Author Archives: Saint John's Episcopal Church

“I was in prison and you visited me.” – Matthew 25:36

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From Maureen Lavely:
Last Spring I saw an announcement from the Massachusetts Council of Churches to join them and Refugee Immigration Ministries (RIM) for training to visit those being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  I applied and was accepted to attend RIM’s training. The instructors did a great job preparing us to visit detainees

Since I live in Boston, I asked to be placed in a facility close to my home.  My CORI passed and my request for permission to visit detainees at Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (jail) on Bradston Street in Boston was approved.

Just getting there can be difficult but very rewarding.  My only language is English but I’m happy we visit as a team; I “go in” with two or three others and usually with someone that is fluent in Spanish.  Besides Spanish, we’ve encountered men who only speak French, Italian, or Chinese.  We introduce ourselves as being representatives of many people who care about them and their situation.   Our sole function is to be there because we care about them and are willing to listen to what is on their hearts.

Last Saturday I attended a Spiritual Care Giver’s retreat.  It was an opportunity to meet other folks doing this ministry, to share our experiences and ask questions.   Please note some additional information I brought back to share.

Blessings and peace,

Maureen Lavely

If you feel a call to this kind of ministry, please speak to Maureen. Here is the additional information she brought back to share with us:

A Symposium on Traumatic Issues Faced By Asylum Seekers
sponsored by Refugee Immigration Ministry
February 19th, 6:30 pm
At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Malden
Suggested Donation: $20

Spiritual Care Givers Training
sponsored by Refugee Immigration Ministry
This series of training events is for those who are interested in participating in the ministry described above by Maureen. As she wrote, caregivers go in teams to visit persons held in local county jails.
Dates for the training are:  February 19, March 1, 8 and 15th.
There is an information sheet at church, and you can find out more by clicking here.

 

Stamp of Approval

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Matt Hast took some time Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea to look over the Annual Report, and is glad to report that their cat, Mikko, approves of the church budget. Thank you, Matt and George, for getting these paws of approval. Matt also expressed his thanks  to the wardens and the rector for their leadership at the meeting and in the life of the parish.  As for gratitude, we are grateful for all that Matt and George Born do to enrich our common life!

It Helps Me Remember

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Dear Friends,

One of the joys of the last couple of months has been meeting with our Godly Play class to discuss the meaning of Holy Communion. Some of our children were preparing to receive communion for the first time, and this past Sunday, as they came to the altar to receive, the eagerness, and yes, joy, on their faces was palpable.  As I explain to adults, while very young children do not fully understand the meaning of communion, who among us as adults can claim that we fully do.

After one conversation that I had with them, Rachel Pfost asked a question always asked at Godly Play: “I wonder what part of what you heard is most important.” Young Selah Heim replied with one of the meanings of communion: “The bread and wine are most important, because they help me remember Jesus inside of me.”  And so they do. Communion helps us remember, not just a past event, but also to experience the presence of the living Christ in our midst.

The results of a recent study of Episcopal churches across the country indicated that “the transforming power of the Eucharist” was one of four elements in parish life that foster spiritual growth in congregations (the three others were engagement with scripture, a deeper prayer life, and the heart of the congregation’s leader.

I’m curious about what communion means to you. How have you been transformed by the weekly gathering at the altar? What is the most important part of the Eucharist for you?  I would love to publish some of your experiences with the sacrament central to our life together. Please send me an email if you have some reflections you are willing to share at:

rector@stjohns02129.org

None of us fully understands the meaning of this sacrament. But together, each of us can bear witness to the truth of its power in our lives.

Faithfully,

Tom

PS: for more information on the above mentioned congregational study, click here.

 

 

Give by Game Time on Super Bowl Sunday and Help Heal a Hurting World

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Episcopal Church bishops in New England and Pennsylvania are rallying football fans in their dioceses–and beyond–to join in a charitable contest over the next week to see how much money they can raise for Episcopal Relief & Development by game time on Sunday, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m., when the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles will compete for this season’s championship.

Regardless of which team comes out on top in the game, the winner will be Episcopal Relief & Development and its efforts to heal a hurting world through its disaster relief, public health and economic development ministries.

Bishop Alan M. Gates invites everyone to participate:  “Patriots or Eagles, Liberty Tree or Liberty Bell, Cream Pie or Cheese Steak … no matter what your allegiance, supporting the Episcopal Relief & Development challenge will help combat hunger and poverty.  Support your team AND make a difference!”

Click here to give by game time.