiring at the moment), so I refer to it only by saying, "Well a little hectic at the moment, but. . . ." What comes next is the real answer: Attendance in 2001 was up 20% over 2000 (to a Sunday average of 136). New people are coming and joining. Our nursery (which is in a newer, nicer location) is doing a booming business. Sunday school is going well. Our budget is up, and, most importantly, we received 23 new pledges this year, an increase of about 20% in the number of people pledging. These are wonderful statistics But statistics don’t capture the enthusiasm I sense in worship and in service at St. John’s. Okay, so, let me ask you, "How’s it going at St. John’s?"
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Eagle Notes