September 2013

Volume 27.9

From Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer...

Greetings friends,
I am glad to be here at St. Johns, celebrating the faith with my newfound sisters and brothers. I would like to share a couple of things about my own faith journey that are not necessarily apparent from the pulpit. First, I practice a contemplative prayer style called centering prayer. Centering prayer is a daily exercise by which one prepares for the felt presence of God within. Over the years I have found that my practice expands my capacity for being silent, for listening, and for receiving many other gifts of contemplative prayer. Centering prayer can also bring a sense of connection within oneself and with others. It is my experience that through this daily personal practice and periodic corporate sharing of the prayer we come to a deeper sense of healing and wellness that is surely spiritual in nature. Second, I want to share a hymn that has only recently become a favorite of mine. The hymnal we used at Miller Avenue UCC in Akron was Hymns for the Family of God, which I regarded as an unusual choice for a UCC church when I arrived. Many of the hymns contained therein are not found in the New Century Hymnal favored by so many UCC churches nowadays. Nevertheless, I became quite familiar with a hymn that is included in both books and as I say, it has become a favorite for me. Here is the second verse, as it appears in the NCH:

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.

An Open and Affirming Congregation

503 Stuart Circle Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: 804.358.9291 Email: stjohnsrichmondoffice@verizon.net Web Site: stjohnsrichmond.org

Bringing life and health and gladness all around, this heavenly Guest banished unbelief and sadness, changed our weariness to rest.
In the days ahead I look forward to sharing with you a common and a personal witness to the healing power of the Holy Spirit among us. Whether through contemplative prayer practice, community worship, fellowship activities, committee meetings yes, even committee meetings! I know that we have such a witness to share. The refrain of this hymn repeats:

Blessed quietness, holy quietness, what assurance in my soul! On the stormy sea Jesus speaks to me, and the billows cease to roll.
Thank you for welcoming me into this faith community. I am glad to make this passage with you as we continue, together, in The Way of Jesus. Bless the day!

Published monthly for members and friends

2013 St Johns UCC

11 a.m.

September 8

Meet Our New Seminary InternRothea Kornelias

We are excited to introduce to all of you Rothea Kornelias. Rothea will be joining St. Johns on September 1st as our new seminary intern. Rothea brings energy and enthusiasm as well as knowledge, life experience, and commitment, and will be filling some of our teaching needs by providing consistent adult leadership for the 9:45 multi-age class and the 11:15 9-12 year old class. She will providing add itiona l support for Covenant Care Groups and congregational events (such as Launch Sunday, German Dinner, Womens Retreat, Thanksgiving Meal, Greening the Church, Christmas Play). Rothea will be with us until December 31st. Here is a brief bio written by Rothea: I was born and raised in the capital of South Africa, Pretoria. I roughly spent the first 28 years of my life there and earned my Bachelor's degree in physiotherapy there. I started my career as a PT there. I came to the United States about 10 years ago to work as a PT. I earned my doctorate in physical therapy at Boston University in 2006, and then God showed me that he had some different plans. I have been struggling with a call since 2007 and finally went to seminary at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 2010. I am now a senior, and hope to graduate in a year from their distance program. I am a candidate with the Presbytery of the James and a member of South Hill Presbyterian Church, where I currently live.

x x x

Our new Interim Minister, Rev. Thomas Gerstenlauer has arrived and is getting into the work at hand. He has already met many of you... but he continues to desire to put names with faces. We encourage you to call and make an appointment with Rev. Tom to introduce yourself. Rev. Gerstenlauer has met with our Church Council and is scheduling meetings with most, if not all, of our church committees and teams. On September 8, we will have an official Worship Service of Welcome for Rev. Tom and Rev. Osei-Reed will be with us for this celebration. Remember that the time of worship will be 11:00am starting on September 8. On Sunday, September 15 we will Launch into the new program year with our 11:00 AM service. There will be a FAITH NETWOKS program in the Fellowship Hall highlighting all our missions and ministries. This will give you an excellent opportunity to get plugged into St. Johns. On September 27th, The St John Community Players will open their Fall production titled SHOUT, a Mod Musical which is a premier in the Richmond area. Volunteers are needed on the nights of the show. Contact Tony Sharpenstein if you would like to volunteer. The annual German Fest will take place on October 18-19th. Jeff Jacobs takes on the challenge of organizing this important tradition. Please volunteer to help. There will be many opportunities to do so. The Womens Retreat will be held at Twin Lakes State Park October 25-27. The annual Stewardship Drive will take place in October. You will hear more about this in the coming weeks. Before we know it, we will be observing the Advent (coming) of the Christ child and then celebrating Christmas. Hard to believe, isn't it!

