Spirit of St. John`s - St John`s Pleasantville

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Spirit of St. John’s
DECEMBER 2014
Just a thought from Mother Mary
As we prepare for the coming of the Christ child I find myself humming and singing
this ancient hymn.
Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding. ―Christ is nigh,‖ it seems to say;
―Cast away the works of darkness, O ye children of the day.‖
T
he mission of St.
John’s Episcopal
Church is to restore all
people to unity with God
and each other in Christ.
Newsletter Contest:
There’s a word out of place
in this issue of the newsletter. Be the first to email me with your find,
and I’ll give you a present!
Happy Reading!
Lauren
LSalminen@Dioceseny.org
Last Month’s Winner:
Anne Seltzer
So when next He comes with glory, and the world is wrapped in fear,
May He with His mercy shield us, and with words of love draw near.
The choice to ―Cast away the works of darkness,‖ this hymn implies is ours. Whereas
the choice to shield us with mercy and draw us near with love will belong to Christ.
Our choices today will impact Christ’s ability to shield us from harm, to draw us near.
Our Sunday Scripture readings throughout this season of Advent would seem to support this ancient conclusion. We are implored on the first Sunday of Advent to ―Keep
awake, for you do not know when the Master is coming’’. Choose to stay focused on
God’s commands Jesus entreats us.
On the second Sunday of Advent John the Baptizer calls us to, ―Prepare the way of the
Lord, make His paths straight’. This is an invitation to prepare our hearts to hear and
receive the Good News of God’s grace and forgiveness.
On the third Sunday of Advent we are again called by John the Baptizer to ―make
straight the way of the Lord‖ as he describes his call by God to be the ―…voice of one
crying in the wilderness.‖ John demands our attention to the choices we make. John
demands we become aware of the gods we serve. John demands we repent and return
to God; to be shielded from harm and with words of love drawn near.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent we hear Mary say yes to God’s call to be theotokos,
bearer of God into the world. ―Here am I, the servant of the Lord‖. Mary answers, ―let
it be with me according to your word.‖ Mary made a choice to ―cast away the works of
darkness,‖ to be shielded and to draw near to God’s love. In doing so Mary brings us to
a place where we too might hear the Holy speak in our own lives and choose to say yes
as well.
Remember to breathe in the Christ as we move through Advent so that you may be
prepared to hear and receive the infant Christ on Christmas Day. Prepare your hearts
by taking time to pray, to gather in worship and song. May you hear the angels voices,
hear the thrilling voices singing, ―Christ is nigh!‖
May the peace of Christ be with you as you prepare for Christmas. May God bless you
all.
Mother Mary+
PAGE 2
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
DECEMBER 2014
We have acolytes at St. John’s now! Thanks to the patience
and dedication of Patricia Goubil-Gambrell in training these young
people. For those of you who do not know, Patricia hails from Austin, Texas where she was an active member of All Saints’ Episcopal
Church. Two years ago she traveled east of the Sabine to help with
her granddaughter (Alexandra), while her daughter (Leigh) went
back to school.
After serving as Senior Warden at All Saints’, and with the call of
a new rector, Patricia turned her attention to the acolytes and became the Acolyte Director. Maybe her years as a university professor, where she supported and nurtured young people, brought her to
this ministry. In any event, it’s a strong call.
Patricia says ―The acolytes represent the next generation of
Episcopalians. We know our denomination is shrinking. I am
aware of several efforts in the Diocese of Texas to engage the twenties and thirties set, as well as people who feel uncomfortable in a
traditional church setting. But do we do enough to nurture the children who are already in the church, the ones whose parents think it
is important to have their kids here?
