Gingerbread House Party, Friday, Dec 13, 5-8pm – RSVP now!

It’s not too late! RSVP now to reserve a house! Please come to our annual Gingerbread House Party in Krolfifer. All ages are welcome to create a house from a kit which provides the gingerbread pieces, frosting, and some candy. Bring your extra candy, sprinkles, chocolate bars, and your creativity! Holiday refreshments and snacks will be provided. To RSVP, please email Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org ASAP. Also email Ashleigh if you’d like to bring snacks, help with decorations, or cleanup. Cost is $10 to cover the kits.

First Hour This Sunday – Ornaments!

This Sunday we will have a variety of different Christmas ornament crafts available for folks of all ages to make and take home. Join us! Email Ashleigh at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org to sign up to help.

Service This Sunday – A Christmas Carol

This Sunday several adults and teens from the congregation have prepared a dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol as part of the service. All children are encouraged to sit with their parents for announcements and the prelude, then come up to the rug at the front of the sanctuary to listen to the play – they will have the opportunity from there to be engaged by the players to help make sound effects for the play. If you have questions, contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org.

Mitten Tree is Up!

Our Mitten tree is up and ready for your hats, mittens, scarves, and socks, as well as your personal items for CAIN. Scarf materials are still available if you missed our scarf creation week. Any adult, whether they are a caregiver for a child or not, is welcome to join in – it’s a great way to get to know the children in the congregation! Throughout the holidays you are encouraged to donate hats, mittens, scarves, and SOCKS – socks are especially welcome – which will be donated to CAIN – Churches Active in Northside. For more information about CAIN: http://www.cainministry.org/index.html

Soup Mix Sales Continue!

Bean and rice soup mixes will be on sale for $5 throughout December. Please contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org to volunteer to staff the table or arrange a purchase at another time. Proceeds benefit St. Johns’ work as a Solidarity Congregation with the sanctuary family at Clifton United Methodist Church.

Blue Christmas Program, Sunday, December 22nd

The holidays can be a time of sadness if those we’d like to share it with are no longer with us, or if there are painful memories. Please join us for a compassionate listening space where we will hold difficult feelings brought up from anything about this season that is painful. Please contact Marie Inanli at marie@stjohnsuu.org with any questions.

First Hour Programs by Age Group

Babies through Preschool (ages 0 to 4) Did you know? We have staffed childcare starting at 9:15 every Sunday in the nursery area in Krolfifer. Come attend an adult program and let us entertain your little ones. Generally this is aimed at the 0-4 set who aren’t old enough for other activities, but it’s open to other kids who want to just play during First Hour in most cases. Elementary (ages 4 to 12) Our fall class in Rosa Parks has ended. Children will instead participate in projects in Krolfifer – a different project will be the focus of each week. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate unless they are attending an adult program downstairs. Teens (ages 12 to 18) The teen group has shifted to meeting 2nd and 4th Sundays. This will start this Sunday, November 24 and continue through the holidays. The teens will decide with mentors whether to participate in projects in Krolfifer as a group, or meet elsewhere. On other Sundays teens are encouraged to participate with projects in Krolfifer or attend adult programs.

Adult Programs

First Hour is about being together as a community. Note that Haehnle, our main hallway between the Sanctuary and Krolfifer, is always open for socializing and visiting. When Gandhi is not being used by Meditation and Movement, we encourage you to use that space for self-guided meditation or yoga. Money Stories – Dec.15 This Sunday is your last opportunity to join in a discussion about emotional ties to money based on personal life stories. Melissa Rowland will facilitate these sessions. During the Next Steps weekend, our consultant, Rachel Maxwell, recommended these conversations in preparation for St. John’s capital campaign. Meditation and Movement – 2nd and 4th Sundays (Next is Dec. 22nd) Want to start off the new week in a peaceful and purposeful way? Try our First Hour offering for teens and adults. Participants will spend time in mindful meditation and gentle movement. No pre-registration required. Please drop by Gandhi to improve your well-being. Led by Christine Mouch.