News

Capital Campaign Update

We are pleased to report that St. John’s Capital Campaign’s total pledged amount has now risen to $281,424, which is 88% of our Campaign’s goal envisioned at the outset of $320,000. Earlier this year, the Committee decided to extend the timeframe for the Campaign, which was originally planned to be completed in 2022, by one year, through 2023. The reasons for the extension are the ones we are all familiar with that were catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, through all the disruptions due to the pandemic, the Capital Campaign … Read more

The 2023 Stewardship Pledge Drive

I came across a description of Stewardship that I really liked – “Our gratitude for what God has already done gives us faith in what God will do in the future. We give not to make God happy or pay him back, but because we trust that God is working through our resources to share his Good News with the world.” The 2023 Stewardship Pledge Drive is underway. I’m so grateful when I look back on this past year. After making our way through the ups & downs of 2020 … Read more

Dorothy, Rest in Peace

Dorothy P. Baker, 97, of Copake, NY, a longtime member of the Church of St. John In The Wilderness, passed away peacefully October 17, 2022. She was born in Woodbridge, England, March 31, 1925 and became a British War Bride when she married Tom Baker of the U.S. Army. “We gave dances for the troops,” she told the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, and “I grew to love Copake Falls.” She was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her son, Jeffrey Baker of Copake, NY. Dorothy, may you rest … Read more

Thoughts from the Wilderness

Father John and Cleo

Thanksgiving is a good holiday, many people’s favorite. It’s a time to relax and to get together with loved ones. It’s a time for good food. And it’s a time to be thankful – especially if we have these things – time to relax, the presence of loved ones and delicious food. Yet as good as life can be, it’s short compared to eternity. And that’s okay, because we’re promised that too (eternity) by Jesus himself. This is a good thing, as some people don’t get much happiness on earth. … Read more

May You Both Rest in Peace

Rev. Barbara Morgan and Jean (Bathrick) Peck

Rev. Barbara Morgan Reverend Barbara MorganRev. Morgan, 83, former Rector of St John In The Wilderness, passed away peacefully on May 30 at her home. She was ordained an Episcopal Priest in 1992 and named Rector of St John’s in 1998, serving until her retirement in 2007. During her tenure, Barbara was well known for her ministry to both the congregation and the Roe Jan community. She was lovingly cared for by Betty Shufelt and family of Ancramdale over the last twelve years. Rest in peace, Barbara. Jean (Bathrick) Peck … Read more

God Bless the Children

The Driscolls

Philip Joseph Driscoll On Sunday, August 7, 2022, Philip Joseph Driscoll was baptized at St John’s in the Wilderness. Grandparents Dale and Louise Peterson were present for the joyous event. Pictured: Philip’s mother and father, Alice Peterson Driscoll and Mark Driscoll; Philip’s sister Maeve; and Philip. Congratulations!

Capital Campaign Update

onstruction site of the accessible front entrance to the Church of St John in the Wilderness

The Capital Campaign Committee wishes to express deep gratitude to the Rheinstrom Hill Foundation for its recently awarded $5,000 grant to the Church of St John in the Wilderness in support of the accessible church entrance project. We are also immensely grateful to those individuals who have so far generously responded with $16,700 to the April 28, 2022, pledge request letters, covering calendar years 2022 and 2023. In summary, in that letter, we stated we sought $42,500 to complete the in-progress and anticipated Capital projects. So, with the funds received … Read more

Word from the Senior Warden

Brian Boom headshot

As featured prominently in this issue of A Voice, the exciting 2022 fundraising event for St John in the Wilderness, titled “Community Harvest Festival,” is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 5:00-7:30pm. Tickets can be obtained on St John’s website. Thanks very much to those who have envisioned this event and are working hard to make it a wonderful occasion for St John’s and the surrounding community in Copake Falls. Specifically, I wish to acknowledge Jim and Patricia Wann and Marjorie Hoog for overall event organizing and planning, music to be … Read more

Thoughts from the Wilderness

Father John and Cleo

With all the conflict in the world, I pray that we have peace in our hearts. Then we can be part of the answer rather than part of the problem, we can overcome evil with good, we can be peacemakers. We’ll need God’s help for this and none of us are perfect. We’re human. Our unique combination of gifts and strengths and weaknesses makes us the unique, often lovable people that we are. I thank you for your prayers for my bad neck pain. After months, cortisone injections have brought … Read more

It’s Harvest Festival Time

Editor’s Note This year’s Community Harvest Festival, Sept. 17 (open to the public, details on Poster above and on our website) marks the return of the annual outdoor celebration in support of St John’s. The last such event, the Summer Sparkling Soiree, was held in 2019, pre-covid, and before many of the transformations to our Church, campus, and parish life depicted in this issue of the Voice. We are due for a celebration, and it does “take a village” to pull it off, but the music, the food and wine, … Read more

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