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Monthly Newsletter of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Wytheville, VA
Church Office telephone: (276) 228-2562 FAX: (276) 228-6573
Rector E-Mail: Church office E-Mail:
Web page: stjohnswytheville.org
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I’ve been pondering Holy Spirit.
During the last days of Lent, Jesus told his disciples that it was good for him to go back to the Father, so that the Advocate would come to them. On the second Sunday of Easter, we hear the story of how Jesus breathed on his disciples and told them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” At the end of the Easter season we will come to the Feast of Pentecost, and hear again the story of how the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in wind and fire. I’ve been struck, though, with the realization that we don’t ever hear much more about the Holy Spirit.
We grow up with little idea of who the Holy Spirit is. I regularly tell preschoolers Godly Play stories about how God the Father created the world, made a covenant, chose a people, and cared for them. I tell them stories about what Jesus did and who he was, and I share his parables with them. But through it all, the Holy Spirit gets barely a mention.
And yet, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the Triune God. Like Jesus, the Spirit is God from God, light from light, true God from true God, of one being with the Father. Why, then, do we say so little about the Holy Spirit? A large part of the reason is that the Spirit is so hard to hold onto. It blows where it chooses. We can hear the sound of it, but we cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. The Father is like a parent. Jesus his Son is like our older brother. We can understand fathers, sons and brothers. Its mystery and insubstantiality make the Spirit difficult to describe or discuss. The mystery of the Spirit also makes it feel a little threatening, even dangerous. Jesus seems safe and harmless compared to a wind and fire that blows where it wants and burns when it chooses. Perhaps we subconsciously avoid talking about the Spirit, because we’re afraid we might attract its attention. What if it drives us into the wilderness? What if we start seeing visions, or speaking in tongues? People might think we’re weird!
There is more to the story, though, than it might seem. I believe the most significant reason we
speak so little about the Holy Spirit is the difficulty of telling a story we are living, a story whose ending we have not yet seen. The Old Testament tells how the God the Father created the cosmos and chose a people as his own. The New Testament tells how God the Son became Immanuel, God with us, and how the Church began to grow. The Now testament, the testament that we are living, tells how God the Holy Spirit inhabits, informs, empowers, and guides the Church as it gives life to the world. We can’t tell the story of the Holy Spirit we can only live it out.
Need Prayer?
St. John’s has a dedicated prayer chain willing to pray for anyone in need of prayer. They do not need to be members of our church, nor do we restrict to prayers of healing! Important decision; let us pray for guidance; job interview, upcoming medical tests, doctor’s appointment, etc., let us pray for you.
How to request prayers: email to Lucy Grubb [Prayer Chain chairman] at or call the church and they will contact her. There is a prayer request box in the Narthex with forms to be filled out and dropped into the box. You may also call Lucy at 276-686-5183 or Cell 276-620-5183 or send a text to the cell number. If you do not want your name mentioned, please let her know and only the request for prayer will go out to the other members.
Interested in becoming a member of the prayer chain? Send an email to Lucy Grubb and you will be added to the group to get prayer requests.
NEXT VESTRY MEETING
MAY 23, 2017 7:00pm
VACATIONBIBLESCHOOL
VacationBibleSchool will be June 5-8 from 9 am to 12 pm at Wytheville Presbyterian Church. We are in need of volunteers to help with all aspects this year as I will be unable to attend the full week. Please email me at or call me at 615-477-1598 if you have questions or would like to help.
Karen Melton
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY CELEBRATES
Our Little Free Library has reopened just in time to celebrate its first anniversary. Just over a year ago, it was formally opened to the public with little fanfare, but seems to have become quite popular, judging from comments left behind. It has been used both by local people and by out-of-towners, many of whom have left very favorable comments. Judging from comments left, patrons have included many from out of state, and at least one person from a foreign country, Guatemala!
The LFL has been closed for several months because of ongoing sidewalk construction, but its enforced hibernation seems not to have hurt it at all. During the first week after reopening, over 50 books left its walls and went out into the community or beyond. Committee members have kept an eagle eye on it and replace books, trying to keep it well-stocked at all times. If you have not had an opportunity to check it out, please do so. We think you’ll like it!
