April 2013

St. Johns United Church of Christ

St. Johns is a community of faith centered in Jesus Christ, seeking guidance and direction through the Holy Spirit, and demonstrating Gods love to all people in words and deeds.

Easter Celebration
10:30 AM Gather on the Lawn!
Let us greet one another with the words Christ is Risen! and respond Christ is risen indeed! Coffee and light refreshments provided.
:

An Open and Affirming Congregation

503 Stuart Circle Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: 804.358.9291

Email: stjohnsrichmondoffice@verizon.net

Web Site: stjohnsrichmond.org

Move to the front steps to the Sanctuary to begin worship at 11:00 AM. Those who have limited mobility may be seated in the Sanctuary. All others should gather at the front steps.

Noon
Published monthly for members and friends

2013 St Johns UCC

The celebration continues as we gather on the lawn to greet one another with Alleluia! Christ is Risen! We will have wonderful food and activities for children that symbolize new life

2 The Messenger | April 2013

Dear Friends in Christ What a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of our Savior! Our Christian Formation team guided us through Lent, and Holy Week worship prepared us for Sundays resurrection proclamation: Christ is alive indeed! We are grateful for those who participated in music and song, in dramatic recreations and in occasions of fellowship. It was a memorable time made all the more special by so many of you who made it possible. Our attention turns now to matters of transition. Pastor Jon has been working with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Church Council and each of our Church committees to ensure that we make a smooth transition to our next Pastor in terms of worship, pastoral care, Christian formation and administrative details. You will hear sermons of thanksgiving about once or twice a month over the next three months (see page 3 for a schedule of these Thank you Sermons) as Pastor Jon seeks to give thanks for their respective ministries. Church Council wants you to place a HOLD on the weekend of June 8-9 on your calendar. On Saturday afternoon June 8th, well gather at St. Johns to have a reception to thank Jon for his service among us. Please do stop by and have some refreshments and have your picture taken with him. Well have a card basket available for you to share your thoughts in writing. On Sunday June 9, our worship will be a celebration in word and song giving thanks for Pastor Jons time among us. Pastor Jons last Sunday in the pulpit will be June 30th. Holy Communion will be celebrated, and he will return the symbols of the Pastoral office to the congregation for passing on to our next Pastor. Pastor Jon will spend June packing and preparing the office for our next faith leader. He will be available for Pastoral issues (hospital visits, for example) but will be turning over administrative matters to a Transition Group. It is the goal of Church Council and the Interim Pastoral Search Committee to have an Interim installed in July to assume the responsibilities of the Pastoral office and to work with staff preparing for our 2013-2014 program year. All matters of Pastoral concern should be directed to the appropriate member of the Transition Group, Pastoral Associate Julia Eliades or to the Interim Pastor beginning Monday, July 1st. We give thanks to God for Jons faithful presence among us these past ten years, and look forward to God providing us with a new Pastor and opportunities to grow in faith in service. Teresa Jolles, Council President Rev. Jonathan Heaslet, Pastor

Council meets Monday, April 8th at 7 p.m.

Members of Church Council

Teresa Jolles, President Jo Ann Jellison, Vice President Betsy Bighinatti, Secretary Bryan Anderegg Allen Caraher Gary Beasley Helena DeLigt Desiree McNeice Kenn Shirley Dreama Terrill Bill Watson Karen-Marie Yust

Congregational Spring Meeting Sunday, May 5th, 2013 This serves as the official notice

The Messenger | April 2013

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 28th: Maundy Thursday Supper and worship in the Fellowship Hall at 6:45 p.m. Friday, March 29th: Good Friday Service at Noon at Monument Heights Baptist Church (corner of Monument Avenue and Libbie Avenue). Sunday, March 31st: Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM 2100 block of East Grace Street (at the bluff overlooking downtown Richmond just outside the gates of Richmond Hill Retreat Center.) 11:00 AM Outside the Sanctuary Gather outside on the steps to sanctuary to prepare the Service Resurrection. Followed by an Easter Celebration on the Lawn at noon.
REMINDER: NO HOLY COMMUNION ON APRIL 7TH

Lectionary Readings
April 7th, 2013 Second Sunday after Easter Acts 5:27 - 32 Psalm 118: 14- 29 John 20: 19 - 31 April 14th, 2013 Third Sunday after Easter Acts 9:1 - 6, (7 - 20) Psalm 30 Revelations 5:11 - 14 John 21.1 - 19 April 21st , 2013 Fourth Sunday After Easter Acts 9:36 - 43 Psalm 23 Revelations 7:9 - 17 John 10:22 - 30 April 28th, 2013 Fifth Sunday after Easter Acts 11: 1 18 Psalm 148 Revelations 21:1 - 6 John 13:31 - 35

Thank You Sermon Schedule

April 7th Christian Formation; April 28th Stewardship and Finance; May 12th Worship and Music: May 26th Congregational Life and Care; June 2nd ACTS (Area Congregations Together in Service) and the Virginia Interfaith Center June 23rd Mission and Outreach.

