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Free Clothing Event
WHERE: ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH THRIFT SHOPPE
564 Easton Turnpike
Hamlin Corners (Routes 191/590)
St. John’s Church and Thrift Shoppe is located next to Jack Williams Tire & Auto

WHEN: Wednesday, September 13, 2016
10:00 AM to 12 Noon
AND 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

ALL ARE WELCOME!
CLOTHING (and more) FOR EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY!

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St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for Sept. 2017
Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am – Fr. Ronald Miller

Sept. 4 Labor Day Parish Office closed
Sept. 5 9:30am Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 5 10:45am Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 9 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe Open
Sept. 10 11:15am Mini Sunday School commences
Sept. 13 10am-1pm & 5-7pm Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe
Sept. 16 4:30-6:30pm Roast Beef Dinner at Hemlock Grove UMC
Sept. 19 10:45am Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 21 7pm Monthly meeting of Vestry in Parish Hall
Sept. 23 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe Open
Sept 29/30 146th Convention in Carbondale

Phone: 570-689-9260
Parish Office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 10am-3pm
Email: stjohnshamlin@verizon.net
Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
Check out our Website: saintjohnhamlin.org
Check us out on faithstreet.com

 

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The former Archdeacon sent this to the clergy of the Diocese.

Since you are members of the “universal priesthood of all baptized believers,” I forward it on to you.

Let us continue to “Welcome ALL people to embody the Love of Christ!”

Fr. Ron

 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Rick Cluett <rick@diobeth.org>
Subject: [clergy] Fwd: After Charlottesville: A Special Edition of the Alban Weekly
Date: August 28, 2017 at 10:14:52 AM EDT
To: Clergy <clergy@diobeth.org>

Colleagues,

This issue of the Alban Newsletter focuses on this time after Charlottesville. It offers resources for our ministries in the weeks and months going forward helping our people and our selves in honest engagement with the issues our church and society can no longer shun or hide from.

Rick

Archdeacon Rick Cluett
333 Wyandotte Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
www.diobeth.org
Office 610-691-5655, ext. 227
Mobile: 610-737-2073
Email: Rick@diobeth.org

 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Alban Weekly <alban@div.duke.edu>
Subject: After Charlottesville: A Special Edition of the Alban Weekly
Date: August 28, 2017 at 10:07:33 AM EDT
To: Rick@diobeth.org
Reply-To: alban@div.duke.edu

On Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13, faith leaders around the United States addressed their congregations who had watched the news coming from Charlottesville, Virginia. They had the privilege — and challenge — of helping people understand and interpret our society through the convictions of shared faith.
It is not the first time clergy and other congregational leaders have had to respond to a significant event as it was still unfolding. Each time it happens is an incredible responsibility, one that requires the clarity of conviction in the midst of the confusion of circumstances. Sermons that have been written have to be rewritten. Educational classes become public conversations. Worship becomes confession and lament, and we together recommit to work for justice, equality, and peace.
The issues that two days in Charlottesville again laid bare within our society — white supremacy, racism and injustice, violence and intimidation — these issues are not new. And they will not be quickly healed or remedied. Congregational leaders will, tragically, have many more opportunities to confront them and to address them from the heart of faith. Congregational leaders will be given the opportunity to remind their congregations of God’s deep hope for the world and our responsibility to be partners in pursuing it.
Our colleagues at Faith & Leadership have been collecting stories and learnings from Charlottesville and from other parts of the country, and we offer these resources to you to spark your imagination and remind you that you are not alone.

“Creating a better world for all God’s people”
Christian leaders who seek to combat violence and hatred can do more than debate tactics and post to Facebook, says Sarah Thompson, the executive director of Christian Peacemaker Teams. She said those actions can range from making public statements to training in non-violent direct action — skills as specific as how to dodge bullets. Church leaders also should work to connect with vulnerable people in their communities.

Read Faith & Leadership’s interview with Sarah Thompson »

Resources for leading amid tragedy and crisis
Every tragedy — large or small, public or private — is different, but they all pose challenges for leadership. Our colleagues at Faith & Leadership have compiled from their archives resources for leading in times of tragedy and crisis.

Read more »

Reclaiming the power of lament
In an age of nonstop media that exposes us as never before to the world’s pain and brokenness, lamentation is an essential and even revolutionary act, one that the church needs desperately to reclaim, says a young pastor.

Read more from Dominique Gilliard »

Changing the way the church views racism
Christians need to adopt a deeper, more complex understanding of how race shapes our lives and communities, says the author and theologian in this interview. And to resist racism, we need to ‘recover’ Jesus, taking Christ and Scripture seriously.

Read more from Drew G.I. Hart »

“With love from C’ville”
As tiki torch-bearing terrorists marched on the grounds of the University of Virginia on Friday, Aug. 11, hundreds of people were gathered in my church not 100 yards away, girding ourselves for what lay ahead the next day. We prayed and sang and listened to the soaring words of Cornel West and Traci Blackmon. Christians and Jews and Muslims offered Scripture and song and prayer.

Read more from Elaine Ellis Thomas »

FROM THE ALBAN LIBRARY

A House of Prayer for All Peoples
by Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook

Contrary to the oft-repeated truism, there are churches in America where Sunday is not the “most segregated day of the week,” as Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook convincingly demonstrates in her compelling exploration of congregations tackling racial justice issues.

Yet the truism continues to haunt many congregations, and Kujawa-Holbrook reveals, through story and thoughtful analysis, what it means to create and live out multiracial community. Focusing on six congregations from different denominations, geographical regions, and settings, the author shows us the joys and struggles in their intentional pursuits of a more diverse and just community.

The stories in A House of Prayer for All Peoples will inspire leaders to explore their congregation’s history, study their community’s demographics, and, most of all, search their souls for ways they can develop and celebrate the diversity in their midst. The book is capped by an extensive annotated resource list for readers who want to explore the topic further.

Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Alban at Duke Divinity School, 1121 W. Chapel Hill Street, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27701
SafeUnsubscribe™ Rick@diobeth.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you missed the Kennedy Creek Strummers concert last Thursday in our sanctuary, here is the link to view on YouTube:

 

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The Thrift Shoppe will close at 12:00 noon this Saturday 8/26 due to a funeral at 1pm in our church.

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Update: This was a delightful event!!

Kennedy Creek Strummers – An All-Ages Community Based Ukulele Group

This delightful group plays a variety of songs that will have you tapping your toes and singing along.

Come join the fun!

When: Thursday, August 24th, 2017   7:00 PM

Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 564 Easton Turnpike – Route 191 South, Hamlin, PA 18427
Phone: 570-689-9260

Free-will donation at the door

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The funeral services for Lee A. Black will be conducted at St. John’s on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 1:00 pm.  Our love and prayers for Melvina and her family ascend! **Flower deliveries will be received at noon on Sat. Aug. 26th or from 10am-2:30pm on Fri. Aug. 25th**

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St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for Sept. 2017
Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am – Fr. Ronald Miller

Sept. 4 Labor Day Parish Office closed
Sept. 5 9:30am Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 5 10:45am Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 9 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe Open
Sept. 10 11:15am Mini Sunday School commences

Sept. 13 10am-1pm & 5-7pm Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe
Sept. 16 4:30-6:30pm Roast Beef Dinner at Hemlock Grove UMC
Sept. 19 10:45am Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall
Sept. 21 7pm Monthly meeting of Vestry in Parish Hall
Sept. 23 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe Open
Sept 29/30 146th Convention in Carbondale

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St. John’s Episcopal Church
Events: August 2017
Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller, Priest-in-Charge

Mini Sunday School resumes on Sunday, September 10, after the 10 a.m. service

Aug 7th-11th 9am-noon Vacation Bible School at St. Thomas More RC Church
Aug 8th 9:30am Daughters of the King (DOK) meets
Aug 8th 10:45am Prayer Group Meets
Aug 12th 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe open
Aug 13th 10am George Sink funeral service at 10am Mass
Aug 13th 3pm Trinity 175th Anniv. Celebration – Athens, PA
Aug 16th 10-noon & 5-7:00pm Free Clothing Event @ St. John’s Thrift Shoppe
Aug. 16th 11am Hamlin Area Clergy Meets at Salem Comm Church
Aug 17th 7pm Vestry Meeting at Church
Aug 22nd 10:45am Prayer Group Meets
Aug 24th 7pm Kennedy Creek Strummers concert in our sanctuary; donations at door

Aug 26th 1:pm     Funeral service for Lee A. Black in our sanctuary
Aug 26th 9am-1pm Thrift Shoppe open
Aug 26 9am-noon Hoagie Sale @ Hemlock Grove UMC

Please Contact us anytime! Phone: 570-689-9260
Parish Office hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10am-3pm
Email us: stjohnshamlin@verizon.net
Please follow us on facebook, linkedIn and twitter
Website: saintjohnhamlin.org

 

 

 

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Family Day on Saturday, July 29th from 1-4pm being held in Salem Township Park on Cemetery Rd. in Hamlin, PA – Local celebrity dunk tank, hot dogs, popcorn, inflatables, plus entertainment! Everything is FREE and everyone is welcome!
Sponsored by Hamlin Assembly of God 570-689-2630 www.hamlinag.com

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July 2             8 & 10am                 Father Daniel Jones preaching

July 3 & 4      Thank God and our Veteran’s for our freedom!    Parish Office Closed

July 8             9am-1pm                 Thrift Shoppe Open

July 9              8 & 10am                 Pastor Sarah Miller preaching

July 9                 11:30am                Pastoral Care Meets in Parish Hall

July 9                2-5pm                     Eucharistic visitor training at Grace Church in Allentown

July 12     10-noon; 5-7pm           Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

July 13           Father Ron returns from vacation

July 15         9am-7pm                   Parish Hall/Ace Pavilion Annual Rental by N.A. group

July 18           9:30am                      Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

July 18          10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

July 20            7pm                         Vestry meets in Parish Hall

July 22           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

July 29           1pm-4pm                 Family Day, Salem Township Park, Cemetery Road, all is free

July 29       4:30-6:30pm               Roast Beef Dinner at Hemlock Grove UMC

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FREE!!!! SUMMER CLOTHING DAY!!!!

