Farewell from Canon Haselock
The Evangelist April 7, 2019 We are ready for you at St. John's!
Sunday: Low Mass at 8 a.m. & High Mass at 10 a.m.
Monday through Friday: Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
Feast Days & Special Services as announced.
Confessions by appointment.
Farewell from Canon Haselock
Dear Friends,
I have just been looking through parish member Pierre Merle's visitors' book and discovered that my first visit to Newport was in 2010. On that visit and on six subsequent visits, the highlight has been the privilege of ministering in one way or another to the community of the committed at St. John's Church on The Point. Father Humphrey honoured me with his confidence and graciously allowed me to take care of you for some weeks last summer while he was away and this year he made the same mistake and entrusted me with the responsibility of directing your Lenten study and preparation for Holy Week and Easter. This task has been a real pleasure for me, not least because I have made new friends and got to know many old friends much better.
I must admit it was a shock -- after England's warmest February on record -- to land in Boston after some eighteen inches of snow had fallen, but the warmth of your welcome combined with the rapidly improving weather has made this a wonderful visit. It has been a privilege and a joy to offer Mass on Sundays, to preach, to lead the Stations of the Cross and to deliver the Lent lectures. The excellent suppers we have shared on Wednesday evenings have been wonderful opportunities for conversation and conviviality and I have enjoyed every minute. The hospitality extended to me by individuals and couples (you know who you are!) has been warm and generous and I am most grateful.
Now, in retirement, I have more time on my hands (did I really just write that?) so it is my hope that I might be invited again to be part of the life, work and witness of St John's -- who knows what is in the Rector's mind? "Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, he treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will." I know that if he does invite me again, my heart will be once more warmed by your generous welcome and friendship.
My prayer is that you all have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter, rejoicing in our Saviour's triumphant victory and working in the power of the Holy Spirit to show the father's prodigal love to Newport and the wider world in which we live.
Yours in the Lord's service, Jeremy
A Letter from Father Humphrey Imagine and Invite
You have the opportunity of a lifetime, and it's right around the corner. You have the power to change lives and to strengthen our community of faith with just one phone call, an email, or the offer of a ride to church. If you are planning on being with us for all or any part of Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday), take a couple of minutes now to think of people whom you can be in touch with to invite to these transformational liturgies. And write their names down so you don't forget! Ask yourself:
Who have I not seen in church recently whom I could touch base with and ask if I will see them at Easter or in Holy Week?
Is there anyone who doesn't drive after dark to whom I could offer a ride to one of the evening services on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday?
Am I able to give a lift to anyone on Sunday morning, especially to the combined 10 o'clock High Mass on Easter Sunday?
Who would love the joyful experience of Easter at St. John's?
Who needs to be here but isn't?
Who is coping with any burden or grief or depression, and could use the support of a loving community?
Who can I introduce to Jesus through St. John's?
If you are planning on being with us, and can think of just one name, you could change that person's life forever.
Better yet, if you can invite people and not stop inviting until you know that at least one person or couple or family will give St. John's a try this Holy Week and Easter, you will be doing them and us a great service.
The number one way to build community and spread the Gospel is by personal invitation. "Come and see."
So this is my homework assignment to each and every one of you, even those who live far from St. John's but might be able to invite someone to your local church on Easter: imagine and invite.
Imagine what St. John's could become if you did this! There is no end to our potential for making disciples and growing as a community of faith, hope, and love, but it doesn't happen automatically.
Imagine what impact you could have on someone's life, on a family or on a couple, by including them in Holy Week hope and Easter joy.
Imagine and invite.
On a final note, I am very grateful to Canon Haselock for his presence and ministry among us. His great learning and good humor were very much on display in his presentations on the liturgies of Holy Week on Wednesdays in Lent. He has very much inspired me to encourage you to enter deeply into the mysteries of our faith as we journey toward the empty tomb. Imagine and invite those who can be your companions in this journey together.
