Long time St John’s member Xavier Cook pased away Tuesday evening August 31, 2010 after a long and difficult battle with health issues. Xavier underwent a heart transplant operation in 2009 and has been in the hearts, minds and prayers of the St John’s UCC Community continually for the last couple of years. Please now keep Dorothy and the rest of the family in your prayers during this difficult time in their lives. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
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September 2010 Messenger Please find the August Messenger uploaded here. Find an electronic copy of the June / July 2010 Messenger HERE. St John’s United Church of Christ is holding a fund raiser on September 11th, 2010 featuring Bluegrass and Bar B Q. Gil Caldwell is organizing a group of church volunteers to prepare Bar B Q North Carolina Style. He starts the slaw 60 days before the event and the Bar B Q itself cooks overnight to make it extra tender and flavorful. Bar B Q dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:00pm (or until its all gone) downstairs in the Church. This delicacy will be followed by one of the top musical talents in Bluegrass Music today…none other than Award Winning Recording Artist Michelle Nixon and Drive. Michelle was voted Top Female Vocalist (Traditional) in 2006 at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America’s (SPBGMA) annual convention in Nashville, TN. She has followed that honor by being a contributing artist, singer and songwriter for two of the albums in the “Daughter’s of Bluegrass” series – both of which were voted best Recording Project of the Year (2006 & 2009) by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Michelle has worked on numerous recording projects and recorded duets with several artist including Jeanette Williams as well as Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson. She released her last three albums on Pinecastle Records and she is currently working on a new project that will be out in 2011. Michelle will be joined by a special guest – her husband Nick Nixon who is an accomplished Acoustic Country musician, singer and songwriter in his own right. Music starts at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Tickets for both events can be purchased on line at ThirdHillProductions.com
A reminder that registration for the Mid-Atlantic Youth Event being held July 21-25 has to be in by June 30, 2010. Just a reminder that St John’s is meeting at Deep Run Park Sunday June 20th at 10:00 AM for worship amd music followed by a potluck picnic and games. The church has reserved shelters 1 and 2 which are overlooking the lake. There are 2 small grills, if you wish to grill your own food. Please provide your own briquettes. The address is 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico VA 23233. Also remember that St John’s is now on our summer schedule and church services will be at 10:00 am Sunday mornings until Labor Day. Church Council has announced a Called Special Business Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, June 6, 2010 during 11:00 AM worship for the purpose of considering the adoption of an Open and Affirming Statement. (Please note that 10:00 AM worship will begin on Sunday, June 13th.) Council wanted to maximize the number in attendance at the Called Meeting on June 6th and minimize confusion as to when the meeting would be conducted. An announcement of the Called Meeting was mailed to all members the week of May 10th. Included in the mailing was the announcement of three open meetings to receive questions and comments about the DRAFT Open and Affirming Statement that was enclosed. As the MESSENGER goes to press, the Open and Affirming Ministry Team is considering a few modest adjustments to the statement based upon comments received. The spirit of the statement that will be presented remains the same as the one mailed. A copy of the statement to be presented at the June 6th Called Meeting will be available on line or from the church by Sunday, May 30th. It is as follows: As a community of faith led by God’s love, Christ’s example and the Holy Spirit’s presence, we the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ of Richmond, Virginia declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming. Recognizing that people desire to bring their whole selves to the church, this congregation offers hospitality and extravagant welcome to everyone, striving to embrace, without limits, differences in age; education; faith journey; family structure; marital status; mental and physical health and ability; racial and cultural identity and background; sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; and socioeconomic status. With God’s grace, we invite all into the full life and ministry of the church including worship, rites, leadership, sacraments, and responsibilities as we celebrate the blessings and joys of life in Christ. It is important to note that what is being considered is an Open and Affirming Statement. This statement is NOT intended to replace St. John’s Mission Statement. Our Mission Statement will remain unchanged. If approved, the exact use of an Open and Affirming Statement has yet to be determined. Its spirit is to extend an unconditional welcome to everyone, and to explicitly extend a word of hospitality to certain persons in our community who may not have felt welcomed by some faith communities. Any questions should be directed to Pastor Jon or to members of the Ministry Team: NOTE: This was adopted on June 6th and sent back to Council for any final revisions. Please find an electronic copy of St John’s “Messenger” Here. Fort Worth Texas is the site of this summers Student Ministry Gathering of the UCC and Disciples of Christ being held June 28th – July 2nd. This is for: Students — undergraduates or post-graduates, including seminarians — with a passion for campus ministry. If you’re a Disciple or UCC student at home, or if you’re affiliated with a DOC or UCC campus ministry, we want you at Share 2010. For more Information see the website at www.stepnetwork.org |
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