WHERE:  ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 564 EASTON TRNPKE., HAMLIN CORNERS

WHEN:  WED., JULY 12, 2017   10AM – NOON and 5PM – 7 PM

ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME TO ST. JOHN’S THRIFT SHOPPE LOCATED BETWEEN ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND JACK WILLIAMS TIRE AND AUTO ON ROUTE 191 IN HAMLIN, PA. WE HAVE A DIVERSE SELECTION OF CLOTHING, SHOES, LINENS AND HOUSEWARES FOR EVERYONE– FROM INFANTS TO ADULTS, GIRL’S/WOMEN’S/ PLUS SIZES/MATERNITY AND BOY’S/MEN’S CLOTHING TO CHOOSE FROM AND ON WED., JULY 12^{TH  —}ALL CLOTHING IS FREE!!!!  EACH ADULT IN THE HOUSEHOLD IS ENTITLED TO FILL ONE GROCERY BAG ;  AND EACH CHILD  IN HOUSEHOLD RECEIVES THREE FREE OUTFITS (TOP AND BOTTOM). YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHOP AT SUPER LOW BARGAIN PRICES  IN OUR OTHER DEPARTMENTS.  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

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1st Annual Christmas in July event being held July 9, 2017 at the Salem Masonic Grove Rte. 191 in Hamlin from 9a-2p benefiting Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. Event is in conjunction with the car show benefiting The Ronald McDonald House fundraiser.
Donations are needed: play-doh, bubbles, legos, hotwheels/matchbox cars, card games, art supplies, nails polish, infant and toddler toys and any other unwrapped toys.
Please contact Neil Tufano of A.F.T. Painting who is sponsoring this event at aft_painting@yahoo.com or 570-766-1602 with questions.

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June 6            9:30am                     Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

June 6            10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

June 10         9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

June 14    10-noon & 5-7p           Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

June 15           7pm                         Vestry meets in Parish Hall

June 18           1pm                          Picnic @ Moravian Church-farewell for Pr. Gregg & family

June 20         10:45am                  Prayer Group meets

June 24         9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

June 24         9am-1pm                  Hoagie Sale at Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church

June 24            5-10pm                         Parish Hall Rental

June 25          8 & 10am                 Supply clergy   —   Rev’d. George Kinney

June 30            11:00am                     Funeral in Sanctuary

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Our Thrift Shoppe is open on Sat., May 27 from 9am-1pm – we have something for every member of your family at very affordable prices

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WE WELCOME OUR NEW SR. WARDEN, MICHAEL NIGRO AND OUR NEW VESTRY MEMBERS: MELVINA BLACK (Pic below), DAVID ZAHORSKY (PIC TO FOLLOW), PETER EDDINS (Pic below)  ALONG WITH OUR NEW VESTRY CLERK, JOANNE BROGAN (PIC TO FOLLOW) :-)Our new Sr. Warden, Michael Nigro voted into office May 22, 2017 at our Annual Meeting.   Michael Nigro           Welcome Michael!

Welcome to the Vestry: David Zahorski, Melvina Black and Peter Eddins 🙂

 

DAVID ZAHORSKY

 

MELVINA BLACK                                                                                                                                                          PETER EDDINS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FREE SPRING/SUMMER CLOTHING DAY

WHERE:  ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HAMLIN CORNERS

WHEN:  WED., May 17th, 2017   10AM – NOON and 5PM – 7 PM

ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME TO ST. JOHN’S THRIFT SHOPPE LOCATED BETWEEN ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND JACK WILLIAMS TIRE AND AUTO ON ROUTE 191 IN HAMLIN, PA. WE HAVE A DIVERSE SELECTION OF CLOTHING, SHOES, LINENS AND HOUSEWARES FOR EVERYONE– FROM INFANTS TO ADULTS, GIRL’S/WOMEN’S/ PLUS SIZES/MATERNITY AND BOY’S/MEN’S CLOTHING TO CHOOSE FROM AND ON WED., MAY 17^th—ALL CLOTHING IS FREE!!!!  EACH ADULT IN THE HOUSEHOLD IS ENTITLED TO FILL ONE BROWN GROCERY BAG;  AND EACH CHILD  IN HOUSEHOLD RECEIVES THREE FREE OUTFITS (TOP AND BOTTOM). WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!  THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!

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We would love your Input.

 

Take the survey! Be part of the process! Welcome to the Diocese of Bethlehem 2017 Bishop search survey!  Your input to the search process is very important and will be gathered to direct our search efforts.   Clergy & Administrators please forward this to your email distribution list & post on your FaceBook page.

 

It seems there are always surveys showing up on Facebook or in our mailboxes – email and snail-mail both.  Why is this one different?  This is a critical means of finding out what our congregations think about where we live and move and have our being. This survey is one of ways you help us frame the future for our work.

 

 

SURVEY LINK — Click the link to open the survey   Note: Survey is now open and will remain open until Monday June 5, 2017   Below please find the web address to include in your Sunday Bulletin: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bishopsearchdiobeth

 

 

There are several parts of the survey: 1. Questions asking for your three (3) best choices. 2. Open ended questions. 3. Demographic questions. All three sections require answers. Please be sure to click “Done” when you have finished the survey.

 

If you know of someone who is not online, please let us know at bishopsearchdiobeth@gmail.com, and we will make sure a paper copy of the survey is made available for them to fill out and return to us.  It will be entered into the online survey by someone who doesn’t know the person who takes the survey.   We also want to encourage you to participate in one of the regional Focus Group meetings listed below, to expound upon your hopes and dreams for our diocese, and the qualities needed in our next bishop to accomplish the work God is calling us to do together.

 

Regional Meetings   Southern Diocese Saturday, May 13,  9:30 am – 11:30 am Christ Church, 435 Court St., Reading, PA 19603  (Parking free at M&T Bank & Court St)   Wilkes-Barre & Surrounding Areas Wednesday, May 17,  7:00 pm- 9:00 pm Prince of Peace, 420 Main St., Dallas, PA 18612   Northern Most Sunday, May 21,  3:00 pm – 5:00 pm St. Paul’s, 276 Church Street, Montrose, PA 18801   Lehigh Valley & Surrounding Areas Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm St. Stephen’s, 3900 Mechanicsville Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052

 

 

Website Coming Soon!  We’re working hard on our website, and it will be up and running soon. Stay tuned for our launch! If you have questions about our upcoming website, social media or the Search & Transition Committee please email bishopsearchdiobeth@gmail.com

 

 

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church          Events: May 2017

Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller, Priest-in-Charge

Sunday School in Church after 10am Mass Sept.-June

 May 2^nd                  9:30am             Daughters of the King (DOK) meets

May 2^nd                10:45am             Prayer Group meets

May 11^th                   7pm                Vestry meets (2^nd Thurs this month; 3^rd Thurs norm)

May 13^th               9am-1pm                    Thrift Shoppe open

May 13^th                   1:00pm          Wedding in sanctuary

May 16^th                10:45am           Prayer Group meets

May 17^th   10-noon & 5-7:00pm Free Clothing Event @ St. John’s Thrift Shoppe

May 18^th                7pm                  “Simple Gifts” Musical Concert in sanctuary

May 19                         —                 Parish Office Closed; Bev is off this day

May 20^th             9a-noon              Hoagie sale @ Hemlock Grove UMC

May 21^st               11:30am             Annual Parish Meeting in Parish Hall

May 27^th             9am-1pm           Thrift Shoppe open              

Please Contact us anytime!        Phone: 570-689-9260 

Parish Office hours: Mon., Wed., Fri.       10am-3pm                                              

Email us:  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net

Please follow us on facebook, linkedIn and twitter                            

Website:  saintjohnhamlin.org

 

 

Come, browse our Thrift Shoppe this Sat from 9a-1p 5/13…new inventory, clean, level parking & entry..awesome bargains for all!

