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Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Catherine of Siena. Catherine was born in 1347, and from a very early age, became a spiritual leader and mystic. She was sought after by kings, bishops, scholars, merchants and peasants for spiritual advice and sound counsel. She advised the popes of her day, and one historian said, Catherine “perfected the art of kissing the Pope’s feet while simultaneously twisting his arm … she was an activist, a renewer of Church and society, who took a strong stand on issues affecting society in her day, and who never hesitated (in the old Quaker phrase) ‘to speak truth to power.” (Source James Kiefer, http://satucket.com/lectionary/Catherine_Siena.htm) We give thanks for Catherine of Siena this day, and her example as a spiritual leader who balanced diplomacy with steadfast faith and candor. One way we “speak truth to power” is through steadfast prayer, so let us now turn to our community prayers …

We give thanks for the calling of our new rector, the Rev. Paula Clark Green, effective May 1, 2009. Further, we give God thanks for the outstanding work of the Search Committee and Vestry during this time of transition for St. John’s.

Happy Birthday this week to Michelle Bascom and Kafi Lewis on April 26, Aaron Levine on April 27, and Simone Wallerson on April 29.

Our sick, shut-in or troubled parishioners:

• Pat Parker;
  
• Joecille Morris;
  
• Pauline Grant;
  
• Olga Allen;
  
• Dorothy Rittenhouse;
  
• Bob Osborne;
  
• Wallace Tayman;
  
• Maryalice Thomas;
  
• Teresa Sommerkamp
  

Also, we pray for our friends and loved ones who are ill or in need:

• Jane Schwab-Walthall;
  
• Patricia Clark, sister of Joan Obecny;
  
• Patty Cutright, friend of Mahadeo & Shanty Ramkissoon;
  
• Victor Revron, son-in-law of Bob & Joan Osborne;
  
• Darlene, Malou, Cristina, Nelda and Folen, friends of Stan & Jacinta Marshall;
  
• Roland Beard, father of Leslie Roper;
  
• Cameron, friend of Deb Stefany;
  
• Juan, friend of Stan & Jacinta Marshall;
  
• Grace & George Albrittain, parents of Barbara Neitzey;
  
• Barbara Shank, aunt of Pam Piper-Yeung;
  
• Frances Fields, sister-in-law of Dorothy White;
  
• Arthur & Claudia, friends of Paula, Michael and Micha Green;
  
• Brendan Boettinger, friend of Ed Crooks;
  
• John Clarke, father of Mae Clarke;
  
• Roseann Bridgman, friend of Leslie and Jim Roper;
  
• Mary Burkley, sister of Nancy Ward;
  
• Phyllis Davy, mother of Errol Archer;
  
• Kevin Wells, relative of Rex and Jan Wells.
  
• Mary Downs, friend of Lori Allen;
  
• Lynn Griffin;
  
• Frances Humphrey, participant in the Transitional Housing program;
  
• Cheryl Weisfeld, co-worker of Kafi Lewis;
• Marybelle Small, friend of Eleanor Clark;
• The Rev. Lloyd Johnson, friend of Clara & Ira White.

We ask your prayers for the parents and children who use the Transfer Center here at St. John’s every other Friday and Sunday.

• April 30 - Networking Group Meeting, 6pm, Church Parlor
• May 2
  • St. John’s Spring Cleanup Day – 8 am to 12 noon.
  • Baptism preparation, 1:00 pm in the Nave.
• May 3
  • 8 am - Holy Eucharist Rite I, followed by Norm Jacob’s Shepherding Group meeting.
  • 10 am - Baptism and Holy Eucharist Rite II, followed by Laurie-Anne Lee and Emmanuel’s Shepherding Group meetings.
  • The final Youth Confirmation Class will also meet following the 10 am Eucharist.

• Greeters:
  • 8 am - Lana Krawczel & Jim Shaffner
  • 10 am - Ian & Ismay Hutson
• LEM’s:
  • 8 am - Rick Reynolds
  • 10 am - Theresa Romani & Laurie-Anne Lee
• Acolytes:
  • 8 am - Tevin Bascom
  • 10 am - Steve Williams & Emily Romani

• Visiting Minister: Maureen Callanan
• Altar Guild: Peggy Hall & Martha Gordon

Networking Group Meets Tomorrow Evening: St John's Episcopal Church is establishing a networking group, especially targeted for those who are currently seeking employment. Our first meeting will be tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. Members of our congregation and their friends who could use some assistance in their job search are invited, as well as those who can share their expertise. So, if you would like to help or need assistance, please contact Joecille Morris at 301-543-1968. All are welcome.

