Chimes June 2024

In this issue

Bursting into Summer

Greetings! I feel as if we literally burst into summer 2024!

We kicked off May with fun, festive, and meaningful gatherings in parishioners’ homes to talk about all things Rebuild*Restore*Renew and what that means for our campus and our parish life together. On Pentecost, we brought out the red and celebrated all that God is doing in the life of our church, through the power of the Holy Spirit! We even had a surprise fun musical gift from our choir during the reception that followed church.

On June 9th, we celebrated surpassing our campaign goal of $3.2 million, and the growing number of households contributing to the campaign. We are on this journey together celebrating the past, present, and being a part of the future!! Thank you for all who have come together to make this campaign journey happen through your participation. Alleluia!!

For the first time in many, many years, we had the picnic on the front lawn, under the shade of the majestic trees. Games were played, hamburgers and hotdogs consumed and the atmosphere was filled with gratitude and joy.

This past week, we held preschool Vacation Bible School. Every day between 9am-12pm, 30 preschoolers, 3 nursery school teachers, 1 high school volunteer, two of Chris Palmer’s sons, Luke and Max, and Lori Wilson, Catherine Bucci, and myself, with much support from the staff, got to celebrate and share God’s Love! Through singing, bible stories, crafts, snack, reading, and play, we learned more about God’s love and God’s desire for us to learn to love like God loves. We can't wait for our second session, July 15-19, for 1st-5th graders.

Our preschool VBS

This week, I am at General Convention of the Episcopal Church; I will have much to report while I am gone and upon my return.

Deputation from the Diocese of New York at General Convention

I can hardly wait to see what God is up to as we dive further into the summer!

Peace, Lisa+

Capital Campaign Update

We are so grateful and excited about our parish’s Capital Campaign journey to Rebuild*Restore*Renew all that makes our church St. John's Larchmont. To date, we have received commitments of over $3.3 million from 134 households!

As we rejoice in this wonderful result to date, we want to be sure that every single parishioner has the opportunity to participate in this campaign and celebrate our collective success. When we say that every commitment matters, we mean it. I cannot describe the joy that Rev. Lisa and I felt when we received a commitment for $50, knowing how meaningful and exciting it was for the giver!

If you have not yet had the opportunity to offer a commitment for the Rebuild*Restore*Renew campaign, please prayerfully consider doing so. It’s not too late! Simply click here to make your commitment online. Each commitment is celebrated, regardless of amount, and kept in strictest confidence.

Thank you for all you do to support the life and work of St. John’s. Please join us so we can all celebrate knowing that we have accomplished this amazing initiative together. If I can answer any questions, feel free to call me.

Ollie Maggard, Campaign Chair (914-882-4883)

A great team! Rev. Lisa & Ollie Maggard, our fearless leaders in our Rebuild*Restore*Renew Capital Campaign.

Donating Securities to St. John's

We are grateful for the many ways in which parishioners and friends of St. John's support our wonderful parish. One of the ways to make a financial contribution to St. John's is by donating securities, which can satisfy a capital campaign pledge, annual gift or a specific, designated gift.

Donating securities is a simple, straightforward, and secure process, through our relationship with Charles Schwab. In addition, donations of appreciated securities (i.e., those with unrealized gains) can be tax efficient. Donations might qualify as a Required Minimum Distribution from an IRA or other deferred account.

The instructions below for donating securities to St. John's can be given to your broker along with the names/symbols and amounts of the securities to be donated. (This information can also be found on the parish website.)

Please alert the parish office that you are donating securities so we can provide you with documentation of your gift once we receive them. Thank you!

How to make a Gift of Stock to the St. John’s General Fund

Determine which of these four situations applies to you and follow the appropriate directions:

Situation #1: If the Grantor(s) maintain a brokerage account outside of Charles Schwab:

The grantor(s) can instruct their broker(s) to deliver the stock to Charles Schwab using the following instructions:

Charles Schwab and Co.

DTC # 0164, Code 40

Account of St. John’s Church General Fund

Account # 841-09795

Situation #2: If the Grantor(s) maintain(s) a Charles Schwab account:

Stock gifts can be made from a Charles Schwab account by instructing the broker to journal stock into the church account (see above). The gift grantor(s) must provide their broker(s) with a letter authorizing the stock transfer to the St. John’s account.

Situation #3: If the stock certificate is held in certificate form in the name of the grantor(s):

The grantor(s) should sign a stock power or the back of the certificate. The signature(s) should match the owner’s name on the front of the certificate. If a stock power is used, only the signature area should be completed. In addition, a relinquishment form should be completed and signed by the gift grantor(s).

