Join the rector at the end of Coffee Hour for Conversation and Coffee on Sunday June 30th. This week’s Sunday Forum will provide an opportunity for questions and conversation about any topic. Do you have questions about worship, the Bible, or aspects of life at St. John’s? Here is a chance to ask them. Meet in the Godly Play room as Coffee Hour concludes.

Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us in the Garden this evening for the party being organized by our Garden Group. They have been hard at work and the evening promises to be wonderful (and the weather is cooperating greatly!) The garden is one of those places at St. John’s that I love to show to newcomers. Even with its beckoning walkway, it can remain unnoticed by visitors. Then, when they see it, they express delight at discovering such a gem.

Like our church, there are parts of each of us that are quite visible to the world, and parts that are not. One of the great joys of pastoral ministry is to spend time with a person and then to discover some hidden gem about his or her life – perhaps a talent not yet shared, an experience of faith that has been transforming, or an undisclosed chapter in life that has brought much perspective and wisdom.  And when that gem is suddenly revealed, there is delight, joy, and gratitude for what God has created.

Each of us has those gems. Each of us can contribute to the beauty, wisdom, and justice of the world through the sharing of our gifts and our experience. So come to the garden tonight, and admire our gem of a space. But also keep your eyes open to see all the gems that God has created in the lives of those you see and greet.

Faithfully,

Tom

The people of the Boston Harbor Deanery are invited to engage in prayer, conversation and listening as we, together, discern the criteria for choosing the next presiding Bishop for our Diocese. Each voice is important. We invite you to speak and to listen with faith and the courage of open hearts at a “Listening Event” scheduled for the Boston Harbor Deanery at St. Paul’s Cathedral Boston, on June 10, 2013 from 7-9 in the evening.  St. Paul’s Cathedral is located at 138 Tremont St. Boston MA, and the parish telephone number is 617-482-5800.  We value your attendance and participation not only to express your own point of view, but to hear those of others.  However, if you are unable to attend the meeting of your Deanery, you may also attend a Listening Event for any of the other Deaneries, which are listed on the Diocesan website.

If you are unable to attend a Listening Event, you may still express your views by completing an on-line survey, which you can access at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DioMassDiscernment

If you do not have internet access we urge you to obtain and complete a printed survey from your Parish office.

More details on the discernment process for the new Bishop, will be available at www.diomass.org in the near future.  God bless each of you as we engage in this thoughtful and anticipatory process.

We have a group!   Following our meeting with Jeffrey Mills, who will serve as mentor, it has been determined that EfM is a go for St. John’s.  The group will meet Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s in the upper room starting in mid to late September.  If you were unable to make last week’s meeting, but are interested in joining the group, contact Jeffrey Mills.  His email is jeffreymillsboston@gmail.com.