The Tower * March 2020

The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist

Grace and peace to you or women specifically in your life, take measures to from God our Father and from use less plastic, recycle, and live simpler, be Christ Jesus our Lord. Here we intentional about loving all people you come into are in the season of Lent. I contact with.. thought I would go back to Lent 101 for this article. Episcipalchurch.org states in the Glossary of Terms, Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which “Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Evil powers which corrupt and destroy the Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known creatures of God overlaps with the last question but as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," could be a little more specific; strip clubs, the time of lengthening days) has a long history. prostitution, human trafficking here and around the Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on world, companies using illegal immigrants so that a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to they can take advantage by not paying them a living two days. In the third century this fast was wage. lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became Ways to renounce these evil powers; the first attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, way is to educate yourself. According to the National in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The Human Trafficking Hotline 76 cases have been forty-day fast was especially important for converts reported this year in Indiana (and imagine all the to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for ones that are not reported) and that every state in the those guilty of notorious sins who were being US has trafficking. When you travel and stop at a restored to the Christian assembly. In the western rest stop be aware of your surroundings and girls church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash and boys that seem to be on their own and talking to Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting random people, make your children and Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred grandchildren aware of the problem and how to Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and protect themselves. Don’t use prostitutes or go to Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its strip clubs. Learn about immigration and the needs significance as the final preparation of adult of the people who come here in desperation. candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, from the love of God? fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and Sinful desires are very personal issues but meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).” some examples include making and hoarding money The current celebration of Lent is in bold or possessions, sex with prostitutes or multiple above. It is a time for people to prepare for baptism partners over other activities, drugs, food, at the Vigil of Easter and a time for everyone who is recognition. already baptized to examination and repentance. Ways to renounce these desires; each time Take a moment as you read this to ask you get anxious about having more and more money yourself how you are living the promises made at stop and consider all the blessings you already have baptism: and know that God will take care of you, live simply, if you are addicted to sex, drugs, or alcohol get help Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of through a counselor or program, eat simply and limit wickedness that rebel against God? yourself (again get help if you need to), know that Forces that rebel against God; anything that you are loved by God and God sees what you do even tells you that you are not worthy, oppression and if others don’t recognize your good deeds. racism, sexism and the objectification of beings created by God, destruction of God’s creation, hatred. Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Ways to renounce these forces; know you are savior? a child of God created in the image of God, examine When dealing with the questions above how you think of people of different races and turning to Jesus and praying as many times a day as consider how those thoughts may be racist, examine necessary is something we do alongside the other how you think about women in general and yourself suggestions.

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Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? Time Change Coming When you are anxious about any of the The time changes on Sunday, things above, about whether God loves you or not or March 8th. Don’t forget to move if you will go to heaven remember in your baptism your clocks forward on Saturday you are claimed by God and nothing can take you night at bedtime. away from God. You are loved.

Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord? This is something we can do daily as well. Each time we wash our hands we remember our baptism and to agree again to follow Jesus. Then come to confession when you fall short.

God created humans from the dust of the earth and God will redeem humans from the dust of the earth.

Peace, Pastor Terri

Easter flower memorial envelopes are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary and on the ministry rack.

Please note that Wednesday, April 1st is the deadline to have your memorials turned in to the 2020 Financial Update parish office so they can be printed in the Easter rd bulletins. Memorial envelopes received after that through February 23 “Pledged and Non-Pledged Contributions” date will be published in Sunday bulletin’s news insert on Sunday, April 19th. Year to-date Year to-date 2020 Total Received Budget Budget

Invite, Welcome, Connect updates - The IWC group $37,769 26,200 $170,276 invited members to the Christmas Parade, the Elkhart Your pledge and commitment to St. John’s is Municiple Band concert so far and encourage important and appreciated for all you do! members to come to St. John’s concerts and bring people to enjoy the music. Small dedicated groups went to these events. The group continues to look for Of rocks and repentance interesting events in Elkhart for us to attend. If you Before recently closing to tourists, Australia’s know of an event that interests you please let them majestic Uluru (formerly called Ayers Rock) was know. The group put together 30 Welcome Bags popular with climbers. Many took home illegal with a St. John’s umbrella, info about St. John’s and souvenirs, sometimes later mailing them back to park St. David’s, coupons and information about 11 rangers after experiencing what they considered bad luck. downtown businesses. These bags were given to the management company dealing with the Stonewater So many pilfered mementos were returned, often at Riverwalk Apartments. All of these ideas come with notes of apology, that rangers called them from the idea that people are not coming into St. “sorry rocks.” The returns merely created more work John’s so we will go to the people. T-shirts have been for park staff, who urged visitors not to take ordered and will be here shortly. A few extra were specimens in the first place. ordered if you still want one. Stay tuned for more events and ways to tell others about Jesus and St. “Sorry rocks” is a fitting image for our sins, which John’s. the Bible describes as weights and entanglements (see Hebrews 12:1). As sinners, we can’t remove those heavy burdens on our own. But through Christ’s redeeming work on our behalf, we can “return” the rocks of wrongdoing. When we repent and seek Spring begins forgiveness, God promises to “remember [our] sins Thursday, March 19th no more” (Hebrews 8:12). 2

