Last Sunday the church staff was honored during worship and in a
reception after worship. Thank you, on behalf of the church staff, for
your support and encouragement. The gift cards the Session gave us are
much appreciated. I feel grateful to serve as head of staff of such a
fine church staff who work so well together in support of the mission
of St. John's.
Maria Trujillo, director of Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, an
organization dedicated to confronting modern-day slavery, will speak
at the Presbyterian Women's Program, Tuesday, April 20, 9:30 am. Plan
to stay for the luncheon. Human trafficking is a modern-day form of
slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud,
or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation and/or forced
labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women, US
citizens and foreign immigrants. Houston is a hub for human
trafficking, and tackling this huge
problem requires a collaborative effort and the awareness of the
public to look beyond the surface and uncover the many unseen victims.
You are invited to come and bring a friend to the "Whatever Happened
to Childhood" presentation this Sunday evening at 5:30 pm in
Fellowship Hall as we consider the question "Is your child being
commercialized?" with the speaker, Mrs. Ann Wilson who is a retired
Christian Educator. Marketing practices have changed over the last ten
to fifteen years. In the 1970s and 1980s, when many of today's new
parents were growing up, laws and industry practices provided some
level of protection and privacy for children from the focus of
marketing campaigns. Now, however, the gloves are off, and marketing
firms shamelessly push everything from junk food to beer, cigarettes,
cosmetics, and cars to `tweens, children between the ages of 6 and 12.
Come and learn what we can do to reclaim childhood for our children
and grandchildren.
Learn more about St. John's Special Education Advocacy program. An
informational session will be held on Monday, April 26, at Small Steps
Nurturing Center (2902 Jenson Drive), 10 – 11:30 am. Contact Suzette
Harrel for more information, suzharrel@comcast.net.
Please deliver all Beacon articles for the upcoming April/May issue by
email, office.sjpc@gmail.com, or deliver to Room 208 or the church
office. The last chance to be part of this issue is April 18, Noon.
During the month of March, Braes Interfaith Ministries served 1086
clients (462 children and 624 adults), 13 of whom were homeless. St.
John's is a major contributor of volunteers and money to BIM.
Join an usher team! Teams are forming now for June, July, August and
September. Sign up for 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th Sunday teams. You work
with the same team on the same Sunday of each month, four times only!
It's a great way to provide hospitality and service to the
congregation. See Jeanne Leach or William Ator.
I enjoyed being at Camp Cho-Yeh for the annual clergy retreat this
week and look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday!!
Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jon
--
St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort / Houston, TX 77035
T. 713.723.6262 / F. 713.723-4015 / Email: office.sjpc@gmail.com
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:30 am / Sunday School: 9:00 am
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