Padre’s Ponderings ~ May 2025

Thank you for a beautiful and grace-filled Easter with all of you! I loved my first of many Easter celebrations with all the saints of John. It was heartwarming to see so many join us for The Great Vigil of Easter and Easter Sunday liturgies. Your presence and participation filled me with hope and joy.

I especially appreciated the food and hospitality after the Great Vigil and after the 10:30 service. Many remained with usafter worship to enjoy table fellowship. I was blown away by how many stayed for Easter lunch after the 10:30 service.Willingness to gather outside of worship is one sign of a healthy congregation.

Additionally, Margaret and Angela hosted a lovely Easter Egg hunt. I was thrilled to be able to see the egg hunt this year,with the timing between the Vigil and the 10:30 service. In previous parishes, the egg hunts occurred after the service,and I rarely was able to enjoy watching the children due to the post-worship receiving line.

For St. John’s to grow in our relationship with Christ, we need connection with God and one another. We connect withChrist through our connection with each other. And so, I have asked Danny Faber, St. John’s organist extraordinaire, tolead a new ministry, St. John’s Fun Team. Danny and others are looking for ways to gather our faith communityconsistently to have fun and to enjoy one another’s company. Danny and his crew are starting to consider ideas for June. I am certain they would love your help.

And…speaking of fun, St. John’s “Grow Church” team is hosting a game night on Saturday, May 17, at 6:30. We’ll startwith a pizza dinner, then Chris Ross will share some board games with us. The overall idea is simple: to have an enjoyabletime together outside of Sunday morning worship and coffee hour.