Parish Life at St Johns

Outdoor Summer Schedule

out2010 During the summer months, we combine the Sunday services for an outdoor, 10 a.m. service followed by the always popular potluck.

outsvc

Deacon Donna Retirement Party

donnaretire On Friday, August 6, with mixed feelings, the parish celebrated the retirement of Deacon Donna Barr. While it was the end of her time as our deacon, she will continue to work with the Pastoral Care Team

Vacation Bible School 2010 - A Prayer Safari

vbs1 vbs4 While on their ‘safari,’ which they made hats for, the children learned that there are many ways, times, and places to pray. One of the ways that they learned to pray is while walking a labyrinth which was constructed in an upstairs classroom. They also learned several new songs and to sign the song ‘Day by Day’ and The Lord’s Prayer. They also ate well, of course!

The four evenings concluded with a skit about what The Lord’s Prayer means and a performance by the children of the songs, dance and signing that they’d learned. A hamburger and hot dog meal was then shared by all and completed with ice cream sundaes!

Many thanks to all who helped and attended

Reading Club Camp 2010

jane Our fourth Reading Club summer camp was a smashing success. Twenty-eight fourth and fifth graders filled the building and grounds with their laughter, their song and most of all, the sound of their reading aloud. Several of the children gained such confidence in their reading that they asked to put on a play for the other children - an absolutely amazing accomplishment for a child who is a reluctant reader! We had a group of over 25 teachers and other volunteers as well as six teenagers who lent their enthusiasm to the program. The children received breakfast, two snacks and a healthy lunch every day. A new partner this year, the Woodford County school system, picked up and dropped off those children who needed transportation to and from camp. We couldn’t do it without everyone of these volunteers!More on Reading Club

Rogation Day

On Sunday, June 6, St. John’s observed Rogation Day with a procession around the land with prayers for abundant harvest, good weather, and the preservation of the environment. The boundaries of the parish property were marked with the ancient rite of “beating the boundaries.”

Education For Ministry

efm At both the 9 and 11 o’clock services on Sunday, June 13 four graduates of EfM (Education for Ministry) - Sara Meekins, Connie Spencer, Ned Meekins, and Wanda Brown – were recognized for completion of the four-year study by Jim Kimbrough, the program mentor from Ascension in Frankfort. This is the first graduating class for EfM at St. John’s (although Lisa Hawkins completed the program several years ago in Lexington.) Sara, Connie, and Ned attend St. John’s while Wanda attends Bethel Harvest Church, Nicholasville.

EfM is a four-year theological study program of the School of Theology at Sewanee covering the Bible, church history, and theology. The course provides a comprehensive, experiential education in the foundations of Christian mission and faith for laity. A thirty minute introduction and overview of the program will be held in the large meeting room on the second floor of the parish hall at 10:30am on Sunday, July 25 and again on Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00pm, with EfM classes resuming in mid-September. Tuition is $350. Enrollees do not have to be Episcopalians to participate.

For more information contact any of the recent program graduates or program participants including Rick Keeling, Julie Ross, Gayle Box, Sara Hellard, Suzanne Thompson, or Linda Reeves.

Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Tournament

golf

A foursome from Woodford County Farm Bureau won the 3rd Annual Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Scramble and continued the tradition of donating their prize money back to The Reading Club.

The Third Annual Roger Reeves Memorial Golf Scramble was held on Monday, May 10 at the Woodford Hills Country Club and was again a fabulous success for a very worthy cause, The Reading Club. The 74 golfers enjoyed wonderful chili dogs, an interesting round of golf, a delicious dinner, and most even took home a door prize! As has become the tradition, as a special nod to Roger who was ever the practical joker, players reaching the 14th green were required to putt with a hockey stick.

The Reading Club is a program to help fourth and fifth grade reluctant readers become more confident readers and bet-ter students. At no cost to the children, they attend a week-long summer day camp with learning centers and fun. During the school year, the all volunteer staff meets with the kids every other week after school to reinforce the skills learned at camp.

Relay for Life

relay The St. John's Relay for Life team raised $2040 for the American Cancer Society this year. Thanks to all who participated and donated to this wonderful organization!

See Ellen's pictures on Facebook

Reading Club Graduation

Wednesday, May 5 was Graduation Day for another great group of Reading Clubbers. Every graduate received a poem written just for them about their own individual talents and skills, a certificate of accomplishment and a backpack of reading materials. They were also each given a tearful invitation to return when they are 16 to help other kids learn to love reading.

Applications for this year‘s program have exceeded expectations and some children had to be placed on a waiting list. Thirty-eight campers are expected for an educational and fun-filled week June 14-18. The theme this year is Nature and the stair-well to the second floor would make a fabulous aquarium filled with fish designed and decorated by the St. John‘s family and friends. There are patterns in Hosea Hall or you can draw your own. Please return them to the church by Sunday, June 6.

More pictures and information on Reading Club.

all

Parish Walk

The Bible Quest Class organized a Par-ish Walk on May 8 to raise money for their outreach projects. Many thanks to those who supported their efforts.

walk

30 Hour Famine

30hour During the weekend of March 5, St. John’s participated in the 30-Hour Famine with youth from nine other congregations at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lexington. We learned about starving children in our country as well as around the world, human trafficking, and experienced how it feels to be really hungry. We participated in community service by visiting the homebound, stocking shelves, picking up trash, and talking with pregnant teenagers at the Florence Crittendon Home. We related our experiences to verses we read in the Bible and discussed what this means to us as Christians. This was the first year for some and 3rd year for others, but a moving experience for us all.