ST JOHN’S GREAT SUMMER AND EPISCOGOLF 2023!

Like many in the NH lakes region, summer is typically the busiest season for The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB) in Sanbornville, NH. Under the leadership of Parson Kit Wang and Vestry team, St John’s is having an especially great and eventful summer.

The renovated steeple.

For starters, our 'little white church on the hill’, built in the carpenter gothic style in 1877, needed some work. The soaring green steeple and roof saddle required major restorative and cosmetic work, amounting to a hefty $37,000. Thanks to a most generous anonymous ‘angel donor’ within our parish, who offered a 2-for-1 match, and many contributors, we were able to raise the funds in 4-6 weeks to pay for the much needed work. Thankfully, the steeple and roof work were completed in mid-August and looks wonderful!

StJB has also focused on community building and community outreach this summer. Known for welcoming and feeding ALL well, St John’s has (or will) host 5 terrific community BBQ dinners and 3 pie sales between May to Sept 2023. St John’s popular holiday pie sales – always held the Sat (9 am) prior to Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day – typically sell out 75+ homemade pies in 30-60 minutes. StJB’s next Pie Sale will be on Saturday, September 2nd (9 am) and St John’s next Community Dinner will be a Ham & Bean supper on Saturday, September 16th at 5 pm. Like all St John’s dinners, it is open and FREE to all who need it. For those that can afford it, a suggested donation (just $10 adults & $5 kids) is gratefully accepted to help cover food costs and fund StJB community programs.

Pam, Dave & Trevor Tyler, EpiscoGolf 2023’s grand prize winners graciously donated back half of their cash prize to help local children’s charities.

Last, thanks to many generous supporters, StJB’s EpiscoGolf 2023 outreach efforts just brought in $11,600 (including donations) to help local Children’s Charities. St John’s is most grateful for the backing of our key community partners, including Eastern Propane & Oil, Poor People’s Pub, Key-Day Builders, Peaslee Funeral Home, E.F. Dolaher & Sons, Tumbledown Farms, William Krause, CPA, and Seven Lakes Realty. St John’s Vestry, parishioners and friends were also major contributors. Even our 2023 grand prize winners, Dave and Pam Tyler, of Rochester, NH, graciously gave back half of their cash prize this year.

Since 1995, 100% of the St John’s signature outreach program – EpiscoGolf’s collective proceeds of almost $120,000 – have gone to help local kids in need. As such, EpiscoGolf has become a vital resource for local charities helping kids in need, including End 68-hours of Hunger (Milton), Secret Santa (Wakefield), Families in Transition (Rochester), Schools Out! Program (Ossipee), Homeless Center Strafford County (Home for Now; Rochester), Wakefield Food Pantry (Wakefield), ChiPs and CASA of NH (all of NH). So, once again, it’s now time for local organizations that support kids in need to submit their simple 1-page grant application (deadline 10/31/23) to St John’s. For more information and download the application, please see the application following this article.

Interested in checking out St John’s and how we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in worship, fellowship and outreach? Please drop by 118 High St in Sanbornville, NH on any Sunday for our 9 am service (in person or via Zoom) and stick around to chat (and eat well) at our coffee hour that follows or visit: www.stjohntb.org. We welcome and affirm all. Have a happy, safe & blessed end-of-summer!

By Maureen Gillum, article as it appeared on 8/31/23 in the Carroll County Independent and Granite State News (page A8)

StJB’s Daughters -- NH’s only DoK Chapter -- Celebrates 30 Years

On Sunday, December 11, 2022, The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB, Sanbornville, NH.www.stjohntb.org) honored and celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Fr. Douglas MacDonald chapter of The Daughters of the King (DoK). Thirty years ago, five visionary women of St John -- Marjorie Walkden, Emily Pearce, Stella Leydon, Terry Kennington and Bridget Daniels -- signed St John’s charter DoK application on December 13, 1992.

“DoK is a very important and typically behind-the-scenes ministry to St John’s,” shared StJB’s Reverend Johanna (Jo) Barrett, “The Daughter’s have a deeper relationship to Christ through their life-long discipline of prayer, service and evangelism.” Pastor Jo emphasized, “By their example, The Daughters of the King help us all to meet a higher calling and to be the people we are called to be.”

Originally founded in NY as a bible study in 1885, The Order of the Daughters of the King is the sister organization of the Episcopal men’s group, The Brothers of Saint Andrews. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the DoK vision is “to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.” Globally, DoK has grown to more than 22,000 members today.

Since this chapter’s inception in 1992, DoK has remained a vibrant ministry to St John’s. The Daughters currently maintain the prayer list for the parish, do the bread ministry to welcome newcomers, send out Birthday and Anniversary cards to the congregation, and support StJB in many ways. One special project DoK spearheaded are the spectacular needle point alter kneelers at St John’s. On the fourth Sunday of the month, DoK Sunday, the Daughters gather for corporate communion at the Communion rail before the rest of the congregation.

“We are also really proud to be the ONLY DoK chapter active in the entire state of NH,” noted Jules Stackpole, StJB’s DoK President. The chapter’s current roster includes: Sue Andrews (DoK, at large), Joanne Bond, Carole Connors, Mary Cullinan, Melissa Cunliffe (newest initiate, 11/21), Kathryn Saunders, Jules Stackpole, Pam Tyler, and Sandy Thomas. “I know I can go to anyone of these women for just about anything and they would open their door to help,” concluded Stackpole.

StJB DoK long-term member, Mary Cullinan, enthusiastically added, “I love DoK because it’s a discipline of prayer and strong sisterhood of fellowship, compassion and understanding.”

We honor and thank YOU, St John’s Daughters of the King and wish you a Happy 30th Anniversary. Our church and greater community are far better off because of the DoK.

By Maureen Gillum, 12/12/22

The Lasting Legacies of Two Bob Appleyards

Last month, St John the Baptist received a most extraordinary gift from a beloved long-time parishioner, The Rev. Robert B. Appleyard, Jr. Bob gave StJB his beautiful vestments (chasuble and stole) and an exquisite full silver communion set (chalice, paten, cruets and host box) in a dovetailed oak box. His gifts were given in memory of his father, The Right Reverend Robert B. Appleyard, and in thanksgiving for the ministry of our church -- The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Sanbornville, NH.

“It has been incredible to watch The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist rise to face the challenge of the virus limiting how we gather for worship, communicate and maintain a deep faith in God and one another,” enthusiastically commented Bob, “As a bystander, there is loud applause coming from this end of the parish!”