St. John’s Spring Cleanup Day – This Saturday, May 2, from 8 am to 12:00 noon will be St. John’s spring grounds cleanup. Bring your gardening tools. Doughnuts and coffee will be served. In the event of rain on Saturday, the cleanup will occur on the next Saturday, May 9.

Reception in honor of the Rev. Canon Dalton and Mrs. Ana Downs: We will have a reception in honor of Dalton and Ana following the 10:00 service on Sunday, May 24, their last Sunday at St. John's before moving to their new home in Florida. Financial donations are being accepted for the purchase of a gift. Cash or checks made payable to St. John’s (put Dalton & Ana Celebration on the memo line) are being accepted until Sunday, May 17. Donation should be put in Marie Labonte’s mailbox. Also, please bring your most special coffee hour dish and plan on staying after the 10:00 service to share in fellowship and a fond farewell to our dear friends, Dalton and Ana.

Save the Dates for Ministry Celebrations! With the calling of a new rector come celebrations. Save the dates of Sunday, September 20 for a Festive Eucharist at 9:00 am (one service) followed by brunch, and Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at 7 pm for the Celebration of Institution of the Reverend Paula Clark Green as the 24th Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Congratulations to Bob Ziepolt who will be honored at a festive Eucharist by the Episcopal Senior Ministries, Thursday, May 7, 2009, 1:30 pm, at the Washington National Cathedral’s Bethlehem Chapel. The Eucharist will be celebrated by the Right Rev. John Bryson Chane, Bishop of Washington, and the speaker will be Dr. Gene Cohen, Director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University. A reception will follow the service. All are welcome to attend. If you plan to attend the service, please call the church office at (301) 937-4292, so we can plan for numbers and possibly carpool.

FAA Hiring Young Adults: The Federal Aviation Association is taking applications for air traffic controller school from people ages 18-31 with a high school diploma. Working with the FAA you can reach a salary of over $100,000 with benefits in about 3 years! Application information can be found at http://www.faa<.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers.

Invitation to Howard County Interfaith Choir and Bowie Senior Chorale Concerts: Parishioner Jacinta Marshall has extended an invitation to all who would like to spend an hour or so enjoying some good music. Jacinta is singing in the Bowie Senior Chorale which is singing “Rock & Roll” pieces. Jacinta would love to see some friendly faces in the audience. The schedule of concerts follows: Thursday, May 14th - 1:00 p.m. - Bowie Senior Center - 14900 Health Center Drive, Bowie, MD; and, Wednesday, May 20 - 7:30 p.m. Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD

A Relay for Life Laurel Team is being formed at St. John’s. Relay for Life is the premier community activity of the American Cancer Society, an opportunity to raise money for cancer research, and to pay tribute to persons who have battled the disease, as well as those who have lost their lives to cancer. Relay for Life is a celebration of remembrance and hope. Relay for Life Laurel will take place Saturday, June 13, at McCullough Field. To find out more information about Relay for Life Laurel, please visit the web site at www.RelayForLifeLaurel.org. A team website for St. John’s has been established for registration and donations.

Still Searching for an Epistle Newsletter Editor: The Epistle is on hiatus until we are able to secure a new editor. If you would be willing to format and edit the Epistle, St. John’s monthly newsletter, please contact the Rev. Paula Clark Green, (301) 937-4292.

Do You Have News to share with the St. John’s community? E-mail the Church Office at stjohnsbeltsville@netzero.net.

BEST WISHES FOR A BLESSED EASTERTIDE,

  Paula+

  The Reverend Paula Clark Green, Priest-In-Charge. 

The Reverend Paula Clark Green, Priest-In-Charge, can be contacted at (301) 937-4292 during regular Church Office Hours, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, or at stjohnsbeltsville@netzero.net. In case of emergencies in the evenings or on weekends, please call Paula at (202) 722-2298.