Volunteers Needed
The Little Free Library, sponsored by the ECW, needs volunteers. Our committee is small, but active. As a committee member, your job is to check the LFL one day a week and restock it as necessary. In addition, when new books are received, we generally meet as a group to stamp them with both an LFL stamp and an ECW stamp, then put them on shelving in the youth room, ready to go out to the LFL. If you are interested, please contact Mimi Bookerat 228-3707 and leave a message or email her at . We hope to hear from YOU!
SOS
Pictures are needed for the scrapbook. Please leave picturesof St. John’s events in the box on bottom shelf near the copier or email to
Thank you.
St. John’s Relay for Life Team
The St. John’s Relay for Life team is collecting money for the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research and education in our area. Our team members include Lucy Grubb, Paul Weyandt, Frank and Kathy Slavin, Pat Phillippi, Beth Taylor, Karen Melton, June Kerss, Thom Moore, Chuck Johnson, Kirstie Smith, Frances Barton and Julie Kause.
Our team will be having a table at the ABC sale on Friday April 28th near the checkout tables. We accept checks made out to the American Cancer Society as well as cash/change. We will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets as well as giving donors a Beanie Baby (thank you, June).
The annual celebration for our Wythe County Relay for Life is Friday, May 12th at WithersPark. The party begins at 6 pm and ends Saturday, May 13th at 7 am. Our St. John’s team will be pitching our tent on Thursday afternoon and begin decorating. Our motto is “Sink Cancer: Full Speed Ahead” and we are looking for any nautical themed decorations to make our tent look great.
Please join us at our St. John’s tent beginning at 6 pm for food, music, dancing, and walking the track. Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives to join us also. It is a celebration but it is also a chance to honor those who have or who have had cancer. The luminaries will be lit around 10pm and this ceremony is always special. We have luminaries for sale up until the 12th. The white bags are $5 and the gold bags are $25.00. A luminary can be “ In Honor of…” someone who is fighting cancer or who is a survivor. “ In Memory …” remembers our loved ones who fought the good battle and lost.
I hope to see everyone on May 12th. It is a wonderful community event and St. John’s has always been a vital part of Relay. If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so. Money raised for Relay gives hope not only to you and me, but to the generations after us.
Julie Kause/ Team Captain
ST. JOHN’S YOUTH PERFORM
AT GWHS
We had a few of our St. John's youth shine on stage in the GeorgeWytheHigh School's production of the Broadway musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Zachary Moore played Schroeder and entertained the audience with his comic wit and vocal talents singing about Beethoven's Day and book reports. Carlee Battson brought charm to the role of Linus, touching the audiences’ hearts with sweet moments about Linus's blanket and his relationship with his big sister, Lucy. Jessie Moore brought much character to the role of Woodstock #1, and brought much applause as the little red headed girl in the last performance. Frances Moore was honored to direct the play in collaboration with Brandi Baxter and Lorna King. Thank you to all of the members of St. John's who came to see the show.
Reverend Goodwin’s Civil War Burial Records
Linda Brogden
The following news article was given to me because it pertains to St. John’s history. I found it interesting and thought it worth sharing in the newsletter.
Wytheville Dispatch, March 18, 1898
As has been stated in these columns, the late Rev. Frederick D. Goodwin who it will be recalled was the first rector of the Episcopal church in this place, read the burial service over a number of Confederate soldiers who lie buried in the old cemetery in the west end of town, and to whose memory, with the other deceased soldiers, known and unknown, in the county, the proposed monument is to be erected. Mr. Goodwin left a record of his ministrations in this parish, and from it we glean the following in regard to the soldiers buried in the old West EndCemetery.
Rev. Frederick D. Goodwin’s listing of soldiers buried in the old West EndCemetery:
July 20, 1861 – Mr. McGouglin
July 26, 1861 – Josiah Allison
August 7, 1861 – Daniel Yeary, soldier from Lee Rifles
August 10, 1861 – Capt. Richmond of Lee Rifles
August 22, 1861 – James H. Bailey, Lieut. of the Nelson Rangers
September 15, 1861 – Lieut. Martin V.B. Olinger of the Lee Rifles
July 31, 1862 – Mr. Gregery from Georgia on his way home from Richmond
Nov. 11, 1862 – Wm. H. Childress, Co. C, 11thAlabama
Nov. 12, 1862 – J.J. Isom from Georgia
Feb. 23, 1863 – Francis M. Tincher, soldier from Greenbrier Co.