These special gifts, which Father Dave picked up from Bob at his home in April, are quite an honor for St John’s. StJB’s Vestry Warden, Dave Giunta and Altar Guild’s Ann Elkins, accepted them recently on behalf of St John’s, as pictured below. With the new brass dedication plate engraved and now on the chalice box, it is now time to reveal Bob’s venerated gifts to the parish, appropriately on this Memorial Day Weekend 2022, as well as share a bit about the remarkable ‘father-and-son Bobs’ behind them.

Our Reverend Bob (Jr.) served as Rector for St Barnabas (Falmouth, MA; 11/92-9/07) and St Michael’s (Milton, MA; 2/77-10/92), as well as an Assistant at Fox Chapel Episcopal (Fox Chapel, PA; 6/72 – 1/77); he long remained connected to the Episcopal Diocese of MA. He earned his MDiv at VA Theology Seminary (1969-1972) and BA at Allegheny College (1965-1969). Since retirement in 2007, Bob lives with his wife of 52 years, Debby, in Acton ME, and enjoys travel, time with his family (including his son and four grandchildren), and his connection of worship and fellowship at St John’s.

While most of us know Bob, 75, we sadly haven’t seen him much at St John’s recently as he’s been battling pancreatic cancer since August 2021. After his grave illness and many complications with chemotherapy in late 2021, Bob and Debby shared two statements earlier this year: “he more peacefully faces the future of being a bearer of cancer, but not identified by it;” and “The faith, which we all share, is sustaining him as is the love of Debby, his wife and their son, Ben, who surround him with God’s presence.”

Despite his considerable challenges and pain, the ever-faithful and positive Bob shared with us just this week,

“The evidence (of God’s presence) is all around: Our grandchildren grow and change. Spring has greened and budded our outdoors. We face death ... but also new life. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and we know we won’t be alone in facing it. Thank God!”

Bob’s father, The Right Reverend Robert Bracewell Appleyard (1918-1999), served as the Bishop of Pittsburgh (1968-1983) and Bishop-in-Charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Parishes in Europe (1983-1986). He was also a Parish rector for nearly two decades in several Episcopal churches in CT and FL and a US Navy Chaplain (1943-1945). Bishop Appleyard was also instrumental in far-reaching shifts within The Episcopal Church (TEC), including the revision of the Book of Common Prayer, ordination of women, the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the life of the church, and the ministry of lay persons in the church. He was also fervently committed to racial reconciliation. Described as “gracious,” “gentle,” “loving,” “positive” and a “great encourager” (he sounds a lot like our Bob, right?), Bob Sr. and his wife Katherine (Gelbach) had four children – Robert, Jonathan, Jane and Daniel. Quite remarkably, all three of their sons became ministers in his footsteps.

St John’s -- and all of TEC -- are deeply indebted for the lasting gifts, contributions and legacies of both Robert B. Appleyards -- father and son (Jr). Thank YOU, Bob Jr, for the gift of your exceptional faith and courage, and the meaningful gifts of your lovely vestments and communion set. St John’s will long cherish them – as we will you. We continue to pray for your peace and comfort.

By Maureen Gillum May 25, 2022

StJB Transitions and Welcome Pastor Jo

5/19/22 from StJB!s Vestry Warden, Dave Giunta & Maureen Gillum, StJB Search Committee

St John!s loved Father Dave out well in his May 8th farewell. He spoiled us the last three years — we hired and paid for a ‘half-time' priest, yet, we couldn!t stop him from giving us his full-time plus dedication. While wonderful, it also made us somewhat complacent, reliant and less invested. In short, we will not have or do this again. We are forever indebted to Dave and Mary and wish them the best in their retirement and journeys forward. While we were thrilled to hear from Mary last week in her letter of thanks and farewell to StJB, we again remind all to please refrain from communicating with the DeSalvos for the next year to allow separation and abide by Diocesan rules.

We now enter our next transition —a time of grieving, letting go, and reflection. We need to honestly assess who and where St John!s is (spiritually, financially, in mission), in order to plan our path forward, as well as gear up for our busy summer season. StJB Vestry/Search are exploring ideas, options and lay leadership to best enable StJB to thrive without a full-time pastor. We need to embrace things like Morning Prayer, led by our lay leaders, as well as outside supply priests, at least once a month.

In G. Jeffrey MacDonald!s book, Part-Time is Plenty - Thriving without Full-Time Clergy, it is clear we need to work together and optimize resources to remain sustainable. He outlines the need and swift shift of many churches moving to part-time clergy, which works very well...provided others step up too. Contrary to expectations, congregations often increase vitality as they leverage 'talents in the pews', renew lay leadership and creatively partner within the community.

While the uncertainties of change and transitions are scary, it is also an exciting time of hope and renewal. It is also a reminder that clergy is not the church — WE ARE OUR CHURCH. As such, we ask all StJB parishioners to think of ways to support or reinvest in St John's — bake an extra pie (5/28), write/share a StJB reflection, help someone in need, lead a Morning Prayer service or Bible study session, attend or sign-up to help coffee hour or a StJB dinner, write a check, help on outreach (EpiscoGolf, StJB Cares, Ukraine), pray, bring a friend to StJB, be kind, or even preach a sermon.

To help us in this transition, StJB Vestry and search team, are also delighted to announce we are extremely fortunate to welcome the guidance of an experienced and dynamic minister, The Rev. Johanna (Jo) Barrett, as StJB!s new transitional half-time minister. Pastor Jo has had three major careers in her life: 1) working with students in the Middle East and North Africa as well as Peace Corps; 2) a free-lance trainer and consultant in Organizational Development; and 3) and what she calls 'her true vocation' — a Parish Priest for more than 25 years (in VA, NY and most recently Topsfield MA). Jo has also been involved in Hospice, Esperanza Academy (Lawrence, MA), and is trained in Conflict Resolution (Chicago) and certified as an Interim Minister. She currently lives in Dover, NH.

Here at St John!s, Pastor Jo will be a half-time minister (preach 9 am service 2-3 Sundays a month; hold Weds office hours, support Vestry and StJB events) to help us in this transitional period — anywhere from several months to up to 18 months. Pastor Jo will help StJB become a 'thriving church with part-time clergy!"(eg., support lay leaders to offer Morning Prayer and Homilies), offer pastoral care & services (baptisms, burials, funerals, weddings) and help guide us in this interim period until we find a more permanent part-time clergy person. Please welcome Jo warmly in StJB fashion this Sunday (5/22/22 @ 9 am) in her first service with us (in person or on Zoom) — and stick around to chat with her at coffee hour — or what she calls ‘2nd communion’.