I think it is not so much what acolytes add to church as the
way acolyting enables the 8-18 year olds to participate in an important and meaningful way. We want to teach stewardship of time
and talent, not just treasure. And time and talent is what kids
have to give. It sets the expectation with them that you don’t just
sit in the pews on Sunday; you actively contribute to the worship
experience. The youth are the next generation of vestry members,
lay readers, and chalice bearers.‖
The second weekend of October found Patricia at the Washington National Cathedral for the National Acolyte
Festival, which has been held for over 30 years. Acolytes from many states attend. It is a festival dedicated to honoring the contributions of acolytes. This year there were approximately 700 acolytes, representing 92 parishes from 21
states. The Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori presided, delivered the homily and celebrated
communion. In addition to feeling special as they participated in a procession in the National Cathedral, acolytes also
learned good comportment and teamwork, by seeing the Cathedral acolytes in action. Sometimes ―seeing‖ is more
powerful than words — seeing the varieties of vestments and assorted footwear and clothing peeking out from under
albs and cassocks of festival attendees vividly drove home the message of why it is important not to wear distracting
clothing when they serve.
Patricia is a fixture now at St. John’s. How can you miss her with that little curly haired toddler almost always trailing alongside her? Someday she’ll go back to Austin, but not now. In her own words, ―Yes, I miss Texas—
my friends, the weather, the football. However, when Alexandra invites me in to one of her pretend games, shows me
her latest gymnastic skill, gives me a hug, sings the ―Eyes of Texas‖, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.‖
Maybe we can convince Patricia to take some of our acolytes to experience the acolyte festival at the National
Cathedral next year. We have time to work on it.
In the meantime, don’t forget to say ―hey‖ and ―thank you‖ to Patricia next time you see her.
Acolytes from All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Austin Texas at the National Acolyte Festival 2014
What is God calling you to give?
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
PAGE 3
Deacon Thinkin’
Can someone tell me where September and October went? Everything seems to be accelerating beyond the speed
of light. I know there are twenty four hours in a day but I’m here to tell you that just isn’t enough; at least not for
me, not now.
Falling asleep is becoming a chore…too much clatter in my head, lists of things to be done, deadlines and the calendar reminds me that Christmas is but a mere month away!
The plastic body parts that we had spread around the yard for Halloween have been packed away for another
year, the turkey has been ordered and family guests have all been assigned what veggie dish to bring to dinner.
Suddenly, we realize we are listening to Christmas carols on the radio and in the mall.
We’ve begun to participate in the annual ritual of queuing, as in queued up at the checkout counter. There are
times we wait so long that we begin to build relationships with total strangers, exchange telephone numbers and
recipes and in parting, we promise to name our next born after each other.
Reflecting on Christmas’s gone by, when my kids were kids I can’t believe we did what we did. Growing up, my
mother never put up the tree until Christmas Eve, always after 10 p.m. This was a family tradition. I felt compelled
to carry on the tradition (although I haven’t the foggiest idea why). We did this for too many years; rush home from
work, feed, bathe and bed down the kids and once convinced they were asleep, drag in the tree (hidden behind the
shed for three days), set it up, untangle and hang the lights (trying to remember who put them away last year so we
could place blame), use all seven boxes of tinsel (does anyone else remember tinsel ?) and place the ornaments just
so. Next, go on a treasure hunt to search out all the presents, hidden and forgotten throughout the house, the trunks
of cars and the neighbor’s garage. Spend precious time searching for part C of some ―simple to assemble toy.‖ Finally
collapse into bed at 3 a,m,; this was great! This was tradition! In retrospect, this was crazy!
One day, telling my mother about my carrying on the ―tradition‖ she informed me that the only reason the tree
was set up on Christmas Eve was because a tree could be bought for twenty-five cents (honest) after 10 p.m. on
Christmas Eve, just about what we could afford at the time. So much for tradition.
It has taken a while but over the years I’ve gradually learned and understand what Christmas is really all about;
it is, at least for me, experiencing the awesomeness of God’s presence. In this Advent season, wherever you look,
whatever you hear: see and listen…
He is there in a child’s innocence, in the twinkle of an old man’s eyes.
He is there in a gentle touch, in the morning sunrise.
He is there in the pain of grief, in the friendships shared.
He is there in the tears of joy, in the anguish of despair.
He is there in the knowing smile, in the memories of childhood.
He is there in another’s love, in the stillness and the darkness of night.
He is there in the glow of the stars, in the gasp of fear.
He is there in the cry of hopelessness, in the promise of tomorrow.
He is there in the hearts of the lost, in the crystal clarity of truth.
He is there in the canyon of loneliness, in the radiance of moonlight.
