Holiday Boutique—That’s a Wrap

The 2024 Holiday Boutique was a great success thanks to the many hands, and generous hearts that contributed to the Church’s largest fundraiser.

A huge thank you to the 170+ volunteers who offered their time to plant bulbs, donate items for the Café, set-up, drop yard signs, and staff events.

We could not do it without you!

Some exciting numbers to share for this year’s Boutique include:

• 1,000 Shoppers through the Church doors on Saturday

• 60 Yard signs planted

• 170+ Volunteers

• 37 Leaders who brought their enthusiasm, ideas, and can-do spirit

• 15+ St. John’s Youth who were instrumental in running the Boutique

• 27 Vendor participants

• $45,000 fundraising profit to St. John’s, including our best Auction ever!

• Countless Prayers of Thanksgiving for all who contributed!

Save the Date!

2025 Holiday Boutique

Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary

November 22 & 23, 2025

Sunday School Update: Christmas Pageant preparations

Dear St. John’s families,

This Sunday, the kids are learning about St. Nicholas during Sunday School and then will be treated to a surprise visit from him at coffee hour. He will share a story from his life and hand out some special treats!

This week, we’re also gearing up for the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Pageant and beginning costuming. We have found a fun new script that has plenty of speaking roles and some humor sprinkled in. This pageant will be open to all children ages 3 and up. Given that this new pageant is inclusive to all children, we have decided to pause the Little Kids Pageant for the time being. We believe that a more streamlined holiday schedule will be less stressful and more joyful for everyone involved.

We are currently looking for children/youth to fill the roles of Narrator, Innkeepers, Wife of Innkeeper, Shepherds, Kings, Angels, and Animals (including Mary’s donkey). Please let me know if your child is interested. While every child may not receive their first choice, there is a role for everyone! Please indicate your interest here.

Costuming begins this Sunday before and after church! Please note that we will not be able to handle costuming during rehearsal time as we need all of the scheduled time for practice.

Here is the rehearsal/costuming schedule:

Dec. 8: Costuming before and after church

Dec. 15: Costuming before church, Rehearsal after church (45 min.)

Dec. 17: Costuming 5 p.m., Rehearsal 5:30–7 p.m.

Dec. 22: Costuming before church, Rehearsal during Sunday School

Children with speaking roles (All roles except Angels, Animals, and Kings) will need to commit to the above rehearsal schedule. Children with other roles need to come to at least one rehearsal (more is better).

I’m looking forward to spending a wonderful holiday season with your children!

Warmly,

Alexis

Returning to the Common Cup in Advent

Dear friends,

As we enter the season of Advent we begin a new Church year which always brings changes to our liturgy and worship patterns (see my e-newsletter this week). One “not-quite-so-Advent” yet still necessary liturgical change on the horizon for us regards our practice of the common cup. As we discussed back in the summer, St. John’s is one of the few parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts which still uses intinction cups during the Eucharist. These were instituted during the pandemic as an additional health precaution which was appropriate for that time. However, as we are no longer in that time, almost all parishes have returned to the traditional practice of receiving communion by sharing a common cup.

We attempted this return to regular practice in the summer. However, amidst many other changes at that time—including some British bloke turning up at one point—we decided to shelve that change for a more appropriate season. During our recent visitation from Bishop Julia, she recommended to our Vergers and Worship Committee that we return to the common cup in the new liturgical year. Bishop Julia prefers a common cup theology, as indeed do I—among numerous others both in the wider Church and among our own parish—and especially given our new Bishop’s suggestion, I am naturally inclined to follow her lead.

Of course, intinction is included in this. The common cup is not about excluding intinction. Rather, it is about enabling everyone, however we receive communion, to share one cup. Both theologically and practically, the common cup is central to Episcopal, indeed Christian identity. For, as we physically receive the bread and wine from the same vessels, we also liturgically and spiritually participate in that same pattern of shared grace and prayerfulness which Jesus shared with his disciples and has been practiced throughout the ages. Furthermore, there are other practical reasons for returning to a shared cup. In the coming months, we will continue to experience a clergy shortage, and, given our children and youth members’ wider commitments we will also encounter a shortage of acolytes and servers at various points. Our altar space is also becoming increasingly cluttered with multiple vessels with fewer people to administer them.

