I LEAVE YOU THREE GIFTS

HEART

How do you get into the water when you go swimming at a pool or a lake or the ocean?
E

COURAG

PEACE

Youve probably noticed that there are two techniques. Type One is the tiptoe approach. Touching the water with a toe then a foot a knee, a thigh, cautiously moving down the slope until the final step when theres the shock of ones whole body being immersed. Im a Type Two person. I jump in, dive in, run in. I get in as quickly as possible to get the shock over with.

And so, theres that part of me that would have preferred to say Good bye to you today and be packed and gone in a few days. All the shock of departing would have been over and done with quickly. The tip-toe approach of saying good bye, the year-long process of getting into the retirement waters runs counter to my ways. And yet, its the right way. Its the best way. It was Kareem Abdul-Jabbars way. It was Oprahs way, and long before, it was Jesus way. Scripture tells us that Jesus prepared his followers for his departure for some three years. In pastoral care, its called anticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief doses out sadness into manageable sized quantities. It begins by sharing what will be happening with the lay leaders of the church, then the staff members and then with a letter to the congregation. It continues by developing a process for saying good bye with the Staff-Parish Committee, and then saying good bye to special groups during sermons, making oneself available for lunches and dinners and phone calls, and making oneself available for a special picnic and worship service. The final step is to return the symbols of the Pastoral Office that you have entrusted to me over the past ten years: the Bible, the Book of Worship and Hymnal, Baptismal Water, and the communal elements of Bread and Wine. After the return of these sacred elements, they become yours to entrust to your new Pastor and that means I cannot make hospital visits or pastoral calls or officiate at weddings, funerals or baptisms. That may sound harsh. It may seem overly strict. It doesnt mean that I wont continue to hold you in my heart or my prayers. It is meant as a gift to you and to Rev. Tom so that you (plural) can grow a strong pastoral bond like the one we have grown over the past ten years. And speaking of gifts before I go, there are some parting gifts. Following in the pattern of Jesus, I have three gifts for you. First, as noted above, I promise to hold you in my heart [John 14.23]. Second, I give you a blessing that you might have courage and comfort in the months and years ahead (The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you [John 14.26]). And third, I leave you my peace my peace that we have done our best in following the word of God and ways of Christ (Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you [John 14.27]). Heart. Courage. Peace. So much more substantive and lasting than cake even chocolate cake! With our memories and these gifts that Jesus first gave to us, we can trust that God will be with us as we each continue our faith journeys. Yes, God will be with us which we have shortened in English into the parting words of Good bye.

The Messenger | June/July 2013

Join us as we say goodbye and

June/July 2013 St. Johns United Church of Christ

St. Johns is a community of faith centered in Jesus Christ, seeking guidance and direction through the Holy Spirit, and demonstrating Gods love to all people in words and deeds.

to Rev. Jonathan Heaslet as he retires!

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Saturday, June 8, 5-8pm ALL CHURCH FAMILY PARTY

A bounce house will be on the church grounds at 4pm for children 5-6pm wine and cheese gathering with Pastor Jon and Linda 6-8pm picnic-style supper and presentations to Pastor Jon

503 Stuart Circle Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: 804.358.9291

Email: stjohnsrichmondoffice@verizon.net Web Site: stjohnsrichmond.org

PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND (358-9291)

Sunday, June 9, 10am SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE

We will worship God together and give thanks for Pastor Jons ministry

Published monthly for members and friends

Sunday, June 30, 10am WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

Pastor Jon will return the symbols of the pastoral office to the congregation The Fellowship will host a reception after worship for everyone

2013 St Johns UCC

The Messenger | June/July 2013

Interim Pastor Arrives July 15!

Our new Interim Pastor, Rev. Thomas Gerstenlauer will be our Interim Minister. Rev. Gerstenlauer (you may call him Tom) will arrive in Richmond around July 15 and will conduct the worship service for the first time on July 22. Rev. Gerstenlauer has come to the ministry as a second career, having worked as a Director of Quality Assurance in the trucking industry. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. There is a short professional profile on the display board in the parlor for those wishing to read more. Currently, he lives in Ohio where he is the pastor of Miller Avenue UCC, a mission church. This church has a small congregation of mostly older folks (who love him) and a sizable lower socioeconomic neighborhood that participates in mission programs, such as meals, youth nights, and a playground. He is popular with the children in the neighborhood, even though the church congregation has few children. This mission effort is governed by a board of directors made up of the pastors of several area churches that contribute funding to keep the mission projects going. Rev. Gerstenlauer has served as an Interim Minister previously. He is looking forward to getting to know each of us through the summer and fall and to working with us to accomplish our goal of finding and calling a long term pastor.