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Simple Gifts Musical Concert:

Two women playing twelve instruments! Performing Romanian, Klezmer, Greek, Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Appalachian Music

Thursday, May 18, 2016  7:00 PM Preconcert workshop at 6:30   St. John’s Episcopal Church   564 Easton Turnpike – Route 191 South Hamlin, PA  18427   *   Phone: 570-689-9260   $10.00 suggested donation at the door For more info and videos: simplegiftsmusic.com   St. John’s Episcopal Church 564 Easton Turnpike – Route 191 South Hamlin, PA  18427   *   Phone: 570-689-9260   $10.00 suggested donation at the door For more info and videos: simplegiftsmusic.com

Our Free Clothing Event is happening right now until noon today and again later today from 5-7pm – come, browse and enjoy our

rock bottom prices 🙂

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events: April 2017

Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller          Sunday School in Church after 10am Mass

Apr 2              11:15ish                    Pastoral Care Meets

Apr 4                9:30am                    Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Apr 4              10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Apr 5                 6pm                        Simple Supper @ Newfoundland Moravian w/7pm Worship

Apr 8          9am-noon                     Hoagie Sale @ Hemlock Grove United Methodist

Apr 8          9am-1pm                    Thrift Shoppe Open

Apr 9                   7am                       Men’s Communion Brkfst @ Salem Comm., Hamlin

Apr 9               4-7pm                      Palm Sunday, Pr. Sarah Miller leading our services

Apr 12    10-noon & 5-7p             Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

Apr 13              7pm                        Maundy Thursday @ St. Johns’ Eucharist/Foot washing

   “                      7pm                        Mass @ St. Thomas More w/Night Prayer @ 8:45pm

Apr 14              2pm                        St. Mary/Ledgedale-Eucharist & Veneration of                                                                           Cross/Private devotion until 5pm

   “                      7pm                        Good Friday Service @ Lake Ariel Methodist

Apr 16             8 & 10am                     Easter Sunday Celebration at St. John’s

Apr 21/22        6pm                         Annual Planning Session Mendicino’s Rest. 6-9pm and wrap

                                                                     up 22^nd @ Parish hall 9am-noon w/luncheon provided   

Apr 22           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

Apr 23               4pm                        Bishop Receiving/Confirming @ Epis. Cathedral, Bethlehem

Apr 29                3pm                      Wedding in sancturary

Apr 29           4:30-6:30pm            Roast Beef Dinner @ Hemlock Grove UMC

Church Office Telephone: 570-689-9260 

Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed and Fri   10am-3pm

Email:  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net        Website:  saintjohnhamlin.org Check us out on faithstreet.com      Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

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3/22/17 – Hello Everyone, Let us all bundle up and join with our Ecumenical partners here at St. John’s for our Simple Supper tonight at 6pm with presentation by Fr. Ron Miller at 7pm 🙂

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Our annual planning dinner and conference is quickly approaching. We would like this to be a big turnout. The dinner is at Mendecino’s Italian restaurant on Friday, April 21st, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. I know a good time will be had by all. Having eaten there a few times, I can guarantee the food will be delicious. The cost is $25.00 per person. So, if you haven’t already done so, why not plan for an enjoyable evening? I need to give our final count to the restaurant the first week of April. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.  Regards, Michael  On Saturday, April 22^nd, from 9am-noon, we will wrap up our planning session by meeting in the Parish Hall of the church-a luncheon will be provided at no cost to attendees. Thanks, Marianne

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If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, our Bishop Provisional, Sean W. Rowe, will conduct Confirmations, Reception and Reaffirmations of Baptismal Vows on Sunday, April 23 at 4pm at The Episcopal Cathedral in Bethlehem. Send a message on facebook, email us at: stjohnshamlin@verizon.net, see Father Ronald Miller, Marianne Berryman or Michael Nigro if you would like to participate on that day.

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316/17: Our sidewalks are all open; thanks to our wonderful volunteers Neil Tufano and also the guys from Little Creek!

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Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey Weekly Witness | March 14, 2017 SPOTLIGHT ON IMMIGRATION In the reading from John 4, Jesus builds community by crossing racial boundaries and breaking the distinction between “chosen people” and “rejected people.” He extends the mission of the Jewish Messiah to the Samaritan people, who were hated by the Jews for their history of racial mixture and religious syncretism. Jesus leaves us with a crucial lesson to be learned: community can only be built when we are not afraid of overcoming old prejudices and are willing to break the social conventions that dehumanize us. The United States prides itself on being a nation of immigrants, and the country has a long history of successfully absorbing people from across the globe. The integration of immigrants and their children contributes to our economic vitality and our vibrant and ever-changing culture. BY THE NUMBERS More than 40 million people living in the United States were born in other countries, and almost an equal number have at least one foreign-born parent. Together, the first generation (foreign-born) and second generation (children of the foreign-born) comprise almost one in fourAmericans. A 2017 report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) finds that the long-term impact of immigration on the wages and employment of native-born workers is very small. First-generation immigrants are more costly to governments than are the native-born, but the second generation are among the strongest fiscal and economic contributors in the U.S. This report concludes that immigration has an overall positive impact on economic growth in the United States.   Additionally, increased prevalence of immigrants is associated with lower crime rates—the opposite of what many Americans fear. Cities and neighborhoods with greater concentrations of immigrants have much lower rates of crime and violence than comparable non immigrant neighborhoods, according to a 2016 report from NAS. They are also paying taxes – more than $13.1 billion in federal taxes and $6.5 billion in state and local taxes each year. And every year, New Jersey’s immigrants are also contributing to our entitlement programs – $2 billion to Medicare (of which $179.4 million is paid by undocumented New Jerseyans) and more than $7 billion to Social Security (of which $695.3 is paid by undocumented residents). Other key findings in New Jersey:  Households led by undocumented immigrants in 2014 earned $9.7 billion; $432.2 million was paid  to state and local taxes and $731.8 million went to federal taxes. New Jersey is home to more than 1 million eligible voters who are immigrants, representing 17 percent of the electorate. The average non-citizen in New Jersey earns $41,472 per year, earnings that could be boosted by 8 percent (an average of $3,318) if they naturalized. New Jersey had an estimated 33,711 undocumented entrepreneurs in 2014 with a total business income of $621.9 million.   FROM CHURCHWIDE ELCA Social Message on Immigration: “Immigration, refugee, and asylum policies express who we are as a nation, influence the nation’s future character, and affect the lives of millions of people. We encourage our members, in light of our history and our ministry with newcomers, to join with other citizens in our democratic society to support just laws that serve the common good.” Read more here. Episcopal Church General Convention Resolution: In 2015, the following resolution was passed: “That the 78th General Convention recommit to the spirit of the New Sanctuary Movement by supporting congregations so they can assist immigrant individuals, unaccompanied minors, families, and communities by being centers of information, services and accompaniment, and by supporting families facing separation in the absence of comprehensive, humane immigration reform.” COMMUNITY ACTION – BUILDING EMPATHY Gather members of your congregation and community, share a meal or coffee, and share stories! “What are the stories of immigration in your congregation? What is different and what is similar in the stories of people whose families had come from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East? What is different and what is similar in the stories that come from a century ago and a decade ago or today? How do these stories help you to enter into the experiences of current newcomers? How can your congregation be a welcoming place for newcomers? How can you break down walls that separate, and address fear that divides?

ELCA Advocacy | Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey

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If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, our Bishop Provisional, Sean W. Rowe, will conduct Confirmations, Reception and Reaffirmations of Baptismal Vows on Sunday April 23 at 4pm at The Episcopal Cathedral in Bethlehem. See Father Ronald Miller, Marianne Berryman or Michael Nigro if you would like to participate on that day.

