St John the Baptist

Join us each Sunday for our Adult Forums, following both the 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM services.
Forums are hosted in the Bishop Ladehoff Room. All are welcome.
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Tuesday Morning Book Study Group

Tuesdays10:15-11:30 am Tuesday, Ladehoff Room
Discussions are rich and stimulating as different perspectives are shared and new views explored. During the summer we’ve been reading How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill, a scholarly but very engaging history of the origins of the Irish soul and Celtic spirituality. We are currently

reading The Gifts of the Jews, also by Cahill.
We read aloud and discuss. No homework! Drop in any Tuesday – you’ll feel welcome.
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The History of Anglican Spirituality, Theology & Literature 17^th Century presented by Robin Haglund

Please join us in examining the history of Christianity in England through its literary and mystical masterpieces. Our course will include a lively discussion of the theological issues that have made Anglicanism so unique and interesting in its history. We will focus on the continuing reformation of the Anglican Church between 1603 and 1660 throughout Britain and its extension into the Americas. The growing gulf between Crown and Commons develops into open warfare and is reflected in the deepening division between the established church and its puritan critics. Richard Hooker, Lancelot Andrewes, & William Laud defend the Elizabethan settlement against its detractors, while John Bunyan Pilgrim’s Progress will exemplify the Puritan opposition. During this 12 week period we’ll also be reading the poetry of the Caroline divines, a few plays (Ben Jonson Volpone and Shakespeare’s King Lear and the Tempest), selections from Donne’s sermons and John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.

Cost is $5 per Friday class. Many readings will be provided but a few of the longer works can be purchased or found at your library.

Class meets on Friday mornings from 10:00 AM to Noon, starting on the 25^th of September. Following this class, there will be a one hour showing of either the BBC's History of Britain with Simon Schama or a film highlighting the historical period. These productions are very well presented, insightful and entertaining. Viewings from Noon -1PM. There is no charge. Please bring a friend.

For more information, contact the church office.

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Sunday Morning Adult Forums
We are currently offering Sunday Adult Forums following both the 8:00 and 10:15 services.
Please join us and stay tuned for information about future offerings.
For more information, contact the church office.
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Journey in Faith/Catechumenate
11:45 am January through Easter, Sundays and other times as announced

If you are hoping to be received into the Episcopal Church, or seeking baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation of your faith, this may be the class for you. Beginning in the winter, we will meet weekly after the 10:15 service to find our way through scripture, Anglican tradition, ways to deepen our faith, and other topics. Questions about creeds, how do we live as Christians, curious about why we do things certain ways?
For more information, contact the church office.
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Companions On the Journey
2nd Wednesdays, 7:00 pm
Companions on the Journey is a support group for people in our parish who are seeking to grow spiritually in a personal spiritual practice such as prayer, journaling, and meditation.
We meet once a month for worship and discussion and keep in touch by email.
This group is intended to provide inspiration, support, and new insights in an informal and enjoyable setting. All are invited to join with us!
For more information, contact Doug Speers, 503-246-0722
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Contemplative Prayer Group
2:00 pm, 2nd & 4th Mondays, Ladehoff Room
Sharing Contemplative Prayer with others can open us to discernment of our spiritual gifts, spiritual bonding with others and feeling the presence of our personal God.
Our gathering around a simple altar begins with prose, proceeds into a brief check-in, then focuses on a theme. After discussion
we sit in silence for 20 minutes and depart in silence.
All are welcome.
For more information, contact Lynn Hingson.
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Inquirer Forum
11:45 am, Sundays as announced, Ladehoff Room
Episcopalians are unique Christians; some say we look at many of the same things differently.
This forum will provide an overview of the Episcopal Church and how we at St. Johns function as a parish.
For more information, contact the church office.

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Anam Cara

"Anam Cara" is the Celtic term for "soul friends." An informal Anam Cara group of women at St. John's encourages spiritual growth through retreats and half-day events, originally based on the theme of Celtic spirituality--history, beliefs and forms of worship, Celtic music and dance. We plan a fall 2009 visit to St. David of Wales, to support the new ministry of The Rev. Sara Fischer. A winter retreat is anticipated. Contact: Mary Lawrence at teapot.mary@gmail.com.
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Explore our Library
Located downstairs and in the Ladehoff Room
You will find rich resources for a wide variety of interests.
Visit the library shelves in the Bishop Ladehoff Room for a range of popular books, updated weekly.
The Library downstairs is open on request (during the school year it is used by OES tutors).
Pick up the key in the church office.
You will find a large collection of timeless books for non-readers to teens – Seuss to C. S. Lewis and Ursula LeGuin.
Please feel free to check these out. Just sign the green card and leave it in the white basket on the desk. A basket of books for children is available in the narthex.
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Women’s Luncheons
Third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. S
All women of the parish (especially newcomers) are invited for gentle conversation and opportunities to make new friends.
The partially-potluck Women’s Luncheon always includes an ingathering of funds for the United Thank Offering (UTO). For more information call the church office, 503.245.3777.
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Men’s Breakfasts
Saturday Mornings as announced, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Men’s Breakfasts are held periodically throughout the year to provide an opportunity for men of the parish to get together for fellowship and to hopefully meet men who are new to the parish.
We feature a speaker at each meeting and enjoy a “gourmet” breakfast together.
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Locusts and Wild Honey
Sign-ups begin in October
Mark’s Gospel records that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, and he ate locusts and wild honey. We’ve greatly improved the menus for our Locusts and Wild Honey dinner groups.
New groups of 8-10 adults, a blending of “old-timers” and newcomers, couples and singles, are formed each fall to widen our circles of friendship. Group members take turns hosting planned potluck dinners in their homes or other selected locations. Contact the church office for more information.
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Hospitality, Coffee Hour, Golf Cart
Small courtesies can sometimes make a big difference.
The “Coffee Hours” immediately following the church service provide a chance for congregants to greet visitors and share news, over cookies and coffee. A brief ride in the golf cart from the parking lot to the door on a drizzly day is an extra treat.
Those who want to host these small hospitalities are always welcome to sign up for a date on the kiosk in the narthex.
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Contemplative Knitting
(The Prayer Shawl Ministry)
First Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m.
The experience of a small group of friends, sitting together and knitting with God, is both an activity and a prayer. We call ourselves the “Knit Wits” and we meet at 1:00 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month to knit prayer shawls which are then given to those in need of this special kind of comfort.
Some recipients of our shawls are ill, some bereaved, some celebrating births – or birthdays.
Some are parishioners, many are not.
Some shawls are created with a special person in mind, and others are stored in wait for just the right person to come along.
Every shawl is a union of our skill and God’s grace.
When a shawl is ready to be give, it is blessed.
Often we gather at the altar on Sunday morning for this prayer, giving the whole congregation an opportunity to participate in the gift.
For more information, contact the church office.
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