“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

Friends and family of Saint John’s, these past five weeks have been a Lenten season unlike many in most of our memories.  We have engaged in a different kind of fast than those to which we are accustomed.  We have fasted from one another.  We have lived out our motto of “Act in love,” by keeping our distance to protect our family, our friends, our neighbors, and strangers near and far. And in this sometimes lonely, and sometimes surprisingly frenetic life of social distancing, we find ourselves waiting.  Waiting in anxiety.  Waiting in hope.  

For many, our waiting is made harder by longings for connection, bridges between the islands of our lives.  Saint John’s is one such avenue; a gathering place where love of and for God affords us something together that we do not find by ourselves.  In its simplest manner, we are reminded every Sunday that God chose to share a meal with and among Jesus and his family and friends as a way to prepare us to love and serve one another.  And so we say, “Let us keep the Feast.”

We are challenged today to “keep the feast” in new ways alongside the old.  I was delighted to see many of your faces or hear your voices in Sunday services via “Zoom” these past three Sundays.  Rev. Black has also led us through contemplative prayer on Wednesdays in like manner and established a phone tree to ensure we check in with one another.  While perhaps none of these means can replace that feeling when we share God’s Peace in the pews, or catch up over coffee, they are gatherings.  And in those gatherings, we feel the Presence. And we keep the Feast.

So in the weeks to come, however unorthodox it may be, I hope you will feel the truth that abides in a strange time: that there is a seat waiting for you, and only you at our table.

Finally, in that vein, please remember that Saint John’s still needs the gifts you bring to the table with you: your pledge, your prayer, the gift of who you are. We have established a way to receive pledges online, and of course, you are always welcome to mail your pledges to the Parish House or drop them through the mail slot if you are out for a walk. More importantly, I hope you will give us the gift of your time by joining us for our services online.

Waiting with you,

Doug Heim

Warden of Saint John’s 

Friends and family of St. John’s, these past five weeks have been a Lenten season unlike many in most of our memories.  We have engaged in a different kind of fast than those to which we are accustomed.  We have fasted from one another.  We have lived out our motto of “Act in love,” by keeping our distance to protect our family, our friends, our neighbors, and strangers near and far. And in this sometimes lonely, and sometimes surprisingly frenetic life of social distancing, we find ourselves waiting.  Waiting in anxiety.  Waiting in hope.  

For many, our waiting is made harder by longings for connection, bridges between the islands of our lives.  Saint John’s is one such avenue; a gathering place where love of and for God affords us something together that we do not find by ourselves.  In its simplest manner, we are reminded every Sunday that God chose to share a meal with and among Jesus and his family and friends as a way to prepare us to love and serve one another.  And so we say, “Let us keep the Feast.”

We are challenged today to “keep the feast” in new ways alongside the old.  I was delighted to see many of your faces or hear your voices in Sunday services via “Zoom” these past three Sundays.  Rev. Black has also led us through contemplative prayer on Wednesdays in like manner and established a phone tree to ensure we check in with one another.  While perhaps none of these means can replace that feeling when we share God’s Peace in the pews, or catch up over coffee, they are gatherings.  And in those gatherings, we feel the Presence. And we keep the Feast.

So in the weeks to come, however unorthodox it may be, I hope you will feel the truth that abides in a strange time: that there is a seat waiting for you, and only you at our table.

Finally, in that vein, please remember that Saint John’s still needs the gifts you bring to the table with you: your pledge, your prayer, the gift of who you are. We have established a way to receive pledges online, and of course, you are always welcome to mail your pledges to the Parish House or drop them through the mail slot if you are out for a walk. More importantly, I hope you will give us the gift of your time by joining us for our services online.

Waiting with you,

Doug Heim

Warden of Saint John’s 

Family and Friends of Saint John’s Episcopal Church,

In our Episcopal Christian tradition, we “Keep the Feast,” each Sunday; coming together to break bread, hear the spirit, and challenge ourselves, together with each other, to act in love. Please help us keep the feast by bringing your gifts to our communal table, as we navigate a new way of gathering during this unusual season of Lent and Easter. For our members, visitors, and friends in Charlestown, greater Boston, and the greater New England area, we have established a tithe.ly account for folks to safely meet their pledges and offer the material gifts necessary to support our church while services are suspended at our 27 Devens Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 location.  A link to tithe.ly can be found here: 

https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1378157

More importantly, please bring your most precious gift – who you are – by joining our Sunday 10am Worship Services and Wednesday 7pm Prayer Service, through our online ZOOM network. See details in our Newsfeed, below. 

Our BUILDING is closed, and public worship is suspended, our WORSHIP continues in new forms, however, and our HEARTS remain open!

Even if you have access, please do not go into our church building, unless requested. The building must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each time someone enters! Every surface touched — including doorknobs, edges, light switches, handles–must be disinfected each time!

Our Co-Wardens are working on ways to be sure this happens and more information will be forthcoming.

NEW and NOTEWORTHY, as well as, Worthy of Repeating:

1. Rev Rebecca will not make pastoral visits in person, but is always available by phone

     508-918-8963. She is trying to call at least 5 parishioners every day just to check in.

2. All meetings (and worship) are conducted virtually and not in person. 

3. Clergy and staff are working remotely from home as much as possible.

4. Surfaces in our church building must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected whenever people have been in the building. Our building is now CLOSED to everyone.

Rev. Rebecca participates in a weekly conference with Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh.

Here are some take-aways from today’s call:

1. check in by phone with elders (see our Buddy System signup below)

2. Stay calm and stay home

3. Pray for Boston

4. Concern for people most vulnerable to economic downturns and disease

• a. Clergy are working with Laura Everett, MA Council of Churches to compile lists of resources for economic, physical and mental health

• b. DO NOT just DROP OFF food at Food Pantries — they cannot safely process random donations — this virus can live for 3 days on paper, cloth, plastic and (some say) up to 9 days on metal, so ALL donated items must be disinfected. Guidelines for donations soon but MONEY donations are best at this time!

5. The Boston Resiliency Fund has been established for those most effected: see more here: https://www.boston.gov/departments/treasury/boston-resiliency-fund

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10