He is there in words of comfort, in the warmth of a hug.
He is there in the gift of giving, in the oneness of humanity.
He is here, He is here!
Gods’ peace,
—Deacon Lynn
PAGE 4
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
DECEMBER 2014
News from St. John’s Vestry

Update on savings for the Church, Parish Hall
and the Rectory: Following actions recommended in the Energy Cost Reduction Report
St. John’s had prepared last December, electricity use has decreased nearly 20% in all
three locations for the last eleven months.
After installing LED lighting and updated fluorescent lighting throughout the Church and
the Parish Hall last March, electrical energy
use has decreased 43.8% in the last eight
months.

A Finance Committee comprised of vestry and
non-vestry members will review the budget and make recommendations. This is part of the ongoing short range financial planning for St. John’s.

A Committee will be convened to look at long range financial planning.

The Vestry has passed a motion to tithe 10% of net proceeds from all fundraisers. Donations will
go to the Outreach Committee and be disseminated after discussion and vote.
St. Nicholas Visits St. John’s
Can you help out in the
office at St. John’s on Friday’s for about an hour or
two, starting around noon?
There are some tasks that
take place on Fridays that
would go a lot faster with
a few more pairs of toes.
Call Liz or Mother Mary, or just show up.
Free money for St. John’s!
Amazon.com—shop through the St. John’s website www.stjohnspleasantville.org
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
Please join us at
St. John’s Church
Christmas Fare and get
into the holiday spirit!
Saturday, December 6th
5:30—9:00 PM
Family Fun-Dinner-Music-Bingo-Shopping
Entertainment for kids
$45/adults and teens 14 and older
(includes 1 Bingo card)
$5/children 5 and older
RSVP by 11/30 to Melissa Murphy at
tmmurf@optonline.net/769-5932
Also, please let us know if you have something you
would like to donate for Bingo prizes
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
DECEMBER 2014
Report on the 2014 Diocese of NY Convention
The 2014 Diocese of NY Convention met on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, at
the Tarrytown Marriott. It felt like any other professional conference except about 50% of
the attendees wore collars. St. John’s was represented by Mother Mary, Deacon Lynn, and
Patricia Goubil-Gambrell.
Bishops’ Addresses to the Convention
Both the bishops gave addresses. Bishop Shin focused on two seminal experiences in past year that have influenced his thinking about what his focus should be. He recounted the influence of taking a pilgrimage related to Jonathan Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian killed while doing civil rights work in the 60s, and he mentioned mediation
training that he had taken. As result of these experiences, he thinks justice and reconciliation should be his focus as
bishop.
Bishop Dietsche spoke on many topics notably the importance of Latino ministry and congregations in the diocese;
his desire to revitalize or reconstitute Committee on Environment and explore divestment in fossil fuels in order to
make social responsible investment decisions; and issues social justice, particularly the wealth gap mirrored in our
diocesan life. He plans to work on a strategic plan for diocese during 2015 and possibly early 2016. He concluded by
stating that the Diocese of NY is stable, but unsustainable. He wants to have conversations with groups across the
diocese—urban and rural, large and small—to see with our eyes, know what we know about the church.
Workshops
Concurrent workshops were offered on Friday afternoon. I attended ―Congregational Assessment Tools.‖ This
workshop covered the Renewal Program. Renewal is a is process where parish examines 1) where it has been, 2)
where it is now, 3) where it wants to go, and 4) how to get there. Profiles done of the Episcopal Church, perhaps unsurprisingly and troublingly, indicate that it is a ―lifestyle‖ church for my convenience and for what I get out of it.
One filter to think about ourselves are the questions: Are we a club for elite who have arrived or a school for disciples
on the way?
Other workshops offered included ―Good Stewards of Holy Space,‖ Spiritual Formation Using Social Media,‖ and
―Strategies Not Tragedies.‖
Reports and Resolutions
Most of Saturday at the convention pertained to various reports and resolutions. A few key ones include:
Budget
Assessments projected not to be paid in 2015= $1,873,800 (20% of total assessments). The Adjustment Board
working with the congregations in arrears.