March 8, 1863 – Mr. Keister
March 15, 1863 – Charles Witt
April 13, 1864 – Geo. C. Saville, Lieut. In Parker’s Bat., from Richmond
May 21, 1864 – A. Carter of Col. Bowen’s regiment from Tazewell
Aug. 17, 1864 – Lieut. Poston died at Thompson Crockett’s
From the above list it will be seen that Rev. Goodwin read the burial service over only fifteen, and as there are some thirty-five soldiers buried there, there remain twenty of whom there is no record, so far as is known.
If the older citizens of the town know anything of the “20 unknown” will they kindly send the Wm. Terry Camp that information.
ST. JOHN’S PRESCHOOL NEWS
It’s so hard for me to believe that the school year is over – this one has flown by even faster than the years before. We have a lot of children who are ready to go to kindergarten, and we know they are ready and will be very successful. Of course part of the group will come back for another year as four year olds this time. This month we will be continuing to talk about insects – they have been very interested in this one! We’ll also be taking a field trip to see the bees at the Trinkle House, and visit the fairy garden at the Rock House. The folks at Kings Produce have very generously invited us to come and visit them for free ice cream, and we plan to do that as well. We’ll be working on Mother’s Day presents and of course we’ll have our end of the year programs on Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9 both at 6:00pm. We’d love to have you join us! Although we call them our end of the year programs, our last day of school will be May 19. We have found that, by scheduling it earlier, we miss a lot of conflicts with the “big” school programs and graduations. (It also allows us more “playtime” at the end of the year and less “practice” time.) We have our field day for each group as well, and that’s always a favorite.
Our Avon fundraiser earned us $242.20 in profits and our school pictures have earned us $240.00. Many thanks to the people who have helped with our fundraising efforts – you are very much appreciated. We will be having our basket auction next week – hopefully the baskets will be upstairs so you are welcome to bid on any that you might be interested in. All money raised goes directly to our preschool or scholarship funds.
Enrollment has been slow for both the preschool and the preschool plus program. If you know of anyone who might be interested in attending St. John’s Preschool, please encourage them to call the school. We have some scholarships available. We would love to have all of our classes full by the time preschool stars in September.
This is my last newsletter – it’s hard for me to imagine not coming here everyday after 30 years. This has been so much more than a job tome, it’s been a big part of my life. This preschool has been one of my children. I love it with all of my heart, and wish for continued success. It’s a program that I, as well as all of my teachers, and you, the congregation can be very proud of. No school anywhere, has a more dedicated staff than the ones I have been blessed to work with. I truly believe we make a big difference in these children’s lives. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it!
Lori
PLEASE NOTE
The deadline for the June issue of The Eagle will be May19th. If you have any items to include in the newsletter,please bring them by the church office or send them by email to:.
Thank you so much for your help.
MAY BIRTHDAYS
2 – Judy Pendleton, Vickie Archer
5 – Jenny Kremm
6 – Mark Bloomfield Sr., Rob Smith
7 – Rev. Robert Beauchamp
9 – Dee Kime, Gregory Crigger
10 – Father Birch Rambo
12 – Logan Taylor, John Taylor
15 –Thomas Sproule Jr.
16 – Tony Seagle, Sr., William Pendleton, Chuck Johnson
17 – Robert Jackson
18 – Nathaniel Pendelton
20 – Jody Bloomfield
21 – Andrew DuPuis, Scott Kremm
23 – Connie Veneziano
24 – Shirley Apperson
26 – Sarah Gilmer
27 – Charles Moore, Dawn Taylor
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
12 – Fr. Kent & Laura Tarpley
25 – Ryan Walker & Annie Zorn
PRAYER LIST FOR MAY
Please pray daily for fellow parishioner families according to this scheme; common prayer unites us in Christ every day and all month long
May 1 – Karen Moore
Jacob & Ethan Dean
May 2 – Thom & Frances Moore
Jessie & Zach
May 3 – Bill & Lucy Oliver
May 4 – Judith Lee Parks
May 5 – Sherrie Parks, Carlee & Chloe Battson
May 6 – Edmund & Beth Pendleton
May 7 – John & Pat Phillippi
May 8 – Jim & Lisa Phipps
May 9 – Anne Powell
May 10 – Ferdinand Powell III
May 11 –Florence A. Powell
May 12 – Andy Pressing
May 13 – Cathy Puett
May 14 – Rev. Birch & Sharon Rambo
Clara & Tabitha Lederer
May 15 – Joe & Carolyn Rudzinski
May 16 – Claire Saal
May 17 – Helen St. John
May 18 – Dan & Ruthanne Sawyer
May 19 – Gerhard & Rosemary Schoenthal
May 20 – Deanna Seagle
May 21 – Teresa Seagle
May 22 – Tony Seagle, Tasha
May 23 – Rick & Beverly Showalter
Hannah, Madeline, Gretchen & Lydia
May 24 – Gyanu & Jane-Erie Shrestha
Jeremiah, Emma, Clara
May 25 – John & Barbie Slate
May 26 – Frank, Jr. & Kathy Slavin
May 27 – Ben Smith
May 28 – Craig & Kirstie Smith
May 29 – Katherine Snider
May 30 – Jane Sparrow
May 31 – Don Spiller
Hospitality Hosts***Please try to provide some sugar free snacks and healthy snacks when you host. ***
Thank You
Peanut Butter, Cereal, (including oatmeal), Tuna Fish, & Spaghetti Sauce. No glass containers please. Financial donations are needed as well.
