__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Rev. David R. Stock - Rector
The Rev. Dana Orwig – Deacon
The Rev. John P. Ryan – Rector
Emeritus
Cynthia Cortright
D.M.A. - Organist / Choir Director
Mr. Jim Powell –
Interim Head of St. John's Episcopal School
Mrs. Martha Smith
– Parish Secretary
SUMMER
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
9:15 a.m. – One Service for Summer
10:30
a.m. – Adult Sunday School
Sacrament
of Reconciliation & Counseling by Appointment
Solemn
Evensong & Benediction - as announced
Summer
Parish office hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday
through Thursday
Church Phone: 943-8548 Fax: 943-8549
School
Office: 943-8583
E-mail
address: st-johns-church@st-john.k12.ok.us
Website: www.stjohnsokc.org
5201 Brookline Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
"We welcome all to live and proclaim the
Gospel of Jesus Christ."
June 2007 Newsletter Rector’s Reflections
This
month we have ordinations coming up: ordinations to the diaconate. On June 16th at St. Paul’s
Cathedral, we ordain “permanent” or vocational deacons, and on June 23 we
ordain “transitional deacons” or those who are preparing for the
priesthood. Two of our own are in this
transitional group: Sylvia Shirley and Michael Stephenson. It’s tough being a transitional deacon,
because you really feel called to be a priest, but you must spend six months to
a year as a deacon. Sometimes this
causes confusion around the diaconate, because often transitional deacons are
viewed simply as being priests in training.
But it is so much more than that.
Deacons are critical to the life and health of the church, and
priests-to-be need to understand that in a hands-on way. I have no doubt that Sylvia and Michael will
do very well during this transitional time, and they need our congratulations
and support!
When I
was a transitional deacon, I had a specific “diaconal” ministry out in the
world… I worked with riverboat workers and coordinated outreach efforts to them
with my parish in St. Louis. It was an
important and valuable ministry, but one that was not always visible to the
congregation. I learned something about the
invisibility of the deacon, being in a diocese that had only two vocational
deacons and little understanding of them among most lay persons. I suspect that even in Oklahoma, where
deacons are deeply integrated in the life of our churches, you can feel
invisible as a deacon.
Being
a deacon demands humility and courage and patience, and St. John’s has been
extremely blessed to have The Rev. Dana Orwig as their vocational deacon for
the last 15 years. In my mind, Dana is
an ideal model of what it takes to be a deacon.
She models for me humility, quiet service and a deep commitment to those
she serves. As we approach Dana’s
fifteenth ordination anniversary this month, I am filled with gratitude that
she has served St. Johns’ Church and School through thick and thin for so many
years. She has demonstrated courage and
truth
telling in a way that has contributed critically to the health and turn-around
with our school. She has taught for the
school for many years and has served as Chaplain to our students and
faculty. In fact, she has connected with
so many of our children over the years that her influence out in the world
cannot even be measured!
Dana
has managed the invisibility that can come with the diaconate admirably, in my
estimation. She has had a steady and
stabilizing presence at St. John’s that has really carried us through during a
lengthy period between rectors. I
quickly came to rely on Dana’s sense of this place as I settled in as Rector.
Dana has been a major backbone in this place and, I don’t think, has always
been valued as such, maybe because of that invisibility factor.
As we
approach June ordinations, it is time for me, and for St. John’s Church and
School to pause and give thanks for the ministry of our deacons in this diocese
in general, and for the ministries of our deacons here at St. John’s in
particular. Especially I give thanks for
the ministry of Dana Orwig and her presence here.
My
best to the whole congregation as you carry your ministries out into the world
this summer as you, hopefully, manage to go on some sort of vacation!
Yours
in Christ,
David+
June Altar Gifts
June
3rd – The First Sunday after
Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Candle – Open
Flowers
– Verna Schrameck
June 10th – The Second Sunday after Pentecost
Candle – Helen Kimble
Flowers – Robbie and Adrienne
Robertson
June 17th – The Third Sunday after Pentecost
Candle – Open
Flowers - Penny Mackey
June 24th – The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Candle – Darrell and Martha Smith
Flowers – Bill and Joan Bake
Several dates are open for candle dedication, which are $10. If you would like a candle dedication, please
contact the church office at 943-8548.
The Guild of St. George
During
the month of June, the Guild of St. George
will
collect soup and ramen noodles,
as
well as toiletry items.
Our collection
basket is located in the Narthex.
June Birthdays 1 – Elizabeth Holmes 1 – Dennis Roy 3 – Logan Roy 4 – Gates Raymond 4 – Pat Riden 6 – Jim Bellingham 7 – Steve Garrity 11 – Jeremy Hammons 12 – Amanda Brown 12 – Gary Lee 13 – Jane Garrison 13 – Dana Orwig 14 – Adrienne Robertson 17 – Taylor Cortright 17 – Tate Little 17 – Quentin Wilhite 19 – Steven Estes 20 – Patty Chambers 20 – Robin Troutman 21 – Pat Greaves 24 – Alaina Chai 26 – Stephanie Barr 29 – Dana Billingsley-Bellingham 29 – Leona Waddle 30 – Patty Lucas If your name is missing from the birthday or anniversary list, please call the
church office so we can update our records.
We don’t want to leave anyone out! The July
newsletter deadline is Wednesday, June 20th. Any information received after that date
will appear in the August issue.
BUY-A-DAY CONTRIBUTIONS
The
opportunity to “Buy A Day” continues.
Your contributions have paid for the renovation of the restrooms in the
Narthex. The restrooms near the Parish
Hall are next!
May 23rd – Richard and Patty Chambers in honor of
their daughter, Christi Hall on her 54th birthday.
VESTRY
NEWS
Your Vestry met on May 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the
John Ryan Library Lounge.
