Announcements for January 31

Vestry Elections
At the recent annual meeting, the following slate was elected to serve on the vestry: Senior Warden: Anne Edwards, Junior Warden: Steve Hofer, Vestry Members (3 year terms): Alice Creason, Randy Oyster and Zoltan Sziky. Thank you to retiring warden and vestry members: Diane Walsh-Madden, Bob de Oliveira, Patti Pohrte and Jim Whitfield.

Annual Reports
Copies of the printed annual reports are available on the information tables. If you would like to receive a copy electronically, please contact the parish office.

Mark Your Calendars for the 2016 Lent Fish Fry 
This year’s Fish Fry is scheduled for Friday, March 18. Once again the men of the parish will fry up delicious whitefish straight from DiCola’s and Smiley Tilmon will provide entertainment. See you there!

Last Call: Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance
We are still collecting winter clothing articles for people in need. Please keep this in mind as you are cleaning out your closets. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children are welcome. Coats and jackets are particularly needed, as well as socks. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and only gently used. Collection bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft as well. Deposit items in any of the containers. The next collection date is January 31st.

Parish Mailing Address
PLEASE use the PO Box for all mailings to the parish (PO Box 25, Flossmoor IL 60422). Anything else risks delay or non-delivery.

Yarn Ministry
The yarn ministry will meet Monday, February 1, beginning at 7 PM in the Guild Room.

Ash Wednesday is February 10 
Easter is very early this year! The traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be Tuesday, February 9, from 5 PM – 7 PM. Ash Wednesday services are February 10 at 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 7 PM.

Reflection for January 31

The conservatives’ myth of religious beginnings [of the United States] has such a strong hold on the popular conception of our history because it is buttressed by secularists who say the same thing in hope that the first group says in fear—that America was religious at the outset but that reason, science, and progress have made us less religious year by year. Both myths are wrong. Both present the exact opposite of what actually occurred (Head and Heart: American Christianities, Garry Wills, 2007).

Announcements for January 24

Parish Annual Meeting This Sunday
The annual meeting of the parish will be held this Sunday, January 24. Loaves and Fishes will serve brunch after the 10:00 AM service; the meeting will follow at around 11:30 AM. Everyone is urged to attend.

Mark Your Calendars for the 2016 Lent Fish Fry
This year’s Fish Fry is scheduled for Friday, March 18. Once again the men of the parish will fry up delicious whitefish straight from DiCola’s and Smiley Tilmon will provide entertainment. See you there!

Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance
We are still collecting winter clothing articles for the PADS Ministry. Please keep this in mind as you are cleaning out your closets. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children are welcome. Coats and jackets are particularly needed, as well as socks. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and only gently used. Collection bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft as well. Deposit items in any of the containers. The next collection date is January 31st.

No Longer Collecting Plastic Grocery Bags
A big thank you to everyone who brought in plastic grocery bags! We are not looking for additional donations at this time, but those that have been collected will be sorted by the youth group and used to produce mats for individuals who are homeless.

Parish Mailing Address
PLEASE use the PO Box for all mailings to the parish (PO Box 25, Flossmoor IL 60422). Anything else risks delay or non-delivery.

Yarn Ministry
The yarn ministry will meet Monday, February 1, beginning at 7 PM in the Guild Room.

Reflection for January 24 (Annual Meeting Sunday)

For the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, p. 817).

Office Manager

Effective February 8, 2016, this position has been filled.

Overview 

Part- time position, reports directly to the Rector. During the school year, 20 hours/week; reduced hours June – August. Pay: $17/hour. No benefits. The Office Manager serves as receptionist for the parish and also performs general secretarial duties, communication, office management and financial bookkeeping. Accuracy and attention to detail are critical components of this position. In addition, proper execution of this work requires a high degree of sensitivity to the needs of people contacting the office. Diplomacy and patience are critical, as is the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.

Major Duties & Responsibilities 

Administrative Support

• Provides administrative support to the Rector. 
• Provides additional administrative support to staff and parishioners as needed. 
• Files inbound and outbound correspondence; maintains church files and records not handled directly by volunteers or the Rector. 
• Prepares and distributes special mailings and all-parish correspondence – such as the Easter and Christmas letters from the Rector and stewardship materials. 
• Orders office supplies and facilitates ordering of building supplies by volunteer purchaser. 

Reception

• Greets visitors to the church office and directs them appropriately; accepts deliveries; works with vendors. 
• Answers telephone; takes/retrieves messages; responds to email; retrieves mail from P.O. box and distributes mail/packages. 

Communication

• Prepares weekly church service leaflets; special holiday leaflets and leaflets for weddings, funerals, and any other special services. 
• Prepares and distributes monthly acolyte schedule. 
• Prepares and distributes quarterly schedule of weekly lay worship leaders. 
• Prepares/updates the Annual Report of St. John’s. 
• Prepares/distributes the parish directory (approximately every 12-18 months). 
• Maintains community bulletin boards as well as flyers, leaflets, newsletters and sign-up sheets. 
• Maintains all office files and assists treasurer and Rector in maintenance of files. 
• Maintains/updates ACS People Suite membership database.  

Finance

• Prepares checks, maintains check register in Excel. 
• Inputs weekly contributions into ACS People Suite (church membership database); works with treasurer to ensure accurate reporting.
• Provides administrative support to treasurer.
• Prepares/distributes quarterly contribution statements to parishioners and other regular contributors. 