Palm Sunday, March 24th, 2013

April Weddings at St. Johns

Saturday April 20 at 5:00 pm Meredith Wilson & Darrell Sutton rehearsal Friday 6:00 pm Saturday April 27 at 4:00 pm Courtney Rodeheaver & William Coyle rehearsal Friday 5:00 pm
Please be reminded that the wedding committee prepares the church for the wedding the day of the rehearsal beginning at 1:00 pm. On the day of the wedding vendors and the bridal party arrive 2 hours prior to the wedding. Thank you for your consideration.

The Messenger | April 2013

ACTS Area Congregations Together in Service

ACTS is A Greater Richmond interfaith mission providing support and resources during periods of financial crisis to prevent homelessness. ACTS began when the faith leaders of five downtown congregations came together and discussed what each was doing for those who called or came to the door seeking financial assistance. Ironically, they were all doing the same handing out $25 or $50 at the door without asking questions or even verifying their need. They all knew this was the wrong thing to do, but what was the right thing and how was it to be done? They began to study and invite others into the conversation. St. Johns joined the conversation immediately. This group discovered Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) in Mecklenburg County, NC which was used as a model. ACTS began assisting clients in August 2006. Since that time, over 1,500 households have been financially assisted. Last year, ACTS financially assisted 256 households (a 62% increase over the prior year), keeping them stably housed. 601 total people, including 185 children under the age of 18 were affected by this effort. An additional 200 households were offered resources more appropriate to their individual needs. $110,000 was expended in direct financial services. This year, ACTS anticipates assisting 336 households and expending $168,000. ACTS makes payments for rents, mortgages, utilities, car payments or repair billsall items that could jeopardize stable housing and cause eviction. The clients of ACTS are typically hard working people who are living paycheck to paycheck and for some reason just unable to make ends meet this month due to a crisis but are otherwise sustainable going forward. Today, ACTS is 42 member congregations strong and growing. ACTS leverages donations from congregations, individuals, businesses and foundations. In return for its congregational support, ACTS offers its partner congregations, including the staff at St. Johns UCC, a resource to offer those who come seeking assistance. ACTS offers consistent and compassionate case management trying to get to the root of the situation and offering hope to those seeking assistance. Financial assistance is offered only after a thorough assessment of the persons situation and verification is made with the appropriate vendor. Payments are never made to the client, only to the appropriate vendor. According to Billy Poarch, Executive Director of ACTS, ACTS appreciates the support the congregation of St. Johns has offered to enable the organization to thrive. Together, we offer HOPE to our neighbors in desperate need, who often fall through the cracks. Together, we do the work God has called upon us to do. When asked why he thought the work of ACTS was so important, Billy recalled a recent client who, when asked what they would have done without the financial assistance ACTS provided them simply stated, Suicide was my next and only option. A special offering for ACTS will be taken Easter Sunday. Please consider yourself, a family member or a neighbor facing homelessness when making your donation.

Billy Poarch, Executive Director

The Messenger | April 2013

Virginia Interfaith Center

Pastor Jon attended the March Board meeting of the Virginia Interfaith Center on which Board he has served for 9-years including the past 4-years as Treasurer. He recommends that you read the 2013 Faithful Engagement Report [link to www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org] which summarizes the 2013 General Assembly session. Priorities for the Center during this years session included: Poverty and the working poor; Stewardship of creation; and At-risk children and youth. Members will be polled in May to set priorities for the 2014 General Assembly. All members may vote. If you are not yet a member of the center, please join by going to the above link and signing up.

One Great Hour of Sharing Update

We would like to thank everyone who made donations to OGHS. We raised $975!

Haiti Update
On March 10th Dr. Mark Pohlman, from First Church of Christ United Church of Christ of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, shared experiences from his recent trip to Haiti, in which he visited with Jeanette Salley; twenty four people attended the presentation. Dr. Pohlman showed pictures of the CONASPEH Building and school that have been constructed since the earthquake as well as several pictures of Jeanette, each with a big smile.

CARITAS
A giant THANK YOU to all who have been hosts and have donated food to our CARITAS guests this year. We have been blessed to be able to serve as the Intake site for more than 40-women who are temporarily homeless. Mission & Outreach Chair Bill Watson sends a big thank you to Richard Bighinatti for organizing this years ministry

Jeanette emailed recently saying that she is writing a proposal to Global Ministries for scholarships to aid seniors in going to college and that she has started a Translators Group for the seniors and previous graduates of CONASPEH to work as translators for visiting groups at CONASPEH. Jeanette closed with: Please tell my SJUCC family I said Hello and keep those prayers coming (and I will see you all in June)! Lape Bondye ak nou (Peace of God be with you), Jeanette

The Messenger | April 2013

W.E.B.S. (Wednesday Evening Bible Study) resumes Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00 PM in Pastor Jons study.