Mission church becomes parish
St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson in New Hamburg culminated an eight year process of transitioning from a mission
church to a parish. They started with 12 people who donated enough money for a half-time salary. They grew from
50 to 250 members and from 24 to 70 pledging units.
Health Insurance: Revise Clergy Compensation Guidelines
General Convention has required parity for lay and clergy employees working at least three-fourths time
―Cadillac Tax‖ provision of the Affordable Care Act will be effective in 2018, requiring employers to pay a 40% tax on
their contributions to health care coverage exceeding $10,200 (single) or $27,500 (family)
Unintended consequences include smaller parishes going to part time rector and prohibitively large increase to
parishes that run day schools. Resolution was tabled for further research and discussion.
Credit Union: Establish a Community Development Low-Income Credit Union
One person in 12 is unbanked in US. In NY, one third of the population does not have access to basic banking services. As a result, people have to resort to predatory lenders. Banks represent an element of economic opportunity.
As an issue of social justice, this resolution seeks to develop a Community Development Low-Income Credit Union.
The plan includes raising $500K for operating costs and $2M in deposits in order to qualify for FDIC insurance. These monies will not come from the diocesan budget; the hope is that parishes will invest from their endowments to
make the credit union a reality.
Further Information
To view the bishops’ addresses, election to diocesan committee results, and resolutions, please see link at this URL:
http://episcopaldioceseofnewyork.org/pages/539-the-238th-diocesan-convention-2014-
Submitted By: Patricia Goubil-Gambrell
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
Christmas Giving
A-Home Donations: Check with Rosemary Carlough to see what is still needed. E-Mail:
rpkcarl@verizon.net
Episcopal Relief and Development: You can buy
a goat, flock of chickens, and many other things
which will enrich a person or community in the developing world. Go to:
www.episcopalrelief.org/giftsforlife
PAGE 7
Nightwatch at the Cathedral
On a Friday night in November, members of St. John’s
Confirmation Class traveled to the Cathedral of St. John
the Divine to participate in Nightwatch, a sleepover program sponsored by Cathedral staff. Participants included Olivia Ashton, Charlotte Berg, Ellen Ferranto, Erik
Johnson, Chris May, Sara Wike and were accompanied
by Mother Mary and Debbie Paruolo.
The Journey Begins
St. John’s: Special gifts may be made to the music
fund or altar guild. Just indicate on the memo line of
your check if you would like to make a special donation.
A Guardian Angel
Participants
Christmas Trees
The proceeds from selling trees comprises a
significant part of our income, and it’s all
based on the kindness of volunteers. Please
consider helping in any way you can—sell
trees, provide lunch, work as cashier. To help
with food, please contact Joan Scire-Vitkevich
at 747-9220.
Hours of Sale at the Methodist Church:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
3:30pm-7pm
3:30pm-7pm
9am-6pm
12:00noon-6pm
Charlotte Reads Her
Poetic Offering
The Light of Christ
Shines for Us All
PAGE 8
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
DECEMBER 2014
Pleasantville Community Garden at St. John's Has Bountiful First Year!
With the help of our amazing supporters, Pleasantville Community Garden at St.
John’s donated 1,150 pounds of fresh produce in its first season of operation!
100% of the produce grown was donated to Hillside Food Outreach in Pleasantville,
which serves more 2,100 Westchester County residents in need. The first year was so
successful that produce donated by the Garden accounted for about 20% of Hillside's
produce needs during the growing season.
Next year, the Garden will expand operations with added growing space at the Pleasantville Middle School and High School teaching gardens, and has set a target to delive
more than a ton of fresh produce to those in need in 2015!
Here are some highlights from year one of Pleasantville Community Garden at St.
John's:

Donated 1,150pounds of fresh produce to Hillside Food Outreach

In September, Pleasantville Farmers Market partnership to gather excess produce to add in with our harvest -gathered an additional 340 pounds in just our first 6 weeks!
 Garden volunteers traveled to St. Ann's Church in the Bronx and spent a morning to help revitalize their declining and overgrown children's garden as well as bringing 15 full bags of groceries for their food pantry/soup kitchen.
