We are invited to participate in a Work Day  at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH, on Saturday, June 23.  Our rector, Tom will be attending, and invites children and adults to join him in preparing the camp for the summer season.  Here is an opportunity to see and improve this extraordinary diocesan  resource, where so many children and adults – including those of us from St. John’s – have experienced the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. Please contact the church office if you are interested in traveling to New Hampshire for the day.

Throughout October and November, as we move toward Stewardship Sunday on November 18th, members of the St. John’s community will share reflections on “transforming generosity.”  Specifically, parishioners have been asked to reflect on how they have witnessed the transforming effect of generosity, and how their own generosity has transformed over time.

This week’s reflection is from parishioner Sarah Simeone:

Hello all!  When I was invited to share some thoughts for Stewardship season, I was humbled and thrilled.  After all, St John’s has given me so much, it is an honor to return the favor.  I will be honest, though, I do not always consider myself “generous” at least not in the traditional sense.  Like many of you, when considering what to pledge, I am also considering many other costs from housing, to childcare, to unexpected maintenance, savings, and so forth.  It can be easy to write off stewardship pledges as a charitable contribution rather than a necessity. Then I stopped to really think about it.  What does it take to run a parish?  They too have rent, utilities, and upkeep, not to mention salaries and outreach.  Then I got selfish.  What would happen to me if I didn’t have St John’s?

I have had varying levels of involvement in congregations over the course of my life, but I have found that no matter where I am or what is going on, I always end up seeking out a church family.  Without it, my ‘cup’ just feels empty.  Just as we seek out solace from family, friends, our “village”, we find ourselves seeking a deeper solace.  Like many of you, I have found that there is no comparison to the comfort and spiritual nurturing that comes from our family in Christ.  Yes, we could continue to pray and connect with God without a parish, but there is something unique about gathering together to share that connection.  St. John’s is a complete embodiment of the fellowship and community that Jesus preached. We gather, we grow, we become closer to God and our neighbors.  It is a grace that cannot be measured.

St. John’s is more than a building with overhead.  It is a connection, a way to fill our spiritual cup.  For those reasons, I began to consider my pledge to St. John’s as one of those “must do” items in the budget.  Gratitude drives me to give financially and also in other ways.  Our time and compassion are equally valuable and vital to this community in Christ.  That is why I joined the roster of worship assistants (anyone of you can too!).  So this season, as we consider our pledges, we consider our relationship with St. John’s and all that it provides, both physical and spiritual.  We have the opportunity to transform that gratitude into generosity.

Thank you!

Sarah has been a member of St. John’s since 214. She and her husband Jay have had both their sons. Lucas and Domenic, baptized here, and her family in Charlestown also includes her mother, our clergy associate, the Rev. Liz Senft. Sarah is a lector on Sunday mornings, as well as serving regularly as an acolyte and crucifer, and has coordinated the Palm/Passion Sunday narrative reading of the Passion.