EASTER AT ST JOHN’S
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ST. JOHN’S TEENS PARTICIPATE IN GWHS MUSICAL “YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN”
Parish CalendarMAY 2017
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
1 / 2 / 3
11:00 Bible Study
12:00 Healing Eucharist
5:30 Christian Formation / 4 / 5
10:00am Pastoral Care Meeting / 6
10:00 – 1:00 pm Acolyte Festival
10:00am Garden Workshop
7Fourth Sunday of Easter
8:00 & 10:00 Eucharist
9:00 Choir& Adult Formation
10:00 Nursery
11:15 Hospitality / 8
6:00 Preschool Program / 9
6:00 Preschool Program / 10
11:00 Bible Study
12:00 Healing Eucharist
5:30 Christian Formation / 11 / 12
(Happening #10)
(Diocesan Event) / 13
(Happening #10)
(Diocesan Event)
14 Fifth Sunday of Easter
8:00 & 10:00 Eucharist
9:00 Choir & Adult Formation
10:00 Nursery
11:15 Hospitality
(Happening #10)
(Diocesan Event) / 15 / 16 / 17
11:00 Bible Study
12:00 Healing Eucharist
5:30 Christian Formation / 18 / 19
Newsletter Articles Due
(Spring Youth Event)
(Diocesan Event) / 20
(Spring Youth Event)
(Diocesan Event)
21 Sixth Sunday of Easter
8:00 & 10:00 Eucharist
9:00 Choir& Adult Formation
10:00 Nursery
11:15 Blessing of Gardens
11:30 Hospitality
(Spring Youth Event)
(Diocesan Event) / 22 / 23
7:00 Vestry Meeting / 24
11:00 Bible Study
12:00 Healing Eucharist
5:30 Christian Formation / 25 / 26 / 27
28 Seventh Sunday of Easter
8:00 & 10:00 Eucharist
9:00 Choir & Adult Formation
10:00 Nursery
11:15 Hospitality / 29 Memorial Day
OFFICE CLOSED / 30 / 31
11:00 Bible Study
12:00 Healing Service
Worship Participants – May 2017
DATE / ACOLYTE / LAY READERS / USHERS / GREETERS / COUNTER / ALTAR GUILD / HOSPITALITY05/07 / TBA / 8:00 Greg Crigger / B. Topping / Joe & Carolyn Rudzinski / Paul Weyandt / Kathy Laster Jettie Akers / Gyanu & Jane-Erie Shrestha & Jane Sparrow
Gospel Book / G. Shretha
10:00 / (05/01-05/15)
Oliver
Slavin
05/14 Gospel Book / TBA / 8:00
Greg Crigger
10:00
Buck
Seagle / F. Mason
M. Bloomfield / Don & Norma Jensen / Teresa Seagle . . / Kathy Laster
Jettie Akers
(05/01-05/15) / Craig & Kirstie Smith .
05/21 Gospel Book / TBA / 8:00
Greg Crigger / D. Jensen
R. Showalter / John & Pat Phillippi / Chuck Johnson / Pat Phillippi
June Kerss / Hal & Susan Story
10:00
Laster / (05/16-05/31)
M. Clarke
05/28 Gospel Book / TBA / 8:00
Greg Crigger / D. Taylor Volunteer / Patty DuPuis / Kathy Laster / Pat Phillippi
June Kerss / David & Beth Taylor
10:00
Weyandt / (05/16-05/31)
Boykin
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