SPECIAL  EVENTS



Booklovers Discussion

Thursday, November 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Zoom

Join us as we return to the Irish town of Faha during the Advent season of 1962 in Niall Williams’ novel Time of the Child. Lives are turned upside down when an abandoned child is discovered at the local church. Please contact. For questions or the Zoom link, contact the Parish Office or Nancy Simon.


Fourth Sunday Study

Sunday, November 23; 9:10 to 10:00 am; In Person in Smoot Conference Room AND on Zoom

Join us for a this formation offering on the fourth Sunday of the month. Led by parishioners and using resources from the Yale Bible Study series, Women in the Bible will “shed new light on familiar characters like Mary Magdalene, Sarah, and others who are less well known to many Bible readers.” There is no required preparation, and you are welcome to attend any or all of the discussions. If you would like to join on Zoom, please watch your Wednesday email, or contact the Parish Office.

On November 23, a week before Advent, we will focus on Mary Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. 

Series Syllabus

Annual Parish Greens Sale

Saturday, November 29 from 8:30 am to Noon

We will offer roping, wreaths, amaryllis, and paperwhites and other festive and seasonal items. Decorated wreaths will also be available. For your convenience, we will accept preorders. A preorder form is available for download HERE. Please drop off the completed form at the Parish Office.


Advent Wreath Making

Sunday, November 30 at 9:15 am and after the 10:15 am Service

Join us to make Advent wreaths in preparation for the Advent season. Materials for the wreaths as well as instructions for how to use them will be provided. Suggested donation $20 per wreath. NOTE: This will take the place of Sunday School this day.


NEW THIS YEAR! We are offering handcrafted ceramic Advent wreath forms alongside our traditional foam-based options. These ceramic forms provide an excellent way to keep your greenery watered and are designed for repeated use each Advent, as well as for general floral arrangements. Each ceramic form is uniquely made by a skilled potter in Marietta, GA—the father of our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Sally Benton. Quantities are limited, but we plan to offer more each Advent season moving forward.

  • Ceramic Form: Order yours for $50 HERE.

Caring Close Knit Crafters (CCKC)

Thursday, December 11 at 10:30 am AND 7:00 pm in Smoot Conference Room

CCKC is expanding hours to enable working folks to enjoy the fun and fellowship while working on projects like knitting, crocheting, needlepointing, painting, and mending. In addition to our regular group meeting at 10:30 am on the second Thursday of each month we’re introducing a second opportunity at 7:00 pm. We hope you will mark your calendar and join us. Bring a friend! Questions? Contact the Parish Office or Martha High.


Rector's St. Nicholas Luncheon

Thursday, December 11 at Noon in Shears Hall Hall

In the spirit of the season and St. Nicholas Day the Rector and staff invite parishioners to come for a festive holiday luncheon. Retirees and those young-at-heart are especially welcome, as we give thanks for the wisdom and many years of loving devotion to this parish. Let us know by November 30 if you can join us. Please RSVP with food allergies to Pamela Fox.


Additionally, we’ll be collecting a thank offering for SHARE.


Advent-ure Day and Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 am to Noon

Join us for a day of holiday fun or drop your kids off and get some Christmas shopping done! Children will enjoy a snack, a movie, and the chance to create simple crafts that would be great for gifting this holiday season. They will also have an opportunity to be fitted for their Christmas Pageant costume. Cost is $5 per child; $15 max per family.


If your kids (4–11 years old) want to participate, or you or your youth want to volunteer, please sign up below.

Sign Up Participate or Volunteer

We will end Advent-ure Day with a run through of the pageant. All children are encouraged to participate. Please reach out to Sally Benton with questions.


We will need youth and adult volunteers to make this event possible. Please sign up to volunteer below.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Christmas Pageant (followed by Carols & Cocoa)

December 14 at the 10:15 am service

We need your help in telling the Christmas story. There’s a spot for everyone! All are welcome to participate. Rehearsal is encouraged but not required. Children will begin the service upstairs with adult volunteers and will drop their costumes off with volunteers after the pageant to return to their families during the announcements.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Please help make the annual Carols & Cocoa celebration after our December 14 Christmas Pageant the most festive ever. We need your delicious Christmas cookies to feed the angels, shepherds, and Wise Men, as well as their proud families. We also need help with making cocoa, setting up, and cleaning up. Please sign up HERE for the available slots. Thank you! Questions? Contact Katherine Haskell.


Second Saturday Choral Evensong

Sunday, December 14 at 5:00 pm

Join us for an Advent-themed service of Choral Evensong led by the St. John’s Choir, and featuring music of Marty Wheeler Burnett, Thomas Attwood Walmisley, and Stephen Cleobury. Choral Evensong, a contemplative liturgy, is one of the treasures of the Anglican tradition. At this service, the congregation participates mostly by allowing the clergy and choir to speak and sing on its behalf. Many find this frees them, in a busy world, to offer to God their own thoughts and prayers. A reception with light refreshments follows in Shears Hall. Sponsored by the Music Fund.


DAYTRIPPERS EXCURSION

The People's House: A White House Experience

Wednesday, December 17

In celebration of the Christmas Holiday, 14 Day Trippers will visit The People's House, located catty-corner from the Old Executive Office building in Washington D.C.  The Experience has displays of White House history. Through these innovative exhibits, objects, and interactive media, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the White House's role in American history. 


Operated by the White House Historical Association, a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with a mission to protect, preserve, and provide public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion. An average of 60–90 minutes are needed to view the exhibits. Take a seat behind the Resolute Desk in this full-scale replica of the Oval Office, furnished with reproductions of the art, objects, and furniture that adorn the president’s office.


Lunch following can be reserved at the nearby Old Ebbitt Grill if group is interested. By sending to Tim Barwick the $15 fee you will reserve your place; include white house on the memo line. For questions, please email thepeopleshouse@whha.org.


Longest Night Service

Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 pm

This contemplative service includes flute, harp, organ, and piano meditations, as well as prayer, candlelight, and quiet reflection. Bring your cares and your sorrows and set them down before God as we prepare for Christmas and celebrate the coming lengthening of days.


Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 21 at the 10:15 am Service

Through our experience of sacred Word and music, the story of the coming of Christ gradually unfolds and deepens our understanding of God’s message of love and redemption. Lessons will be read by parishioners, seasonal anthems presented by the St. John’s Choir, and familiar carols led by the organ and a brass quartet. There will also be an offering for children of all ages during the service.


Third Sunday Supper Church

Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 pm in Shears Hall

Let’s gather around the table! Supper Church offers a chance to share a simple meal, enjoy each other's company, explore scripture’s relevance to our lives, and partake in communion in a unique way. A $5 per person suggested donation ($20 family max) is appreciated for dinner. Please RSVP below so we know you're coming.

RSVP HERE for Supper Church

Are you in your 20s, 30s, or 40s? The St. John’s Young Adults group is organizing activities for the program year. Please CLICK HERE to add your contact information. We will send out monthly invitations for events. Questions? Contact us HERE.


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