Altar Flowers and Sanctuary Light – The Parish Office will be closed You are invited to purchase the from Friday, April 10th through Altar flowers or the Sanctuary light Monday, April 13th in observance for a particular Sunday in honor, of Easter. celebration or memory of someone. *Parish Office Closed = Pastor and Parish Administrator out The sign up charts are on the bulletin board. The **Administrative Office Closed = Parish Administrator out cost of flowers is $25 and the Sanctuary light $4 per Sunday.

Joy seekers In northern several years ago, some Dear St. John’s family, women formed a “joy circle.” They settled into a routine of meeting every couple of weeks to share With regret, I must announce that I have joys they’ve noticed. Their aim, amid our troubled resigned from my position as parish administrator at world and chaotic lives, is to deliberately focus on St. John’s Episcopal Church. As some of you may not the positive. The women don’t simply hope to know, in the last couple of years my health has stumble upon good news among the outrage, declined. It’s nothing serious at this point but my bitterness and tragedy surrounding us; they actively doctors have been encouraging me to retire for some seek out joy and report it to the group. time now. I honestly feel that stepping down is in the best interest of both myself and St. John’s. Joy is a fruit of the spirit named in Galatians 5:22- Even though I am not a member of St. John’s, 23. As Christians, we don’t ignore or dismiss life’s for 20 years you truly have been my “other” family struggles and sorrows, and neither do joy-circle in Christ. It has been a privilege to serve God by participants. But God promises that life is stronger serving you as your administrator. I am blessed to than death, and Jesus’ resurrection is proof. With the have had this experience with you. I am so very sad Holy Spirit’s help, we can make a spiritual discipline to leave. Thank you for all the love and kindness that of seeking and sharing joy — and thanking God for has been given to me over the years. it. (Visit joycircles.network online to learn more.) My last day of work will be April 30, 2020. —Heidi Mann Love in Christ always, Becky

Mark your calendars! Parish Administrator Becky Martin is retiring at the end of April. She has been at Important Message for Sundays & Events St. John’s for 20 years serving faithfully. To celebrate her ministry and wish her well, we will have an Tornado warning…do not panic…quietly Open House Reception on April 29, 11am - and quickly move to the basement and 2pm. Watch for more details as we get closer. take shelter in the Great Hall (inner wall). Do not use the elevator.

Please volunteer to be a host and bring goodies to the coffee hours. If you would like to volunteer for a Sunday now and then, sign up on the sheet posted in the Common Room.

Fellowship/Coffee Hour Hosts March 1 Burkert March 8 Open March 15 Open March 22 Open March 29 Open

An Altar Guild meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:15pm to discuss holy week duties. 3

Vestry Meeting Summary - December 9, 2019 Meeting adjourned with Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting is January 13, 2020. In Attendance: Sr. Warden Margie Paulen, Treasurer Beth Nellist, Clerk Fran Meckley, Pastor Terri Peterson, Judy Robison, Louann Smith, Trudy Myers, Annual Meeting Summary - January 2020 Beth Hall, Betty Loomis, Steve Cash, Chris Renner, Charlie Goethals. Excused: Jr. Warden Dennis Meeting called to order and a prayer was lifted up. Weaver, Charlie Moore Darla Miller, Dana Bergerson were appointed as secretary, Fran Meckley as Clerk, Darla Miller as Meeting opened with Sharing of Highs and Lows for judge, and George Biddlecome as Parliamentarian. the month and an opening prayer. November minutes were read and approved. The 2019 Annual Meeting minutes were approved.