We are so unbelievably blessed to find an interim minister so abundantly qualified and so quickly! Once again, thankfully, God and the NH Diocese are looking out for our little church. As always, StJB Vestry and search team encourages and welcomes your thoughts, input, comments or inquiries on St John!s path forward — especially on how you might become more involved in our parishioner-empowered church community. Please e-mail or call Dave Giunta (msbc1972@gmail.com, 508-641-1458), Maureen Gillum (mgillum.m@gmail.com or 603-494-8466) or any StJB Vestry member.

In Peace,
Dave and Maureen

StJB’s Father Dave – Loving Him Out Well

By Maureen Gillum

St John’s had a poignant service and touching farewell celebration for Dave DeSalvo, StJB’s Priest-in-Charge since mid 2019, on yesterday’s brisk Mother’s Day ’22 morning. Emotions ran high during Father Dave’s last homily -- aptly on shepherding and moms -- and listening to his final guitar song for us, accompanied by Judy Gray (organ), Linda Loucony (drums) and Dave G (guitar). Fittingly, Dave Moberg presented Fr Dave his iconic plaque; our God Sighting shepherd, Jim Nevin, shared some sage words; and Sr Warden, Dave Giunta, offered our heartfelt thanks. 

 Reflecting when Father Dave first came to StJB in May 2019, none of us could have imagined the challenges and opportunities we would face together over these past three years. It’s truly astonishing all our little Episcopal church of St John the Baptist has achieved under the extraordinary care and adept shepherding of our beloved Father Dave, including:  

•  Raising more than $108,000 in our Building Hope capital campaign (2019-2022); 

• Completed our bold and major campus reconfiguration (tore down our old Parish Hall 1/19; sold the rectory 10/20) and built the wonderful Hansen Pike Hall (dedicated 7/21); 

• Topped EpiscoGolf’s cumulative (since 1995) donation milestone of $100,000 last year to support dozens of worthy local children’s charities; 

•  Initiated StJB Cares - a new neighbor-helping-neighbor outreach program;

•  Rallied to recently collect and send nearly $3,000 and our prayers to World Central Kitchen to help feed and sustain the war-torn people and refuges of Ukraine. 

•  Did I forget to mention that St John’s did most of this under Fr Dave’s guidance amid a global pandemic? StJB built a vibrant virtual community with amazing Zoom services, thanks to Kathryn Saunders (weekly eBB, Zoom shepherd/bulletins, website) and other  Zoom shepherds (Burkes, Joe & Roland, Kirt & I).

 Beyond tangibles, Dave DeSalvo also empowered StJB qualitatively. He has shown us enormous compassion and empathy; he brought people together and seeks unity within our parish and community. Dave has a calm strength, a curious mind, a gentle kindness and affinity to children. He always looks to serve, near and far, especially those marginalized. He keenly notices, acknowledges, accepts and appreciates others. Dave’s ever present warm smile and openness helps bring light into any situation. As a good shepherd, Fr Dave guided us by living example; he challenges and encourages us all of us to be shepherds of Jesus’ love. 

 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us, “to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the heaven.” We all face pain, loss, and tragedy, as well as joy and blessings, as a parish and individually. Our church family has lost many cherished members these last few years, including Mary Hansen, our generous and faithful benefactress of Hansen Pike Hall; as well as beloveds like Tom Bond, Joe Branca, Jeffrey Colmer, and Paul Elkins. Thankfully, under Dick Burke’s safety shepherding, we’ve endured the pain and isolation of Covid. We’re thriving with new members and just celebrated the marriage blessing of two most welcome newcomers to St John’s flock, Roland LaScala and Joe Beard. Life is fragile, hard, fleeting and beautiful. It’s best lived together within a loving, supportive community open to all, like St John the Baptist, and we are ever blessed for Fr Dave’s leadership. 

 Personally, we’ve worked closely with Fr Dave on Building Committee, Zoom, Vestry and many StJB projects. Kirt and I faced the fight of our lives against his sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer the last 18 months. We lost our dear brother-in-law, Fred, at our lake house in a horrible accident last spring. Our only daughter, Katie, married Austin Kennedy at St John’s lovely sanctuary on a spectacular day last September. Fr Dave played a crucial role in all three of these major life events: our prayer warrior throughout Kirt’s long cancer battle; God’s envoy of comfort and solace to our traumatized family within our home and hours of tragedy; a minister of light and love joyously presiding over Katie and Austin’s union, as well as their advisor in their preparation of marriage. As he’s done for so many, Dave went way above and beyond in his love and support for us. We’re forever grateful to him and will always cherish our personal connection – as pastor, shepherd, and friend. 

Now, this chapter ends for Father Dave and all of us at St John’s. A most difficult, but necessary part of this transition – as dictated by Diocesan contract -- is the abrupt and complete end of all contact (personal meetings, e-mails, calls, letters, texts, etc) between Fr Dave and all StJB wardens and parishioners. Under Diocesan rules, Father Dave is not allowed to communicate or respond to StJB parishioners for any reason, so let’s all please understand and respect these rules -- and not feel bad when we don’t hear back from him. The potential caveat is the concluding contract clause regarding no contact, “at least until new ordained leadership is fully integrated into the life of the church, and then only at their invitation.” So, keep faith…perhaps in a year or two…we may rejoice to see Father Dave visit StJB. 

Exciting new chapters are also beginning for both the DeSalvos and StJB. For starters, Dave and Mary leave this Friday for several weeks of spiritual study and immersive exploration in old Jerusalem. We wish them the very best in their retirement; fulfilling, fun and safe travels; and more precious time with their family. Remarkably, StJB’s Vestry/search team will interview an exceptional candidate as a potential transitional priest this week. Thanks to Fr Dave, we are a better, stronger and more vibrant community of ‘associate shepherds’ prepared for our continued transformation and work ahead. Stay tuned…  

 In closing, we shared many smiles, reflections, hugs and choked back a few tears at StJB’s feast and farewell celebration for Fr Dave and Mary on May 8, 2022. StJB Wardens, Dave Giunta and Dave Tyler, shared our sincere thanks for all the DeSalvos have done for us and how far we’ve come together.  Fr Dave personally commended his StJB’s ‘shepherds/partners’, including Vestry, Music Ministers, Altar Guild, DoK, Building Committee, Prayer Circle, Bible Study, Zoom and Covid Shepherds, as well as many parishioners, most notably, StJB’s beacon, Jackie Keating and our faithful and generous Martha Pike.  Special tributes were presented to Father Dave and Mary: a beautiful handmade quilt with parishioner’s hand prints, a lovely portraiture of Jesus, a gorgeous photo banner of StJB, a cake and collective purse  – all remnants of St John’s appreciation, respect, admiration, and love for Mary and Dave. 

