St. John’s Episcopal Church
207 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401

The Good News of St. John’s

  1. December 16th

    The Good News from St. John’s Kingston

    This Week at St. John’s

    Greening the Sanctuary
    Sunday, December 17 after worship


    It’s all hands on deck on December 17. Stay after worship as we decorate with greenery and place our candles around our worship space to prepare for Christmas. We’ll have some warm chili ready to go that morning to keep up the energy for our work.

    Christmas Memorials
    Due today! Or email Rev. Michelle this coming week…

    Each year, we honor those who have died and we offer thanks for the blessings of our lives through our Christmas Memorials, which are listed in our Christmas Eve bulletin. You can give to support our Christmas poinsettia fund or to our outreach offering to Episcopal Relief and Development… or both!
    Fill out the card in this week’s bulletin or email Rev. Michelle by noon on Friday, December 22.

    Longest Night: A service of reflection, healing, and hope
    Wednesday, December 21, 6:30 pm in person and online


    On Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 pm, we will offer a Longest Night Service, both live at St. John’s and online via Facebook Live and Zoom. A service of prayer, reflection, and healing for those dealing with loss of all kinds.

    We traditionally think of the holiday season as a time of joy and abundance, but for some the pressure to celebrate can be overwhelming. Life situations and loss can heighten feelings of worry and grief. This is a service of light in the midst of darkness and the interplay of both, scheduled on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.

    Through music, silent meditation, scripture, and healing prayer, we reach out to acknowledge sadness with comfort and quiet remembrance, to reflect on the losses we have experienced and to remember together the real reason for the season: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. God is with us.

    Whether you are having a difficult time this holiday season or just want a moment of quiet, please come. If you know someone who is sad, struggling, or alone, invite them to attend. Everyone is welcome.

    Our guest musician will be composer and musician Ana Hernández.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Continue bringing your pledge cards!


    The Pledge Campaign maybe over but we continue to receive pledge cards. Blank pledge cards are available beside the bulletins as you walk in. Just fill it out and place it into the plate during the Offertory.
    If you are unable to come on Sunday, simply contact our Stewardship Chair Kathy Burdick at burdikka8889@gmail.com to report your pledge for 2024. Thank you for your pledge to the mission of St. John’s!

    Advent Learning Series: Becoming Beloved Community

    Holy Cross/Santa Cruz and St. John’s Episcopal Churches
    4 Evenings: Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21


    Join members of both Episcopal congregations in Kingston for the season of Advent as we gather on Thursday nights to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about what it means to Become the Beloved Community.We begin with a potluck dinner at St. John’s at 6:00 pm on November 30 and continue each week through the season. A wonderful learning opportunity to learn and a beautiful way to deepen the community amongst both congregations.For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com to access the Zoom session each Thursday.November 30 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s – potluck dinner kick-off!
    December 7 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross Santa/Cruz
    December 14 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s
    December 21 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross/Santa Cruz

    December 24: Advent IV and Christmas Eve
    3 worship services, one day


    10:00 am Our final worship service of Advent
     is a spoken Eucharist. Come for a quiet, prayerful morning before the festivities begin.

    4:00 pm Christmas Eve All Ages Worship is a sing-along and story-telling service designed for younger ears. Bring along friends and family and help us all tell the story together.

    8:00 pm  Christmas Eve Festive Choral Worship is when we pull out all the stops – a hymn-filled joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, including Silent Night by candlelight. This year, followed by a dessert reception! Carol singing and music recital begins at 7:30 pm.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    The Divine Light


    Dear Ones,

    Our online Centering Prayer group meets every Wednesday evening and this past Wednesday, we had a lovely reading from Thomas Keating that referred to the first chapter of John’s Gospel. I found this to be such a compelling reminder of what we’re really talking about when we celebrate Christmas. Here are both readings (John and Thomas Keating) for your reflection:
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.     (John 1: 1-10)

    “Each liturgical season has a period of preparation that readies us for the celebration of the climactic feast. The feast of Christmas is the first burst of light in the unfolding of the Christmas-Epiphany Mystery. Theologically, Christmas is the revelation of the Eternal Word made flesh. But it takes time to celebrate and penetrate all that this event actually contains and involves. The most we can do on Christmas night is gasp in wonderment and rejoice with the angels and the shepherds who first experienced it. The various aspects of the Mystery of divine light are examined one by one in the days following Christmas. The liturgy carefully unpacks the marvelous treasures that are contained in the initial burst of light. Actually, we do not grasp the full import of the Mystery until we move through the other two cycles (Easter-Ascension and Pentecost). As the divine light grows brighter, it reveals what it contains, that is, divine life; and divine life reveals that the Ultimate Reality is Love.”   – Thomas Keating 

    All I can offer to that is a humble but profound, Amen.

