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

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The Good News of St. John’s

December, 2023

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.
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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 Hernández. 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.

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.
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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
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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.