Card Ministry
Enjoy crafts and sending greeting cards? Be sure to join Cheryl Goode in Pastor Jons study on Wednesday, April 17th at 5:00 PM for this ministry of sharing congratulations and offering prayer to our friends, neighbors and members.

Childrens church will be learning about Pentecost and the birthday of the church. We will be exploring what happened after Jesus resurrection and what happened to all his disciples. We will create several symbols which we will use in a celebration of Pentecost on May 19th. Be aware! We will be using a lot of the color red!!

The Fellowship
The April meeting will be on Wednesday the 10th at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Sonny Darnell will be our guide. The museum is free but parking is $5 for non-members. If you would like to car pool to the museum, please meet at St. Johns by 10:15 a.m. After our guided tour we will have lunch in the caf. The May Banquet will be on the 9th at 6:15 p.m. (Ginna Dalton will be our chef). Walter Griggs will be our speaker and will be telling us about his new book. Spring! Its just around the corner! Time when we clean out closets and storage areas for our annual spring basement sale held in the Fellowship Hall. The most popular items are books, toys, childrens clothes (no adult clothes, please), small appliances in good working condition, white elephant items, small furniture , and jewelry. Drop contributions in the white elephant room. The sale is Saturday, June 1st from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hiking Humpback Mountain! Our Older Youth Class is going hiking with Mike Woods and Rick Cook Saturday, April 20th at 9:00 AM We will meet at St. Johns. Pack a lunch and Bring money for dinner. This hike will be a warm-up for Old Ray in the summer! Contact Mike Woods for more information.

The Christian Formation Committee is meeting after the worship service on April 14th.

The office will be closed Monday , April 1st for Easter Holiday.

The Messenger | April 2013

Welcome Our New Members

Please join us in welcoming our newest members, Don Warren, Lynda Merry and The Mascher family. Don Warren Don Warren Jr. was born in 1965 in Portsmouth, VA in the same hospital where his parents were born. From ages 5-12 he was raised and baptized at Geneva Park Church of Christ, in Chesapeake, VA. His family then moved to Colonial Heights where they currently reside. After graduating high school he spent a summer working with special needs children and adults at a summer camp. He then attended Roanoke Bible College, now named Atlantic Christian College where he spent three semesters studying music and Deaf education. He transferred to VCU. He played as a pianist for Chester Christian School for 15 years. He was an active costume designer in local theatres for almost 20 years. He has three sons, one grand daughter and one grandson. He currently resides in Bellevue with his Italian Greyhound, Maggie Mae.

Dan and Melissa Mascher

Lynda Merry As a newcomer to Richmond, Lynda has enjoyed getting to know the area and its people. She is very pleased to have found a church home here at St. Johns. She was a member of the First Congregational U.C.C. in Niagara Falls, NY before moving to Richmond. The congregation was small but active and caring about it members, and that was a key factor for her decision in finding a church home. She was an active member of Christian Womens Group, and is interested in getting involved in a similar organization here in Richmond. If you know of one please reach out to Lynda. She is a widow with a son and two daughters. Her children live in the D.C./ VA area which is why Lynda has made Richmond her new home.

Melissa and Dan Mascher are very excited to be joining the community of faith at St. John's! Melissa was born and raised in Virginia, coming to the Richmond area at a very young age. She was very active in church from a young age, and was baptized in high school however stopped going regularly shortly before leaving for college in Fredericksburg where she met Dan. Dan was born and raised on the West Coast, going to UCC churches in the Portland Oregon, area and was baptized in a UCC church after completing his confirmation and leading a service at the age of 13. After he moved to Virginia in high school he attended church regularly until college. Melissa and Dan were married in 2010, and thoroughly enjoy spending as much time together as possible! After the addition of their son Noah in 2012, they decided to come back to Richmond to be closer to family. Noah is 13 months old and he loves music, being outdoors and exploring the world! He is a very kind little boy who loves to share and interact with people around him. Currently Dan is working for Capital One, while Melissa is temping until she finds her permanent career. They want to thank the whole congregation for being so open and welcoming.

Birthdays This Month

1 2 11 16 17 18 20 29 30 Rene Chrysler, George Vennart Dale Totty Micah Dalton Desiree McNeice Dale Trent Delaney Childs, Rebecca Shope Charlotte Ford, Simone Rhodd Anne Lohmann Palmen, Jason Bullard Betsy Bighinatti, Theresa Caraher, Jerry Simonoff

The Messenger | April 2013

Saturday, May 4th Dinner at 6:00 pm, Show at 7:30 pm Sunday May 5th, Show at 3:00 pm

The Spring Cabaret is a fund raiser for St. Johns. All monies go to the General Fund.

