Dear Friends,
Last night, your Vestry unanimously passed a Resolution in Support of the Passage of Sensible Gun Legislation. The text of the resolution follows this message. I want to be very clear, this resolution was passed because we, as a community of faith, believe that our elected representatives have a moral obligation to do more to make our society, and particularly our young people, safe from gun violence. This resolution asks our lawmakers to work toward specific actionable recommendations. We may not all agree on the specifics, but I believe we do all agree that our representatives at the local, state, and federal levels of government must do more. I also want to be very clear that we do not misconstrue our stand on this moral and social issue as a judgement against those beloved members of our community who own guns or use guns for sport. We support responsible gun ownership and use, but demand that safeguards are created that will help to ensure a safer society. Please continue to pray for our elected representatives, and for an end to the insanity of violence in our community and nation. The Vestry also directed that this resolution be submitted to the Diocesan Convention in November for consideration at the Diocesan level.
Blessings,
Fr. Jeremy
Resolution in Support of the Passage of Sensible Gun Legislation
WHEREAS, our Government, at the local, state, and Federal levels, have a moral imperative to protect the welfare of all people, and especially the welfare of our children and youth; and
WHEREAS, the United States Government has failed to provide such protection from violence resulting from the irresponsible and illegal use of readily accessible firearms in this nation; and
WHEREAS, gun violence, and particularly mass shootings, have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, rising to the level of a public health crisis; it is therefore
RESOLVED, that the Vestry of The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor, Illinois, in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago calls on the United States Congress and the Illinois General Assembly to enact specific common sense gun legislation that enjoys the support of the majority of Americans, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, that would reduce gun violence and, therefore, save lives;
1. Universal background checks of all gun purchasers, closing current loopholes for private and gun show sales
2. Handgun purchaser licensing;
3. Restrictions on gun ownership by domestic abusers;
4. Restrictions on sales of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons;
5. Passage of a federal and state Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), or “Red Flag” law;
6. Classification of gun trafficking as a federal crime;
7. Encouragement for the development of “smart gun” technology;
8. Federal and state funding for research into gun violence prevention strategies.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor, Illinois, passes this resolution by unanimous consent, at its regularly scheduled meeting on this 18th day of September, 2019.
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Please Note: This week's Morning Prayer and Wednesday Healing Service are cancelled due to Fr. Jeremy being on vacation. Morning Prayer will resume on October 1 and the Wednesday Healing Service will resume on October 2.
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THANK YOU!!! As of Friday, we have collected over $1,200 for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. We will be collecting donations for one more week, so if you have not done so and would like to contribute, you still can. You can place a check in the Sunday offering (be sure to indicate Hurricane Dorian Relief in the memo line) or you can give online by clicking here. Please continue to keep our friends in the Bahamas in your prayers.
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Click the link above to go to the Online Giving page of our website and join us as we continue worshipping God through our generosity.
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Collect for September 22nd
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen..
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2019-2020 Adult Christian Formation
Would you like to know more about what we, as Episcopalians, believe, and how we are formed to be followers of Jesus? Please join us on Sunday mornings beginning September 15 at 9:00am in the Resource Room as we spend a year walking through the Book of Common Prayer together and learning what shapes us. This is a perfect class for anyone who would is considering being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. This year's Confirmation and Reception will be the last one with Bishop Lee!
Registration is not required, but you should purchase the book to fully participate in the class. You can purchase Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices on Amazon.com.
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The St. John's Choir will resume rehearsals in the Choir Room on Sunday, September 29th after the 10:00 a.m. service. If you are interested in participating this year, or if you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office via telephone or email.
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Serving this week:
8:00am Holy Eucharist
Lector: Tom Senesac
LEM: Gale Michael
Usher: Warren Becker
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Lectors: Kathy Basil, Chris Pfeifer
LEMs: Steven Russell, Sam Otoo
Acolytes: Kyle Dailor, Zoe Huntoon, Maggie Oyster, Catherine Madden
Ushers: John Huntoon, Cyndie Knoll
Greeters: Mike Madden & Diane Walsh-Madden
Oblation Bearer: Stewart Scott
Coffee Hour: Cyndie Knoll, Shirley Reilly, Lynn Ruschhaupt
Altar Guild: Captain: Donna Blackburn, Janice Hickman, Kristy Petersen, Candice Barrera
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Youth of St. John's!
