STEWARDSHIP

Life Income Gifts – easy to understand and set up at virtually no cost to you. A win-win for the church and the donor!

Wills Awareness – Planned Giving

The leaders of the congregation are “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 the temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. BCP page 445

Gift planning is the response which each of us makes in faith as we count the many wonderful ways in which we are blessed. We then offer a significant portion from each of those ways to be a blessing to God and others. The Rt. Reverend Andrew D. Smith Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut

            St. John’s has been blessed by those parishioners who have remembered the church in their wills.  This money continues to give back to those in need both in the community and the mission.   I would like to thank Mike Reno and his committee for simplifying the funds so that now we have four funds in which to choose from to remember in your will.   They are as follows:

Agape Fund - $262,237 principal – directed by five members appointed by the vestry with the interest going to individuals or groups     

Capital Replacement Fund - $172,522 principal – To be used for the necessary replacement of facilities and equipment in the church

Endowment Fund - $532,224 principal – Interest to be allocated as follows: Parish Growth and Development 30%, Mission 60%, Building and Grounds 10%

Unrestricted Fund - $233,076 principal – Interest or principal may be used by the vestry as needed.  Example is that the work to repaint the church is coming from this fund.  Note this enabled us to do this much needed work without a capital campaign.  It has also been used to provide a school in the Sudan.

            An example of how a fund can give back to the community is the Easter Outreach Fund that was founded in 1987 with $100,000 and has now given back to the community over $120,000.   It is amazing how we have been able to continue giving with this money (Share, Spend, Save).  Note this fund is now in the Endowment Fund.    So as you can see, any money that you will to the church can give back to the community or the church forever.  That is quite a gift.

A very important point to understand is that none of this money is used in the budget.  It is used for non- recurring expenses.  So your pledge is very important to the life and mission of the church.   We truly live up to that mission of “St. John’s Episcopal Church exists to serve our community”. 

Again I ask that you give consideration to our theme of “Share, Spend, Save” as a family and complete your pledge card no later than Sunday, November 23^rd.  Remember; support our church for a day or more.

Bob Sullivan, Stewardship

“Earn as much as you can. Save as much as you can. Invest as much as you can. Give as much as you can.” — John Wesley (1703-91), English evangelist and founder of Methodism

·          “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” — John Wesley (1703- 91), English evangelist and founder of Methodism

·          “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa (1910-97), Roman Catholic missionary to India

·          “Give what you have. To someone it may be better than you dare to think.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82), American writer and poet

Day Light Savings Time Ends November 2^nd, please remember to set your clocks back, before you go to bed on Saturday night Nov. 1st.  You don’t want to be late.

 

Our Mission Statement

From Fr. .Kim

One of the goals for the parish this year was to take a look at the current mission statement.  I was given the task by the Vestry to survey the parish and make recommendations to the Vestry by our December Vestry meeting.  After six zone meetings and the input of 60 people, the prevailing sentiment is that our current mission statement is too long.  I perceived a major shift after our third zone meeting.  The first three zone meetings made minor changes to the current mission statement but during the fourth meeting and the last two meetings a new statement began to emerge as the favorite.  I would like you to take a look at this proposed change and then give your thoughts to any member of the Vestry.

The mission of St. John's Episcopal Church is to worship and serve God as we pray, proclaim the Gospel, promote spiritual growth, justice, peace, and love.

I think this change more accurately reflects who we are and where we are going in our faith journey as a parish.  We are in fact generous, faithful in worship, and promoters of justice, peace, and love.  The Vestry and I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

Vestry Updates

From the Office

We are proud to tell you that we have four folks ready, willing, and able to serve as the newest members of the leadership team of the parish.  In your December Eagle News we will provide the names and brief personal information on the four candidates.  We have for the past 5 years only nominated four people to fill four slots.  We will ask for nominations from the floor at our December Annual Parish meeting scheduled for December 14 after the 8:00 AM and the 10:30 AM worship services.  Please take time to thank Connie Chandler, Dot Main, Mike Reno, and Pete Marks for three years of stellar service and leadership.