Financial Reports were read. Noted: The deficit was Pastor Terri gave thanks for all of the great people not as large as expected, with the exception of the and ministries at St. John’s. She gave thanks to God building budget where the deficit is only $65.00 for all the financial blessings we received in 2019. off. The financial report was approved. We remembered those who died in the past year and celebrated baptisms and new members. Brief discussion re: Miracle Gift and how we want to present information to the members/parish. Pastor Terri shared information about the proposed Elkhart County Ministry Partnership between St. Ministry Updates: Funerals - Joyce Corbin, December David’s, St. John’s, Grace and Augustana Lutheran 2, LaVerne Herzberg, December 7 Churches. The dream is to create a part-time 3 Baptisms - Aaron Peters, Olivia position for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Ryan Peters, December 15 between the four parishes. This position will be connected to a part-time pastorate at St. David’s to Evaluate: December 7 Downtown Tree Lighting- create a full-time call. Pastor Terri, Father Joshua small group, passed out hand warmers, well Nelson, and Pastor Dan Forehand are working to get received. Consider participating in the parade next grant funding to pay for this position. An United year with a float Thank Offering Grant application will be considered and voted on by June. Please pray for this funding. Reports: Jr. Warden Both Bishop Doug Sparks and Bishop Bill Gafkjen are Crystal Valley technician (Sam) made a service call encouraging this partnership. December 9. Old thermostat not working properly. For less wear and tear, recommended going to a 56 voting members signed in at the meeting. There simple thermostat keeping sanctuary at 65 degrees. were many others as well. Crystal Valley has been reliable and quick to respond. Question: Who will make adjustments to The following members were voted in by the thermostat when needed? acclamation: Margie Paulen, Sr. Warden; Dennis Weaver, Jr. Warden Becky has a chart created by Dennis to show who we 2020-23 Vestry Class - Trudy Myers, Ellie Tom, and have used for service calls and repairs. Dennis will Katie Burkert. Charlie Moore and Tony DeDario document what has been done so far. were elected to finish the two vacant terms.

Old Business: Finance Committee will have budget Sr. Warden Margie Paulen reported on the completed before January. faithfulness and excitement here at St. John’s and cautioned us about future financial issues of New Business: continued passing of deficit budgets. • Flags outside are in disrepair. Chris and Charlie will replace them with new flags. Jr. Warden Dennis Weaver reported on the many • Cleaners Property - continue to look into property and maintenance issues in 2019. The environmental issues approximate costs of repairs was $50,000. Thank • Elkhart Ministry Partnership- grant sent in you to everyone who stepped up and gave toward December 1, includes St. David’s and 2 other these projects including roof repair, stained glass churches preservation subsidized by a grant from the Elkhart • Vestry nominations: To be nominated and County Community Foundation, and the sewage pit elected: Sr. and Jr. Warden and 4 Vestry pump among others. members 4

Deacon Melissa was ordained at St. John’s on April 27, 2019 and began faithfully serving immediately. Her report included the many duties she faithfully performed. One of the exciting ones is the Food Pantry Story Corner. Melissa gathered donated books and created a small library to be utilized once or twice a month during food pantry. “May you have warm words on a She passed out books for children to take home as cold evening, a full moon on a well. dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your Other reports are in the Annual Meeting booklet. door.” —Irish blessing There are copies if you did not read them.

A great meal was had by all. Thank you to everyone who made this meeting a grand success.

Wedding Anniversaries and Birthdays January 2020 Vestry Summary March Wedding Anniversaries The newly elected and commissioned Vestry met Kyle and Beth George and Mona 03/22 03/26 following the Annual Meeting. Pastor Terri Willis Biddlecome distributed “General Responsibilities for all Vestry March Birthdays Members” to everyone and went over it. Sr. Warden Margie Paulen shared the idea of Lona Purdie 03/04 Denny Thompson 03/19 Betty Wiley 03/05 Olivia Peters 03/20 outsourcing payroll and bill paying. Becky Martin took these duties over during her tenure. The Katie Burkert 03/06 Austin Ham 03/28 Elizabeth Battjes 03/16 Charlie Moore 03/29 financials have become a bit more complicated due to working with two religious entities (Lutheran and Ed Battjes 03/19 Beth Nellist 03/30

Episcopalian). Hiring a new person that does office REMINDER NOTE: There was not a Tower sent out duties plus financial duties may be difficult and the for February, but you can still see anniversaries and salary will be higher. She asked if the vestry would birthdays for St. John’s parish. The whole year is be interested in researching the possibility of always posted on the bulletin board in the hallway. outsourcing this. The Vestry agreed that investigating the cost would be a good idea.

Under new business, Ellie Tom asked if she could invite others to help underwrite the cost of the concerts we have throughout the year. The Vestry agreed that getting more people involved would be great.

Ellie Tom volunteered to put together the Vestry Schedule and Lector Schedule for the year.

It was agreed to meet again in March. The next Vestry meeting is March 9 at 6:30pm instead of 7pm.

Officers 2020 Margie Paulen, Senior Warden Dennis Weaver, Junior Warden Fran Meckley, Clerk Beth Nellist, Treasurer

Vestry Terms 01/2020 – 01/2023 Beth Hall, Betty Loomis, Charlie Moore - 2021 Steve Cash, Tony De Dario, Charlie Goethals – 2022 Katie Burkert, Trudy Myers, Ellie Tom - 2023

Presiding Bishop Diocesan Bishop Douglas Sparks 5

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