Indeed, if you have questions about health concerns, please do look at the links below to a few widely available sources which hopefully provide some clarity here. They detail not only previous Diocesan recommendations and guidance, but also provide reference to research and policy throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion which explain how the common cup has been proven to be a safe practice again for some time.

We will return to our former practice of the common cup this Sunday, The First Sunday of Advent. When you come for communion, you may receive the bread by opening your hands before you. When the cup comes to you, please either guide the chalice to your lips, or you may intinct the bread in the chalice. And again, intinction is allowed, as always. Also, if you wish to receive communion in one kind only (i.e. receiving only the bread or only the wine) then this is full communion as well. If you have questions, then please do not hesitate to reach out to me or one of our Vergers.

With every blessing,

The Rev. Edward Thornley, Rector

and

Tom Daley, Verger

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Some helpful links

From The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts:

Bishop’s Expanded Remarks on Holy Communion Protocols

From The Diocese of Europe:

Note about receiving Holy Communion by Intinction

From The Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel, Senior Associate Rector, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Washington D.C.:

The Common Cup

An early research paper on the common cup during the pandemic:

COVID-19 and Holy Communion

From the Rector: A change of season

Dear friends,

This week, we begin the season of Advent, the beginning of a new church year. As with all faith communities, the Christian Church has its own calendar which, while bearing similarities to others, also holds many differences. The Church’s year begins at the start of December, from which point we journey through the story of Jesus’s life and ministry. As we move through each season—Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and so on—we recount a particular aspect of Jesus’s life and how God is transforming our lives through him. During Advent, we return to the beginning of Jesus’s life, charting the prophecies and the lives of those who immediately paved the way for Christ to enter the world, through to our celebration of his birth at Christmas.

Each week, we will light the Advent Wreath at the beginning of our Parish Eucharist. On each Sunday in Advent, a different candle will represent one of the people or communities who opened the way for Jesus to come among us. The order follows: (1) the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Moses and the early forefathers of the children of Israel, the communities who first encountered God; (2) the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, who predicted the Messiah would one day come to us; (3) John the Baptist, Jesus’s cousin, who baptized and preached in Jesus’s name prior to Jesus’s own ministry; and (4) the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus’s mother. Indeed, Advent itself is a journey; a season where we follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, until finally, at Christmas, we light the central candle which represents Christ as the true light of the world.

Alongside the Wreath, you will also notice other liturgical changes. The Eucharistic Prayer will be different, for example, where we will follow one which reflects more specifically on the incarnation and the overarching Biblical narrative. The colors in church will shift to purple, which represents royalty, depth, and, like the season of Lent, a degree of penitence, making space, and a reimagining of priorities. After all, Advent is a season of preparation as much as joyful expectation. The collects, prayers of the people, sermons, and other liturgical practices offered throughout the season will also reflect this spirituality, as will also several opportunities for spiritual formation which will be offered throughout the season.

Devon and I hope that you will consider joining us for theological discussion and/or compline during the season (see the separate advert). Indeed, there will be many other opportunities to gather for worship and fellowship throughout the season in addition to Sunday worship, so do keep an eye out for the weekly announcements. I also hope you will join us for Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.! In the meantime, I trust that you all have a good Thanksgiving and let us pray together for our parish community as we enter this wonderful new year and a new chapter together.

With every blessing,

Ed.

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The Rev. Edward Thornley

Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist

Sunday School Update: Entering Advent

Dear St. John’s families,

This week we enter into Advent, a season of waiting, expectation, and excitement to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

As we turn the page into this new season we have much to look forward to at church, some time-honored traditions and some new ones!

This week we will host the inter-generational Advent Wreath Workshop during coffee hour. This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to make an Advent wreath together to enjoy for the whole season at home. Candles and at-home prayers for each week are included. This is an event not to be missed!

On Dec. 8, St. Nicholas will be joining us at coffee hour for a special visit. This is always a hit with the kids, especially since treats are involved!

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that we have a brand new pageant that will take place at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service! We have found a fun new script that has plenty of speaking roles and some humor sprinkled in. This pageant will be open to all children ages 3 and up. Given that this new pageant is inclusive to all children, we have decided to pause the Little Kids Pageant for the time being. We believe that a more streamlined holiday schedule will be less stressful and more joyful for everyone involved.