Worship Space

From Fr. Kim

I hope you all have time to appreciate the newly refurbished worship space.  We did make some changes up front.  The use of the eagle lectern and the position of the chairs on the lay readers side make that corner of the chancel more useful and attractive.  We will not replace the oriental rug up front for a while to see if we like it or not.  I have been told by several parishioners that they catch their feet in the rug when they kneel for communion and stumble when they stand up because their feet push the rug back.  The slate up front is not slick.  The appearance of the floor is enhanced by a finish that makes it shine but does not make it slick.  I think the absence of the rug draws your eye to the altar and not to the colorful floor treatment when the rug is in place.  All I ask is that for the next several weeks you look at the chancel and sanctuary with an open mind and tell me what you think.  I know change is not easy and it always builds anxiety but it is within the changes of life that new realities arise. 

Senior Warden Report

 

From Pete Marks

With all due apology to Victor Hugo this is neither the “best of times nor the worst of times.”  We find ourselves in the midst of the quadrennial dog and pony show known as a presidential election, but I mention this merely to illustrate my opening observation.  It is not my intention to proceed down the path of partisan political discourse as I have the utmost respect for separation of church and state.

            Having said that, however, I would opine that there is (not should be) no separation of state and God.  In view of what is unfolding in and around our lives at present I feel we can all benefit from seeking guidance from the Lord as we are confronted by momentous decisions.  Pray for our nation and its people, for our church and a renewed sense of a shared community of faith and common purpose.

            The sudden and unexpected death of Jeff Heavner, the most recent loss of this year in our parish family, reminds us again of the fleeting nature of our mortal lives.  Please keep Diane and her family in your prayers and thoughts as they will need our support.  Give prayerful thanks for our Rector who with the passing of so many parishioners during the course of this year has been tested and found not wanting. 

            By the time this is read, hopefully we will be giving thanks for being in our newly refurbished pews and nave.

Stewardship Chair

 

From Bob Sullivan

            “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.” — C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), English author and scholar

Pledge Report to date:  we have received pledges with a total of $101,556.90.  This is enough to support 165 days of budgeting the ministry of St. John's with 200 days to go.  Keep those pledge cards coming. 

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

 

From Cheryl Cadaret

            The women of the church met on October 20^th. Carol Webster presented an African Bible Study. This unusual format allows for individual and group reactions to a passage in the Bible. Everyone enjoyed the experience.

Our group discussed the manner in which we would like to serve the church, local community, and the greater community in the coming year. We will be sponsoring a United Thanks Offering in the spring and continuing with our support of the Backpack Program.  Our church is currently packing weekend food for 175 students. It was noted that the cost of feeding one child has increased from $130 last school year to $392 this year. The cost increase reflects the increase in food costs and distribution due to the rising gas price. We decided to make winter scarves for students in need at Wenonah Elementary School where we deliver Backpacks. We will do this at our November meeting and encourage all women of the church to join in this endeavor. Scarves can be knitted or crocheted and there will be plenty of yarn. Bring knitting needles or crochet hooks. If you don’t know how to knit or crochet, members of the group plan to help one another. The meeting will be held on November 17^th at 7:00 in the Social Hall. Cheryl Cadaret will also bring many children’s Christmas books for you to see. Come and get some ideas for book giving to your children and grandchildren. Cheryl will be able to tell you the appropriate age level for the books she shares.

Mickey Ferguson presented information about the Salvation Army Children’s Christmas Stocking program. Look for more news about participating in this most worthwhile program! This program benefits children ages infant to eighteen.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Following the 10:30 church service on November 2^nd the women of the church will gather in the Parish Hall to complete the two Tabitha’s Quilts that we began last year. This is a project introduced by Kathy Garber. The finished quilts will be donated to the Police Department to be given to children who are no longer cared for by their parents. Many of these children feel great sadness and distress. The donated quilts provide warmth, and more importantly, comfort and the knowledge that someone cares. Come whether you can sew or not. We will find a way for you to contribute. We will also have Soup and Bread for our bodies as we give our spirit to this project.

DATES TO REMEMBER: November 2nd in the Social Hall following the 10:30 service: Tabitha’s Quilts and Soup and Bread. November 17th in the Social Hall at 7:00 ECW Meeting: Knitting and Crocheting Children’s Scarves

Salvation Army Stocking project

The St. John's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) group is offering church members the opportunity to participate in the local Salvation Army Stocking project between now and November 30. You may choose to fill a stocking or to bring in items "starred" on the Salvation Army tree in the Social Hall.  "Star" items will be added to stockings in the parish or taken to the Salvation Army for their use.

