Here’s the latest from our monthly newsletter, St. John’s Connects:
The Spirit of the Place! – The 2020 Annual Meeting
Quite often at our annual meeting, Pastor Jack and other speakers mentioned that building users, visitors, those who work with and for us and fellow parishioners have mentioned how much they like “the feel of the place” – the vibe given off at St. John’s.
A theme of the meeting was our right to celebrate where we are now and how far we’ve come, while realizing there’s more to be done and we have a plan to get there.
Pastor Jack opened the meeting with a rundown of St. John’s many projects, programs, events and causes that thrived in 2019 and continue to do so in 2020, saying they show a “consistently increasing sense of cohesion and purpose” in the parish.
2020 Vestry and Officers
- Kim Polhemus and Herb St. Jean were re-elected as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.
- Emily Lee, Jim Altemus and Jim Polito were elected to three-year terms on the Vestry.
- Jim Rains and Sharlene Zagozewski will return as Vestry Clerk and Treasurer respectively.
- Herb St. Jean and Paul Manfredi will act as our convention delegates, with Flora Quammie and Carolyn King acting as alternates.
Thank You For Your Service!
Jiri Krten, Leigh Alhage and Judy Coster came off of Vestry. We thank you for your faithful service on Vestry and for all you do at St. John’s.
Social Justice Lenten Project
The St. John’s Social Justice Ministry will host a four-week Lenten program to focus our attention on those our community struggling with limited financial resources.
March 1 – Presentation Day, at the 10 a.m service
- Pastor Jack will preach on the Social Justice of income inequality and oppression, and related topics.
March 8 – Message Day, at coffee hour after the 10 a.m. service.
- Join us as we address the economic gap faced by, and the few options available for those with limited resources. What can social service groups and churches do?
March 15 – Speaker Day, at coffee hour after the 10 a.m. service
- Please join us for a talk given by parishioner Ivana Butera, director of the New Milford Department of Social Services.
March 22 – Advocating Day, at coffee hour after the 10 a.m. service
- Time to decide what advocacy looks like at St. John’s. We’ll present some action items as well as seek ideas on steps forward from parishioners.
Also Coming Up At St. John’s…..
Racial Justice Ministry
The next meeting of the Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation Ministry is Sunday, March 1, after the 10 a.m. service and we’re hoping you will join us to learn more about what we do.
St. John’s Concert Series
Our series will continue with two concerts in the Spring.
On April 5 we will feature music for soprano, viola and piano. And on May 31 we hope you’ll join us for a Larsen Family Recital, featuring our very own Laurel Larsen on piano and Jens, Gabe and Margo Larsen Larsen on trumpet.
All donations received at the concerts this season will benefit the New Milford Refugee Resettlement group. Our Feb. 2 concert raised $815.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Come enjoy a delicious traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the trimmings. Bring Your Own Beverage.
The dinner is $10, which will be collected at the door. Children under 12 are $5. Bring your friends.
It is important you sign up in the back of the Church for our headcount.
Palm Sunday Brunch
We will gather as a parish community for brunch on Sunday, April 5 – Palm Sunday. The brunch will be served right after the 9 a.m service. Please be advised the 9 o’clock service will be the only service on Palm Sunday.
Out on the Town
Come join us for our next Men’s and Women’s Nights Out. Each month we gather at a local restaurant for casual conversation and a good meal.
The guys will next meet at Greca, the new Greek restaurant next to Big Y, on Tuesday Feb. 25 at 6:00 p.m. The ladies will gather again at 6:00 p.m. on March 2 at Tuscany, the new restaurant in the old Tivoli space. If you’d like to go, please email Bill Kamp (Men’s Night) and Lise Smith. (Women’s Night)
Please visit this page often for timely updates.