The Youth Group will be meeting on Saturday October 26th for some Halloween Festivities. Local Deanery Youth have also been invited. Come and enjoy a time of fellowship, food, friends, and fun.
The St. John's Youth Group normally meets on the third Saturday of the month. Please contact the parish office with any questions.
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Cottage Meeting Sign-up
Make sure your voice is heard!
The final Cottage Meeting is upon us! Thank you to all the gracious hosts and attendees. There are a few slots left for the final meeting and you can sign up here: https://www.mysje.org/capital-campaign.html .
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Art in the
(New and Improved) Undercroft
The next Art in the Undercroft painting date is Sunday, September 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. Please join us for painting, laughter, and lots of fun! The cost is $40 per person and all materials will be provided. The proceeds go to the Rectory Renovation, Part 2.
This project will be a very impressionistic still life with colorful flowers.
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We are currently in search of:
- A new PADS coordinator for this program year. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Jeremy.
- A volunteer to help out in the Nursery, as needed. If interested please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Jeremy.
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Have you ever wondered, "What if church was like a dinner party?"
On Sunday evenings it is! You're invited to join us as we worship much like the early Church did, gathering as a community around the table, sharing a meal that we all help to prepare. Come see how God's Holy Spirit is moving in our own time and community.
St. John's Table is held every Sunday at 5:00 pm. Come join us and invite your friends.
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This week's Birthdays & Anniversaries
September 21: Gale Michael
September 21: Sarra Lind & Luke Lorenz
September 22: Theresa Otoo
September 24: Gail &
Marcus Richardson
May God bless you with peace and happiness on this unique day that you celebrate. And may that divine peace and happiness follow you the rest of your life. On this special day of yours, I pray that the good Lord gives you all the joy and happiness that your heart can contain.
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The Daughters of the King is a women's prayer and service order in the Episcopal Church. St. John's chapter meets the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Our next meeting will be September 21, and we are starting a new study, using the book Paths to Prayer: Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God by Patricia D. Brown. All women of the parish are welcome to join us for conversation, fellowship, and prayer. Questions? Contact Cyndie Knoll, Betsy Elliot, or any other Daughters member.
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The newly formed Recovery & Healing Ministry meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m in the Guild Room. All are welcome to join us, as we explore the addictive and co-dependent nature of Western society and seek to find recovery and healing that only comes through Spiritual transformation. Currently we are studying Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May, M.D. You can purchase the book through your local bookseller or by clicking on the image above to purchase it through Amazon.
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The Men of St. Barnabas will be gathering at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30th for their 2019-2020 Kick Off Meeting. Contact Rob McManamy with any questions. The meeting will be held at at:
Wiley's Grill
800 Kedzie Ave, Homewood, IL 60430
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In honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi we will be holding an outdoor Pet Blessing Service on Sunday, October 6th at 5:00 p.m. Pets of all varieties, along with their responsible owners, are welcome to come and receive blessings.
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This Week's Lessons
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Psalm 79:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
Go to lectionarypage.net to read this week's lessons.
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SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT)
Care and Share Project 2019
SWIFT will be collecting toiletry items for the Rich Township Pantry between now and October 20th. If you are able to contribute, there is a collection box in the narthex or donations may be dropped off at the Parish Office.
Every single donation is needed and appreciated!
To help aid the collection process, an informational board has been placed in the undercroft. Each Post-it on the board has one item listed on it and the idea is that when someone takes a post-it, they have committed to donating the item that's listed. This system helps us create complete care packages instead of having an abundance of the same item.
Sorting and packing of donations will take place here at St. John's on Sunday, October 20th from 2-5pm.Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Any questions may be directed to
Bryan Burke
interfaith.swift@gmail.com.
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