Announcements for October 28th

Fleece Blanket Donations

The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center provides fleece blankets to all children with whom they conduct sensitive interviews.  At this time they are running out of blankets.  We will be putting together blankets on Sunday 11-11-2018 after the 10:00am service and Tuesday 11-13-2018 at 6:30pm.  If you are planning to help assemble the blankets please bring sharp scissors, a ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly at 708-305-2540.  Thank you!

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup — Sunday, November 11^th

2018-2019 Directory

A new edition of the directory is underway, and a draft has been placed in the back of the church. This Sunday, please look at the information we have listed for you (the entry under your name as well as birthdays/anniversaries, and if you are listed as a contact for a group) and verify that everything is correct. If you need to update anything, take a pen and correct it right in the directory. Any written changes noted will be changed in the master copy of the directory before copies are made.

Yarn Ministry — Monday, November 5^th at 7:00 pm in the Guild Room

Who Has Church Keys?

Also located in the back of the church will be a sort of sign-up sheet for anyone who has been given a church key. If you currently have a key, please write your name down (first and last name). We’ve never kept a record of how many people have keys, and it is good practice that we start doing so for insurance purposes. Thank you in advance for helping us out with that.

Interfaith Dinner, November 18^th

The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be having its annual interfaith dinner at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, November 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be lots of food and great conversation. Tickets are $20 and must be bought ahead of time. If you are interested please talk to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. 

All Souls Day — Friday, November 2^nd at 7:00 pm.

This Sunday, please bring photographs and/or mementos of loved ones who have passed away for us to include in our Shrine of Remembrance for this All Saints Day, which will remain up through the month of November. You can give them to Fr. Jeremy or drop them by the church office. Also, please send to the church email your list of names that you would like to be remembered in the All Souls bulletin.

Don't Throw Away Your Halloween Candy

Again this year we will be collecting left-over (or specially purchased) Halloween candy for the Manteno Veterans' Home. The facility serves up to 294 veterans with medical and special needs issues. The residents are provided with meals but not with extras, so candy is a real treat for them -- especially the fun-sized candy bars. You may donate opened bags of candy as long as the candy pieces are individually wrapped. There will be a donation box in the food collection area between the two staircases. The collection will continue through Sunday, November 11th, which, appropriately, is Veterans' Day.

Only 7 Spots Left to Help Feed the World! 

Join other St. John volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, as we pack nutritious meals for the world's malnourished children.  We will caravan from church (approx 1:00 pm) to the packing facility for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Aurora, IL, where we--along with over 200 other volunteers--will assemble and pack meals for shipment to the hungry.  It's fun fellowship with like-minded folks, it's perfect for chalking up service hours, and it is quite literally life-saving, soulful work.  Can't join us?  PLEASE consider donating money to cover the cost of the meals we will pack!  Each volunteer will pack $50 worth of food which translates to 216 meals!  Our goal is to raise $750...that's 3,240 meals. Make checks payable to Church of St. John with FMSC on the memo line.  Want to know more about FMSC?  Check out this amazing Christian organization at http://www.fmsc.org. If you want to go with us and help pack meals, please email Dee McManamy. There are jobs for everyone and for every ability from age 5 yrs upward. Need to sit while working? We've got those jobs, too!  If you signed up for this project during St. J's Ministry Fair in September, look for info emails soon with more details. 

Announcements for October 23

Annual Pledge Campaign
Fall stewardship materials have been mailed. Please give them careful and prayerful attention. Pledge Sunday is November 13 or you may return your pledge cards any time before then.

Vestry Update
The Vestry met on Monday, October 17. The Columbarium project is ongoing, however construction will not begin until spring. This is due in part by a delay in getting drawings from the landscape architect, and partly due to the fact that many masonry contractors' schedules fill up quickly in the summer and fall. However, we are awaiting bids from a number of companies, and expect the project to go quickly in the spring. The Vestry approved moving the celebration of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist to one week later than it has been in the past. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, January 14, 2017. We hope that the change in date will allow more people to come who might have missed due to travel right after the Holidays.

All Souls Day Remembrance
If you have names of the faithful departed that you wish to have remembered in the service, please submit them to the parish office.

Parish Dinner Groups
Sign up for the 2017 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 13, 2016. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael or Pastor Orr.

Happy Socktober! 
(Yes, it's a real thing--a wonderful thing). Come on, St. John's, let's get involved in this easy and great service project! What started in Tennessee five years ago with just a few dozen people has grown to an effort of more than a million people worldwide, all helping to ease the suffering of homelessness at their local level. How can we help? By donating new socks (tube socks are always a good choice but any type is great) and toiletry items (travel size is perfect). We'll collect items at St. John's through the month of October before delivering our collection to South Suburban PADS. Encourage friends, family and neighbors to get involved. Please contact Dee McManamy or Margi Strombeck with any questions or service project ideas.