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JOIN WE ALL: Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants as Neighbors and Friends

The Moravians of the greater Lehigh Valley invite people of all faiths and nationalities to join us as we pray together, break bread, and share stories to follow Jesus’s mandate in Matthew 25: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” With the sharing of a simple meal, in the spirit of a Moravian Lovefeast, we welcome our brothers and sisters across the Valley to stand together in unity and love. We seek to build a space to gather at the table rather than living behind walls that divide us. Sunday, February 26 @ 3 pm Johnston Hall – Moravian College We invite you to bring a bread that represents your culture/background, if you are able.  Gluten- free, Kosher, and Halal options will be available.
For more information, contact: The Rev. Janel Rice – janelrice3616@gmail.com The Rev. Laura Gordon – revlauragordon@gmail.com
Facebook Event Page:   JOIN WE ALL – Welcoming Refugees&Immigrants as Neighbors&Friends

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Feb 15^th       10-noon & 5-7pm     Free Winter Clothing Event at our Thrift Shoppe 🙂

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DEATH – WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT 

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know…”

“You don’t know? You’re a Christian man and don’t know what’s on the other side?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, his dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before, He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing…I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

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Just this morning I was looking at a large, beautiful souvenir coin, given to me years ago by a dear friend, in England, who often visits – and loves -France.  Around the coin is the legend: “Cathedrals et Sanctuaries de France.”  That reminded me that on Sunday I had mentioned in my sermon the Sanctuary Knocker, at Durham Cathedral

Blessings,

Fr. Ronald Miller

Architecture

• Romanesque Architecture
• Durham Cathedral

o   Cathedral Building in the Middle Ages

o   The Building of Durham Cathedral

o   Architectural Importance

o   Areas of Interest

• St Cuthbert’s Shrine
• Towers
• Quire
• Galilee Chapel
• DLI Chapel
• Chapel of the Nine Altars
• Cathedral Woodwork
• Prior Castel’s Clock
• Baptismal Font
• Cathedral Organs
• Stained Glass
• Neville Screen
• Sanctuary Knocker
• Is this a Chinese dragon?
• Cloister
• Chapter House
• Great Kitchen
• Monks’ Dormitory
• Cathedral Library
• The College (Cathedral Precinct)
• Durham Castle
• Palace Green
• The Bailey
• Historic Bridges
• Owengate
• Dun Cow Lane

The Sanctuary Knocker

The infamous sanctuary knocker. In medieval times,  it was an important symbol of the Cathedral’s political role.

(Note: The current knocker is a replica – the original is displayed in the Cathedral Treasures Exhibit inside the building). 

© Durham Cathedral and Jarrold Printing

The knocker on the Cathedral’s northern door, known as the Sanctuary Knocker, played an important part in the Cathedral’s history.  Those who ‘had committed a great offence,’ such as murder in self-defence or breaking out of prison, could rap the knocker, and would be given 37 days of sanctuary within which they could try to reconcile with their enemies or plan their escape.

Keeping Watch for the Seekers of Sanctuary

The Cathedral entrance has now been modified, but it originally had two small chambers above the doorway with windows where monks would be seated keeping a watch out for sanctuary seekers, to let them in promptly, at any time of the day or night.

Announcing a Sanctuary Seeker’s Arrival

When somebody did seek sanctuary in the Cathedral, the Galilee bell would be rung to announce it. The sanctuary seeker would be given a black robe to wear, with St Cuthbert’s Cross sewn on the left shoulder to distinguish them as one who had been granted sanctuary by God and his saint.

In the Abbey’s Care

The person offered sanctuary was kept in an enclosure separated from the rest of the church, and was provided food, drink, bedding and other necessities at the abbey’s expense, until the person’s safe departure from the diocese could be arranged.

A nineteenth-century visualisation of the northern facade of Durham Cathedral showing what the entrance may have looked like before the rooms above the north doorway were removed. These were where monks would have kept watch for fugitives seeking sanctuary.

A Long Tradition

The Rites of Durham, an anonymous book about Durham Cathedral that first appeared in 1593, mentions the Right to Sanctuary as a “freedom confirmed not only by King Guthred (King of Northumbria between 883-894) but also by King Alfred the Great (‘King of the Anglo-Saxons’ from 849-899).”

The Right to Sanctuary was abolished in 1624.  

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dear people,

Please note in this item that Pastor Martin Niemoeller participated in the same “Confessing Church” in Germany as my professor Dr. Hagen A. K. Staack. (See Staack’s obit. which I sent earlier this week.) This is a piece of history – from our own times – which we ignore at our own peril. I invite your faithful attention to this article.

Thanks and blessings to each and every one.

R.

First they came …

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Engraving of the poem presented at the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts.

“First they came …” is a statement and poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis‘ rise to power and subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Many variations and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language. It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility.

Contents

[hide]

• 1The text
• 2Author
• 3Origin
• 4Usages
• 5See also
• 6References
• 7Further reading
• 8External links

The text[edit]

The best-known versions of the speech are the poems that began circulating by the 1950s.^[1] The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum quotes the following text as one of the many poeticversions of the speech:^[2]

“

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

”

Niemöller created multiple versions of the text during his career. The earliest speeches, written in 1946, list the communists, incurable patients, Jews or Jehovah’s Witnesses, and civilians in countries occupied by Nazi Germany. In all versions, the impact is carefully built up, by going from the “smallest, most distant” group to the largest, Jewish, group, …. and then finally to himself as a by then outspoken critic of Nazism. Niemöller made the cardinal “who cares about them” clear in his speech for the Confessing Church in Frankfurt on 6 January 1946, of which this is a partial translation:^[1]

“

When Pastor Niemöller was put in a concentration camp we wrote the year 1937; when the concentration camp was opened we wrote the year 1933, and the people who were put in the camps then were Communists. Who cared about them? We knew it, it was printed in the newspapers. Who raised their voice, maybe the Confessing Church? We thought: Communists, those opponents of religion, those enemies of Christians – “should I be my brother’s keeper?” Then they got rid of the sick, the so-called incurables. – I remember a conversation I had with a person who claimed to be a Christian. He said: Perhaps it’s right, these incurably sick people just cost the state money, they are just a burden to themselves and to others. Isn’t it best for all concerned if they are taken out of the middle [of society]? — Only then did the church as such take note. Then we started talking, until our voices were again silenced in public. Can we say, we aren’t guilty/responsible? The persecution of the Jews, the way we treated the occupied countries, or the things in Greece, in Poland, in Czechoslovakia or in Holland, that were written in the newspapers I believe, we Confessing-Church-Christians have every reason to say: mea culpa, mea culpa! We can talk ourselves out of it with the excuse that it would have cost me my head if I had spoken out.

”

This speech was translated and published in English in 1947, but was later retracted when it was alleged that Niemöller was an early supporter of the Nazis.^[3] The “sick, the so-called incurables” were killed in the euthanasia programme “Action T4“. A 1955 version of the speech, mentioned in an interview of a German professor quoting Niemöller, lists communists, socialists, schools, Jews, the press, and the Church. An American version delivered by a congressman in 1968 anachronistically includes the industrialists, who were not persecuted by the Nazis, and omits the Communists.

In 1976, Niemöller gave the following answer in response to an interview question asking about the origins of the poem.^[1] The Martin-Niemöller-Foundation considers this the “classical” version of the speech:^[4]

“

There were no minutes or copy of what I said, and it may be that I formulated it differently. But the idea was anyhow: The communists, we still let that happen calmly; and the trade unions, we also let that happen; and we even let the Social Democrats happen. All of that was not our affair. The Church did not concern itself with politics at all at that time, and it shouldn’t have anything do with them either. In the Confessing Church we didn’t want to represent any political resistance per se, but we wanted to determine for the Church that that was not right, and that it should not become right in the Church, that’s why already in ’33, when we created the pastors’ emergency federation (Pfarrernotbund), we put as the 4th point in the founding charter: If an offensive is made against ministers and they are simply ousted as ministers, because they are of Jewish lineage(Judenstämmlinge) or something like that, then we can only say as a Church: No. And that was then the 4th point in the obligation, and that was probably the first contra-anti-antisemitic pronouncement coming from the Protestant Church.

”

Author[edit]

Niemöller at The Hague‘s Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk in May 1952

Main article: Martin Niemöller

Martin Niemöller was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian born in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1892. Niemöller was an anti-communist and supported Adolf Hitler‘s rise to power at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. He became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. In 1937 he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. He was released in 1945 by the Allies. He continued his career in Germany as a clergyman and as a leading voice of penance and reconciliation for the German people after World War II. His statement, sometimes presented as a poem, is well-known, frequently quoted, and is a popular model for describing the dangers of political apathy.

Origin[edit]

The statement was published in a book by Milton Mayer, They Thought They Were Free (1955), based on interviews he had conducted in Germany several years earlier. The quotation was circulated by civil rights activists and educators in the United States in the late 1950s. Some research traces the text to several speeches given by Niemöller in 1946.^[1]

Nonetheless, the wording remains controversial, both in terms of its provenance, and the substance and order of the groups that are mentioned in its many versions. While Niemöller’s published 1946 speeches mention Communists, the incurably ill, Jews or Jehovah’s Witnesses (depending on which speech), and people in occupied countries, the 1955 text, a paraphrase by a German professor in an interview, lists communists, socialists, “the schools, the press, the Jews, and so on”, and ends with “the Church”. Based on the explanation given by Niemöller himself in 1976, this refers to the German Protestant (‘Evangelische’) Church, and not to the German Catholic Church.^[1]

However, as claimed by Richard John Neuhaus in the November 2001 issue of First Things, when “asked in 1971 about the correct version of the quote, Niemöller said he was not quite sure when he had said the famous words but, if people insist upon citing them, he preferred a version that listed ‘the Communists’, ‘the trade unionists’, ‘the Jews’, and ‘me’.”^[5] However, historian Harold Marcuse could not verify that interview.^[1] Rather, he found a 1976 interview in which Niemöller referred to a 1974 discussion with the general bishop of the Lutheran Church of Slovakia.^{[citation needed]}

Usages[edit]

Lt. Dennis Kelly reads an excerpt of the Rev. Martin Niemöller’s poem during a Holocaust Days of Remembrance Observance service in Pearl Harbor; 27 April 2009

At the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., the quotation is on display in a variation that substitutes “Socialists” for “Communists”. The Holocaust Museum website has a discussion of the history of the quotation.^[6]

A version of the poem is on display at the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The poem is also presented at the Virginia Holocaust Museumin Richmond, Virginia, the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts, and in The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

 

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Feb. 13, 2017

My dear people,

 Yesterday, the weather was awful and getting worse – and although few of us were present, the Holy Mysteries were celebrated at St. John’s. 

