A Gala Evensong Celebration was offered at St. John’s Church in Park Slope at 4 pm on October 7 to mark the ending of a Year of Celebration in honor of the 180th Anniversary of this historic parish.  Bishop James Ottley joined the parish Rector, Father Clark Powers, in officiating at the service which included wonderful music offered by Music Director, Brian McAnuff, Assistant Organist, Cryder Bankes, and the parish Choir.  The service was followed by a Wine and Cheese Reception in the newly renovated parish Gardens.  Local Brooklyn Artists displayed a wide variety of their works during the reception, courtesy of local Brooklyn Art Gallery La La. 

The Year of Celebration began with a Parish Tour of Greece and Turkey in October 2006 with highlights including a visit to Patmos where the parish Patron Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation.  The seven cities in modern Turkey where the seven churches addressed within that book were then visited and Father Powers and members of the parish on the tour read from the letters to the churches at each place visited.  During Lent the whole parish enjoyed photos of the trip and discussed the seven letters and their relevance to the Church today and to St. John’s Church in particular. 

On June 3rd a Solemn Choral Mass using the first American Prayer Book of 1789, which was the BCP in use at the first Mass offered at St. John’s Church on April 14, 1827.  This service was followed by a Gala Luncheon at the nearby Montauk Club during which the dedication of several members of the parish, old and young, were remembered and heralded.  The parish also presented Fr. Powers with a beautiful plaque in honor of his 20th Anniversary as Parish Rector and 30 years as an Episcopal Priest.

One final Fellowship Activity to mark the Year of Celebration will be offered as a Parish Dinner on November 17 sponsored by the Altar Guild.   This will be held in the Undercroft at St. John’s and will include music and dancing as well as a fine dinner.  This will be the first activity to make use of the newly renovated Parish Kitchen which was the major project of the year.  The new kitchen has a new floor, new ceiling, new appliances and counters.  It will serve as a wonderful center for fellowship and outreach activities for many years to come!  Pictures of all the events and of the renovated kitchen may be seen on the parish website photo album page.

Praying at Evensong

Fun at the Garden Reception

Renovated Parish Kitchen