Join us in welcoming the Helms Family to Jackson and Travis onto the St. John’s staff. Travis Helms is a priest and poet with a deep love for exploring how creativity can draw us closer to God and one another. After serving in the Peace Corps in Madagascar, Travis attended seminary at Yale Divinity School, then got his PhD in theology and literature from the University of Cambridge. He was ordained to the priesthood in Read more…
As we all know, over seven million Ukrainians have been displaced by the war with Russia. Over two million have made their way to Poland. Having seen the incredibly distressing circumstances over the course of the war, we’ve decided to go to Poland and offer as much assistance to Ukrainian refugees as possible at the border and in Krakow. Although the Ukrainian people have pushed back Russian forces, the needs in Poland have not diminished.Given Read more…
ICYMI, you can revisit our Lenten formation offerings by watching the videos here. Here is the worksheet for week 2 learning. Here is the worksheet for week 3 learning.
Happy Lent! This year I am finding more joy in Lent than I have in the past. Perhaps I am simply allowing myself to feel more joy in a time that we traditionally believe is meant to be solemn and sober. I’m sure kicking the season off with the first ever St. John’s Staff music video – Better Together – has added to the unusually celebratory nature of the season. This was not an accident, Read more…
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he says that he and his other compadres in mission are “fools for Christ.” Most certainly your church staff is following in Paul’s nearly two thousand year old tradition of foolishness. By now, many of you have witnessed the latest and greatest music video to come out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We’ve abandoned all our self-esteem and pride to come together, face our fear of dancing Read more…
Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic (but they listen to a lot of singing!) Just about two years ago now, some of us scrambled during the week to figure out how we might record a Sunday service for broadcast in order to keep folks safe during the pandemic. I wish I had photos of those early days of streaming Sunday church. An iPhone, a step stool, an altar more than a few microphones that never worked Read more…
The wind blows hard against this mountainsideAcross the sea into my soulIt reaches into where I cannot hideSetting my feet upon the road My heart is old, it holds my memoriesMy body burns a gem-like flameSomewhere between the soul and soft machineIs where I find myself again Kyrie Eleison down the road that I must travelKyrie Eleison through the darkness of the nightKyrie Eleison where I’m going, will you follow?Kyrie Eleison on a highway in Read more…
Life together at St. John’s in 2021 seemed a little more “together” than the previous year. With some creativity, we were able to bring back coffee hour. It was so wonderful to gather safely again. On June 13, 2021, we hosted a “Family Reunion” to celebrate summer and being together again. The party included a catered meal with fried chicken, live music and was held outside on a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We also held Read more…
This is a new “corner” in Revelations newsletter where we interview volunteers from around the church about what they love about St. John’s and lending a helping hand. Today, we’re chatting with Donaldson Miele. He’s from Orange County, CA, but has been in the Valley for more than 4 years. Donaldson serves as an usher once monthly and is inspired by the work and people of St. John’s. What is an usher, you ask? Oftentimes, Read more…
Dear Church, I’ve spent my entire professional career in churches. I have no experience in the boardroom or a for-profit, never perused the stacks of a law library or a medical school laboratory. I’ve only flirted with Silicon Valley in my head when I didn’t see that ministry road ahead clear enough to keep forward progress. I dreamed a little about the restaurant business, but alas I am utterly an “early bird,” so that was Read more…