Church News

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

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!

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

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

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

Just before Easter this year we held a wonderful Egg Hunt on the grounds of the church and also inside the sanctuary. Thirty or so children and parents enjoyed hunting for stuffed eggs, and enjoying prizes and refreshments after the Hunt. -Lucy Eldridge

As explained in previous issues of A Voice in the Wilderness, earlier this year the Capital Campaign Committee, in consultation with the Buildings & Grounds Committee and the Finance Committee, prioritized projects for completion in the Campaign. On April 28, 2022, we sent out pledge request letters, covering calendar years 2022 and 2023, to 91 members and friends of St. John’s. The letters stated that we needed to raise $42,500 to complete ongoing capital projects (mechanical and electrical upgrades and Sacristy renovation) and new capital projects, specifically the restoration of … Read more