Dear St. John’s Parishioners,

We are honored to be serving St. John’s as your senior and junior warden. This is an exciting time of transition for our parish.

We are grateful for your support as we grow, flourish, and prepare to welcome a new rector. Our faith community at St. John’s is quite remarkable. Together, we have restored our historic church, expanded programs, welcomed new members, and remained fiscally sound, all while surviving a pandemic. Our vestry looks forward to continued partnership with St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force, so that we can provide guidance to our parish community as conditions change.

On behalf of the task force, chaired by Skip Foster, we’d like to share new information regarding St. John’s regathering policy.

Over the past few weeks, COVID numbers have greatly improved. As a result, the task force has approved a return to “masks optional,” effective immediately, on the St. John’s campus, at parish gatherings, and during worship services.

A few important points:

• Anyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask is free to do so.
• We will retain virtual services and education opportunities for those who are not comfortable worshipping or meeting in person.
• We will continue to monitor all sources of information in case the need for another change arises.

We join the task force in reminding you that no one should visit campus–masked or otherwise–who has symptoms associated with COVID, the flu, or other respiratory illnesses.

As St. John’s enters this holy and contemplative season of Lent, we continue to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We look forward to gathering this spring in communal prayer and worship. May God bless us on this journey!

Mahaska Whitley, Senior Warden

Steve Peters, Junior Warden

The post St. John’s Returns to Masks Optional appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Updated: October 1, 2021

This week, the St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force met regarding in-person formation and seating for worship. With guidance from our medical professionals, we’ve decided to resume in-person formation beginning next Sunday, October 10. We will also ease some restrictions regarding seating for worship in the church.

Please note that masks are still required on campus, especially in the church, where congregational singing will now be permitted. Masks also help us protect our youngest parishioners who are still unable to receive the vaccination.

WORSHIP:

• Services will return to full capacity (October 3)
• Self-regulated distancing in the church (October 3)
• Children’s Chapel resumes and children will be invited forward for the Children’s Homily (October 10)

EDUCATION:

• After church, at 11:15 AM, Coffee Talk returns to a hybrid format in Killeen Hall & Zoom (October 10)
• Sunday School (grades PreK-5) will begin its weekly curriculum (October 10)
• Youth (grades 6-12) will meet for Bible. Conversation. Donuts. (BCD), a twice monthly gathering (October 10)
• Although some of our weekday adult education and spiritual formation offerings will eventually return to a hybrid format, most will continue to be offered via Zoom.

The post Return to In-Person Formation appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

“Guide us waking, O Lord and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.” - from the Service of Compline (BCP page 134)

Dear Friends in Christ,

The service of Compline is a beautiful lullaby in which we say our final prayers of the day and invite God into our presence before bedtime. At the end of the Compline service, we hear the words of Simeon who, with Anna, waited their whole lives to meet the infant Jesus. The words shared above reflect this couple’s patience and trust in the Lord.

These very same words have been my prayer for St. John’s this past 18 months. Guide us O Lord and guard us all as we live in this community, as people of faith. September kicks off a brand-new worship and program year for our St. John’s community! Several familiar offerings are returning to our weekly schedule, and you’ll see that we have added some exciting new opportunities for your faith to be renewed.

As we begin this program year, I am delighted to share some good news! Caroline Devitt has accepted the call to be St. John’s new Interim Director of Youth Ministries. Caroline is a recent graduate of the University of Florida and a lifelong Episcopalian. She has been serving as a Youth Ministry Intern at Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota (her home church). Caroline was also very active in the campus ministry at UF, where she earned a degree in communications and enhanced her passion for ministry. You’ll be able to meet Caroline on her first Sunday – September 12.

And in October, the Rev. William Trexler will begin assisting our clergy team monthly on Sundays. We’re eager to welcome Fr. Bill and learn from his preaching and teaching!

MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE

Mark your calendar for the following, taking place from mid-September through mid-October.

September 12 – WORSHIP ADDITIONS
A brand-new 5:30 p.m. Service of Holy Eucharist is joining current Sunday worship offerings. This service will be held in the church and will feature St. John’s parishioners sharing stories weekly about where they have experienced God amid their faith journeys. Our Service of Compline, a sung, candlelit opportunity for prayer and contemplation, also resumes on September 12. It will be held weekly in person at 7:30 p.m., in the church.

September 12 – YOUTH KICKOFF
Youth will get to know Caroline Devitt at outdoor kickoff event. Please Note: programming for ages 12 and under (Sunday School and Music Ministry events for our youngest parishioners) will wait to start fall activities until at least the beginning of October, but we encourage you to pre-register now for all three ministries.

Mid-September – SMALL GROUPS BEGIN
If you signed up for a group this fall, stay tuned for a call from your group leader!

September 18 – ENNEAGRAM WORKSHOP with Fr. Wallace
This event kicks off The Front Porch, a Spiritual Life Center, St. John’s new hub for learning about the spiritual awareness and the intersection of faith and life. Register for the workshop today and help us kick off The Front Porch!

September 26 – FAREWELL TO FR. WALLACE
Wish Wallace well on his final Sunday! We’re grateful for his three years of ministry at St. John’s and wish him much success as Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Thomasville.