Notes from the Church Council President

I am excited to again serve as your Church Council President. I would like to thank Teresa Jolles for her hard work and dedication during the last two years. We as a church will carry on her many projects and go into the next year with excitement. I would also like to thank JoAnn Jellison and Gary Beasley for their dedication to our Church Council. JoAnn has worked so very hard with us at St Johns with so much love and compassion. I know she will continue to give Members of us much help during the next year as we face our transition time. The month of June will be a busy and exciting one as we honor Jon for his 10 years with us. Please make sure to call the church office, if you havent already done so, to make your reservation to join us on Saturday, June 8th in the Fellowship Hall for a party. Two very meaningful worship services will follow, Sunday, June 9th and Sunday, June 30th. I hope you all will plan to be with us during these celebrations. Please feel free to bring any questions or concerns to me at any time, so that we all may work together toward unity and peace. We will be welcoming our new Interim Pastor in July, but our first thoughts are now with Jon and Linda as they enter those wonderful retirement years with much gratitude from a congregation that was blessed to have them for ten years! Our next Church Council meeting will be held in the Guild Room on June 10th at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. Peace with Gods Blessings Betsy Bighinatti

Church Council

Betsy Bighinatti, President Jeff Hetzer, Vice President Helena DeLigt, Secretary Bryan Anderegg Marjorie Barbour Allen Caraher Teresa Jolles Desiree McNeice Kenn Shirley Dreama Terrill Bill Watson Karen-Marie Yust

The Messenger | June/July 2013

PERFORMANCES
June 25, 26, 27, 28 @ 10:00 am, June 25 and 27 @ 1:00 pm, June 28 @ 6:00 pm. Contact Anita Sharpenstein @ 543-2165 or the church office 358-9291 ext. 16 for more information.

The Little Mermaid

St. Johns UCC Summer Youth Production June 25 - 28, 2013

The St. Johns Players

The St. Johns Players would like to thank everyone who attended our JUKEBOX CABARET on May 4th and 5th. We are excited to announce that $2,000 has been given to our Church General Funds from this event.

October 24 - 27
The Women's Retreat is scheduled for October 25, 26 and 27, at Twin Lakes State Park. This will be a womenled retreat-- meaning, we are all invited to give input into the planning and preparation. Our first planning meeting has taken place. If you would like to be included in future planning events, speak with Adrianne Dery or email her at 262ard1319@verizon.net . Even if you can't be a part of the planning, we would like all women to consider attending this retreat. Watch for more details in the coming months.

A Fall production of Shout will take place some time this Fall in September or October. Watch for more information on this event!

The Messenger | June/July 2013

DEAN ELIADES Dean graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in History with a concentration in South American History. He hopes to travel to South America in the near future. BRIAN JACOBS Brian graduated from West Point with a BS in African Studies. His is being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, serving at Ft. Bragg. SUSAN MINASIAN Susan graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a Doctorate of Ministry. She is serving as the Interfaith Chaplain at Franklin and Marshall University. PAULA KATHRY SCHUTT YUST Paula graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and Psychology. She will begin work as a Lab Manager at the Child Development Lab of Temple University.

Celebrating our Graduates!

St.Johns Congregation Helping Mothers in Need

Our annual Mothers Day offering was collected to benefit the YWCA Womens Advocacy Program, which provides crisis intervention, safe housing, counseling, and legal and employment assistance for women and their children affected by domestic and sexual violence. We are so pleased to report that your faithful giving toward this mission allowed us to make a donation of more than $530. If you didnt get a chance to donate to this special offering, you can still do so. Just make sure that your donation is clearly marked Mothers Day Special Offering.

10:00 AM

Summer Church School: The Avengers in Bible Times

Marvel Comics doesnt have a lock on cool superheroes. The bible is full of stories about Gods prophets, who were the original avengers of Gods desires for the world. This summer, St. Johns children will learn about these early avengers and their adventures as Gods prophetic voices. Stories, games and crafts will shape their exploration and keep them wondering what new superpower will be unleashed each week.