Closer to Thee
Playwright and composer Rob Osborn, Director Tony Sharpenstein and Music Director Shirley Townsend wish to thank all the actors, musicians, stage and lighting crew, volunteers and audience for a successful World Premier of Closer To Thee which concluded Sunday, March 3rd. We are proud to have hosted this premier performance and to be included in the Richmond Acts of Faith festival.

MESSENGER April 2013

WELCOME TEAMS
Welcome Team Coordinator Billy Poarch 804-359-6131 Welcome team captains
Families with children Acolytes

April 7 April 14

April 21 April 28
Bill Watson 804-873-2837
Quick Family Savannah Quick Ashley Quick Betty Staton Pam Miller Jeff Jacobs Laura Totty Denise Martin

May 5 May 12
Justin Barbour 804-687-1460
Barbour Family

May 19 May 26
Lynn Snyder 804-550-3928
Allen Family Cammie Allen

Doug Waldrop
Etter Family Voelcker/ Barrett Family Bryan Etter James Cook Dorothy Cook Desiree McNeice Kim Vann

Josh Lyle

Eddie Allen Iola Miller

Cheryl Goode Billy Poarch Erin Burnette Vivian White

Jo Ann Jellison Sharon Machrone Jeff Hetzer Sam Dalton Denise Wright Jo Ann Jellison

Adults

Sound System Facilities

Jeff Michel

Mark Atkinson

David Pittman

Joe McGregor

Bud Higgins

Richard Yuk

Bob Corby

Please find a substitute if you are unable to perform your ministry and contact your team coordinator AND the office to let them know who will be filling in for you. Thank you for making our church ministries run smoothly!

April 7th
Hospitality Coordinator Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Tellers Coordinator Bud Higgins 301-5059 Altar Flowers $40 Church office 358-9291 Liturgist Coordinators Kathy Freise 448-9876 Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Nursery Helpers Coordinator Julia Eliades 358-9291 ext. 12

April 14th

April 21st
Kenn Shirley Richard Yuk Jeff Jacobs Iola Miller Denise Martin

April 28th
Chris Krausse Anna Oxenham June Smyth Adrianne Dery Billy Poarch Johanna Gilbert

Vivian White Betsy Bighinatti Mark Souza

Lynda Merry Jeff Jacobs Iola Miller Denise Martin Tony and Anita Sharpenstein

Bryan Etter Ashley Quick

Sal Anselmo Helena DeLigt

Trent Taylor Dreama Terrill

Don Warren Julie Wilkinson

Theresa Caraher

Chris Miles

Laura Totty

Marjorie Barbour

MESSENGER April 2013

SUNDAY 31 1
Office Closed

MONDAY 2

TUESDAY 3

WEDNESDAY 4

THURSDAY 5

FRIDAY 6

SATURDAY

11:30 am NA

11:30 am NA 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

7 9:45 am Christian Formation ( all ages) 10: 00 am Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am Worship Noon Fellowship

8 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting

9 11:30 am NA

10 10:30 am The Fellowship VMFA

11 11:30 am NA

12 Last day for CARITAS

13

7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

14
9:45 am Christian Formation ( all ages) 10: 00 am Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am Worship Noon Fellowship 12:30 Christian Formation Meeting

15
6:00 pm Staff Parish Mtg

16
11:30 am NA

17 5:00 pm Card Ministry 5:30 pm Mission and Outreach 7:00 pm W.E.B.S.

18
11:30 am NA 5:30 pm Worship and Music Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

19

20
Wedding 9:00 am Hiking Trip Church World Service

21
9:00 am Breakfast 99:45 am Christian Formation ( all ages) 10: 00 am Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am Worship Noon Fellowship

22

23
11:30 am NA

24
5:00 pm Card Ministry 7:00 pm W.E.B.S.

25
11:30 am NA 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

26

27
Wedding

28
9:45 am Christian Formation ( all ages) 10: 00 am Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am Worship Noon Fellowship

29

30
11:30 am NA

1
5:00 pm Card Ministry 7:00 pm W.E.B.S.

2
11:30 am NA 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

4
Cabaret 6:00 pm Dinner 7:30 pm Show

5 9:45 am Christian Formation ( all ages) 10: 00 am Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am Worship Congregational Meeting Noon Fellowship 3:00 pm Cabaret Show

7 11:30 am NA

8 5:00 pm Card Ministry 7:00 pm W.E.B.S.

9 11:30 am NA

10

11

Office hours : Mondays 9 am - 2 pm, and Wednesday Friday 9 am - 2 pm CARITAS takes place every evening from 5:30 - 7:00 pm through April 12th