Last Mile Food Rescue is the topic for the Dec. 1 forum  

Last Mile Food Rescue, the next Forum for December 1, 9:45 to 10:45 am in Kroliffer.

Last Mile Food Rescue reduces food waste in metro Cincinnati and northern Kentucky by delivering excess fresh food from groceries, special events, and wholesalers to community food pantries.  The deliveries are made primarily by volunteer drivers using an app similar to requesting an Uber ride. This is fresh food that would have otherwise gone into the landfill ! 
 
Erin Lord, Volunteer Coordinator and Ellen Stedtefeld, Director of Projects from Last Mile, will explain their mission in detail and explain how their app works. Last Mile is the Split the Plate organization for December. 

Men’s Group The Photo/Poem: Sunday Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
  
Longtime St. John’s member Ron Hoffman will offer a Powerpoint display of artistic photos that inspired poems, including his own work.  Each original photograph is accompanied by a poem, written by the photographer, so that the picture and the words take on a symbiotic relationship of original expression.  During October the Washington Park Art Gallery had several of Ron’s Photo/Poems on display as part of the FotoFocus Biennial celebration of photography and lens-based art.  

A retired educator, as Director of Media Services, Ron produced and oversaw the production of media software at Kansas State University, Northern Kentucky University and other institutions.  He also taught English literature at Northern Michigan University and courses in Cinema Studies at NKU.  For over 50 years he has been a serious fine arts photographer with major exhibits in Kansas and Ohio. 

That’s a Wrap! Dec. 13

Whether you love or hate to wrap gifts, you’re welcome at That’s a Wrap, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at church. Wrapping lovers, bring your packages and artistic flair. All others, let’s bribe them to wrap our gifts by bringing supplies and light refreshments!
~ Nicole Stanforth

LAFS Dinner Dec. 20

The Lively After 50 December dinner will be at The Blue Gibbon, 1231 Tennessee Ave., Cincinnati, on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. If you would like to attend please let Anne Septic know by Dec. 17.

Circle Supper Sign-ups

Please sign up for a Circle Supper potluck!  Here are the available dinners, if you want to look at your calendar and sign up on Sunday.  Or you can contact Mary Lynne and let her know which one you want.  One dinner per person for now – if we have spots left after everyone gets a chance, we will open it back up.  And if you are hosting, make sure to sign up to attend one, as well!

And if you are new to St. John’s, here is extra encouragement to sign up!  This is a great way to get to know people!   See E-news for details.

NAMI is the topic for the Jan. 5 forum  
The next St. John’s Forum is on The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, in Kroliffer Hall.

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. It provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI is the January Split-the-Plate organization.

Upcoming Date for your calendar! Congregational visioning – Jan 26:  

All-Congregation Workshop on Sunday, January 26 after lunch and will last about 3 hours.

Excitement is contagious. Congregations that are growing and thriving right now are congregations that are doing things in, with, and for their communities that they are excited about. In January, we will gather for an all-congregation workshop to dream about some ministries we can offer children and youth in the congregation and in the Greater Cincinnati area that will be exciting and meaningful in a new era. Please RSVP here. Lunch is potluck, come even if you don’t bring food, and childcare will be available for any kids who don’t want to participate in the workshop.

——————REPEATING EVENTS——————

Meditation on Wednesdays and Sundays

Meditation is available 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays in Haehnle Hall and from 10-10:45 a.m. on Sundays in the Gandhi Room.  For more information, or if you plan to come for the first time to the Wednesday session, please contact Erna or Alicia beforehand.

Brown bag lunches with Rev. Jenn

Join Rev. Jenn and others for casual conversation at noon Wednesdays at church.
Lunch with the minister is canceled for Wednesday, Nov 27th. It will return on Dec 4th. Rev. Jenn wishes you a peaceful Thanksgiving.

Last Tai Chi session for the Year Dec. 12

 
Nan Fox again leads Tai Chi classes from 10-11 a.m. in Krolfifer Hall every other Thursday, starting Oct. 3 and ending Dec. 12 (Thanksgiving week will be off) for a total of 5 classes.

Please join us for this beautiful moving meditation. All are welcome and there is no cost.