Congregational Breakfast
Mark you calendar now and plan on attending our monthly congregational breakfast on Sunday, September 15 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. We will have a breakfast and update you on the happenings at St. Johns. Hope to see you there.

Let us all do Gods work - together - by volunteering time and talents, praying for the leaders and the programs, and loving and caring for each other during this busy time.

Members of Church Council

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

William Byrd House Donations

Thank you for your generous donations of school supplies to the children involved with William Byrd Community House; at last count there were 5 grocery bags full of materials. If you still have school supplies you can still leave them with the WBCH food pantry items and they will be delivered. Dont forget that on the third Sunday of each month, we receive contributions of non-perishable 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.

         

Faith Networks
St. Johns - September 15th
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu

On Launch Sunday, all members are invited to prayerfully consider what faith network they will plug into for the coming church year. Faith networks include St. Johns in -house connections, such as Covenant Care Groups, and the Card Ministry, and ministries within and outside Richmond such as ACTS, CROP, William Byrd Community House. Following congregational worship, members will receive a plug that can be plugged-in to one of the faith networks outlets hardwired into the Fellowship Hall.
ACTS CARITAS Card Ministry Covenant Care Groups Circle Center CROP Souper Bowl William Byrd House

Come to Launch Sunday Find Your Outlet

Get Plugged-in!

Richmond PrideFest September 28th

This year St. Johns UCC will again sponsor a table at Richmond PrideFest, a celebration of the local LGBT community, on Saturday, September 28th. Festivities begin at 1 pm, and volunteers are needed to staff our table and hand out information about upcoming church activities and St. Johns role as an Open and Affirming Congregation. Please contact Jeff Jacobs (at Jeff.Jacobs@dtiglobal.com) if you would like to take a shift.

Neighbors In Need Offering - Oct. 6

On October 6th we will receive a special offering for Neighbors in Need (NIN). NIN is a special mission offering, that is uniquely UCC and focuses on ministries of justice and compassion throughout the U.S. As we prepare for our 2013 offering you will find a series of 2012 grantrecipients highlighted in your bulletins; these grants were made possible with your generous 2012 NIN offering. Please take the opportunity to read how the funds have been used and to see how these grant-recipients imagine a world without discrimination, oppression, poverty, violence and hunger. Please consider a gift this year that will enable UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to continue these grants in support of justice Initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.

CHILDREN Launching Faith Place!

Children who participate in the 9:45 am church school session will discover that their room has been transformed. Faith Place, an experiential learning center, will have activities for exploring prayer practices, bible stories, games and crafts, and educational software and videos. Each week, children will choose among a variety of options for faith formation, led by our seminary intern, Rothea Kornelius. Children ages 4 13 are welcome to come discover the adventures that Faith Place will offer.

ADULTS 9:45 am Sunday Mornings Embracing a Life of Meaning

This fall, adults will explore faith stories and practices in conversation with Kathleen Norris, an award winning poet, writer and author. Participants will gather at 9:45 am on Sunday mornings to view a short video presentation by Norris and discuss topics such as belief, the bible, community, faith spaces, and care for self and the world.

Following the Good Shepherd

One of the central images for Jesus in the scriptures is the Good Shepherd. This fall at 11:15 am, children ages 4 8 will learn about the 23rd Psalm and other stories that feature the Good Shepherd and his followers. Children ages 9 -13 will study the lives of the disciples to see how they followed Jesus. They will explore what it means to be disciples who, like sheep, can never get lost from Gods presence. They will also learn how to defend against challenges to their faith and welcome Gods direction in their lives. On Launch Sunday, September 15th, all children will kick-off the new church school year by creating sheep to grace our stairwell walls alongside the shepherds that will appear there shortly.

