Open or Close Doors?

by Mike Patrick, Waterbury Republican-American (7/10/16)
Fewer people in the pews and fewer dollars in the collection plates are leading to big changes for two historic city churches, as one seeks to merge with another congregation and the other will likely shut its doors....

On a recent Sunday, the ushers at St. John’s Episcopal Church on the Green did something that likely never been done in the church’s almost 300-year history. They threw open the doors so passers-by could hear the joyful gospel music inside.

Worshippers from Community Tabernacle Outreach Center, a Pentecostal church on Hewlett Street, had come to St. John’s for a combined service, and brought with them an energy that both contracted and complemented the more subdued Episcopal rites.

Click here to read the full story, reprinted with permission. Copyright (c) 2016 Republican-American. Read more • Leer más → “Open or Close Doors?”

Prayer of Hope

These playful, child eyes of brown
Sees no color all around.
Black is white is brown is blue.
God, protect these hopeful eyes of brown.
These questioning, teenage eyes of blue
Sees rainbow color of every hue.
Black loves white loves brown loves blue.
God, guide these hopeful eyes of blue.
These fearful, adult eyes of green
Cannot believe what they have seen.
Black hates white hates brown hates blue.
God, be near these hopeful eyes of green.
These tired, aged eyes of grey
Will pray to see again the day
When black is white is brown is blue.
God, bless these hopeful eyes of grey.

- A.F. White Read more • Leer más → “Prayer of Hope”

St. John’s Welcomes Community Tabernacle Outreach Center

Nearly 100 brothers and sisters from Community Tabernacle Outreach Center, led by Pastor W. James Johnson, joined St. John's on June 26 for a lively Sunday service and festive brunch. Our sacred space was filled with the Holy Spirit, wonderful fellowship, and jazz and gospel music provided by the St. John's Jazz Ensemble and the Choir of the Community Tabernacle Outreach Center. The church itself was practically full, as the combination of worshippers doubled the normal Sunday attendance at St. John's. With the doors open on a beautiful summer day, the joyful music carried outside to the Green and caused passers-by to look inside the church to see what was happening!
 
The two congregations are exploring ways to possibly share St. John’s historic building for worship and join ministry. Senior Warden Jay Anthony said, "We're in the dating stage right now." The first date looked promising, indeed.
 
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“An Angel” donates $250,000 to St. John’s
“Un ángel” dona $250,000 a la Iglesia de San Juan

Angels walk amongst us. On Friday, April 15, someone came into the church office saying they wanted to give a donation to St. John's instead of including it in their Last Will & Testament. The person, who wishes to remain anonymous for now, said, "After all, I could live another 30 or 40 years and thought you could use it now." The donor presented St. John's with a check in the amount of $250,000.
Ángeles caminan entre nosotros. El viernes, 15 de abril, alguien entró en la oficina de la iglesia, diciendo que querían dar una donación a la Iglesia de San Juan hoy en vez de incluyendo en su testamento. La persona, que desea permanecer en el anonimato por ahora, dijo, "Después de todo, podría vivir otros 30 o 40 años y pensó que podría utilizar ahora." El donante presenta la Iglesia de San Juan con un cheque por la cantidad de $250,000. Read more • Leer más → ““An Angel” donates $250,000 to St. John’s
“Un ángel” dona $250,000 a la Iglesia de San Juan

Rev. Mike Carroll Returns to St. John’s
El Rev. Mike Carroll vuelve a la Iglesia de San Juan

BULLETIN: from Jay Anthony, Senior Warden - Beginning with the first Sunday in April, our permanent Supply Clergy will be Rev. Michael E. Carroll! This is exciting news for the St. John's family as Mike is well known to us from being a former Deacon and member of our parish. See you Sunday!
ANUNCIO ESPECIAL: de Jay Anthony, mayordomo – Comenzando el primer domingo de abril, nuestro clero temporal permanente será el Reverendo Michael E. Carroll! Esto es una noticia emocionante para la familia de San Juan como Mike es bien sabido a nosotros de ser un ex diácono y miembro de nuestra parroquia. ¡Nos vemos el domingo! Read more • Leer más → “Rev. Mike Carroll Returns to St. John’s
El Rev. Mike Carroll vuelve a la Iglesia de San Juan

Fr. Armando Returns as Supply Clergy for Spanish services
Padre Armando vuelve como clero temporal para servicios en Español

We are happy to announce the return of Fr. Armando Gonzalez to St. John's! "Padre Armando" will serve as supply clergy for our 12:00 Noon Spanish service on Sundays until a new Priest-in-Charge is appointed.
Estamos encantados de anunciar el regreso del Revd. Armando Gonzalez como clero para el servicio en Español de 12:00 mediodía los domingos. "Padre Armando" servirá como nuestro clero temporal hasta que se nombró a un nuevo sacerdote encargado. Read more • Leer más → “Fr. Armando Returns as Supply Clergy for Spanish services
Padre Armando vuelve como clero temporal para servicios en Español

Bishop Ahrens and Canon Hodapp Visit St. John’s

"We're all in this together. We'll see where the Holy Spirit is calling us to be in the weeks, months, and years ahead."
 
This was the opening message from the Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan, in her visit to St. John's on February 11. The Vestry invited Bishop Ahrens and the Rev. Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Collaboration, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of St. John's. About 60 parishioners and friends attended this gathering, held in the church sanctuary.
 
Listen to an audio recording of this event. Read more • Leer más → “Bishop Ahrens and Canon Hodapp Visit St. John’s”