We hope that everyone is enjoying the lovely weather we have waited so long to enjoy. This brief letter is just to give you an up to date report on what is going on in and around the church and hall.
The church grounds were raked up in early May, a great big thank-you to everyone who helped out. At the end of May our Sunday School program marked the end of another successfull year. Thanks to the Superintendents and teachers for all their hard work.
We know that we will need additional volunteers for the SUnday Scholl porgram in the Fall, so please think about this need during the summer. In early June we celebrated the contributions made by the members of out congregation who are graduating from Grade 12 this Year.
We wish them the best of luck in theie future careers. The team planning the Vacaion Bible Camp is full of enthusiasm as they plan this year's new version of our summer time childen's ministry.
There are still some places left for the "Journey to the Promised Land."
This newsletter also contains information about some of the things we will doing in the Fall.
Much of the time at Parish Council meetings during the Spring has been taken up with the discussion about the need for repairs to our buildings.
Almost as soon as we finished paying for the mortgage last summer we discovered that we had a significant mold problem at thet Hall.
Investigation revealed that a number of problems that needed to be addressed all stemming from water seepage.
The cracks in the basement wall of the Hall have been filled.
During the summer we will proceed with repairs to the membrane on the outside of the wall, trenching and the installation of an air exchange system.
We will also be repairing the damage to the wall by the entrance to the Hall. We have enough funding on hand to pay for this work, however there is more to be done.
The rear entrance to the church building needs a new roof and wall repairs, and we need to replace the interior walls in the Sunday School clsssrooms. \
We will also need to install a drop ceiling in the Hall to cut down on our balooning oil bill.
As has been the practice in the past number of years, we have enclosed a special appeal envelope in this summer newsletter for your consideration.
The money raised through this ummer appeal will be used on the repairs to the Church building. With your support we will be able to maintain our historic place of worship, and have a more pleasant place to visit and to hold our mant functions.
We the wardens ask for your continued co-operation to help us during this time of important upgrades and repair to the Church and Hall.
We hope you will continue with your weekly offerings throughout the summer months. We know that people are very busy with summer activities however our needs and responsibilities as a congregation continue even in these warm days.
We hope that you have a safe and relaxing summer whether near or far.
Worship Schedule
From June 5 - Sept. 11 our Sunday morning worship takes place at 8 am. and 10 am. On Sept. 18 we will change to 8:30 and 10:00 am. \
Wednesday evening services take place at 7:00pm. Except during the month of July.
Meetings for this year ended with a supper on 5 June. Mother's Union meetings
take place on the 4th Monday of each month- 7:00pm. for worship, the meeting starts at 7:30pm. at the church basement.
The next meeting will take place on 26 September.
For more information call the branch leader, Geraldine Conners.
The Sunday School program is now on Summer recess.
We want to extend our thanks to the teachers and Superintendents for all the time and energy they have given up to the program this year.
Sunday School will resume on Welcome Sunday , 11 September. SUnday school will take place at 10am. each week.
We are in need of teachers for the Fall, particularly adults.
If you are interested, please contact the Superintendents Kathy Lockhart or Jean Woodend.
The club met for the second annual John Lee Memorial Cup at Pin-Ho Golf Course in Hammonds Plains on Monday 27 June.
In a "Texas Scramble" format competition the team of Don Budge, Peter Simpkin, and George Comeau came out on top.
Members then adjourned to the home of Peter Simpkin for a BBQ.
Mothly meetings will begin again in September. In the meantime, summer activities will be announced at Sunday Services.
The 'Prayer Chain' is a group of people who pray daily, at home, for individuals and concerns within the parish.
If you have a need for prayer for a particular situation contact the proayer coordinator (Marsha Park) who then pases the information alon to the other 'links' in the chain.
Please let either Mrs. Pat Huntley or the Parish Office knolw if you have a pastoral need that we can help with.
If you wish to receive Holy Communion at Home please contact the Parish Office.
This year we are actually going to Camp! V.B.C. will take place on August 12th-14th at Barrett's Fun Forest Camp in Beaver Bank.
The Theme of Camp this year is: "Journey to the Promised Land". We have room for 24 children ages 7-12 years old.
The Camp will start on August 12th (Friday) with parents dropping their children off at the Camp for 7:00p.m.
The kids will enjoy a fun-packed weekend with lots of activities, crafts, etc... and will be ready for pick-up at 2:00p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Due to limited space, we will be operating on a first come, first served basis. Your child's spot is reserved by registration only.
A great team of volunteers have signed on to tech the program, work in the kitchen and supervise te children.
For more information, please call Colette Lawrence.
Welcome Weekend will take place September 9-11.
Friday Sept. 9 There will be a parish dance at the Hall sponsored by the Men's Fellowship. Music by D.J. price $15 double $8 single. Tickets available from Jeff Reid, Bill Gardner & Rev. Cutler. Saturday Sept. 10 Family Bowling at 'Superbowl', 2-4pm.Cost $5 per person all inclusive. Followed by pizza at the Parish Hall. Sign-up at the back of the church Sunday Sept. 11 On Welcome Sunday we will have worship at 8:30am. and 10:00am. Invite your friends to come and worship with us. The Sunday School program begins a new season at 10:00am. There will be a B.B.Q. lunch at the Parish Hall at 11:30am., along with the presentation of our volunteer awards for this year.
Note: Time changed for the early service to reflect updates and reduce confusion
Tangier Deanery Camp is located on 45 acres of waterfront property at Ship Harbour on the Eastern Shore.
Youth camping at Tangier is designed to provide a Christian, fun residential camping experience for children aged 7 - 14.