    In God’s love and mine,
    Rev. Michelle

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Announcements for December 17
    The Third Sunday of Advent

    St. John’s Office Hours
    Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 noon
    Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm
    Phone: 845-331-2252
    Email: stjohnskingston@aol.comTHIS SUNDAYGreening the Sanctuary  Stay after worship to help decorate the Sanctuary in preparation for our Christmas celebration. We’ll have a bowl of chili for you to keep up your energy. Choir rehearsal after worship.NEXT WEDNESDAYDecember 20: Longest Night Service 6:30 pm.
    A space for grief, sorrow, and hope. Join us in person or online for a service of quiet prayer, readings, music, and healing on the longest night of the year. Come and be in the space at St. John’s or join online at: stjohnskingston.org/celebrate-pray/onlineAdvent Learning Series: Becoming Beloved Community A joint offering by St. John’s and Holy Cross/Santa Cruz to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about what it means to Become the Beloved Community. Thursdays at 6:00 pm (Dec 21 at HCSC). For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle to register beforehand for Zoom access.

    Christmas Memorials All memorials and thanksgivings will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Fill out the slip and place in the envelope enclosed in the bulletin with your check or cash inside.
    Place it in the collection plate this Sunday! You can also use paypal at:  stjohnskingston.org/grow/stewardship-and-giving (Just be sure to make a note about why you’re giving), then email Rev. Michelle by noon on Friday, December 22 with the memorial or thanksgiving.
    You can choose how you’d like to give:
    1) Poinsettias Donations help to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas through the purchase of poinsettias. After our Christmas Eve celebration, they will be given out to people by the Pastoral Care Team.
    2) Outreach Your Outreach memorial donations will go to Episcopal Relief and Development. You can learn more about the work of ERD at episcopalrelief.org.Page Turners Book Club meets the first Thursday of the month, at 2 pm, in the parish hall. New members are always welcome! Upcoming selections: Jan 11: The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery. Feb 8: The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese (Long book, start early!); Mar 7: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride. Speak to Lynn Dennison, Barbara Johnston, or Claudette Ford for more info.

    Online Morning Prayer: Join hundreds of others from across the Episcopal Diocese of New York every weekday morning at 8:00 am. Start your day with prayer, connection, and peace. Go to dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayer to register and receive the Zoom link.

  2. December 8th

    The Good News from St. John’s Kingston

    This Sunday at St. John’s
    December 10, 2023

     

    Bishop Mary Glasspool: Baptisms and Receptions
    And Cookie Exchange!

    Join in the special celebration of new membership on December 10 as we welcome the Right Reverend Mary Glasspool, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Bishop Mary will preach and preside over a special service during which we will baptize 2 people and she will receive 3 people into the Episcopal Church.


    Also, on December 10 we will have our Second Annual Cookie Exchange! Make 2 dozen (more or less) of your favorite Christmas cookies and bring them to church on December 10. Then, during coffee hour, choose your favorite cookies from the abundance so you have a beautiful selection of cookies for this year. More info to come!

    Rock Academy Holiday Concert
    Sunday, December 10, 2:00 pm

     


    Join in the fun as Rock Academy brings their performance to St. John’s this coming Sunday. The show is free – they only ask that you bring items for the Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Soap Closet – hats, gloves, mittens, socks are all on the list. Or travel-sized personal hygiene items like deodorant, shampoo, soap, tampons/pads, band-aids, Neosporin, etc.

    Learn more at rockacademy.com

     

    Film Screening: The Philadelphia 11
    Sunday, December 10, 4:00 pm at St. James, Hyde Park

     


    St. James’ Hyde Park will host a screening of a new full-length documentary about the Philadelphia Eleven on Sunday afternoon, December 10th. The film depicts the story of 11 women who were ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church when it wasn’t within the laws of the church to do so. It’s a story of courage, faith, justice, controversy, and love.

    You can learn about the film and watch the trailer here: https://www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com/

    The event will open with a brief potluck reception at 4 pm, followed by the 90-minute screening and closing with a service of evening prayer at about 6 pm. Talk to Rev. Michelle if you’d like to carpool.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Continue bringing your pledge cards!