Situation #4: If the stock certificate is already in the name of St. John’s Episcopal Church:

Officers of St. John’s Church must complete a resolution that designates an individual to sign the stock power or the back of the certificate. The individual signing the resolution cannot be the same person designated to endorse the certificate or stock power. This resolution should be accompanied by a signed certificate or stock power.

Please note: In order to ensure that the donor’s gift is credited to the contributions record at St. John’s, the donor should notify the parish office or 914.834.2981 with the description and number of shares of the securities being transferred as well as the date of the gift.

Enjoying our outdoor Morning Prayer service, Sundays at 9am

Pentecost 2024 - Welcome, Holy Spirit!

Special thanks to our choir for their fun ABBA revival!

Making Music at St. John's

I would like to thank everyone who participated in our Summer Choir this June. We met at 9:15 Sunday mornings in June to vocalize and rehearse music for the 10:00 service in a casual, low-pressure environment. The Summer Choir added a lot to the services in June, leading the congregation in hymns and service music.

The choir program resumes in September, with the first Parish Choir rehearsal on Thursday, September 12, 7:00-9:00 PM. Have you thought about singing in the choir? We do a wide variety of music, from Bach to Bernstein, and would love to welcome new singers. Singing in a choir is a great way to keep music active in our lives, even for those who didn’t train as singers. The only requirement is a basic ability to read music. I am happy to answer any questions – just email me!

Our Children’s Choir will also resume in September, Sunday mornings at 11:15. We will begin preparations for our Christmas Pageant, which will have parts for everyone: speaking parts, singing parts (solo and ensemble pieces), and more. We will need help with set building and costumes – watch for announcements. Let’s make this a truly spectacular event!

Wishing you all a wonderful summer,

Matthew Lewis (mlewis@stjohnslarchmont.org)

Congratulations to St. John's Nursery School Class of 2024!

Congratulations to our 2024 preschool graduates!! We had a wonderful celebration, and the class performed many favorite songs along with a poem they collectively wrote. Kindergarten, here we come!!

Happy Summer!!!

Compassion Camp - Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Preschool week was a great success!

Our recent Preschool VBS Week was an absolute blast! The theme at Compassion Camp focused on the essentials all living things need – shelter, food, water, air, and community. Our little ones loved the fun-filled days of learning Bible stories like the Feeding of the 5,000 and the Sower. They sang their hearts out to songs like "Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary," "Jesus Loves Me," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." The kids had an amazing time with water play, planting sunflowers, enjoying a petting zoo, and having fun on the playground.

Now, we have even more exciting news! There's still room for our 1st-5th Grade Week – July 15-19, 2024, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your child to join in on the fun and learning at Compassion Camp! Register today using this linkregistration will close on June 30, 2024.

HOW IS GOD CALLING YOU TO SHARE YOUR GIFTS?

Our youth programs need you! You can make a difference in the faith life of our youth. You don’t need to know everything or be a teacher. You need a willingness to help others wonder about their own faith.

St. John’s seeks volunteers for our Sunday morning programs for the 2024-2025 formation year. Our young people are the future leaders of our world. We are committed to walking with them as they grow in their faith. Our goal for the upcoming year is to work in teams for our Sunday morning programs so the commitment is not overwhelming for anyone.

Consistency is key in any formation program! Teaching teams allow for seamless transitions and encourage collaboration, cooperation, tag-teaming and community building.

Here's how you can get involved:

  • TEACHER: We are building teaching teams to share the load! Make a full-year commitment and attend one training day. Our classes meet approximately three Sundays a month, excluding holidays. Our Sunday morning programs include Godly Play (ages 3 to 2nd grade) and Explorers (grades 3-5).
  • TEACHER AIDE: Assist with classes by being the second or third person in the room. No responsibility for teaching, but crucial for our programs to run smoothly.
  • SUBSTITUTE: Be ready to step in if one of our teachers or aides is unable to attend due to an emergency or illness.

Pray about it and see if God is inviting you to use your time and talents in this way. We need you. For questions or to sign up, please email Lori Wilson. (You will have all of the training you want so you can be successful!)

St. John's Parishioners Honored in the Community

Erin Constabile: 2024 Al Davis Award

From Riverdale Country School:

"In 1997, the Class of 1964 established an endowment to fund a faculty award in honor of Mr. Al Davis, a much-respected teacher and administrator who taught at Riverdale from 1953 until his retirement in 1987.

In selecting an honoree, emphasis is placed on a faculty member whose teaching is “an act of mutual respect, commitment, and love” and who encourages team spirit, persistence, and a sense of community.

This year’s recipient, Erin Constabile, has been a member of the Lower School faculty since 1993. She is a wise and thoughtful educator, and every student, family, and colleague who works or has worked with her is affected by her incredible attention to the individual -- what they need, who they are, and how she can take them through the early years of learning where so many foundations are set.

