Hello everybody!
I hope summer is going well for one and all.  The E.Y.C. is back safe and sound from their pilgrimage to the Apostle James’ tomb in Santiago de Compostela.  We had a meaningful, fun, and edifying adventure- with blisters and laughter, tears and joy.  A huge thank you to all who made the trip possible, for the support of the faithful, and for your patience while I was away.
This past Monday we laid Donna Buchanan to rest, and as goes with funerals in the South, it takes a small army of folks showing hospitality to make the day a bit less bitter.  A tip of the biretta to all who gave of time and effort to support Tucker and his family.  Please remember Donna, Tucker, and her family in your prayers and may her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, rest in peace.
On the horizon we have the downtown church’s Vacation Bible School beginning Monday.  We are still in need of folks to help out, so let us know if you can give a morning or two to the effort.  Registration forms are also available at the parish for any children that have yet to sign up.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and being away from the parish for ten days and returning to hugs and happy faces made me realize again how fortunate I am to serve you all and how deep my love runs for the parish family.  God bless you all!
Jeffrey+


Vacation Bible School
This year’s ecumenical VBS will be hosted at First Trinity Presbyterian Church on June 27th – June 30th from 9:00am to 11:30am.  The theme this year is An Illustrated Earth: Celebrating God’s Creation.  Each day we will look at a variety of Bible stories that celebrate different aspects of God’s creation:
* Day 1:  Light
* Day 2:  Water
* Day 3:  Plants and Food
* Day 4:  Animals
Registration forms are available on the back table in the Nave and in the parish office.  VBS is always a wonderful way for you and your children to spend time with the youth of our downtown churches so register now. We feel certain that it will be a meaningful time for us all.  This year St. John’s is responsible for games.  Please let the church office know if you can help the week of VBS.  We need YOU!

Saint John’s Episcopal Church

Children’s Ministry

We are collecting stuffed animals for local paramedics to use to help comfort children involved in traumatic situations. You can participate by bringing new, cuddly stuffed animals (WITH THE TAGS ON THEM) and help us fill our “Teddy Bear Cave.”


Fall Youth Events
Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
August 20 – FALL AWWY GATHERING
(Adults Working With Youth) at Gray Center
September 23-25 – Sr. High DOY Retreat
(Division of Youth) 9th – 12th Grades at Camp Bratten-Green
October 21-23 – Happening #84 Staff Training at All Saints’ Tupelo
October 28-30 – Jr. High DOY Retreat
(Division of Youth) 6th – 8th Grades at Camp Bratten-Green
November 11-13 – Happening #84
10th-12th Grades at All Saints’ Tupelo
Registration forms and more information is available at diomsyouth.org or contact the Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Whitney Robinson, at wrobinson@dioms.org.

Honduras Medical Mission Information

Applications are available for the 2017 Honduras Medical Mission and can be found on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website:     http://www.dioms.org/Ministries/honduras.html
There are a few important dates to remember:
·         The dates for the 2017 mission will be Saturday, February 18- Saturday 25, 2017.
·         Deadline for filing the application is July 15, 2016.
·         The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2016.
·         There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 13, 2017, until Saturday after lunch January 14, 2017.
Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1400.  The first $700 must be paid bySeptember 15, 2016, with the remainder due December 31, 2016.
Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists; however, no medical experience is required!  There are also openings for general support for which no prior training is necessary!  We always need Spanish-speaking applicants, but there are translators present for those who don’t speak Spanish.
If anyone does not wish to travel, but wants to support the mission, there are two ways for you to so:
1.       Word of Mouth!  Almost everyone knows a doctor, a nurse, a veterinarian, a dentist, a dental hygienist, an optometrist, a pharmacist, or someone who loves to travel!  Please, ask them to get the word out!
2.       Donations!  While team members pay for their own expenses, the mission does fund raising to raise money to purchase medicines, supplies, and tools needed to serve the team.  We also offer small grants to the community for infrastructure, economic, and educational improvements.  Any support of these activities – either by individuals, vestries, or servant ministry groups is welcome.  Donations may be sent to the Honduras Medical Mission c/o St. Andrews Cathedral, PO Box 1366, Jackson, MS 39215.

UPCOMING AT ST. JOHN’S
June 27 – 30 – Vacation Bible School at First Trinity Presbyterian Church

Connecting Ministry
We here at Saint John’s love reaching out to others and letting them know that they are loved by God, held in prayer and remembered.  Our Pastoral Care Committee, E.Y.C. and Daughters of the King society would love to write notes of encouragement, send small care packages and simply let others know that they are prayed for and remembered.  If you have a loved one who is shut-in, a college student or in the military, follow this link to fill out the form and let us stay in touch with them!  The form is here:  http://stjohnslaurel.com/?page_id=2037

A Tip O’ The Biretta
  • To Pat Myers, Pam Oglesby, Celeste Vial, Susan Vincent, Gina Gatewood, Becky Jackson, Laura Palmer, Jane Hayes for providing food to the Buchanan family following Donna’s burial.
For the Year Actual Budget Over/Under
Income
Pledges $ 143,143 $ 159,129 $  15,986(90%)
Plate $ 16,892 $ 26,127  $ 9,235(65%)
Other $ 42,047 $ 31,775 $10,272(132%)
Total $ 202,082 $217,031 $  14,949(93%)
Expenses $215,214 $ 209,267 $ 5,947(103%)
BUDGET TOTALS $ 13,132 $ 7,764 $ 20,896
O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness.  Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort.  Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy.  And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing.  Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Amen.
Saint Johns Episcopal Church
541 North 5th Ave./ P.O. Box 1766
Laurel, MS 39441
office@stjohnslaurel.com
http://stjohnslaurel.com
601.428.7252 Office
601.422.7388 Mobile
Copyright © 2016 Saint John’s Episcopal Church, All rights reserved.