 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here’s what’s happening at St. John’s, around the diocese, and in the local community. SAVE THE DATES: Join us for Advent IV with Rev. John Mitchell, this Sunday, December 21st at 10:30 a.m. --------------------------------------- CENTERING PRAYER-December 21 at 7 p.m. via Zoom: St. John's church in Boonton is offering online Centering Prayer on Sunday evenings in Advent at 7pm via Zoom (invitation below). We are looking at the symbols of Advent from a contemplative point of view, and then having a 20-minute practice of Centering Prayer. This week we will be taking a look at John the Baptist and the material we will use for reflection is attached. Newcomers and drop-ins are welcome! The guidelines for this prayer are also attached, please go over them if Centering Prayer is new to you. If you have the time or can make the time - you would be so welcome! Download documents here. St. John the Baptist, Introduction to CP Join the Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88326468430?pwd=fMrO9IRm5YcOgtDqMTgy0a1ILu84Aq.1 Meeting ID: 883 2646 8430 Passcode: 1234 ------------------------------------ Christmas Eve Service with Rev. Mark Waldon at 5 p.m. ----------------------------------- PRAYER LIST Let Kathy Cascone (casconek(at)yahoo.com or 973-219-1007) know if you wish to add anyone to the parish prayer list, or if a name is ready to be removed. COMMUNICATION Staying well-informed is important, especially during transitional times. Here are some ways to learn what’s happening and stay involved:
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Greetings to Members and Friends of St. John’s, Near and Far,
The Vestry gathered on September 19 to discuss the life of St. John’s, covering everything from our finances to managing the tasks that keep our doors open and welcoming to both new and familiar faces. St. John’s has a long and rich history in Boonton, and we deeply appreciate the members who, even after moving away or being unable to attend in person, remain connected with us. We delight in greeting the people who join us in person. We’re delighted to announce that Robert Gangewere is back to lead our music program, with Christian Carozza alternating Sundays as our organist. We also want to extend our gratitude to Wyatt Sikora, who has moved on to other opportunities after contributing his musical talents to our services. Joan and Debbie have been working diligently to prepare the Wilson House for rental and get the Rectory ready for sale. We’re happy to report that the Wilson House has been rented to a wonderful family who is engaged in local ministry. Additionally, we are renting the Parish Hall on Wednesdays to another religious group active in the community. Sharon Liparini and Sandra Lee Schubert will be attending the School of Ministry: Worship Leader training this Wednesday and again in October. You are welcome to join them—registration is open until Monday, September 23. Learn more here: School for Ministry: Worship Leader Training Across the diocese, many churches are facing challenges due to a shortage of clergy and declining attendance. Our Vestry, along with the diocese, is considering how best to respond. You can read more about these conversations in The VOICE Online: Who Will We Be in Ministry Going Forward? Every week, St. John’s opens its doors for the Saturday Luncheon Social, where local faith communities provide a meal for our neighbors. This Saturday, St. John’s is hosting, and we’ll be serving tacos with a side of fellowship! Want to lend a hand? Join us at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall to help with setup, serving, and cleanup. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. Even if you’re not volunteering, you’re welcome to come by and enjoy a meal! Our Sunday morning prayer service is at 9:30 a.m. for the remainder of September. Starting October 6, we will return to our winter schedule with services at 10:30 a.m. We’re excited to welcome Canon Wright that day for a special visit. We are actively seeking fun ideas for fundraisers and volunteers to support the work of the church. Many hands make light work! If you have suggestions or are interested in volunteering, please email us at admin(at)stjohnsboonton.org. Prayer List If you’d like to add someone to the parish prayer list or request the removal of a name, please contact Kathy Cascone at mailto:casconek(at)yahoo.com Communication Staying informed is especially important during times of transition. Here are some ways to stay connected: - If your email changes, let Sharon Liparini know so you can continue receiving parish announcements. - Visit our website, Facebook page, and other social media channels for updates. (Reach out to Sandra Lee Schubert if you’d like to assist with posting photos and events.) - Subscribe to [The VOICE Online](https://dioceseofnewark.org/e-news), the diocesan newsletter published every other Wednesday, to keep up with news, events, and features from around the diocese. Save the Dates:
Dear St. John's,