When I think of Erin I think of strong relationships - with her students and her colleagues. She understands the importance of building strong relationships with her students and is dedicated year after year to getting to know them on a deep level. She is genuinely interested in each student’s individual stories and interests. She connects with them on a personal level, fostering a sense of trust and belonging. She even brought Monday’s graduates letters that they had written to their future self as second graders. Erin kept those letters safely and found all of the families who were still here from her class in order to give them a letter.

I also think about Erin’s flexibility and adaptability. Over the years there has been no faculty member who has embraced change many times over as Erin - moving grades to help create and support strong teams. From PreK to K to 1st to 2nd and back to 1st - each time she has been faced with a change, Erin takes a deep breath and jumps in with her signature, “Sure, wherever you need me!” Her ability to adapt to grade level curriculum, different classrooms, different teaching partners, and the unique needs of each age group showcases her versatility.

In addition to teaching in the Early Learning division, Erin has a passion for service learning. She is an incredibly generous person who has a strong sense of community. Erin leads service initiative efforts with humility, never seeking the spotlight or recognition but letting her actions speak volumes for her character, kindness, and desire to make a difference in the world. Her willingness to go the extra mile, often behind the scenes, has not gone unnoticed—whether collecting donations, liaising with volunteers, or guiding her students in meaningful projects, she just makes it happen and with positivity.

Erin is also a lot of fun. She can turn a stressful moment into a great laugh, and with a ‘Sure!” or “We’ve got it!” has a way of elevating moments into can-do’s. She is an incredibly positive member of the community to her very core and views her work as joyful and purposeful.

To family, friends, Riverdale, and the community, Erin is loyal and always true to her word. She embodies the spirit of what it means to be a true team player who puts others before herself.

Erin, I know your mom is with us now congratulating you and sharing in this recognition for all you give the school. It is for all these reasons and more that I am proud to present Erin Constabile with the 2024 Al Davis Award."

~*~

Charles "Butch" Ulmer: The Sailing Museum & National Sailing 2024 Hall of Fame

Gary Jobson writes:

"If you were to use one word to describe Butch Ulmer, it would be thoughtful. He thinks about his words, and is one of the most respected sailors and volunteers around the waterfront. He grew up sailing on Long Island Sound and sharpened his racing skills as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1961). At the Academy, he was the winning skipper of Intercollegiate sailing’s oldest regatta, The McMillen Cup.

While serving as an officer in the Navy, he competed in the Finn Class Olympic Trials for the 1964 Games and somehow found time to do a series of offshore races in Europe, South America and the USA. After completing his service in the Navy, Ulmer joined his father’s sailmaking company based in City Island, New York. In 1969, he became President of the company when his father retired.

Ulmer Sails became one of the largest sailmakers, with 40 franchises worldwide. He raced extensively in the Maxi Yacht Class and many one design classes. He won the Mobjack National Championship (1966 and 1967); the Tempest National Championship (1967); was overall winner of Block Island Race Week; recorded wins in the Newport to Bermuda Race (1988), Marblehead to Halifax Race (1983), Miami to Nassau Race (1980), and was the overall winner of the Southern Ocean Racing Conference in 1980.

Over the past thirty years, Butch Ulmer has served as a tireless race officer running many championships in a variety of classes – including Etchells, Shields, Interclub, Stars, J109s, J105s, Block Island Race Week, 420s, Viber 640, Optimist Dinghies and the Intercollegiate Offshore Championship. He was one of the first sailors engaged in creating the Safety-at-Sea Seminars in 1979, and was responsible for creating a series of short films on safety for the Storm Trysail Club. He is a past commodore of the Storm Trysail Club, has been a Trustee of the Larchmont Yacht Club, and served on the Fales Committee at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was inducted into the Intercollegiate Sailing Hall of Fame (1970) and has received many awards for his volunteer work on Long Island Sound."

Confirmation at the Cathedral

What a fun Parish Picnic!

ECW Spring Dinner

This month's recipe is offered by Dr. Matthew Lewis and his husband, Pat Rasile. They write, "This comes from Pat's mother, Sylvia Rasile. We doubt it is her unique recipe, but it does give credit to her taste in food (she wouldn't give us a recipe she didn't like). And since blueberries are just coming in season, we thought this a good idea." Enjoy!

Blueberry Cake

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees; grease one 8x8 inch baking pan.
  2. Cream together sugar, shortening, egg and vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into sugar mixture, alternating with milk. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased pan.
  4. To make topping, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, cinnamon and butter. Sprinkle over cake batter.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean (do not over bake).

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Have a recipe to share? Join the fun and send it to communications@stjohnslarchmont.org. Yours just might be the next Recipe of the Month!

Likewise, your photos and news from your ministries are always welcome. Please forward your submissions to communications@stjohnslarchmont.org. Let your ministry's light shine through Chimes!