At Jesus Knee Infants and Children

Child care is provided for infants and toddlers (through age 3) in our nursery space on the main floor of the education/office wing. Kristen Lennox, our paid nursery worker, and a rotating group of volunteers care for our littlest sheep every Sunday morning from 9:30 am 12: 30 pm. Parents are asked to sign-in at drop off and label all personal items in a childs diaper bag
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St Johns Planned Financial Giving

St Johns United Church of Christ, our church, plays an important part in the lives of each one of us, our families, and our community. St Johns serves as a place for worship, spiritual growth, social action, and friendship. Our faith, beliefs, and values as people are shaped in large part by our participation in our religion, church, and its various activities. As you know, St Johns has a long and rich history in Richmond. There are many members that have long family roots to the church. There are many new members who have found our church to be a place of love and understanding in a world that presents increasing social and personal challenges. Whatever your background or road you are on, it is good to know that our church is here to provide a strong foundation for each of us to meet the cha ll eng es of everyday life. The history of our church has been long and successful. However, there is no more important time for St Johns as now and the future. St Johns has an active but small membership that enjoys the benefits of our church and also bears the responsibilities of operating and maintaining our church and its mission. It is important to keep our doors open and to continue to fulfill our mission to our congregation and the wider community. As you think about your family financial planning, please keep in mind the needs and mission of St Johns. Your annual pledge and contribution of time and talents are critical to our operations and continued success. However, you can play an equally important role in the longer term financial stability of the church by naming St Johns as a benefactor or beneficiary in your financial planning. Having your church named to receive any amount of funds from insurance, annuities, pensions and/or other investments during your life or at your death, is an important way that each of us can support and sustain the future of St. Johns. Please think about how important St Johns is to you and your family and how important your longer term financial contribution can be to keeping the churchs mission alive and the doors open for future generations.

St. Johns Financial Picture

As of July 31, 2013 Budget Income Pledge Payments* Cash Offerings Other Income $70,700 $11,667 $90,089 $62,277 $19,009 $90,479 Actual

(Endowment Contributions, Parking Lot Rental, Wedding Income, etc.)

TOTAL INCOME Expenses

$172,456

$171,765

Personnel $103,961 Committees $12,098 Operation/Maintenance $68,570 Local Benevolences $6,419 Other $4,950 TOTAL EXPENSES Income/Expenses TOTAL surplus (deficit) $195,998 ($423,542)

$101,156 $10,530 $67,068 $5,899 $4,950 $189,603 ($17,838)

*55 pledging households. 31 are behind in pledges as of July 31

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Lectionary Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 1, 2013 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 8, 2013
H I P I Q R S T U V W X Y `

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15 -16

Y g

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Special Worship of Welcome for Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer Sept. 8

Worship on Sunday September 8th will include a service of welcome for our interim minister, Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer. United Church of Christ Potomac Association minister Rev. Kwame Osei-Reed will join us on that morning, leading the welcome liturgy and serving communion with Rev. Tom as well. Remember that this is the Sunday we shift back from 10:00 time to 11:00. Your presence is requested for this faith family celebration!

Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

Philemon 1:1-1:21

Luke 14:25-33

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Luke 15:1-10

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost September 15, 2013 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 22, 2013

Psalm 14

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Luke 16:1-13

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Luke 16:19-31

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 29, 2013

Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16

Summer Music Notes

A special Thank you to the following for participating in our summer music program: Soloists - Theresa Caraher, Helena DeLigt, Anita and Tony Shparpenstein, David and Shirley Townsend, Pamela Bradley, Gladys and Jeff Quinanola and Bobbie Moore. Instrumentalists - Piano: Don Warren, Gladys and Jeff Quinanola, Eric King, Sonny Darnell, Shirley Townsend and Connor Wood Violin: Rob Osborn, Jack Lohman, Connor Wood Brass: Matt Bruins, Leon and Ruth Auman, Tommy Anderson, and David Townsend Harpsichord and Organ: Shirley Townsend June 9th Special Choir - First Sopranos: Anita Sharpenstein, Brianne Chin, Kathy Freise, Lynn Snydor, Emily Poole, Lori Arnold, Theresa Jolles. Second Sopranos: Florence Cross, Laura Siff, Bobbie Moore, Pamela Bradley. Altos: Amber DePass, Helena DeLigt, Julie Wilkinson. Tenors: Tony Sharpenstein, Rob Osborn, Bud Higgins. Basses: David Townsend, Joe McGregor, Paul Jolles, Lee Ford, Kit Carson, Gil Caldwell Thank you Joe McGregor for your organization of the music department - anthems, hymnals, music slots, robes, folders, envelopes, microphones for Sunday Services, etc. and...oh, yes...singing! WE INVITE ALL SINGERS WITH TIME, TALENT, AND DEDICATION TO JOIN THE CHOIR! Our first Thursday Rehearsal will be Thursday, September 5 from 7:00 to 8:30pm. Our first Sunday Rehearsal will be September 8 at 10:00am and we will be singing during the 11:00 am worship service of September 8. Talk to Shirley Townsend if you are interested in joining us!

