palm sunday, april 9 revelation - constant...

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2017 PAGE 1

PARISH STAFF

The Rev. John Goddard,

Interim Rector

The Rev. Stephen Denny,

Deacon The Rev. Linda Goertz,

Pastoral Care Minister

Janet E. Burdick,

Parish Administrator

Ben España,

Director of Music

Maria Aikin,

Sexton

Kendra Berryman,

Nursery Director

Jan Childs,

Treasurer St. John’s Revelation:

Janet E. Burdick, Editor

Volume 18, Issue 4

April

2017

S

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April, 2017

Holy Week Worship All are invited to walk the way of the Cross as we prepare

to celebrate

the Resurrection of Christ in 2017.

Invite your friends, neighbors, strangers and relatives as we enter into

the holiest of weeks of the church year.

Palm Sunday, April 9 Palm & Passion Sunday Services: 8 & 10 a.m. –

Blessing of the Palms with Processions at both worship times

At the 10:00 a.m. celebration the procession will be around our block

sharing the story of God’s love with those in our neighborhood.

Reading of the Passion will be the center of both Eucharists as we

enter into the Holy Week of 2017

Maundy Thursday, April 13

7:00 p.m.: Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing

We remember the Last Supper with Holy Eucharist, ceremonial foot

washing and the stripping of the altar and conclude this holy night in

silence.

Please note there will be no public foot washing this year, hoping this

can return next year.

Good Friday, April 14 Noon: Traditional Good Friday Liturgy

The reading of the Passion from the Gospel according to John sets the

tone for the Solemn Collects in which we pray for people every where

and our relationship to God’s Creation.

There will be communion from the Reserve Sacrament

With our final sacred time for this day are devotions before the Cross

of Christ

7:00 p.m.- Ecumenical Good Friday Service at First Presbyterian

Church in Milwaukie. Join our sisters and bothers of the Milwaukie

churches for this community event while we participate in a

meditation on the Passion from the Gospels.

See Easter Worship on page 2

ST. JOHN’S REVELATION

EASTER WORSHIP 2017

Easter Vigil, April 15

Easter Eve: 7:00 p.m.

The worship is about one hour and a half

long.

The Easter Vigil is the most important and

sacred worship of the church year and

features:

The Lighting of the first fire of Easter

The telling of the story of God’s salvation of the world

The renewal of our Baptismal Covenant

And the First Eucharist of Easter

Easter Sunday Worship April 16 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Music at both 8 and 10

10:00 a.m. will feature the our tradition of flowing the Cross

(Please bring fresh flowers of all kinds on Easter Sunday

morning if you have any to spare from your yards and

gardens. Thank)

____________________________

Come and celebrate

Alleluia, Christ is risen.

The Lord has risen Indeed. Alleluia.

______________________________________________________

Easter Egg Hunt for Kids!

All children are invited to join us after the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

for an Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your own basket.

Your Coins Wanted

The first Sunday of every

month is “Loose Change

Sunday”. Clean off your

dresser, clean out your

car and your pockets and

make a joyful noise in the offertory

plate.

All change collected goes to

children’s ministries.

Please, no foreign coins. Our bank will not

accept them, not even Canadian coins.

Feeding the Hungry Support

Do you have any

cans or bottles to

recycle?

We have a great way

to support the ministry of Feeding

the Hungry!

Pick up a green bag in the narthex

the next time you are at worship.

Fill the bag up with your cans and

bottles and return the full bag to

the Parish Hall.

This effort raises approximately $20

per week, which can buy a lot of

food for those we feed who have

less.

Thanks to all who have shown their

support of the life and ministry of

Feeding the Hungry!


Celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection at Easter

How will you and I celebrate Easter this year? What will we do to mark the

miracle of Easter? These questions caused me to think about our Presiding

Bishop Michael Curry. As our Presider, Curry brings a message of hope

and reconciliation that the world needs to hear. His message reminds me of

Easter, when Jesus turned sorrow into joy, death into life.

Curry’s ability to connect within and beyond the Episcopal community is

much needed. His enthusiasm for following Jesus comes across as pro-

phetic. Curry’s book, “Crazy Christians: A call to Follow Jesus,” is based on sermons he has written over the years.