Fr Dave has forever impacted all of us at St John’s -- we are so thankful for and will always cherish his ministry here. We surely hope we have ‘loved him out well’ – as he has so well loved us. God Bless you, Father Dave!

St John the Baptist supports Ukraine

An article by Maureen Gillum published in local papers April 2022

It is easy to feel helpless, distraught, and hopeless watching the on-going brutal Russian assaults on Ukraine. But two small mainstream churches in Wakefield, NH opted to bridge the 4,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and put their ‘faith in action’ to directly help their Ukrainian brethren. From Ash Wednesday through the present, The United Congregational Church of Wakefield and St. John the Baptist’s (StJB) Episcopal Church have been busy raising awareness for the plight of citizens and refugees enduring heart-breaking losses in Ukraine.

In early March, St. John’s Episcopal Church joined with The UCCW in an Ash Wednesday service. During the service a collection was taken that raised $419. The following Sunday a parishioner and his wife at StJB matched what was raised, and others pitched in to top the amount off at $1,000. In the following Sundays of this Lenten season additional donations have come in for a total of $2,465 to help Ukraine. 

“Amazing, generous, thoughtful and loving are the first words that come to mind in witness to how two small churches in NH collectively opened their hearts to the crisis in Ukraine,” humbly shared StJB’s Father Dave DeSalvo. 

The generous collections for Ukraine are quickly being funneled to World Central Kitchen (WCK, www.wck.org), a not-for-profit organization offering on-site food relief all over the world. WCK’s founder, Chef Jose Andres in Ukraine this week, shared the horrors they’ve seen during WCK’s 1st war time efforts. He acknowledged the “enormous risk” his “food fighters” are taking in serving 300,000+ hot meals 24 hours a day and other assistance to Ukrainians trapped in or fleeing their homeland via 260 sites. “It’s very important that we are here with them right now and until the markets open again and things go back to normal, whatever that means,” Andres vowed, “because even in war, life goes on -- people have to eat, people have to hope.”

As this terrible war continues, on-going help is desperately needed and it is not too late to contribute to this effort. Please join us at StJB for Easter (April 17; St John’s Holy Week schedule at: www.stjohntb.org) or any upcoming Sunday (9 am service, in-person or Zoom) in our prayers for peace and collections to help Ukraine. St John’s will also next be at the Wakefield Pride Day on May 21st (Chef Dave’s grilled sausages) as well as StJB’s famous Memorial Day Pie Sale (Sat. May 28, 9 am to sell out) – both to also help raise money to support Ukrainian humanitarian efforts.  

It is heartening to witness the outpouring of generosity from a small community like Wakefield to our sister cities and towns across the world in Ukraine, especially during Lent. Collectively, we can make a positive difference in these dark days as we continue to put our faith in action, pray for peace and build hope. As Ben Franklin summed it up well -- “the good we can do together surpasses the good we can do alone.” 

StJB’s New Hansen Pike Hall…that ‘Mary & Martha’ Built

 After more than two years and a global pandemic, the Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB, Sanbornville, NH) had a glorious celebration on Sunday, July 25, 2021.  The 10th Bishop of NH, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, presided over a well-attended service in St John’s sanctuary reminding us that Jesus is ‘ego eimi’ (“I am”; or always with us) and “God’s love in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” After service, Bishop Rob and StJB’s Reverend Dave DeSalvo led in the long-awaited blessing and dedication of StJB’s new Hansen Pike Hall. A joyous reception with an abundance of good StJB food and great fellowship followed. 

The reception ceremony outlined StJB’s nearly 3-year journey in completing its campus reconfiguration. St John’s Senior Vestry Warden, Dave Giunta, detailed the 3-part vision, formed in late 2018: tear down the decrepit 1894 parish hall (early 2019), sell the 1881 rectory to be better repurposed (late 2020) and complete an energy efficient, ADA-compliant addition (early 2021). It was really a consolidation of three older buildings into one right-sized addition, complete with kitchen, bathrooms, new sacristy, classroom and offices, all attached to St John’s historic 1877 ‘little white church on the hill.’ 

It was also a day to honor and thank StJB’s very own ‘Mary and Martha’ for their amazing faith and extraordinary generosity. These two long-time parishioners -- the late Mary Hansen (1937-2019) and Martha Atwood Pike – enabled StJB’s transformation. Their bounteous financial help and thoughtful input (Martha tirelessly served on the StJB Building Committee) were instrumental and invaluable. 

In his remarks, Father Dave DeSalvo, recalled his first meeting in early 2019 with Mary Hansen -- a gifted singer and poet who joined St John’s at the tender age of 13 (~1950) -- shortly before she checked herself into Mountainview nursing home. He visited her weekly and learned about the remarkable Huggins Hospital nurse of four decades, who also started hiking in her 50s and climbed all 48 of NH’s “4,000 footers.” After her death in May 2019, Father Dave, dear friend, Becky Keating, and a few others spread her ashes on top of her favorite NH peak, Mount Willard, and read her version of Psalm 23. Later that year, the church was stunned to find Mary left everything she had to St John to support the building project. Father Dave shared, “If Mary were here this morning, I believe she’d tell us, ‘I gave so that you can make St John’s – and the world -- a better, more open and equitable place.” 

The StJB building project’s second major benefactor is Martha Atwood Pike, a brilliant woman of many exceptional gifts -- musician, photographer, politician, gardener, naturalist, & author. Born in Burlington, VT (2/7/1930), Martha is a beloved sister, mother, grandmother, friend and long-time StJB member. At 89, she joined StJB’s Building Committee formed in early 2019 and attended every meeting – in person and on Zoom. Martha always had wonderful ideas, thoughtful input, caught mistakes and as Father Dave quipped, “was occasionally a royal pain.” StJB’s is forever indebted to Martha who made the addition and hall such a functional and attractive success. At 92, Martha’s book debut, If You Talk of Love to Me, was just released at Pike Brook Press via Amazon. She is an inspiration and blessing to all. 