Qualifications

Must be organized and have superior time-management skills.
Must be diplomatic, patient, and sensitive to the needs of others.
Must have a minimum of a high school diploma; college graduate preferred.
Office experience or experience in a professional setting a plus.
Must have above-average computer skills.
Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and have experience/familiarity with Microsoft Publisher and Excel.
Must have superior communication skills, both verbal and written.
Flexibility and willingness to learn are assets.
Familiarity with Episcopal Church polity and practice is a plus.

Resumes will be accepted through January 29, 2016.

Please submit electronically to:
The Rev. Kristin Orr, Rector
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist
Flossmoor, Illinois
sje2638@gmail.com

Announcements for January 17

Parish Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held next Sunday, January 24. Loaves and Fishes will serve brunch after the 10:00 AM service; the meeting will follow.

The MLK Legacy Continues: Lest We Forget
A community commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be held Monday, January 18, beginning at 7 PM at the Prairie State College Conference Center. John Fountain will be the guest speaker. Homewood-Flossmoor High School Inspirational Voices and Trinity Christian College Gospel Choir will also perform. Free for students; $5.00 for adults.

Adult Sunday School Class on the Prophets
The Sunday morning adult Sunday School class is beginning a new series on the prophets and their relevance in contemporary society. It features a DVD and other material from Walter Brueggemann. The class meets during the 9:00 hour in the education wing.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree (through January 18) 
Only real trees, of course. Volunteers will be available to help Saturday, January 2, from 9 AM until Noon at the Irons Oaks parking lot on Vollmer (just west of Western). Or you may drop off your tree on your own any time before January 18. Folks physically unable to recycle their own trees may call for pick up. More information HERE.

Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance 
We are still collecting winter clothing articles for the PADS Ministry. Please keep this in mind as you are cleaning out your closets. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children are welcome. Coats and jackets are particularly needed, as well as socks. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and only gently used. Collection bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft as well. Deposit items in any of the containers. The next collection date is January 31st.

Reflection for January 17

Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the “fight fire with fire” method … is bitterness and chaos, the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community. Physical force can repress, restrain, coerce, destroy, but it cannot create and organize anything permanent; only love can do that (Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957).

Announcements for January 10

Vestry Meeting
There will be a special meeting of the vestry following the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, January 10, to finalize the 2016 budget.

Parish Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held Sunday, January 24. Loaves and Fishes will serve brunch after the 10:00 AM service; the meeting will follow.

Adult Sunday School Class on the Prophets
The Sunday morning adult Sunday School class is beginning a new series on the prophets and their relevance in contemporary society. It features a DVD and other material from Walter Brueggemann. The class meets during the 9:00 hour in the education wing.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree (through January 18)
Only real trees, of course. Volunteers will be available to help Saturday, January 2, from 9 AM until Noon at the Irons Oaks parking lot on Vollmer (just west of Western). Or you may drop off your tree on your own any time before January 18. Folks physically unable to recycle their own trees may call for pick up. More information HERE.

Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance
We are still collecting winter clothing articles for the PADS Ministry. Please keep this in mind as you are cleaning out your closets. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children are welcome. Coats and jackets are particularly needed, as well as socks. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and only gently used. Collection bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft as well. Deposit items in any of the containers. The next collection date is January 31st.

Reflection for January 10

Journey
The journey towards oneness with God will mean a growing desire for goodness. A person will become increasingly determined to act with courage and generosity, to serve the common good wisely and energetically, to rejoice in the success or good fortune of others (Christopher Bryant (1905-1985), Society of St. John the Evangelist).

The Feast

Everyone is invited to the Feast, our annual celebration of our patron saint and our parish community.  Saturday, January 9, beginning with Evening Prayer at 4:30 PM.  Appetizers will be served from 5 PM until 6 PM, followed by dinner.

Announcements for January 3

RSVP’s for the Feast Due This Week
Our annual celebration of our parish community, the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, will take place Saturday evening, January 9. The event begins with Evening Prayer commemorating our patron saint and continues with a feast hosted by the vestry. Please RSVP by January 5.

Epiphany Service
The Epiphany, or The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, is one of the principal feast days on the church calendar. It always falls on January 6, after the twelve days of the Christmas season. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:00 PM on January 6.

2016 Offering Envelopes are Available
Please pick up your 2016 offering envelopes in the undercroft.

Sunday School Classes Resume
Sunday School classes for all ages resume this Sunday, January 3.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Only real trees, of course. Volunteers will be available to help Saturday, January 2, from 9 AM until Noon at the Irons Oaks parking lot on Vollmer (just west of Western). Or you may drop off your tree on your own any time before January 18. Folks physically unable to recycle their own trees may call for pick up. More information available HERE. 

Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance
Thank you for all donations that have already come in. We are still collecting some winter clothing articles for the PADS Ministry. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children are welcome. Coats are particularly needed. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and only gently used. Collections bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft, as well. Deposit items in any of the containers. The next collection date is January 31.

Reflection for January 3

I believe that one of the reasons that resolutions to change fail (whether at New Year's or any other time) so often is because most resolutions to change focus far too much on the what and not nearly enough on the why. Connecting with the why we want to do something helps us to connect with the deeper emotional or spiritual reasons that we want to grow, which is different from merely making a change (The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, The Living Compass Wellness Initiative).