October 3 – BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Our annual pet blessing will be back at Cascades Park again this year. Mark your calendar for 3-4 PM so you can bring your furry and feathered friends!

October 16 – BRIAN MCLAREN VISITS
Acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren will visit St. John’s to speak about his most recent book, Faith after Doubt. McLaren’s talk is presented by The Front Porch, and it will be streamed live. Please join our notification list so we can you apprised of possible changes to the meeting location and format.

While the past year and a half has been challenging, St. John’s continues to share the light of Christ in familiar and modified ways. Your leadership team is in ongoing consultation with our COVID-19 Task Force and other medical professionals, for guidance on St. John’s path and assurance that we are protecting all those who might visit the St. John’s campus.

Guide us waking O Lord that awake we may watch with Christ. In this season of in between, we look forward to continuing our faith journey and growing in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I look forward to seeing you soon!
The Rev. Abigail W. Moon
Interim Rector

The post A Fall Update from Mother Abi appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Throughout the summer, the St. John’s clergy and staff was hard at work planning fall ministry activities, but the recent surge in COVID cases has caused us to reevaluate how to start these parish activities safely. In-person ministries have temporarily hit the pause button and and many activities have adjusted their meeting format to continue gathering during this time, while other ministries have pushed fall start dates back a bit and are laying the groundwork for the upcoming program year.

Here’s an alphabetical rundown of our ministry areas and how you can get involved this fall:

ADULT EDUCATION: We have moved weekly Coffee Talks online and our Bible Studies remain online for the next few weeks. Mother Abi’s 12:10 PM Friday Book Study recently began reading “The Gospel of Mark,” by N.T. Wright. Together they reflect on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and how that transforms our daily lives. All are welcome! A full schedule of classes can be found on our ONLINE CALENDAR.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Children’s Sunday School activities are scheduled to begin in September. UPDATE (9/8/21): programming for ages 12 and under will not begin until at least the beginning of October. Sunday morning service times will remain at 8 and 10 AM this fall, which means Sunday School runs from 11:15 AM-12 PM. This year, we will have three combined classes (PK/K, 1st/2nd grades, and 3rd/4th/5th grades) that will meet weekly through December 12. Our fourth and fifth graders will also gather once a month on Sunday afternoons for Club 45. Save the date for these Club 45 dates, which will proceed as they will be held outdoors: 9/26, 10/24, and 11/14. Stay tuned for an official Sunday School start date! In the meantime, families can complete Sunday School registration forms online to be ready for the fall semester!

MUSIC MINISTRY: Choir registration is now open for ages seven and up. Our chorister program nurtures young musicians in a supportive and energetic learning environment, while our adult choir is open to anyone who wants to lend their voice in the leading of worship. No prior musical experience is necessary! Choristers (3rd-12th grades) will rehearse on Wednesday afternoons (4:45-6 PM), and the Adult Choir (teenage boys and adults) will meet on Wednesday evenings (7-8:30 PM). Rehearsals are expected to begin in September, and will be done so in consultation with the St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force. UPDATE (9/8/21): programming for ages 12 and under will not begin until at least the beginning of October. All choir members will be provided with a KN95 mask. Learn about the many benefits of singing in a choir by emailing Betsy Calhoun.

Additionally, contact Betsy if you would like more information about Joyful Noisemakers, our Tuesday afternoon program (4-4:45 PM) for first and second graders that gets them exploring, playing, singing, and learning about music in an informal setting.

OUTREACH MINISTRY: The rise in COVID cases has prompted many outreach ministries to temporarily pause their involvement. However, a few ministries are building their volunteer base now for the fall. St. John’s is currently seeking 5 or 6 new volunteers to assist at the Kearney Center on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month. St. John’s has three teams of volunteers that serve meals regularly at our local residential center providing holistic services for those who are unsheltered and financially insecure. Please email Susan Jones if you would like more information.

PARISH LIFE MINISTRIES: St. John’s has already begun forming new Small Groups for the fall. You can choose to join a group with those of a similar age group, with parishioners who prefer to meet at a specific time of day, and those who desire a preferred meeting format (online only). Groups will initially gather in September. REGISTER ONLINE by August 31, even if you were previously involved in the Small Group Ministry.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY: This fall, St. John’s will once again offer “Walking the Mourner’s Path,” an 8-week grief support program. These small group workshops are spiritually directed and guided by trained facilitators and clergy. Workshops will meet on Wednesdays evenings from 7-8:30 PM, beginning September 15. Registration is required in advance. Learn more by clicking the link below.

YOUTH MINISTRY: Youth Ministry activities are scheduled to begin in September. Our 6th-12th graders will meet on Sundays (5-7 PM) for fun and fellowship at Youth Night. And, they’ll gather on select Sunday mornings (11:15 AM) for Bible, Conversation, Donuts (BCD). Plus, special events and service opportunities are planned throughout the semester. Mark your calendar for our Youth Camping Trip (October 15-18). Youth can also get involved in weekly worship as acolytes, youth lectors, and choir members. We urge you to get ready for our fall semester by completing a Youth Ministry Registration form and joining our email list and remind!

