Announcements for August 27th

       

       “Faith + Science” // Interfaith Forum // Sept 17, 3 pm, Frankfort

Next month, Episcopal Rev. Clayton Thomason, director of the medical ethics program at Rush University Medical Center, will offer a Christian perspective at the SWIFT Interfaith Forum on "Faith + Science." Muslim and Jewish speakers will also join him on a panel to present their distinct takes on this oft-contentious topic. The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 3-6 pm, at the St. Francis Woods Campus in Frankfort IL (9201 W St Francis Rd). Refreshments will be served, but attendees also are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation for Respond Now. For more details, please contact Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. For more about SWIFT, of which St. John's is now a member, go to www.swiftinterfaith.org, or visit the group's Facebook page.

Mary and RJ Van Swol: Calling all Babysitters!

When the new choir season starts, RJ and I will need someone to watch Teddy and Roman in the nursery during the practice after church from about 11:30-12:30. We will pay you for your time. If you are interested in taking this position for the 2017-2018 choir season, please contact me. Thanks!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!  URGENT HELP NEEDED!

We need volunteers for teaching Sunday School!  This is an important ministry that has a positive and lasting impact upon the children of our parish.  Volunteers do not need to be parents of current students, and can alternate Sundays to meet personal schedules.  If you are interested or want to know more about the program, please call Diane Walsh-Madden.

COMING SOON!!!!  

The first step in the search for our next rector is a survey to be completed by all the members of St John's.  The Church Assessment Tool or "CAT" survey will be online for all parishioners 16 and older to complete.  Kick off will be on Sunday, September 10 (Jubilation Sunday).  More information will follow.

An Update from Senior Warden Greg Lawrence

        I am pleased to announce that the Wardens, with the approval of the Vestry, have selected an
        Interim Rector, Fr. Michael Dwyer. He will be starting November 1, 2017 and will officiate his           first Sunday services on November 5, 2017.  Fr. Dwyer lives in Park Forest, IL with his wife               Jane and their three cats. He previously served as Priest-In-Charge of the Calumet Episcopal               Ministry Partnership in Northern Indiana. We look forward to welcoming Fr. Dwyer to our St.             John's family.

Announcements for August 20th!

        Don’t forget about the Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 20^th at 10:00 a.m.!

        

        Call out for St. John's pictures!

We would like to continue the tradition of having pictures of life at St. John's, but we need everyone's help!  Whenever you see a good photo opportunity at St. John's (special event, holidays, good hair day), please pull out your phone or camera, take some pictures and email them to Anne Edwards.  Anne manages the Facebook page for the parish, so she will either post them or save them for the Parish.  And, if you haven't already, please like "St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor."  

   

“Faith + Science” // Interfaith Forum // Sept 17, 3 pm, Frankfort

Next month, Episcopal Rev. Clayton Thomason, director of the medical ethics program at Rush University Medical Center, will offer a Christian perspective at the SWIFT Interfaith Forum on "Faith + Science." Muslim and Jewish speakers will also join him on a panel to present their distinct takes on this oft-contentious topic. The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 3-6 pm, at the St. Francis Woods Campus in Frankfort IL (9201 W St Francis Rd). Refreshments will be served, but attendees also are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation for Respond Now. For more details, please contact Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. For more about SWIFT, of which St. John's is now a member, go to www.swiftinterfaith.org, or visit the group's Facebook page.

Updates from Steve Hofer, Junior Warden

The year plaques of Rev. Vander Slice (1993) and Rev. Orr (2017) have been engraved and are in the Guild Room. The Parish Office sign has been reprinted with letters on one side. Carpets in the Rector’s office and the Guild Room have been cleaned. Additionally, Mary Hofer would like to thank the Vestry and the Parish of St. John’s for their prayers for her recent VNS implant. Her results are outstanding!

Mary and RJ Van Swol: Calling all Babysitters!

When the new choir season starts, RJ and I will need someone to watch Teddy and Roman in the nursery during the practice after church from about 11:30-12:30. We will pay you for your time. If you are interested in taking this position for the 2017-2018 choir season, please contact me. Thanks!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!  URGENT HELP NEEDED!