Each stocking is designated for a boy or girl and age ranges for infants 1-3, 4-7, 8-11, and 12-15 year.

Suggestions for items are available in each stocking.  I urge participants to sign up for a stocking and to return it on time for ECW members to meet the Salvation Army deadline.  If you could not find the last item or two, please mark the stocking and turn it in by November 30; we will complete it for you 

Stockings will be available this Sunday and next from ECW members.  Direct questions about the stockings to Mickey Ferguson (942-8571 or 3791moyer07@ntelos.net) or about stars to Cheryl Cadaret and Dana Zeh.

Thanksgiving Dinner

 

From Susie Loan

Mark your calendars during this busy time for our annual Thanksgiving dinner Sunday, November 23, at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on the great food and fellowship, to rejoice and give thanks together for our many blessings.  There will be a sign-up sheet posted in the foyer, please sign up to bring your favorite food to share. We will need volunteers for set-up and clean up so make sure to sign-up for these fun things, too.

Agape

From Kathy Kappes

Become an Agape Trustee! Each year the Agape Trustee’s have the opportunity to assist those less fortunate in our area.  They administer the Agape fund benefiting individuals in need of financial assistance, serving the greater Waynesboro and Augusta area.  Each year a Trustee rotates off which leaves an opening for you.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact any of the current Trustees: Dan Jenny, Kathy Kappes, Mark Bartosik, Debbie Cash or Powell Anderson. 

Birthdays

1) Benjamin Dorrier, Jr., 7) Helena Brower, 8) Patrick Maneval, 13) Glenna Taylor, 14) Ann Eckman, 15) Tony Balser, Sue Kahle, 17) Susan Mullen, Jonathan Williams, 19) Donna Donham, 20) Ernest Steidle, 23) Janet Foster, Agnes Messimer, Benjamin Wright, 26) Marty Siebken, 27) Elizabeth Maneval, 28) Chuck Ricketts, 29) William Bowman.

 

Anniversaries

 

17) Glenna and James Taylor      25) Helen and William Gallaher   29) Carol and Kim Webster

Boys’ Home Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop

 

The Christmas Tree Farm in West Augusta will be open weekends Nov 24-Dec. 6 10am -4pm at. 1118 Bear Wallow Flat, West Augusta, VA 24485 Phone: 540-939-4106

FROM STAUNTON: Take Rt. 250 west towards Monterey for 16 miles. Turn left onto Rt. 629 (Deerfield Valley Road) and go 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Rt. 688 (Old Parkersburg Turnpike) and go 200 yards to first right and turn onto Rt. 689 (Bear Wallow Flat). Follow the signs to Boys’ Home Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop.

Joanne Tannehill, in her bequest, left her Augusta County Christmas Tree Farm as a teaching and learning experience for the residents at Boys’ Home. Since 1994, our residents have been actively participating in all aspects of the Tree Farm.  In the spring, the boys place young seedlings in planting beds and relocate mature transplants to the tree fields.  In the summer and fall, they shear trees and groom fields.  During the winter, they harvest trees for wholesale, assist with the “choose & cut” sales at the Farm, and help in the production of our fresh greens.

Choose & Cut: White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine Wholesale:  White Pine and Norway Spruce

“Keep saving those soup labels”

"A Church that lives to itself will die by itself"

St. John's Episcopal Church exists to serve our community. Our Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love. All members of the Church are considered ministers in their own right, and we carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world by bearing witness to him wherever we may be.

The mission of the Church will be achieved only through our growing awareness of God's gifts and by our constant evaluation of our life's resources. Rejoicing in these gifts, we commit to an evermore generous sharing of ourselves, our abilities, and our resources to the glory of God. With God's help, we accept the spiritual discipline of setting a goal for our giving, and stretching ourselves toward it.

Affirmed by the Vestry, 1993

Donna Balser, our Administrative Assistant is putting together and printing our Eagle News, Philip Wells is editing for us. All information and articles are due in the church office no later than the 20th of each month. Early items are always accepted. Thank you for being kind and on time.Nov 20, is the deadline for theDecember Issue of the Eagle News