Some of us still have our Christmas decorations up, despite having moved beyond the Twelve Days of Christmas. If this applies to you too, there is no shame! …
2025 Vestry Nominees
I’m in the mood for ... Laundry Love!
Ushers Needed
Sunday School Update: Lessons in love from MLK
Dear St. John’s familes,
This week we are offering a one room schoolhouse in the Pre-K room for MLK Day.
Martin Luther King offers an important lesson about love for our children.
This holiday is a great opportunity to talk to children about important values Dr. King emphasized, like love, peace, and racial and cultural equality. It’s also a good time to talk about simple ways that kids can help keep his dreams and wisdom alive. And you’re never too young to start a life of activism.
In the spirit of Martin Luther King’s life of service and activism, we invite you to participate in the St. John’s day of service for School on Wheels this Monday, Jan. 20th. Limited spots remain! Ages 5+ (with a parent) are welcome.
School on Wheels provides educational support—including tutoring, mentoring, and school supplies—to Massachusetts students facing homelessness and poverty. Over 11,000 students in the Bay State have received backpacks and school supplies from School on Wheels. More information about the organization can be found at sowma.org.
You can help in two ways: sign up via the link below to volunteer Jan. 20 at their site in East Bridgewater and/or donate NEW books and school materials. Books for children grades 5–12 are particularly needed! (Buttonwood has a wonderful selection!)
Donations can be left in the bin at the side entrance or in the donation bin in the narthex.
Thank you for your support!
Supplies Needed:
New books for kids K–12 (Grades 5–12 are especially needed)
Quality backpacks for kids K–12, 17” or longer
Pencil boxes and zipper pouches
Dixon Ticonderoga pencils
Hand sanitizer and face masks
Jumbo pencils and large erasers
Safety scissors for children (must be blunt)
Glue sticks
Large covered pencil sharpeners
Blue, red, and black pens
8-pack sets of washable markers
12-pack sets of colored pencils
Flexible plastic rulers
Highlighters
Pack of index cards (100 count)
Square root and scientific calculators
Shiny Pocket folders
Composition notebooks
Doodle pads
Single subject, wide ruled notebooks
1” binders and dividers
Crayons and fun pencils
Alexis MacElhiney
Sunday School Director & Youth Coordinator
Warrant of Annual Meeting
Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist, the Annual Meeting of the Parish shall be held on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in the Church Parish Hall immediately following the 10 a.m. service.
To receive reports of the Priest & Wardens, the Officers, and Chairs of Committees, and other organizations of the parish;
To elect members of the Vestry;
To receive the budget for 2025;
To receive and act upon resolutions and to transact such other business that may be brought before said Meeting.
With the concurrence of the Rev. Edward Thornley, and Wardens, Jody Jones Turner and Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn.
From the Rector: Finding the heart of St. John’s
Dear Friends,
I sat down at my desk this past Monday morning to begin writing my annual report for our upcoming annual meeting on January 26. It was a curious experience. For one thing, I haven’t been here for a year, and so I had to begin writing in such a way that acknowledged my somewhat limited experience. And yet, as soon as I started writing, I found myself recalling all the things Devon and I have already shared with you all in our mere six months with you. And while my first draft still very much feels like a long list of “thank yous”—which I’m sure isn’t a surprise—it was in the listing of events, the naming of individuals, and the seemingly endless thanksgivings that something special emerged. I became more aware of what holds this place together.
So, what holds this place together? Well, God, obviously. But how? One of the things that struck me, indeed as we were saying farewell to Buffy Gray on Sunday, was the deep interconnectivity of this parish. One of the hardest things to establish in any community, let alone a parish church, is a culture where people are genuinely embedded in each others’ lives in ways which are healthy, pastoral, and fruitful; where people truly care about each other, and where the connectivity is authentic and unforced. It may sound funny to say, but one of the most difficult jobs any parish has is nurturing such a Christian relationality; not because people, or indeed priests are that difficult, but because, especially in a wider culture of suspicion, skepticism, and irony, fostering such deep relationships is unusual, to say the least. And yet, it is possible. One of the great gifts of St. John’s, especially for someone entering the community afresh, is that this deeper level of engagement is already prevalent and heartfelt. It’s organic, and you sense it as soon as you walk through the door. And from there, having established that level of connection, one can then set about the “business” of worship, spirituality, and prayer in ever new ways.