Partnered with Pleasantville Cleaners to deliver food from their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to Hillside - the
food drive yielded 80 turkeys and 10 grocery carts full of dry/canned goods
We would like to especially thank Mother Mary Gregorius and St. John's Vestry for their early backing of the idea
and indispensable support in making the giving garden a reality as well as all of our amazing supporters from St.
John's and the community. We couldn't have done it without you!
As we expand operations and aim to double our produce donations to the hungry of Westchester County,
we really need more volunteers and support! There are lots of ways the St. John's community can help, even if
you are not a gardener. Here is what we need:
-Garden volunteers (weeding, watering, harvesting during the season)
-Communications volunteer (getting press, writing press releases, getting the word out about the garden in other
sources)
-Transportation (driving the vegetables to Hillside)
-Garden maintenance/building (help with repairs, sprucing up, etc.)
For more information on volunteering, please contact Margot Juros (margot_hoffman@hotmail.com) or Mother Mary
Supporters building the Garden May 2014
Harvesting the Garden
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
PAGE 9
COMMENTARY
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated
against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting
ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach
house in Malibu. If people want a nativity scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards
away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea
where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I
don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't
allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering
where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a
joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get
out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.And being the gentleman He is, I believe He
has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us
alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare
(she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said
OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal,
and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert
should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why
it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE
REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages
regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is
suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not
sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and
complain about what a bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
PAGE 10
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
DECEMBER 2014
Consecration Sunday Initial Wrap Up
Dear Members and Friends of St. John's Episcopal Church,
The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everybody that attended and
helped set up the Consecration Sunday service and brunch on November 16th. It
was a tremendous success; St. John’s received commitments that increased giving by over 15% for 2015. Thank you again for everybody’s participation; it was
greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Brian Orlay and Jeff Wood
Stewardship Chairpersons
Final report on Consecration Sunday will be in the January issue of Spirit of St. John’s.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
DECEMBER
5
Stephen Paruolo
6
Barbara Canniff
7
Jeff Daniele
8
Carly Vavolizza; Paul Lisy
12 Ben Andreycak; Jake Daniele
15 Nancy Lisy
18 Paul Salminen
21 Howard Zweifel
26 Christie Sturges; Eric Mangusi;
Heather Johnson; Natalie Simpson
27 Marc & Christine Vavolizza
30 Peter & Lynn Russell
31 Claire Pickens
What is God calling you to give?
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
PAGE 11
December 2014
Tuesday, 12/2
7:00-8:30 Confirmation Class-Morris Room
Saturday, 12/6
Parish Christmas Fare Celebration
Sunday, 12/7
JEWELRY SALE IN THE PARISH HALL
8:00AM Rite I Service
2 Advent
9:15AM Family Service & Sunday School
Acolytes: Devin Juros( C), Ava Filancia(ET), Julia Filancia(GT); Sarah Wike(AS)
10:00 Combined Coffee Hour: McPhee Family
10:45AM Rite II Service
Ushers: Lynn & Peter Russell; Readers: 1st Lesson– Pat Orlay; 2nd Lesson-Ryan Fannon
Acolytes: Gregory May( C), Chris May(ET/AS), Matt May(GT)
Tuesday, 12/9
7:30PM Music & Worship Committee Meeting—Morris Room
Saturday, 12/13
3:30PM Confirmation Class: Loaves & Fishes, Trinity Episcopal Church, Ossining
Sunday, 12/14
8:00AM Rite I Service
9:15AM Family Service & Sunday School
3 Advent
Acolytes: Gregory May( C/AS), Chris May(ET), Matt May(GT)
10:00AM Combined Coffee Hour: Salminen Family
10:45AM Rite II Service
Ushers: Roberta Darrigrand; Readers:1st Lesson-Joan Scire-Vitkevich; 2nd Lesson-Peter Russell
Acolytes: Robert Valentine( C), Riley Bates(ET), Devin Juros(GT/AS)
4:00PM Advent Lessons and Carols
Tuesday, 12/16
7:45—Vestry—Morris Room
Sunday, 12/21
8:00AM Rite I Service
9:15AM Family Service & Sunday School
4 Advent
Acolytes: Gregory May( C), Nathan Wood(ET), Matt May(GT), Chris May(AS)
10:00AM Combined Coffee Hour: Wike Family
10:45AM Rite II Service
Ushers: Carol White/Judy Blutreich; Readers:1st Lesson-Robbin Levy; 2nd Lesson-Rosemary
Carlough
Acolytes: Ellen Ferranto( C), Michael Promisel(ET), Will Promisel(GT), Fiona Promisel(AS)
Wed, 12/24
Christmas Eve
4:00PM Family Service & Christmas Pageant
Acolytes: Tommy McPhee( C), Charlie McPhee(ET/AS), Patrick McPhee(GT)
10:00PM Choral Euccharist
Acolytes: Robert Valentine( C)
Thursday, 12/25
CHRIST IS BORN! HALLELUJAH!
