PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ
Eternal God,
in whose perfect kingdom
no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness,
no strength known but the strength of love:
So mightily spread abroad your Spirit,
That all peoples may be gathered
under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
as children of one Father;
to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN’S
For the sick: Audrey Homan, Roberta, Roger Giacomini, Teresa Santiago, Bill Hinton, Irena, Geralynn Marchesi, Philip Wulfken, Christine Bushnell, Jean Giacomini, David Faust, Cheryl Hairr, Arthur Noble, Martha Kee, Marta Notario, Rosa Dovi, Anna Felter, Mabel Buttress, Wallace Horne, Fred Hansen, Melanie Grynsztejn, Hannah Buttress, Betty, Joe R., Chip Spach, Lynn Hansen, Fern Peterson, Louise Webster, Eileen McWilliams, Jennifer, Amy, Elizabeth, Jessica, Karin, Bill Wesp, Andrew Buttress, Gail Martino
To have someone entered onto our Prayer List for 4 weeks, please e-mail the church office with the person’s name as well as the requester’s name. The e-mail address is: .
Last Sunday attendance: 78; Spanish Service: 12
THE CHALICE
The weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church
August 17, 2014
INTRODUCTION OF REV. DUNCAN A. BURNS
Rev. Duncan A. Burns graduated from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 2003 after undergraduate studies in Economics at Colgate University. Prior to accepting the call to be our next Rector, Duncan was the Rector of St. John’s, Kingston, New York, for 9 years. Before that he was an Assistant Priest at Historic Christ Church in Alexandra, Virginia following his ordination in January 2004. He comes from a family of 6 boys and is still very close to his 5 brothers and their families as well as his parents who still live in Bay Shore. Happily married to Barbara, his wife of over 32 years, they have three children, a son and two daughters, the youngest of whom is finishing college.
Why did he feel called to be the next Rector of St. John’s, Huntington? In his own words, Duncan feels a connection with us, he is pleased to find in us not only a beautiful church but one with a strong liturgical basis, and he really likes the Huntington community, but most importantly, what we are looking for in a Rector is what he is looking for in a church.
For us, a number of things clicked. In his Ministry Portfolio, he described his current ministry experience as a "mission through loving Christ and one another", continuing "to thrive and grow through hearing and living the Gospel", a "vibrant, traditional worship" with "strong lay leadership", a "focus on bringing young people to Christ", "compassionate pastoral care", an "openness and desire to welcome newcomers" and "local and worldwide outreach and mission". He could be describing our mission and ministry here at St. John's, Huntington and does other things at his parish that may also work well here. He is already used to a Sunday schedule consisting of an 8:00 am Rite I service and a 10:00 am Rite II service, and also offers an additional Saturday evening contemporary healing service during the summer.
We were also impressed with a number of programs for youth and young people he leads that are easily transferable here. Working not just with the youth of his parish but also those from surrounding parishes in the region, he has led at least a dozen and a half mission trips to the Navajo Reservation and Tanzania over the last 15 years.
Duncan Burns brings an enthusiasm and energy level to developing and working with programs like these. He carries the same traits into other areas of his ministry, whether visits with members of his congregation or working within the community he lives in. Duncan is a master gardener and would enjoy visiting with you and maybe even working side by side with you in your garden over a cup coffee or tea. Sailing is another love of his from his roots growing up in Bay Shore on the Great South Bay.
Rev. Burns’ first Sunday will be September 21st, with our traditional Rite 1 at 8am and Rite 2 at 10am, followed by St. John’s Annual Parish Picnic at Centerport Beach. Duncan and Barbara are excited to meet everyone first in church and then at our Parish picnic,an informal social setting. Let us welcome the 25th Rector of St. John's: the Reverend Duncan A. Burns.
The Vestry of St. John’s
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VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS WELCOME!