Monthly Contributions to William Byrd June 16 & July 21

Dont forget that on the third Sunday of each month, we receive contributions of nonperishable food items for the William Byrd Food Bank. Ask for a shopping bag with a shopping list attached from a member of the Welcome Team when you come to worship, and then bring your offering on the third Sunday of each month.

The Messenger | June/July 2013

POTOMAC ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETING

The spring meeting of the 34-congregation strong Potomac Association of the United Church of Christ was held Saturday, May 18th at the newly re-opened First Congregational UCC in Washington DC. Dreama Terrill and Pastor Jon attended. Our keynote speaker was Rev. Aaron B. Jones-Wade, Pastor of the Community Church UCC (Washington DC) on Facing Change. Community Church UCC is about the same size as St. Johns. They have active ministries for evangelism and congregational care using social media, that is, using facebook, twitter, and Instagram. Rev. Jones-Wade brought two of his parishioners who are the artists and energy behind their social media ministry. We brought back several ideas for how St. Johns might use these and other social media software to reach out to new members as well as to reach in to keep existing members informed of church news and mission efforts, and prayer concerns. Officers elected are: Rev. Chuck Myers (Bethesda UCC), Moderator; Geneva Hudson (Peoples Congregational), Associate Moderator; Rev. Hank Fairman (Little River UCC), Treasurer; and Carol Mosely Gardner (Peoples Congregational), Scribe. Please be in touch with Dreama or Pastor Jon to learn more about this gathering of the Association.

And in other United Church of Christ news

Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ will hold its annual Spiritual Renewal Services on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. The guest preacher for the Renewal Service is the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Pastor Emeritus, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Peoples Church is located in Washington, DC . All are welcome to share in the services. For more information, visit the : www.peopleschurchucc.org. In addition, an Ecclesiastical Council has been called to examine Geneva Hudson, Candidate for Commissioned Minister in the Potomac Association. The date is Sunday, June 23rd at 2:00 PM at Peoples Congregational UCC. If you desire to attend or to read her paper, please see Pastor Jon. The polity of the United Church of Christ places authority to ordain or commission ministers to the members of the congregations of an Association. This authority is accomplished at an Ecclesiastical Council. If you have never attended a Council before, this is an exciting, Spirit-filled time.

The Messenger | June/July 2013

Lectionary Readings
2nd Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39 Psalm 96

1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43 Psalm 96:1-9

Galatians 1:1-12

Luke 7:1-10

June 2, 2013 1 Kings 17:8-16, (1724) Psalm 146

4th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 30

Galatians 1:11-24

Luke 7:11-17

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

June 9, 2013 1 Kings 21:1-10, (1114), 15-21a

2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15

Galatians 2:15-21

Luke 7:36-8:3

June 16, 2013 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a Psalm 42 and 43 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Psalm 16 2 Kings 5:1-14
7th Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 65:1-9 Psalm 22:19-28 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1921

Galatians 3:23-29

Luke 8:26-39

5th Sunday after Pentecost

June 23, 2013

Rev. Jonathan Heaslet

6thSunday after Pentecost

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Luke 9:51-62

June 30, 2013

Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalm 66:1-9 Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16

July 7, 2013

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Psalm 30 Amos 7:7-17

Thank You Sermon Schedule

Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
8yh Sunday after Pentecost May

12th Worship and Music: July 14, 2013 May 26th Psalm 82 Psalm 25:1-10 Congregational Life and Care; June 2nd ACTS (Area Congregations Together in Amos 8:1-12 Genesis 18:1-10a Service) and the Virginia Interfaith Center 9th Sunday after Pentecost June 23rd Mission and Outreach.
July 21, 2013 Psalm 52 Hosea 1:2-10
10th Sunday after Pentecost

Colossians 1:15-28

Luke 10:38-42

Psalm 15 Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2:6-15, (1619) Luke 11:1-13

July 28, 2013

Psalm 85

Dont forget that our worship service moves to the 10 oclock hour for the summer

MESSENGER June/July2013

June 2 & 9
Welcome team captains
Families with children Savannah Quick Ashley Quick Betty Staton Pam Miller Jeff Jacobs Laura Totty Denise Martin

June 16 & 23
Doug Waldrop 357-2566
Etter Family Voelcker/Barrett Family Bryan Etter James Cook Dorothy Cook Desire McNeice Kim Vann

