Congregational Life
Measuring Online Attendance: Expanding Our Digital Reach
By Angel Owens Communications Specialist Gathering attendance numbers can be tricky these days. How many people are actually joining us in worship each week? There is no way to know just how many people are actually in each home clicking in, but we can gather and compile how many clicks we get each week. On…
Read MoreA Vision for Racial Justice: A Congregation-wide Effort to Develop a Vision and Plan
“We’re facing some very challenging cultural issues this summer,” says Pastor Rhodes. “Our history of race and racism in the US isn’t stellar, and it all seems to be coming together in a matter of a few months,” beginning, many have said, with the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis. “So many…
Read MoreChurch-Wide Retreat Rescheduled for September 17-19, 2021
By Donna Groce In the spirit of unity, the Congregational Retreat committee has been planning a weekend for this fall where all our members may gather for fellowship and worship surrounded by the beautiful outdoor setting of Lutheridge. Unfortunately, the plans have been interrupted by such uncertain times. In the interest of the ever changing…
Read MoreRoger and Linda Hull: Silent Angels
By Kathy Rusher On Sunday, March 8, St. John’s honored our newest Silent Angels, Linda and Roger Hull, active members of St. John’s. Roger and Linda have been involved in such a variety of ways at St. John’s throughout the years. Roger is an excellent photographer and is always willing to help take pictures of…
Read MoreCarolyn Myers Honored for a Lifetime of Tutoring
By Susan Shinn Turner When asked about her recent Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rowan County Literacy Council, Carolyn Myers says, “Oh, that’s old news!” But the retired educator encourages others to become a tutor. Carolyn spent 35 years as a tutor and trainer with the literacy council. She’s also been the board’s president, vice…
Read MoreThings Change: The First Sanctuary Renovation in 1947
By Doug RobinsonSt. John’s Archives Committee Some things change; some things stay the same. St. John’s is an excellent example of that maxim. For example, members are regularly added and removed from the church roll. We change the events we produce, the religious studies we offer, and the fellowship opportunities we provide. The composition of…
Read MoreMargy Fink’s Legacy as a Cook of the Kitchen
By Susan Shinn Turner If there was one thing the late Margy Fink was known for, it was her cooking. When her daughter, Cindy, lived in Oxford, she was in charge of weekly meals at the Methodist church. “We rotated families that would be in charge. We’d have anywhere from 45 to 75 people.” She…
Read MoreSt. John’s Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church’s Ordination of Women: The Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens to Preach Feb. 16
By Susan Shinn Turner The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the ELCA’s ordination of women. Throughout the year we will honor those women who have served as pastors at St. John’s or were nurtured here along their journey to ordination. To kick things off, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens on Sunday,…
Read MoreThe G2G Phase 2 Campaign Kicks Off
By Susan Shinn Turner Too many cooks in the kitchen? Not at St. John’s! For years, a variety of wonderful cooks have been feeding our bodies with delicious food, and feeding our souls with fantastic fellowship for the weekly Wednesday meals. And they’ve been doing so in a kitchen that’s in woeful need of an…
Read MoreCreation Care Travel Mugs
By Angel Owens St. John’s is committed to being stewards of God’s creation, which leads us into a new ministry called Creation Care. In the Summer of 2017, St. John’s installed solar panels on the roof of the Faith Center. A plaque recognizing the commitment to Creation Care found in Peeler Hall reads, “The solar…
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