I have a dear friend who lives in deep East Texas when he’s not travelling all over the world. He says that “Sometimes you cannot see the forest for the writin’ on the wall.” That was what happened to me this week.

As a community, we rely on each other not only to lift our spirits when they need lifting, but to provide inspiration, guidance, wisdom and fellowship. Without the support that comes from each of us, we cannot fulfill our broader mission as a community of faith that is committed to welcoming all, uplifting all, and making us all better able to serve others, in our community, and in the world.

Sermon & Song from 10/24, Homecoming Sunday. “Inside our old church on top of the hill / Where we come as one to follow your will / We don't ask for much, just forgiveness and grace / To follow you home to that heavenly place.” -Olin Johannessen

So one of the absolute perkiest perks about being Senior Warden at this amazing place is getting to spend time with the folks who participate in the various ministries.

The choir anthem from our Homecoming Sunday on 10/24 was “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus. There is no such beauty as where you belong; Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.

Standing in front of a full church this morning was almost more than I could bear. I sit here on a gorgeous fall Sunday afternoon and am grateful…so grateful.

I’m looking forward to returning to our spiritual home with you and feeling that magnetic energy that is unique to St. John’s. I am so grateful for our community.

Today’s reflection comes to us courtesy of Jennifer McPherson, our Director of Music and Liturgy. Jen takes us all the way back to the beginning of the pandemic and showcases not only how we’ve evolved in our liturgical and musical offerings throughout this time, but also what we’ve missed, and what we are looking forward to with the in-person, in-sanctuary return of our Rite II service this Sunday, October 24, at 10:00am.

Our kids are really a part of the community at SJC — they aren't an afterthought, like, ‘Oh, these people have kids, we need to find something to keep them occupied.’ Nope. It's always been ‘Here our are littlest members who are very important. What can we offer them?’

Homecoming brings as much excitement to the Altar Guild as it did when we were much younger and in school or college. As we prepare for Oct. 24, we look forward to using our treasured communion vessels and hope we remember the details of preparation. With great anticipation we look forward to being together, hearing music, singing hymns and being in our beloved St. John's.

This is the second installment in a six-part series around the theme of Homecoming. Since the doors to SJC were closed on March 15, 2020, a lot has changed, and today’s reflection will feature two significant upgrades to our physical space.

This is the first installment in a six-part series around the theme of Homecoming. Here are a few perspectives from some of our choir members as they reflect on this time of pandemic, and anticipate the choir’s triumphant return to making music in the sanctuary.

We may not be able to get it together until after we show up in such miserable shape.

Is it possible to enjoy everything, together? I can! Canoe?

Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

The other use of funerals is to remind us of those two words. When the last hymn has been sung, the benediction given, and the immediate family escorted out a side door, they may be the best we have to make it possible to get up ourselves.

The retreat for the kids isn’t just friends, hikes, marshmallow roasting, or crafts the kids love. It is all of it. They spend time with people they don't typically see, hearing them share what matters to them. Finding connections and common footing with people they've only seen at a coffee hour. None of it works without everyone stepping a little outside their comfort zone – including me.

Look upon your children with children in their arms, that they may face the winds, and walk the good road to the day of quiet.

Dark is the cloud that rests over the nation. Wild is the war cry that pierces the air… Lord, may the bonds of the captive be broken. May this struggle bring sweet liberty. Teach us that love is a heaven-born token and that the truth can alone make us free… — excerpt from a Prayer for the Captive by Sister Cecelia DeVere

What will be the future legacy of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth? How do we being to write that story now? What will be our part in doing the important work of caring for each other, of loving our neighbors no matter what, of Welcoming All In The Name of Christ, of discovering the areas where we struggle individually and collectively to reconcile our relationship with oppression and/or hatred, and atoning for those sins?