We welcome you to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Established in 1745, this historic church opens its doors to all who seek to deepen their faith and provides warm hospitality to all. We are blessed by your presence and invite you to fill out a Visitor’s Card on the back table of church. Visit the Greeters’ Kiosk in the rear of church, where Greeters are available to answer questions and provide you with a packet of additional information about church services and activities.
GREAT HALL FLOORS
Please be advised that just the floors in the Great Hall will be refurbished starting on Tuesday, August 19th. Access to the Great Hall will be unavailable. Thank you for your co-operation.
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FAREWELL BRUNCH
Sunday, August 31st, will be the last Sunday both Mother Ale and Diane DeBlasio will be at St. John's before they leave for new assignments in the Diocese. We will be celebrating their time with us at a Parish Brunch immediately following the 10:00 am service and would like to present a thank-you gift to each from St. John’s.
Look for the Sign-up Sheets at the back of the church and in the Great Hall this Sunday and next. Make sure you let us know the total number of family members and friends who will be attending the brunch and what dish or beverage you’ll be contributing to the feast. At the same time, please make a donation to the purse for Mother Ale and gift for Diane in the attached envelope. You may also contact Heather Kress or Dave Lasek (contact information below) about the brunch and give your contribution to either or mail it to Alison at the office. Come and be a part of the festivities.
Heather Kress: ; Tel: 631-549-5186
Dave Lasek: 631-423-3372
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SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014-2015
There are Sunday School Registration forms on the back table, as well as on St. John’s website. Meet the Teacher Sunday and Final Registration is Sunday, September 7. Sunday School classes begin on Sunday, September 14
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ST. JOHN’S PARISH PICNIC
Mark down Sunday, September 21 for this year’s Parish Picnic – at Centerport Beach. Our Parish Picnic will be the first Sunday our new Rector the Rev. Duncan Burns, and his wife Barbara will be at St. John’s. Let’s make this a memorable, welcoming, Parish Picnic. More information will soon be following.
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ATTENTION PARISHIONERS, IF YOU HAVE THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR A FEW OPEN POSITIONS, WE NEED YOU:
We are looking for your help to fill the three openings listed below. If you have the skills and can commit some time, please speak to one of the Wardens.
For the Treasurer position, an accounting or financial background would be desirable. Working with the Finance Committee, the St. John’s Treasurer is the custodian of the Church’s funds, keeping a full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements, depositing all money and other valuables in the name of the Church in banks designated by the Vestryand disbursing funds as authorized by the Vestry. He/she prepares financial reports and presents them to the Vestry at its monthly or special meetings, gives a financial report at the Annual Parish Meeting and assists in preparing the Annual Parish Report to the Diocese. Earl Matchett is currently serving as Acting Treasurer and can answer any questions you may have about the Treasurer position or assisting in some of the Treasurer’s functions.
The Clerk of the Vestry is similar to a corporate secretary and must be present at meetings of the Vestry to take the minutes and record all votes in the course of the meetings. Under our By-laws, he/she also has the responsibility of keeping our documents and records in a proper and safe manner, although our Parish Administrator is generally our custodian of books and records; and of giving notice of all annual elections and of special meetings, but either the Rector or Wardens handle that function. Janice Burnett, who had agreed to serve as Clerk for a short term, recently ended her tenure and will be missed sorely for the excellent job she did. If curious about the position and the time commitment, talk to her about her experience.
The needed last member of the Audit Committee should have basic financial knowledge but an auditing background is unnecessary since the Diocese provides a very specific audit program that the Committee must follow. Committee Chair, Laurie Wickey, estimates that the position requires a total commitment of about 30-40 hours of work that can be spread over a few weeks. The audit is done generally in early September to enable us to submit the report before the Diocesan Convention in November. This is a pre-requisite for St. John’s to be able to send delegates to Convention. Speak with Laurie if you have an interest in serving on this Committee, but please note that the audit function requires independence from any organization or ministry of the Church that is subject to audit.
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