February 13, 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Vestry is pleased to announce that the Rev. Janine Schenone (shə-NO-nee) has accepted our call to be the next Rector of St. John’s. Janine+ is currently the Rector of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego, California. Before beginning at Good Samaritan in 2016, she served as the Senior Associate for Congregational Development at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California, (where she was active in Latino ministry) and as the Theologian in Residence at Christ Church Bronxville in New York. She received her MDiv at Yale Divinity School, where she won several preaching awards. 

The Vestry looked to call a priest who would be a great fit to St. John’s: an experienced rector and spiritual leader keen on those things we hold dear (our music program, our faith formation program and social outreach); an inspiring preacher with a love of liturgy and a warm pastoral presence. We unanimously felt that Janine+ embodies all those characteristics. We give thanks for the work of the search committee in forwarding Janine+ and other finalists to us for final interviews, and we feel blessed that she answered our call.

Janine+ is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked in the software industry and as a community college English professor before being ordained as an Episcopal priest. She enjoys hiking, cycling, mahjong, playing the piano, theater, movies, reading, and rooting for San Francisco sports teams. She is looking forward to trying out her gravel bike on Boulder trails and hopes to entice her daughter, Georgia, and son-in-law Robert to Colorado for visits.

In the next few months Janine+ will be taking leave of her current parish, purchasing a home in the Boulder area, packing up and moving to begin her new ministry. She will start May 1 and be in the office as of May 6. Her first Sunday and Welcome Celebration will be May 12th. 

Please join me in welcoming Pastor Janine+!

Faithfully,

Sue Morse

Senior Warden

A Message to St. John’s from Janine+: 

“Dear People of God, I am very excited to join St. John’s for the next chapter of your ministry and can’t wait to meet you all. My interviews with your search committee, vestry, and staff convinced me that we can do great things together and enjoy ourselves, too. Your focus on spiritual formation for all ages, beautiful worship, outreach and advocacy for neighbors, and fellowship opportunities shows your ongoing commitment to living out your baptismal covenant.

At the same time, you crave deeper community with God, with one another and with your neighbors, and that has been a focus of my priestly ministry. In addition, I look forward to a long-term relationship with you: one in which we can grow together as followers of Jesus and caretakers of the church and the natural environment entrusted to us.”

“Perhaps God knew that part of liberation is confronting anything you might hunger for more than it. Will you cry out longing for the chains that once held you? The wilderness is uncharted, and humans are prone to willful amnesia. We’d rather forget and return to bondage rather than remember and wade in the unknown. We grow numb.” – Cole Arthur Riley, from her book Black Liturgies.

Lent is a special season of the church calendar where we embody Christ’s forty days in the desert. Christ’s time in the desert also hearkens back to the Hebrew people wandering for forty years in the desert. The focus of Lent is often the practices of fasting and prayer, but we can lose sight of what those practices are meant to address.

Lent is a time for us to ask ourselves what distracts us from ourselves, others, and God. What keeps us from loving our neighbors? What internal messages stop me from being my full self or seeing the fullness of others? This season of Lent, we invite all people to join us in asking these questions over meals and during services.

Learn more about these opportunities on our website, or by reading below!

Lent Madness Coffee Hours start Sunday!

Starting this week, we will have coffee hours each week of Lent as a way to come together and chat about our Lent Madness brackets! You are also welcome to talk about other things too, of course, but what's more entertaining than sharing what you learned about saints over the week? And, most importantly, what the saints teach us about living in our times as followers of Jesus.

To learn more about Lent Madness, click here!

Wednesday Night Lenten Suppers

5:30pm-7pm in the Parish Hall

During Lent this year, Rev. Stephanie Kopsch and Rev. Julia Joyce-Miesse will facilitate conversations based on Sanctified Art’s “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…” program. The questions we will be asking are: Where are you from, and how has that shaped you? What have you missed and what have you gained in the last four or five years? What do you need from your fellow travelers and what can you give? Where can this take us from here?