Calling all budding actors and narrators!

We need children/youth to serve as narrators, Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Innkeepers, Wife of Innkeeper, Shepherds, Kings, Angels, and Animals (including Mary’s donkey). Please let me know if your child is interested. While every child may not receive their first choice, there is a role for everyone! Please indicate your interest here.

Here is the preliminary schedule:

Dec. 8: Costuming after church

Dec. 15: Rehearsal after church

Dec. 18: Evening rehearsal

Dec. 22: Rehearsal during Sunday School

Children with speaking roles (all roles except Angels and Animals) will need to commit to the above rehearsal schedule. Non-speaking roles will need to commit to at least two rehearsals.

Warmly,

Alexis

Youth group to make Advent Wreaths

The next meeting for both Middle and High School Youth Group is Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. for Advent wreath making and dinner.

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Our group of South Africa travelers is selling some great items at the Boutique! Please stop by our table in Lower Weld. We are offering custom wrapping paper, wreath décor to make your own beautiful wreath or planter, and ornaments from South Africa. All proceeds will go towards funding the cost of travel for our trip leader and chaplain, as well as donations to organizations in South Africa.

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Have any questions or need to get added to the Sunday School or Youth Group newsletter?

Please email Alexis

Advent Lessons and Carols

Please join the St. John’s Choir for the annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Through a series of Scripture readings emphasizing the loving purposes of God, interspersed with choir anthems and congregational hymns, this unique service draws us ever closer to the saving event of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Held during the season of anticipation, this is not a Christmas liturgy but one that points us toward the coming of the Prince of Peace. This long-standing parish tradition is followed by a candlelight reception in Upper Weld Hall.

Advent and Christmas at St. John’s

Evenings in Advent

The season of Advent is a time of preparation; watching and waiting expectantly, as we look to celebrate the light of Christ entering our world. As part of our Advent journey this year, Fr. Edward Thornley and Dr. Devon Abts will be offering a series of opportunities to gather, pray, and share in fellowship during the season.

On Sunday evenings, youth group students will have the opportunity to learn about preparing for confirmation classes amidst their usual activities. Then, students and their families, with all parishioners are invited to experience compline: an ancient, candlelit service of evening prayer. Compline is a beautiful service; sometimes chanted, but mostly simply spoken, and only 15 minutes long. It is one of the oldest services in the church and offered at the end or completion (compline) of the day. Compline will be gently offered in the parish church each Sunday evening, led by Fr. Ed, and then followed by a time for silent prayer and meditation by candlelight until 9 p.m.—a peaceful way to begin one’s week in a busy yet prayerful season. The service is open to all.

Then, on Wednesday evenings during Advent, Fr. Ed and Dr. Abts will be hosting an Advent meditation and discussion at the Rectory, accompanied by a simple meal and compline. When you come to church on the Sundays in Advent, you will notice that we light the Advent Wreath at the beginning of the service. Each candle lit represents a different aspect of the Biblical narrative which prepares for Jesus’s birth. Each Wednesday evening, we will read a poem, a passage of scripture, and then engage in a short discussion around the Advent Wreath and the theme for the week, during which food and drinks will be served, and then a short, spoken compline service will conclude the evening. If you wish to attend, please email Fr. Ed directly at ethornley@stjohns-hingham.org to RSVP. Participants will be sent the readings and poems in advance of the gatherings for discussion. Printed copies will also be provided on the evening.

Below you will find a full list of our Advent gatherings, as well as our Christmas services. We look forward to welcoming you to St. John’s in this joyful season!

Advent

The First Sunday of Advent—December 1

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II

11 a.m. – Advent Wreath Making

6 p.m. – Middle School and High School Youth Group, with Confirmation Class FAQ

7:30 p.m. – Compline

7:45 p.m. – Silent Meditation

Wednesday Evening in Advent I—December 4

6:30 p.m. – Advent Meditation and Discussion with Compline at the Rectory

The Second Sunday of Advent—December 8

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II

11 a.m. – St. Nicholas visits Coffee Hour

5 p.m. – Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, followed by reception

7:30 p.m. – Compline

7:45 p.m. – Silent Meditation (until 9 p.m.)

