Notes from Patmos…Hot off the press!
Good morning to the good people of Saint Johns!
I have some great stuff and some not so great stuff to talk about- so first the great stuff.
The past Wednesday evening saw our Michaelmas celebration with the blessing of law enforcement officers and presentation of stuffed animals for them to have for children in distress.  The evening was spectacular!  Lots of folks came out and we had a very solid representation of officers.  Dinner and conversations were really nice, and everyone found it to be meaningful and healing.  So a huge thank you to all who took the time to make the event a priority.
Mrs. Maranda McLaughlin has launched a very popular event in our parish life- our Running on Faith 5k and fun run.  Full details are below, with electronic signup sheet and all the information you might need.  We are looking for volunteers to help, corporate sponsors and of course folks to run in the race.  So, if you would like to lend a hand in any way, please get in touch with her or call the parish, and of course, do your best to spread the word and help us make the event great!
These past few weeks have seen our Sunday attendance at about half of what it normally is and attendance at Sunday School even less.  This has had several effects on the parish family.  It is discouraging for those who give of their time to teach… it is almost impossible for severe declines in attendance not to affect the spirits of those who give of their time and effort to serve others.  And, financially, we are spread very thin… if people don’t come to church and pay their pledges, we can’t pay our bills.  All that being said, we need to step up our game and reset our priorities.  Is attendance at Church the thing we cut out of our schedules first?  If so, what does that say about us?  It is within the Church and her liturgies that we find forgiveness, strength and nourishment to see the rest of the daily course of our lives through.  If the obligations and things of God are the first to go, we are not doing ourselves any favors and making life even harder.  So let us not fall farther out of the habits we worked so hard to develop… let us not neglect the things of God and our parish family… rather, let us grow and strength and witness and love together.  May this parish continue as a light and beacon of hope for our community and may we help make it great!
God bless you all!
Jeff+


5K and 1 mile Fun Run

Saturday October 22nd, 2016
starting at Saint John’s Episcopal Church
7:15 a.m. Check In, 8:30 a.m. Start
Fun Run starts immediately following 5K completion

1st2nd  and 3rd place prizes in following

age groups: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

The first 60 entrants will be guaranteed a dri-fit Running On Faith Tshirt

Entry Fee $25 for 5K & $15 for Fun Run
Add $5 day of race

We are looking for volunteers for pre-race preparations!

Want to help sponsor the race and get your name on the T-shirt?  Let us know!

Want to sponsor a runner to help with outreach?  Great!

For more information contact Maranda McLaughlin at marandamcl@comcast.net or 601-498-1138
Download Entry Form here:
Follow this link to sign-up online


Foyer Group Update
Foyer Groups have been formed!  If you signed up to participate, please check your email for a mailing from Lori Burson, for your group assignment.

Upcoming at St. John’s

The Feast of St. Luke – Wednesday, October 19th
     Holy Eucharist 5:30pm
Parish Dinner 6:15pm
Running on Faith – 5K and 1 mile Fun Run
Saturday, October 22nd
The Solemnity of All Saints – Sunday, November 6th
     During the 10:30 Mass
All Souls Mass – Sunday, November 6th at 6:00pm
Harvest Mass – Wednesday, November 16th
     Holy Eucharist at 5:30pm
Dinner at 6:15pm
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 4th at 6:00pm
Ladies Christmas Luncheon
Monday,  December 5
     Holy Eucharist at 11:00am
Luncheon at 12:00pm
Bishop’s Visitation and Confirmation
Sunday, December 11th
     Brunch Beginning at 9:00am
Holy Eucharist at 10:30am


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

Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
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.

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 Gina Gatewood and Wendy Herring for their help in the kitchen for the Blessing of Law Enforcement parish dinner.
  • To Carolyn Ruth Stancill and Laura Palmer for the beautiful floral decorations in the Nave and Parish Hall for the Blessing of Law Enforcement Evensong and Parish dinner.
For the Year Actual Budget Over/Under
Income
Pledges $ 224,892 $ 254,854 $  29,962(88%)
Plate $ 24,021 $ 27,713  $   3,692(87%)
Other $ 47,804 $ 44,047 $ 3,757(109%)
Total $ 296,717 $326,614 $  29,897(91%)
Expenses $342,319 $ 342,373 $   54(100%)
BUDGET TOTALS $ 45,602 $ 15,759 $   29,843
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