This Sunday and next Sunday are the final days to bring socks to support the People’s Place Project Santa Sock Drive. We need all the new socks you can bring for all ages… infant through ages 16. If you don’t want to do the shopping, give your money to Deacon Sue and she will be happy to purchase socks on your behalf. Let’s help keep our neighbors warm this winter!

It’s important to keep everyone as informed as possible about parish finances so that we all can have a better picture of what it takes to have a common life together. Below is the Income and Expense Report as of the end of October 2022. If you have questions, please reach out to our Treasurer, Wes Dangler or one of our Wardens, Lynn Dennison or Claudette Ford.

Moving Into Advent

Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. As Christians, we celebrate this season as a “threshold time,” a time in between when the end has quite taken place and the beginning isn’t quite in sight yet. But we know that both are happening at the same time. And as humans, this makes sense to us. Although, I think we would like for endings and beginnings to be a little more definitive than they really are.

The truth is that we are always becoming. God created us to live into God’s dream – an existence where the Reign of God is not only possible, but is already on the way, the already-but-not-yet. Hope fills our hearts as we learn to look East – to the sun rising into a new day dawning. And as we live into this this reality, we become changed, awakening to God’s abundant and wild Love that is ours to share.

This liminal space of Advent is one of transformation, I have come to believe, when our hearts seem to be open to learning more about who we are becoming and what we are being called to bring to the manger as the Light of Christ draws us nearer to God. On Sundays, you will note several ways in which we will incorporate silence into our worship, offering us all a gift that we don’t often offer ourselves in our day-to-day lives. And I hope you will take time during this season away from the busyness of the world to reflect quietly.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

Announcements for Advent I
November 27, 2022

We’ll take credit/debit cards, checks, cash, and paypal!
Next sale date: December 11 after worship

Thank you to this year’s St. John’s Harvest Team: Kathy Burdick, Jeannette Baggot, Barbara Johnston, Sara Hutton, Jocelyn Bergen, and Ana Hernandez!

Transgender Awareness Week

The week before November 20 is Transgender Awareness Week. This time is set aside because nearly 70% of people in the US believe they have never met a transgender person, which means our collective “experience” of transgender people is informed by more than 100 years of media mis-representation and mis-characterization of trans people. In order to raise our awareness and deepen our compassion for all God’s people, it’s important for us at St. John’s to take this time.

Last year, in 2021, the Human Rights Campaign tracked a record number of violent fatal incidents against transgender and gender non-conforming people, and most of this violence is directed at trans people of color. Christianity has traditionally been either silent about or has been a part of this violence. Yet I believe that Jesus, if he were with us today, living in our context, would recognize this as injustice, as evil.

As Christians, then, we cannot be silent. We must stand with our trans siblings in public ways and open up the space in our lives, so they know their place at God’s Table is theirs to claim. All are welcome at God’s Table. And “all” literally means “ALL.”

Here are 2 ways to participate this weekend:

A Name Greater: A live online workshop on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm geared toward people who want to make their spaces more welcoming to our trans siblings. There is a cost to this so if you decide to attend, please let me know and I will reimburse you. Click here for information. A Name Greater: A Transgender and Christian Training

Transgender Remembrance Vigil: It’s Transgender Awareness week, and especially important that we show our support and solidarity for our trans neighbors. Come to Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge on Sunday, November 20 evening at 7:00 pm for a candlelight vigil as we mourn the precious lives lost to anti-trans violence. 3021 NY-213, Stone Ridge.

I know it’s a busy week of Thanksgiving preparation. But I hope that our gratitude for all that God has given us can be channeled into standing with those who are marginalized in such violent ways.

You can learn more about Transgender Awareness Week here.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

Announcements for Reign of Christ Sunday
November 20, 2022

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Sunday with All Ages Worship, designed with elements for younger worshippers. We’ll begin our worship by honoring those who have died and continue with a celebration of the lives of all the saints, honoring their company in a renewal of our Baptismal Vows.After worship, you’ll have the opportunity to decorate a candle in honor of your loved ones who have died to light in your home.

And don’t forget: It’s time to turn your clock back on Sunday!

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November 13: Commitment Sunday and Stephen Blauweiss Form
Stay after worship for brunch and our next St. John’s Forum. Local author and producer Stephen Blauweiss will come and talk about his latest work – The Story of Historic Kingston. Learn more about our amazing community and buy one of his books for a Christmas gift!

Commitment Sunday marks the official end of our Pledge Campaign so we will gather pledges and offer a special blessing. The Stewardship Committee will continue to accept pledge cards at any time.

November 15: Q&A with the Bishop Candidates
The Diocese of New York is electing a new bishop this year on December 3. Come and meet the candidates in person at a Q&A Session at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Newburgh at 7:00 pm. Pay attention to your email for more details from Rev. Michelle.

We give thanks for the members of our St. John’s Harvest Team – Jeannette Baggot, Sara Hutton, Kathy Burdick, Barbara Johnston, and Ana Hernandez. They have cooked up some amazing things that will be available for sale after worship on Sunday, Nov. 20 in the parish hall. All proceeds go to the operating fund of St. John’s. And don’t forget! Godly Play will be offered during worship for our younger members.

November 21-23: Angel Food East Thanksgiving Meal Prep and Delivery
The clients of Angel Food East are homebound due to ongoing illness of some kind. We want to make sure they have a good Thanksgiving meal so during this week, turkey and all the fixins will be prepared, packed, and delivered for our clients. Come and help! Stay tuned to your email to learn more about days/times when more help is needed.

On the First Sunday of Advent, we welcome guest preacher and Deacon Dr. Meg Stapleton Smith as we celebrate the beginning of our new church year on Advent I.
St. John’s Forum – Then, stay after worship for a special St. John’s Forum where we will make Advent Wreaths and discuss Advent spiritual practices.

Vote This Tuesday!

This coming Tuesday it’s time to vote. While I will not advise you on who to vote for, I will say that our responsibilities as disciples of Jesus the Christ do, in fact, lead us to take part in our public responsibilities to one another. One of these, as citizens of the United States, is to participate in elections. I hope you will vote and I hope that your Baptismal Vows and the lessons given to us in the ministry of Jesus Christ will inform your choice.

If you cannot make it on Tuesday, early voting is available this weekend at the Midtown Neighborhood Center at 467 Broadway in Kingston. If you’re not in Kingston, you can find other Ulster County locations by clicking here.

If you’ve voted in New York before, you don’t need to provide ID to vote. If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn’t provide a copy of your ID with your registration, you may need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:

• current and valid photo ID
• copy of a current utility bill
• bank statement
• government check
• paycheck
• other government document that shows your name and address

If you’re a first-time voter and unable to provide ID: You will be able to vote an affidavit ballot.

Thank you for participating!

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

Announcements for All Saints Sunday
November 6, 2022