june july 2013 messenger

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I LEAVE YOU THREE GIFTS

How do you get into the water when you go swimming at a pool or a lakthe ocean?

Youve probably noticed that there are two techniques. Type One is the toe approach. Touching the water with a toe then a foot a knee, a thcautiously moving down the slope until the final step when theres the shof ones whole body being immersed.

Im a Type Two person. I jump in, dive in, run in. I get in as quickly asble to get the shock over with.

And so, theres that part of me that would have preferred to say Good bye to you today and be packed and gfew days. All the shock of departing would have been over and done with quickly. The tip-toe approach of sgood bye, the year-long process of getting into the retirement waters runs counter to my ways. And yet, its thway. Its the best way. It was Kareem Abdul-Jabbars way. It was Oprahs way, and long before, it was Jesu

Scripture tells us that Jesus prepared his followers for his departure for some three years. In pastoral care, itsanticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief doses out sadness into manageable sized quantities. It begins by sharwill be happening with the lay leaders of the church, then the staff members and then with a letter to the congIt continues by developing a process for saying good bye with the Staff-Parish Committee, and then saying gto special groups during sermons, making oneself available for lunches and dinners and phone calls, and makiself available for a special picnic and worship service.

The final step is to return the symbols of the Pastoral Office that you have entrusted to me over the past ten yeBible, the Book of Worship and Hymnal, Baptismal Water, and the communal elements of Bread and Wine.

After the return of these sacred elements, they become yours to entrust to your new Pastor and that means Imake hospital visits or pastoral calls or officiate at weddings, funerals or baptisms. That may sound harsh. Iseem overly strict. It doesnt mean that I wont continue to hold you in my heart or my prayers. It is meant ayou and to Rev. Tom so that you (plural) can grow a strong pastoral bond like the one we have grown over theten years.

And speaking of gifts before I go, there are some parting gifts. Following in the pattern of Jesus, I have thr

for you. First, as noted above, I promise to hold you in my heart [John 14.23]. Second, I give you a blessing might have courage and comfort in the months and years ahead (The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and re-mind you of all that I have said to you[John 14.26]). And third, I leave you my peace my peace that we have dour best in following the word of God and ways of Christ (Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you[John14.27]).

Heart. Courage. Peace. So much more substantive and lasting than cake even chocolate cake! With our mries and these gifts that Jesus first gave to us, we can trust that God will be with us as we each continue our faneys.

Yes, God will be with us which we have shortened in English into the parting words of Good bye.

P E A C E

C O U R A G E

H E A R T


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2 The Messenger | June/July 2013

June/July 2013

St. JohnsUnited Church of Christ

St. Johns is a community of faithcentered in Jesus Christ, seeking

guidance and direction through theHoly Spirit, and demonstrating

Gods love to all people in wordsand deeds.

An Open and AffirmingCongregation

503 Stuart CircleRichmond, Virginia 23220Telephone: 804.358.9291

Email:[email protected]

Web Site:stjohnsrichmond.org

Published monthly for members and friends

2013 St Johns UCC

Join us as we say

goodbye and

to to to to Rev. Jonathan Heaslet Rev. Jonathan Heaslet Rev. Jonathan Heaslet Rev. Jonathan Heaslet as he retires! as he retires! as he retires! as he retires! Saturday, June 8, 5-8pm

ALL CHURCH FAMILY PARTYA bounce house will be on the church grounds at 4pm for

children5-6pm wine and cheese gathering with Pastor Jon and Linda6-8pm picnic-style supper and presentations to Pastor JonPLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU

PLAN TO ATTEND(358-9291)

Sunday, June 9, 10amSPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICEWe will worship God together and give thanks for Pastor Joministry

Sunday, June 30, 10amWORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIPPastor Jon will return the symbols of the pastoral office to th

congregationThe Fellowship will host a reception after worship for everye


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3The Messenger | June/July 2013

Interim Pastor Arrives July 15!

Our new Interim Pastor, Rev. Thomas Gerstenlauer will be our Interim Minister. Rev. Gerstenlauer (you mhim Tom) will arrive in Richmond around July 15 and will conduct the worship service for the first time onRev. Gerstenlauer has come to the ministry as a second career, having worked as a Director of Quality Assuance in the trucking industry. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological SeminaThere is a short professional profile on the display board in the parlor for those wishing to read more.Currently, he lives in Ohio where he is the pastor of Miller Avenue UCC, a mission church. This church hasmall congregation of mostly older folks (who love him) and a sizable lower socioeconomic neighborhood participates in mission programs, such as meals, youth nights, and a playground. He is popular with the chiin the neighborhood, even though the church congregation has few children. This mission effort is governeboard of directors made up of the pastors of several area churches that contribute funding to keep the missiprojects going.Rev. Gerstenlauer has served as an Interim Minister previously. He is looking forward to getting to know eus through the summer and fall and to working with us to accomplish our goal of finding and calling a longpastor.