Dates of this year's camps:
Junior Girls (ages 7 - 10) July 17-23
Junior Boys (ages 7 - 10) July 24-30
Intermediate Girls (ages 11 - 14) July 31-Aug 6
Intermediate Boys (ages 11 - 14) Aug 7-13
Camper fees are $150. Camper Application Forms are available from the Parish Office.
Earler this spring we engaged a contractor to repair the cracks in the north wall of the Hall.
The total cost for this work was $2,100. The Subsequent heavy rains were a good test of the repairs - there was no leakage.
There are a number of tasks to be completed at the Hall:
Install an air exchange system,
Repair/replace exterior membrane on north side wall,
Grade soil/french drain to take water away from Hall,
Replace interior wall (Gyproc, plastering, painting),
Repair damage to storage room caused by freeze/thaw cycle acting on downspouts.
Repair downspouts
Install drop ceiling in Hall
There are also a number of tasks at the Church:
Install an air exchanger in the basement, repairs to the back stairwell and repair roof over back stairwell.
After debating how te funding was to be provided for this work,
Council voted to remove money from the endowment fund to pay for the most urgently needed repairs.
We have a new order of te beautiful pewter ornament of the church.
A sample can be found at the back of the church.
Cost is $8.00. To order please sign-up on the sheet in the church or call Ruth Townsend.
Confirmation is a sacramental rite where members have an opportunity to re-affirm their vows.
The bishop's guidelines recommend that the age for confirmation be 15 years or higher, in that Confirmation is a life commitment for which the individual should be well and carefully prepared.
We will be offering a confirmation preparation program in the fall.
For more information or to register please contact te Parish Office by the end of September
"Whether or not I am there my church has on-going commitments every week that need my offering. My church is important to me, and so is my financial commitment to its work. That is why I use the PAG (Pre-Authorized Giving) system to fulfil my commitment."
If you have automatic debits going from your bank account to pay for insurance, cable TV, taxes, fuel or mortgage then you understand the PAG principle. PAG is a program by which your regular donations to St. John's are automatically withdrawn from your account at your financial institution. St. John's now offers this convenience.
To start giving by PAG: Decide on the amount of your monthly offering. Fill in the authorization form (available at the back of the church) and attach a sample cheque marked 'void'. Return to the treasurer in the envelope provided by placing on the offering plate. If you have questions contact Mr. Cliff Heenan, our treasurer
You may have noticed the work being done on the Uniacke Plots in our cemetery.
The repairs and restoration of these sites began last fall with the removal of the large trees that had grown up inside the enclosures.
In June the project continued with the removal or roots and the resetting of the walls.
The final phase will be the repairs and refinishing of the wrought iron railings.
Funding for this project has been provided by the provincial government, H.R.M and the Sackville Heritage Society.
Is a Financial Campaign of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and prince Edward Island.
The goal of the campaign is to raise $3.3 million over a 5 year period.
This money will be used to pay for our diocese's share of the Residential Schools Settlement Fund, to next phase of the Cathedral restoration and to support new ministry in the areas of:
Healthy Congrations, Youth, Christian Education and Organization Effectiveness.
As of 20 June, the overall pledges to the campaign total $1,734,280 or 52% of the goal.
The campaign is still focussed on its pacesetting, leadership and major gifts. The Every member division willbegin on 16 October and will culminate with a Diocesan-wide celebration on Sunday 20 November.
In the fall, we plan to begin a new type of Youth Ministry at St. John's.
Besides an opportunity to gather and have some fun there will be an opportunity to minister to the congregation (and beyond!?)
How you ask? - Through puppet ministry.
If you like to act but are afraid to stand up in front of people, if you like writing witty dialogue or music or if you want to learn how - this could be your big chance.
Over the summer we will be doing some research into what we need to start this new program and we plan to have more information available at 'Welcome Weekend'.
We do know that we will need some fabric ends and notions to make the puppets (any odds and ends that you can donate would be appreciated) and in the fall we will need some 'handypersons' to put together a stage.
In the meantime relax. If you are interested in donating or helping to plan or getting involved some way call Jennifer Dimoff.
The Diocessan Youth Conference 2005 will take place from 28 - 30 October at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax.
The theme this year is 'RHYTHYM'.
Your life has a structure but you have a freedom within that structure ... think of it like a piece of Jazz music.
The conference is designed to empower the youth of our diocese to continue an active life as Christians in our church.
The Conference is for youth in grades 7-12. We can send 2 delegates as the deadline for registration is 1 September.
If you are interested contact Archdeacon Cutler.
We just received our insurance bill for the year.
Last year we were staggered by how much our premium hasd risen.
This year we have a slight decrease but it is still a big bill to deal with at the start of the summer.
Please Remember That 'No Scents Makes Good Sense' Strong perfumes and colognes and other similar products can cause serious health problems for some of our members. Please respect the health concerns of others when you are attending worship at St. John's.
Parish Office: 934 Old Sackville Road. (902) 864-3154
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 567, Lower Sackville,
Nova Scotia, B4C 3J1
Rector: Archdeacon Ron Cutler
Associate Priest: The Rev. Gloria Lee
Wardens: Mrs. Marsha Park, Mr. Bill Gardner, Mr. Cyril Ruth
e-mail: sjecrevs @chebucto.ns.ca
Website: http//www.stjohnevangelist.chebucto.orgHow can we help you?
(Please detach this form and give it to the greeters at a worship service or mail to the Parish address above.)
__ Sickness
__ Would like clergy visit
__ Would like more information about volunteer opportunities, groups or organizations
__ Offering envelopes requested
__ Change of address
__ Newcomer, Please add my/our name(s) to the parish list