Beginning Wednesday we will gather at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall for a simple soup and bread supper; at 6:00 p.m., our Family Faith Director, Lu Walters, and our Youth Director, Chris Williamson, will offer the same, age-appropriate, program for children and youth while the adults remain in the Parish Hall to simply talk with each other. At 6:45 p.m., we will conclude with a spoken Compline before sending our choir members off to rehearse.

Sunday

Spoken Eucharist | 7:30AM, in the chapel

service bulletin

Choral Eucharist | 9:30AM, in the sanctuary

service bulletin

YouTube Livestream

Youth Faith Formation | during the 9:30 service, in the Education Building

Tuesday

Centering Prayer | 9AM, in the contemplative prayer room (the back corner of the sanctuary)

Wednesday

5:30pm | Evensong, in the chapel

6:15pm | Centering Prayer, in the chapel

Thursday

12pm | Service of Reconciliation, in the chapel and over Zoom.

Saturday Bluegrass Service Time and Dates

5pm | Eucharist, in the chapel

• February 24
• March 9
• March23
• April 13
• April 27

Thank you so much to everyone for embracing our new church management software, Realm. 

As we continue integrating Realm into our church community, we want to ensure everyone can make the most of Realm. A critical feature of Realm is the directory, which allows us to connect better with one another.

To ensure you're included in the directory, please take a moment to opt in by following these simple steps (click here for a slide show):

• Log in to Realm using your credentials.
• Click on your profile picture in the screen's top right corner.
• Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Choose who you would like to see your contact information:
• Select "Anyone in the church" to be added to the church directory.
• Alternatively, if you prefer, you can only have leaders see your information for added privacy.

By opting into the directory, you're helping us create a stronger and more connected church community where we can support and uplift one another.



Once again, thank you for your dedication to St. John's and for embracing Realm as a tool to enhance our church experience.

Thank you from Lu (and all of us!)

Thank You to Our Unsung Hero!  

Today we give thanks for the ministry of Bill Woodward.  We are so grateful Bill has shared his organizational expertise with the parish and in the search process during our Transition.  

Bill has led team-building sessions for our staff.  He taught both the Search Committee and Vestry leadership skills and our own “colors” (or ways of behaving), so that we might more effectively evaluate the leadership skills we needed in our next Rector.  His teachings became part of our language and brought us all closer together.  

When not at St. John’s, Bill serves as the training director for CU’s Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence.  For fifteen years, he has led a week-long leadership development symposium for elected officials (such as sheriffs) at the Marine Corps’ Quantico training center in Virginia.  He also has done a TEDx talk on Preventing School Shootings.

During Bill’s long tenure at St. John’s, he has been a Vestry Member, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, member of the 7:30 congregation, and now, Organizational Hero as well!

We thank you, Bill, for your excellent service to our community!

As always, please contact us at office@stjohnsboulder.org with questions or concerns.

Blessings,

The Transition Communications Committee

Dan Becker, Kathy Fox, C.J. Joplin-Jack, Andrew Miller and Sue Morse

Join Our Choir in Honoring Brenda Kroge

We invite you to join us in honoring the memory of Brenda Kroge, a beloved member of our congregation for 20 years. Brenda, affectionately known as our “choir mom,” dedicated herself to ensuring the choir's presentation was always impeccable.

To celebrate Brenda's legacy, we're establishing a memorial fund to purchase new choir folders. If you'd like to contribute to this meaningful cause, you can do so through Realm by selecting “Designated Income” as the fund type and specifying “Brenda Kroge Memorial” in the memo. Alternatively, you can make a check to St. John’s and put “Brenda Kroge Memorial” in the memo. Your generosity will help us honor Brenda's commitment to excellence in our choir's presentation.

Annual Meeting Update and Election Results

Thank you for your participation in the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 28, 2024. We began with a potluck meal organized by our staff and clergy. Thank you so much.