Notes from the Church Council PresidentI am excited to again serve as your Church Council President. I would like to thank Teresa Jolles for her hawork and dedication during the last two years. We as a church will carry on her many projects and go into tnext year with excitement. I would also like to thank JoAnn Jellison and Gary Beasley for their dedication Church Council. JoAnn has worked so very hard with us at St Johnswith so much love and compassion. I know she will continue to giveus much help during the next year as we face our transition time.The month of June will be a busy and exciting one as we honor Jonfor his 10 years with us. Please make sure to call the church office, if you havent already done so, to make your reservation to join us onSaturday, June 8th in the Fellowship Hall for a party. Two verymeaningful worship services will follow, Sunday, June 9th andSunday, June 30th. I hope you all will plan to be with us during thesecelebrations.

Please feel free to bring any questions or concerns to me at anytime, so that we all may work together toward unity and peace. Wewill be welcoming our new Interim Pastor in July, but our firstthoughts are now with Jon and Linda as they enter those wonderfulretirement years with much gratitude from a congregation that wasblessed to have them for ten years!

Our next Church Council meeting will be held in the Guild Room onJune 10th at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Peace with Gods BlessingsBetsy Bighinatti

Members of ChurchCouncil

Betsy Bighinatti, PresidentJeff Hetzer, Vice PresidentHelena DeLigt, Secretary

Bryan AndereggMarjorie Barbour

Allen Caraher Teresa Jolles

Desiree McNeiceKenn ShirleyDreama Terrill

Bill WatsonKaren-Marie Yust


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4 The Messenger | June/July 2013

The St. Johns PlayersThe St. Johns Players would like to thank everyone wattended our JUKEBOX CABARET on May 4th and We are excited to announce that $2,000 has beengiven to our Church General Funds from this event.

A Fall production of Shout will take place some timthis Fall in September or October. Watch for moreinformation on this event!

October 24 - 27The Women's Retreat is scheduled for October 25, 26and 27, at Twin Lakes State Park. This will be a women-

led retreat-- meaning, we are all invited to give input intothe planning and preparation. Our first planning meetinghas taken place. If you would like to be included in futureplanning events, speak with Adrianne Dery or email her at [email protected].

Even if you can't be a part of the planning, we would likeall women to consider attending this retreat. Watch for more details in the coming months.

PERFORMANCES

June 25, 26, 27, 28 @10:00 am,

June 25 and 27 @1:00 pm,

June 28 @6:00 pm.

ContactAnita Sharpenstein @543-2165

or the church office358-9291 ext. 16 for more information.

The Little Mermaid St. Johns UCC Summer Youth Production

June 25 - 28, 2013


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5The Messenger | June/July 2013

Summer Church School: The Avengers in Bible Times

Marvel Comics doesnt have a lockon cool superheroes. The bible isfull of stories about Godsprophets, who were the originalavengers of Gods desires for the

world. This summer, St. Johns children will learnabout these early avengers and their adventures asGods prophetic voices. Stories, games and crafts willshape their exploration and keep them wonderingwhat new superpower will be unleashed each week.

St.Johns Congregation HelpingMothers in NeedOur annual Mothers Day offering was collected tobenefit the YWCA Womens Advocacy Program, whiprovides crisis intervention, safe housing, counseling,and legal and employment assistance for women andtheir children affected by domestic and sexual violencWe are so pleased to report that your faithful givingtoward this mission allowed us to make a donation of more than $530.

If you didnt get a chance to donate to this specialoffering, you can still do so. Just make sure that your donation is clearly marked Mothers Day SpecialOffering.

10:00 AM

Monthly Contributions to William ByJune 16 & July 21Dont forget that on the third

Sunday of each month, wereceive contributions of non-perishable food items for theWilliam Byrd Food Bank.Ask for a shopping bag with ashopping list attached from amember of the WelcomeTeam when you come to worship, and then bring your offering on the third Sunday of each month.

Celebrating our Graduates!

DEAN ELIADESDean graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in History with aconcentration in South American History. He hopes to travel to South Americin the near future.

BRIAN JACOBSBrian graduated from West Point with a BS in African Studies. His is being

commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, serving at Ft. Bragg.