Indeed, this is another unusual aspect of St. John’s. From the theological point of view of many in parish ministry, such community is often seen as the product of worship rather than something which we then bring to worship. Yet, as someone remarked to me recently, what often currently brings people through the door of St. John’s is the sense of community, and from there the worship begins. Those of you who first discovered this community through the Not-So-Spooky Haunted House, the Holiday Boutique, Summerfest, or one of our many social gatherings, for example, will perhaps testify to this. And so, we begin from a different angle, where community brings together the people for worship, and this is not unusual in the contemporary church. However, here lies our task as a parish: whatever may bring one through the door, how can we then nurture that sensation of being compelled? Once we are together in worship, how do we then grow that connection? Put in more spiritual terms, how do we pray? And how do we go on praying even when we leave? It is in questions such as those that we discover the heart of our shared journey in the heart of God.
The Rev. Edward Thornley
Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist
Upcoming events at Glastonbury Abbey
Monday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.: What Do We (I) Really Believe? with Fr. Timothy Joyce, OSB. This month’s topic is “Celebrating the Eucharist.” Join Fr. Timothy virtually in his monthly conversations about faith, doubt, and belief. Only goodwill and openness to share and listen are needed. Registration is required.*
Thursday, Jan. 16, 7:15 p.m.: Listening to Other Voices, Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones, “Prayer as Soul Talk: An Enriching Practice for Spiritual Engagement.” Rev. Dr. Jones will share practices to enable us to engage, enliven and embrace the conversations we can have with our souls.
Presented in person and online (registration is required). All are welcome!*
Jan. 20–24: A New Year Guided Retreat, “Loving Our Becoming” Facilitated by: Patricia Laliberte, Oblate OSB and Denise Patts, Oblate OSB. Through creative methods, prayer and meditation we will explore the questions Where have I been? Where am I Going? Spend this time with scissors, paste and paper as you create a Life Map. Let the prayer time at Glastonbury help you unfold a view for your future. In person only. Suggested donation $450 includes 4-nights’ accommodation and meals. Please register by Jan 15th.*
Jan. 21, 28 & Feb. 11: “From Languishing to Flourishing...” with John Sheff. Do you wake up ready to start your day or would you rather go back to sleep? Do you have a sense of purpose, or do you find much of your day to feel meaningless? Based on your answers, you already may have an idea of where you might be on the languishing flourishing continuum. Presented in person and online (registration required).*
Jan. 31–Feb. 2: Resting in God, a Meditation Retreat, Facilitated by: Karen Casale, Oblate OSB and Jean McDonald, Oblate OSB. This in person only, weekend retreat will offer the opportunity to set aside the busyness of a noisy world and return to stillness, listening, prayer, and meditation. Suggested donation $250 includes 2-nights’ accommodation and meals. Please register by Jan 27th.*
*To register or for more information go to: https://gacc.retreatportal.com Call 781-749-2155 ext. 300 with any questions.
Sunday School/Youth Group
Middle School Youth Group meets this Sunday at 6 p.m. for an Epiphany Party! We’ll be star gazing by the fire pit (if not too cold) and discussing our callings. Dinner will be served, followed by a king’s cake!
Also, this Sunday is Confirmation kick-off at 3:30 p.m.! Fr. Ed will be going over the curriculum and answering questions. This event is for youth (9th grade and up) and their families. Snacks will be served!
High school youth group meets next on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.
Have any questions or need to get added to the Sunday School or Youth Group newsletter?
Please email Alexis
Offertory Tokens
All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1 Chronicles 29:14)
The passing of the offering plate makes tangible and communal the act of supporting God’s work. However, as more of us shift to online giving, there are fewer parishioners participating in this tradition. This week, we are introducing Offertory Tokens to bring back a physical gesture to reinforce this spiritual practice.
If you are one of the many generous parishioners who give online, please collect a Token from the ushers when entering the sanctuary. At the time of the offering, place the Token into the plate as a tangible sign of your support of the work God is doing at St. John’s.