St. Johns Fellowship September Meeting

St. Johns Fellowship will have their first meeting on Thursday, September 12th at 10:30 am. Sonny Darnell and Ken Warner have invited the Fellowship to their home for an organ concert and lunch. Their address is: 4716 Whitestone Drive Richmond, VA 23234 If you would like to carpool, please call Joe McGregor at 364-4078. The Fellowship is also planning to sponsor a MINI-MINI BAZAAR in connection with the German Dinner. There is still plenty of time to work on your special projects: jams, baked goods, crafts, books, etc.!

German Fest Tickets For Saturday Dinner Available ONLINE

Please put the St. Johns GERMAN FEST on your calendar and make sure to tell your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors about this wonderful St. Johns tradition! Please let them know that if they want to attend one of the Saturday Dinners, they will need to go online at www.StJohnsRIchmond.org and purchase tickets as soon as possible. This will insure that there will be plenty of food and seating. Please contact the church office if you have any questions.

Calling all Applesauce Makers! Saturday, September 21

I T I T R T c R T b T I c S b b I I P S c I P Q S I b R I P b T S b I I T I S S R c S R c R P I b T c Q S I S d e d c I b S f g I h i S f P S e i I d I Q I P U Y j k e l R R S m S c e S T I P g P I n S o S Q R T I g T f P g T p R g T I T I c d d I I c e g T d e b d R g I S g p n T R b S f f Q

Shout The Mod Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supported by MTI. 421 W. 54th Street, NY, NY 10019 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-6486 www.MTIshows.com

October 25-27, 2013

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, and also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciple, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
The goals of each Covenant Care Group are to 1) Provide care for one another; 2) facilitate relationship building; 3) Communicate care/joy concerns; 4) Connect members with pastoral staff; and 5) pray for one another. Your hosts will be contacting you soon (if they havent already) to set up a time to join together in fellowship so that you can get to know your other group members, and understand how these groups can work for you, and for each other. The Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer, our interim pastor, hopes to join you at your first group gathering. In this way, he will have a chance to get to know everyone, and you will have a chance to get to know him! In the meantime, as your group prepares to begin here are some things you can be doing: Pray for the members in your group Pray for Rev. Tom as he guides us through this transition in pastoral leadership Pray for all church staff Pray for families with children who will be starting school and college soon Please contact the church office, Julia Eliades, or Helena DeLigt if you have any questions.

Women! Get your spirits lifted! We are planning a spiritually nourishing retreat together. Here are the facts. Please join us! Two nights at Twin Lakes State Park: (Go west, young woman!) We have rented a large cabin for the nights of Oct. 25 and 26, checking out on the 27th. The cabin has bunk beds. We will probably stick mostly with bottom bunks so that we wont be overcrowded. If more people sign up, we can rent an additional cabin. Cost: $45 for Lodging Assuming all bottom bunks are filled, the cost should be about $45 each for lodging for the weekend. (Not per night, but for both nights.) After the Sept. 6 planning session, (see below) we will let everyone know about food cost. We have had some offers regarding food and its preparation, so we will wait until after the planning session to firm up the cost. Very important Planning Session: There will be a retreat planning session on Friday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 PM at church. Well plan food preparation and activities. We would like to have as many as possible participate in the planning. Reservations: We would like to make Sept. 13 a deadline for expressing interest in attending. We are lenient with those whose plans change after Sept. 13, but obviously the lodging expense depends on the number attending, so we need to get a feel for it. Please make your intention to attend known to the church office. Contact Adrianne Dery, Helena DeLigt or Jo Ann Jellison if you have any questions.

New Address
Peggy Ford 2907 Dancer Road Richmond, VA 23294 804-270-5097

Card Ministry
The St. Johns Card Ministry designs, creates and sends unique and personal birthday cards to our members. They also work on special congregational life projects such as making plugs for our Launch Sunday event. We invite anyone who is interested to come out and enjoy this weekly time of fellowship and service with other creative and caring folks at 5pm on Wednesdays. Call Cheryl Goode (901-6594) for more information.

