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Hole

Connceting your spirit without disconnecting your mind

June 8, 2014Revela ions

Who’sWho

get to know theclergy & staffof St. John’s

eveningson the greensummer festival series begins June 18th

curiousabout your faith?Sign up for the Inquirers’ Class to go deeper

PLUS! Guest Preacher Becca Stevens, Sacred Conversations and More

St. John’s Episcopal Church is a community

of faith made from God; we worship and

serve God, welcome all who seek to know and love Jesus Christ, and share Christ’s love by

serving others.

We warmly invite and welcome new

members and visitors to our Church and we thank each and every

one of you and are blessed by your faith

and support.

Brothers & sisters in Christ,As I begin, I want to signal the retirement

of Paul Hayden, founder of the Presbyterian Church in Jackson Hole. His departure from our community diminishes it significantly. He established a vibrant congregation that is indeed a “Jackson church.” Godspeed!

Speaking of departures, it has been more than seven months since I have shared Devvie’s and my plans for retirement and relocation to North Carolina. We are now approximately halfway through phase one of four of the transition period. During this time, the Vestry has begun to look at transition leadership, but otherwise life has continued as normal. In the past week, the Vestry and a few others have begun to step up the transition pace a bit. Bishop Smylie has twice visited Jackson and early last week met with the Vestry to outline the transition process and answer questions. The first step is the procurement of an interim rector so that the day-to-day ministry of St. John’s can continue. The Vestry and Bishop are taking this vital appointment very seriously. You will begin to hear of more staff changes and process in the months ahead as plans become final.

One of the things I will be doing in this space monthly or so is to share some personal thoughts on your future as a congregation. They will be mine alone and obviously won’t be implemented during my remaining time with you, if ever. They are issues I believe to be important and I hope receive some consideration at some point.

To learn more or to make a gift to support

the mission of St. John’s scan the code below.

A M E S S A G E F R O M FAT H E R K E N Today I want to speak briefly about our engagement with our secular community. This is a unique role in Jackson for St. John’s and is both a privilege and, honestly, a burden. A privilege because it continues a tradition from our founding and gives us a place in a very secular community that other congregations do not have. It is a burden because it is expensive and there are expectations from beyond our worshiping community that are unusual, such as the lawsuit I was asked to file to stop the park service from expanding the housing area in Moose and the vitriolic response to my unwillingness to do so.

We deliberately engage Jackson and Teton County. We know of the institutions we have established: hospital, public library, Jackson Cupboard, AA, among others. We give generously, such as to the Library Snacks Program and assistance during the recent landslide. Equally important, in my opinion, are our Sacred Conversations, designed to challenge and engage ethically and intellectually a populace that would naturally be reluctant to worship with us . . . ever. A person once asked me to summarize the purpose of Sacred Conversations, and I replied to function as the conscience of a community that does not want one.

This year I made a deliberate decision to turn Sacred Conversations inward to help us as a parish look ahead at what kind of engagement with

the Jackson Community we want to have in the next decade. Our Parish, Our Community, Our Future grows out of the SWEEPS (Service, Worship, Education, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, Stewardship) process, stemming from my sabbatical last year. Sacred Conversations, held Sunday and Monday, August 3 and 4th will help us continue our unique contribution here. Speaking will be Canon Malcolm Brown, Assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury for social ministries, and Jim Naughton, Editor of episcopalcafe, who knows of the innovative ministries of others throughout the nation and beyond. This is important! Please make plans to attend. Every blessing. God’s peace.

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3. THANK YOU TO THE HABITAT BUILD DAY VOLUNTEERSYou have done so much more than help put a roof over someone’s head! With clean, decent, stable housing families can provide stability for their children, grow their sense of dignity and pride, improve health, physical safety, and security, and increase educational and job prospects.

5. LAWN PARTYDuring the summer we enjoy being outdoors as much as possible and we offer a “Festival on the Green” series once a month. Bring a picnic or buy dinner from Cafe Genevieve’s food truck. Buy a lemonade, beer, or glass or wine, and relax while enjoying great music and festivities on the green.

1. GUEST PREACHERToday The Rev. Becca Stevens will be our guest preacher. Becca Stevens is one of the premier preachers and speakers in the United States proclaiming love as the most powerful force for social change. She is an Episcopal priest and founder of Magdalene, residential communities of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction. She is a prolific writer and has been featured in the New York Times and on ABC World News, NPR, PBS, CNN, and Huffington Post and named by the White House as one of 15 Champions of Change for violence against women in 2011.

GET INVOLVED!Every week we highlight a way to share your time, talents and gifts

4. LA GRAN FAMILIAIn 1998, St. John’s planted a seed in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico. Today, that seed has changed the lives of over 40 abandoned and abused children. Greg David Spinks, a young deacon from St. John’s with an overwhelming compassion for the less fortunate went to northern Mexico to immerse himself in mission work. After arriving in Cuauhtémoc, Greg witnessed the appalling conditions of children roaming the streets and realized the dire need for an appropriate living environment for the children of Cuauhtémoc. An appeal to St. John’s resulted in several parishioners raising funds to build a small home for the children. Thus “La Gran Familia” or “The Great Family” was born. Throughout the years, St. John’s has remained committed to keeping Greg’s vision alive by providing funding and volunteer work for La Gran Familia. Become a part of this tradition of love and support today by making a gift to La Gran Familia. Please send your donation to St. John’s Church, c/o La Gran Familia, PO Box 1690, Jackson WY 83001.

6. INQUIRERS CLASSExplore the Christian perspective on matters of living in a secular society and how one can grow spiritually in the midst of the cacophony that is daily living.

2. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS 2ND ANNIVERSARY!The love and support of the congregation has allowed us to live more fully in our mission. Thank you!