        We need volunteers for teaching Sunday School!  This is an important ministry that has a
        positive and lasting impact upon the children of our parish.  Volunteers do not need to be parents         of current students, and can alternate Sundays to meet personal schedules.  If you are interested           or want to know more about the program, please call Diane Walsh-Madden.

Announcements for July 31

Supply Clergy
The Rev. Sam Portaro, retired Chaplain of Brent House, the Episcopal chaplaincy at the University of Chicago, will be at St. John’s this Sunday.

Position Open: Office Manager
The job description for the office manager/parish secretary position is posted HERE.  Please share this with anyone whom you think might be interested.

Wednesday Service: Holy Eucharist Resumes
This Wednesday, August 3, the 9:00 AM service resumes its regular schedule of the Holy Eucharist with anointing for healing.

Announcements for July 24

Supply Clergy
The Rev. Stacy Alan, Chaplain at Brent House, the Episcopal chaplaincy at the University of Chicago, will be at St. John’s this Sunday.

Position Open: Office Manager
The job description for the office manager/parish secretary position is posted HERE.   Please share this with anyone whom you think might be interested.

Wednesday Service: Morning Prayer
This Wednesday, July 27, the 9:00 AM service on Wednesday will be Morning Prayer. The Holy Eucharist will resume August 3.

Job Opening - Office Manager

Office Manager Job Description 

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 August 5, 2016. Please submit electronically to:
  The Rev. Kristin Orr, Rector
  The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist Flossmoor, Illinois
  sje2638@gmail.com

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

Director of Christian Formation for Children and Youth

Overall Objective for the Position

Working collaboratively with the Rector and parish members of St. John the Evangelist, build and support Christian Formation programs for children and young people that inform and empower them to live into their baptismal covenant (Book of Common Prayer, p. 304-305).

Goals

• Help children and young people experience the presence and love of God. 
• Help children and young people develop a feeling of belonging within the church community, and a sense of involvement in parish life and worship. Integrate children and children’s activities into the overall life of the parish. 
• Help parishioners grow in their awareness of and enthusiasm for the ministries and formation of children within the parish. 
• Teach children and young people the formative stories of the Christian faith from Scripture and the history of the church. 
• Instill in children and young people a sense of Christian mission and responsibility and provide opportunities to exercise that responsibility. 

Qualifications 

• A love of Christ and a commitment to the church as the Body of Christ. 
• A commitment to children and young people as full members and participants in the Body of Christ. 
• Imagination and creativity. 
• Good communication skills. 
• Good organizational skills. 
• Willingness and skill in recruiting, motivating and supporting adult volunteers. 
• Experience and training in children’s education or Christian education is highly desirable, but not necessary. 
• A respect for, and preferably familiarity with, the theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. 

Specific Job Duties

• Develop, oversee and support Sunday Christian Formation classes for children ages 3 through middle school. 
• Supervise the Nursery Director. 
• Recruit and support teachers and adult volunteers. Encourage participation in teacher training and formation events. 
• Develop and program occasional formation and service opportunities for high school aged young people.
• Communicate with parents, parish and Rector about Christian Formation activities. 
• Ensure that adequate supplies and furnishings are maintained in Christian Formation classrooms. Maintain classrooms as neat and functional. 
• Oversee children’s chapel program. 
• Develop and administer annual Christian formation budget. 
• Attend occasional diocesan Christian formation events. 
• Pray for the parish, especially children and young people. 

Expectations and Accountability

• Work ten hours per week, including presence for worship and programs on Sundays and at least five hours of regularly scheduled office time per week. 
• Attend a Diocesan Training event on sexual abuse prevention. Undergo a background check. (Both are required by the Diocese of Chicago for all church employees.) 
• The Director of Christian Formation will report to the Rector on all program and personnel matters. By church canon, the Rector has ultimate responsibility and oversight for all Christian Education programs. The vestry is responsible for financial management, including salaries and money allocated through the program budget. 