The short book might provide each of us a good way to mark the resurrection on a daily basis over the first two

weeks of Easter. Below is an excerpt from Curry’s book.

“Crazy Christians: A call to Follow Jesus,” by Michael Curry

“We need some Christians who are as crazy as the Lord. Crazy enough to love like Jesus, to give like Jesus, to for-

give like Jesus, to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God— like Jesus. Crazy enough to dare to change the

world from the nightmare it often is into something close to the dream that God dreams for it. And for those

who would follow him, those who would be his disciples, those who would live as and be the people of the Way?

It might come as a shock, but they are called to craziness.” —from Bishop Curry’s “Crazy Christians” address to

the 2012 General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

Together let us celebrate resurrection by setting our focus on following Jesus.

Peace, Stephen

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jefferson Street Landscaping

Plans are underway to replant and irrigate the landscaping in front of the church. Distressed plants, trees and

shrubs will be replaced with healthier and better-acclimated selections. Former St. John's member Ken Bartus has

submitted an estimate which includes removing all plants/stumps and installing blended soil, new boulders and

river rock. The plan provides for a new irrigation system. Ken is personally donating the new plants and Andy

Andrews has offered to provide piping and sprinkler parts he may have available. Several vestry members have

offered their shovels and labor to help mitigate costs.

An initial estimate for the work is $5,000, though costs could be more or less depending on volunteer support

and prices for drilling, plumbing and permits. If you'd like to help fund this beautification effort (our "face to the

world") or participate in the spadework, please call or text Phil Wallace at 503-654-3550 or email droogy-

[email protected].


Altar Guild Meeting and Palm Cross Making Session

Saturday, April 8th, beginning at 9:30am in the Parish

Hall

Bring your ideas, comments and questions.

No experience necessary to make the palm crosses—

detailed directions will be provided. It’s easy!

Please bring sturdy scissors to cut the palms.

And of course we’ll have coffee and goodies!

For more information, please call Nancy Lane at 503/467-9694.

__________________________________________

Adult Forum Beyond the Lectionary: Reading the Bible

Again for the First Time

Sundays in April 2017

In April we will be continuing our study of the

Bible using Marcus Borg’s book “Reading the

Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bi-

ble Seriously but Not Literally” as a

guide. Reading the book is not required in

order to participate in the discussion. We will

be looking at the Bible from the perspective of history and metaphor, ex-

plore what the Scriptures meant to the ancient communities that created

them, and ask what the Bible means to us in our lives. Come join with

us to discover the meaning of these stories and discuss how to make the

Bible’s wisdom a meaningful part of our lives.

April 2- The Prophets April 9- Israel’s Wisdom

April 16- The Gospels April 23- Paul

April 30 -Revelation

__________________________________________________________

Search Team Selected by the Vestry

The vestry is please to announce the selection of the Search Team

Arisha Wenneson Barbara Bullard Lydia Merrigan Molly Carmichael Val Wallace Nancy Welch Risa Northway

Co-chairs will be announced in the near future. Pray for our Search Team

Staff email Addresses:

Interim Rector:

[email protected]

Deacon:

The Rev. Stephen Denny,

[email protected]

Pastoral Care Minister:

The Rev. Linda Goertz:

[email protected]

Office Coordinator:

Janet E. Burdick

[email protected]

Director of Music,

Benjamin España:

[email protected]

Nursery Director,

Kendra Berryman:

[email protected]


From our Jr. Warden:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: As we make our way through another Lenten season in prepa-

ration for Easter and the balance of our year, let us keep a few things in the fore of our thoughts

and actions.

As we prepare to call our new Rector it is up to us, the lay people of the church, to keep ministries

vibrate and growing or to make the call to stop a ministry activity that has run its course. We need

leaders of ministries to communicate the needs and we need individuals within our parish to meet

these needs. This is one of the key tasks for the Vestry this year is to determine what ministries we

emphasize and which ministries are no longer necessary. In order to do this well, we will need your

help. Please communicate to myself or any of our current Vestry members how you are feeling

about the ministries that you are participating in at this time. Does your ministry need more partici-

pants? Does your ministry need financial support? Does your ministry need space? It is up to the

laity, you and me being the hands of Christ, to make a ministry successful. So, let’s keep improving

the health of our Parish one ministry at a time.