Practicing our Faith Book Club
Calling all animal lovers! The November book for the Practicing Our Faith Book Club is Two Dogs and a Parrot: What Our Animal Friends Can Teach Us About Life by Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B. Read the book, and then join us on Nov. 17 at 7pm in the Guild Room for our next meeting. New members are always welcome.

Vegetable Abundance
This week:  Kale, Sweet Potatoes, Leeks, Butternut Squash.

Announcements for October 16

Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, October 17, beginning in the church at 7:00 PM.

Practicing Our Faith Book Club
The Practicing Our Faith Book Club meets on Thursday, October 20, at 7:00 PM in the Guild Room to discuss the novel Jabbok by Kee Sloan. New members are always welcome!

All Souls Day Remembrance
On November 2 the church remembers “that vast body of the faithful” who share in the company of the redeemed with the well-known saints, but are “unknown to the wider fellowship of the church.” It is a day to remember, in particular, family and friends who have died during the last year. St. John’s will commemorate All Souls Day with a service at 7:00 PM on November 2. We will name all of the faithful departed who have been buried from St. John’s during the last year or have been remembered in the Prayers of the People. If you have additional names you would like added to the commemoration, please submit them to the parish office.

United Thank Offering Information
The United Thank Offering was begun in 1889 by the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Mission of the Episcopal Church. Every penny contributed goes to grants that support the mission and outreach projects of the church. Handouts with more information about UTO are located on the information tables. We will organize an “ingathering” of St. John’s contributions for sometime in early November so that our contributions can be offered and combined with others presented at Diocesan Convention.

Visit the Holy Land with Bishop Lee
Bishop Jeffrey Lee and the Very Rev. Dominic Barrington, Dean of St. James Cathedral, will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 9-20, 2017. Participation in the trip is open; a deposit is due by October 31. Read more HERE.

Vegetable Abundance
No delivery this week.

Announcements for October 9

Blessing of the Animals Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Blessing of the Animals last Sunday. It was wonderful to share this celebration with pets and people from Faith Lutheran and First Presbyterian Churches in Homewood. A list of contest winners and photos are posted in the undercroft.

All Souls Day Remembrance
On November 2 the church remembers “that vast body of the faithful” who share in the company of the redeemed with the well-known saints, but are “unknown to the wider fellowship of the church.” It is a day to remember, in particular, family and friends who have died during the last year. St. John’s will commemorate All Souls Day with a service at 7:00 PM on November 2. We will name all of the faithful departed who have been buried from St. John’s during the last year or have been remembered  in the Prayers of the People. If you have additional names you would like added to the commemoration, please submit them to the parish office.

United Thank Offering Information
The United Thank Offering was begun in 1889 by the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Mission of the Episcopal Church. Every penny contributed goes to grants that support the mission and outreach projects of the church. Handouts with more information about UTO are located on the information tables. We will organize an “ingathering” of St. John’s contributions for sometime in early November so that our contributions can be offered and combined with others presented at Diocesan Convention.

Visit the Holy Land with Bishop Lee
Bishop Jeffrey Lee and the Very Rev. Dominic Barrington, Dean of St. James Cathedral, will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 9-20, 2017. Participation in the trip is open; a deposit is due by October 31. Read more HERE.

Episcopal Men's Group BBQ set for Saturday, Oct. 15
The prayerful males of St. John's in Flossmoor and Church of the Holy Family in Park Forest gathered at SJE on Saturday, Oct. 1, for a kickoff fellowship breakfast to start their fall ministry season. (Our thanks to Deacon John Whennen for leading our discussion.) Those who missed missed out, though, are still in luck >> The E-Men's group will hold a 2nd, more casual, October event on Saturday, October 15, 7 pm, at Mike Madden's house. (The start time is a little later to accommodate those at Holy Family attending their weekly 5:30 pm Saturday service.) All men of both churches are encouraged to attend -- and to help us decide on a new name, among other charitable endeavors. Who said spirituality can't be fun? Or delicious? RSVP to Mike by Thursday, Oct. 13, and please plan to bring a side or dessert.

Vegetable Abundance
Sweet Potatoes, Cooking Pumpkin, Onions.

Announcement for November 1

Annual Pledge Campaign
Please seriously and prayerfully consider your annual pledge of time, talent and treasure. You may return your pledge card to the parish office, place it in the offering plate on Sunday, or place it on the altar on pledge Sunday, November 22.

All Saints Open House
Pastor Orr will host her annual All Saints Open House at the Rectory Sunday, November 1, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Parishioners, guests and friends of all ages are welcome.

All Souls Day Service: Remembering the Faithful Departed
The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on All Souls Day, Monday, November 2, at 7:00 PM. This is a peaceful, moving service at which we remember and give thanks for the saints of God whom we have been blessed to know. If you have names you would like added to the prayers, please call the parish office. You are also encouraged to bring a memento or ofrenda of someone whose memory you cherish to the service.