The post Ministry Updates (August 2021) appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

At St. John’s, we are committed to keeping our church family safe from COVID-19. Our Task Force consults regularly with medical professionals and gathers often to evaluate safety protocols and make decisions in the best interest of our neighbors and parish community.

We are extremely concerned with the spread of the Delta variant — which seems to be a completely different COVID-19. Due to the surge of cases in our community, St. John’s will be taking additional precautions to keep our people worshipping and safe.

We ask that MASKS BE WORN AT ALL TIMES ON CAMPUS, despite vaccination status, and that everyone within the church community becomes vaccinated if they are medically able to do so.

Please also note the following temporary changes:

WORSHIP:

• No congregational singing
• Limited attendance at services, with marked pews for social distancing
• Sunday afternoon “Said Eucharist” (2 PM) joins worship schedule

GATHERINGS:

• On-campus education, fellowship, and administrative gatherings move online
• In-person Youth, Children’s, and Music Ministry gatherings begin after Labor Day

CAMPUS:

• Nursery available during Sunday morning worship, with safety protocols
• Lively Café staff, volunteers, and patrons remain masked, unless eating

The St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force will continue to evaluate the status of the above changes and identify ways we can help slow the spread of the virus.

We are living through an incredibly fluid and complex time. If you are interested in hearing what our COVID-19 Task Force is talking about and how we can best navigate the situation, we invite you to join us online for a special Coffee Talk with Dr. Don Zorn, this Sunday, August 15, at 11:15 a.m.

As always, please stay home if you are sick, and exercise good judgement as you physically participate in life at St. John’s. We want you to stay engaged and stay tuned, but most of all, we want you to stay safe.

The post COVID-19 Task Force (August 2021) appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

July 30, 2021

St. John’s COVID Task Force continues to meet regularly to evaluate parish regathering processes and safety protocols. As the number of cases continues to rise in our community, St. John’s encourages every adult and teenager, who is medically able to do so, to get vaccinated. Our region is seeing significant increases in the spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and the vast majority of those being hospitalized are unvaccinated.

As a church family, let us together seek out the best ways demonstrate care and compassion to the larger community.

• We will continue requiring masks during church services when we’re gathered for worship and congregational singing.
• Per updated CDC guidelines, masks are encouraged indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
• Out of care for our youngest parishioners, we request that children – and those working with them – continue wearing masks at all church-sponsored indoor activities, as those ages 2-11 have not yet had access to the vaccine.
• Our clergy members, who have all been fully vaccinated, will continue wearing masks when not speaking during worship. And, clergy will resume masking while delivering the children’s homily.
• Lastly, if you are sick, or believe you may be getting sick, please stay home and worship with us online. We’ll get through this together!

The post COVID Task Force Update appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

May 28, 2021

Our St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force met this past week to make some adjustments to our regathering plan. As more parishioners experience life on the other side of the COVID vaccine, we are ready to cautiously advance. While we are not yet moving completely to Level 5, as stated in our Parish Regathering Plan, the following series of changes will allow us to meet with greater normalcy.

CAMPUS: You will soon begin to see some relaxation of masking requirements in small group gatherings, but we will all continue to mask during worship and in larger gatherings, such as forums in Killeen Hall. The Lively Café returns to full-capacity during lunch hours.

EDUCATION: Our Coffee Talk forums will now begin at 11:15 AM and will remain in a hybrid format. Aside from the time adjustment, nothing will change for those joining us virtually, but it will allow those attending in person time to find a comfortable seat in our new space. All other education will remain online through the summer.

WORSHIP: Services return to full capacity and we will be adjusting seating in the church to allow for self-regulated distancing. Masks are still required at this time in the sanctuary. Hymnals and prayer books will soon return to the pews. You will also see an expanded choir, and congregational singing is now permitted while masked.

These adjustments will be implemented gradually over the next few weeks.

The post Summer Regathering Update appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

April 30, 2021

St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force recently met to discuss spring and summer regathering. We will continue to expand the size of our in-person congregation throughout the summer, while monitoring the situation and following local and state guidance.

While we are proceeding cautiously with regathering plans, we will wait to fully advance into Level 4, and will gradually implement changes related to worship, gatherings, and our campus. Capacity at events will increase slightly and you will see elements of worship and fellowship resume over the coming month.

The following changes have been approved and will be implemented on or after the date listed:

WORSHIP:

• Our weekly Healing Service will resume in the church on Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. (May 5)
• Maximum capacity in the church will increase to 125 congregants (in pews). Social distancing will be maintained and masks will continue to be required. (May 9)
• Offertory plates will be passed in the pews during services. (May 9)
• Choir singers will expand slightly. Congregational singing is still prohibited. (Mid May)
• A limited number of acolytes will be reincorporated following training. (Late May)

GATHERING:

• Nursery will be available during the Sunday 10 AM service. Attendance will be limited. Masks must be worn by children age 2 and older. (May 9)
• Small outdoor celebrations will be held following select special services. (June)
• Summer offerings for children and youth (Choir Camp, Youth BEAT, VBS) will take place. Participating families must to agree to abide by safety protocols implemented during camp weeks. (June)

CAMPUS:

• Parishioner nametag cabinets will be open and available for use. (May 2)
• Masks still required at all times on campus, with exceptions for eating and drinking at approved outdoor events and in a limited capacity during business hours for the Lively Café.

