If you would like to submit an article or information to be published in the Eagle Notes, all information must be in the church office no later than June 15 for July publication. Please have information on diskette or e-mail to: parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com

Coming this Fall —

More Wonderful Wednesdays!

During Lent, we gathered on Wednesday nights for a Lenten meal and a program addressing hospitality and evangelism (using the “Groundwork” series). After I made a presentation, the group divided into small groups to discuss what had been presented, how it affects each of us, and how it affects St. John’s. The evenings were well attended, the discussions were lively and productive, and there was a good Spirit about the place. I thought it was wonderful.

During Easter, we continued our Wednesday night programs (following a delicious meal cooked by Mark Robertson and Randy Ransom). This time, we used the Via Media video series. This was Ruth’s “baby,” and she did a great job pulling it together. The videos were very well done, interesting, and thought provoking. The discussions in small groups (each of which had a facilitator) were engaging and community-building. Attendance varied from about 30 to 40 — a huge number for a church our size! I thought it was wonderful.

I think we’re on a roll, and I want to keep the momentum up, so I’d like you to know what Ruth and I have planned for the fall. But first, the summer: from June 1-September 14, we will hold our usual 7:00 Wednesday night Eucharist and healing service. If you have not attended, or haven’t been in a while, I urge you to try this very informal, intimate service. The music (from Songs of Praise) is lively and fun and there is a strong sense of community —symbolized (for me) by the image of me laying hands on a worshiper as everyone else touches their shoulder or touches the shoulder of someone touching their shoulder. We literally form a “web of community.” Often, several of us grab a bite after the service. Everyone is welcome.

Now for the fall: Beginning Wednesday September 21, we will offer two “Wonderful Wednesday” tracks, one for those who want (or need) a shorter commitment, and one for those who want to go deeper and make a longer commitment. It’s clear to us (as it was to Jesus) that food is an important part of community, so everyone will gather at 6:00 for a meal. At 6:30, those who want a shorter commitment will go to a class that will last from 3-6 weeks. If possible (we have to work this out with the instructors), the same class will be offered on Sunday mornings so that those who can’t come Wednesdays or are on the other track can still take the class.

For those who want a deeper, more committed small group experience (you know, depth and commitment go together), I will be offering Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC). Many of you are familiar with DOCC, which we have offered in years past. Here’s how DOCC works: I will present a range or topics which, taken together, cover much of the Christian faith. After the presentation, DOCC folks will go to small groups to discuss how the subject of the presentation affects their lives. (This is not to be an academic discussion!) We will be finished at 8:30. Each small group (of 8-12) will include two trained facilitators. Their job is not to direct the discussion, but rather to attend to group process — make sure that everyone gets a chance to speak, that the group listens well, etc. Participants will be in the same small group for the entire 22-week program. There is a strict rule of confidentiality, and a strict attendance requirement (you should not enroll if you know you will miss more than three sessions). The latter serves two purposes: first, my presentations will be cumulative. If you’ve missed many, you will not be equipped to move ahead. Second, and more importantly, the heart of DOCC is the small group experience. Relationships are built and renewed. People share their thoughts, concerns, hopes, and fears. Most of the time, friendships are made which last a lifetime. The small group community cannot form the same way if people are moving in and out of it. While some absences are unavoidable, the undeniable fact is that if you are not there when something significant happens, you will be in a different place than the rest of the group when you return. It is a truism in life that commitment and depth go together.

DOCC will meet each Wednesday from September 21 through March 29, 2006. We will not meet 11/23, 12/21-1/4, or 3/1. Childcare will be provided if there is sufficient demand.

You’ll be hearing more about DOCC as the summer progresses. I hope to see you at our wonderful Wednesday night services this summer, and I hope you are excited about participating in our Wonderful Wednesdays next year!

Wow, it’s JUNE already! Seems like only yesterday that we were going into Lent, preparing for Palm Sunday and Holy Week; now, we’ve had Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, and we’re headed into summertime. Where has the time gone?

Do you have any summer plans? Maybe a vacation? Well, with everything else that’s going on, we don’t want you to forget good ol’ St. John’s. We’ll be here, just as always, week in and week out. Oh sure, we’ll take time away to enjoy the summer, too, but we want you to remember that worship doesn’t take the summer off.

Summertime is a good time to introduce new friends or distant relatives to God; God loves meeting new people in his house. And while things tend to be a bit more relaxed until say, September, the church still needs your presence. Take time out to worship; praise and thank God for giving us summertime, and for those who share it with us.

God will still be here. Will you?

P.S. In order to show the beautiful wood on the altar, we will not use a full length frontal during the summer. As you enjoy the wood, give thanks for the many gifts left to us by those who were before.

Your gifts are always needed and appreciated. Items used on a regular basis include:

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Dried Beans

Flour & Sugar

Canned fruits and vegetables

Juice Packs

Canned meats

Toilet Paper

Razors

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Eyeglasses are also given to those in need. You may purchase glasses for $2.00 or less at Big Lots, Michael’s, Wal-mart, and Dollar stores.

Don’t forget to bring your donations to church on the Second Sunday of each month.

Thanks for your support of this vital ministry to the community!

Ever notice how God sometimes likes to punctuate services?