June 30 & July 7

Richard Bighinatti

July 14 & July 21

Justin Barbour 804-687-1460
Barbour Family

July 28 & August 4

Lynn Snyder 804-550-3928
Allen Family

Bill Watson 804-873-2837

Quick Family

804-502-1005
Woods Family Gretchen Miller Family Lydia Woods Beth Stiegler Don Stiegler Chris Miles Betsy Bighinatti Phil Jones

Acolytes

Josh Lyle

Adults

Cheryl Goode Billy Poarch Erin Burnette Vivian White

Hank Allen Cammie Allen Eddie Allen Iola Miller Jo Ann Jellison Sharon Machrone Jeff Hetzer Sam Dalton Denise Wright Dreama Terrill

Sound System

Mark Atkinson

Jeff Michel

Jo Ann Jellison

David Pittman

Facilities

Bud Higgins

Joe McGregor

Richard Yuk

Bob Corby

Please find a substitute if you are unable to perform your ministry and contact your team coordinator AND the office to let them know who will be filling in for you. Thank you for making our church ministries run smoothly!

June 2
Hospitality Coordinator Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Tellers Coordinator Bud Higgins 301-5059 Altar Flowers $40 358-9291 Liturgist Coordinators Kathy Freise 448-9876 Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Nursery Helpers Coordinator Martha Cook 227-3466

June 9
Special Event

June 16
Elisabeth Burnette

June 23
Cheryl Goode

June 30
Special Event

July 7

July 14

July 21

July 28

Theresa & Allen Caraher

Dreama Terrill

Special Event

Sal Anselmo Jeff Hetzer

Paul Jolles Elisabeth Burnette

Elisabeth Burnette Sal Anselmo

Theresa Caraher

Chris Miles

Laura Totty

Marjorie Barbour

Marthat Cook

Theresa Caraher

Chris Miles

Laura Totty

Marjorie Barbour

2013
Sun
NEW SUMMER WORSHIP TIME!

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat 1 8am - 2pm Basement Sale

2 10amWorship
11:30am Facilities Mtg.

3
6pm Mermaid reh.

4 12 NA
6pm Mermaid reh.

5 10am Staff Mtg

6pm Mermaid reh.

6 12 NA

8 8:30 Indian Orthodox Church 5pm - 8pm Celebration for Pastor Jon 15

9 10amWorship
Celebration for Pastor Jon

10

7pm Church Council 6pm Mermaid reh.

11 12 NA
6pm Mermaid reh.

12 10am Staff Mtg 13 12 NA

5:00pm Beautification 6pm Mermaid reh.

14

16 9am Breakfast 17
10amWorship 6pm Mermaid reh.

18 12 NA
6pm Mermaid reh.

19 10am Staff Mtg 20 12 NA

6pm Mermaid reh. 7pm WEBS 6pm Mermaid reh.

21

22

23 10amWorship 24
6pm Mermaid dress rehearsal

25 Performances: 10am Mermaid 1pm Mermaid

26 10am Staff Mtg 27Performances:

5:00pm Beautification Performances: 10am Mermaid 10am Mermaid 1pm Mermaid

28Performances: 10am Mermaid 6pm Mermaid

29

30 10amWorship
Pastor Jons last Sunday

2013
Sun Mon 1 Tue 2 12 NA Wed Thu Fri 5 Sat 6
1-3pm NA

3 10am Staff Mtg. 4 12 NA

Independence Day Office Closed

7 10amWorship

9 12 NA

10 10am Staff Mtg 11 12 NA

12

13 8:30 Indian
Orthodox Church 12-7pm NA

14
10amWorship 11:30am Facilities

157pm Church Council

16 12 NA

17 10am Staff Mtg 18 12 NA

19

20

21 9am Breakfast 22
10amWorship

23 12 NA

24 10am Staff Mtg 25 12 NA

26

27

28 10amWorship 29

30 12 NA

31 10am Staff Mtg

Facilities Committee Update

Please extend a Thank you and well done to the Facilities Committee, Richard Bighinatti, Chair for the recent painting project. The Childrens Library and Handicapped Bathroom on the main level, the area between the elevator and Womens Bathroom on the lower level, and Music Director Shirley Townsends office were all scraped of flaking paint, patched, sealed and re-painted.