Yours in Christ's Service, N.J.A. Humphrey+ XIV Rector
Saturday: You are invited! Saturday, April 6, at 4:00 p.m. Diocesan Royal School of Church Music Festival Evensong
Combining several Rhode Island choirs trained through the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music, including the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County, this daylong annual event for 50- plus voices starts at 10 a.m. and culminates in a public service at 4 p.m., with a reception following. The 2019 guest director is Mr. John Abdenour of St. Paul's Church, Fairfield, Conn. Mr. Abdenour's music will be sung, along with the local premiere of the latest composition by Mr. Peter Stoltzfus Berton, founding executive director of The Choir School of Newport County. This event is free; donations are gratefully accepted.
We are expecting 40-50 choristers as well as their families, parishioners, and the public, so we are grateful for all contributions of finger foods and light fare to share at the reception. There is no need to RSVP. Simply bring any platters of food, cookies, vegetables, chips and the like, or bottles of non-alcoholic sparkling cider, lemonade, or punch to the Guild Hall kitchen before the service. Financial Planning Resources
Point neighbor, St. John's friend, and investment adviser Brian Hickox of Core Financial Partners of Newport is sharing with us a series of occasional articles on financial strategies, investment tips, and planning advice.
This week, Brian offers help on how to manage your estate if a spouse dies. Although losing a loved one is a very overwhelming time, there are steps you can take to make the financial transition less difficult.
Click here to learn more about the ways in which you make this time easier.
Wednesdays in Lent
Wednesdays in Lent April 10 in the Guild Hall, 5:30-8:30 p.m., with Father Humphrey
As Canon Haselock departs after another St. John's visit, Fr. Humphrey has some big shoes to fill this week, but we're confident he's more than up to the task for this last presentation of the series. The schedule for this special program is as follows:
5:30 Evening Prayer & Low Mass 6:00 Stations of the Cross 6:30 Soup & Salad Supper 7:00 Lenten Program Presentation & Discussion 8:00 Compline 8:15 Dismissal
Participants are invited to come to all or any portion of the evening. Volunteers are needed to bring soup, bread, and salad.
If anyone is in need of a ride from the Barrington area to Newport, please be in touch with the parish office at [email protected], or call the office at (401) 848-2561.
Holy Week & Easter April 14-21, Holy Week & Easter at St. John's
Palm Sunday, April 14: Procession & Solemn High Mass at 9:45 a.m. All are invited to join the triumphant procession along Washington Street to the historic 1894 Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist, with hymns led by a trumpeter. The service will be sung by the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County and the St. John's adult choir. Free parking is available on the street in the neighborhood, as well as in the garage at the Newport Visitors Center, 23 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, conveniently located near Storer Park and a short walk to St. John's. In case of inclement weather, the service will begin in the church at 10:00 a.m.
The Triduum Sacrum Easter Day is preceded by the three most powerful days of the Christian Year, when we celebrate with special solemnity Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. These three services are known collectively as the Triduum Sacrum, the "Three Holy Days," and are crowned by the celebration of Easter Day. The Triduum Sacrum is one liturgy celebrated over three holy days, which is why no dismissal is given from the beginning of the Maundy Thursday rites until the end of the first Mass of the Resurrection at the Vigil. Those who commit to observing Holy Week in its totality will find it to be a truly transformative experience. Please plan on being with us for these services:
Maundy Thursday, April 18: Solemn Mass at 6:30 p.m. with the Adult Choir and Professional Choristers; Church open all night.
Good Friday, April 19: Solemn Liturgy at 6:30 p.m. with the Adult Choir.
Holy Saturday, April 20: The Great Vigil of Easter at 7:30 p.m., with the Adult Choir. The Great Vigil of Easter is the single most important service of the Christian Year, and amongst the most ancient liturgies of the Church, documented as far back as the year 215 A.D., and believed to be apostolic in origins, that is, dating back to the communities founded by the twelve apostles of Jesus. All participants are invited to bring hand bells, securely wrapped, which will be rung with great joy and fanfare at the proclamation of Easter.
Easter Day, April 21: Procession & Festival High Mass at 10 a.m., with the Adult Choir, Professional Choristers and tympani.
