Parish Life
Aid for the Haitian Earthquake Victims 2010
Thanks to your generosity, St. John Episcopal Church, Food For The Poor has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Haitian earthquake victims.
As of December 2010,
1,459 containers delivered food, water, medicines, tools, building supplies and hygiene kits to Haiti valued at more than $205 million.
Food For The Poor built 1,589 2-room houses in Haiti
Installed 30 solar-powered water purification systems
Completed 110 village water wells
Built a school in Petit Goave, began construction on seven more and repairs of many others
Provided 8,000 oxygen bottles to hospitals and 30 temporary medical treatment centers
Food For The Poor honored its commitment to our donors by spending ALL Haiti emergency earthquake relief funds by the end of October 2010.
On behalf of the Haitian people, thank you!
The Reverend Jay Pierce, Speaker
The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls, Bishop
Diocese of Lexington
P.O. Box 610
Lexington, KY 40588-0610
Diocesan Convention
The Diocese of Lexington gathered for the annual convention at The Convention Center in Morehead. Our delegates were Walter Kuntz, Mark Herbert, Ned Meekins, Laura Gibson and Fr. David.
Needlepoint Kneelers for Altar Rail Dedicated on December 19, 2010
The needlepoint cushions in St. Mary’s Chapel are thirty-two years old. After Fr. Alan Sutherland became our rector in 2004, he was approached with the idea of continuing the needlepoint theme for St. John’s by making altar rail kneelers for the main church. The question of the theme for the designs was discussed and the Episcopal Church Year was agreed upon. Drawings were made and price estimates obtained, and the plan went forward. The Episcopal Church Women gave $1,000 toward the project. This was a very generous donation and was much appreciated and it gave us a good start. When the chapel kneelers were stitched, they were offered for dedication at a price of $50 each. Times have changed and prices increased and the new kneelers were offered for $500 each. Due to several happy circumstances, the prices were reduced considerably.
Wonderful people have given wonderful time and effort to make this project the success it has become. To everyone who helped, thank you, thank you and thank you some more!!
Christmas 2010
Christmas Eve Midnight Service
Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant
A Candlelight “Blue” Christmas Service
Ham Winner!
Congratulations to Fr David Perkins, winner of this year's St John's Country Ham Raffle for the Troops. Thanks to everyone who supported this years effort to raise $400 for packages to our troops in Afganistan. Thanks to all of our brave men and women serving our country.
Kirkin' of the Tartans
In November, we celebrated our annual Kirkin' of the Tartans. Afterward we had a wonderful potluck dinner.
Annual Christmas Bazaar and Yard Sale
The annual Christmas Bazaar at St. John's was held November 13 along with the Men's club yard sale. All proceeds from the Yard Sale will go toward building a house in Haiti.
Halloween Party - October 24th 2010
Generational Audio-Video Project
St. John’s EYC has taken on a project that involves interviewing long time members of the church. They are asking about memories and stories that are not necessarily a part of the formal “history” of St. John’s. With the help of Dr. Doug Boyd at the University of Kentucky Library’s Oral History department, the EYC established and trained four teams that conducted interviews every Sunday afternoon in September. Each interviewee was interviewed two times for a total of fourteen interviews in four weeks.
Besides the interviewers Eric Sandknop, Hannah Edelen, Keelin Watkins and Audrey Sandknop, each team also included an adult reviewer who took notes of the interview and later, with a copy of the interview, completed a detailed outline of what was said. Filling out each team were two “tech” members who operated the recording device and a small video camera. They included Frances and Will Werner-Wilson, Evan Sloan, Keelin Watkins and James Hawkins. All collected materials will be archived at both St. John’s and the UK Library.
Aside from the obvious benefits to St. John’s, those interviewed and those doing the interviews have grown in love and respect for each other. From these interviews we hope to glean some stories and observations that we can put together in a video for use at St. John’s, on our web site and as a way to introduce ourselves to prospective candidates for rector.
