BOLO (pronounced "bõ-lõ") is an acronym the police use for "Be On the Lookout." We all need to "BOLO" for visitors every Sunday. Imagine that you were visiting an Episcopal Church for the first time. Would you want people to welcome you and introduce themselves? Would you want people to greet you warmly during the peace? Would you want someone to offer to assist you with the prayer book? (It is painful for the clergy to see a visitor struggling to find his or her place and no one is helping.) Would you want someone to offer to go with you to the Bott Hall after church and introduce you to some folks?

Let’s make sure that when visitors leave St. John’s, all these things have happened to them. Whose job is that? Your job!

On December 20, St. John’s folks presented a Puppet and Arts Workshop for our children (of all ages) and for guests from the community. The workshop was a great success. Thirty-five people attended and made puppets, sang, heard stories and had lunch together. The St. John’s children who had attended carried their puppets in a procession to the crèche at the 7:00 service on Christmas Eve. Thanks to Martha Spring, Kim Rhea, Hylan Scott, Gwen Fields, the cooks, and everyone else who helped make it a wonderful event.

Dear Jim,

Please express the appreciation of all associated with Emmaus House to our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. John’s for their contributions of gifts to our Christmas program. As you know, each year we provide Christmas stockings and gifts to over 500 neighborhood children and about 100 senior citizens. This would not be possible without the generosity of parishes throughout the diocese. We are most grateful for your help as we strive to make Christmas brighter for the folks we serve. Please know that you are in our prayers of thanksgiving for your support of this very special program as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. Yours Faithfully,

Debbie

The Book of Common Prayer (p. 445) states: "The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses."

If you don’t have a will, or if you haven’t reviewed your will in some time, how about making taking care of that a New Year’s resolution you will keep?

Mary E. Hill was confirmed by Bishop Alexander at the Cathedral on December 14. Last spring, her daughter, Veronica, was confirmed. Congratulations to Mary, who is "Blessed to be an Episcopalian!"

We rejoice in welcoming:

Emma D. Thompson

2800 Camp Creek Parkway

College Park, GA 30237

404/762-6223,

and

Dan Seipel

1685 Virginia Avenue

College Park, GA 30337

770-367-6824 (cell)

Look for classes on Death and Dying, Social Issues Viewed Though Gospel Glasses, and The Implications of 9/11. Stay tuned for details!

Recently, I was given the "Bridge Builder Award" at the annual Presidential Luncheon of the Southside Ministerial Association (of which I am an officer). All false modesty aside, I honestly could not figure out why I was being given this honor. Upon returning to my seat after the obligatory "photo op," I read what the award said and then understood that I received it on behalf of all of you. (That made me feel better about it). As you read below what we’ve been doing in 2003, I think you’ll see why I felt that I received this award on your behalf:

In addition to

running our Begin Again Supervised Ministry Program,

hosting "Speeders" luncheons for those over 55,

taking supper to Holy Comforter,

making Christmas stockings for Emmaus House,

conducting Youth Group activities and trips,

operating the Bargain Shop (which gave free clothes to over 250 people referred to them, and which gave away over $27,600 to worthwhile causes),

supporting and working closely with Family Life Ministries,

working with the Southside Ministerial Association,

hosting our AA group,

providing space for and working with Odyssey Family Counseling Center,

supporting the Interfaith Airport Chaplaincy,

supporting several hospices,

supporting and working with Pere Bruno and our friends in Haiti,

supporting the Georgia Justice Project,

supporting the work of our diocese with funds and labor,

trying to help lots of people who come to our door,

visiting the sick and those who are shut-in,

hosting a bible study for Woodward moms,

providing facilities for La Leche League meetings,

hosting Second Sunday Brunches,

teaching our children and adults to serve as acolytes,

providing a Puppet and Art Workshop for our children and for the community,

holding our community Blessing of the Animals, Fall Festival, and Flea Market,

participating in the Community Thanksgiving Service,

hosting a reception after the 10:30 service each week,

holding Sunday school classes for children of all ages,

operating a nursery for our babies (and thank God we’ve got some!),

conducting Sunday school classes for adults,

holding Lenten programs and dinners

fixing broken pipes, locks, air conditioning, heating, roof leaks, hand rails, lights, and on and on,

making sure our grounds stay beautiful,

reminding us of our responsibilities as stewards of the gifts, talents, and treasures God has given us,

attending to our sacred vessels, vestments, and linens, and being sure the church was vested as appropriate for the season or occasion,

operating our web site (which gets 103 visits a day!)

making beautiful music (thank God for Jon Marc and our choir!)

yes, in addition to all that (and, I’m sure, more that I’ve forgotten), we conducted

103 Sunday services of Holy Communion

91 weekday services of Holy Communion,

56 private services of Holy Communion, and

80 daily office services (i.e., Morning Prayer).

No question — you have been building bridges at an impressive rate, both inside the parish and out. So, when someone says to you, "What’s going on at St. John’s?" I hope you’ll have something to tell them! And I hope, even more, that you’ll be proud to say, "I am a part of that place. We build bridges to Christ."