July Updates
We hope you’ve had a beautiful, restful and joyful summer so far. Ours has been pretty full and will continue to be! If you missed our first update where we introduced our team and some of St. John the Beloved’s story, you can find it here. This month, we’re excited to share with you:
Some personal and church updates
How to join us for upcoming events
Prayer requests
Hohmeier Update
Last month, Anna and Brian successfully moved from Columbus into their new home in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood, thanks to some incredible provision from God. They're incredibly grateful for the support of prayers along the way—from being let out of their lease early to finding the right house at the right time. On moving day, family and friends came to help unpack, clean, and ogle at their cottage garden full of native plants, and Ivy Gierhart (11) was commissioned to make Anna’s Dad a birthday cake because they moved on his birthday. They've already gotten to meet some of their new neighbors and look to continue building those relationships over the months ahead.
Before they left in June, Scarlet City, one of our sending churches, commissioned and celebrated both Anna and Brian. It felt special and sacred to be prayed over, to rejoice, and to remember the shared work of God together as a long-time church family.
General Updates
Besides moving and summer travel to rest and visit family, we’ve been progressing through the Vineyard Church Planting assessment process and enjoying Vineyard partnership in the area.
A Saint John the Beloved takeover! We got to lead the worship service at Vineyard Cleveland this past weekend. Wendy preached, Mike and Anna led music, and Brian led Communion. It was such a joy to be welcomed and get to celebrate as part of a larger Vineyard family.
Project Timothy: Anna led worship training for high school students at Project Timothy for the Great Lakes Region in the Vineyard.
Vineyard Church Planting Assessment: All four of us are progressing through the Vineyard assessment process, with marriage and psychological assessments upcoming.
Church Board: We’ve started inviting some trusted friends, who are also experienced and wise leaders, to discern joining our initial board. This board is an important part of St. John the Beloved’s governance model, alongside of our team of elders, and our goal is to have our board in place and apply for 501(3)(c) status by early fall.
We look forward to attending the next area meeting with other Vineyard churches in Northeast Ohio as a full team!
Local events for Clevelanders!
For the rest of the summer, we’re turning our attention toward building friendships, gathering interest meetings, and cultivating connections on the Near West side. If you’re local and interested in getting involved with the St. John the Beloved church plant, we’d love for you to join us at one of these events!
Sunset Worship at the Beach (August 16): We’ll practice a simple, contemplative liturgy at the beach.
Interest meeting at the Hohmeiers’ (August 27): Come over for dessert and cocktails (or mocktails) to hear more about what we think God is inviting St. John the Beloved to become. We’ll also have time to worship together through prayer, singing, and sharing in the Eucharist.
Picnic at Lincoln Park (August 30): Join us for a meal in Tremont! The main agenda is simply to meet one another and enjoy summer foods. You can bring an optional dessert or side to share. We’ll cover the rest!
1:1 Conversations (anytime!): We would love to hear about how God is stirring and inviting you, dive deeper into the heart of St. John the Beloved, and just get to know you better. Especially if you can’t make any of our upcoming events, email us at stjohn@belovedvineyard.org and we'll schedule a time for you to connect with one of us or with our team.
If you’re interested in attending any of these events, please fill out this form so that we can keep an eye out for you!
Prayer requests
For now, we would love your prayer for:
The gatherings that we have planned for this summer, and especially for those God is inviting to join us. We’re increasingly aware that God is stirring in people we haven’t even met yet! We’re praying for graced times of building new friendships and spiritual community.
Introductions and connections with our neighbors on the near west side, whether new friends, local churches or ministries, business owners, and residents. We pray that St. John the Beloved can be a kingdom presence that partners and cooperates with the good of these neighborhoods.
People on the near west side who don’t know Jesus yet or have become disillusioned with faith.
Our invitations to potential board members and their discernment.
It’s been such a gift to know so many friends are praying for us. We’re humbled and grateful for your partnership in prayer.
“Remain in [Jesus’] love” (John 15:9),
// Wendy, Mike, Anna & Brian
Co-Pastors
St. John the Beloved Vineyard Church
belovedvineyard.org