We’ve missed being together and we are excited to welcome more members of our church family, and our extended community, back to campus again (safely) this spring and summer!

The post Spring Regathering Update appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

This year, we are offering indoor and outdoor services, outdoor prayer, and online worship on Easter Day. To maintain proper distancing, seating at in-person services must be reserved in advance, and nearly all of those services are full. However, there are more ways to celebrate Christ’s triumph and resurrection:

• ONLINE EASTER WORSHIP: Our 10:00 a.m. service will be streamed live on our website. Join us from the comfort of your home!

• COMMUNION IN THE GARDEN: Visit St. John’s between 2-3:00 p.m. to receive communion and enjoy one-on-one prayer with clergy in our courtyard. Bring a bloom to add to our flowering Easter cross, and have your family photo taken by our photographer.

We can’t wait to gather with our St. John’s family and friends this Easter, where all services and gatherings will be filled with joy, music, and alleluias!

The post Easter 2021 appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

We would like to update you on the work of our COVID-19 Task Force, which has been meeting regularly since March 2020, to work through multiple issues related to the pandemic and its impact on St. John’s.

One key issue has been in-person worship, which we resumed last fall on a limited basis. At that time, we communicated that we would limit worship to 25-percent capacity in our main sanctuary. Out of an abundance of caution and reflecting actual demand, attendance at our Sunday morning services was actually limited to 40-45 parishioners and a small worship party, which is well below the 25-percent capacity mark.

Until vaccines became more widely available, parishioners had been understandably hesitant to return to in-person worship, even with the comprehensive precautions and sanitation measures St. John’s implemented on our church campus. However, as we review trends in worship attendance, we have seen demand rising.

For that reason, we will be increasing maximum attendance to 75 congregants beginning this coming Sunday, March 14. This is still under the 25-percent maximum threshold approved by our COVID-19 Task Force, but it does mean you might see more people worshipping with you on Sunday mornings and at our upcoming Easter services, and we don’t want you to be caught off guard by that.

Of course, it goes without saying that everyone should be masked and practice social distancing during worship and while visiting St. John’s for fellowship and small group gatherings.

In the event that we reach the maximum attendance during a worship service, you may be asked to view a simulcast version of the service in Alfriend Hall. We thank you for your understanding as we adapt to fluctuating weekly attendance. As always, our Task Force consults medical professionals before making any decision on this or any matter related to the pandemic. Our concern is for your safety and comfort.

A reminder that seating at Easter services must be reserved in advance. This will be handled via online registration. That registration period begins this Friday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m. on our website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our staff or clergy team.

The post Regathering Update appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Jesus was born into this world so that each of us might know how deeply God loves us. Together, let’s share in the joy of the birth of Christ. All of the following take place on Christmas Eve.

CHRISTMAS EVE ONLINE WORSHIP

• Facebook
• YouTube

Our pre-recorded service initially premieres at noon but will be available all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This service is full of choral music and favorite Christmas hymns with trumpet accompaniment. Young voices from our Children’s Ministry retell the Christmas story and a special virtual anthem will join St. John’s Choir members with other talented singers from across the country. Have a real candle ready to sing Silent Night at home.

• YouTube

The limited seating at our three in-person services has been filled to capacity, but services will be live streamed so you can participate from home. Join Fr. Wallace (1 p.m.), Fr. Dave (4 p.m.), and Mtr. Abi (8 p.m.) for three unique Christmas homilies, plus a quartet and organ music sharing favorite Christmas hymns. Have a real candle ready to sing Silent Night at home.

• Facebook
• YouTube

Initially premiering at 11 p.m., this special service features the St. John’s Compline Choir of men singing Christmas hymns to end this holy night in worship. A beautiful way to close the day!

COMMUNION IN THE GARDEN

All are invited to visit Eve’s Garden to receive Holy Communion (Bread only) from the Reserved Sacrament, and enjoy a few moments of prayer and conversation with a clergy person. Despite potential poor weather, we hope you join us for these socially distanced way to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of St. John’s on Christmas Eve!

9-11 AM

• church open for quiet prayer
• tower bells play festive tunes throughout the morning
• photographer on hand to take family photos in our decorated outdoor space.

2-3:30 PM

• instrumental music in the garden
• photographer on hand to take family photos in our decorated outdoor space.

The post Christmas Eve at St. John’s appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

We don’t have to tell you, this year … everything is a bit different!

St. John’s holds its annual Epiphany Pageant every January, much to the delight of the children who participate and parents, grandparents and members of the St. John’s parish who watch and participate. This year we pre-recorded our pageant in the church, and release that recording on Epiphany – January 6. It promises to be extra special … and unique!

SHARE PAGEANT MEMORIES:

St. John’s has so many wonderful Epiphany Pageant memories. Click below to send us photos of your children or grandchildren dressed as angels, wisemen, and animals of all sorts, and we’ll compile them in a gallery to share in January. Please send all photos by Monday, January 4.

The post Epiphany Pageant “Reimagined” appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Throughout the pandemic, Grace Mission has continued to love God and our neighbors by partnering with our local emergency service facility, the Kearney Center to serve daily meals, an effort that would not have been possible without the dedication of hundreds of community volunteers, including many St. John’s parishioners.