It was a Good Friday in the mid-1990s, one that had already been stormy with tornadoes around metro Atlanta before dawn. At the noon service, I was standing with another torchbearer at the chancel steps while Fr. Stan McGraw read the Good Friday Gospel, the St. John Passion. We could tell another storm was coming; the windows got darker and darker and we could hear thunder off in the distance and the wind outside had picked up, making the stained glass windows sway in their frames in the Nave. In the reading, Fr. Stan came to the place where Jesus dies, and there is a pause suggested in the rubrics. In that brief silence, I had just reached forward to blow out my torch when there was the k-BOOOOMM!!! of a very close lightning strike. There was a great FLASH! the torches went out, the lights went out, the whole building seemed to jump off the ground. There was a long moment when we could hear the thunder rolling away, then the skies opened up with torrential rain and hail and more lightning and thunder. Then – it couldn’t have been 3 minutes – the sun came out, flooding through the windows like the lightning flash, but it didn’t die away, just got brighter while the rain poured on the roof, then abruptly stopped. The lights came back on, Fr. Stan resumed reading, and the service went on as usual. Nobody said anything (until after the service was over, of course) and Fr. Stan didn’t even attempt to preach on the subject – but we all knew that God had seen to it Himself that we understood the Gospel.

Martha V. McLeod

Discussing or thinking about abuse to children and youth is never a pleasant thing but that is exactly what sixteen people met to do this past week-end at St. John’s. The group met to participate in a seminar call “Safeguarding God’s Children”. All volunteers who work with children and all staff are required to attend this important training to better ensure the protection of our children.

It is important that we know how to protect our children from abuse. Below you will find some facts and information (some you may already know and some you may learn from).

Fact: 10% of abuse is perpetrated by strangers.

Fact: Most child molesters are heterosexual.

Fact: Less than 5% of all allegations turn out to be false.

The following warnings represent some of the short-term effects of sexual abuse:

Some long-term effects of sexual abuse:

How common is child sexual abuse?

One in eight males are abused.

One in four females are abused.

Want to be an Acolyte? Already an Acolyte and want to learn new tasks? Just wondering why we do the things we do on Sunday? Beginning in June, we plan to offer a weekly class at 9.15 Sundays on the liturgy and traditions of Sunday worship, including training for new and current Acolytes and others who may be interested. This class is not mandatory for Acolytes but Acolytes are strongly encouraged to attend on the Sundays they are scheduled to work. We're in the planning stage for this training; watch for more information and/or contact Martha McLeod.

As you know, plans are well underway, for how we will celebrate our 100 years as a parish church. Next year promises to be an exciting time for St. John’s as we remember and honor the past and prepare for our second century of spreading the ‘Good News’!

Looking at where we’ve been helps us understand where we are today. With that in mind, I ran across this notation in “the Eagle Notes” dated March 1, 1981, twenty-five years ago. . . .

Have you checked out our beautiful garden lately? It appears that this request did not go unanswered by parishioners twenty-five years ago. The mondo grass is growing quite well, inside and outside these walls. The work of developing our beautiful memorial garden 25 years ago is still paying big dividends today. Thank you to Dana Jones and all who made the garden a reality then. We remember and honor your work everyday. Thanks Be To God.

Ernie Radaker

Centennial Celebration Committee

What you may not realize is that the ministry of St. John's exists because of your generous financial support. Your financial gifts enable us to provide support for Family Life Ministries, schools and missions in Haiti, Holy Comforter, Christian Education, participation in the refugee family program, Speeders, Via Media, and many other worthwhile and often expensive projects (like the power bill and roof repairs!). Outreach is an important part of what we believe and the acceptance of the responsibility that God has given us.

I have heard it said, " the church has plenty of money. My little bit won't make a difference." It DOES make a difference. This year we are behind in the amount of paid pledges. If you have forgotten, let this serve as a reminder. If your circumstances have changed, please discuss them with the rector.

We believe we are doing God's work here. Thank you for your generous support that makes this possible.

If you are going away to college, please call the church office at 404-761-8402 or e-mail (parishadmin@stjohncollegepark.com)and let us know your new address and other contact information so we can keep in touch with you.

Diocesan Confirmation Sunday is June 5, at The Cathedral of St. Phillip, at 4:00 p.m. We will have Dan Seipel, Jimmy Wambles and Mark Robertson being confirmed and Rob Bitterman being received by the Bishop. This is a great service. Come support these new Episcopalians!

On Sunday, May 15, as part of the worship services we officially welcomed new members to St. John’s. Each new member or family was assigned a sponsor whose call is to help show them the ropes and make them feel welcome and a part of our church family, to be a friend.

Those received into membership and their sponsors are:

Beginning Sunday, June 12, several draft church directories will be available for members to look at and make sure the information listed under their entry is correct. The directories will be located in the Narthex and in Bott Hall.

If corrections or additions need to be made please draw a line through the incorrect information and print the corrections in the margin next to your entry. If additions are needed please print in the margin also. We would like an e-mail address from everyone who uses e-mail.

Once you have checked your information leave the directory for someone else to look at.

A FINAL COPY WILL BE PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED AS SOON AS CORRECTINS ARE MADE.

The directories will be available until June 26 for corrections.

If you are unable to attend church during the review period, please call Carol (Monday—Wednesday) at St. John’s and she will go over your entry.

If you are not listed in the directory please call the church office and let Carol know. The information in the directory comes from the completed Member Information Forms. If you have not completed a form please pick one up in Bott hall and return it to the church office.

If you have any questions please contact Carol McGittigan at 404-761-8402.