This project will not end with this round of interviews. When we complete work with this phase, we will move to “Round Two.” Be ready! Start collecting those memories, stories and pictures. Your name is on the list!
Appreciation Dinner for Worship Leaders and Servers - Sept 26, 2010
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” John 12:26
St. John’s clergy and vestry hosted an appreciation dinner for parishioners who have volunteered to serve during worship as an acolyte, crucifer, chalice bearer, torchbearer, lector, usher, gift bearer, altar guild or breakfast cook. Your dedication to service greatly enhances the worship at St. John’s.
If you would like to know more about opportunities to serve during worship, contact Gayle Box at 606-233-3409 or by e-mail at dabox1313@earthlink.net.
Diocesan Intern to Serve at St. John's
We welcome Dr. Keila Thomas to St. John’s as an intern. Keila is in the process toward ordination as a priest. She is a retired professor at Berea College. She and her husband John are excited about her being with us. She and I have not yet determined what her roles will be at St. John’s but she will be ministering among us in ways that enhance her formation toward priesthood. Keila will be with us through early December.
Our intern, Keila Thomas, introduces herself to St. John’s
I was born and raised in Lexington, the first of two daughters. My family was Southern Baptist and we entered the church every time the doors opened. I went to high school at Cardome Visitation Academy in Georgetown, then attended Georgetown College. My first job after college was in a chemistry lab for Abbott Laboratories in Los Angeles County, California. Four years later I returned to school at the University of KY for a teaching certificate, then Masters in Child and Family Studies and a Doctorate in Education. I have taught elementary, middle school, high school, and college. This past June, I retired from Berea College as the Billings Chair in Child and Family Studies and a professor emeritus after 28 years of teaching and 10 years of serving as department chair. I made the decision to leave Berea College to continue discernment toward ministry. I have a most wonderful husband, John, who is a professor emeritus at Eastern Kentucky University in the College of Education. We have a son, Ryan, who is an anesthesiologist and a daughter, Jariah,who is in business administration and the mother of our two grandsons, ages 6 and 19 months. A very significant part of our lives is that we have lost two children, Taran who was 18 and Evan who was 16. I live in Lexington in a very hectic household with John; my sister, Karla Isaac; our daughter, and her children. I am very excited about my placement at St. John’s and look forward
Outdoor Summer Schedule
During the summer months, we combine the Sunday services for an outdoor, 10 a.m. service followed by the always popular potluck.
Deacon Donna Retirement Party
On Friday, August 6, with mixed feelings, the parish celebrated the retirement of Deacon Donna Barr. While it was the end of her time as our deacon, she will continue to work with the Pastoral Care Team
Vacation Bible School 2010 - A Prayer Safari
While on their ‘safari,’ which they made hats for, the children learned that there are many ways, times, and places to pray. One of the ways that they learned to pray is while walking a labyrinth which was constructed in an upstairs classroom. They also learned several new songs and to sign the song ‘Day by Day’ and The Lord’s Prayer. They also ate well, of course!
The four evenings concluded with a skit about what The Lord’s Prayer means and a performance by the children of the songs, dance and signing that they’d learned. A hamburger and hot dog meal was then shared by all and completed with ice cream sundaes!
Many thanks to all who helped and attended
Reading Club Camp 2010
Our fourth Reading Club summer camp was a smashing success. Twenty-eight fourth and fifth graders filled the building and grounds with their laughter, their song and most of all, the sound of their reading aloud. Several of the children gained such confidence in their reading that they asked to put on a play for the other children - an absolutely amazing accomplishment for a child who is a reluctant reader! We had a group of over 25 teachers and other volunteers as well as six teenagers who lent their enthusiasm to the program. The children received breakfast, two snacks and a healthy lunch every day. A new partner this year, the Woodford County school system, picked up and dropped off those children who needed transportation to and from camp. We couldn’t do it without everyone of these volunteers!More on Reading Club
Rogation Day
On Sunday, June 6, St. John’s observed Rogation Day with a procession around the land with prayers for abundant harvest, good weather, and the preservation of the environment. The boundaries of the parish property were marked with the ancient rite of “beating the boundaries.”
