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St. John’s is about to enter an exciting new chapter with the arrival of our new Settled Lead Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Linda Noonan. But before we open this chapter, I would like to take a look back to recognize and acknowledge where we have been and how far we have come.

St. John’s has been on a journey not completely unlike the people with Moses – St. John’s members and friends have been wandering through the wilderness for an extended time. While it may feel like 40 years, at times over the last two and a half years, many St. John’s folks have been presented with arduous and even exhausting challenges. Yet, upon deeper reflection, there is something worthwhile and even precious about this time.

A time in the wilderness cuts through the unhelpful chatter in our collective minds – it brings what is necessary to actually live into much deeper clarity. While the purpose of the church hasn’t changed over the last few years, the way we “do” church, in many aspects, has. I have observed that St. John’s folk have learned through this wilderness time to be much less focused on the externals of what we do— and to accept the need to adapt in order to keep moving forward.

A time in the wilderness requires everyone at St. John’s to not just address the “how” of being the church. It leads us to ask the “why” questions – questions like: why do we want to update our technology? Why is it important to have Christmas Eve service at a certain time? Why do we need to invest in our ministry team positions? All these questions and more get at the root of what it means to “be the church” in this day and age.

Traveling through the wilderness also tests our relationships at times. When it feels like the stakes are high – and they certainly are for a wilderness people – the friction that may be barely perceivable in times of plenty rises to the surface. In the church, thank God, the people of the church also come to realize, through grace, that these relationships are what will keep us alive. These relationships, which have grown over many decades, become even more vital when a people realizes how much is at stake and how much interdependence is involved in the very act of reaching “the Promised Land!”

So, as we emerge from the wilderness, let St. John’s proclaim that we see the Promised Land, and we are moving together with a vision that invites all to journey and to dwell with us. A Promised Land that only God can fulfill. Peace!

Pastor Tom Adil,
Acting Lead Bridge Pastor

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Dear Members and Friends of St. John’s,

Ordinarily, one might say it was bad form to brag too much about things at church – pride goeth before a fall, and all that! But as an outsider to St. John’s, I think I may be afforded that privilege, so here goes:

You have an amazingly dedicated group of people who keep St. John’s and its ministry’s best interests deeply planted in their hearts. I have earned so much in the past 9 months from walking alongside the people of this congregation – both its leaders and those who simply “show up” for worship — that I would not be able to list all the experiences that I have cherished in this letter.

I am so grateful to work at a place that allows the staff to try out new things. You demonstrate a willingness to try new things that is both admirable and holds up a mirror to a God who daily “makes all things new.” This is no small feat given all the changes you have been through in the past several years – well done!

I have never experienced a place that continually reinvents itself so ably. Wednesday Night Live (WNL) is a prime example. St. John’s has made a brilliant space for this new offering and it has the potential to be a powerhouse for evangelizing new members and feeding our current members. As Dr. Hilary once described the experience: “It gets inside you” and you can feel the power of the Holden Prayer Service throughout the week until you come back.”

The adult education class that I have been teaching looks to be a fun and engaging way for us to expand our own faith. We are currently reading a book by Amanda Held Opert (her focus in the book is on grief written after losing her sister and other things she writes about, just as Covid hit, which made this process extra complicated). The class both instructs about the roots of this universal human experience and teaches us how to live with our grief (large and small) while at the same time providing the opportunity for some doodling and conversation that just seems fun!

The view from the Acting Lead Bridge Pastor these days is towards a pathway that is opening wide! As you also know, St. John’s is about to be joined with a highly capable leader in the person of Rev. Linda Noonan. It is an exciting time to be in ministry in Lansdale!

Peace,

Pastor Tom

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Hello, St. John’s family! My name is Kay, and I am the Office Manager. I have been extremely blessed to share the months since coming aboard with all of you!

In Spring, Lisa Delp, my predecessor, celebrated her retirement on the last day of March. Thanks to the dedication and work of our Council and staff, I was brought on the first day of April, with no gaps in office coverage! While I’ve been hard at work keeping the ship afloat, I’ve also been spending time reading old publications, and speaking with Council, staff, and all of you to learn as much as I can about St. John’s as possible.

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