    The Pledge Campaign maybe over but we continue to receive pledge cards. Blank pledge cards are available beside the bulletins as you walk in. Just fill it out and place it into the plate during the Offertory.
    If you are unable to come on Sunday, simply contact our Stewardship Chair Kathy Burdick at burdikka8889@gmail.com to report your pledge for 2024. Thank you for your pledge to the mission of St. John’s!

    Advent Learning Series: Becoming Beloved Community

    Holy Cross/Santa Cruz and St. John’s Episcopal Churches
    4 Evenings: Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21


    Join members of both Episcopal congregations in Kingston for the season of Advent as we gather on Thursday nights to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about what it means to Become the Beloved Community.

    We begin with a potluck dinner at St. John’s at 6:00 pm on November 30 and continue each week through the season. A wonderful learning opportunity to learn and a beautiful way to deepen the community amongst both congregations.

    For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com to access the Zoom session each Thursday.

    November 30 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s – potluck dinner kick-off!
    December 7 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross Santa/Cruz
    December 14 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s
    December 21 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross/Santa Cruz

    Greening the Sanctuary
    Sunday, December 17 after worship


    It’s all hands on deck on December 17. Stay after worship as we decorate with greenery and place our candles around our worship space to prepare for Christmas. We’ll have some warm chili ready to go that morning to keep up the energy for our work.

    Longest Night: A service of reflection, healing, and hope
    Wednesday, December 21, 6:30 pm in person and online


    On Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 pm, we will offer a Longest Night Service, both live at St. John’s and online via Facebook Live and Zoom. A service of prayer, reflection, and healing for those dealing with loss of all kinds.

    We traditionally think of the holiday season as a time of joy and abundance, but for some the pressure to celebrate can be overwhelming. Life situations and loss can heighten feelings of worry and grief. This is a service of light in the midst of darkness and the interplay of both, scheduled on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.

    Through music, silent meditation, scripture, and healing prayer, we reach out to acknowledge sadness with comfort and quiet remembrance, to reflect on the losses we have experienced and to remember together the real reason for the season: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. God is with us.

    Our guest musician will be composer and musician Ana HernándezWhether you are having a difficult time this holiday season or just want a moment of quiet, please come. If you know someone who is sad, struggling, or alone, invite them to attend. Everyone is welcome.

    December 24: Advent IV and Christmas Eve
    3 worship services, one day


    10:00 am Our final worship service of Advent
     is a spoken Eucharist. Come for a quiet, prayerful morning before the festivities begin.

    4:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship is a sing-along and story-telling service designed for younger ears. Bring along friends and family and help us all tell the story together.

    8:00 pm  Christmas Eve Festive Choral Worship is when we pull out all the stops – a hymn-filled joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, including Silent Night by candlelight. This year, followed by a dessert reception! Carol singing and music recital begins at 7:30 pm.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    The Season of Advent


    Dear Ones,

    The Season of Advent is upon us. We have entered into a time of quiet, spaciousness, preparation, and hope. I spent time tonight with the group who gathered from both the Kingston congregations – Holy Cross/Santa Cruz and St. John’s – for our Advent study and we reflected on the meaning of this season.

    As I listened to people reflecting on their memories of their childhood Advent experiences, I heard stories of anticipation and delight, participation and wonder. What a beautiful way to summarize the meaning of this season.

    My family didn’t participate in any Advent rituals that I can recall. So, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered for myself this beautiful season and it remains my favorite season of the church year. Even when it’s a busy time, there is a sense of underlying stillness – like a deep pool of water – ready to receive whatever is coming next.

    What are you discovering about Advent this year? How is your faith deepening?

    In God’s love and mine,
    Rev. Michelle

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Announcements for December 10
    The Second Sunday of Advent

    St. John’s Office Hours
    Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 noon
    Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm
    Phone: 845-331-2252
    Email: stjohnskingston@aol.com

    THIS SUNDAY! Final day to bring blankets for People’s Place Project Santa.

    CONTINUING THIS THURSDAY at St. John’s: Advent Learning Series: Becoming Beloved Community A joint offering by St. John’s and Holy Cross/Santa Cruz to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about what it means to Become the Beloved Community. Thursdays at 6:00 pm (Dec 14 at StJ, Dec 21 at HCSC). For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle to register beforehand for Zoom access.

    NEXT WEEKGreening the Sanctuary  Stay after worship to help decorate the Sanctuary in preparation for our Christmas celebration. We’ll have a bowl of chili for you to keep up your energy. Choir rehearsal after worship.

