The Good News of St. John’s

This Week at St. John’s

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Christian Saints: St. Bartholomew

With a feast day this past week on August 24, Bartholomew is one of the 12 apostles appearing in the Gospel stories of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He is also a part of the story in the Acts of the Apostles. We don’t often hear much about him though. Who was he? What did he do?

The name Bartholomew is a Greek transliteration from the Aramaic name bar-Tomay, which simply means “son of Tolmay” or son of the furrows, a furrow meaning a trench dug into the ground. This likely means that Bartholomew and his father were farmers in the region of Galilee.

But Bartholomew is not known for being a farmer. He is best known for being an evangelist of Christ and our tradition tells us that he was martyred for this and there are lots of stories about this. Depending on which account you read, he was either kidnapped, beaten, and drowned, or he was crucified upside down, or he was flayed and beheaded. Regardless of the story, Bartholomew remains an especially significant figure in Armenian Christianity and other Eastern Christian Churches because it was in the countries we now know as Turkey and Azerbaijan, that Bartholomew traveled to spread the news of Jesus the Christ.

What is often true of Christian Saints is that they become significant to us through the stories we tell, some of which may be based on the factual history of their life. These stories we call hagiographies. And the fantastical tale of Bartholomew’s death by flaying has captivated the imaginations of so many who have tried to wrap their minds around the kind of courage and faith that martyrdom requires. This story has led us to identity him as the patron saint of professions such as tanners, bookbinders, leatherworkers, tailors, and butchers. Through the centuries, artists have also been fascinated, depicting Bartholomew’s death in many graphic offerings.

After his trek in this area of the world, Bartholomew went on to India… or possibly Ethiopia. Scholars are in disagreement about the exact location of this mission trip as they attempt to read the works of 4th century hagiographers, Jerome and Eusebius. 

The Saint Bartholomew Monastery was founded in the 13th century and it became a prominent part of the Armenian Church, used continuously for centuries. However, during the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900’s, the monastery was abandoned and then destroyed by Turkish military. It still stands in ruin today.

Here are the scripture verses that talk about the presence of Bartholomew as a disciple and apostle:
Matthew 10:2-4
Mark 3:16-19
Luke 6:14-16
Acts 1:1-13

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Church Programming

Dear Ones,

Right now, all across the church, clergy and lay leaders are all getting ready to launch our “programming year.” Following the calendar of the traditional American school year, we shift back into our regular schedule.

What does this mean for us at St. John’s? We have regularly placed programming throughout the month that provides a rhythm of common life and enables us to schedule other things around what is important to us in our life at St. John’s.
Here is what our typical month will look like:

• First Sunday: All Ages Worship – the words and music of our liturgy are slightly altered to accommodate younger ears and, instead of a sermon, we have a story that illuminates the lesson of the Gospel for that week. Sometimes there are fun additions to worship. And, most importantly, we have our younger kids helping to lead worship. NOTE: For September (due to Labor Day), this will be moved to Sunday, Sept. 10!
• Third Sunday: We offer Godly Play for kids during worship and one of our healing ministers is available to offer healing prayers during communion. After worship, the choir gathers for a longer rehearsal.
• Fourth Sunday: Rector’s Forum – I offer a special teaching or I find someone to come and offer a presentation on a special topic. I’m always open to suggestions so let me know what you’d like to learn more about.
• Fifth Sunday (if there IS one): Morning Prayer is offered, led by either myself or one of our lay leaders.

We also have the following events scheduled in the coming year:

• Neighborhood Block Party – Sunday, September 17
• Stewardship Campaign – Dates to be announced
• St. John’s Harvest Sale – dates for cooking and sales to be announced!
• Christmas Eve – All Ages Worship is mid-afternoon our candlelit choral Eucharist is in the evening followed by a dessert reception (finally coming back after covid!)
• Annual Parish Meeting – held on the last Sunday in January, reflecting on what we did the past year and elect officers for the coming year.
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – the night before Ash Wednesday
• Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent, 2 services and Ashes to Go are offered out front to the larger Kingston community
• Holy Week and Easter Sunday – our Christian high holidays that are happening this year in the last week of March
• More plans in progress!

We are still finalizing plans as we look toward what we want and need from our common life. You can always find the most up-to-date schedule in your weekly bulletin or here on the St. John’s website.

Do you have ideas for programming or events? Reach out to our Events Team: Kathy Burdick, Sara Hutton, Paula Wisneski, or Ana Hernandez.

I’m really looking forward to this year!

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for August 27
The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Coming Up at St. John’s

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St. John’s Buildings and Grounds

Do you like to help out with odd jobs?
Do you watch Youtube videos of do-it-yourself projects?
Do you want to help out more at church?

Our wardens Claudette and Leah would like you to be a part of the Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team.
The larger jobs (plumbing, electrical, mowing the lawn) are all outsourced to contractors. What we need your help with are the smaller jobs, the things you probably do around your own home – changing out light bulbs that are hard to reach, taking down exterior signs, helping to clean out the shed, installing a new door stop, meeting a contractor to let them in, etc.