Salary and Benefits

• Salary and vacation negotiable, depending upon qualifications and experience.
• No health or pension benefits are provided. 

Application

Please send a résumé with at least three references to:
The Rev. Kristin Orr
St. John the Evangelist
P. O. Box 25
Flossmoor, IL 60422

sje2638@gmail.com
(708) 798-4150

Director of Music Position Description

Effective September 20, 2012, this position has been filled.

Overview

The Church of St. John the Evangelist is an Episcopal congregation with approximately 350 members, located in suburban Flossmoor, 25 miles south of downtown Chicago. Music is an important component in the mission and ministry of the parish. Within that mission and ministry, music is offered to the Glory of God by, and on behalf of, the assembled congregation within the context of worship. Music unites us as a community at worship, draws our spirits towards God and enables to offer God our praise. The Director of Music is a ministry staff position, responsible for the vitality of music as a component of the parish’s worship. In the Episcopal Church, the Rector (priest in charge of the congregation) has primary authority for all aspects of worship. At St. John’s, the Director of Music works collaboratively with the Rector to achieve: high quality of instrumental and choral musical presentation, interaction and complementarity of music with other elements of liturgy, personal, professional and spiritual nurture and growth of the choir, and the support and increase of the congregation’s appreciation and participation in music of worship.

St. John’s has an enthusiastic and talented volunteer choir, currently composed of twelve to fifteen voices. The music in worship draws primarily upon the historic music traditions of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church, utilizing the Hymnal 1982. The parish and choir do enjoy occasionally supplementing the more traditional hymnody and anthems of the church with a wide diversity of musical offerings. In 2003 a new digital three manual Ahlborn-Galanti Organ was installed in the church. A Baldwin spinet piano is also located in the church.

The choir currently rehearses on Sunday mornings before and after the principal worship service. The Director of Music position is considered a quarter time position (approximately 10 hours per week). Salary and vacation time are negotiable and dependent upon qualifications and experience. Salary will conform to AGO guidelines for a quarter time position (approximately $10,000 – 17,000 annually). Benefits are not provided.

Qualifications and Skills

• An active faith and passion for music as an act of worship.

• At least a bachelor’s degree in music performance, church music or a related degree.

• Proficiency on the organ and piano as soloist and accompanist.

• Experience and competency rehearsing and directing a choir, specifically from the bench.

• Interest and experience in motivating and encouraging singers of various proficiencies. Experience in vocal pedagogy or coaching is particularly desirable.

• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with liturgical worship. Familiarity and interest in Episcopal liturgy and theology are highly preferred.

• Broad knowledge of historical and contemporary church music and other music appropriate for use in worship.

Specific Job Expectations

• In collaboration with the Rector, seek to nurture joy, reverence and participation in music as part of the congregation’s life and worship.

• Select and perform instrumental music at the principal Sunday worship service.

• Rehearse, direct and accompany the choir at the principal Sunday worship services during the “choir season” from September through May. Select liturgically appropriate choral music for one or two anthems each Sunday.

• Foster collegiality, motivate the highest possible musical quality, and nurture spiritual growth within the choir.

• Select and accompany liturgically appropriate hymns for congregational singing throughout the year.

• Provide instrumental and choral music (subject to choir availability) for the following special holy days throughout the year: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil (Easter Eve), Easter Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Feast of St. John the Evangelist.

• Subject to availability, provide organ music for parish weddings and funerals.

• Meet with the Rector at least monthly for planning and consultation.

• Arrange for a substitute organist when needed.

Application Process

Applications will be received through July 31, 2012. As needed, the application process may be extended. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume with the names of at least two references. Application may be made via postal mail or e-mail.

The Rev. Kristin E. Orr, Rector
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist
P. O. Box 25
Flossmoor, IL 60422
708.798.4150
708.798.3050 (FAX)

sje2638@gmail.com

The application process will also include:

• An interview with the Rector.

• An interview with a small group of parishioners and choir members. • An audition on organ.

• An audition leading a choir rehearsal.

• In accordance with the policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check and participate in “Safe Church” training on the recognition and prevention of sexual misconduct and abuse.