We then heard reports on 2023 activities from our interim rector Stephanie+ Kopsch, our Junior Warden Chris Myatt, our Senior Warden Sue Morse, and our Treasurer Mhari Peschel. Mhari oversaw the election process and announced that we received 144 ballots and/or proxies. We had 5 candidates. The three newly elected Vestry members are Marjorie Schaffner, Rich Thorsten, and Melinda Wirsing. The Senior Warden, Sue Morse, and Junior Warden, Chris Myatt, were both re-elected.

The full recording of the meeting is available on our YouTube channel.

Please join us in welcoming our new members to the St. John’s Vestry and thanking Rick Collins and Mark Burnett for offering to run. We are blessed to have so many committed parishioners.

Faithfully,

Mhari Peschel, Treasurer

Sue Morse, Senior Warden

Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter, American Guild of Organists

Friday, February 23, 7:30pm



Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter members of the American Guild of Organists will offer a wide-ranging program of music suitable for Lent and Holy Week, alternating with readings from various traditions. Unconventional and underrepresented repertoire will be featured, including pieces by Eurydice V. Osterman, Adolphus Hailstork, Charles Tournemire, Philip Glass, Florence Price, Jan Koetsier, Kate Loder, William Grant Still, and Jeanne Demessieux. Organists Linda Mack, Aaron Hirsch, Isaac Johnson, David Vogels, Lydia Morrongiello, Joseph Galema, Dan Nebel, Andrew Crisman, and Yinying Lo will be joined by violist Matthew Dane and hornist Dan Nebel. Free and open to the public, with donations accepted. A music swap and a reception will accompany the recital.

SJMS Presents: Songs of Heaven and Earth, Loss and Love

Saturday, February 24, 7:00pm



The St. John's Music Society proudly presents acclaimed Massachusetts-based soprano Jane Shivick. Joined by Aaron Hirsch on piano, this program "Songs of Heaven and Earth, Loss and Love" will feature a variety of sacred and secular works. Shivick is a National Winner of the renowned Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, which paved the way for her Met Opera debut under the direction of Sir Charles MacKerras. Her credits include many collaborations between top opera companies and orchestras around the world, including the Aspen Opera Theater Center. We are so fortunate that our beautiful church space will be filled with this incredible talent. This concert is free and open to all, and will be followed by a light reception.

Yoga in the Church, March 11th

5:00-6:30pm in the sanctuary

Yoga in the Church is suited to all ages and ability levels!

Led by Kundalini Yoga Teacher Jacob Rudolph, these yoga classes will be fun and joyful opportunities to liberate suppressed energies––––like fear, anger, and hopelessness–– and grow spiritually. Through the Presence of Christ and methodology of Kundalini Yoga, attendees will deeply de-stress as well as open up to their highest potential. Those interested in furthering their healing journey through the mind, body, and the path of the heart will find themselves right at home at Yoga in the Church.

Attendees will need to bring their own yoga mat and blanket–– a cushion for meditation too, if desired. All water bottles must have closed lids and all minds must have open ones. These classes will be accessible to anyone, regardless of physical ability.

Read more about Yoga in the Church here!

Graduation Sunday

Sunday, May 19th @ 9:30AM

Our Graduation Sunday service will be May 19th this year! This is a special time when we recognize our young people graduating into middle school, high school, college, and/or beyond.

For high school graduates who would like to be recognized, I ask that we plan a time for me to meet with your family to get to know their plans for after high school. We would like to be able to support them as they continue on their path, and this will best help us know how we can!

Click here to let us know if your young person would like to be recognized during the 9:30 service that day or if you and your family would like to volunteer to participate in the service!

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Williamson.

St. John’s VBS Registration is Open

July 15-19th, 9am-12pm

You are invited to this year’s St. John’s Vacation Bible School! There will be songs, skits, fun games, lessons, and so much more. Registration is open now and costs $50 per child. Scholarships are available. If you would like to register, click here!

Locally Haiti and S.A.M.