(These tokens will be reused every week—please don’t take them home!)
Budget Q&A meeting
This Sunday, Jan. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Thayer Room, Finance Committee Chair Brad Galko, and Junior Warden Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn, will be offering a “Q&A” session on our 2025 budget, ahead of our Annual Meeting. If you are interested in church finance and/or have questions about our upcoming budget, then please join us! This is a great opportunity to connect with our church leadership on any questions you may have about our financial priorities for 2025.
Interim Organist/Choir Director gets his start
Brian Locke, Interim Organist and Choir Director for St. John’s, ran his first choir rehearsal Thursday night in Upper Weld Hall. He makes his debut Sunday morning at the 10 a.m. service at the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord. The service will feature George Brandon’s “Carol of the Baptism” and Peter Hallock’s “Baptism of Jesus.”
Annual General Meeting is Jan. 26
Save the date of Jan. 26 for our Annual General Meeting!
Please plan to attend after church for a light lunch, hear about highlights of the year, plans for next year, elect vestry members, and approve next year’s budget.
What to do with the kids? Not to worry: we have Munsey’s Magic coming to entertain them in Lower Weld! Reviews of Jim Munsey are fantastic, people say “he’s awesome,” “a must-see” and gets “lots of laughs and wows.” It should be a great experience!
MLK Day of Service: School on Wheels
Please join St. John’s in supporting School on Wheels in Massachusetts for this year’s MLK Day of Service! School on Wheels provides educational support—including tutoring, mentoring, and school supplies—to Massachusetts students facing homelessness and poverty. Over 11,000 students in the Bay State have received backpacks and school supplies from School on Wheels. More information about the organization can be found at sowma.org.
You can help in two ways:
Sign up here to volunteer January 20th at their site in East Bridgewater; and/or
Donate NEW books and school materials. Books for children grades 5 and higher are particularly needed. (Buttonwood has a wonderful selection!)
Donations can be left in the bin at the side entrance or in the donation bin in the narthex.
Thank you for your support!
Sunday School Update: Speaking in parables
Christ Healing the Blind Man (Eustache Le Sueur, c1645)
Dear St. John’s familes,
In Sunday School over the next few weeks, we follow Jesus’s life and learn his teachings through miracles he performs and parables he tells.
In the 3-4-5 classroom, the children will hear about Blind Bartamaeus. These supernatural acts of love and power drew people to Jesus, revealed His divine nature, opened hearts to the message of salvation and caused many to glorify God. They also demonstrated Christ’s absolute authority over nature and his limitless compassion. Altogether, they proved that He was, indeed, the promised Messiah.
In our Godly Play classrooms, the children will be learning the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Here’s some interesting information I found about one of the reasons Jesus spoke in parables:
When we ask a question, maybe the answer isn’t as important as we think. Jesus often sidestepped the questions that were asked of him. Rather than answering the question he tells a story about something seemingly totally different. Why? Because he’s more concerned with our heart than adding to our knowledge. Our heart is what brings about change; our head just fills with facts. Sometimes the answers we think we need won’t bring us what we hoped. Sometimes the questions we ask aren’t really what we are after. More information rarely leads to life change. But when our heart is addressed life change is soon to follow. God gives us what we need, what we are really after. But he doesn’t always give us the answers we are seeking. Jesus knew that the answer wouldn’t bring comfort, hope, or create life change. But a story could. (Jeffrey Curtis Poor)
It occurred to me that Godly Play follows this method of teaching as well by telling stories and asking “wondering questions.” Instead of just giving the children what we think the meaning of the story is, the wondering questions invite them to explore their own heart for what the answer might be. I do think lessons resonate more fully when you’re allowed to make connections and draw your own conclusions. Food for thought ...
Warm regards,
Alexis
Alexis MacElhiney
Sunday School Director & Youth Coordinator
Organist Elisabeth “Buffy” Gray retires
Elisabeth “Buffy” Gray was celebrated Jan. 5, 2025, on the occasion of her retirement as Organist and Choirmaster of St. John’s. She has served in the role since 2015.
