Parish Announcements
Announcements for the Week of August 16, 2026
EYC Parent Meeting – Sunday, August 16: Parents of youth in 5th through 12th grade are invited to an EYC Parent Meeting on Sunday, August 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Come learn about the Episcopal Youth Community and the events planned for the upcoming semester. Youth are encouraged to attend, too! For questions, contact Ann McGraw at ann.mcgraw@sjosms.org.
✝️🙌 Serve in Worship! 🙌✝️: There is a place for everyone to serve at St. John’s. Opportunities include lector, intercessor, acolyte, torch bearer, usher, greeter, crucifer, and more. Children, youth, and adults are all encouraged to participate. Training is provided—just bring a willing heart and a desire to serve. Contact the parish office to learn more.
Office Helper Needed: We are looking for volunteers to help in the parish office, especially Monday afternoons from 1:00–5:00 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Duties include answering phones, greeting visitors, and assisting with other office tasks. Please prayerfully consider sharing your time and talents. Contact the church office if you can help!
Daughters of the King: Christmas in July continues! Missed Christmas in July? There's still plenty of time to participate! The Daughters of the King will gladly accept donations of Christmas bag items through October, when we begin packing the bags. Your generosity helps us share the joy of Christmas with those in need. Thank you for your continued support! 💕 DOK meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Daughters of the King are dedicated to service and prayer. Any woman prayerfully considering becoming a daughter, please plan to attend the three make-up sessions held on August 1st, 8th and 15th from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Contact Virginia Montgomery (228) 238-4230 for more information about Daughters of the King.
Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed: The Lord Is My Help is looking for a long-term Meals on Wheels volunteer driver on Fridays, preferably during the morning shift. The time commitment is approximately 1–2 hours each Friday. Help deliver more than a meal—bring hope, kindness, and a smile to a homebound neighbor in our community. If interested, please call The Lord Is My Help at 228-872-2331.
Saints & Sinners – Blessing Bag Assembly: Saints & Sinners is a St. John’s ministry serves our unsheltered neighbors through fellowship and the preparation of blessing and food bags for those in need. The next Blessing Bag Assembly will be Thursday, August 20 at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to come help assemble the bags! For more information or to get involved, please contact Aaron Dean, President of Saints & Sinners.
♿💙 Accessibility at St. John's 💙♿
To help make worship accessible for all, large-print service leaflets, printed copies of the sermon, and assistive hearing devices are available each Sunday. Please see an usher or contact the parish office if you would like to use any of these resources.
If you are unable to come to the altar for Holy Eucharist, please notify an usher or simply raise your hand, and Communion will be brought to you in your pew.
Everyone is welcome, and we are committed to helping all feel at home at St. John's.
🎶Summer Choir Continues!🎶
Join us this summer as we help lead worship through song. No weekday rehearsals, robes, or long-term commitment required—just come and sing!
🎵 8:30 AM for the 9:00 service
🎵 10:40 AM for the 11:15 service
Questions? See Mary Chaffe Brooks or Jonathan Mitchell.
Merry Widows: The Merry Widows meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at a local restaurant for food, fellowship, and fun. Open to all women of the parish, whether widowed or not. Join us for a relaxed time of connection and community! For more information, contact Lena Melton at (228) 219-9711.
Adult Bible Study: During the fall, the Adult Bible Study taught by the rector, will alter its typical format. This fall the rector will be teaching a “Survey of the Old Testament.” This will be the same class, by the same name, that he is teaching this fall for the clergy of the dioceses of Louisiana and Mississippi for continuing education.
Regarding Parking: A request from our neighbors at St. Paul. St. Paul has asked St. John to refrain from utilizing their parking lot.
Pew Cushions Now Available: Need a little extra comfort? Please ask an usher for a pew cushion during worship.
Endowment Committee Spotlight: Anne Dean Memorial Fund
Anne Dean was an active parishioner of St Johns. She was state president of DOK,
served on the Vestry, sang in the church choir, and volunteered at both The Lord is My Help and the Boys and Girls club. Anne, her husband Roger and son John Alan
regularly attended the 9 AM service.
Unfortunately she passed away after a long illness. During her illness, a nurse at Ocean Springs Hospital took excellent compassionate care of Anne. Anne’s mother, Ora Thompson wanted to honor both Anne and the nurse who took care of her.
Ora established a fund with $70,000 in 2002. This money has been invested and funds in excess of $70,000 are divided 60% for nursing scholarships and 40% to the Vestry. This past year, $6,000 was sent to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for nursing scholarships and $4,000 went to St. Johns. We just received thank you letters from 20 recipients. Anne, who was a teacher, would have loved that her legacy is helping young people reach their full potential. Here’s what Troi-Marie said:
"I humbly accept your scholarship donation. I am a paramedic working full-time and am attending the Paramedic-to-RN Bridge Program at MGCCC. My longtime goal has been to become a registered nurse. Your donation will be appreciated and put toward my continued education. My sincere thanks for your support”.
📣 Got News to Share? Let Us Know! ✨
Do you have an announcement, event, or ministry update you’d like published in the Buff Bulletin, Realm, or on the parish website? We’d love to help share it!
📬 Please reach out to Rogena Woods, Parish Administrator
✉️ Email: Rogena.mitchell@sjosms.org
📞 Phone: 228-249-9791
Thank you for helping us keep the parish informed and connected! ⛪💛