When pandemic-related closures began, volunteers were unable to help and the Kearney Center staff was tasked with making all of the daily meals and distributing them around town to temporary housing locations, a huge undertaking for an organization that relies heavily on volunteer labor.

Despite having to close its own doors to the public, Grace Mission found a way to continue its outreach to the Tallahassee community and lighten the Kearney Center’s load. They took over community wide meal creation and delivery two days a week. While not allowed inside Grace Mission, regular volunteers realized they could assist with this effort by rallying their own families and friends to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for Grace Mission’s lunches.

One quick-thinking volunteer was St. John’s parishioner John Allen, a Grace Mission board member who regularly volunteered by serving meals in pre-pandemic days. He felt coordinating the PB&J effort was a natural way to stay involved, so he started personally recruiting friends weekly.

Grace’s need for PB&Js meshed beautifully with St. John’s parishioners’ desire to help! Though parish wide volunteerism was on hold, individuals could sign up to help from the safety of their own homes … and they did! John has been overwhelmed by the response and generosity of St. John’s parishioners. To date, more than 40 St. John’s families have personally contributed to the PB&J effort.

“Some of them have simply made this part of their weekly routine,” says John. “And for me, it’s been a delight to drive around and briefly check in with everyone face to face, especially at the beginning when that was my main excursion out of the house each week.”

Since those days of lockdown this past spring, John has put MANY miles on his car driving around Tallahassee to pick up sandwiches. This coming week, his PB&J crew will pass the 5,000-sandwich mark! John reports there are three St. John’s volunteers who have made more than 300 PB&Js and one St. John’s parishioner who is about to pass 500.

John jokes these volunteers won’t want to look at a PB&J until 2025, but there is still a need! Grace Mission continues to partner with the Kearney Center to keep the meal deliveries rolling in so their clients can remain well fed while staying safe at “home” in temporary housing.

Fortunately, John is in it for the long haul. “It’s a small way I can give back and pay it forward,” says John. “Jesus spent time with and cared for the ‘least of these,’ and that’s what Grace does.”

Can we take a vote to rename this effort “PB&John?!”

In all seriousness, St. John’s is profoundly grateful for the many hands that have contributed to this important work. THANK YOU!

The post Faith in Action: Sandwich Success Story appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

We are excited to announce that St. John’s is moving cautiously to Level Three of our Parish Regathering Plan. We are truly becoming an expanded community that is both online and in person. Beginning Sunday, November 1, we will offer three in-person worship services with 25-percent capacity. These services will be spread throughout our campus and will have unique focuses and features. Our 10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist will continue to be offered online.

On Tuesday, November 3, the church will reopen to walk-up, takeout service at the Café and small in-person meetings, scheduled by appointment. Education offerings continue online, and any special in-person services will be streamed for those more comfortable remaining at home. Your health and safety is paramount, so we encourage those in the more vulnerable categories to continue to socially distance. In addition, we are asking all parishioners to please review our “Covenant for Regathering in Worship.”

You are our family and we want to keep you and your fellow parishioners safe. The measures we’re asking you to commit to in our worship covenant are an important foundation to in-person worship. At some point, we expect there will be a positive case connected to St. John’s. Please trust that we will be up front and honest in our communication.

Details about worship, gatherings and campus protocols can be found below, along with a list of events for the first few days of in-person gathering. We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our parish community. We have also begun planning for Advent and Christmas! We’ll share information as the dates get closer. Stay tuned!

The post Shift to Level Three Regathering appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Your health and safety is paramount, so we encourage anyone in the more vulnerable categories to continue to socially distance. In addition, we are asking all parishioners to please review our “Covenant for Regathering in Worship.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I promise, with God’s help and to the best of my ability, to abide by St. John’s Parish Regathering guidelines and according to the regathering phase in which my congregation is authorized to carry out its mission and ministry. I understand the coronavirus is highly contagious, and there is a risk of infection that is beyond the control of the church in spite of precautions that are being taken. I will make my own decision as to my safety in entering St. John’s parish buildings, and for the safety of children and others in my care.

In fulfillment of our Baptismal Covenant, I will:

LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF

1. Wear a mask over my nose and mouth at all times in church buildings, except momentarily to receive the sacrament or lead worship through an assigned speaking part.
2. Only attend worship and receive communion if I am healthy and non-symptomatic with the novel coronavirus or any other transmittable disease that could compromise the health of another parishioner.

RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING

1. Make no physical contact with people beyond the members of my own household.
2. Maintain a six foot or more distance from others in the congregation and understand that all in-person singing will be done by our quartet. While in attendance I will listen and pray the words being sung, and save my singing for at-home worship.
3. Respect any requests for distance, masking, cleaning, to ensure the safety and comfort level of others, even as restrictions are reduced.
4. Immediately notify parish officials if I become symptomatic, if I am diagnosed as positive for the coronavirus, or if I believe I was at risk of infection when I attended the church.

SEEK AND SERVE CHRIST IN ALL PEOPLE

1. Trust and support the decisions of St. John’s parish leaders.
2. Stay connected with others in my community by telephone, email, video chat, or mail.