Dave Giunta and Father Dave also acknowledged and thanked Bishop Rob, the NH Diocese (especially Reverend Janet Lombardo, Benje Ambrogi and the Finance Committee) for their ongoing help, along with many StJB parishioners who contributed to StJB’s Building Hope Capital Campaign 2019-2021, which surpassed its goal to raise more than $108,000. They also recognized the bold leadership of StJB’s Vestry leaders: Dave Giunta, Dave Tyler, Jackie Keating, Jane Daniell, Ann Elkins, Kathryn Saunders, Mary Cullinan, Maureen Gillum and Father Dave DeSalvo. 

StJB Building Committee (BC) Chair, Kirt Gillum, also thanked the indefatigable BC team: Dick & Rhonda Burke, Father Dave DeSalvo, Tina Firicano, Dave Giunta, Maureen Gillum, Martha Pike and Cheryl Randall -- for their dedication and hard work since January 2019. He also thanked John and Brian Rourke of Rourke Fine Builders, who built the addition, and StJBs acting sexton, Russ Belyea, Jr, who just completed StJB’s stone patio. Kirt and Martha also cut the cake and had the honor of unveiling the new ‘Hansen Pike Hall’ hall sign. 

Bishop Rob declared the project a “wonderful success” and said it was “joyous” so many of Martha’s family and friends came to honor her. Giunta concluded,  “Mary and Martha went above and beyond to support this project spiritually, financially, and lovingly. Without them, Hansen Pike Hall never would have gotten off the ground or come to fruition. They can't be thanked enough.”

Now that the new Hansen Pike Hall is built and open StJB is putting it to full use. There are exciting upcoming weddings, several community non-profits are using it for meetings and other events are being planned. St John’s hosts its weekly coffee hours (following the Sunday 9 am service) and will use it for its popular Community Dinners, the first of which is a Community Chicken BBQ on Saturday, August 14th 5-7 pm to welcome and feed all.  Of note, StJB’s largest community outreach program, EpiscoGolf (a 2021 Golden Raffle) to benefit local children’s charities -- just surpassed raising $100,000 for kids in need since its inception in 1995 – will be drawn at StJB’s August 14th BBQ. For more EpiscoGolf information and the chance to win up to $2,000, visit www.stjohntb.org/episcogolf. Please join StJB at their yummy chicken BBQ open to all and tour the new Hansen Pike Hall. 

By Maureen Gillum

StJB’s EpiscoGolf 2020 Triumphs for Kids

Like much of 2020, what began as despair, turned into triumph. The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB, Sanbornville, NH), started the year exuberant about its premiere community outreach program -- its annual EpiscoGolf Tournament. After all, 2020 marked EpiscoGolf’s notable 25th year, under the able committee of Peter & Loretta Campbell, Jim Keating, Maureen Gillum & Father Dave DeSalvo. In early Spring, given the uncertainties of Covid-19, StJB reluctantly cancelled the physical golf tournament slated for August 19, 2020 at Province Lake Golf Course. 

While the tournament couldn’t be held, the need of many worthy local children’s charities – which have come to rely on St John’s EpiscoGolf help for decades - had intensified. In June the committee opted to try a new virtual Golden Ticket Raffle this year in order to continue to support our local children’s charities that needed our help now more than ever. Our initial goal was to bring in $5,000 to $6,000 – roughly half of EpiscoGolf’s normal golf tournament take – to help the kids. 

Quite astonishingly, by mid August our amazing village came together to bring in a total of more than $12,900 between the raffle and generous sponsorships for StJB’s virtual EpiscoGolf 2020. Even the grand prize raffle winner, who was selected at the drawing in front of the Poor People’s Pub August 19th, graciously (and anonymously) turned his $2020 winnings back in to help EpiscoGolf’s children’s charities. As always, 100% of EpiscoGolf proceeds will go to help children’s charities.

Now, StJB EpiscoGolf’s efforts turn to accepting and reviewing grant applications from local children’s charities. We encourage any organization serving local children in need to download the easy one-page StJB’s 2020 EpiscoGolf grant application at https://www.stjohntb.org/episcogolf and submit to StJB by October 30, 2020. Please contact Maureen at mgillum.m@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.  

Despite the pandemic, St John’s 25th EpiscoGolf was far more successful than anyone expected and demonstrated the true goodness, selflessness and kindness within our community. After grants are distributed later this year, EpiscoGolf will have collectively donated more than $96,000 to local children’s charities. Thank YOU all for your support in continuing St. John’s crucial non-denominational community outreach program – and we hope to see you back on the Province Lake links for StJB’s 26th EpiscoGolf in August 2021.

By Maureen Gillum, 8-28-2020

StJB in Focus: StJB Breaks Ground on Addition!

After a few unavoidable delays, including town permitting and the current pandemic, St John the Baptist has finally broken ground on our campus reconfiguration project! In late May, we started ground prep for our new septic system (north of the current Chapel). In early June, work is now being done to prepare the site for the slab foundation for the addition; framing should follow shortly after. The project will be in high gear throughout the summer and we will provide brief occasional updates with photos via our eBB, www.stjohntb.org web site and our Face Book page (The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist). Our target date for completion of StJB’s new Parish Hall addition — which includes a classroom, clergy office/work space, kitchen and 2 ADA bathrooms -- is by Thanksgiving 2020. Let’s hope and pray by then we can meet safely in-person and with great thanks to celebrate our grand opening and put our new addition to best use for our parish and serve the greater Wakefield community. For starters, we’ll thankfully host our biggest and best StJB Community Dinner ever! 

StJB in Focus: Welcome Reverend Dave DeSalvo

St Johns’ prayers have been answered! Our BIG news this week was officially welcoming the Reverend Dave DeSalvo on Sun May 12th (Mother’s Day 2019) as St John the Baptist’s new Priest-in-Charge.  Special thanks go out to Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, who enabled and personally made the announcement to StJB’s May 8th; the Reverend Gail Avery, Canon for Transition Ministry, who guided us in our search; and our outgoing interim Rector/Oversight Clergy, Pastor Janet Lombardo, who helped set us on our bold path of 2019 transformations. 

DeSalvo grew up in the Episcopal Church, attended seminary at Sewanee, served ten years as a lay chaplain and was ordained in the Episcopal Church—to the Diaconate in 2003 and the Priesthood in 2005. Prior to StJB, Dave served 31 years at St Andrew’s, a private, Episcopal, co-ed boarding school in Middletown, Delaware. As school chaplain, Father Dave led student service trips to Honduras, South Africa, Nicaragua and New Orleans. He also taught math, coached baseball, and served the Delaware Diocese. Dave holds a BA in English (University of the South) and a Master’s Degree in Mathematics (UNH).He recently moved to Dover, NH with his wife, Mary Park DeSalvo, a retired teacher originally from NH. They have two adult sons, Andrew and Richard, and a grandson, Brayden. Dave and Mary enjoy reading, Bible study, the seashore and lakes, and walking in the woods with their dog Daisy.