ReVive (Cathedral Shelter) Christmas Baskets 
Information is available in the undercroft on adopting a senior or family for Christmas through the ReVive Christmas Basket program. If you prefer, you may also make a cash contribution and children of the parish will shop and wrap presents for a family. Wrapped and packaged gifts need to be dropped at the parish office before 9:00 AM, Friday, December 4.

Christmas Shopping Spree for Youth Group This Sunday 
What better way to get in the holiday spirit than to shop for our Christmas basket family? Meet at St. John’s a little early Sunday afternoon for a 4pm departure. Bring your friends to help us gather gifts for a 5yr old, an 8yr old and their mother. Nothing says “Good Times” better than “Good Works”.

Yarn Ministry Needs the Congregation’s Assistance 
We will be collecting for various organizations hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children for this winter. We would like to have the items by November 15th. We urgently request all the crocheters, knitters, and shoppers in the parish, please help the Yarn Ministry make this a very successful project. Collections bins will be located in the undercroft and at the office entrance.

Parish Dinner Groups 
Sign up for the 2015-2016 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 8. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael or Pastor Orr.

Announcements for October 25

Parish Photograph for the Flossmoor Yearbook: This Sunday, October 25 
The Village of Flossmoor is creating a photographic yearbook. Residents, businesses, churches and other organizations are all participating. Our parish photograph will be taken Sunday morning, October 25, following the 10:00 AM service. We hope everyone can participate!

Daylight Saving Time Ends Next Weekend
Next Saturday, October 31, remember to set your clocks BACK one hour before you go to bed.

All Souls Day Service: Remembering the Faithful Departed
The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on All Souls Day, Monday, November 2, at 7:00 PM. This is a peaceful, moving service at which we remember and give thanks for the saints of God whom we have been blessed to know. We will pray for all those known to the parish who have died in the last year. If you have additional names you would like added to the prayers, please call the parish office. You are also encouraged to bring a memento or ofrenda of someone whose memory you cherish to the service.

Yarn Ministry Needs the Congregation’s Assistance
We will be collecting for various organizations hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children for this winter. The first group we have been asked to contribute to is “SoulScarves,” a human warmth project from Grace Place Episcopal Church in Chicago. Grace Place serves breakfast to over 150 predominantly male guests each Saturday morning. We would like to have the items for them by November 15th. The other group will be PADS, for various people in need. We urgently request all the crocheters, knitters, and shoppers in the parish, please help the Yarn Ministry make this a very successful project. Collections bins will be located in the undercroft and at the office entrance.

Parish Dinner Groups
Sign up or the 2015-2016 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 8. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael or Pastor Orr.

All Saints Open House
Pastor Orr will host her annual All Saints Open House at the Rectory Sunday, November 1, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Parishioners, guests and friends of all ages are welcome.

Announcements for November 2

All Saints Open House
Everyone is invited to the traditional All Saints Open House at the Rectory this Sunday, November 2, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome. Feel free to bring guests or friends. Come share conversation, beverages and hors d’oeuvres with old and new parish friends.

All Souls Day Service
This year we will commemorate All Souls Day on Monday, November 3. Please come for a special memorial celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7:00 PM. If you wish to submit names of loved ones to be remembered among the faithful departed, please pass those names along to the parish office. You may also bring an “ofrenda” to the service, some small memento of someone who has died. Along with candles, these will be placed on a special altar during the service.

High School Youth Group Joins Blue Jean Sunday
Instead of our regular meeting this week, let’s meet right after services and help ready our church grounds for winter. This is a service hour opportunity. Bring service hour sheets (NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, etc.) for sponsors to sign. One hour of service and fellowship rolled into one! Next Youth Group meeting: November 16.

Parish Dinner Groups
Sign up for the 2014-2015 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 9. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. If you have any questions please talk to Gale Michael or Pastor Orr.

Cathedral Shelter Christmas Baskets
Once again this year we have the opportunity to provide gifts and meet needs at Christmas time for families and seniors with limited income. Look for information in the undercroft.

Yarn Ministry
The yarn ministry will meet this month on Monday, November 17, not on their regular “first Monday.”

Ground Floor Opportunity
Ice Cream Social. Cookie Walk. Don’t miss out on what could be St. John’s next signature outreach event: Caroling for Canned Goods on Sunday, December 7th. Join our high school youth in strolling St. John’s immediate neighborhood that afternoon, singing Christmas carol favorites while collecting food donations for the Rich Township Food Pantry, which serves 1,000 needy families. Can’t sing, you say? We also need folks of all ages who can hum, chortle, ring jingle bells, pull wagons or who are simply willing to keep us company. Bring your friends. The best homemade cocoa will be served. Come do your part!