This Sunday, we are excited to welcome Bishop Carlye Hughes to St. John's. She will lead the worship service and join us for a short time at coffee hour, then meet with the vestry, wardens and clergy. This will be a time to celebrate St. John's and also to assess where we are and dream about the future. So that we all are well-informed, in case any of you missed the annual meeting last Sunday, I'm printing a copy of my message below and attaching a copy of the annual report. I hope you are all able to join us for this special Sunday. Rev. Sharon Annual report message: The past year was a busy one for St. John’s. We worshiped together every Sunday, undeterred by the occasional balky boiler, fallen plaster or winter storm. We buried beloved parishioners and baptized babies into our membership. We introduced a Longest Night service and revived the tradition of celebrating Palm Sunday with the First Presbyterian Church by eating breakfast together and processing with blessed palms between our churches. Among our many other activities:
Because of these ongoing financial pressures, I will conclude my time as priest-in-residence at St. John’s at the end of my two-year letter of agreement in June. During my remaining time here, I am working with the vestry to arrange training for those interested in assisting with worship. This includes members to lead Morning Prayer and to serve as readers of sermons as well as lessons. Periodic supply clergy will provide Communion each month. I also will be preparing bulletin templates to assist with future worship planning. On the financial side, the vestry is working hard to cut expenses and prioritize needed capital improvements. Among other things, it is exploring options for renting or eventually selling the rectory after the Ibrahimis move and looking for new fundraisers. I am sad to leave this church community I have come to love. Members may be feeling anxious about entering a time of clergy transition and about making decisions about St. John’s future. Change and transition can be hard for all of us. But the COVID shutdown reminded us that, at its heart, the church is its people. St. John’s members are a faithful, loving church family. And we have Jesus’ promise that he will always be with us. So let us move forward in prayer with confidence as we prepare for and discern the future together. For, as one of my favorite hymns proclaims: God has work for us to do. Rev. Sharon  Dear St. John’s,
Yesterday was the feast day of St. Matthew the Evangelist. Our church is named after St. John the Evangelist. We know them as the credited authors of two of the Gospels, the written accounts of the Good News of Jesus’ life and ministry, death and resurrection. Those accounts have helped to spread and build faith throughout the world for almost 2,000 years. As baptized Christians, we are called to carry on the evangelists’ work of sharing God’s Good News. One way to do this is to share stories of our faith. To help us learn how to do this, or to do it better, the diocese is offering a workshop called “This is My Story: Learning to Share Our Faith Stories” from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood. I hope you will consider attending as a step toward deepening your own faith and sharing it with others. Here is the link for more information: https://dioceseofnewark.org/.../my-story-learning-share... Rev. Sharon  Rev. Sharon & family at her ordination with her mom. Dear St. John’s,
It probably won’t surprise you that I’ve been thinking a lot about mothers this week. I am deeply grateful for all of the prayers and support I’ve received after my mother died last Sunday. They have sustained me and my family in this difficult time. Mothers are powerful figures in our lives. They carry us from our inception, give birth to us, guide and nurture us. Because of this, mothers are an important symbol. We speak of Mother Earth, for example, who hosts and supports the life of all creatures and plants on our planet. In the church, while we often talk about God the Father, we also see biblical imagery of God the Mother. Deuteronomy 32:18 speaks of the God who gave us birth. In Isaiah 66:13, God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” In Matthew and Luke, Jesus speaks of wishing to gather the children of Jerusalem together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Let us give thanks for our Heavenly Parent, the source and sustainer of our existence and the comforter of all who mourn. And let us give thanks for our earthly parents, who love and nurture us while we are here together and who remain as blessed memories when we are parted. Rev. Sharon Important announcements: This Sunday, Sept. 17, we will worship at St. John’s Lodge, 280 Boulevard, in Mountain Lakes as we join the church St. John’s founded, St. Peter’s, in a special service celebrating its 100th anniversary. Suggested arrival time is 10 a.m. for the 10:15 a.m. service. Parking is available at the lodge and nearby Island Beach. Next Sunday, Sept. 24, we anticipate worshiping again in the parish hall for safety reasons while repairs are being made to the ceiling in the church. Deacon John will be leading Morning Prayer. That day also is Boonton Day, from noon-4 p.m. Please let me know if you can volunteer some time at our table that afternoon. The Tricky Tray is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Parsippany PAL Building, 35 Baldwin Road. Don’t miss out! Tickets are available online only. Click the Tricky Tray link on our website, or go directly to https://tinyurl.com/DogLoversTrickyTray |
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St. John's Church
226 Cornelia Street Boonton, NJ 07005 |
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