St. John’s Lenten Conversation Her stories are known for their shocking violence and their seedy, white-trash atmospherics, but Flannery O’Connor led a most devout, well-regulated and conventional life on a Middle Georgia dairy farm. “Many of my ardent admirers would be roundly shocked and disturbed,” O’Connor wrote, “if they realized that everything I believe is [...]
“In the ancient Church, the popular idea of ‘giving things up for Lent’ was always balanced by the requirement to give to the poor: you cannot claim to love the God whom you have not seen if you do not love the poor at your door whom you do see.” Celebrating the Seasons, Robert Atwell [...]
Lent marks the 40 days that lead to Easter Sunday. Lent is about embracing a downward movement of the soul. Ash Wednesday—February 13—marks the beginning of Lent. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” With these words, we are reminded of our sinfulness and creaturely mortality. St. John’s will have three [...]
Advent begins next Sunday, December 2nd. Here are some of the ways St. John’s will be focusing on Advent (besides our regular Sunday worship): Holy Eucharist on Wednesdays at noon during Advent in the sanctuary of Christ UMC. December 8th-Caroling at the Claiborne-Hughes Nursing Home December 11th-Serving at “The Manger”, GraceWorks Christmas Store December 24th-Our [...]
Ladies, come enjoy fellowship together as we canoe down the Duck River Meet at the Benges’ home at 9am (Click here for directions) Cost: $25/person Daughters 12 and older invited RSVP by September 26th to laurabenge@comcast.net
Here are the details for the outing on Saturday, August 25th: On the 25th we’ll meet at Cracker Barrel in Murfreesboro near the junction of Hwy 96 and I-24 at 9am. After breakfast we’ll caravan to South Cumberland State Park Office where we can pick up trail maps. Then we’ll head to the trail head. [...]
I hope this message finds you enjoying your summer! Despite these record hot temperatures, I know many of you are enjoying trips and vacations; my prayer is that those times will be restorative. I’m writing to keep you updated on the status of our new affiliation with The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). I [...]
Here is the announcement of our new meeting time: Dear Church, About three weeks ago I mentioned to you that the Parish Council was seeking the Lord through prayer and counsel as to whether it was time to move to Sunday evenings at 4 or 5 pm as a transition to finding a more permanent [...]
Dear Church, What a wonderful Eastertide we have celebrated together! How good it has been to worship our suffering and risen Lord together. Back in December I wrote to you about changes occurring within the Anglican Mission, the organizational structure which has been our connection to the Anglican Communion through the Province of Rwanda. Those [...]
Holiday Schedule December 18th: Open House and Christmas Caroling at the Benges Kenny and Laura want to invite everyone to their home for fellowship and appetizers from 3-5pm. At 5pm, James and Jennie Schut will lead those would like to go caroling in the neighborhood for about 45 minutes. December 24th: Christmas Eve Service 6:30 [...]
