PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN’S
For the sick: Roger Giacomini, Teresa Santiago, Bill Hinton, Irena, Philip Wulfken, Christine Bushnell, Jean Giacomini, Cheryl Hairr, Anna Felter, Martha Kee, Marta Dovi, Mark Bellissimo, Brain A., Frank Elliot, Kathy, Tom, Karin, Bill Wesp, Milton Dove, Josephine Anne Ferreri, Barbara Aasheim, William Mulligan, RJ Sumner, Rev. Robert Johansson, Robert Earley, Sharon Hinnant, Karen Moran, Bill Standley, Michael Busterna, Diane, Tom, Ashley Webster, Debbie Peltz
For the recently departed: Blanche E. Ketchum, and the nine victims killed this week in Charleston
The Altar Flowers are given this week In loving Memory of Richard E. Welch, the gift of Tracy & Robert Klippel and Paul & Maria Welch.
The Perpetual Light is given this week In Loving Memory of Richard E. Welch, the gift of Lilly M. Welch.
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: 164 Sunday, June 7th attendance: 148
THE CHALICE
The weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church
June 21, 2015
The Spiritual Practice of Caring
We find ourselves caring for those in our family, those in our congregations, those in our workplaces, and those in our circle of friends. There is precious little time left over for caring for people that are outside our everyday circles. We may, from time to time, find ourselves doing a specific ministry that is not part of our normal routine, but for the most part, our caring is confined to our known circle of relationships or those whom we serve in our ministry.
The Old English word for caring – caru – means sorrow, grief, or anxiety. Although this is a surprising description of the word, it holds within it an aspect that is critical to the spiritual practice of caring. When we commit to the practice of caring, we become aware and attentive to the sorrow, grief, or anxiety that rises in us when we see others struggling and in need.
There are many ways to take on caring as a spiritual practice. The foundation of the practice is found in the attentiveness we give to the movement of deep feeling that surfaces in us. This sometimes requires intentional focus if we are so accustomed to caring in our work that we may not be as aware of our feelings when they are triggered by a person or situation not connected with our ministry.
In order to develop this kind of focus and attention, we need to expose ourselves to the needs of others on a regular basis. We can do this by committing ourselves to a ministry that has no connection whatever with what we do in our daily work. Or, we might travel to care for those in a developing country. Or, we might align ourselves with a community project that cares for the underprivileged in our own community. Or, we might push ourselves beyond our boundary of ease to give care to a group of people that we find difficult to accept or love. Or, we might enter into a relationship with someone who experiences hardship on a daily basis. When we encounter what we don’t understand, what we are fearful of, or what is unknown to us, and feel the sorrow and grief of compassion growing in us, we are ready for the practice of caring.
Such a radical compassion causes three things to happen in our soul. First, we grow in gratitude. We become grateful for the lives and blessings that we have been given, but even more we become grateful for the recipients of our caring. Through them we begin to see the places in our soul that have lain empty for too long. We gain insight into how those empty places might be filled. Hope begins to trickle into us and our heart begins to feel glad.
Second, we are diverted from our own struggles. As we notice and respond to the grief and sorrow that creep into our soul when we relate with those in need, we find that we are no longer so absorbed in our own dramas and story lines. As we open ourselves to what is outside of and beyond us, we are less fascinated with the often-trivial stresses that occupy our mind and soul.
Finally, the practice of caring helps us pull back the mantle on meaning. The purpose of human existence, the power of God, the strength of human community is revealed in ways that had before seemed obscure. The practice of caring takes us out of ourselves and into the heart of God through the heart of others.
Renee Miller
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.
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS
There will be a meeting for all Lay Eucharistic Visitors on Sunday, June 28th immediately following the 10am service in the Great Hall.
______
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HOST GERMAN YOUTH CHOIR
Our old friends from Germany are coming back to New York in August and hope to spend the last few days of their trip in Huntington. Following their musical tour at Concordia College in the Bronx, Pastor Johannes Hulser's Youth Choir will be with us from Thursday, August 13 (or possibly Wednesday, August 12) through Friday, August 14, returning home on Friday evening. They are a group of 23, 18 girls and 5 boys, from age 14 to 21 and 2 adult chaperones. So we are looking for several volunteers to host members of the group in your home. With both Fr. Duncan and Ford Spilsbury out of town that week, we really need your help. For more information, or to offer your hospitality, please call Heather Kress at 631-549-5186 (or email her at ) as soon as possible. We thank you in advance for your help!
______
THE FLORENCE & ROBERT SCOTT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Applications for the 2015 Florence & Robert Scott Scholarship can be found on the table in the back of church, and on our website. This $250 Scholarship is for one or two graduating High School Seniors. To qualify, you must have been involved in at least oneSt. John’sactivity during your school years. Application deadline is today, June 21.
______
CANTERBURY SHOP
We have some really nice Father's Day gifts as well as gifts for the graduates and teachers! Come in to check out the personalized golf balls and wind chimes! Also, a variety of SELECT items are now 30 % off!!!
______
ALTAR GUILD- WEEKLY FLOWERS & SANCTAUARY LIGHT
Remember your Loved Ones and Special Thanksgivings by making a donation for the weekly Altar Flowers and/or Sanctuary Light. The forms can be found in the back of the church for memorials -birthdays - thanksgivings -etc. They may be placed in either in the offering plate or handed into the office
Thank you for your support - Nancy Feustel & Barbara Hinton
______
FOOD COLLECTION FOR A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY
We will be accepting weekly food donations, in the baskets provided in the rear of church, to support a local food pantry Helping Hands Rescue Mission located in Huntington Station. Donations needed are unexpired, non-perishable products such as: Peanut butter & Jelly, Rice & Pasta Sides, Canned Vegetables, Canned Corn, Cereal, Instant Potatoes, Pancake Mixes & Syrup, Canned Soups, Canned Fruit & Juice. Fred Hansen will be delivering these collected items to their food pantry weekly. Please bring them to church with you. Please do not drop off in the church lobby. Thank you for your generosity.
______
NAVAJO LAND MISSION TRIP
Our Rector will be leading a mission trip to the Navajo reservation in Bluff, Utah on July 10-18. We will teach guitar, lead Vacation Bible School, and complete a work project. If you would like to give to the Navajo children, we are currently accepting donations that will be used for a gift to the mission from St. John’s and giveaways for the children at the community dinners. Please make your check out to St. John’s with “Navajo” in the memo line.
______