As your Junior Warden (the peoples’ warden) for 2017, I will make myself available to communi-

cate needs and concerns to the broader Vestry membership and to our Committee chair people.

The three committees that the Vestry operates with are the Administration, Properties and Minis-

tries committees. These committees are open to all parish members to participate within them. If

you are interested in exploring your participation

within a Vestry committee you can reach out to any of the Chair-persons: Administration, Fred

Van Drimmelen; Properties, Christina Dupree; Ministries, Ben Egbers we are all listed within the

directory. Your participation can be as simple as bringing a new idea to the fore or you may want to

become a standing member of a committee, this choice of participation is yours to make.

Thank you to all who already participate in one or more of our ministries at St. John’s. If you are

looking to change or expand the ministries that you participate within, please take a look at our

latest Profile and Ministries Handbook materials that are being updated as this note goes to publi-

cation. These documents can help connect you with leaders of ministries that already exist. If you

do not see a ministry that calls to you for participation and you have an idea for a new focused min-

istry at St. John’s, please bring it forward to a member of the Vestry for consideration of how the

broader parish might benefit by participating with you.

As always, this is OUR Parish, its health and well-being is up to each of us as parts of the body of

Christ.

The peace of Christ be always with you,

Fred Van Drimmelen

Jr. Warden 2017


Treasurer’s Report Through February 2017

(1) Some income is received and some expenses are made in specific

months rather than 1/12th of the annual total each month, so the

difference between budgeted income and budgeted expenses will vary by

month throughout the year.

Pledge income was higher than budgeted due to large payments received

through stock transfers. Stock can be transferred to the Diocese of

Oregon, which sells it for the benefit of St. John’s. If you are interested in

using a stock transfer for all or part of your pledge, please contact me for a

copy of the instructions.

Jan Childs, Treasurer

INCOME Year-to-Date

Balance

as of

2/28/2017

Budget

Year-to-Date

as of

2/28/2017(1)

2016

Annual

Budget

Pledge Income $35,208 $33,305 $183,000

Other Offerings $1,895 $2,332 $14,000

Other Income $166 $1,854 $11,110

Building Use &

Reimbursements

$3,183 $6,610 $51,665

Total Income $40,452 $44,101 $259,775

EXPENSES Year-to-Date

Balance

Budget

Year-to-Date

Annual

Budget

Rector & Staff $22,458 $28,616 $171,717

Diocese (DPA) $6,554 $6,554 $39,320

Office Expenses $1,263 $1,496 $8,970

Other Expenses $537 $1,494 $8,936

Total Expenses $36,205 $43,778 $259,775

Difference 4,247 323 0

Utilities $3,694 $3,214 $19,280

Other Bldg. Expenses $261 $966 $5,800

Insurance $1,438 $1,438 $5,752

New Donation Page on our Website! You can access it by going to our website at the “Give” tab: http://www.stjohnsmilwaukie.org/#!give/ck2q.

This is a secure page that allows another giving option to payments by check or electronic fund transfer (EFT).

Please let the Parish office

know if:

• You have a new address, phone number or e-mail

address.

• When you would like to schedule a class, meeting, use of the kitchen or other use of

the building.

• When a member of your household is in the hospital.

• When you hear of a death in

the parish.

• When you want us to bring you communion at home due to

an inability to get the church.


Office hours and need for office support

Reminder: Office Hours are

Tuesday—Friday 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

There are opportunities to support the ministries of the parish by

working at the front desk in the office. This work will include

answering the phones, welcoming guests, and other tasks as needed.

There will be training so that you will know what is expected and

assistance in completing the tasks. Please contact Fr. John if you are

interested. We have a person for Wednesdays but the other days are

open.

Meet our New Office Coordinator—Janet E. Burdick

Hi, everyone! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here at St. John’s

as your new Office Coordinator, or

whatever you’d like to call me!

My passions are my family and friends,

good books, local river rafting and a

breath of fresh air when my family and I

are out camping. My family also

volunteers for the Oregon Trail Rally each

year (this year will be #11!) which is an off-

road race and one leg of a nationwide series.

Knowing our Vestry 2017

Meet Ben Egbers!

