Weekly Announcements September 27

• Blessing of the Animals: Next Sunday, October 4
  Next Sunday is St. Francis’ Day and all pets are invited to gather at the outdoor altar at 4:30 p.m. to receive a blessing. All species in God’s creation (suitably restrained) are welcome. Even if you don’t have a pet, come see which pet wins the Rector look-alike contest. Donations to aid the South Suburban Humane Society will also be accepted. The top items on their wish list are: Purina Kitten Chow, Paper Towels, and Lysol Disinfecting Wipes. More information and donation suggestions are available at http://www.sshspets.org.
  
  
• Brotherhood Kickoff BBQ this Sunday
  If the leaves are falling and lobsters in Boston again are booking flights for Chicago, then it must be time for yet another season of faith, fellowship, and fundraising with St. John’s chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. The Episcopal men’s service group will kick things off this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. with burgers, brats, Bears (and Seahawks). All men of St. John’s are welcome to join us for what promises to be a very fun event, regardless of the football results.
  
• Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Potluck Luncheon Wednesday
  All women of the parish are invited to a potluck luncheon Wednesday, September 30, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Bring a dish if you can and join us for conversation and great food.
  
  
• Daughters of the King Retreat
  The St. John’s chapter of the Daughters of the King will host a one-day retreat on Saturday, October 17 at the PORTIUNCULA Center for Prayer (“The Port”) in Frankfort. All women of the parish are welcome. The next regular meeting of the Daughters is Wednesday evening, October 7.
  
  
• Receive the e-vangelist on Friday via e-mail
  You may subscribe by sending your request and e-mail address to sje2640@gmail.com.
  
  
• Faith in Films Opens October 9 with Life is Beautiful
  The third season of St. John’s cinematic get-together premieres Friday, October 9, with the 1997 Oscar winner, Life is Beautiful. Roberto Benigni’s tale of faith and humor, set in Nazi-occupied Italy, will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.
  
• The Redclaws are Coming!
  Brotherhood Lobsterfest, October 24 The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s annual lobster sale is coming October 24. Proceeds benefit South Suburban PADS and Episcopal Charities. Watch for more info or pick up a flyer in the church.

Reflection for September 27

The Presiding Bishop on Individualism and Community

In my opening address at General Convention, I spoke about the "great Western heresy" of individualism…. Individualism (the understanding that the interests and independence of the individual necessarily trump the interests of others as well as principles of interdependence) is basically unbiblical and unchristian.

The spiritual journey, at least in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is about holy living in community. When Jesus was asked to summarize the Torah, he said, "love God and love your neighbor as yourself." That means our task is to be in relationship with God and with our neighbors. If salvation is understood only as "getting right with God" without considering "getting right with (all) our neighbors," then we've got a heresy (an unorthodox belief) on our hands. [From: Salvation's goal: returning all to right relationship, by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, August 27, 2009]