    WednesdayDecember 20: Longest Night Service 6:30 pm.
    A space for grief, sorrow, and hope. Join us in person or online for a service of quiet prayer, readings, music, and healing on the longest night of the year. Come and be in the space at St. John’s or join online at: stjohnskingston.org/celebrate-pray/online

    Christmas Memorials All memorials and thanksgivings will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Fill out the slip and place in the envelope enclosed in the bulletin with your check or cash inside. Place it in the collection plate today or bring it back next Sunday, Dec 17. You can also use paypal by going to stjohnskingston.org/grow/stewardship-and-giving (Just be sure to make a note about why you’re giving), then email Rev. Michelle by noon on Friday, December 22 with the memorial or thanksgiving.
    You can choose how you’d like to give:
    1) Poinsettias Donations help to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas through the purchase of poinsettias. After our Christmas Eve celebration, they will be given out to people by the Pastoral Care Team.
    2) Outreach Your Outreach memorial donations will go to Episcopal Relief and Development. You can learn more about the work of ERD at episcopalrelief.org.

    Page Turners Book Club meets the first Thursday of the month, at 2 pm, in the parish hall. New members are always welcome! Upcoming selections: Jan 11: The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery. Feb 8: The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese (Long book, start early!); Mar 7: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride. Speak to Lynn Dennison, Barbara Johnston, or Claudette Ford for more info.

    Online Morning Prayer: Join hundreds of others from across the Episcopal Diocese of New York every weekday morning at 8:00 am. Start your day with prayer, connection, and peace. Go to dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayer to register and receive the Zoom link.

  3. December 3rd

    The Good News from St. John’s Kingston

    This Sunday at St. John’s
    December 3, 2023

    Ingathering Sunday

    Bring your pledge cards

    This Sunday we will have a special ingathering of pledges so please remember to bring your pledge cards or take one as you come into the Sanctuary. Of course, we will continue to receive pledges after this Sunday but please do so soon so that the Vestry has good information for the budget. Thank you for your pledge to the mission of St. John’s!

    St. Nicholas Celebration
    Bring an extra shoe to All Ages Worship

    Don’t forget to bring an extra shoe (or 2) on Sunday, December 3 because we’ll be celebrating St. Nicholas and talking about the surprise of gifts and blessings. Leave your shoes outside the sanctuary… and let’s see what happens!

    The Waters of Baptism: Reflecting On Baptism Together
    Stay after worship for a special conversation

    What does Baptism mean? How does it impact our personal life and our common life as a baptismal community?

    At St. John’s, we are blessed with a wide variety of experience with Baptism. Some of us were baptized when we were young, some of us were baptized as older children or even adults, and some haven’t been baptized yet.

    What does this event mean to us? Has its meaning changed as we’ve gotten older? What can we learn about Baptism that we hadn’t considered before?

    Bishop Mary Glasspool will be with us on December 10 when she will baptize a number of our members, receive some members who are coming to the Episcopal Church from other traditions, and we will all renew our Baptismal Vows.

    The season of Advent is a wonderful time to reflect on Baptism as a beginning and a renewal. Join Rev. Michelle on December 3 after worship for a lively conversation and reflection.

    Advent Wreath Making
    Also after worship

    Stay after worship on November 26  or December 3 and create an Advent Wreath for the coming season. Advent wreaths are a beautiful way to bring your Christian faith into your home and offer a space of quiet prayer during a busy season as we all prepare for the coming of Christ.

    Rev. Michelle will have a set of prayers to go along with your home practice of lighting the Advent Wreath. For kids, pick up a paper Advent Wreath kit with special drawings ready to color and cut out.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Advent Learning Series: Becoming Beloved Community

    Holy Cross/Santa Cruz and St. John’s Episcopal Churches
    4 Evenings: Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21

    Join members of both Episcopal congregations in Kingston for the season of Advent as we gather on Thursday nights to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about what it means to Become the Beloved Community.

    We begin with a potluck dinner at St. John’s at 6:00 pm on November 30 and continue each week through the season. A wonderful learning opportunity to learn and a beautiful way to deepen the community amongst both congregations.

    For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com to access the Zoom session each Thursday.

    November 30 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s – potluck dinner kick-off!
    December 7 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross Santa/Cruz
    December 14 at 6:00 pm, St. John’s
    December 21 at 6:00 pm, Holy Cross/Santa Cruz

    Advent Quiet Day: Mary and Joseph, Their Yes/Our Yes
    Saturday, December 2, 10-4 at Christ the King, Stone Ridge

    An Advent Quiet Day for the Ulster Episcopal Deanery
    Led by Sisters Shane Phelan and Elizabeth Broyles. the Companions of Mary the Apostle

    Mary and Joseph said a wholehearted Yes to God’s desire that they be parents of Jesus. God invites, calls and asks us to say Yes many times in our lives. What goes into that for you? Join us for prayer and reflection as we begin the season of Advent together.

    Saturday, December 2 from 10-4  Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge. Lunch provided. Carpooling available. Click here to register,  Or call the CTK Office at 845-687-9414

    Bishop Mary Glasspool: Baptisms and Receptions
    And Cookie Exchange!
    Sunday, December 10 at 10:00 am


    Join in the special celebration of new membership on December 10 as we welcome the Right Reverend Mary Glasspool, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Bishop Mary will preach and preside over a special service during which we will baptize 3 people and she will receive 3 people into the Episcopal Church.


    Also, on December 10 we will have our Second Annual Cookie Exchange! Make 2 dozen (more or less) of your favorite Christmas cookies and bring them to church on December 10. Then, during coffee hour, choose your favorite cookies from the abundance so you have a beautiful selection of cookies for this year. More info to come!

    Film Screening: The Philadelphia 11
    Sunday, December 10, 4:00 pm at St. James, Hyde Park

    St. James’ Hyde Park will host a screening of a new full-length documentary about the Philadelphia Eleven on Sunday afternoon, December 10th. The film depicts the story of 11 women who were ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church when it wasn’t within the laws of the church to do so. It’s a story of courage, faith, justice, controversy, and love.

    You can learn about the film and watch the trailer here: https://www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com/

    The event will open with a brief potluck reception at 4 pm, followed by the 90-minute screening and closing with a service of evening prayer at about 6 pm. Talk to Rev. Michelle if you’d like to carpool.

    Greening the Sanctuary
    Sunday, December 17 after worship

     


    It’s all hands on deck on December 17. Stay after worship as we decorate with greenery and place our candles around our worship space to prepare for Christmas. We’ll have some warm chili ready to go that morning to keep up the energy for our work.

    Longest Night: A service of reflection, healing, and hope

    Wednesday, December 21, 6:30 pm in person and online

    On Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 pm, we will offer a Longest Night Service, both live at St. John’s and online via Facebook Live and Zoom. A service of prayer, reflection, and healing for those dealing with loss of all kinds.

    We traditionally think of the holiday season as a time of joy and abundance, but for some the pressure to celebrate can be overwhelming. Life situations and loss can heighten feelings of worry and grief. This is a service of light in the midst of darkness and the interplay of both, scheduled on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.

    Through music, silent meditation, scripture, and healing prayer, we reach out to acknowledge sadness with comfort and quiet remembrance, to reflect on the losses we have experienced and to remember together the real reason for the season: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. God is with us.

    Our guest musician will be composer and musician Ana HernándezWhether you are having a difficult time this holiday season or just want a moment of quiet, please come. If you know someone who is sad, struggling, or alone, invite them to attend. Everyone is welcome.

    December 24: Advent IV and Christmas Eve
    3 worship services, one day

    10:00 am Our final worship service of Advent is a spoken Eucharist. Come for a quiet, prayerful morning before the festivities begin.

    4:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship is a sing-along and story-telling service designed for younger ears. Bring along friends and family and help us all tell the story together.

    8:00 pm  Christmas Eve Festive Choral Worship is when we pull out all the stops – a hymn-filled joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, including Silent Night by candlelight. This year, followed by a dessert reception! Carol singing and music recital begins at 7:30 pm.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    The Practice of Saying “Yes”


    Dear Ones,

    “It is in giving that we receive.” – attributed to St. Francis

    I’m the kind of person who plans to do things but, at the last minute, sometimes decides that I don’t want to do it. I’ve been working to uncover exactly what it is that causes that last minute trepidation and I have a few ideas. But that’s a pondering for my own prayers.

    My point in starting off my weekly missive with this thought is, that I forget all the time just how much I receive from my own participation in things. I believe that participation is an act of giving – we give of ourselves when we pledge our time or our money. We give of ourselves when we offer our gifts. When we show up, we are giving of ourselves. But I really do receive so much from my participation. It’s just like the prayer from St. Francis says: “It is in giving that we receive.”

    I recognize that our “no” is important too though. Sometimes our “no” is a way of saying “yes” to ourselves. But often, our “no” can be a habit, thinking our presence doesn’t matter. Either “yes” or “no” can feel like a risk. It depends on what’s happening for us.

    And we are still recovering from the social isolation of the pandemic. It’s true that Covid remains with us and will never fully go away. But we also developed habits during our isolation that are holding on. It makes me wonder: Do people remember how much of a gift they are to all the rest of us… just because they show up? Not to risk our health, of course, because sometimes we have to take this into account too. But do we really remember how joyful it is to be together?

    Frankly, from my own experience, I know that sometimes it takes several invitations before someone will accept. I suspect God understands this about us humans. So, I also wonder: When’s the last time I explicitly invited someone to join me in something, someone who keeps saying no? Who knows… maybe they will say yes this time. And what a gift that would be!

    All this to say, that while we are making invitations to all the things this season and while we are pondering our own participation in the things we are invited to, I ask that we see what this season holds for us. Whether it’s to ourselves or to others, for this season of Advent, let’s practice saying “yes”.

    In God’s love and mine,
    Rev. Michelle

    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Announcements for December 3
    The First Sunday of Advent

    St. John’s Office Hours
    Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 noon
    Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm
    Phone: 845-331-2252
    Email: stjohnskingston@aol.comTHIS SUNDAY! Special Forum: The Waters of Baptism Some of us were baptized when we were really young, some of us were a little older, and some haven’t been baptized yet. Join Rev. Michelle for a special forum on December 3 after worship to talk about and reflect on the meaning of Baptism in our lives and in the life of the Church. All are welcome!Advent Wreath Making: If you didn’t get a chance last week, we still have the materials for you to make an Advent Wreath. Be sure to take a set of Advent Wreath prayers with you. For kids, we have a special paper version to color and cut-out.CONTINUES THIS THURSDAY at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz
    Advent Learning Series: The Way of Love 
    A joint offering by St. John’s and Holy Cross/Santa Cruz to reflect on scripture, pray, and learn more about the Way of Love. Thursdays at 6:00 pm (Dec 7 at HCSC, Dec 14 at StJ, Dec 21 at HCSC). For those who do not drive at night, email Rev. Michelle to register beforehand for Zoom access.NEXT WEEK! Bishop Mary Glasspool will be with us to preach, preside, baptize, and receive people into the Episcopal Church.
    After worship: COOKIE EXCHANGE! Bring 2 dozen cookies to share and take home your favorites. Godly Play is offered for kids during worship.FINAL WEEK! Outreach Project: People’s Place Project Santa – This year People’s Place needs blankets for kids up to age 16 for their Project Santa. Collection box is next to the Baptismal Font. We need all blankets by Dec 10!The season of Preparation: We will have 2 opportunities to help prepare the church for the Bishop’s visit and for Christmas. We will have a work party on December 9, at 9:30. Come for as much time as you can, to help us polish the silver and general clean up. The Greening of the Sanctuary is on December 17 after worship. Everyone is welcome. No experience needed, and there will be snacks!

    Christmas Memorials All memorials and thanksgivings will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Fill out the slip and place in the envelope enclosed in the bulletin with your check or cash inside. Place it in the collection plate today or bring it back over the next 2 Sundays. You can also use paypal by going to stjohnskingston.org/grow/stewardship-and-giving (Just be sure to make a note about why you’re giving, then email Rev. Michelle by noon on Friday, December 22 with the memorial or thanksgiving.
    You can choose how you’d like to give:
    1) Poinsettias Donations help to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas through the purchase of poinsettias, After our Christmas Eve celebration, they will be given out to people by the Pastoral Care Team.
    2) Outreach Your Outreach memorial donations will go to Episcopal Relief and Development. You can learn more about the work of ERD at episcopalrelief.org.Online Morning Prayer: Join hundreds of others from across the Episcopal Diocese of New York every weekday morning at 8:00 am. Start your day with prayer, connection, and peace. Go to dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayer to register and receive the Zoom link.Page Turners Book Club meets the first Thursday of the month, at 2 pm, in the parish hall. New members are always welcome! Upcoming selections: Dec 7: Black Cake, by Charmaine Wilkerson. (A series on Hulu!); Jan 11: The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery. Feb 8: The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese (Long book, start early!); Mar 7: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride. Speak to Lynn Dennison, Barbara Johnston, or Claudette Ford for more info.