A self-professed organized planner and healer, Father Dave offers good listening/counseling skills, a positive team approach, and plays a righteous guitar. He is magnetic with kids and teens. A natural, thought-provoking teacher with a kind and warm manner, Dave brings new ideas, insights and inspiration to St John’s. “I’m thrilled to serve St John’s, grow our flock through faith-based community programs, embrace the Jesus movement and live into the Way of Love,” exclaimed Dave. He also shared he is “fully committed to St John’s for the foreseeable future” and is as excited to be here as we are to have him, especially during StJB’s dynamic campus reconfiguration. Welcome to St John the Baptist and God Bless you, Reverend Dave!                                                                                        

StJB in Focus: Campus Reconfiguration 2nd Update

Exciting news! After much deliberation and iterations, the StJB’s Building Committee (3/11/19) came to a consensus on the preliminary floor plan for the new addition. The “right-sized” ADA-compliant design of ~2,000 sq. ft. will include a ~900 sq. ft. Parish Hall (~2/3 the size of the old Parish Hall), efficient kitchen, office/class space, and two half bathrooms. With great care to ensure a proper buffer to the burial area and best optimize  the backyard, the new energy efficient building will attach directly to the north side of the church via the existing Chapel.  The current Chapel will also be repurposed to include a new Sacristy, complete with running water. The floor plan was then presented to StJB Vestry (3/12/19), where it was heartily and unanimously approved. 

What’s next? Our rough floor plan will be sent to our designer who will prepare a more detailed building design, complete with architectural elevations. This will provide visual renderings of the addition and how it will be seamlessly integrated into the style and function of St John the Baptist. We even plan to incorporate a few meaningful items from StJB’s older buildings, like the old Parish Hall double stain-glass doors and the Rectory classroom’s Good Shepherd stain glass window, into the new addition. The Building Committee plans to share the building design to the parish for review and comments in April. With design plans (and snow melt), we can also pursue an engineering site review,  bid quotes (between two vetted contractors, John Rourke and Mac Ford), project approvals, site review and prep. 

In addition, the Vestry is busy preparing our loan application to the NH Diocese to help fund the StJB’s campus reboot, including the new addition, site prep (new septic system, tree removal, parking lot work), as well as long overdue church improvements (water mitigation, add insulation, improve dirt basement/storage). Once a definitive project time-line is flushed out, Vestry will also decide on when to put the Rectory up for sale. Short-term, the Rectory continues to offer us bathroom and meeting space in our campus transition; long-term, its net sales proceeds should fund about half of the total project cost. Stay tuned for more developments in the StJB campus reconfiguration project and details on the parish meeting to review the building design soon. 

StJB in Focus: Campus Project Overview & First Update

Since our November 14th parish meeting with Bishop Rob, the St John’s vestry and Pastor Janet have been hard at work to bring the vision St John the Baptist campus reconfiguration into focus. Here is the campus project overview which addresses scope, timeframes, rough cost estimates, as well as recent and imminent highlights to keep you up to date. This overview and estimates are our best current analysis based on research, quotes and projections. It will be in constant flux as phases will overlap and the project will evolve when challenges and the unforeseen arise. Please stay tuned & be flexible!

We also commend and thank StJB’s dedicated parishioners who have stepped up to form the new StJB’s Building Committee, who will tackle this multi-phase project and submit all recommendations to StJB’s vestry for final approval. This includes committee leads, Dave Ginuta and Tina Firicano, as well as Dick Burke, James Cross (remotely), Kirt & Maureen Gillum, Martha Pike, and Cheryl Randall.

As Pastor Janet reminds us: ask questions, read (and respond) to e-mails (StJB’s weekly EBB will be key for news). The best way to know what’s going on is…GET INVOLVED in this exciting transformation.

As always, we welcome your input, comments and concerns; please e-mail janetlombardo1@gmail.com.

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Phase I: Demolition of the St John’s Parish Hall (PH)

Scope: Clean out PH; permitting; utility/service shut offs (electric, water, empty/remove oil & propane tanks); Demolition/removal of StJB PH. Properly remove all debris, including asbestos. 

Timeframe: Clean out/Prep began 11/18; Utilities/permits 12/18; Demolition slated for 1/2/19. 

Projected Estimated Cost: under $19,000. StJB vestry approved PH phase I costs of up to $20,000 (11/18); about 60% from StJB’s Thrift Shop closing balance ($10,600+); rest from current StJB funds. There is also many PH ‘offset costs’, like $565, (so far), from selling PH furnaces, appliances, etc. Some things (e.g., oil reimbursement) will take weeks to finalize. Key vendors:

Danley Demolition Inc (Fremont, NH): Demo $13,500; Asbestos testing $625; & dumpster $800.

Accolade Environmental Contracting (Plaistow, NH); properly remove/dispose asbestos $3,200

 Comments/Notes:

After decades of serving the community, the St John’s Thrift Shop sadly closed 12/1/18. Much was sold; remaining items (almost 100 clothes bags & ~30 coats) were donated to Salvation Army & Wakefield Food Pantry. We commend and offer our enduring thanks to Ann Elkins and crew, who kept this important community service going for the last 11 years. We hope this StJB ministry will re-emerge collaboratively again soon. We also salvaged/stored: stained-glass exterior & double interior front doors; five brass chandeliers (potentially use in new addition); church files/records; StJB’s rector portraits; dishes, silverware, tables, & chairs. The StJB model replica was returned to the Randall family, as their Dad built it. Many were also upset about the beloved parish hall coming down, but are starting to understand its many issues (irreparable; kitchen & handicap access; flooding, asbestos, mold; and prohibitive heat/operations costs). In order to offer closure for all on this historic community building since 1894, we’re inviting all to a PH farewell (Dec 30th 11 am, see below).

There were initial concerns about our plans impacting StJB’s status in the National Registry of Historic Places (NRHP). StJB’s 1984 NRHP application, with detailed information and history, can be found at https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/84002519.pdf  Thankfully, our NRHP’s designation is largely honorific and will NOT impact any StJB campus reconfiguration plans. 

