SEASONAL WORSHIP
Sunday Service
December 26, 2025
Dear St. John’s Parishioners,
Merry Christmas! I hope that you are having a wonderful Christmas season.
We have great news from The Reverend Paul Jeanes. Paul has agreed to serve St. John’s all next summer. Paul has been a visiting priest for 20+ years, and he has developed quite a following for his caring and supportive personality. We have had several great visiting priests over the years, but the Executive Committee felt that having one priest, especially Paul, would bring a continuity of service and pastoral care for the whole parish.
Paul will be joined by his family at the vicarage in Birchwood. The Executive Committee agreed to make some improvements to the vicarage with a new kitchen and new bathrooms. The restoration effort is being led by Pat Hemingway Hall, Gayle Everest and Terry Whittemore. We hope to have the work finished in time for Paul’s arrival in June 2026.
We are planning on having 12 weeks of worship from June 21 to September 6th. We are pleased to have Peter Sims leading the music program again in 2026 with his cadre of amazing Bay View musicians.
As noted in the Harbor Light this fall, the St. John’s Community Fund distributed $131,000 in grant funds to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, bringing the total distribution over 40 years to over $1.5 million dollars to the local community.
I know that many of you agree that we have a jewel in Northern Michigan called St. John’s. We are so blessed to have a generous parish, a great music program, a beautiful church, and now, a summer full time priest to provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance. May God bless you in this holy season.
Sincerely,
Chip Everest
Senior Warden