Surely, for many, it was a wise and right decision not to come out in that weather. And, for a few others — 5 of us at 8am and 8 of us at 10am — it was our duty and delight to celebrate the masses.   

I remember a professor of mine, at Union Theological Seminary in NYC — I believe it was Hans Hoekendijk — who used to refer to the church as an “institution of permanent availability.” And, I suppose that which we did at church, yesterday – and that which all us do all of the time, as Christians – constantly contributes to a church which is “permanently available,” at all times and in all places, to all people, in order to embody the love of Christ. 

Bless you, one and all! 

Fr. Ron

Hoekendijk, Johannes Christiaan (1912-1975)

Dutch missiologist

Hoekendijk was born and raised in western Java (Indonesia), where his parents were missionaries until 1925, when the family returned to the Netherlands. He prepared himself for a missionary career in Indonesia and studied theology at the State University of Utrecht. World War II both delayed his plans and had a lasting influence on his later thinking about mission as the confrontation of the kingdom of God and the secular world. Hoekendijk served as missionary consul in Indonesia for one year (1945-1946) and then had to return to the Netherlands because of health problems. He became secretary of the Netherlands Missionary Council (1947-1949) and of the Department of Evangelism of the World Council of Churches (WCC) (1949-1953). He taught at the State University of Utrecht as church professor in practical theology (1953-1959) and as state professor in church history of the twentieth century (1959-1965). In 1965 he was appointed to the chair of World Christianity at Union Theological Seminary in New York, where he remained until his death. His contributions to the International Missionary Council and the WCC include especially his work on the world mission conference of Willingen (1952) and on the WCC study project “The Missionary Structures of the Congregation” (1961-1966).

Hoekendijk participated in the ecumenical discussions on mission with emphases that have often been labeled radical. Insisting that the church can be no more than a function of God’s work for worldly shalom, he criticized all tendencies toward ecclesiocentrism and toward the elevation of the categories of church and mission over categories of “people” and “nation.” There is a strong eschatological element in this position, and also an effort to take the secular world seriously as the arena where kerygma, koinonia, and diakonia appear as references to the coming kingdom. Although himself critical of emerging forms of liberation theology, Hoekendijk is rightly considered to have been a major influential figure behind post-1970 paradigm changes in missionary thinking.

Libertus A. Hoedemaker, “Hoekendijk, J(ohannes) C(hristiaan) (“Hans”),” in Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, ed. Gerald H. Anderson (New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 1998), 297.

This article is reprinted from Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, Macmillan Reference USA, copyright © 1998 Gerald H. Anderson, by permission of Macmillan Reference USA, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Bibliography

Primary

Hoekendijk, Johannes Christiaan. The Church Inside Out. Philadelphia, Westminster Press, 1966. (a collection of earlier essays)

_____. Kerk en Volk in de Duitse Zendingswetenschap. Th.D. Thesis, University of Utrecht, 1948. (edited in German with an added appendix as Kirche und Volk in der Deutschen Missionswissenschaft.Munchen, Chr. Kaiser, 1967.)

_____. Planning for Mission. Edited by Thomas Wieser. New York: U.S. Conference for the World Council of Churches, 1966. (contributions to the WCC study project on the missionary structures)

Secondary

Coffele, Gianfranco. Johannes Christiaan Hoekendijk: da una Teologia della Missione ad una Teologia Missionaria. Roma: Universita Gregoriana, 1976.

Hoedemaker, L. A. “The Legacy of J. C. Hoekendijk,” IBMR 19, no. 4 (1995): 166-170.

Van Gurp, Pieter. Kerk en Zending in de Theologie van Johannes Christiaan Hoekendijk. 1989. Haarlem, The Netherlands: AcaMedia, 1989.

A collection of documents related to Hoekendijk’s work is kept at the library of the State Univ. of Utrecht, Netherlands.
“Johannes Christiaan Hoekendijk Image,” Courtesy, Burke Library Archives, Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY. All rights reserved

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February, 2017 Events:

Sunday:  Mass at 8 and 10am; Fr. Ronald Miller

Feb 7^th                   9:30am               Daughters of the King meet in Parish Hall

Feb 7^th                 10:45am              Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Feb 11^th               9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

Feb 12^th               11:30ish              Pastoral Care Group meets in Parish Hall

Feb 15^th       10-noon & 5-7pm     Free Winter Clothing Event

Feb 19^th               11:30 ish             Vestry Meets

Feb 21^st               10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

Feb 25^th               9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open  

Feb 28^th                 6pm                    Shrove Pancake Supper hosted by the Duncan family, burning the palms, burying the alleluias     

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Please contact us anytime!         Phone: 570-689-9260     

                                                            Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri  —  10am-3pm    

                                                            Email  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net

                                                            Please follow us on facebook, LinkedIn and twitter

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January 31, 2017   Letter from Bishop Sean Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: International news events are having an impact on our life as a diocese, and I wanted to talk to you about them and suggest a couple of ways in which we might respond. The Trump administration’s recently announced suspension of the refugee resettlement program and its restrictions on immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries has aroused significant passion and resistance, and rightly so. It is both un-American and un-Christian to turn our backs on people fleeing violence, or to favor members of one religion over another in setting immigration standards. The news is of particular importance to us because Church of the Mediator in Allentown and the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem are working with refugee families from the countries affected by the order. I want to assure you that that work is not in jeopardy. We will continue to care for these families and assist them. They are members of our community with whom we have a special relationship. No executive order changes that. I ask your prayers for everyone involved in this work, and especially for our refugee families. If you want to make your voice heard on this issue, please consider participating in a new campaign launched today by the Episcopal Public Policy Network, which is a ministry of the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. EPPN is asking Episcopalians to call their national, state, and local elected officials at least four times in the next two months to let them know that our church welcomes refugees. You can find details and suggested scripts here for the 2×4 Fight for Refugees campaign. We have also had hard news recently from our friends in the Diocese of Kajo Keji in South Sudan. In correspondence with our New Hope representative, Stephen Tomor, Deacon Charles Barebo has learned that the armed conflict between government and opposition forces that has plagued other regions of South Sudan for the past three years has recently reached Kajo Keji, bringing with it all of the horror of war. “We are praying for the power of God to intervene,” Stephen wrote. I ask you to pray for all of the people of Kajo Keji, and to consider making a donation to a relief fund that will help to buy much-needed food and medicine for members of the diocese, and allow Stephen to travel to the refugee camps where many of the children of the schools we sponsor in Kajo Keji are now living. If you are moved to contribute, you can do so by sending a check to Diocesan House, 333 Wyandotte St., Bethlehem, PA 18015, with “Kajo Keji Relief” in the memo line. In Christ, The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe Bishop Provisional   Read this letter on the website.

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Keeping in Touch Office of the Bishop New Jersey Synod, ELCA   January 31, 2017 Dear Rostered Leaders, The following will be included in the latest edition of Jersey Jottings going out tomorrow afternoon. On Sunday, I worshiped at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana “El Buen Pastor” in Weehawken. Sitting in this diverse faith community, I listened as Pastor Birgit Solano led the liturgy and preached in English and Spanish easily moving from one language to the other. The congregants responded in their language of choice. Sometimes this led to a cacophony of sound as both languages were spoken together. At the end of worship, Pastor Solano called the confirmation class forward (along with other children) to make a presentation to the congregation. During their previous class, the students made banners with the names of the countries of origin represented by members of the congregation. They came up with 24 different countries – 24! The countries included Mexico, Senegal, El Salvador, Venezuela, Finland, Brazil, Iceland, Germany, Costa Rica and more. This small congregation is made up of immigrants from all over the globe. As the pastor reminded us, this tapestry is beautiful and makes the church richer. Take a look around this Sunday. What is the tapestry that God has woven in your congregation? In your neighborhood? On Monday, I signed a statement with my Episcopal colleagues from the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Newark calling on our president to rescind his Executive Order banning the travel of refugees and immigrants from 7 predominantly Muslim countries. I believe this ban is in direct conflict with our core values as a country and as a synod and does nothing to increase the safety of our borders. You can read the full statement here   I will continue to be in prayer for our president and his administration. I will continue to celebrate the diversity that makes this country beautiful. I will continue to stand up for the most vulnerable in our society, including refugees and immigrants. I hope you will join me. Your sister in Christ, The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My dear people, 

My heart is grieved by recent public policy concerning immigration into the United States.When I was ordained to be pastor at Christ-St. John Lutheran Church in West New York, NJ, in 1975,  two congregations had just come together to form one. One of those congregations was a former Swedish-American Congregation and the other a German-American one. One of the two masses I served every Sunday was celebrated in English; and for the subsequent 10 years one mass every Sunday continued to be celebrated in German.I remember that many of those who worshiped in English were immigrants who had learned English here and spoke with beautiful accents. There were at least 15 recently-immigrated nationalities represented in that English-speaking group.  