The Rev. Ed Thornley recognized her contributions to St. John’s during announcements, presenting Buffy and her husband Nick with an icon of St. John the Evangelist, and a copy of ancient music for the Mass of St. John the Evangelist.
For her final service, Buffy chose a personal favorite, “No Small Wonder” by Paul Edwards and Paul Wigmore, for the communion anthem. The entire congregation remained for her postlude, J.S. Bach’s “In dir ist Freude (In Thee is Joy),” and gave her a rousing ovation when she turned the organ off for the last time.
Buffy encouraged the congregation to sing in church. “God loves to hear your voice, even if you don’t!” she quipped.
During Coffee Hour, Buffy was, appropriately, honored in song by the choristers (and alumni) and the adult choir, which each sang a hymn adapted for the purpose.
On Saturday evening, Buffy was feted by both choirs at the Fickes home, and showered with many gifts befitting her vocations and avocations.
Before coming to St. John’s, Buffy served at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields in Lincoln, Mass., and Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill. She also served as Interim Music Director at Christ Church, Cambridge as well as at All Saints, Ashmont. Before moving to Massachusetts, she served as Organist and Choir Director at St. George’s-by-the-River in Rumson, New Jersey.
Brian Locke has been appointed interim organist and choirmaster, starting Jan. 6.
Photos and story by Matthew Ginn
South Shore Deanery Sacred Ground Series: An Invitation
It’s hard to watch the news these days and not feel helpless and heartbroken about the state of race relations in America. Yet this is not a new story. Indeed, the current divisiveness and fissures across lines of perceived difference in our country have resulted in fear, indifference toward one another rather than understanding and acceptance.
This year, we invite our siblings in the South Shore Deanery to participate in a journey over the sacred ground of racial introspection and reconciliation. It won’t be an easy walk, but it will be a transformative one. We hope you will give serious consideration to participating in Sacred Ground, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race.
We will walk through the chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.
This 11-part series, put together by the Episcopal Church and co-led by St. John the Evangelist parishioners Dr. Holly Carter and Dr. Caitlin Slodden with facilitated small group discussions, is built around a powerful in-person and online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories.
This is not intended as a series to make white people feel bad about themselves. Rather, it is a chance to look at hard, often minimized truths about race and culture in a world that so desperately needs racial healing and understanding. Participating in Sacred Ground is a tangible way to engage our continuing struggle with racial identity and difference in the context of our lives as fellow children of God.
We won’t leave with all the answers and perhaps it will only raise more questions. But when we view such an educational opportunity as a first step towards greater reconciliation, God is praised and our potential to serve agents of healing is realized.
Our Sacred Ground series will be offered in hybrid format with in-person sessions held on Sundays at 12:30–2 p.m. at The Parish of St. John the Evangelist (172 Main St., Hingham), beginning on Feb. 9. The virtual sessions will be held on Monday evenings 7–8:30 p.m. beginning on Feb. 10. Both the in-person and virtual series will begin with a brief presentation followed by small and whole group discussions. Recognizing that schedules are complicated, we are asking those participating in this program to attempt to attend all 11 sessions, as the group aspect is an important component. If you are interested in serving as a facilitator for the small group discussions, training sessions will be scheduled during the weeks of Jan. 26 or Feb. 2.
For additional information or questions about this program, and, most importantly to sign up for the in-person or virtual Sacred Ground series send an email to sacredgroundsouthshoredeanery@gmail.com or contact Holly Carter at 617-610-8508. We ask that you sign up by Jan. 19, 2025. There is a 40-person limit for the in-person sessions and a 30-person limit for the virtual sessions.
From the Rector: Feeling the joy of Christmastide
Dear friends,
Audrey Farrell carries the Christmas Star down the aisle.
A very Happy Christmastide and New Year to you all. I trust that this note finds you well and sharing a good Christmas season as we move into the new year. It has been a good Christmas at St. John’s. Our worship throughout the season so far has been immensely joyful and full of hope; from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Eucharists, from tots and toddlers to pageants, from midnight mass to baptisms, from joyful singing to the holy tarantula … Yes, I finally saw it, and I am very grateful. And for those who may be wondering what I am referring to, please see the photos and video of our pageant and the star which the shepherds and magi followed … It was very special, I must say.
