THE CHALICE

The weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church

June 15, 2014

RECTOR SEARCH UPDATE

The Vestry has been meeting since Palm Sunday as the current Search Committee for the purpose of calling our next Rector. As reported previously, we completed our parish brochure some time ago and sent it to the Diocese to highlight where we are as a parish and the experience and skills we want in our next Rector to move us forward into the future. Copies are available on the back table for you to take.

We have already met the 4 candidates that the Diocese pre-vetted and determined to be qualified and meeting the Bishop’s and Diocesan criteria and sent to us to determine their suitability as Rector of St. John’s. Initially we interviewed them on the telephone – actually on WebEx, a similar technology to Skype, where we were able to see and talk to each other electronically.

In June the candidates will be coming to visit us in person. The visit will consist of a Eucharist where we’ll get a chance to see them first hand doing the liturgy at our altar (the cornerstone of our existence and worship at St. John’s). This will be followed by an additional Question and Answer session that will focus more on St. John’s and its mission and ministries in furtherance of that mission. And, we’ll also spend some social time with them over food. Of course, we would not miss that last part since we are a “foodie” church as our former Rector liked to say. But, on a serious note, it’s an important piece of who we are and one of the reasons for the visit is for the candidates to get to know us and for us to get to know them a little better. You might be pleased to hear that most of them have already told us how big a part fellowship involving food plays in their ministry as well.

At the conclusion of the last visit, we’ll meet again to assess the candidates’ skills, gifts and personality in the context of our desires, goals, needs and culture. That is the formula for determining whether one of them is a good fit for St. John’s or, if we are so fortunate, which of them is the best fit for us.

We continue to need your prayers and your faithfulness during this time of transition. We are blessed by the faithfulness, dedication and love of our Pastoral Team as the search progresses. We are also so grateful for your understanding of the confidentiality of the process and the candidates. Despite the need for confidentiality, we wish to be as transparent as possible on matters dealing with the search and welcome your questions within the stated guidelines. If one of the 4 candidates currently under review is a good fit, we should have a decision soon and will meet the goal that we have been communicating to you to have our new Rector by this September. If not, we expect the search will continue for a while longer, hopefully with the support of the Diocese. In prior communications on this subject the Diocese supported the possibility that this first group of candidates would not yield the right fit and we may have to go through one or more rounds of interviews. While keeping your Vestry in your prayers as they search for our next Rector, listening intently for God's guidance, you may want to add a special prayer for an expedited outcome.

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.

ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?

Want to know up to the minute news about St. John’s, upcoming events and breaking Parish news?Be sure to LIKE St John’s on Facebook and stay informed. Our address is:

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NATIONAL ECW SURVEY

For all Episcopal women in St. John’s. A survey is being conducted by National Episcopal Church Women. They are attempting to determine the role of ECW going forward and are seeking responses from as diverse a group as possible. Please complete this online survey via the following link:

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PARISH DIRECTORY

Revised Parish Directories can be found on the back table of church. PLEASE take one for your home, and one for work if needed. Any contact info the Church has on file will be found listed. If something is missing like a phone number or e-mail, it is because we do NOT have it on file.

Remember to always keep your contact information updated by e-mailing the church office at:

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CONSTANT CONTACT

Are you receiving weekly e-mail blasts of our Chalice on Fridays? First check your SPAM folder to see if your computer is rejecting them. If they aren’t in your spam folder, we probably do not have a current e-mail address for you on file. Please be sure to e-mail the church office at : to submit your e-mail address to be added to contact list.

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CANTERBURY SHOP

A" Very Happy Father's Day"is wished for all. The shop is open this morning. After today the Canterbury Shop will be closed for the summer vacation. There is still time this morning to buy greeting cards for special summer events and also gift items. Come in today, and enjoy the summer months.

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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, Tom Hartman, Christine Bushnell, Jean Giacomini, Arthur Noble, ZeZe Giwa –Osagie, Ann Murphy, Nicole Cagna, Frank Gordon, Brian A., Valentina Cruz, Kerri Walsh, Matthew Scott, Cian Merritt, Ashley Webster, Patti, Valeska, Karin, Bill Wesp, Frank Gordon, Martha Kee, Linda Nelson, Nancy Moldando, Bruce, Peter , Nelly Lasek, Vincent Hunter, David Faust, Lucille Packard, Mabel Buttress, Wallace Horne, Fred Hansen, Melanie Grynsztejn, Hannah Buttress, Toni Nikles, Betty

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: 137 ; Spanish Service: 5