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The Throes of Summer…
Many of the times when the word ‘throes’ is used, it implies a poor or difficult end. People who use the word many times don’t mean to imply difficulty or trouble but merely that a thing is nearing its end. As we have been planning and going about the business of Church, the ‘throes of summer’ has been on my mind. Many of our families are away on vacation, others are engaged in the activities of the season. Things are quiet around here during the week and finding a seat on Sunday morning is not a problem. But while everyone is away doing fun and happy family things… it hard not to think about the poor and difficult end to summer as well. The country bitterly divided and screaming at one another… pointless deaths… political and other unrest around our world. It is a scary time with anxiety running high and nerves on edge. With that being said, and whether we think of the word ‘throes’ as being positive or negative, it is worth remembering habits and the things of God. It is in the Church that we are able to offer our anxieties and nervousness and fears to God… it is in the Church that we receive the balm of grace to heal our wounds and cure what ails us. But the Church is much more than a balm to sooth the pains and injuries… it is also a place that give a sure foundation for our family life… a place that gives strength and hope to us and to our relationships. During the ‘throes of summer’, it is very easy to slip out of the habit of churchgoing, and little by little, bit by bit, we fall away from the grace of God and the very thing that gives us life and light and true happiness. So, as we go about this world, don’t forget what gives you strength for your soul and food for your journey… don’t fall out of the habit of committing yourselves to he place where Grace abounds and firm foundations are made. Please know of my love and prayers for this parish family, may God bless us all. In Christ, Jeffrey+ Saint John’s Episcopal Church
Children’s Ministry
Sign up to feed our E.Y.C.
We need your help feeding our E.Y.C. members on Sunday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the parish. There is a sign up sheet located on the board in the sacristy hallway with dates that are available. For more information, contact the Parish Office.
Fall Youth Events 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. 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
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