Wednesday Evening in Advent II—December 11

6:30 p.m. – Advent Meditation and Discussion with Compline at the Rectory

The Third Sunday of Advent—December 15

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II

6 p.m. – Middle School and High School Youth Group, with Confirmation Class FAQ

7:30 p.m. – Compline

7:45 p.m. – Silent Meditation (until 9 p.m.)

Wednesday Evening in Advent III—December 18

6:30 p.m. – Advent Meditation and Discussion with Compline at the Rectory

The Fourth Sunday of Advent—December 22

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30 p.m. – Compline

7:45 p.m. – Silent Meditation (until 9 p.m.)

Christmas at St. John’s

Christmas Eve—Tuesday, December 24

2 p.m. – Tots and Toddlers Eucharist, Rite II

4 p.m. – Christmas Pageant and Eucharist, Rite II

9:30 p.m. – Midnight Mass

Choral prelude begins at 9:30 p.m.

Eucharist, Rite II, begins at 10 p.m.

Christmas Day—Wednesday, December 25

10 a.m. – Christmas Day Eucharist, Rite II

The First Sunday after Christmas—December 29

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Baptism

Note from the Wardens—A Special Thank You

Thank you to all who joined us for a beautiful evening Tuesday to celebrate Fr. Ed's Institution as our ninth Rector! On behalf of the Vestry, we wish to share our immense gratitude to our Rector Search Committee and Transition Team.

We thank the incredible Rector Search Committee—Chairs Rob Hess and Elizabeth Moulds and their team Matthew Ginn, Sara Dickison Taylor, Barbie Dwyer, Bill Carter, Dan Fickes, Caitlin Slodden, Jane Carr, Molly Powers, and Cathy Torrey—who after months of prayerful discernment, recommended Fr. Ed as our next Rector. It was wonderful to see them all in attendance on Tuesday evening, enjoying a well-deserved celebration together.

We are also very grateful to Sara Dickison Taylor, Jenn Gay-Smith and Elizabeth Moulds for their dedicated service as Fr. Ed’s Transition Team. For the past several months, they have worked tirelessly to welcome Ed and Devon to St. John’s—arranging meet and greets with parishioners, ensuring that the Rectory was comfortable for their arrival, and organizing the Institution and reception. Thank you Sara, Jenn and Elizabeth for your thoughtfulness, your time, and your faithful service!

Brian Locke introduced as Interim Organist

Dear friends,

I am delighted to announce our Interim Organist and Choirmaster for the New Year! Upon the retirement of Elisabeth “Buffy” Gray on Jan. 5, 2025, we will be welcoming Brian Locke as our new parish musician. In recent months, as we begin to celebrate and give thanks for Buffy’s music ministry among us, I have been working with several organizations to help us following our beloved Buffy’s departure. Brian’s name was immediately and enthusiastically recommended by numerous musicians and scholars in the church music world. Having met with Brian, and indeed witnessed several members of our parish getting to speak with him and hear him play, it was clear that he should be joining us. Following the Wardens’ and Vestry’s blessing, I am enormously grateful to Brian for him accepting this position.

Brian maintains a widely varied musical career as an organist, pianist, chamber musician, conductor, and vocal coach in addition to his daytime work in building operations and commercial real estate. Before his recent move to Boston last spring, Brian spent 10 years in Chicago and was Director of Music and Organist at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Park Ridge, Ill. (2018-2024), where he grew choral participation by 60% and introduced cross-diocesan parish partnerships with other music programs to stem larger musical ventures from combined small parish choirs. Before serving St. Mary’s Church, he was assisting organist at St. James’ Cathedral, Chicago and previously served at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta and Trinity Cathedral, Columbia S.C. among others. Brian holds degrees from the University of South Carolina (B.M.) and the University of Michigan (M.M.), the latter granting him the prestigious collaborative piano degree with Martin Katz.

Brian will begin his tenure with us on Jan. 6, 2025. He will be visiting the parish at various points in the coming months to connect with our glorious choir and choristers, our wonderful choir librarian John Lanza, and to also work with me in planning our musical offerings for the remainder of the program year. Please join me in warmly welcoming Brian. We are extremely blessed to have a musician of such caliber and, as you will soon experience, such kindness and humor join us!

With every prayer and blessing,

Fr. Ed.

