ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST NEWSLETTER
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
August 3, 2025
10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite Two
FOR THOSE JOINING US ONLINE:
THE LINK FOR THE SERVICE: CLICK HERE
FOR THE SERVICE PROGRAM: CLICK HERE
The Collect for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This Sunday, I will be returning to the parish and it will be wonderful to be back amongst all of you. During my time away, I took a 10 day trip to the south of France, starting in Lyon. The photo above is my first night there, having an amazing dinner (Lyon is considered the culinary capital of France) and exploring the old section of the city. Lyon is a city rich in history starting with the Romans settling there in 43 BCE, developing the silk trade during the Renaissance, becoming an industrial center in the 19th century and providing a major stronghold for the French Resistance while the Nazis occupied the city during WWII. From Lyon I began a river cruise along the Rhone and spent time in such historical locations as Cluny Abbey, The Palace of the Popes in Avignon, Arles where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted, and Camargue, a national reserve park that is home to their famous white horses, cattle, flamingos, and about 400 species of birds and has some of the most natural and protected land in all of Europe.
I visited many churches and religious buildings during this trip and was again reminded how influential the Church has and still is in the history of Europe. Today many of these sacred sites attract tourists who appreciate the art, architecture and history of these places. Yet, it was also apparent that many people entered these churches to offer prayer and reflection and to honor God in these holy sites that have seen vast changes from the Church being one of the most powerful institutions to today’s secular movement that is often skeptical of organized religion. It seems that the “DNA” of these sacred sites can not be eliminated and they continue to serve as a “gathering” place for the faithful.
Each Sunday, when we gather together in prayer and worship, we contribute to the “DNA” of St. John’s. For over 150 years, people have come to our church to have their souls and hearts fed and to live out their discipleship, leaving their “genetic information” of faith and hope that helped to shape who we are now. It is now our turn to contribute to St. John’s “DNA” as we move forward into the future. As we begin a new academic year, let us fill our church with our commitment to make God’s world a better place for all, striving to respect the dignity of every human being and providing love and compassion to all we encounter in our daily lives.
Mary Grace+
Here is the website link
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The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin
Bishop of New York Bishop Suffragan
A Prayer from the Archbishop of Jerusalem |
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Hello,
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging has launched its annual Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), providing coupon booklets that make local produce more affordable and accessible for older adults. We believe that many older adults (age 60+) in your congregation may find this program to be both helpful and tasty.
Eligible older adult applicants receive a booklet with five $5 coupons — totaling $25 — to spend on fresh, local, and unprocessed fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and farm stands across New York State. A list of participating markets in Dutchess County is available at www.dutchessny.gov/ofanutrition.
Eligible older adults in the same household can each receive one SFMNP booklet per season. Coupon booklets are distributed while supplies last at the Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie, ONLY on Thursdays and Fridays from 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Coupon booklets can also be obtained at OFA Friendship Centers throughout Dutchess County, by appointment. For Friendship Center contact information, call OFA or visit www.dutchessny.gov/ofanutrition. Residents of public senior housing should be able to find out more from their site manager.
Coupons are valid statewide at participating markets through November 30 or until a market closes for the season, whichever comes first, and can be used by a designated shopper if the recipient cannot visit a market in person.
Here’s the most recent list of participating markets in Dutchess County.
Coupons from prior years are no longer valid.
Thank you,
Linda Edgar
Outreach Coordinator
Dutchess County Office for the Aging/ NY Connects
114 Delafield Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-486-2548
Fax: 845-486-2599
Ledgar@dutchessny.gov
www.dutchessny,gov/aging
Dutchess County government is an agency subject to the provisions of Article 6 of the New York State Public Officers Law also known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Email messages are covered under this law and may be subject to disclosure.
A new academic year at Bard is about to begin. Here are some important dates:
First-Year Students
Arrival Day: August 8, 2025
Language and Thinking Program: August 11–27, 2025
Transfer Students
Arrival Day: August 22, 2025
Transfer Student Language and Thinking Program: August 25–27, 2025
Returning Students
Arrival day: August 30, 2025
First Day of Fall Classes
Monday, September 1, 2025
A troubled young man walking into the light
Dear Members of the Church of St. John the Evangelist,
Since 1874, The Church of St. John the Evangelist has been a leader in our community and with leadership comes responsibility to our people and our earth. Our Church is committed to addressing aspects of our buildings that contribute to global warming and climate change.
Two summers ago John Ferguson, our Treasurer, gave a sermon about people’s attitudes toward climate change. In response to this sermon, the three church gardeners, during an evening event hosted at the church, gave a presentation on the significance of permaculture as a method of planting that builds topsoil and conserves water. They were also successful in raising funds to provide our church with two permaculture gardens which are now planted in front of the church.
This year, John Ferguson and I ordered and paid for energy audits for the Church and the Rectory from NYSERDA ((NY State Energy Research & Development Authority Report). The report addressed the fact that our furnace burns fossil fuel, which emits carbon dioxide into the air contributing to our climate crisis. The recommendation was for us to get heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and more thermostats. Consequently, John and I submitted a grant application on May 1 to cover the cost for heat pumps and will have to apply for more grants to cover the full cost of any upgrades to our buildings.
On May 8, we invited an engineer and a landscape architect who redid the Olin Hall parking lot at Bard College to come to assess our driveway and they are currently writing a plan for us. We will then apply for other grants to cover this cost.
It is important that our church members be aware of all that is being done to care for our beautiful planet that was lovingly created by God. If you have any questions or thoughts about addressing issues around climate change and global warming, please reach out to me.
Best wishes,
Isabel Livingston, Trustee
*Remain silent and refuse to answer any questions from ICE agents
IF ICE STOPS YOU ON THE STREETIf
We ask you to prayerfully consider a financial contribution to St. John’s. If you want to set aside a regular contribution, please go to our website (https://stjohnsbarrytown.org) and click on “2025 Pledges” to see how you can set up an account. You can also Venmo money at this account at StJohn Barrytown or use the QRCode at the bottom or continue to give on Sunday mornings during our worship service.
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