Phase II: Sell StJB Rectory  

Scope: Clean out Rectory, select realtor, stage/sell the StJB Rectory. Transfer utilities/services. 

Timeframe: Put rectory on market late winter/early spring 2019 (to hit spring market) with stipulation closing will NOT happen until at least AFTER Easter (4/21/19; this allows church bathroom access & meeting space through winter). We hope to sell the Rectory by summer 2019. 

Real Estate Agent: While Hayes and Seven Lakes Realty were assessed; vestry approved Seven Lakes to be the StJB Rectory’s selling agent andDave Giunta & Tina Firicano to sign realty contract.

Projected Asking Price: Likely$239,000 to $249,000; we hope to clear at least $200K to $210K. Proceeds from the Rectory sale are projected to fund 50-60% of the new church addition (Phase III). 

 Comments: There may be a 2-4 month period (mid spring to early fall of 2019) after the Rectory sale and before the addition is completed, where we may have no access to indoor plumbing/bathrooms or much meeting space. We’ll make every attempt to get plumbing into the initial building stage but we’ll also make do as best we can together in the warmer months (outdoor port-a-potty? tent?).

Phase III: New StJB Addition to Church

Scope: Prepare all site work, foundation, permitting and landscaping for addition. Plan and build a new energy efficient, handicap accessible semi-modular addition of approximately 1,800 square feet, attached to current StJB church through the chapel. This will be a parish hall for community dinners and events, and include a small kitchen, bathroom, office and classroom space. Considerations will be taken to maintain the beauty and integrity of StJB’s historic Gothic Revival architecture, better use/integrate StJB’s beautiful outdoor area, and reorient/redo parking. 

 Timeframe: Rough sketches and some preliminary site work have been approved. As plans progress, solid building and plot plans will be made available soon (target date: February 2019). We intend to break ground as early as late Spring 2019. Being a semi-modular design, Phase III completion target is July/August 2019. 

Projected Estimated Cost: $350,000 to $400,000.  While Rectory sale proceeds are projected to fund 50-60% of the Phase III addition, the addition is NOT contingent on the Rectory sale as we are looking at a loan from the Diocesan Advance fund. Of course, St John’s fundraising and building pledges from parishioners will also be of vital importance in paying for the new addition. 

Outside vendors: While not finalized, Dave Giunta, Tina Firicano & Pastor Janet have met with and are leaning toward hiring contractor John Rourke (Rourke Fine Home Building, LLC, Wolfeboro, NH). Rourke recently designed and built the addition at All Saints Episcopal Church in Wolfeboro, where he was ‘on-time and under budget’. It was agreed an architect is not needed for this project.

Comments: While current vestry efforts are focused on the imminent Parish Hall demolition, a few preliminary Phase III action items have been approved. For example, vestry approved (12/9/18) a $500 test pit check to proceed soon (while ground is still diggable), to determine if our current septic system is salvageable and potentially avoid a new septic design ($3,000 12/7/18, quote from Rourke) and perhaps even a new septic system. We’re also pursuing quotes on some possible tree removal as part of Phase III site prep and parking reorientation. As the new StJB Building Committee gears up on the campus reconfiguration project, initially focusing on design work, we’ll keep you updated on plans and progress. Don’t forget to attend 1) StJB Farewell to the Parish Hall (Dec 30th, 11 am); and 2) St John’s Annual Meeting (January 20th, 11 am in the Rectory).

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Please e-mail janetlombardo1@gmail.com who continues to shepherd us through this project.

By Maureen Gillum, mgillum.m@gmail.com

StJB in Focus: Leap of Faith Campus Reconfiguration

There are many exciting and challenging changes at St John the Baptist (StJB) regarding our campus and parish directions. For more than 140 years, the ‘little white church on the hill’ has been a spiritual retreat and beacon for the community. Added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984, our church is our well-maintained pride and joy. However, St John’s other two parish buildings – the Parish Hall and Rectory -- have become an increasing burden to operate and maintain. With disrepair, water/leakage issues, decrepit roof, and prohibitive entry/access in the Parish Hall; and excessive heating/operating costs in both buildings, these structures no longer meet our needs. Further, they physically, financially and spiritually drain us; they rob or detract us from God’s mission for StJB. 

A candid property evaluation was done at St John the Baptist early this fall, led by StJB Interim Rector, Janet Lombardo, our vestry team, and the NH Diocese Canon for Mission Resources, Benge Ambrogi. After careful consideration in mid-October, St John’s dedicated vestry approved a full campus reconfiguration, including: 1) tear down the parish hall; 2) sell the rectory (separate lot), which will help fund; 3) build a new energy efficient, handicapped accessible building attached to the church through the chapel.  The new proposed modular addition will have space for community dinners/events, a modern attached kitchen, office space, and more. 

“I envision a patio to hold coffee hour looking at our beautiful stone altar and cross,” enthusiastically shared Pastor Janet, “I believe this new campus will bring new life and vitality to our church community.”

In a crucial meeting with Bishop Rob Hirschfeld and Canon for Transition, the Rev. Gail Avery, held in StJB’s sanctuary on November, 14, 2018, the proposed campus changes were brought before the congregation for discussion. It was a well-attended, 90-minute highly interactive meeting with 30+ parishioners, including vestry, Pastor Janet and Diocese leadership. While the concept was eagerly embraced by nearly all, some questions and concerns were brought up regarding logistics, timing, communication and congregational buy-in. 

Most parishioners voiced support for the vestry’s decision. They welcomed the property re-formation to reinvigorate and bring the parish together. It would allow StJB to refocus our energy and efforts away fromthe increasing burdens of exhausting and expensive real estate maintenance and more towardGod’s mission of outreach and community service. It can help us re-envision our renewed common mission, refine our direction, and help entice a new minister and parishioners. 

“This is an imperative and exciting opportunity for St John the Baptist,” proclaimed Dave Guinta, StJB vestry and building committee member. “It gives us a fresh look at our church to best meet our current and future physical structure needs and vastly reduces our time, energy, and operational costs in our buildings.”  Guinta concluded, “Far more importantly, it will help us refocus our mission, prepare and better attract a new rector, and build our vitality and sustainability as a parish.”

A few heartfelt tears and concerns were also shared. Primarily, these involved the potential immediate sale or loss of the Rectory (bathroom, coffee hour, meeting/office space), which would impact our ability to conduct Sunday services in our beloved sanctuary this winter/spring. Despite recent service announcements and coffee hour discussions, several people heard these proposals for the first time; unfortunately, they felt disconnected or overlooked. StJB’s ‘grieving process’ was also acknowledged as many are still reeling from the loss of Reverend Sue and rapid changes in the last 6 months. We need to communicate better, not just about our church buildings, but rather building up our church. As cherished parishioners, Donna Marie Currier and Donna Nelson, articulately reminded us, we need to make the time to process, heal, and “care and nurture each other.” 