9:00AM Christmas Day Service
Sunday, 12/28
8:00AM Rite I Service
9:15AM Family Service & Sunday School
1 Christmas
Acolytes: Alex DeVito( C), Olivia DeVito(ET), Riley Vavolizza(GT), Carly Vavolizza(AS)
10:00 Combined Coffee Hour: Scire-Vitkevich Family
10:45 Rite II Service
Ushers: Carol & Tom Acheson
Readers:1st Lesson-Lauren Salminen; 2nd Lesson-Cathy Andreycak
C-Crucifer; ET-Epistle Torch; GT-Gospel Torch; AS-Altar Server
St. John’s Episcopal Church
8 Sunnyside Avenue
Pleasantville, NY 10570
PHONE: 914-769-0053
FAX:
914-769-7136
eightsunnyside@optonline.net
www.stjohnspleasantvillle.org
The Rev. Mary Gregorius, Rector
mothermary@stjohnspleasantville.com
URGENT NEEDS: 845-546-6398
The Rev. Deacon Lynn Werdal, Deacon
LWerdal@aol.com
914-777-1868
ADMINISTRATIVE WARDEN
Beth DeVito (2015)
PROPERTY WARDEN:
Kurt McKinney (2016)
VESTRY
Class of 2015: Wendy Bates, Peter
Russell, Christie Sturges
Class of 2016: Brett Bisgrove, Carmel Promisel, Lauren Salminen
Class of 2017: Elizabeth Guffey,
Brian Orlay, Jeff Wood
TREASURER
Steve Andreycak
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Thomas Reefer
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
Liz Gillespie
SEXTON
Greg Wind
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Lauren Salminen
WEBSITE:
Eileen McFadden
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Altar Guild: Lee Williams
Buildings & Grounds: Lesley Ashton, George Lisy, John Pickens,
Peter Russell
Christian Education: Brett Bisgrove
Fellowship and Hospitality: Beth
DeVito
Finance: Peter Russell
Outreach: Lynn Russell, Rosemary
Carlough, Suzanne Cortese, Margot
& David Juros, John McAndrew
Pastoral Care: Lauren Salminen
Stewardship: Brian Orlay, Jeff
Wood
Welcome and Marketing: Janet
May, Carmel Promisel
Worship and Liturgy: Beth DeVito,
Carmel Promisel, Christine
Vavolizza
Personnel Committee: Marianne
Aponte, Neal Salminen
St. John’s Church is a parish of the Diocese of New York, a branch of the Episcopal Church in the United States, which is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Diocese of New York
Bishop Diocesan: The Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche
Bishop Suffragan: The Rt. Rev. Alan Shin
A community of 203 congregations covering 4,739 square miles with approximately 600 priests and 72 deacons, with worship in 12 languages.
www.dioceseny.org
The Episcopal Church in the United States
Presiding Bishop: The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
A community of 2.4 million members in 113 dioceses in the Americas and
abroad.
www.episcopalchurch.org
The Anglican Communion
Archbishop of Canterbury: Archbishop Justin Welby
A global community of 80 million Anglicans in 64,000 congregations in 70
countries.
www.anglicancommunion.org
DECEMBER 2014
SPIRIT OF ST. JOHN’S
St. John’s Episcopal Church
8 Sunnyside Avenue
Pleasantville, New York 10570
www.stjohnspleasantville.org
914-769-0053
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