It's Holy Week! 

Holy Week won't be the same this year as it has been, but we are the Church, and we will still observe it.  You should be receiving information about how you can observe these most holy days, either in the mail, your email, or on our website.  But you can also get ready now!

For starters, if you don't have a place in your home that you have set aside for prayer, now is the perfect time to find one.  It doesn't have to be big, or fancy, or even permanent.  Just a set-aside place that you can come and pray.  

Set up an altar of your own there.  You can use a side table, or a spare crate, or a stack of books, even.  Drape it with a cloth, and then place some symbols on it:  a cross, an icon if you have one, a candle or two.  Maybe some incense or some water, to recall prayers ascending to heaven, or our baptism, respectively.  It's Lent, so think spare and somber--like our communal altar at church.

If you live with kids, make this a family project.  If you live with other adults--see what everyone wants to contribute.  If you get stuck, here are some helpful guides that might inspire you: here , here, here.

The idea is that even though we can't access our communal sacred space right now, God is still with us, and our home altars are an outward sign of that truth.  Once you're done--take a picture and send it to me.  We'll share everyone's pictures for more inspiration.

What's Good?:

Forward Day by Day: If you would like a new Forward Day by Day devotional sent to you, please let the office know.  Alternatively, did you know the devotions are also posted on their website?  It's here.  


New Video from the Stewardship Committee with Jim Johnson

Cayuga Medical Center is mobilizing a small group of sewists to manufacture additional masks and protective equipment  for CMC at Cornell University.  They have asked for the donation of small cards to go with the masks, in order to encourage the medical staff in this difficult time.  Please be respectful of diversity of thought and belief in your message, and keep it simple. Just cut a 3x5 card in half, and punch a hole in one corner.  Bundle 50 together and drop them off at Bartels Hall between 8am-3pm. 

Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard is in need of volunteers!  The Cupboard only does drive through service now, and it is open on the 3rd Fridays from 1-3pm.  They need healthy folks under 65 yrs old, because of concerns about coronavirus.  If you are interested, please contact Cora Yao 

DIGNITY DRIVE The personal items pantry in Laundry Love has need of bar soaps, cleaning and disinfecting supplies. We want to be sure that our Loaves & Fishes guests have the means to keep themselves healthy during the current heath crisis. There is a specially marked bin in the narthex.
 
Faith@Home: Faith@Home is a resource put together by Forward Movement and Forma.  They send you an email every day with prayers, reflections, and activities designed for different age groups, and they have stepped up their work in this time.  Check it out here. 

Habits of Grace: Our Presiding Bishop is putting out weekly reflections during this time.  They are here. 

List of local churches who are live-streaming worship




 







 


 

 



  

Lots of ways to support St. John's!

We've partnered with Tithe.ly to offer the option of online giving for St. John's. Go to the website at stjohnsithaca.org, and look for the donate button in the upper right corner. It's safe, secure, and VERY convenient!

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You can also download the Tithe.ly app on the iTunes store or Google Play store to your smartphone, and search for St. John's Episcopal Church, and give that way.  It will even set up automatic payments so you never have to remember your checkbook again!

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Help support St. John's while you shop! If you are shopping on Amazon, use our unique link and Amazon will return 0.05% of your purchase price to St. John's. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/15-0615665