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Category Archives: Miscellaneous
Bishop Shaw Announces Retirement
At the recent Diocesan Convention, Bishop Tom Shaw announced that he would retire on September 13, 2014, the date scheduled for the consecration of our newly elected bishop. Bishop Shaw had originally called for the election of a bishop coadjutor, which meant he would have continued to serve as our diocesan bishop for a period of time after the consecration of his successor.
In an interview prior to the convention, the bishop said: “Some might think this decision has to do with my health, but it doesn’t actually,” he said, referring to the brain cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment regimen he’s been undergoing over the past six months. “My decision really has to do with my understanding of the episcopate and with God’s love.”
The election of the new bishop is scheduled to take place April 5, 2014, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. A full statement from Tracy Sukraw, Director of Communications for the diocese, can be found here:
http://www.diomass.org/diocesan-news/bishop-shaw-announces-retirement-date
While there will be a season of celebration ahead as we honor Bishop Shaw here are two dates to save on your calendar now:
Sunday January 5th, 2014: Bishop Shaw makes his last visitation to St. John’s.
Saturday June 21, 2014: Diocesan Celebration: Picnic and Eucharist in Franklin Park, Boston
Advent Approaches
December 1 marks the beginning of Advent, the season in which we prepare ourselves to welcome the birth of Christ, even as we anticipate his coming again in glory. Each year, our rector and a friend, Merry Watters, create an Advent devotional calendar to use during the season.
This year, the format follows traditional Advent calendars, with the days arranged randomly around the page, all leading to December 24th.
Copies of the calendar will be available at church, but you can also visit Tom’s website if you would like to download a copy: http://thomasmousin.wordpress.com
Please feel free to copy, distribute, and help to spread the promise of Advent.
In God’s Good Time
Dear Friends,
Yesterday I was not sure what I wanted to write about in this weekly message. And then, still pondering today, I suddenly saw tomorrow’s date, and realized what time it was.Two years ago on October 26th , we gathered in the evening in our beautiful church to officially celebrate our new relationship as rector and parish, at the service of Institution. I remember so well everything about that evening, and all the prayers and words of support included in it.
I also remember still feeling very new in your midst. Along with my excitement about the time ahead, there were also many questions, and yes, some anxieties in my head and in my heart. How would we move into the future together? Would God provide the resources we needed to be an ever-growing sign of Christ’s presence in our community? Would our hopes for each other find fulfillment?
I now look back with gratitude and amazement. Has it really been two years? We have been blessed in our life together. We have grown in ways expected and unexpected, and I am grateful to be in your midst. As I reflect on the last two years, and anticipate the next, I am reminded that all of our time is God’s time. In every moment of every day, we can be looking for God’s presence and the awakening and empowering work of the Spirit to guide us on our way. Thank you for the honor of being in ministry together with you.
Faithfully,
Tom
The Celebration of All Saints and All Souls
Sunday, November 3rd, will be a festive day at St. John’s. As the Sunday closest to All Saints’ Day (November 1st) it is one of four days recommended in the Prayer Book for baptisms. We will be welcoming new brothers and sisters into the Body of Christ at our 10 am service.
And at both services, we will remember with gratitude the saints and the souls who have gone before us and who now rest from their labors. If there are loved ones whom you wish to remember that day, please add their names to the signup list which will be at Coffee Hour this Sunday, or contacting the church office by Thursday morning, October 31.