In the first letter of Peter, he exhorts the elders of the Church (delegates) to tend the flock of God in part by exercising oversight.... (1 Peter 5:2).
From its very beginning, the Church has always answered the call to provide oversight in planning for its ministry to the faithful. In our tradition as Episcopalians, this responsibility falls first to the wider church and then to the local parish.
We recognize that the parish is not a self-contained community of believers but part of the universal Christian community - the larger family of God's people. Thus, our Connecticut diocese, then our local parish of Saint John's, together represent the Episcopal Church in this place.
In the Fall of each year, the Episcopal Church in Connecticut meets in diocesan convention for the purpose of exercising oversight through prayerful discernment, direction and planning for its ministry of mission in the 21st century Church.
On October 26-27 hundreds of delegates from every parish in Connecticut will gather in council at the Connecticut Convention Center, in Hartford, for prayer, worship, study, discussion and decision making on a variety of topics and resolutions for moving forward in the next year.
On Sunday, the second day of the convention, all are welcome to a gathered worship service for Episcopalians all over our state at 11:00 a.m. Come worship with your sisters and brothers across Connecticut and hear the Good News as proclaimed the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the first woman to be consecrated a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Our venue this year allows us the unique opportunity to hold a worship service where all are welcome to attend and take part in our sacramental life. Call the church office if you would like to participate. Mother Cosman, Anne Hall and Bob Osborne will be delegates representing Saint John's Church this year.
For more information about the 2019 Convention refer to episcopalct.org and click on the Events tab.
Anne Hall will provide a recap of convention highlights in the coming week's Weekly Portal. Stay tuned!
Above all, please keep the 2019 ECCT Convention in your prayers during this week.
Faithfully, Bob Osborne Delegate to Convention
ECCT Convention News
It's always spirit-filled and moving when we gather to worship God together. Join us for Convention worship on Sunday, Oct. 27, with the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris preaching.
Registration is free & space is limited. episcopalct.org
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS TO NOTE:
OCTOBER AT ST. JOHN'S EVE OF ALL SAINTS (HALLOWEEN) SERVICE - Thursday, October 31st at 6:30pm - Join us for a quiet service of remembrance and Eucharist. Please forward names of those departed for inclusion in the service.
Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut takes place on October 26 & 27 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. St. John's will be represented by Anne Hall, Bob Osborne, and Mother Cosman.
ECCT-Wide Worship - Convention continues on Sunday, October 27th, with a gathered worship service for Episcopalians all over our state at 11:00 a.m. Come worship with us at the Connecticut Convention Center, and hear the Good News as proclaimed the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the first woman to be consecrated a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Registration for Sunday is free but requires registration. Please call Michelle at the office to register.
Unified Worship - October 27th at 9:00am.
Open Door Soup Kitchen - Next date: October 19th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm)
COMING IN NOVEMBER Quarterly Update Meeting - November 3rd following the 10am service
Rhythms of Grace - Next Service -November 3 - 1:00pm
Daylight Savings Time - November 3rd - Fall back!
Honoring Veterans - November 10th at both services Kristallnacht Remembrance - Charter Oak Cultural Center - November 10th
Stone Soup Sunday- November 24th Community Thanksgiving Service - Tuesday, November 26th at 7pm at St. John's
Thanksgiving Day - November 28th - Office closed and no Eucharist.
Cherry Brook Eucharist - Tuesdays starting in November. Please let Mother Cosman know if you can be part of our team.
Coffee Hour at The Commons - An ECCT podcast Please subscribe to Coffee Hour at The Commons, where faith meets daily life in conversation, stories, and even some sermons. Available now on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, or listen on the ECCT website at www.coffeehour.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteer Opportunities - Third Saturday morning every month - Work with members of the Open Door Soup Kitchen Team to provide lunch for up to 40 members of our community who need food assistance.
Volunteer Opportunities - Thursday Mornings - Work with members of the St. John's Cleaning Crew to help keep our buildings beautiful and in good repair. See Ron Caine or Tom Chappell for more information.
Volunteers Needed - Valley Thrift Shop is in need of volunteers as little as 3 hours. Please see Diane Hayes if interested.
Coffee Drinkers and Morning Snack Lovers Needed - If morning noshes are part of your way of being in the world, please consider signing up to host coffee hour!
TREASURER'S NOTE:
Parish Finances YTD as of October 13, 2019 2019 Pledges $177,455 2019 Budget: $208,809
Pledges Received: $140,481 YTD Actuals:*
Pledge Goal: $138,765 Operating Revenue:$156,614
Difference: $ 1,716 Operating Expense: $136,789
Difference: $ 19,825 *includes all prepaid pledges
Thanks to everyone for their generous giving. If you have not pledged for 2019, it is not too late. Pledge sheets are in the narthex. Thank you. Diane Hayes, Treasurer
Participants for October 20, 2019:
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks.
8:00 AM Chalice - Nancy Butler 10:00AM Chalice - Donna Colavecchio
8:00AM Lector - Ellen Childs 10:00AM Lector - Guy Hayes 10:00AM Intercessor - Stephanie Zimbalist
8:00 AM Greeters - Barbara Hinman & Howie Martin 10:00AM Greeters: Laura Frey & Peggy Budny