Weddings
Laura Sill & Chris Garlock Will be married at St. Johns United Church of Christ September 28, 2013

Fellowship Nursery Welcome Sound Acolytes Lay Team System Readers Hosts Helpers Leader
September 1
Doug Waldrop Jeff Michel Bryan Etter James Cook Georgianne Stinnett, Erin Burnette TBA Melissa & Dan Mascher

Tellers

Facilities

Denise Martin, Judy Brown

Bud Higgins

September 8

Richard Bighinatti

Jo Ann Jellison

Lydia Woods Denise Martin Jeff Jacobs

Special Reception to Welcome Rev. Tom Mission & Outreach Committee

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Chris Miles

Adrianne Dery, Billy Poarch Adrianne Dery, Billy Poarch

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Richard Bighinatti

September 15

Richard Bighinatti

Jo Ann Jellison
x y z { | z } ~ z {

Lydia Woods
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Sal Anselmo Billy Poarch

z ~ } { z z } }

Laura Totty
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Richard Bighinatti
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September 22

Justin Barbour

David Pittman

Josh Lyle

Sam Dalton Ginna Minasian Dalton

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Don Warren

Marjorie & Justin Barbour

Kit Carson Jeff Michel

Justin Barbour

September 29

Justin Barbour

David Pittman

Josh Lyle

Mary Will Fritz Will

Beth and Don Martha Cook Stiegler

Kit Carson Jeff Michel

Justin Barbour

Fellowship Coordinator: Tellers Coordinator: Lay Readers Coordinator: Nursery Coordinator:

Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Bud Higgins 301-5059 Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Martha Cook 227-3466

Sept. 1 OPEN

Sept. 8
Sarah Allen

Sept. 15 OPEN

Sept. 22 OPEN

Sept. 29
Chris & Laura Garlock

Sign up for Altar Flowers on the poster in the hall by the Church Office. Cost is $45

S EPTEMBER 2013
Sun
1
Worship 10am Fellowship 11am

Mon
2

Tue
3
10 am Staff Mtg. NA Meeting 11:30am SJP 7 pm

Wed
4
Card Ministry 5 pm SJP 7 pm

Thu
5
NA Meeting 11:30am Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Fri
6
5:30 Womens Retreat Planning

Sat
7

8
Worship 11am
12:30 pm Facilities Mtg. SJP 7 pm Communion

9
Church Council 7 pm SJP 7 pm

10
10 am Staff Mtg. NA Meeting 11:30am SJP 7 pm

11
Card Ministry 5 pm SJP 7 pm

12
NA Meeting 11:30am Choir Rehearsal 7 pm
S

13
f g T i f S i I

14
India Orth. Church 8:30 am
d

15
LAUNCH SUNDAY
Breakfast 9 am Church School 9:45am FAITH 11-12:30 Plug In Worship 11 am SJP 7 pm

16
SJP 7 pm

17
10 am Staff Mtg. NA Meeting 11:30am SJP 7 pm

18
Card Ministry 5 pm SJP 7pm

19
NA Meeting 11:30am 5:30 Worship & Music Mtg. Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

20

21
Applesauce Cooking in FH begins at 9am

22
Bible Study 9:45 am Worship 11 am Fellowship 12 pm SJP 7pm

23
SJP 7 pm

24
10 am Staff Mtg. NA Meeting 11:30am SJP 7 pm

25
Card Ministry 5 pm SJP 7 pm

26
NA Meeting 11:30am Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

27
Wedding Rehearsal 4-7 pm

28
WEDDING 2-8 pm

8:00pm

8:00pm

29
Bible Study 9:45 am Worship 11 am Fellowship 12 pm

30

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3
8 8 11 12 14 Anna Davis Susan Minasian-Dunevant Eddie Allen Will Taylor Jeannette Drake Margaret Reuthinger

14 14 17 20 21 25 26

Tom Cooper David Pittman Tom Oxenham Norman Bunch Jeff Jacobs Lee Ford Karen-Marie Yust

28 29 29 29 30 30

Betty Pecka Donald Ellwood George Eliades Ashley Quick Pam Miller Lucida Barrett