Ten years later, things had changed. And although I was still serving two masses every Sunday, one was in English and the other in Spanish. 

Just this morning  – to report the death of my first parish secretary – I spoke with a parishioner from that congregation in West New York, and I asked her about church on Sunday. 

She attended the English mass and said there were only four people there [the Spanish group is growing and much stronger than the English-speaking remnant]. Among those four people were the Scandinavian-background pastor, who speaks Spanish and who is married to a Puerto Rican woman who is a United Methodist pastor, an Estonian woman, a Latvian man, a German-Yugoslav woman and a Gujarati man from India. Those four individuals define “the church,” according  to Martin Luther, who says that the Church of Jesus Christ exists wherever the faithful people of God gather around the Word and Sacrament. There is nothing in his concern about country of origin, native language, culture, politics, gender, age, skin color, sexual preference, etc. 

My life and ministry have been significantly and indelibly enriched by all the people. I have been privileged to serve there and throughout my ministry. Quite frankly, and quite literally, these people have shared and proclaimed the Gospel to me! YOU embody that Gospel for me! 

Whatever your politics, I plead with you to be careful not to accept the invitation to believe that prejudices against, and phobias about people who are different are either acceptable, or in any way “Christian.” Being different is NOT being criminal. Just last evening I saw the film Hidden Figures which paints a painful and embarrassing picture of racism right here in our own country and our own time. And how can I, who enjoyed the privilege of a life with dear James forget that as a child he was prevented from entering the “public” library in his home town because he was black. Or, how do we explain that James and his mother and all her brothers and sisters before him would not have been university-educated if his great uncle had not secured a Ph.D. and returned to their home town to found the first black high school because the state would not educate blacks beyond the eighth grade? Whites, as you know, did not have to establish their own high schools before being offered a free public education.

All the excuses and explanations in the world cannot erase those wrongs, and shouldn’t!  And, dear Christian friends, don’t look to me to help find scriptural or theological excuses for repeating those errors or harboring those sentiments. It simply cannot be done. The Gospel simply cannot be used to defend racism, xenophobia, and the ignorant hatred of others because they are different.   

Now, as it has always been, is the time for us to search the bottoms of our own heart and confess – to God alone, is fine with me! – what it is we find there. Now, as it has always been, is the time for us to search the depths of our Christian confession and proclaim the Gospel for which Jesus lost his life. Simply put, that Gospel is: GOD IS LOVE. GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE. There simply are no exceptions. 

Let us be vigilant and faithful.  

Sincerely, in Christ 

Fr. Ron

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Join us for Worship at St. John’s or one of our Ecumenical Worship Services:

Christmas Eve – Saturday, 24 December – 10pm Candlelight Mass at St. John’s; 5pm Lessons & Carols (for families with youngsters) at Salem Community and 9pm Candlelight Communion Service; 6pm Children Service/Pageant/Family Service at Hemlock Grove UMC with Candlelight Service at 9pm; Hamlin Assembly of God, 7pm Candlelight Service; Lake Ariel UMC, 7pm Communion Candlelight Service; Sterling UMC, 7:30pm Candlelight Service; Newfoundland Moravian, 8pm Candlelight Service

Christmas Day – Sunday, 25 December – 8am and 10am Masses at St. John’s; Sterling UMC, 9:30 am Service; Hamlin Assembly of God, 10:30am Service; Lake Ariel UMC, 10:30am; Salem Community Church, 10:30am Service and Free Community Dinner from 11:30am until 2pm; Hemlock Grove UMC 10:45am Service, Newfoundland Moravian 10:45am Service

Our Parish Office will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 in observance of  Christmas Day.

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We have several large containers of fresh baked cookies left over from our Cookies Galore Sale held Sat., Dec. 17…They are $ 15.00/box.  570-689-9260 to pick up.

So yummy!!!

Our Thrift Shoppe is scheduled to be open Sat., Dec. 17th from 9am – 1pm. But, if roads are bad we won’t open, and if roads improve, shop will open at 11am until 3pm.

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS WORSHIP OPPORTUNITES 

Advent I –   Sunday, 27 November – 8am & 10am Service – Blessing and Lighting of the Advent Wreath/Lighting of the

Moravian  Star – Rev’d. Elizabeth Haynes preaching

Advent II – Sunday, 4 December – 8am & 10am Masses – Rev’d. Elizabeth Haynes preaching

Advent III – Sunday, 11 December -8am & 10am Masses – Father Ronald Miller preaching

Advent IV – Sunday, 18 December – 8am & 10am Masses – then  at 4pm at the Newfoundland Moravian Church an ecumenical service of  Moravian Love Feast combined with Lessons & Carols, followed by a potluck dinner.

Christmas Eve – Saturday, 24 December – 10pm Candlelight Mass at St. John’s; 5pm Lessons & Carols (for families with youngsters) at Salem Community and 9pm Candlelight Communion Service; 6pm Children Service/Pageant/Family Service at Hemlock Grove UMC with Candlelight Service at 9pm; Hamlin Assembly of God, 7pm Candlelight Service; Lake Ariel UMC 7pm Communion Candlelight Service; Sterling UMC 7:30pm Candlelight Service; Newfoundland Moravian 8pm Candlelight Service

Christmas Day – Sunday, 25 December – 8am and 10am Masses at St. John’s; Sterling UMC 9:30 am Service; Hamlin Assembly of God, 10:30am Service; Lake Ariel UMC, 10:30am; Salem Community 10:30am Service and Free Community Dinner from 2-5pm; Hemlock Grove UMC 10:45am Service

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thank you card from Sterling UMC June 14 2016  from our ecumenical picnic to honor Pastor Alison Grove as she begins a new preaching adventure in July 2016

FEB 2016 EVENTS @ ST. JOHN’S:

 Feb. 2^nd                    9:30am                     Daughters of The King (DOK) Meets

Feb. 2^nd                    10:45am                   Prayer Group Meets

Feb. 7^th                    11:15am ish              Pastoral Care meets in the Parish Hall

Feb. 9^th                      6:00pm                  Shrove Pancake Supper @ St. John’s–burn palms,  bury Alleluias-donations accepted to cover costs

Feb. 10^th                   noon                        Ash Wednesday Worship service with imposition of ashes @ Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church

Feb. 10^th                 7:00pm                      Ash Wednesday Worship Service with Eucharist and  imposition of ashes at  St. John’s Episcopal Church

Feb. 13^th                  9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

Feb. 16^th                   9:30am                     Daughters of The King (DOK) Meets

Feb. 16^th                10:45am                     Prayer Group Meets

Feb. 17^th       10-noon & 5-7pm              Free Winter Clothing Event

Feb. 27^th              9am-1pm                      Thrift Shoppe Open       

Feb. 29^th       Bev; Parish Administrator out of town; office will be closed today           

Note:   No Vestry meeting in Feb

 Please Contact us anytime!       Phone: 570-689-9260 

                                                            Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri  from 10am-3pm

                                                            Email  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net

                                                            Please follow us on facebook, linkedIn and twitter

                                                            website:  saintjohnhamlin.org

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2016  ECUMENICAL LENTEN/HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE ~ ALL ARE WELCOME!