Claudette and Leah would like to have a list of 5-8 people that they can call up and say, “Would you be able to head over to the church this week and ____________ ?” And if you need help, they will find someone to help you out.

Taking care of the building, the gardens, and the land we’ve been given is not only an act of ministry, but an act of gratitude. The projects are piling up and your help is needed.

Please reach out directly to either Claudette or Leah:
Leah Siuta:  jolejola4@msn.com
Claudette Ford:  crford1@gmail.com

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Harvesting What Is Ready

Dear Ones,

In the Rectory Garden, as in most gardens, harvest happens at different times depending upon the plant. Cold crops, such as lettuce, peas, beets, and spinach grow better in the cooler months of April/May and September/October. They come to maturity pretty fast so they are harvested in those months, for the most part.

But, for most people who grow vegetables in this area, we are beginning the real harvest season – tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatillos, beans – all coming in now. The squash plants will be ready in another month or so. This means that August and September are important harvest-centered months.

Now, I know that not all of you are gardeners. But I do think the patterns of what grows in an area have an impact on all of us, not just the gardeners. This means that everyone who lives in this part of the Hudson Valley is influenced by this rhythm, effected by the release of various molecules as the plant life around us moves through all its stages – spouting, seedling, maturing, flowering, fruiting, ripening, and death.

And here we are at the beginning of harvest. What is in need of harvesting so that it can be savored and give nourishment? I think this is the big question of harvest. It’s easy to grow plants and let them mature and re-seed. But to live as God wants us to live, I think, asks us to pay attention to what needs to be harvested. What is ready?

Maybe there is a task that is ready for your attention. Maybe there is a relationship that is ready to become deeper. Maybe there is something that is ready to be finished and enjoyed.

Whatever is ready in your life, I pray that you have the time and space to enjoy it and be nourished by its goodness. And let us all praise God for the harvest.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for August 20
The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

St. John’s Office Hours
Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 noon
Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm
Phone: 845-331-2252
Email: stjohnskingston@aol.comHave an announcement for the bulletin?
Please send by Wednesday at noon to stjohnskingston@aol.com.Neighborhood Block Party! Sunday, Sept. 17 from 12:00-4:00 pm.
It’s all hands on deck to help get the word out and ensure all the people and businesses in our neighborhood are invited. Clear your schedule and be sure to sign up on the bulletin board in the vestibule for set-up and take-down duties that Sunday too!

Creation Care Camp for Kids: August 28-September 1
A week of summer camp centered around loving the earth, exploring the idea of environmental justice, and engaging our responsibility to care for God’s creation. We’ll use Bible stories, experiential activities, and reflection time to help us connect our spirituality with the wonder of creation. All kids Pre-K-5^th grade are invited to be campers! Rev. Michelle of St. John’s and Rev. Marcella of Christ the King will lead activities.

• The camp will be held at Christ the King in Stone Ridge. Transportation from St. John’s Kingston is available – talk to Rev. Michelle.
• Cost: $75 for first child, $50 for each additional child. Scholarships are available. Cost should not be a barrier to participation!
• Sample Daily Schedule

• 9:00-10:00 – Gathering, Music, Opening Prayer
• 10:00 -11:30 – Workshops: Movement, Arts/Crafts, Bible Study, Snack Time
• 11:30-12:00 – Closing Reflection, Music, and Prayer

To register: Email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com

Social Hour Sign-up! If you enjoy staying after worship for snacks and socializing, please sign up to host for a week. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the vestibule. Talk to Barbara Johnston if you have any questions.

Bible Study: Come and join in Bible Study with Rev. Michelle on Sundays at 8:30 am (in person) or Wednesdays at 12:00 noon (via Zoom). We are studying the Gospel of Matthew and you can join the conversation any Sunday! Everyone is welcome to pick up a one-page overview of this Gospel on the bulletin board in the Vestibule. Email Rev. Michelle if you’d like to join the Wednesday Bible Study on Zoom.

St. John’s Outreach Project – People’s Place: When you go to the store, pick up a few extra non-perishable food items for People’s Place food pantry (tuna, soup, pasta, sauce, etc.). We are also taking donations of birthday napkins/plates, candles, and gift bags in various sizes. Bring them to church and place them in the appropriate baskets near the Font.

St. John’s Upcoming Schedule
Aug 21      Vestry Meeting, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall
Aug 28-Spt 1   Creation Care Camp for Kids, 9-12 Monday-Friday
Sept 9        Choir Luncheon and Rehearsal, 11:00 am
Sept 10      Return to the Sanctuary and All Ages Worship
Sept 17      Godly Play, Healing Sunday; Choir Rehearsal after worship
Sept 17      Neighborhood Block Party 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Sept 23      Ulster Deanery Meeting, 9-12 at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz