Coming Up at St. John’s
This Sunday: All Ages Worship
This Sunday is All Ages Worship and Rev. Michelle will tell the story of Doubting Thomas. Well, she will tell a story about him and how important questions are in our faith lives. See you Sunday morning at 10:00 am!
New Life in the Season of Easter
Dear Ones,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Although this week may have been a little on the cold and wet side, I know we can all see evidence of springtime coming up alongside us. Bushes and trees are leafing. Daffodils are all over the place. Forsythia are flaming into bloom. It’s early spring in New York.
As I reflect on this during the first week of Easter, I am reminded of how important it is for us to pay attention. Especially as we grow older, I think it’s easy for us to grow disenchanted with life. In something as amazing as early spring – with all that happens in this season – we can so easily stop paying attention to it because… we see it every spring.
But I hope for you that you stop awhile, in the busyness of your lives, and offer your attention. Offer your attention to the new life as it arises from the earth, how delicate and how powerful this new life is. Consider all the factors and conditions that have gone into producing a simple bud on a tree. Why a daffodil is shaped the way it is. What it means that life goes through cycles instead of just continuing to produce and produce and produce all the time.
It’s when we stop all of the task work and just rest in the glory of God that we find we experience new life. So, rest in this glory. Let it spark your imagination. Allow it to wash over you and take root in your soul.
This is Easter. Alleluia!
In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle
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Announcements for April 7: The Second Sunday of Easter
Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 noon
Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm
Phone: 845-331-2252
Email: stjohnskingston@aol.com
- Baptisms! May 19: Rev. Michelle will be baptizing people on May 19, the Feast of Pentecost – that’s just a few weeks away! If you are interested in baptism for either yourself or your child, please reach out ASAP to Rev. Michelle so that she can provide preparation. Email her at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com
- Sunday School Assistance: Our Godly Play program is an integral part of life at St. John’s. Here’s how you can help: Volunteer to be the assistant. You don’t have to prepare anything, you just have to be present for the first half of worship with the children and our Godly Play Storyteller. Please talk to Leah for more information.
- Did you know we have an Anglican Rosary? If you are interested in learning about it, you are invited to join Rita Carver, an Education for Ministry mentor, on Saturday mornings at 9:00 to learn to pray our Rosary. To sign up or learn more contact Rita at rita.k.carver@gmail.com
- 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: May 2: North Woods by Daniel Mason. Speak to Lynn Dennison, Barbara Johnston, or Claudette Ford for more info.
- Pastoral Care Meeting May 5: Come and be a part of the compassion and care fabric of St. John’s. Pastoral Care is about finding ways to reach out to anyone who needs a little extra care as we learn to care for one another more deeply in Christ’s love. Talk to Laura Ricci for more information.
- 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 join.
- Choir Rehearsal takes place on the third Sunday every month. Please speak with Terry Earles to learn more about the choir.
- Social Hour Sign-up: If you enjoy staying after worship for snacks and socializing, please sign up to host! The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the vestibule. Talk to Barbara Johnston at 845-594-2181.
St. John’s Upcoming Schedule
See stjohnskingston.org/welcome/event-calendar for more info.
April 7 All Ages Worship
April 13 Vestry Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery
April 14 Godly Play for kids
April 21 Healing Sunday; Choir rehearsal; Vestry Meeting
April 28 After Worship Forum – St. John’s Parish Life Committee
May 19 Feast of Pentecost