While the sale of the Rectory is intended to provide a good funding start for the new addition, a call for parishioner pledge support will be needed and other funding options will be fully investigated. There is also the challenge of more people power needed to fill several open St John’s vestry positions and form a new building committee, which will be the topic of the next StJB In Focus 1.3. 

Several affirmations also focused on key StJB transitional concerns. First, Bishop Rob recognized St. John the Baptist as a “full parish” with a “dedicated group of church people;” he said there is “no interest or intent on closing this church.” Canon Gail noted the search for a “half-time priest will likely draw some one from the New England area; thankfully, the NH Diocese has a “deep bench” with several good and local supply priests, which will be explored in the coming months. Unexpectedly, Pastor Janet also offered her strong recommendation to “keep two morning services (8 am Rite I & 10 am Rite II),” which she believes is “very important to this church.”  

Conceptually, the congregation strongly supports the three-part campus reconfiguration, as approved by vestry. Given our Parish Hall is too drafty/costly to heat and entirely closes in winters, no one had much dispute of part one: tearing down the Parish Hall this fall to immediately save money and reduce hassles. This will occur after logistics are properly taken care of (stored, distributed, salvaged or tossed; please contact Tina Firicano if you want anything). Initially, there will not be space for the StJB thrift shop, but options for this mission exist through partnering or further expansion. The big ‘compromise’ to ‘minimize disruption and trauma’ was to slow down part two: delay the sale (closing and transfer) of the Rectory until at least mid-April. This would ensure the continuity of our services in our church sanctuary, allow more project time, and provide a smoother transition to part three: build a new, easy access modular addition off the church chapel. Project support was confirmed at the end of the meeting by a vast majority show-of-hands vote, urged by respected parish leader, Dave Moberg.

Bishop Rob concluded and blessed the meeting with a final prayer of guidance, where he praised St John’s “courage” in embracing this bold new campus vision and affirmed the NH Diocese’s full support. A new addition will allow StJB to more easily gather and enjoy fellowship and food, better integrate our outdoor space, and re-orient/expand our parking. Most importantly, it will free us from the overwhelming burdens of our two current real estate albatrosses and allow us to refocus efforts on God’s mission for us. There is much hard work ahead and our path forward may not be entirely clear or easy, but it is a leap of faithwe take together. And just perhaps…if we build it, they will come. 

StJB in Focus: Living in Transition

Ironically, change is about the only constant in life. Most people don’t like change as it is often difficult, disruptive, uncomfortable and a painful amount of work. Change typically requires us to think, explore, expand and adapt; it challenges our set routines and comfort zones. There is also the vital flip side to change: opportunity and growth; a chance to modify, refine and strengthen. The act of becoming offers life, vitality, and hope, while remaining the same is to stagnate and perish.

As our Bishop, Rob Hirschfeld, recently cited in News From the Vine, “The presiding Bishop (Michael Curry) speaks of our God as ‘loving, liberating, and life-giving.’ These words describe a God who is not fixed or stuck, but constantly calling us beyond the status quo.” Simply put, God wants us to embrace change and evolve.

For more than 140 years, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist (StJB) has well served the seven villages of Wakefield, NH and beyond. Through the vision, donations, and efforts of several prominent families (the Dows, Sanborns and Lows) the church was built ‘up on the hill’ in the Village of Wolfeborough Junction (now Sanbornville) in 1876-77, under architect Charles Haight. The ‘Carpenter Gothic’ architecture of our church is further enhanced by its 14 stained glass windows, a unique bidding bell, and the only pipe organ in the area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Far more importantly, StJB is known as a warm, open and inclusive church – one that welcomes ALL people in worship, fellowship and outreach.

Today, our church is in a time of transition. St John’s former rector for the last 11 years, the Reverend Sue Poulin, was called to serve St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dover, NH in March, 2018. Among the smallest parishes of the 46 Episcopal churches in New Hampshire, StJB is at the start of its search for a new minister. During this transitional work period of reflection and discernment, we are blessed to have the guidance of Interim Rector, the Reverend Dr. Janet Lombardo. Not only has Janet served as an Episcopal priest in the NH diocese for more than 20 years, she is currently a consultant to the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) specializing in Congregational Development.

“I specialize in helping congregations in transition,” explained Pastor Janet, “a crucial first step in this process is to re-envision each church’s mission or purpose. Ultimately, we work on congregational strength and vitality.”

StJB’s Warden, Tina Firicano, shared, “the hardest part is the unknowing and uncertainty of our future,” but she also sees “enormous opportunity and excitement” for the parish to “seek God’s path of what St. John’s is meant to be.” Tina added, “We may be small but we’re a feisty, sustainable church with a whole lot of love to give.”

Pastor Janet largely echoed, “St John’s is entering a period of re-envisioning of who we are and what we are doing.” While she admits transformation can be an anxious and difficult time, she assured, “we are not alone in this process – God and the diocese are there to help support us.”

Bishop Hirschfeld’s recent visit to StJB reiterated the importance of this process and encouraged the parish to “take its time” to explore and discern “who we are” and “what we want to be.” He also reminded us to keep faith, work together and trust in God to guide us.

St John’s will navigate a delicate balance to re-imagine its current mission and purpose – in essence its congregational vitality -- while also preserving its rich history within the Wakefield community.

Pastor Janet challenges us to go beyond our historic legacy to revitalize our purpose and pertinence today. “It is not enough to show up in our beautiful little church each week and support ourselves,” she stated, “individually and collectively, we must seek to serve others in our community in faith and love.”

Announcing StJB in Focus

We’re introducing a new brief monthly article series, StJB in Focus, to the first Electronic Bidding Bell (EBB) of the month. EBB is StJB weekly e-mail sent to all members at the end of every week, please join us on stjohntb.org/join-email-list. This StJB in Focus series will highlight important events, happenings or work within our church community and is archived here on our web site. Appropriately, our September 2018 launch article: Living in Transition, addresses our opportunities in change. New StJB member and former news editor, Maureen Gillum, will be championing this monthly EBB and web site series, but encourages your feedback, topic ideas, and article contributions. Maureen can be reached at mgillum.m@gmail.com.