News & Notes
SPECIAL TOWN HALL MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2020
Please join us for our first town hall meeting of the new year after service on Sunday, January 12, 2020 as we meet to discuss What Do You Want to Improve in Queens? - A Queens Power Listening Session. This is a vital opportunity for St. John’s to share our concerns about what’s happening in our Queens community and help to envision the changes we want to make in our neighborhoods. As Disciples of Christ it is incumbent upon us to show up for our community and make our voices heard!
2019 Committee/Organization & Ministry Reports
Brief summary reports of committees/organizations and ministries for 2019 to be included in the Annual Parish Meeting journal must be submitted to the church office no later than January 5th. The journal will be distributed on January 19th, a week prior to the annual meeting. Please email all reports in Word format to: info@stjohns-springfieldgardensny.org.
Handwritten reports will not be accepted.
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Holy Baptism
Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (The First Sunday after the Epiphany). Please see Mother Samuel to make arrangements for baptism.
Campus Care Package Ministry
“It takes a village to raise a child”. We currently have 10 students who are either in a trade program or college at home and abroad. It’s part of our responsibility as a loving church family to pray for and encourage our children. Each semester we will send care packages to our students during mid-terms and finals containing snacks and other goodies to let them that they are thought of and loved by their church family. To make a donation towards the Campus Care Package Ministry please see Roxann Samuel.
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CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Saturday 12/21 @ 4pm.
Come wearing your best Ugly Christmas Sweater, best ugly sweater gets a prize! See Flyer on Events Page
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UPCOMING JANUARY EVENTS
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Epiphany Lessons and Carols – Sunday, January 5th @9:00am
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Town Hall Meeting – Sunday, January 12th after the 9:00am service
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Triennial Bishop’s Visitation by The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin – Sunday, January 19th at 9:00am
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Annual Parish Meeting & Elections – Sunday, January 26th after the 9:00am
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service.
Clergy out of the office
Mother Samuel will be out of the office following the Christmas morning mass through December 30th. The Rev. Judith Alexis will be the supply clergy for Sunday, December 29th. In the event of an emergency, please contact the Wardens, Pat Hamlet and Sharon Hunter.
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Hospitality Ministry Team meeting- Sunday, January 5th
Mother Samuel will meet with the Hospitality team after service on January 5th. Persons interested in serving on this ministry are invited to attend.
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​Epiphany Pageant of Lessons & Carols
On Sunday, January 5, 2020, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with a special inter-generational Pageant of Lessons and Carols during the 9:00am service. Both adults and children are needed for various parts and costumes. If you're shy about acting, have no fear, there are only four speaking parts! If you would like to participate in this special service, please see Mother Samuel. There will be at least one rehearsal day prior to Epiphany Sunday.
Epiphany Pageant of Lessons and Carols
Mother Samuel will meet with parents, Sunday School students, youth group members and adult participants in the pageant on Sunday, December 22nd after service. Rehearsal for the pageant will take place on Saturday, January 4th at 11:00am in the sanctuary.
Please submit your pledge cards today!
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP & STUDY
The Path Bible Study sessions will be on hiatus for the Advent and Christmas seasons from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Wednesday, January 1st. All groups will resume on Wednesday, January 8th.
Adopt-A-Family: P.S. 37 The Cynthia Jenkins School -Christmas Donations
Our family from PS 37 this consists of four young males, special needs: Clothing – mostly pants and shirts
Messiah Shakespeare: 7 yrs old size 10
Syncare Richards: 5 yrs old size 6
Jordon Richards: 4 yrs old size 5
Andonia Shakespeare: 2yrs old size 2
Please wrap your gifts and place the name of the child on the gift. Please see Gwen Cardoza if you have any questions.
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DECEMBER EVENTS
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Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve Service, 7pm
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Wednesday, December 25th – Christmas Day Service, 9am
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Tuesday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve Service, 7pm followed by a festive reception in the parish hall!
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) MINISTRY
We invite you to join us on the second Sunday of every month except July & August (summer months/holiday) @ 11:00 AM in the Parish Hall. Next Meeting: January 5 (special date)
SAVE THE DATES:
ECW annual International Brunch & Nickel Social - Saturday, January 25th!
See Flyer on Events Page
ECW Women’s Luncheon!
Saturday, March 14th!
Flyer coming soon!!
ECW Annual Bus Trip - Queen Esther at Sight & Sounds!
Saturday, July 25th!
See Flyer on Events Page
OUTREACH—Please remember the babies at St. John ‘s Episcopal Hospital. Newborn baby items are needed: pampers, wipes, lotion, onesies, bibs, socks, etc.
FOR PASTORAL EMERGENCIES
In the event of a pastoral emergency please contact Mother Samuel at 718-525-8900 (rectory) or 516-341-2233 (mobile).
Annual Parish
Meeting & Elections
Please be advised that our annual parish meeting and elections will be held on Sunday, January 26th after the 9:00a.m. worship service. We will elect one (1) Warden and two (2) vestry persons.
The members of the Nominating Committee for 2019 are:
The Rev. Pauline Samuel
Sharon Hunter
Joydeth Lacey-Amos
Roxann Samuel
Walter Tanner
Nikki Young
As we pray and discern about persons who can help our church move forward, listed are some essential qualities and responsibilities of a Vestry person and Warden:
1. Love God and demonstrate a commitment to following the way of Christ.
2. Involved in (or actively seeking) some form of Christian ministry by which he/she will give his/her time and talents to or through the church.
3. Committed to partnership between vestry and clergy, recognizing the success of an inclusive model of leadership relies on everyone’s participation.
4. Is fair, interacts well with people and strives to earn the respect of the congregation.
5.Wardens in particular
a. Meet regularly with clergy to review the life/work of the congregation, plan ahead and anticipate problems.
b. Provide leadership in the congregation by demonstrating a
consistently positive attitude that seeks to resolve problems,
recognize achievements and give thanks for what builds
community.
c. Accountable to the clergy and vestry.
6. Someone who is willing to trust God with a tithe of his/her income, and if he/she is not already tithing is willing to begin today.
“Leadership is not being in charge, it is about taking care of people in your charge.” Simon Sinek
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