SUSAN MINASIANSusan graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a Doctorate of Ministry. She is serving as the Interfaith Chaplain at Franklin and MarshallUniversity.

PAULA KATHRY SCHUTT YUSTPaula graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and PsychologShe will begin work as a Lab Manager at the Child Development Lab of TemplUniversity.


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6 The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013

POTOMAC ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETINGThe spring meeting of the 34-congregation strong Potomac Association of the United Church of Christ was heldday, May 18th at the newly re-opened First Congregational UCC in Washington DC. Dreama Terrill and Pastor

tended.

Our keynote speaker was Rev. Aaron B. Jones-Wade, Pastor of the CommunityChurch UCC (Washington DC) on Facing Change. Community Church UCC isabout the same size as St. Johns. They have active ministries for evangelismand congregational care using social media, that is, using facebook, twitter, andInstagram. Rev. Jones-Wade brought two of his parishioners who are the artistsand energy behind their social media ministry. We brought back several ideas for how St. Johns might use these and other social media software to reach out tonew members as well as to reach in to keep existing members informed of church news and mission efforts, and prayer concerns.

Officers elected are: Rev. Chuck Myers (Bethesda UCC), Moderator; GenevaHudson (Peoples Congregational), Associate Moderator; Rev. Hank Fairman(Little River UCC), Treasurer; and Carol Mosely Gardner (Peoples Congrega-tional), Scribe.

Please be in touch with Dreama or Pastor Jon to learn more about this gatheringof the Association.

And in other United Church of Christ newsPeoples Congregational United Church of Christ will hold its annual Spiritual Renewal Services on Thursdayth and Friday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. The guest preacher for the Renewal Service is theRev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. ,Pastor Emeritus, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Peoples Church is located in Washington, DC . All are welcome to share in the services. For more informationwww.peopleschurchucc.org.

In addition, an Ecclesiastical Council has been called to examine Geneva Hudson, Candidate for Commissionedin the Potomac Association. The date is Sunday, June 23rd at 2:00 PM at Peoples Congregational UCC. If you desirattend or to read her paper, please see Pastor Jon.

The polity of the United Church of Christ places authority to ordain or commission ministers to the members ofgregations of an Association. This authority is accomplished at an Ecclesiastical Council. If you have never atCouncil before, this is an exciting, Spirit-filled time.

7


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Rev. Jonathan Heaslet

The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013The Messenger | June/July 2013

Dont forget that our worship service moves to the

10 oclock hour for the summer

Thank You Sermon Schedule

May 12th Worship and Music:May 26th Congregational Life and Care;

June 2nd ACTS (Area Congregations Together inService) and the Virginia Interfaith Center

June 23rd Mission and Outreach.

Lectionary Readings

2nd Sunday after Pentecost June 2, 2013

1 Kings 18:20-21,(22-29), 30-39

Psalm 96

1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43

Psalm 96:1-9

Galatians 1:1-12 Luke 7:1-10

3rd Sunday after Pentecost June 9, 2013

1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24)

Psalm 146

1 Kings 17:17-24

Psalm 30


4th Sunday after Pentecost June 16, 2013

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15 Galatians 2:15-21 Luke 7:36-8:3

5th Sunday after Pentecost June 23, 2013

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7),8-15a

Psalm 42 and 43

Isaiah 65:1-9

Psalm 22:19-28


6thSunday after Pentecost June 30, 2013

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

Psalm 16

Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62

7th Sunday after Pentecost July 7, 2013

2 Kings 5:1-14

Psalm 30

Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm 66:1-9

Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16 Luke 10:1-11,16-20

8yh Sunday after Pentecost July 14, 2013

Amos 7:7-17

Psalm 82

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Psalm 25:1-10

Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37


Amos 8:1-12

Psalm 52

Genesis 18:1-10a

Psalm 15

Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42


Hosea 1:2-10

Psalm 85

Genesis 18:20-32

Psalm 138

Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)

Luke 11:1-13


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Please find a substitute if you are unable to perform your ministry and contactyour team coordinator AND the office to let them know who will be filling in for

you. Thank you for making our church ministries run smoothly!