My name is Ben Egbers. I have been a

member of St. Johns for about eight

years. My wife, Stephanie, and I

returned to church as our two children

began to get older. We realized that

having a "church family" was important

to us and St. Johns fit that bill. This is

my third year on the Vestry. Outside of

church I am a sixth grade teacher in the

Centennial School District. I enjoy

playing games with our family, reading

and getting outside to run or play basketball with friends.

Pastoral

Care at

St.

John’s

If you or someone you know is in

need of pastoral care, will be having

surgery or is in the hospital, please

either call

Deacon Stephen at 503-502-8599,

Deacon Linda Goertz at 503-449-

7127,

or simply call the church office at

503-653-5880.

In the case of severe illness or when

a member of the church is near

death, please notify the clergy as

soon as possible.

The Out to Lunch Bunch

will meet at El Tapito, 15192

SE McLaughlin Blvd. on

Thursday, April 27th

at 11:30am


Caring for One Another at St. John’s Someone once said, “The church is too important to be left to the clergy.” (Isn’t that a delightfully provocative

thought?) In that vein, I think that what we call “pastoral care” -- reaching out to, comforting, walking with and

helping our sisters and brothers -- cannot be left only to the ordained. ALL of us as baptized people are given this

ministry.

At least once a year when we renew the vows of our Baptismal Covenant (see pp. 304-305 in the Book of Com-

mon Prayer), we promise that we’ll “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,

and in the prayers,” and that we will “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” loving our neighbors as ourselves.

I’m so moved that I see so MANY of you at St. John’s faithfully living out that covenant and those promises!

Our Eucharistic Visitors, our prayer chain members, the folks who write cards and notes and all of you who make

phone calls and check in with one another – all of you are following Jesus' call to care for one another, and it is a

joy to work alongside you.

I’d like to share a few ideas about how we can continue and grow these practices together, because all of us

can use reminders now and then:

Pray through the church directory: Pick a few people/families in the directory daily or as often as you can, and

just lift them up to our loving God. We don’t need to know what those folks “need” (or even who they are, if we

haven’t met them), since God already knows them; we don’t have to follow a written prayer. Simply hold them in

the light of God’s love and trust that care. Mark your place and continue the next day with the next group.

Act on your “prayer impulses”: If someone comes to your mind during the day, take that as a prompt to say a

quick prayer for them, make a phone call, or invite them for coffee or go on a walk. I find that when I think,

“huh, I wonder why I thought of this person?” I may be listening to a nudge from the Holy Spirit.

Pray for someone you just internally criticized: (Yes, that’s pretty hard for me, too -- but really, what do we have to

lose?) Learning to pray for those who seem irritating or troublesome -- even those we think of as “enemies”

– helps to grow our own hearts, broaden our view, and remind us how much we, too, are in need of gen-

tleness when our flaws are showing.

I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts and suggestions, and I invite you to continue your good work of caring for one

another!

Linda Goertz, Pastoral Care Minister

[email protected] ____________________________________________________________________________

SPRING PLANT SALE—IT’S ON!

This year’s event is off to a good start! There are half-flat and full-flat tray packs of

several favorite annuals (all one variety) as well as a tray annual sampler and tray or-

ganic veggie sampler. There are several assorted samplers of 4” pots in half–flats of 8

plants and full-flats of 16 plants, including organic herbs, veggies, perennials and

specialty annuals. Zonal geraniums in 4” pots are available in five colors! Finally,

there are some awesome planters and hanging baskets.

Last day to order is Easter Sunday, April 16th. The plants will be available for pick

up on Saturday, May 13th from 10:30am—2:30pm, and on Sunday, May 14th after

the 8:00am and 10:00 services.


Sunday Servers Training

April 29 Saturday 9:00 to 11:00 AM

Training for ushers, Lectors and Eucharistic

Ministers will be offered on Saturday April 1

9:00 AM Usher Training

9:30 AM Lector Training

10:30 AM Eucharistic Minister Training

If you are part of any of these groups which serve on Sunday’s

PLEASE plan to attend.

This training is important for all those serving, even if you

have been involved for many years There will be written guidelines for each of these

ministries But it is very helpful if all can attend.

If you are wanting to serve in any of these

ministry and are not doing so now

please join this training time and welcome

John Goddard

Interim Rector

_______________________________________________________

Rahab’s Sisters Thank You

On behalf of everyone at Rahab’s Sisters, we

want to thank you for your generous gift of

soap, hair products, lotion and toothbrushes for

our guests. While, according to the IRS, you

will not be allowed to declare the value of your

donation from our acknowledgment, but we

likely would have had to expend approximately

$36 for what you gave as an in-kind contribution.

