Morgan Hill prides itself on celebrating Independence Day in the
traditional ways: fireworks display, community picnic, and fourth
of July Parade.
Morgan Hill prides itself on celebrating Independence Day in the traditional ways: fireworks display, community picnic, and fourth of July Parade.
This is the third time St. John’s Episcopal Church and Preschool will enter a float and marchers in the Sunday morning parade which will wind its way through the downtown area beginning at 11:30.
The story behind this float is a story of how small town enthusiasm, good will, and cooperation still exists in this bustling suburb. According to Joyce Nehlsen, Parish Life Committee Chair, a number of enthusiastic people, both within and outside the congregation, contributed their efforts to make the project successful. She offers special thanks to the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church: Pastor Mark Inoye, who contributed decorations that his church had used in previous years, and Cliff Dawson, who drew on his past experience at float design and construction to help with a blueprint and itemized list of the materials needed.
Johnson Lumber/Ace Hardware donated a gift certificate to purchase some necessary supplies, and an anonymous donor gave Barbara Sheets some large wooden crosses (which he originally intended to drop off at a charitable collection site).
Dedicated parishioners sprang into action:
•Mike Matthews donated a flatbed truck.
•Jim and Freddie Lewis provided their barn and property to store the vehicle during its construction.
•In response to announcements asking for building help made during the church’s Sunday worship services, Greg Parish, Steve Sturken, Mark Lindeman, Mike Temer, Jim Matthews and Keith Gangitano, believing that “everyone in his lifetime should build a float” accepted the challenge to construct one in just two weekends.
The theme of the float is “Freedom to Worship,” an idea particularly important to Episcopalians. At the time of the Revolution many American members of the Church of England were persecuted as traitors for their religious ties to England and the King, causing a large exodus to Canada or back to Britain after the war. Today the Episcopal “Book of Common Prayer” treats Independence Day as a feast with its own set of “propers” (prayers and Bible readings).
The Rev. Philip Cooke, rector of St. John’s, mentions three things his congregation will be grateful for on Sunday: “that community leaders were willing to delay the parade’s start until 11:30 to lessen its impact on local worshipers, the many people in the community who helped with the float, and the tradition of freedom of worship in our country.”
St. John the Divine (17740 Peak Avenue) holds three worship services on Sunday morning: 8 a.m.: traditional Rite One Eucharist; 9 a.m.: Family Service with Communion (especially for younger children); and 10:30 a.m.: contemporary Rite Two Eucharist with choir.
Call 779-9510 for more information.
Celebrating its second year of operation, St. John’s Episcopal Preschool is offering a 10-week Summer Camp from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Students may attend any weeks of their choosing to participate in a variety of fun, educational activities. Call 782-9994.
