This Sunday March 6: Social Hour Returns with a Special Conversation
No host, no Social Hour that day. And we do want Social Hour!
And this Sunday, our Social Hour time will feature a special conversation about the search for a new Bishop for the Diocese of New York. In last week’s newsletter, Rev. Michelle wrote about the search for the new Bishop. And, as members of this diocese, it is extremely important to make sure our voices are heard. So, let’s have a conversation about the responsibilities of a bishop, the current context of the church, and what kind of support we need in the Hudson Valley.
The Committee to Elect a Bishop has launched a survey to get your thoughts, which closes on Monday, March 14 and can be found here: Episcopal Diocese of New York Bishop Search – A Website of the Episcopal Diocese of New York (dioceseny.org)
Rev. Michelle will have 2 computers at the ready on Sunday so that you can easily fill out the survey before you leave church. So, please be sure to stay for this special and important conversation!
In addition, you will find a schedule of listening sessions below. These are times when members of the Committee to Elect a Bishop will be present to listen to everyone in the Diocese of New York – that’s you! There is a link to register for each one. Each of these sessions will:
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The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church: Hearings and Committee Deliberation Continue
Along with this postponement, comes something new – the meetings are beginning several months earlier and they are taking place over Zoom. This means the work of General Convention more available to people across the Church. You can join a Zoom meeting to watch the hearings and even sign up to testify in support of or to argue against any resolution begin considered by the 80th General Convention.
Resolutions are assigned to different Legislative Committees for reflection. Then the Legislative Committees will decide how to move each resolution forward for voting in July when General Convention meets.
How do I participate?
- Begin by going to the General Convention’s “virtual binder” where you can find all the information you need about what resolutions are being considered and when the hearings are taking place. Click this link to go to the virtual binder: General Convention Virtual Binder (vbinder.net)
- Once you’re on the website, go to “Legislative Committee Meetings” to view the schedule and the docket for that Committee. If you’d like to review the Resolutions themselves, click on “Resolutions” instead. It will tell you which Legislative Committee has been assigned to it.
- Decide which meetings you would like to attend and/or offer testimony in.
- Send a request to attend by clicking here: Legislative Committee Meetings — The General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Note: You must register at least 2 days before the committee is set to meet.
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Renewal: An Invitation to a Holy Lent
Our guest preacher at our noonday service on Ash Wednesday, the Rev. Canon Victor Conrado, asked us, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s a quote from a Mary Oliver poem, of course, but in the context of Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of the immediacy of this question because we are also reminded of our own mortality.
And so we look to Lent this year as a time of renewal. To reconnect to our wild and precious self and rediscover the deep desire of our heart, this gift from God that brings us to our truest calling and our most profound ministry.
This week, we begin our season of Lent, a journey of renewal. Traditionally, Lent is a time is set aside for self-examination and repentance. But, as Canon Victor said in his sermon, what if Lent were less about what has happened in the past and more about becoming into the future? What if we spend time examining our wild selves? What if we take this time to repent from practices that deaden us? And then, Lent becomes a time to remove from our lives those things that close us down and keep us bound to past mistakes so that we can open up to the renewal God has waiting for us.
You are invited to the observance of a Holy Lent. A time of Renewal.
In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle
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Announcements for
March 6, 2022
Social Hour returns this Sunday! Now that the pandemic numbers have decreased, we are set to resume our social hour. Please join us after worship for coffee and snacks. And sign up on the bulletin board in the Vestibule to be a host! Talk with our Hospitality Coordinator, Barbara Johnston for more information.
Page Turners Book Club: The books for the next several months have been announced: April 5- Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr; May 3- The Murmur of Bees, by Sofia Segova. Speak with Lynn Dennison for more information.
Choir Rehearsal! Begins March 20 after worship. Please contact our Director of Music, Terry Earles, if you are interested in being a part of the choir. All members must be fully vaccinated and will wear masks designed for singing.
St. John’s is hiring! We are looking for a Rental Manager – someone with commercial kitchen experience who also has communication/promotional skills to promote our space. The position is posted on our website: Employment Opportunities – St. John’s Kingston (stjohnskingston.org)
And we have hired our new Sexton: Welcome Alex Serrano!
Alex grew up in this area and also works for Holy Cross/Santa Cruz as their Sexton. He will do both of these part time jobs alongside owning his own landscaping business. When you see him around, please welcome him and introduce yourself!
Altar Flower Slots for 2022: The following Sundays are open for those who wish to make a dedication in the name of their loved ones with altar flowers. April 24, June 12, June 26, October 30. Please contact Elaine Lawrence via email to discuss: eslawrenc@aol.com
Have an announcement for the bulletin?
Please send by Wednesday at noon to stjohnskingston@aol.com
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St. John’s Upcoming Schedule
Mar 6: Social Hour Resumes with a Conversation about the Bishop Search
Mar 20: Choir Rehearsal returns after worship
Mar 27: Guest Preacher: The Rev. Dcn. Gene Bourquin, Pastoral Minister for Deaf and Disability Ministry – stay after worship for a conversation with Deacon Gene.
Apr 4: Lenten Healing Service, 7:30 pm
Apr 10: Palm Sunday
Apr 14: Maundy Thursday
Apr 15: Good Friday
Apr 16: Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil
Apr 17: Easter Sunday and Egg Hunt!