 Tues, 9 Feb– 6pm- Shrove Pancake Supper – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Hamlin – burn palms, bury Alleluias – donations accepted to cover the cost of pancakes 

Wed, 10 Feb– 12 noon* – Ecumenical Service with Imposition of Ashes at Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church, Greentown *for those who prefer not to travel during evening hours

Wed, 10 Feb– 7pm – Ecumenical Service with Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at St. John’s, Hamlin

Sun, 14 Feb– 5pm- Soup Supper (2^nd Sun of each month) at Moravian Church, Newfoundland; donations for food pantry happily accepted

Sun, 14 Feb- 1^st Sun in Lent- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at Moravian Church, Newfoundland with Pr. Alison Grove preaching

Sun, 21 Feb- 2^nd Sun in Lent- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at Moravian Church, Newfoundland with Fr. Ronald R. Miller preaching

Sun, 28 Feb- 3^rd Sun in Lent- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at Hemlock Grove UMC, Greentown with Pr. Gregg Schafer preaching

Sun, 6 March- 4^th Sun in Lent- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at St. John’s, Hamlin with Pr. Sarah Miller preaching

Sun, 13 March- 5pm – Soup Supper (2^nd Sun of each month) at Moravian Church, Newfoundland; donations for food pantry happily accepted

Sun, 13 March-5^th Sun in Lent- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at St. John’s, Hamlin – Pr.Hugh Miller preaching

Mon, 21 March- 7pm – Ecumenical Reading & Worship Service at Moravian Church, Newfoundland

Tues, 22 March– 11am – Chrism Mass at Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Bishop blesses oil, clergy renew ordination vows. All welcome, esp. those with ministries for the sick and teaching; lunch is provided

Tues, 22 March- 7pm – Ecumenical Reading & Worship Service with communion at Moravian Church, Newfoundland

Maundy Thurs, 24 March- 7pm – Ecumenical Service at St. John’s, Hamlin with Last Supper, Foot Washing & Stripping the Altar   

Maundy Thurs, 24 March- 7pm – Ecumenical Reading & Worship Service with communion at Moravian Church, Newfoundland                      

Good Fri, 25 March– noon – Ecumenical observation of worship & reflection as each individual sees fit at Hemlock Grove UMC, Greentown

Good Fri, 25 March- 7pm – Ecumenical Reading & Worship Service with communion at Moravian Church, Newfoundland                      

Easter Vigil, Sat, 26 March– 8pm – Ecumenical Celebration of The Great Vigil of Easter at St. John’s, Hamlin with Pr. Gregg Schafer preaching

Easter Sunday, 27 March– 6:30am – Ecumenical Sunrise Celebration at Moravian Church

Easter Sunday Celebration, 27 March– 8am and 10am Ecumenical Masses at St. John’s with Easter Breakfast in our Parish Hall between services; join us for a delicious meal! 

 PLEASE JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 8AM AND 10AM. WE OFFER A FELLOWSHIP COFFEE HOUR AFTER 10AM SERVICE; HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US! +

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JAN. 27, 2016: FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY HAPPENING NOW – FROM 10-NOON AND AGAIN FROM 5 – 7 PM TODAY…PLUSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO BROWSE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR LOW, LOW PRICES.

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We will have a Prayer Service in our sanctuary for Nancy Johnson tomorrow, Jan 16, 2016 at 2:00pm with light refreshments in our Parish Hall immediately following. Our prayers and condolences for her friends and family…God be ever near.

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St. John’s Episcopal Church Events: Jan. 2016; Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller

Jan 3^rd                  11:15ish              Pastoral Care Committee Meeting

Jan 5^th                 9:30am               Daughters of The King (DOK) Meets

Jan 5^th                  10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

Jan 9^th                 9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

Jan 1o^th                11:15ishpm        Vestry Meeting in Church Library; 2^nd floor Train Sta.

Jan 13^th      10-noon & 5-7pm      Free Winter Clothing Event

Jan 19^th                10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

Jan 23^th                9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open                   

 Please contact us anytime!         Phone: 570-689-9260    

                                                            Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri  from 10am-3pm

                                                            Email  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net               Please follow us on facebook, linkedIn and twitter

                                                            website:  saintjohnhamlin.org

PLEASE, WORSHIP WITH US FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON:

Dec 24          10pm                       Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass 

Dec 25            10am                       Christmas Day Mass ┼ Come, Let Us Adore Him

Dec 26           THRIFT SHOPPE CLOSED

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events; Dec 2015         Sunday:  Mass at 8 and 10am; Fr. Ronald Miller 

Dec   1             9:30am                    Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Dec   1           10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Dec   5           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open 

Dec   6           11:15am                   Vestry Meets in Library/Music Room, 2^nd Floor

Dec 12                 THRIFT SHOPPE CLOSED; OPENS DEC 19TH (FREE CLOTHING DAY DEC 16TH)

Dec 12              1pm            Black Bear Conservatory Women’s Chorus Christmas at St. Paul’s  Lutheran Church in Hawley

Dec 13              10am                      Joann Brogan admitted into DOK during 10am Mass

Dec 13             3pm                        Ecumenical Service of Lessons & Carols, Moravian Love Feast,  St.  Lucy: followed by Potluck Soup Supper                                                           

Dec 15           10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Dec 16    10a-12p & 5-7p             Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe

Dec 19           9am-1pm                 Thrift Shoppe Open 

Dec 19           9-11 am                    Annual Cookies Galore Event (Drop off deadline noon Dec 18^th)

Dec 20           11:15am                  “Greening” of our church after Mass

Dec 24            10pm                       Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass 

Dec 25            10am                       Christmas Day Mass ┼ Come, Let Us Adore Him

Dec 26           THRIFT SHOPPE CLOSED

The Community Thanksgiving Service will be held at 7 pm on Sunday, November 22^nd, at the Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church.  Pastors Gregg and Alison will speak and three other Methodist pastors will be invited to speak:  Pastor Anthony Greco from LaAnna UMC and Pastors Hugh and Sarah Miller, who are retired and worship at St. John’s.  It is suggested that each speaker limit his or her remarks to five minutes.  Parishioners from each church will be asked to bring cookies for refreshments after the service.  Everyone is asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry.  The offering will be given to the Ecumenical Ministerial Fund.  An invitation will be extended to the entire community to attend this service.

Our Cookies Galore Event will be Saturday, Dec. 19^th from 9-11am this year.  We always have tons of orders and walk-ins so I am asking if you could please bake a couple batches of Christmas style cookies and bring them to the Parish Hall or Office by Friday, Dec 18^th at noon; enabling my helpers and I to organize the cookie varieties for the event.  We always receive an abundance of chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies so other varieties would be preferred, if possible. If you are not a baker, we could really use donations of currants, butter, walnuts, pecans, flour and sugar. We are grateful for any quantity you care to donate. You may bring donations to the church on Sunday mornings or to the Parish Office on Mon, Wed, or Fri from 10:30-2:30 please. Thank you for your continued support of our church family events! -Sandy Toy

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE- +ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH+

Advent I –   Sunday, 29 November – 8am & 10am Service – Blessing and Lighting of the Advent Wreath/Lighting of  the Moravian Star

Advent II –  Sunday, 6 December – 8am & 10am Masses

Advent III – Sunday, 13 December – St. Lucy Day – and then at 3pm – Ecumenical Service of Lessons & Carols with Moravian Lovefeast at St. John’s – followed by ecumenical pot-luck soup supper

Advent IV –  Sunday, 20 December – 8am & 10am Masses

Christmas Eve – Thursday, 24 December – 10pm – Candlelight Mass

Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December – 10am – Come, Let Us Adore Him

First Sunday after Christmas – 27 December – 8am & 10am Masses

 

Due to the way the holidays will fall this year the Thrift Shoppe dates for November & December will be the first & third Saturdays, 9am-1pm, instead of the usual second and fourth. Free days will remain unchanged. So: 

                               11/7    Open 9am-1pm                               11/18  10am-12pm & 5pm-7pm – Free Clothing Event                            11/21  Open 9am-1pm

                                12/5    Open 9am-1pm                              12/16  10am-12pm & 5pm-7pm – Free Clothing Event                            12/19  Open 9am-1pm

 We will resume our usual schedule in January of the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9am-1pm. We are now accepting donations of winter clothing, boots & coats.

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events; Nov. 2015      Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am; Fr. Ronald Miller 

Nov. 1           Daylight Savings Time Ends 2:00am; Turn Clocks Back One Hour

Nov. 1           11:15 am                  Pastoral Committee Meets

Nov.  3           9:30am                    Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Nov.   3          10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Nov. 3          Election Day

Nov. 7            9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open  (Open the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays for Nov. & Dec)

Nov. 8          11:15ish                    BP checks in Parish Hall with Judi; Potluck Luncheon to discuss  Stewardship and review Parish Goals

Nov. 11         10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Nov. 11                                             God Bless our Veterans

Nov. 15         11:15ish                  Vestry Meets in Music Room/Library after 10am Mass

Nov. 17         10:45am                 Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Nov. 18         10-noon&5-7pm     Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe

Nov. 21          9am-1pm                Thrift Shoppe Open  (Open the 1^st & 3^rd Saturdays for Nov. & Dec.)

Nov. 22         7pm                         Ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service @ Hemlock Grove UMC; please  if possible,  bring cookies to share after service and a  non-perishable food item  for food pantry       

Nov. 26 ~~Thanksgiving Day~~ Thank our Lord for all our blessings!  