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A Note from Brian:

To the good people of St. John’s, Hingham—I am honored and excited to join you as your interim Organist & Choirmaster in January 2025. The fine reputation of your active and loving parish is widely known, and I hope to lead you all musically with Godly love, with liturgical good taste, with a bit of humor, and with efforts to highlight and grow your already wonderful musical heritage. Special thanks to Fr. Ed and to Buffy, who have both been tremendously kind and helpful in the beginning stages of this new chapter. I’ll look forward to meeting all of you in the new year.

Humbly yours,

Brian.

From the Rector: Thanks be to God for you.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

The Rev. Edward Thornley kneels before Bishop Whitworth Nov. 19 as he is instituted as the ninth Rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham.

On Tuesday, many in our community gathered at our parish church for my official Service of Institution with The Rt. Rev. Julia Whitworth, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Members of our parish, wardens, vestry, staff, search committee, transition committee, friends and family, and clergy from the deanery and diocese all came together to pray with me as we “officially” began this new chapter of St. John’s life together. It was wonderful to welcome so many new and familiar faces, and to have my dear friend Fr. Sammy Wood, from The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Times Square, preach at our service. Although Devon and I have been here since July, this was the formal moment at which point we now begin our time in this community. It was also very special to have the Bishop here for what was her first parish visitation and her first installation service as a Bishop.

I am extremely grateful (here come the “thank yous” again …) to everyone who took part; which means all of the people mentioned above! And I want to offer a particular thanks to the transition committee: Sara Taylor, Elizabeth Moulds, and Jenn GaySmith, for all their work in orchestrating the whole event, the food, and the beer … I cannot begin to tell you how much Devon and I, and our families appreciated not only the evening itself, but are thrilled at the sheer fact that you, the parish, called us to this new journey with you.

During the service, one of the most poignant moments for me was where members of our community presented a series of gifts: objects which represent aspects of our life together which are significant for our shared ministry. As well as being grateful to those who took part in this moment, it was a gift in itself to be reminded in that moment of something which shapes our life as a parish. And that is the very fact that this is a shared ministry. Everything we do here we do together. And even though this was the institution of a rector, it is just as much, if not more so, the institution and celebration of what it means for our whole community to be what it is, and for us to be who we are with one another.

When each person held up their gift—from a Bible to a Prayer Book, from a stole to a Godly Play parable, to Eucharistic vessels—I was helpfully reminded that, in the end, a priest is no more special, holy, or important than anyone else. We’re a pretty useless bunch, really, because the whole point of a priest’s role (as far as I see it, anyway) is simply to be a person who is asked by a community to remind them that they already have all the gifts they need to be the church. While I may have spent some time reading the Bible, learning how to preach, hanging around an altar, and praying in public, these are obviously forms of spiritual engagement that we all share in. As with any other vocation, there are specific gifts however they are always that which inspire others in their own gifts. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

Thank you for a wonderful celebration. And, on this eve of the twenty-fourth annual Holiday Boutique, remember what you, as a parish, are already capable of. This is all because of you, because God has already given you the gifts with which to build his kingdom. Thanks be to God for you.

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The Rev. Edward Thornley

Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist

Sunday School Update: Last Sunday School session before Advent season

Dear St. John’s families,

This Sunday we return to regularly scheduled programming and our last Sunday before Advent begins.

In our Godly Play classrooms, we will learn about the Ten Best Ways (otherwise known as the Commandments). We always make sure to emphasize the commandment of honoring your parents!

In the 3/4/5 classroom, the kids will continue learning about the period in Israel’s history when it was ruled by three great kings (Saul, David, and Solomon), the building of the Ark of the Covenant (where Moses’ commandments were kept), and the subsequent division in Israel following Solomon’s rule.

Our struggle today to be true to God and fit in with our peers is not unlike the struggles of the Hebrew people.

At coffee hour this week, we’ll be presenting a beautiful gift to Fr. Ed, made by Karen Slodden and the Sunday School kids. We were all so excited to formally welcome him last night with his institution service. We have much to look forward to!

Next week I’ll begin communicating the plans for the holidays, which are briefly outlined below. Please do save the date for our popular advent wreath making workshop which takes place at coffee hour on Dec. 1!