One of the memories that I will take with me following our Christmas Eve worship was the final “scene” of our pageant. Again, if you watch the service again online, you’ll notice that during the hymn the whole “cast” gathers around the manger, featuring one of our parish family’s newborns! And as the characters gathered, the baby smiled, the tarantula-star hovered over, and the singing rang out, I had this wonderful realization of what makes this parish what it is, and what a gift it is to be here. There so much quirky (yet incredibly well controlled!) chaos, with so much laughter, smiles, and over four hundred people all zooming in on this one moment. It was not only one of the most worshipful moments I’ve witnessed in a pageant (that wasn’t a comment on the chaos, by the way), but one of the most delightful I’ve seen in such a service. It was pure joy. And, furthermore, there was hope.
Moments like this are significant for all of us. Indeed, as I’ve said elsewhere in this season, Christmas is not always the happiest or easiest time for everyone. In fact, for some it can be an unbearable season, and for important reasons. Without boring you with my life story (again … you’ve heard my sermons), Christmas isn’t the easiest season for me either. But what caught my attention the other day in church, as the pageant came to an end, was that this moment of jubilation didn’t distract from or water down the importance of the serious side of Christmas. If anything, it was a gentle, quirky sign of hope. Essentially, it helped me stop for a second and think, “Now I can see something new worth striving for.”
Brian Locke
And so, here we are: 2025, a new year, and a lot of joy and change ahead. This Sunday, we will say farewell to Buffy Gray on the occasion of her retirement. On Monday, Brian Locke will begin as our interim organist and choirmaster. Over the next few weeks, we will also prepare for our annual meeting which will take place on Sunday, Jan. 26 after the 10 a.m. Eucharist. And from there, we will launch fully into the new year with a renewed vestry, and many plans and hopes for our future ministry. Wherever you are on your journey, I pray that you will find what you are looking for in this new year, and I hope that you will share your journey as part of this parish’s life.
Devon and I (and the cats!) send you all our greetings, prayers, and blessings for the new year.
With prayers for peace this Christmastide,
Ed.
The Rev. Edward Thornley
Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist
Sunday School Update: Learning about Epiphany
Happy New Year, St. John’s families!
I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday break! I want to thank all of our pageant participants for doing such a fabulous job with our brand new pageant, called Good News of Great Joy. It truly was a joy to watch our children re-tell the story of Jesus’ birth with such enthusiasm. I am so proud of their effort and confidence in performing in front of so many people! It is such a great way for them to learn the story. A special thanks to all of our helpers who made this pageant possible!
We are back to routine this Sunday and will be learning about the Epiphany! This is the feast day that celebrates the arrival of the Magi to see Jesus after his birth and marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Warm regards,
Alexis
Alexis MacElhiney
Sunday School Director & Youth Coordinator
Christmas Pageant 2024 in pictures
The children of St. John’s debuted a new Christmas pageant production called “Good News of Great Joy” at the 4 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. The play, written by Alexis MacElhiney and co-directed by Alexis, Erin Farrell, and Tracy O’Sullivan, was well performed, and well received by the congregation that packed the sanctuary and overflowed into Upper Weld Hall.
Angel Madeleine Potts waits backstage.
Animals wait patiently in the wings.
Gracie Murphy, as Mary, scans the set.
Annabella Pimental was the first narrator.
Gabriel (Daphne Ginn) delivers the good news to Mary (Gracie Murphy).
An innkeeper (Juliette Larocca) refers Joseph (Louisa Murphy) and Mary (Gracie Murphy) to a colleague who might have room for them.
Shepherds hear that a wonderful thing has happened and decide to check it out for themselves.
The angel of the Lord (Audrey Farrell) addresses the onlookers.
A host of angels sings glory to God.
The baby Jesus (Mackenna Ridill) is laid in the manger.
Addie Hulme narrates.
The star (Holy Tarantula) leads the wise men to Bethlehem.
Three wise men (Aaron Baker, Fox Clarke, Kyler Pimental) follow the star to find the newborn King.
All worship the newborn King.
Photos by Matthew Ginn