This Week (August 16, 2015) at St. John’s

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Episcopalians are sometimes jokingly called “Whiskeypalians” as we are not one of the historical temperance churches that strongly reject the consumption of alcohol. Although we are not a temperance church, we do encourage restraint in consumption and acknowledge the addicting nature of alcohol. At the recent General Convention two resolutions, A158 – Task Force to Review and Revise Policy on substance abuse, addiction and recovery and A159 – The Role of the Church in the Culture of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, were passed to address the issue of alcoholism and drug addiction and the church’s role in these problems. The full text of the resolutions is linked and is worthy of thoughtful reading, reflection, and discussion. Resolution A158 has the following well worded statement:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that the 78th General Convention acknowledge The Episcopal Church’s long-standing tolerance for the use of alcohol which, in some cases, has contributed to its misuse, and has undermined a climate of wholeness and holiness for all; that our Church culture too often avoids hard conversations about alcohol use, and the role of forgiveness and compassion in healing and recovery; and that The Episcopal Church now commits to create a new normal in our relationship with alcohol. We aspire to be a place in which conversations about alcohol, substance misuse, or addiction are not simply about treatment but about renewal, justice, wholeness, and healing. We affirm that Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church has long been and continues to be a valuable resource for this work

What role has alcohol and alcoholism played in your life? In what ways do Resolutions A158 and A159 challenge and comfort you? How might St. John’s implement Resolutions A158 and A159 in our common life and ministry?

News & Notes

Pastoral Needs: If a pastoral need arises, please call the church office at 606-528-1659 and leave a message. Voicemail messages will automatically be forwarded to a member of the vestry who can arrange pastoral care. You may also contact the senior warden, Bruce W. Cory, by phone at 440-227-0035 or by e-mail at bwcory@gmail.com

Next Sunday: We will be having a service of Holy Eucharist (communion). The Rev. Terry Taylor will be presiding.

Adult Forum: Each Sunday through July we continue a summer series on the Gospel of Mark.

Al-Anon Family Group:  An Al-Anon Family Group will meet in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

Wednesday Fellowship: Gather at 6pm on Wednesday evenings for a service and fellowship.

Fun, fun, fun.  The next Family Game Night is August 28, 6:30 – 8:30pm.  Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks.  Pizza will be provided.

The vestry has voted to keep a supply of 5 $20.00 Kroger gift cards each month available to distribute to people who call for food or fuel assistance. If you would like to contribute toward this outreach, please mark your contribution as “Outreach”.

July

2015

(4 Sundays)

BudgetYTD ActualYTD MonthlyBudget

Actual

Monthly

Total Revenue

$30,115

$32,011 $4,302

$2,529

Total Expense

$30,115

$30,022 $4,302

$3,061

Difference $1,989 0

-$532

 

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