Warmly,

Alexis

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Coming up:

• Dec. 1

  • Advent wreath making at coffee hour

• Dec. 8

  • St. Nicholas visits at coffee hour

  • Pageant costuming

• Dec. 15

  • Pageant rehearsal after 10 a.m. service

• Dec. 19

  • Pageant rehearsal (evening)

• Dec. 22:

  • Pageant rehearsal during Sunday School

Fr. Ed featured in Keohane Funeral Home Newsletter

Fr. Ed Thornley was recently featured in the Keohane Funeral Home newsletter. He talked about his background, the meaning of divinity, and adjusting to life in New England.

Read the story here.

A Special Week for St. John’s

Good Evening, St. John’s.

Today marks the first day in a very special week at St. John’s. On Tuesday evening, The Right Reverend Julia E. Whitworth will visit St. John’s where one of her first acts as Bishop will be to Celebrate the New Ministry and Institution of The Reverend Edward Thornley, St. John’s Ninth Rector.

St. John’s Parishioners had a vital hand in carrying the Church through the transition period. We would not be here without you. We hope you will join us to celebrate our community, our dedicated Rector Search and Transition teams, and this most joyous occasion. The Institution promises to be a meaningful service, a moment to recognize what we have been through, and to look forward together to our next chapter under the leadership of Father Ed. A celebratory reception will follow. We hope to see you there.

We also invite you to return to St. John’s Friday evening for the 2024 Holiday Boutique Cocktail Party—a beloved tradition and festive evening to shop, sip, and socialize. The Holiday Boutique is the Church’s largest annual fundraiser, and a wonderful opportunity to open St. Johns’ doors to the community and kick-off the holiday season. We are still looking to fill important volunteer slots. Please sign-up here. Every shift helps!

We are so grateful for our Church home, and all of you.

Faithfully,

Jody Jones Turner & Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn

On behalf of the St. John's Vestry

Angel and Warming Trees

Starting Sunday, Nov. 24, you will see two decorated Christmas trees in the church entryway. One is a Warming Tree to go with our traditional Angel Tree.

On the Angel Tree, each ornament is a gift tag with a gift request on the front and instructions printed on the back. Please help us make a Christmas wish come true for a person in need by taking an ornament or two, purchasing the requested gift, and returning the gift and tag to the church office by Tues., Dec. 6.

A second tree, our Warming Tree, is also in the narthex. If you would like to provide hat and gloves/mittens for age 0–18, feel free to take a reminder flyer from the tree. Kindly return your gift and hang it on the tree by December 6.

Please leave all gifts unwrapped.

Thank you for your generous support. The gifts will be distributed to the following organizations in time for their Christmas gatherings:

• Quincy Family Resource Center helps families to access and navigate resources in the local community.

• Wellspring provides support and skills to people facing challenge to their financial, physical and/or emotional well-being to help them achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

• South Shore Healthy Families offers home visiting services for young parents and their children, providing information about parenting and child development.

• Youth Programs of St. Stephen’s in Boston serve neighborhood children by providing them with a safe, challenging and supportive community in which they can thrive.

Holiday Boutique Cocktail Party

RSVP today for the chance to shop and socialize with your fellow parishioners at the annual Holiday Boutique Cocktail Party, just one week away, next Friday, Nov. 22! The event features a live auction with some amazing items. This year, place bids on some exciting experiences like a week on Cape Cod, a stay in Stowe, Vt., hotel rooms in Chatham and Nantucket, tickets to the Celtics and Bruins, and more! You won’t want to miss out!

Please purchase your tickets using the link below, or contact Nancy in the office to RSVP and send in a check. See you there!

From the Rector: The vitality of Prayers of the People

When I first arrived in the Episcopal Church, one of the things that took me by surprise was the Prayers of the People in the Book of Common Prayer. In the Church of England, it is common practice to write one’s own intercessions. And so, following the sermon and the creed, instead of observing a set pattern from a prayer book, an intercessor offers either prayers they have written themselves or improvises on the spot. The reasons for this are many, among which is not only general liturgical reform in more recent years, but also a need in many communities to ensure that the prayers offered are true to the hearts of those worshipping among the congregation.

Of course, some Episcopalians may find this odd and for different reasons. Indeed, there is something calming, grounding, and comforting in knowing more exactly what is going to happen when you walk into church on a Sunday morning. Nevertheless, independently or communally written, or even extempore prayer is not an unusual tradition within the church, despite the fact that one might not usually find it in a principal weekly service. And I will say that there is something quite beautiful about being able to write your own prayers, share them with others, or, risky though it may be, to improvise and pray extempore in a regular worship setting.

