On December 23, a group of monks came through our city on their Walk for Peace. I joined around 300 other people who gathered at City Hall to hear them speak and then walk alongside them to the Capitol building. It was one of those rare moments where the air itself felt hushed and attentive—where people from many backgrounds stood shoulder to shoulder, listening to words about compassion, nonviolence, and the long, patient work of peace. I left feeling lighter, steadier, and unexpectedly hopeful.

As we walked, however, that feeling was interrupted. Along the route, a street preacher stood with a loudspeaker, shouting over the procession: “Buddha won’t save you. Only Jesus will save you.” His voice cut through the quiet. The calm presence of the monks and the reverent mood of the crowd dissolved into tension and discomfort. People in the crowd booed. The moment fractured.

 How much  did  your  loved  ones  spend  on  you  this  Christmas?  Well,  if  your  true  love  has  been  giving  you  the  gifts  demanded  by  the  song,  The  Twelve  Days  of  Christmas,  then  your  true  love  is  either  very  rich,  and  you  should  marry  them  immediately,  Unless,  of  course,  you  are  already  married  to  them,  in  which  case  you  should  be  really  nice  to  them  and  smother  them  with  gratitude  for  the  rest  of  the  year.

Or,  your  true  love  by  now  is  in  a  whole  heap  of  debt.  Today  is  the  eleventh  day  of  Christmas,  so  your  true  love  has  given  you  eleven  pipers  piping.  Now,  as  it  happens,  this  is  one  of  the  cheapest  of  the  12  gifts.  11  pipers  cost  just  under  $4 ,000.  Along  with  the  other  performers,  the  drummers  drumming  and  the  ladies  dancing,  they  have  received  a  pay  raise  this  year  of  just  2 .2%.

Beginning Sunday, January 11, at 9:15 a.m. in the Library, join Duncan for an 8-week Welcome Course. This is an engaging program of presentations and discussions about the Christian faith and Episcopal tradition. Email Duncan@stjohnsmontgomery.org to register. 

St. John's EYC will meet for Coffice at Taco Mama on Wednesday, January 7 from 5:30-7 p.m. Join us for food and fellowship! For more information, contact JR Marshall, jr@stjohnsmontgomery.org.

Join the men of St. John's for breakfast and discussion this Saturday, January 10, at 8 a.m. Email duncan@stjohnsmontgomery.org for more information.

Adults covered dish supper Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6-8 p.m. at the home of Martha Tyson. Please bring your favorite covered dish and join us. Soft drinks will be provided by the church, but you are welcome to bring additional beverages. Are you interested in hosting? Opportunities are open for March 10 and April 14. Please contact Anne Hamner at 334-324-8291. 

St. John's will no longer send out offering envelopes due to low usage and the lack of cost effectiveness. We do have blank offering envelopes available at the church office if you wish to pick them up. If you have questions or concerns, please call 334.262.1937.

From December 18 through January 31, St. John’s will host Journey Boats, an installation of sculptures by Camilla Brunschwyler Armstrong. Using found and natural materials, these handcrafted vessels explore themes of movement, vulnerability, and faith—reminding us that, like boats upon the sea, we navigate the unpredictable currents of life together. The exhibit will be accompanied by a hands-on boat-building workshop to be scheduled in January. 

Your prayers are requested for the following parishioners:
Rick Durden, Marla Foster, Dave Funk, Carolyn Fillmore, Emily Crump Johannes, Carma Marks, Richard McCrory, Pat McDonald, Eddie McDowell, Martha Collier Mosely, Cameron Napier, Bud Nason, Jerry Pickett, Elizabeth Potter, Shirley Price, Hawthorne Ramsey, Debbie Steindorff, Barbara Wallace, Stewart Wallace, Florence Young

Prayers are also requested for these friends: Gail Alsobrook, Mac Burton, Willie "Bill" Carden, John Ferguson, Bob Geddie, Roger Holliday, Stephanie Holmes, Josie Lee, Charles Lewis, Leslie Little, Nicole Lusk, Margaret Moore, Karen Pacheco, Pat Patterson, Ron Skoneki, Johnny Smith, Madera Spencer, Chandler Taylor, Connie Thomas, Katherine Weidner, Frank Winkler, Sharon Carney Wright

7:30 a.m.
Lector: Fred Matthews
Altar Guild: Chuck Moore

10:30 a.m.
Altar Guild:  Ashley Hamlett

Lector and Intercessor: Reg McLane, Sarah Spratling
Eucharistic Ministers: Callie Dietz, William Haynes, Fairley McDonald
Flower Guild: Lacy Gibson

Flower Delivery Team: Maria Pacheco, Anne & Reggie Hamner, Allison Prillaman
Videographer: Scott Mitchell