We are pleased to announce that Locally Haiti (LH) will be partnering with S.A.M. in an effort to re-kindle its decades long relationship with the Colorado Episcopal Church and St John’s. Our goal for 2024 is to raise awareness of the four major needs in Petit Trou de Nippes: Community Health (especially the new hospital), Education ( St Paul’s School), Agriculture, and Girl’s Empowerment. Please see attached link to the Locally Haiti website.   https://www.locallyhaiti.org/ 

Additionally, you are free to contact Amy French (amyfrancais@mac.com) or Dan Mellish (dmellish@hotmail.com).

The Sum of Us

In her book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How we Can Prosper Together, Heather McGhee argues against a zero-sum way of thinking about the needs of people in our society. She asserts that racism has a cost for everyone, White, Brown, and Black. Based on 100s of interviews which she conducted across the nation, McGhee posits that the progress of one does not come at the cost of another. Focused on the intersection of race, class, and politics, she revealed what she calls a Solidarity Dividend; that is benefits are achieved when zero-sum thinking is rejected, and people come together, across cultures to accomplish goals that one cannot accomplish alone. 



Dear God, Guide us to embrace perspectives of the other and work together for justice and peace in our communities. 

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. - Martin Luther King Jr.

Gun Violence Prevention

The 2024 Colorado State Legislature is now in session and expects to consider more gun violence prevention bills. St. John’s Rapid Response Network allows parishioners to make their voices heard by providing input on specific bills that come before the legislature. Facts about each bill along with suggested talking points are sent by email to members who then compose their own email to their elected representative. 

If you are already a part of the St. John’s RRN, you should begin receiving emails shortly and throughout the legislative season which ends in May. If you would like to become a member of the RRN, email Beth Smith at elizabethgsmith59@gmail.com and she will add you to the list. Please consider becoming a part of this important social justice ministry. 

Community, Equity, and Inclusion

The following report shows our December 2023 Year to Date giving and expenses compared to budget, last year, and our annual budget:

St John's recorded a large net loss in 2023. The General Offering in the Nov-Dec period was $115,000 below budget and $294,337 below last year's Giving in the same period. The sharp decline in Giving was unexpected. Church expenses ended the year $24,483 over budget due to unbudgeted repairs/upgrades in the fourth quarter for the security system, campus internet, and the elevator.

Please relay any questions or comments to the church office at office@stjohnsboulder.org. They will be forwarded to the appropriate Finance Committee member.

Prayers Are Requested For:

All who are suffering in the wake of violence or natural disasters, all who are serving in the military; all who are distressed in mind, body, or spirit; and members of our parish family including:

Short-term: Shari, Ren, Priscilla, Kris, Velia, Sunny, JD, Sadie, Mary Scott, Jim, Alexis, Eileen, Jane, Lucy, Jordan, Elizabeth, Bruce, Steve, Leanne, David and family, Chuck, Charee, Ben, and Teague.

Long-term: The Rt. Rev. Kimberly (Kym) Lucas, Jan, Jo Ann, Roma, Doug, Charlie, Pete, Kathy, Kathleen, Colleen, Doyle, Bob, Ted, Tom, John, Tom, Tracey, Elizabeth, Davis, Sydney, Celia, Martin, Jeff, Martin, Jim, Sally, and our Seminarian Cate, her husband Chris, and their two daughters, Charlotte and Mary.

We pray for the repose of the souls of: Robert John Don Glendinning, Shirley Jane McDowell, Barbara Webster Parriot

We honor Christ’s light within those celebrating birthdays: 16: Susan Purcell, Gracie Harding; 19: Rev. Will Reller, Rev. Julia Joyce-Miesse; 20: Bo Stephens, Bibiana Vellandi; 21: Scott Martin; 22: Julie Coker, Peggy LeMone

We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of our brothers and sisters in Christ: John Taylor, Carson Taylor, Maria Taylor, Cole Taylor, Eileen Taylor, Gene Taylor, Yvonne Telep, Clara Thomas, Wayne Thomas, Drew Thomas