Education For Ministry
At both the 9 and 11 o’clock services on Sunday, June 13 four graduates of EfM (Education for Ministry) - Sara Meekins, Connie Spencer, Ned Meekins, and Wanda Brown – were recognized for completion of the four-year study by Jim Kimbrough, the program mentor from Ascension in Frankfort. This is the first graduating class for EfM at St. John’s (although Lisa Hawkins completed the program several years ago in Lexington.) Sara, Connie, and Ned attend St. John’s while Wanda attends Bethel Harvest Church, Nicholasville.
EfM is a four-year theological study program of the School of Theology at Sewanee covering the Bible, church history, and theology. The course provides a comprehensive, experiential education in the foundations of Christian mission and faith for laity. A thirty minute introduction and overview of the program will be held in the large meeting room on the second floor of the parish hall at 10:30am on Sunday, July 25 and again on Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00pm, with EfM classes resuming in mid-September. Tuition is $350. Enrollees do not have to be Episcopalians to participate.
For more information contact any of the recent program graduates or program participants including Rick Keeling, Julie Ross, Gayle Box, Sara Hellard, Suzanne Thompson, or Linda Reeves.
Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Tournament
A foursome from Woodford County Farm Bureau won the 3rd Annual Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Scramble and continued the tradition of donating their prize money back to The Reading Club.
The Third Annual Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Scramble was held on Monday, May 10 at the Woodford Hills Country Club and was again a fabulous success for a very worthy cause, The Reading Club. The 74 golfers enjoyed wonderful chili dogs, an interesting round of golf, a delicious dinner, and most even took home a door prize! As has become the tradition, as a special nod to Roger who was ever the practical joker, players reaching the 14th green were required to putt with a hockey stick.
The Reading Club is a program to help fourth and fifth grade reluctant readers become more confident readers and bet-ter students. At no cost to the children, they attend a week-long summer day camp with learning centers and fun. During the school year, the all volunteer staff meets with the kids every other week after school to reinforce the skills learned at camp.
Relay for Life
The St. John's Relay for Life team raised $2040 for the American Cancer Society this year. Thanks to all who participated and donated to this wonderful organization!
See Ellen's pictures on Facebook
Reading Club Graduation
Wednesday, May 5 was Graduation Day for another great group of Reading Clubbers. Every graduate received a poem written just for them about their own individual talents and skills, a certificate of accomplishment and a backpack of reading materials. They were also each given a tearful invitation to return when they are 16 to help other kids learn to love reading.
Applications for this year‘s program have exceeded expectations and some children had to be placed on a waiting list. Thirty-eight campers are expected for an educational and fun-filled week June 14-18. The theme this year is Nature and the stair-well to the second floor would make a fabulous aquarium filled with fish designed and decorated by the St. John‘s family and friends. There are patterns in Hosea Hall or you can draw your own. Please return them to the church by Sunday, June 6.
More pictures and information on Reading Club.
Parish Walk
The Bible Quest Class organized a Par-ish Walk on May 8 to raise money for their outreach projects. Many thanks to those who supported their efforts.
30 Hour Famine
During the weekend of March 5, St. John’s participated in the 30-Hour Famine with youth from nine other congregations at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lexington. We learned about starving children in our country as well as around the world, human trafficking, and experienced how it feels to be really hungry. We participated in community service by visiting the homebound, stocking shelves, picking up trash, and talking with pregnant teenagers at the Florence Crittendon Home. We related our experiences to verses we read in the Bible and discussed what this means to us as Christians. This was the first year for some and 3rd year for others, but a moving experience for us all.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori Visit - February 28
Our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori visited St. John's on February 28th for the 9:00 am service. Picture Gallery
To read her biography, visit this site
Liturgy of Love
Deacon Donna hosted a Liturgy of Love February 14th!
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