Author Archives: Saint John's Episcopal Church

A Magical Evening

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Amazing magic was part of the evening.

Magic was afoot on Saturday evening of June 3 at the parish’s Spring Fling. Thank you to all who donated food and beverages, who gave of their time and gifts, and to those offering dinners so that the fund of one evening can continue. We are grateful to our younger members who worked as servers, and wasn’t the magician amazing? To all who contributed in any way. We raised approximately $4000, and as is our custom, 10% of that will go towards mission in the community beyond us. This year, the 10% will be shared with Harvest on Vine Emergency Food Pantry, the Harvard-Kent Leadership and Scholarship Partnership, and the BSAFE program at St. Lucas/San Lucas Church in Chelsea.

 

There’s a Parade in Town

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Dear Friends,

Yes, there is a parade in town this Sunday – the Bunker Hill Day parade. It is a cherished Charlestown tradition. But I am thinking about another parade. It is the parade we participate in every Sunday as we  worship. I know most of you don’t process – at the 8 am service it is usually just one person, the presider, and at the 10 am it is at the most 12 to 15 of us processing to the first hymn.

Still, I want you to picture our worship each  Sunday as part of a grand procession of people who throughout the ages have gathered, in formal procession or not, to bring their praises and prayers before God. Ideally, all of us should be a part of the procession.

The Bunker Hill parade is a long one. But the parade of worshipers of which you are a part is an even longer one. It includes those who sang the psalms when they were first written as they made their way to the Temple in Jerusalem. It includes those who sang under cover of night in slave quarters or other places where Christians were persecuted. It includes all the people of God in every time and place. And it includes all those how have gone before us and now sing a new song.

We are one incredibly small part of that parade. Nonetheless, it comforts me to think that whether there are 200 of us or 2 of us at a worship service, we are part of a much greater procession. I hope to see you at the parade this Sunday, and every Sunday.

Faithfully,

Tom

The Charlestown Historic Throw for Sale Online!

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The throw depicts historic landmarks in Charlestown, including our own St. John's.

The throw depicts historic landmarks in Charlestown, including our own St. John’s.

This lovely “throw” was created by parishioner Rosemary Kverek.  Proceeds from the sale of the throw have been designated by the ECW (Episcopal Church Women) for the painting of our Parish House  as we celebrate 175 years of Episcopal ministry in our beautiful building in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Throws can be purchased in person for $65 (with no shipping and handling charge) at the church by appointment:  617 242 1272.

Online orders will be shipped on Tuesdays and Thursdays by USPS Priority Mail. Tracking information will be provided when the package has been shipped.  Throws will be shipped individually and the $20 fee applies to each throw shipped. See below to place an order.

Charlestown Historic Throw: $65.00
Shipping and Handling: $20.00
Total: $85.00

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Promises to Keep

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Dear Friends,

Will you cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all creation?

That is a question we will be asked at the 10 am service this Sunday. It is one of a number of questions that make up the Baptismal Covenant, questions asked of those being baptized, or of parents of children being baptized. For those of us already baptized, it is asked of us as well  so that we might reaffirm our commitment to promises we once made.

For most of us, however, it is a new question. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2015 added this question for trial use in the Sacrament of Baptism – you won’t find it in the Book of Common Prayer.

“New occasions teach new duties” are  words from a hymn I used to sing in my days as a United Methodist. Deputies and bishops at the General Convention discerned that the care and repair of creation is a crucial issue  for Christians to address in the 21st century. Climate change is a new occasion. We have new duties to learn.

I thought of that baptismal question listening to President Trump’s remarks announcing his intention for the United States to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. As I listened, I realized the he was following through on a promise he made in his campaign. He was keeping a promise he had made.

On Sunday, we will be asked to keep to the promises we make. We will not be asked to make those promises as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. We will not be asked to make those promises as Americans, or even as global citizens.  We will be asked to make those promises as disciples of Jesus Christ.

We will be asked to serve Christ, not only in the intimate circles of those we know, but “in all persons.” We will be asked to strive for justice and peace, not just among some, but among all people. We will be asked to respect the dignity of human beings, not just of Americans, but  of every human being. We will be asked to care not only for the beautiful property of our church that we blessed last Sunday, but for all creation.

I know that I fall far short of lkeeping the promises I have made. I know that given my 21st century American lifestyle,  I am doing little to  protect the beauty and integrity of all creation, and actually doing much to harm it. I need your help. And you need mine.

Will you respect the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all creation? I look forward to hearing from you how you are striving to keeping that promise.

Faithfully,

Tom

 

Spring Fling!

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Join us for an evening of fun, food, magic, and more!

This Saturday, June 3rd from  6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. is St. John’s Spring Fling.  It is shaping up to be a wonderful evening.  There will be an opportunity to sign up for “Breaking Bread” events — social gatherings and events throughout the year that various parishioners have kindly volunteered to host.  By way of example, if you would like to have brunch in Gloucester and see the schooners or have dinner at a wonderful home on the Training Field, don’t miss the opportunity to sign up on Saturday night.  Any profits we make on Saturday will help to offset our budget deficit and 10% will be shared with Harvest on Vine, The Harvard Kent Leadership & Scholarship Partnership and B-SAFE.