The mission of Rahab’s Sisters is to offer radical hospitality to

vulnerable and exploited women in the Portland metro area,

especially those who are impacted by the sex industry, substance

abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Your kind support,

combined with the heartfelt help of others, enables us to continue to

provide a safe, warm and caring environment to our sisters.

Something’s Brewing for

Coffee Hour!

There’s a new look coming

soon for Coffee Hour!

Keep your eyes and ears open!

April 23rd is the date we’ll

reveal our new look.

Plan on joining us for the

23rd to see what’s happened.

We look forward to this time

of fellowship.

From your Ministry Team


Compassion Corner

Welcome to Compassion Corner; this edition refers to Step Four of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anony-

mous. This series of articles is intended to enlighten and inform St. John's parishioners in regards to "How it

Works." “It” being the 12 step program and its relevance to our Christian Way (of life).

Step Four: “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory”

“Step Four is a fact-finding and fact-facing process. We are searching for "causes and conditions." We want

to uncover the truth about ourselves. We want to discover the attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, fears, actions, behav-

iors, and the behavior patterns - that have been blocking us, causing us problems and causing our failure.” ~

Quote from Step12.com

Wow, are you as impressed with this step as I am? I am here to tell you that this is, probably, the most

difficult step for anyone “in recovery” to take. The next step (step five) is to tell someone; that might be more dif-

ficult? Never-the-less, to take our own inventory requires honesty and courage. As a counselor, I have discovered

that most people find the process of self inspection to be intimidating.

Why is the journey inwards so scary? What are we trying to avoid or ignore? I heard a slogan recently:

“What is in the way is the way.” This suggests that by facing our fears and listing the “causes and conditions” of

our brokenness, we become well or healed if you will. Therefore using the method previously described; we un-

pack this step a) “We made a searching…” And b) …and fearless moral inventory.”

Searching in this context is like Googling yet more specifically. When we Google a topic, we get lots of

useless information. Searching is to bring about not only the not-so-good stuff, but the good stuff too! Again, we

have to look inwards and mindfulness helps us do this non-judgmentally. The fearless moral inventory is the

good, the bad and the ugly. Courage and prayer make this possible. Cour (latin definition) means heart.

Therefore, with our whole heart, and with God’s help, we search our character. In a way, we begin

our worship with this intent; to admit our wrongs and hope to do better. With this self knowledge we can begin

the renewal process. Confession is the next step (5) this step (4) is about “taking stock.” We actually make a list

and write these issues down. The value in this is to become aware, literally, of our shame and guilt. By doing so

we can heal the not-good-enough message we carry inside of ourselves. The goal of the fourth step is to identify

and prepare ourselves for the removal of our most glaring defects.

Lastly, if this seems too difficult you are not alone, only half of the recovering people I know have

done this step. Most 12 step members do not get past the third step. It takes motivation and support (guidance)

to complete step four. With the help of a mentor who has worked all of the steps, you can heal the shame that

binds you to old beliefs. Step four is a practical way to clear the wreckage of our past.

Peace and Grace,

Drew


TIME DATED MATERIAL

2036 SE Jefferson Street

Milwaukie, OR 97222

Phone: 503-653-5880

Email: [email protected]

www.stjohnsmilwaukie.org

Check us out on Facebook

Our Mission:

St. John the Evangelist is an Episcopal faith

community continuing the ministry of Jesus

Christ through invitation, affirmation,

worship, and service.

At St. John’s we welcome all of God’s

children regardless of age, ethnicity, gender,

sexual orientation, or economic

circumstances.

♦

Parish Office Hours

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

♦

Worship Schedule

Sunday

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:00 a.m. Adult Education

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Tuesday

Second Tuesday of the month:

11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist at

Willamette View

Wednesday

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist and study

Our Newsletter is now sent electronically and is

online

The newsletter is sent the first of every month. If you need a

hard copy because you don’t have email/online access, please

let the church office know. We are saving money and trees by

moving to an electronic format. Thank you!

palm sunday, april 9 revelation - constant...

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