SERVING YOU THE STAFF OF ST. JOHN’SThe Rev. J. Kenneth “Ken” Asel, D. Min.Originally from Dallas, Texas, Father Ken has been serving as the Rector of St. John’s for over 10 years. He and his wife Devvie were called to St. John’s after recognizing a potential for an expansion of the church’s unique role in the community. As Ken prepares for retirement, he truly believes “there is no place like St. John’s” and is spending a great deal of time with people helping to imagine the congregation’s future. If his “Margaritaville” ringtone is any indication, we will know where to look for this self-proclaimed “Parrothead” in retirement.

The Rev. Mary EricksonSeven years ago, you would have found “Mother Mary,” a California native, running her own public relations and marketing consulting firm for high technology software companies. Today, she has found her true calling and passion at St. John’s and is “a better person because of it.” Outside of her spiritual calling you will find her with her husband and two children boating on Jackson Lake, hiking in the mountains, or spending “too much time reading and studying” for her doctoral program from the Bexley-Seabury Federation.

Margaret Hutton, Children’s MinistryYou’ve probably seen Margaret, her husband (when he is not working at Grand Targhee or WorldCast Anglers) and their two sons active in and around the church. Eight years ago, the family packed up and moved from Fairhope, Alabama where Margaret was working at St. James Episcopal Church. It’s not surprising that Margaret leads many of the mission trips to Cuba because she loves to travel and experience new cultures, language, people and food.

Trent Moore, Youth/Young Adult MinistryEight years ago, Trent came to Jackson to become part of this “inclusive Christian faith community that has an excellent reputation for fellowship, hospitality, and service” and he has never looked back. This new father and his wife have strong connections to St. John’s. They met in Jackson, were engaged on the church campus, married at the Chapel of the Transfiguration, and their son Jax will be baptized this summer in the church.

Ericka Bossi, Youth/Young Adult Assistant

Pam Phillips, Music Director

Dn. Dennis Johnson, Vicar, St. Hubert’s BondurantAnother California native, Dennis was ordained at the start of the millennium and has worked at St. John’s ever since. Denis has served on the Vestry, taught EfM, Sunday school and much more. His wife also worked at the church for over four years. He sees St. John’s as a vital part of the community, especially the multiple outreach programs we support and he is involved in many programs outside of St. John’s as well, including the Good Samaritan Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

Robyn Reed, Parish AdministrationThe accent gives this southerner away. Until three years ago, Robyn had spent 18 years working for a non-denominational church in Georgia. She hesitated to apply to the job at St. John’s, but “God had a different plan” and she is so thankful that St. John’s has been a part of her growth process both occupationally and spiritually. When she’s not working or commuting back and forth from Star Valley you will find her enjoying spending time with her husband, working in the yard, cooking, walking the dogs, and taking photos.

Darrah Isaacson, CommunicationsA recent addition to the St. John’s team, Darrah has been in Jackson for seven years working for the National Park Service in Grand Teton National Park (although she never liked wearing the ranger hat). She recently graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and holds a degree in Health Promotion and Fitness Management. When not settling into St. John’s you can find her on the water, the trail or the pathway enjoying the amazing place we are blessed to live in.

Deborah Lopez, Parish LifeIt’s a good thing Deborah organizes the fellowship events at St. John’s because this self-proclaimed “foodie” loves friends, food and wine. Deborah has lived in Jackson and been a member of St. John’s since 1983. She has been volunteering for the church “forever” and just last summer became a staff member. You can bet if she is wearing a piece of beautiful beaded jewelry she made it herself!

Nancy Lee, Administrative AssistantNancy moved to Jackson Hole 18 years ago after growing up in Maryland and graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans with a degree in Civil Engineering, She joined the St. John’s team just under one year ago while seeking out a community minded non-profit to offer her talents to (she will work for chocolate!). Nancy works part-time so that she can focus on being a dedicated mother to 11-year-old Charlotte.

The Rev. Suzanne HarrisA graduate of the General Theological Seminary in New York with a M. Div degree, this dog lover, grandmother, gardener, and avid reader has lived in Jackson for 23 years and has volunteered for St. John’s since 1993. While she claims “it’s a long story” how she was called to serve St. John’s, she says St. John’s is a beacon for those in many sorts of spiritual and practical need.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUHow have you been called to St. John’s? What role do you see St. John’s playing in our community? What is special about this place? Send your story to info@stjohnsjackson.org or P.O. Box 1690, Jackson WY 83001.

307-733-2603 • info@stjohnsjackson.org • facebook.com/stjohnsjh • twitter.com/SJECjackson

(The Rev.) J. Kenneth Asel, D. Min. Rector ken@stjohnsjackson.org (The Rev.) Mary Erickson Assistant Priest mary@stjohnsjackson.org(The Rev.) Suzanne Harris Priest Associate suzanneloveh@mac.comDn. Dennis Johnson Vicar, St. Hubert’s Bondurant denjohn1@bresnan.netMargaret Hutton Children’s Ministry margaret@stjohnsjackson.orgTrent Moore Youth /Young Adult Ministry trent@stjohnsjackson.orgRobyn Reed Parish Administration robyn@stjohnsjackson.orgDeborah Lopez Parish Life deborah@stjohnsjackson.orgNancy Lee Administrative Assistant nancy@stjohnsjackson.org Darrah Isaacson Communications darrah@stjohnsjackson.orgPam Phillips Music keithphill@aol.comMary Glowacki Browse ‘N Buy browse@stjohnsjackson.orgAndrea Terbell Bright Beginnings Preschool preschool@stjohnsjackson.org

C O N N E C T W I T H U S !

W E E K LY C A L E N D A Rview on the web - www.stjohnsjackson.org