MESSENGER June/July MESSENGER June/July MESSENGER June/July MESSENGER June/July 2013201320132013

June 2 & 9 June 16 & 23 June 30 &July 7July 14 &July 21

July 28 &August 4

Welcome team

captains

Bill Watson

804-873-2837

Doug Waldrop

357-2566

Richard Bighinatti

804-502-1005

Justin Barbour

804-687-1460

Lynn Snyder

804-550-3928

Families withchildren

Quick Family Etter Family Woods Family Barbour Family Allen Family

Voelcker/BarrettFamily

Gretchen Miller Family

AcolytesSavannah Quick Bryan Etter Hank Allen

Ashley Quick James Cook Lydia Woods Josh Lyle Cammie AllenEddie Allen

Adults

Betty Staton Dorothy Cook Beth Stiegler Iola Miller Pam Miller Desire McNeice Don Stiegler Cheryl Goode Jo Ann JellisonJeff Jacobs Kim Vann Chris Miles Billy Poarch Sharon MachroneLaura Totty Betsy Bighinatti Erin Burnette Jeff Hetzer

Denise Martin Phil Jones Vivian WhiteSam Dalton

Denise Wright

Sound System Mark Atkinson Jeff Michel Jo Ann Jellison David Pittman Dreama Terrill

Facilities Bud Higgins Joe McGregor Richard Yuk Bob Corby

June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23

HospitalityCoordinator Sal Anselmo358-1696

Theresa &Allen

Caraher

SpecialEvent

ElisabethBurnette

CherylGoode

TellersCoordinator Bud Higgins -301-5059

Altar Flowers$40358-9291LiturgistCoordinatorsKathy Freise448-9876Sal Anselmo358-1696

DreamaTerrill

SpecialEvent

SalAnselmo

Jeff Hetzer

Paul JollesElisabethBurnette

Nursery Helpers Coordinator -Martha Cook227-3466

TheresaCaraher Chris Miles Laura Totty

MarjorieBarbour

June 30

SpecialEvent

ElisabethBurnette

SalAnselmo

MarthatCook

July 7

TheresaCaraher

July 14

ChrisMiles

July 21

LauraTotty

July 28

MarjorieBarbour


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2013201320132013

SunSunSunSun MonMonMonMon TueTueTueTue WedWedWedWed ThuThuThuThu FriFriFriFri Sat Sat Sat Sat

1 8am - 2pmBasement Sale

2 10amWorship11:30am FacilitiesMtg.

3

6pm Mermaid reh.

4 12 NA

6pm Mermaid reh.

5 10am Staff Mtg

6pm Mermaid reh.

6 12 NA 7 8 8:30 IndianOrthodox Church 5pm - 8pm Celebra-tion for Pastor Jon

9 10amWorshipCelebration forPastor Jon

10 7pm ChurchCouncil 6pm Mermaid reh.

11 12 NA

6pm Mermaid reh.

12 10am Staff Mtg5:00pm Beautification 6pm Mermaid reh.

13 12 NA 14 15

16 9am Breakfast 10amWorship

17

6pm Mermaid reh.

18 12 NA

6pm Mermaid reh.

19 10am Staff Mtg6pm Mermaid reh.

7pm WEBS

20 12 NA

6pm Mermaid reh.

21 22

23 10amWorship 24 6pm Mermaiddress rehearsal

25 Performances:10am Mermaid1pm Mermaid

26 10am Staff Mtg5:00pm Beautification Performances:10am Mermaid

27Performances:10am Mermaid1pm Mermaid

28Performances:10am Mermaid6pm Mermaid

29

30 10amWorshipPastor Jons lastSunday

2013201320132013

SunSunSunSun MonMonMonMon TueTueTueTue WedWedWedWed ThuThuThuThu FriFriFriFri Sat Sat Sat Sat

1 2 12 NA 3 10am Staff Mtg. 4 12 NAIndependence DayOffice Closed

5 6 1-3pm NA

7 10amWorship 8 9 12 NA 10 10am Staff Mtg 11 12 NA 12 13 8:30 IndianOrthodox Church 12-7pm NA

1410amWorship11:30am Facilities

157pm ChurchCouncil

16 12 NA 17 10am Staff Mtg 18 12 NA 19 20

21 9am Breakfast 10amWorship

22 23 12 NA 24 10am Staff Mtg 25 12 NA 26 27

28 10amWorship 29 30 12 NA 31 10am Staff Mtg

NEW SUMMERWORSHIP TIME!


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Facilities Committee UpdatePlease extend a Thank you and well done tothe Facilities Committee, Richard Bighinatti,Chair for the recentpainting project.The Chil-drens Library andHandicapped Bath-room on the mainlevel, the area be-tween the elevator and WomensBathroom on thelower level, andMusic Director Shirley Townsends office were all scraped of flaking paint, patched, sealed and re-painted.

june july 2013 messenger

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