In one parish I know “back home,” the priest often not only improvises the prayers of the people, but replaces the sermon with them. Thus, following the Gospel reading, the congregation is seated, and then the priest or another preacher offers a meditation on the readings given the issues of the day. And the meditation is shared in an intercessory manner, with the responsory, “Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer.” When I asked my colleague how they came to such a practice, they told me how, one Sunday, there seemed to be so much going on in the world, and so much in the readings that was challenging, that the only way they could get through the sermon and say anything meaningful, was simply to pray with the congregation. At that moment, the congregation didn’t need to be spoken to or preached at but prayed with. Of course, such mutual, shared ministry and intercession is something clergy and congregations practice together generally. And a priest should never preach at their congregation. Still, by offering intercession in this specific way in corporate worship served as a reminder of the community’s core purpose, especially in times when opinion, belief, and need are diverse.

This week, as we approach another busy transitional season, perhaps we can grant ourselves the opportunity to consider how we pray. As we contemplate the next two weeks; from my institution on Tuesday, to the Holiday Boutique on Thursday and Friday, to Thanksgiving, and indeed Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year; we see that there is a lot going on. It’s busy, it’s challenging, and, amongst other things happening in our world, it is a time of change for all of us. But if we can grant ourselves the grace and the time to consider how we not only navigate but pray through such experiences, we might just discover something new. As the theologian Karen Kilby says, “a theologian is one who prays, but stumbles in their prayer, but then reflects on their stumbling.” It’s okay to stumble. It’s good to reflect. And it’s vital to pray.

The Rev. Edward Thornley

Rector, The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist

America Recycles Day—November 15

Check out these five tips from Cleaner Greener Hingham, with some specific tips on how to recycle in Hingham!

1. Recycle E-Waste Properly: Find designated drop-off points for electronics, as they require special handling. Household electronics can be recycled at the Transfer Station. 

2. Use a Reusable Bag: Reduce plastic waste by bringing reusable bags for shopping instead of relying on single-use bags. Remember to wash your bags regularly. 

3. Donate Before You Dispose: If items are still usable, consider donating them instead of recycling. The Hingham SWAP Shop at the Transfer Station is a great option for giving your gently used items a new life. 

4. Use Recyclable Packaging: When shopping, opt for products with recyclable (like aluminum) or minimal packaging. And always remember your reusable bags and refillable water bottles! 

5. Participate in Local Cleanups: Join community cleanup efforts to help keep your neighborhood clean and raise awareness about recycling. Keep an eye out for more information on Cleaner Greener Hingham Day coming in spring 2025!

Greening Advent brought to you by your Creation Care Ministry

This Advent season, let’s embrace sustainability and care for our planet with these simple yet impactful actions:

• Shop Locally: Support local businesses to reduce shipping emissions and strengthen our community, such as the holiday boutiques Nov. 23 at St. John’s and Hingham High School.

• Use Recycled Wrapping: Choose recycled or reusable wrapping materials without glitter to minimize microplastics and waste. Some additional tips and wrapping paper alternatives here.

• Compost Your Christmas Tree: After the holidays, compost your tree to enrich the soil instead of sending it to the landfill here via the Hingham Boy Scouts and Weir River Farm 

Together, we can make a positive impact this Advent. Thank you for joining us in this green journey!

Sunday School Update: Welcoming the new Bishop

Dear St. John’s families,

This Sunday, we begin preparing for exciting events happening next week!

On Tuesday Nov. 19th at 6 p.m., we will formally install the ninth rector of our parish, Fr. Ed Thornley! Our new bishop, the Rt. Rev. Julia Whitworth, will be celebrating the service. It’s a great opportunity to meet her as well! A reception will follow.

In preparation for the bishop’s visit we'll be learning all about what a bishop does, what they wear, and how the dioceses are organized. We’ll also be making a special welcome gift for Fr. Ed and Bishop Whitworth. Please plan to be there this Sunday and for the service next Tuesday!

If you haven’t done so yet, please consider making your pledge here so that we may continue programming next year at current levels at a minimum!

Warmly,

Alexis