We are grateful for the patience and faithfulness you have shown throughout the pandemic. As we continue moving throughout our stages of regathering, we ask for your commitment to help our parish family stay safe and keep connected in the months to come. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.

The post Covenant for Regathering in Worship appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

CAMPUS SAFETY PROTOCOL

The following sanitation and social distancing measures were established by the St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force, considering public health guidelines from national, state, and local authorities, and guidance from the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. As we move through the stages of parish regathering, individuals choosing to attend in-person worship services should understand the protocols and measures in place to ensure their safety and agree to abide by the St. John’s Worship Covenant.

CAMPUS WIDE:

• Masks are required on campus at all times.
• Signage has been posted stressing the importance of wearing masks, sanitizing hands, and refraining from visiting in person if they are experiencing symptoms.
• Extra masks are available at the Calhoun Street entrance.
• Hand sanitizer is available at each entrance.
• Extra chairs and furniture have been removed to improve space for social distancing and reduce unnecessary traffic in office areas.
• Ongoing disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.
• Plexiglass has been installed in reception area.
• The HVAC system will remain on while buildings are occupied. Research is in process to determine additional means to cleanse the air in the church and the rest of the campus to provide a safe environment for parishioners.

MAIN CHURCH:

• Prayer books, hymnals and items on display in pews/at entrances have been removed.
• Every other pew is roped off for social distancing in the church.
• CDC approved disinfectant is being applied before and after each service. The church has purchased an electrostatic fogger to apply disinfectant more efficiently than with sanitizing wipes.
• Clergy and worship vesting rooms, including the sacristy, are being disinfected prior to and following each service.
• The HVAC system will remain on and select doors will remain open during services.

ALFRIEND HALL:

• Chairs in Alfriend Hall spaced 6 feet apart during overflow services and disinfected prior to and after use.
• Coffee and food will not be available on Sunday mornings.

LIVELY CAFÉ:

• Tape on floor maintains distance in ordering and pickup lines.
• Order taker table has been placed behind Plexiglass.
• Separate pickup area for online orders.
• Window pickup area behind Plexiglass.
• No tables available for dining in Alfriend Hall.
• Contactless payment. No cash accepted.

GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING POSITIVE CASES

As we move through the stages of parish regathering, we ask that everyone agree to abide by our St. John’s Worship Covenant, which states that anyone attending services or events on campus is required to immediately notify parish officials if they become symptomatic or if they are diagnosed as positive for the coronavirus while on campus.

The exposure period begins two days prior to onset of illness or positive test in the index individual. Close contacts are defined as those within 6 feet of a COVID-positive person for 15 minutes or greater.

• Those who test positive for the virus can return to campus:
  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared or positive test and
  • 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*

*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation

• Those who have been exposed, regardless of testing, must quarantine for 14 days.
  • If exposure occurs, St. John’s will coordinate with the Leon County Health Department to assist with contact tracing.
  • Cameras in the sanctuary will document those in attendance during Sunday services. Due to potential aerosol spread, anyone within 15 to 20 feet could be at risk and will be contacted.

SOURCES:

1. CDC: When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html
2. CDC: Returning to work https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/returning-to-work.html
3. Dr. Don Zorn and Dr. Laura Brock

The post St. John’s COVID-19 Guidelines appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Dear Friend in Christ,

We pray that you and your loved ones had a safe summer. On behalf of our staff and parish, we miss seeing you in person very much. This has not been an easy time, but you and the people of St. John’s are weathering this storm with grace and patience.

We write with good news: St. John’s will offer outdoor, in-person Communion, as well as outdoor children and youth ministries.

While we are not yet moving to Level Two in our Regathering Plan, we are doing our best to balance pastoral needs with guidance from our medical professionals and local government. We are aware that online worship and gatherings are not appealing to everyone, yet during this time of limited togetherness, we are confident that we can provide offerings to meet you where you are on your spiritual journey.

What speaks to you right now?

Below are ways you can BELONG, GROW, SERVE and CENTER this fall:

BELONG

Beginning Sunday, September 13, St. John’s will offer Communion in the Garden from 2-5:00 p.m. every Sunday. All are invited to come and receive Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament, which will be consecrated during the 10:00 a.m. online service. Each individual or family will receive the Sacrament (Bread only) and have time for prayer and conversation with a clergy person. Enter through the Calhoun Street doorway and make your way to Eve’s Garden, where you will find two Communion stations. Please wear a mask and rest assured that social distancing and other safety practices will be observed.  If mobility is an issue, you can also receive Communion from your car in the newly renovated entry plaza.

In addition, clergy will be available to celebrate outdoor Neighborhood Eucharists (limit 25 people, social distancing, masks worn, no singing) at the homes of St. John’s members. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite fellow St. John’s members, family, friends, and neighbors to come and worship with you. To host a Eucharist (available Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings), please sign up in advance online or contact Deborah Dugger in the church office for assistance.

GROW

Children and families can look forward to Beatitudes by Car and other outdoor gatherings. Our youth will also begin to meet outdoors for fun and games in various locations. We will communicate details about these activities soon.