Note: there will be no Low Mass on Easter Sunday
On Easter Day, we will have an Easter Egg Hunt outside after the service and after the choir has had time to put away their robes. We will whistle the start so that all the kids can enjoy the hunt. It's a great time to bring children visitors to our church! Upcoming
Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m. Ensemble Companio: Failed Saints
Awarded the 2012 American Prize in Choral Performance (Community Chorus division), Ensemble Companio gives consistently memorized, polished, and engaging performances. The Spring 2019 program, Failed Saints, grapples with what it means to be human in a time of inhumanity, exploring our mortal imperfections, our shared divinity, and ultimately our power to co-create the world as we wish it existed. Featuring choral music that holds space for rage, grief, transformation, and healing, this program includes the world premiere of two movements from Sarah Rimkus' eponymous Failed Saints, Alberto Ginastera's Lamentations of Jeremiah (his only composition for unaccompanied chorus), and Saunder Choi's The New Colossus, as well as works by Dunphy, Guillaume, Valverde, Runestad, Barnett, Paulus, and others. Reception following. Sunday, April 28, at 4 p.m. "Hereford Variations" by Peter Stoltzfus Berton
This set of fifteen brief pieces takes listeners on a special Eastertide journey, narrated by the priest and poet Thomas Traherne (1636-1674) as revealed in modern stained glass windows of Hereford Cathedral, England. In the manner of Sir Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, each variation also characterizes a friend to whom it is dedicated. In 2015, St. John's was the last event of a fifteen stop, fifteen month tour debuting the Variations; last August, the St. John's Choir, composer Peter Stoltzfus Berton and the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County presented this 40-minute work at Hereford Cathedral itself. Video projection of the stained glass enhances the music. Reception following. $10 suggested donation benefits the Organ Fund. Sunday, May 12, at 11:45 a.m. Choral Matins & Mother's Day Community Brunch
St. Johns invites all to a brief, festive and incense-free service of Choral Matins (Sung Morning Prayer) followed by a Mother's Day Community Brunch on Sunday, May 12, at 11:45 a.m. The brief Choral Matins at the church, performed by Professional Choristers from The Choir School of Newport County, and the St. John's Adult Choir, will be followed by the Mother's Day Community Brunch in the Guild Hall. The Choral Matins and brunch are just one of several events planned throughout the year in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the consecration of the Zabriskie Memorial Church Building in 1894. Tickets are free, but space is limited. Donations gratefully accepted. Reservations: moms.brownpapertickets.com Easter Flowers
Please look for this envelope in your service booklet or at the front or back of the church if you would like to contribute to the Glory of God and the decorating of the church for Easter. Or if you have a Realm account, go to https://onrealm.org/StJohnEvangelis/Give and select "Flowers" from the drop-down menu.
Paschal Candle Dedications
The Paschal Candle is available throughout Eastertide as a way to honor or remember loved ones through dedications. The suggested donation for the Paschal Candle dedication is $100; contributions fund the church's candle purchases throughout the year.
If you would like to dedicate the Paschal Candle in honor or in memory of a loved one, please email or call the Parish Office at [email protected] or (401) 848-2561. Your loved one's name will be announced at the Intentions, along with others for whom the Paschal Candle has been given, every Sunday throughout Eastertide and printed in the service booklet, space and deadlines permitting.
Candle dedications also include the Sanctuary Lamp candle at the High Altar and the Sanctuary Lamp candle above the altar in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, for a suggested donation of $25 each. To arrange to dedicate a candle on a particular date, please be in touch with the Parish Office to make sure the date is free. If you would simply like to dedicate any of the above candles on the next available date, write which candle and its dedication in the memo line of your check and put it in the offering plate. Questions? Contact parishoffice@saintjohns- newport.org.
Supporting St. John's
Would you like to support St. John's?
It's never to late to pledge your support, or to make a donation, in any amount.
If you would like to pledge your support for St. John's, please visit our online pledge card here. For other ways to support St. John's, please visit our website here, or our Facebook page at facebook.com/SaintJohnsNewport.
To give a one-time gift online with or without an account, please click here.
To give by text message:
And always, thank you for your generous support!