Jim Powell announced that he had resigned a couple
of weeks ago to take advantage of a business opportunity and to enable the
school to have funds to begin a search for a new Head of school. He will
remain Head of school until July 31, 2007. Kay Nelson has been named as
interim head of school. Amber Chai has been hired to teach first grade
for next year.
Bob Wynn reported that he, Stuart Chai and Martha
Custer and about 25 neighbors had met with representatives from the City of
Oklahoma City and Cimmaron Construction about work on the creek area. The
work will begin at Drexel and will begin in our area in March or April.
We will have a work day on June 9th and need
volunteers. The hours will be from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The following mission statement was adopted:
“We welcome all to live and proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” The Vestry expressed its appreciation for all the comments which
were received from the parish. Addendums as to how to live out the
mission statement will be added from month to month. The parish will be
asked to submit suggestions for ways to serve in the church.
As the Memorial Committee is purchasing new front
doors, the new codes will not be installed until the doors are installed.
It was reported that a decision had been made to
move the copier from the office to a storage area in the library.
FATHER’S
DAY JUNE 17TH
St.
John's Bookstore:
The Happy Corner With a Happy Heart
Almost
three whole months without a time schedule.
Oh summer – what wonderful peace.
Looking
at June, we celebrate Father’s Day and many other happenings though I can’t
think of any. The usual for the
bookstore, I’ll find new items to order for fall, so keep tuned into your
store.
We do
have plans for July 8th through the 15th – our annual
pink Bag Drive. Please remember to bring
your donated items only the week of July 8th –15th. There are others that will be using
Wade-Dalton Hall where we will be placing our items and we want to keep the
safety of our daycare children at the top of the list. If you are unsure about
your items to donate, call Verna at home (843-5373) or see me on Sunday. The
list is on the pink bag sign. We do
appreciate your help.
Cathy
will also be on vacation from her spot at our counter, but she will be back in
September.
Our
school cart for next year will be smaller, so with Trish’s permission, I’ll be
hadling the cart next year so Trish may relax from that job for a while. She has been a strong force in this area – so
very good with the students. I’ll really
miss her.
This
also will give Carol a break. She has
been a loyal helper as well. Thanks to
you both for your dedication.
Summer
hours will be as follows:
Sunday
Morning – 9am – 11am(ish) – Closed during church.
My
home phone is 843-5373 if you find you need something during the week.
God
Bless You!
Verna
The
GO Team Schedule (Greeters
and Oblationers)
June
Schedule
June 3rd – Trish
Morgan, Babette Patton
June 10th – Laura
DeLongy, Lura Dahlem
June 17th – Jamie
Leal, Alice Taylor
June 24th
– Stuart and
Dana Chai
If you have
questions regarding the GO Team schedule or would like to be a GO Team
member, please call Robbie or Adrienne
Robertson at 722-9151.
Message
from the Treasurer
Several
of you have inquired as to the status of our loan taken to make water line
replacements and repairs. Currently, our
loan balance is at approximately $19,900.
All contributions to Buy-A-Foot, or donations directed to underwrite the
balance are gratefully appreciated.
Happy June
Anniversaries
June
1st – Doug and Peggy Cummings
June
1st – Les and Linda Ellason
June
1st – Sweden and Angela Hooper
June
3rd – Bill and Joan Bake
June
7th Mark and Melissa Garvey
June
7th – George and Martha Brown
June
10th Robbie and Adrienne Robertson
June
14th – Pat and Terrie Greaves
June
16th – Michael and Jayne Moore
June
18th – Steve and Julie Garrity
June
19th Gene and Lois Lyon
Church
Work Day Scheduled
St.
John’s needs your help at our church work day on Saturday, June 9th
from 9am to 1pm. Projects include both
indoor and outdoor work, so choose your preference! Inside jobs include attending to scratched
pews, hanging drapes, clearing out storage areas, painting and more. Outside work will include weeding flower
beds, moving our service times sign, spraying, trimming hedges and shrubs –
something for everyone! Bring your
gloves, wear your old clothes and let’s
“get
‘er done”!
MAKE IT A “GREEN” SUMMER!
St.
John’s School has embarked on a summer recycling challenge. If they collect 10 tons of paper from May
through August, they will win $250!
Bring your paper for recycling and put it in the green recycle bin
located at the west end of the parking lot.
Thank you for helping the school
to meet its goal.
Corpus Christi
Celebration
St.
John's Episcopal Church, 5201 N. Brookline Ave, Oklahoma City, invites the
congregation of Emmanuel, Shawnee, to a service for Corpus Christi, Sunday
June 10, at 4:30 p.m. at St. John's. This will include
Benediction, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and Adoration.
Following the service, we will choose a nearby restaurant to share dinner
and fellowship. Hope to see you there.
Eucharistic Visitor Training
St.
John’s will host a diocesan wide Eucharistic Visitor Training on Saturday,
August 18th from 2pm until 5pm.
If you feel called to the ministry of taking communion to those unable
to attend church, please call the church office at 943-8548 and let us know you
will attend.
IT’S “PINK BAG” TIME OF THE YEAR
Your
church bookstore is sponsoring the “Pink Bag” donations again this summer.
Pick
up your Pink Bag from the bookstore and as you embark on your summer cleaning
campaign, fill the bag will good, usable clothing and small household
items. You can bring your filled bags to
St. John’s between July 8th through July 15th.
Your
donated items will raise funds for the church.
AN
INVITATION
Mike McClellin and Alice Taylor
would be honored to have you share with us
in the joy of our wedding ceremony
Friday,
June 22, 2007 7:00 p.m.
St.
John’s Episcopal Church
5201
North Brookline Avenue
Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma
Reception
to be held immediately
after
the ceremony
at our
home.