We are also excited to start a new Small Group ministry. Eight to 12 individuals will gather as a group and meet once a month. Initial meetings will take place online. Jesus selected a small group to accompany him during his ministry because such groups are the perfect size for spiritual growth and holy relationships. We offer groups for various stages of life, whether you are single, married, or an empty nester. We also offer groups that meet at particular times of the day (morning or evening) to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. We invite you to sign up online by Wednesday, September 16.

SERVE

We will be partnering with the Kearney Center to create Welcome Home Baskets for those who are moving out of permanent homelessness. Stay tuned for more details and how you, too, can be a part of the “Welcome Home Team.” Clergy and lay leaders in our community are coming together in new ways, as part of Capital Area Justice Ministry, to address the root causes of poverty in our community. On October 21, you can join us for a city-wide Bible Study, during which you will be invited to work for justice in our community.

CENTER

When we commit ourselves to serving God and our neighbors, it is vital that we make time to be still and center our souls in God. Recall the pattern of Jesus’ ministry: he preached, taught, and healed constantly, but he also got up early in the morning to pray in solitude. Right now, in the midst of this pandemic, we are all running a marathon. It is very important that we pace ourselves and rest in God’s love. Later this fall, you can look forward to the return of Sung Compline. These online services will be held on Sunday evenings. We also have a Music and Meditation event on the calendar in November, featuring the words of African American theologian Howard Thurman. Remember, St. John’s offers online Centering Prayer every Monday evening—give it a try!

Lastly, we are excited to announce that the Lively Café is back in business with curbside service. Fran’s favorite menu items, along with family-size meals, are available. Place your order online!

We will make it through this challenging time together. We are so proud of you and the people of St. John’s who have never, not even for a second, stopped being the church. We believe that this experience will strengthen our faith in the long-run and make St. John’s even more committed to loving and serving Christ and our neighbors in Tallahassee and the world.

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Killeen, Rector               

The Rev. Abigail W. Moon, Senior Associate Rector       

Doug Sessions, Senior Warden

The post Parish Update: Holy Eucharist & Outdoor Events appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

The plan is a cautious one and is expected to evolve as circumstances warrant and conditions change in the Tallahassee community. Further, leadership shared that movement between levels or phases may occur in either direction based on virus activity. It is also possible that St John’s will choose an approach that blends facets of multiple levels. In any event, whenever there is a change in status, it will be communicated to the parish.

Below you can download the key points or highlights of each phase in our regathering process or you can read the plan in its entirety.

As we move through the phases of regathering, information will be shared through our weekly e-newsletter. If you do not receive Friday morning updates from St. John’s, please join that list.

The post Parish Regathering appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

St. John’s COVID-19 Task Force, guided by the direction of Bishop Howard, the Episcopal Diocese of Florida and the State of Florida, continues to meet regularly. Rest assured that we are developing plans to re-open our campus, at the appropriate time, in a way that will safeguard the health of our members and community. We will keep you informed. 

Youth Being Extraordinary Around Tallahassee (B.E.A.T.) 

An in-person Youth B.E.A.T. community service camp will not occur this summer, however we are considering options for a virtual experience, which would be available June 1-5. This option would be free and open to all youth in grades 6-12. We request your family’s input for this potential online option. Please complete our survey by May 5. St. John’s offers parents a full refund of the registration fee ($50/participant). If you would like to donate your registration payment to St. John’s Youth Missions Fund instead of receiving a refund, we will gratefully accept. These donations are tax-deductible and enable us to provide spiritual formation, fun and fellowship for any interested local youth. If you choose to donate your registration fee, please notify Caroline Allen by May 15. If we do not hear from you, you will automatically receive the refund. 

Vacation Bible School

Rather than an in-person day camp, Vacation Bible School will take place by secure Zoom classes on Sunday mornings in June. We will gather from 9:15-9:45 a.m., just prior to online worship, for a Bible story, conversation, and music about Loving God, Loving our Neighbor and Loving our Self in Community. This offering is free and open to all; no registration is necessary. As our VBS Sundays approach, we will distribute a link for the Zoom gathering via this website, by email and through social media.

Summer Choir Camp

We are excited to offer this camp for the fourth year running, but for the first time virtually!  

June 15-19, 10 a.m.-Noon, Secure Zoom Classes, $50 (scholarships available)

We welcome children (Grades 2nd-8th) to join in a fun and interactive musical experience. Campers will meet daily with their peers and with distinguished professional musicians, local and national, to learn and practice music theory, play games, and sing. Register online.

Youth Mission Trip

The Youth Mission Trip in partnership with CROSS Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina will not happen this summer. Funds raised in preparation for this trip will be applied to future youth mission trips, and we continue to be grateful for your contributions and support of this youth mission group. Please contact Caroline Allen with any questions. 

Parish Pilgrimage and Choir Tour to England

Both of these journeys have been postponed. The choir will sing in England during Summer 2021 and the Parish Pilgrimage will take place during Summer 2022.

The post Summer 2020 Adjustments appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

I’m writing to let you know about some significant changes to our worship and program schedule as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 virus. I appointed a task force of church leaders who met earlier this week and then again on Sunday to prayerfully consider the best course of action for St. John’s.