Low Masses
There will be a low Mass in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament immediately following Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- On Wednesdays in Lent: April 3 & 10;
- On Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday of Holy Week, April 15-17;
- Throughout Easter Week, April 22-April 26, and:
Tuesday, April 30: St. Mark (transferred from April 29)
5th Sunday Food Drive
Thanks to your generosity, more than 28 bags of groceries, household supplies and toiletries and a $50 gift card were delivered to the MLK Center on Monday, April 1st, as part of March's 5th Sunday Food Drive. Many thanks!
Fifth Sunday Food Drives benefit the MLK Center and take place every month in which there are five Sundays. Donations including nonperishable food, toiletries, household cleaning supplies or gift cards are collected in reusable shopping bags, available in the church and Guild Hall, and returned for delivery to the MLK Center at the end of the month.
Our next 5th Sunday Food Drive month is June. Thank you for your generosity!
The Choir School News
T h e 2018-2019 Choir School of Newport County Program Book second edition is available at St. John's and by request. Check out the Program Book for the latest about The Choir School, our Choristers and expanded piano program, and our upcoming services and events.
Would you like to be listed as a supporter of the Choir School in the second edition of the Program Book? Choose among giving levels here.
You can download the program book here.
Christian Education continues and is open to children of all ages at the 10 o'clock Mass. We look forward to seeing you! Bible Study The Rector's Bible Study will meet this Sunday, April 7. Participants gather in the Rector's Study on Sundays at noon. We will continue with The Path. To enroll, please email Fr. Humphrey at [email protected] or call the parish office at 848-2561.
For Adults & Older Youth
Rector's Tuesday Book Study
The Rector's Book Study continues on this Tuesday, April 9, at 9 a.m. in the Rector's Study in the Guild Hall, when we will discuss more on "Being Human" by Rowan Williams. Please RSVP to [email protected] to join in the conversation.
Service Details for This Weekend
Saturday, April 6 Diocesan RSCM Evensong
4:00 p.m. Officiant: Fr. Humphrey
Click here or below for the Evensong program.
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Sunday, April 7 The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Low Mass at 8:00 a.m. Celebrant & Preacher: Fr. Humphrey
High Mass at 10:00 a.m. Celebrant & Preacher: Fr. Humphrey
Subdeacons: Robert Regalbuto & Bill Lippe Thurifer: Br. Bill Weisert Crucifer: Patricia Burdick Acolyte: John Sawicki
Click here for this week's service bulletin.
Acolyte positions available: Just come to the Sacristy and we'll be glad for your help!
Many thanks to all our altar servers! You, too, can volunteer to serve as an acolyte. It's easy; just email Fr. Humphrey at: [email protected]
Calendar at a Glance
Saturday, April 6 - 4 p.m., Diocesan RSCM Festival Evensong & Reception
Sunday, April 7 - Noon, Rector's Bible Study
Monday, April 8 - 9 a.m., Centering Prayer
Tuesday, April 9 - 9 a.m., Rector's Book Study
Wednesday, April 10 - 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays in Lent
Saturday, April 13 - 11 a.m., Requiem Mass for Ron Turgeon
Palm Sunday, April 14 - 9:45 a.m., Procession & High Mass
Monday, April 15 - 9 a.m., Centering Prayer
Monday, April 15 - 5:45 p.m., Low Mass
Tuesday, April 16 - 9 a.m., Rector's Book Study
Wednesday, April 17 - 5:45 p.m., Low Mass
Maundy Thursday, April 18 - 6:30 p.m. High Mass
Good Friday, April 19 - 6:30 p.m., Solemn Liturgy
Holy Saturday, April 20 - 7:30 p.m., The Great Vigil
Easter Day, Sunday, April 21 - 10 a.m., Procession & Festival High Mass
Now Hear This St. John's is equipped with a loop system for hearing aids. A loop system provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by your hearing aid and which greatly reduces background noise, competing sounds, reverberation and other acoustic distortions. To activate, simply set your hearing aid to "T" for T-coil (telecoil).
The Zabriskie Memorial Church of Saint John the Evangelist
The Choir School of Newport County