Nov. 29                                               First Sunday of Advent

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for Oct. 2015 – Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am; Fr. Ronald R. Miller 

Oct 2 & 3      9am 10/2-noon 10/3 – 144^th Convention: Best Western Lehigh Valley Conference Center

Oct. 4             11:15 ish                         Pastoral Care Meets in Parish Hall

Oct. 6            9:30am                           Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Oct. 6             10:45am                          Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Oct. 10          9am-1pm                         Thrift Shoppe Open

Oct. 14     10a-12p & 5-7p                 Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe

Oct. 18          11:15 ish                        Free blood pressure checks in the Parish Hall coffee area w/Judi

Oct. 18          11:15 ish                        Vestry Meets in Library (new date/time from Oct-March)

Oct. 20             10:45am                    Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Oct. 24          9am-1pm                       Thrift Shoppe Open

Oct. 24             4-7pm                            Pork and Sauerkraut dinner in Parish hall  – takeouts at 3:30pm       

Oct 24               5pm                               Historic Preservation awards ceremony for Vaughn Dailey at  

                                                                        Wayne County Historical Society, 801 Main St.,H’Dale

 

Phone: 570-689-9260

Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 10am to 3pm

Website: saintjohnhamlin.org

Email: stjohnshamlin@verizon.net

Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

www.faithstreet.com/church/st-johns-hamlin-pa

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We are meeting at St. John’s parking lot at 12:30; we have 5+- drivers available…please meet here to catch a ride and leave some vehicles here.  There are 2 parking lots available at the Covenant Presbyterian Church; there should be enough parking for everyone but carpooling is also a good choice:

Johannes Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem will be performed on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 2:00pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 550 Madison Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania in memory of our beloved Maestro James A. Simms. The choir will be composed of singers who sang under James’ direction at The Riverside Church and Trinity Church, Broadway and Wall St. in NYC and the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, NJ. Gifts in support of this concert may be made payable and sent to: Saint John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 118, Hamlin, PA 18427 and noted James Simms Memorial Concert. Everyone is welcomed!

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for Sept. 2015:   Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am Fr. Ronald Miller 

Sept. 1           9:30am                    Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Sept. 1           10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall       

Sept. 6          11:15 am                  Free blood pressure checks in the Parish Hall coffee area

Sept. 6           11:15am                   No Pastoral Care Meeting

Sept. 7           Labor Day                 Parish Office closed

Sept. 11          NEVER FORGET                

Sept. 12        9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

Sept. 15        10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Sept. 16        10a-noon & 5-7p   Free Clothing Event at Thrift Shoppe

Sept. 17        10am                        Work Day at Thrift Shoppe; Seasonal Clothing/Switching

Sept. 17           7pm                        Monthly meeting of Vestry in Parish Hall           

Sept. 19         2pm                          Memorial concert in memory of Maestro James Simms: Brahms’ Requiem @ Covenant Presbyterian Church,  Scranton  

Sept. 26        9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

 

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for Aug, 2015     Sunday: Mass at 8 and 10am

Aug 2             11:30ish am             Pastoral Care Group meeting in Parish hall/coffee area

Aug 4             9:30am                    Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

Aug 4             10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

Aug 8             9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

Aug 9             11:30ish am             Blood Pressure Checks/consults in Parish Hall with Judi

Aug 12   10am-noon/5-7pm       Free Summer Clothing Event & Dept. of Health; BP/consults

Aug 18           10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall        

Aug 20           7:00pm                   Vestry meets in Parish Hall

Aug 22           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

Aug 30           1:30pm                    Ecumenical picnic @ Ace Pavilion; speak to Eileen Eddins for  “what goodies to bring” ideas                                                                                  

 Phone: 570-689-9260                            Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri. 10a-3p

Email stjohnshamlin@verizon.net     Web Address: saintjohnhamlin.org

Check St. John’s out on FaithStreet.com                

Join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter

 

July, 2015 Events for St. John’s Episcopal Church; Sunday: Mass at 8am and 10am; Please join us for worship!

July 4             Thank God and our Veteran’s for our freedom!

July 7             9:30am                      Daughters of the King meets in Parish Hall

July 7              10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

July 11           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

July 12            11:15ish                   Memorial Tree dedication with engraved leaves/Blood pressure screening in Parish Hall during Coffee   and    Fellowship                 

July 15   10-noon; 5-7pm             Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

July 16            7pm                         Vestry meets in Parish Hall

July 18           noon-8p                    Hall/Kitchen/Ace Pavilion area rental  

July 21           10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

July 25           9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events for June, 2015

                  Sunday:  Mass at 8 and 10am

June 2            9:30am                     Daughters of the King meets

June 2            10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

June 7            11:15am                   Pastoral Care Committee meets in Parish Hall

June 13         9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

June 14         11:15am                   Blood Pressure Checks in the Parish Hall with Judi

June 16         10:45am                   Prayer Group meets in Parish Hall

June 17   10-noon & 5-7p            Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

June 18           7pm                         Vestry meets in Parish Hall

June 27         9am-1pm                  Thrift Shoppe Open

June 28         10:00am                  Baptism of Roberta Margaret Gibbons during Mass

 St. John’s Episcopal Church Events: May 2015

Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller – Sunday School in Church after 10am Mass

 May 3^rd                  11:30am            Pastoral Care Committee meeting                                            

May 5^th                   9:30am             DOK meets

May 5^th                 10:45am             Prayer Group Meets

May 9^th                9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

May 9^th                 8a-noon             Salem Twp Bldg – Clean up day

May 13^th   10-noon & 5-7:00pm Free Clothing Event @ St. John’s Thrift Shoppe

May 17^th              11:30                   Potluck Luncheon and Annual Meeting

May 19^th             10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

May 21^st                 7:00pm              Vestry Meeting at Church

May 23^rd             9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open 

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events: April 2015

Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller; Sunday School in Church after 10am Mass

 April 1^st                 7:00pm              Ecumenical Love feast @ Newf. Moravian Church

April 2^nd                7:00pm              Ecumenical Maundy Thurs. Service @ St. John’s

April 3^rd                12:00pm            Ecumenical Good Friday Observation @  Newfoundland  Moravian Church w/ Prs. Schafer,

                                                                Miller & Grove preaching

April 4^th                  8:00pm             Ecumenical Great Vigil of Easter Service @ St. John’s

April 5^th               8 & 10am            Ecumenical Easter Mass @ St. John’s – Alleluia!  He is Risen! Join us for homemade Easter   

                                                                      Breakfast in the Parish Hall between services                                                                   

April 7^th                  9:30am              DOK meets

April 7^th                10:45am             Prayer Group Meets

April 11^th            9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

April 11^th             4-7pm                 Annual Roast Beef Dinner

April 15^th   10-noon & 5-6:30pm Free Clothing Event @ Thrift Shoppe

April 16^th               7:00pm              Vestry Meeting at Church

April 21^st             10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

April 24^th               6:00pm             Ehrhardt’s Rest.-Planning Session Dinner w/ Speaker: Dan Charney

April 25^th                8:00am             Spruce Lake Retreat-Planning Session Breakfast/Meeting

April 25^th             9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open 

Please Contact us anytime!        Phone: 570-689-9260    Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-3pm                                             

Email  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net       Please follow us on facebook,  linkedIn and twitter     website:  saintjohnhamlin.org

 

March 2015 Events:

March 1^st                        11:30am             Pastoral Care Meets

March 1^st                          6pm                  Pot luck supper @ Moravian Church – 2nd Sun in Lent

March 3^rd                      9:30am               DOK meets

March 3^rd                      10:45am              Prayer Group meets

March 8^th                         6pm                  Pot luck supper @ St. John’s – 3rd Sun in Lent

March 14^th                    9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

March 15^th                     6pm                     Pot luck supper @ Hemlock Grove UMC  – 4th Sun in Lent

March 17^th                    10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

March 18^th          10-noon & 5-6:30pm Free Winter Clothing Event

March 19^th                      7pm                    Vestry Meeting at Church

March 19^th                  11am                    Chrism Mass at Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Bishop blesses oil, clergy renew            ordination vows.  All welcome, esp. those w/ ministries for the sick and teaching; lunch served

March 22^nd                    6pm                     Pot luck supper @ Moravian Church – 5th Sun in Lent

March 28^th             9am-1pm                      Thrift Shoppe Open 

March 29^th              6pm                           Pot luck supper @ St. John’s –  Palm Sunday

2015 ECUMENICAL Lenten and Holy Week Schedule

St. John’s Episcopal Church Events: Feb 2015:

Mass ~ Sundays at 8am & 10am: Fr. Ronald R. Miller; Sunday School in Church after 10am Mass

Feb 3^rd                  9:30am               Daughters of The King (DOK)

Feb 3^rd                 10:45am              Prayer Group Meets

Feb 14^th               9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open

Feb 17^th                  6pm                   Shrove pancake Supper @ St. John’s, burn palms from last year, bury Alleluias

Feb 18^th     10-noon & 5-6:30pm – Free Winter Clothing Event

Feb 18^th                 7pm                    Ash Wednesday Service w/Imposition of Ashes

Feb 19^th                7pm                     Vestry Meeting at Church

Feb 22^nd               6pm                     1^st  Sunday in Lent: Potluck Supper @ Hemlock  Grove United Methodist Church

Feb 28^th               9am-1pm            Thrift Shoppe Open                   

March 1^st             6pm                      2^nd Sunday in Lent: Potluck Supper @ Moravian  Church

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Please Contact us anytime!       Phone: 570-689-9260      Parish Office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-3pm

                                                            Email  stjohnshamlin@verizon.net

                                                            Please follow us on facebook, linkedIn and twitter

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