Our overriding concern is to provide compassion and care for our parishioners and our community. The changes listed below are being undertaken with the intent of ensuring St. John’s is not a place where the virus is able to spread to those who are most vulnerable to its effects.

• For the time being we will forego gathering for worship in our Sanctuary and will instead move immediately to an online environment. Beginning March 22, Sunday worship services will be online only. Our clergy will livestream a morning liturgy from Carter Chapel at 10:00 a.m. This will be available live on our website at saint-john.org/live and it will remain on that page as a recording afterward. We will also send a digital version of our Sunday bulletin so you can follow along.

• All group gatherings and meetings will be suspended. This includes special events such as “Way of the Cross” at Cascades Park and the upcoming blood drive. Some events farther out on the calendar are currently open for registration, such as our summer camps in June. Registration will remain open as we evaluate over time the status of those events.

• During this time, our physical campus will not be a place where parishioners will gather or visit. Instead we will make available opportunities for worship, education and formation, pastoral care, and fellowship via technology and media – more to come on this in the near future. Much of this new content will be interactive, and we encourage you to offer your own inspirations, prayers and intercessions.

• While access to our campus will be suspended, our staff will continue to work, as they have been as this crisis has unfolded. You can reach the office staff by phone or email. We thank you in advance for respecting our staff’s health and safety.

• Our clergy team wants you to know it is available to you for 1:1 pastoral care by phone, email or videoconference and, in extreme situations, in person. We will be constantly exploring new ways to love and serve and be with one another, especially those who suffer.

I understand that these changes are jarring, as is this entire situation. We know that many of you are not comfortable with online tools or perhaps do not utilize them at all. We will do everything possible to make this transition to online communication as simple as possible and will also provide by request weekly written updates for those who prefer to receive information in the mail.

Nothing will break our spiritual bonds of fellowship that unite us to one another as members of this community of faith. Perhaps this crisis will even provide us with a chance to find new ways of offering praise and thanks to God while also proclaiming the Gospel and serving the world in Jesus’ name.

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Killeen, Rector

The post Changes to Worship & Programs appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Please know that clergy and lay leadership teams are meeting regularly and thinking very carefully about how we can best care for you and our community and provide spiritual care during this time of uncertainty. Our desire is to worship together and for the work of the church to continue with limited disruption.

No matter what you personally decided about your participating in worship and parish life, know that we are here for you. If you do not feel well enough to join us, please stay at home and rest. It may be comforting to know that we are exploring methods for worshipping and gathering virtually. Our staff will be testing live stream capabilities on Sunday so we are prepared in the event we need to move to a virtual church experience.

Health & Safety Precautions:

1. At church, we will continue to follow the CDC’s main advice: wash our hands. Please use the hand sanitizing stations around the campus before and after worship. We will regularly be disinfecting railings, door handles and frequently touched surfaces. Items that can not be disinfected regularly have been removed from circulation.
2. At the Eucharist, we have temporarily discontinued the use of the common cup, although the chalice of wine will be consecrated and received by the celebrant. Remember, the Episcopal Church maintains that the full blessing of the Eucharist is available in only one element; we will provide the bread. Should you prefer, all are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing. We have temporarily discontinued the use of the altar rail and will instead offer standing stations near the altar during communion.
3. As of this weekend, offertory plates will be placed at church entrances so those who wish to give can do so on their way in or out of services.
4. We are asking that the Peace be expressed in a form that does not involve touching, i.e. waving, bowing, or peace signs.

Stay tuned to email and social media for updates and links to resources.

The post Health & Safety Precautions appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

I write to let you know how St. John’s will act to prevent a COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in our community. This is a moment to plan, not panic, remembering that God is with us through all of life’s uncertainties.

In consultation with the Vestry, and taking advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and The Episcopal Diocese of Florida, here are the steps that St. John’s will follow:

• We will continue to take the CDC’s main advice: wash our hands. There are hand sanitizer stations around the St. John’s campus for use before and after church. Priests and Eucharistic Ministers will sanitize their hands before serving the Eucharist.

• To help ensure the health and well-being of everyone in our church community, we remind you to please stay at home and rest if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

• At the Eucharist, we ask that everyone, including Eucharistic Ministers, refrain from intincting (dipping) the wafer in the chalice. Research tells us that the risk of contamination from fingers is far greater than that of sipping. Between the alcohol content of fortified wine, the antimicrobial properties of silver (we will use silver vessels immediately even though we started Lent with wood vessels), and the wiping of the rim, the risk of infection from sipping is low. If you are uncomfortable sipping from the chalice, please know that the Episcopal Church maintains that the full blessing of the Eucharist is available in only one element. You are welcome to take only the bread. If there is an outbreak in our community, St. John’s will offer only the bread during Eucharist.

• During the exchange of the Peace, we ask people to show signs of peace that do not involve touching, such as waving, bowing, nodding, or peace signs.

The clergy are currently working in partnership with our outreach and pastoral teams to plan for how we can best care for people affected by the coronavirus, especially poor and vulnerable populations. We will work to protect the safety of our staff and volunteers and care for God’s people with compassion and kindness. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Killeen, Rector

Doug Sessions, Senior Warden

The post COVID-19 Prevention Tips appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.