The various Parish Life ministries all operate in that area where our life within the parish of St. John’s meets our other, every day life.  This may be in the realm of the social, career or prayer life.  These ministries involve those very new to our parish as well as those who have been here “forever”.  Parishioners involved in these ministries may be young or old or in-between.  We reach out to all members of the parish to become involved with each other and the St. John’s community through becoming involved in a Parish Life ministry.

St. John’s Youth Group

The St. John's Youth Group is under the leadership of two adult leaders. Our meetings are truly a forum for the kids; an opportunity to have some down time where they are free to express themselves and share their thoughts.  Our main objective is to provide an arena where our kids can have a place to be themselves while focusing on very important issues such as, our personal spirituality and how we can make the world a better place by being more responsive to the wants and needs of our youth, both here & around the globe.

The Youth Group is an on-going work in progress.  We have approximately twelve members this year, and we have planned a pretty active agenda for 2004-2005.  Our three big fund-raisers are the Spaghetti Dinner in November, the Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday, and our “Home Made” Soup Sale in January.  Our focus is to have a lot of fun, and while doing so, we experience outreach, togetherness, and spirituality.  We urge all kids from 6th through 12th grades to join us.

 Intercessory Prayer (Prayer Chain)

There are those among us who feel called to pray regularly for any prayer requests called into the Parish Office.  Prayers may be put in the Sunday bulletin or prayed for privately by the Prayer Chain.

 Pastoral Care Team

Pastoral care is an essential part of our care of each other in community.  While I may be trained in pastoral care and counseling, there are many among us whose gifts of loving, caring, and serving bring them to this ministry.  We meet regularly to check in regarding those who have requested prayers.  Those in nursing homes receive regular visits and some of them like receiving visits from lay Eucharistic ministers so that they can receive the sacrament.  These are the other gifts of expertise that our members bring:  social work and hospice care, occupational therapy, nursing home/hospital/ adult day care.

While every member of the parish is part of our pastoral care team, our core group responds to specific needs and is committed to intercessory prayer. We would be happy to have you join us.

Our healing ministry involves the laying on of hands on the third Sunday of every month following both the 8 and 10 AM Services.

Tuesday Group

This is a group of women who offer an opportunity for Christian fellowship while working on projects for the Church and its outreach efforts. Projects include The Evangel mailing, knitting hats and scarves for the Seamen’s Church Institute.  Each year they choose a deserving local or overseas charity for an annual donation.  All are welcome to join, and may do so any Tuesday, year-round from 10 AM to 2 PM in the Bridges Room of the Parish House, or stop in for lunch at 12 noon. Participants bring a bag lunch, and each week a different member, acting as hostess, supplies dessert.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour Fellowship is an integral aspect of life at St. John’s.  It’s an opportunity for people to gather and greet one another after the 10 AM Sunday Service. Parishioner volunteers prepare coffee and tea, and provide bagels and other snacks (fruit, cheese and crackers, etc.).  Coffee, tea, juice, condiments and paper goods are provided by St. John’s.  Food items are provided by the weekly volunteer(s).   The commitment time required is 15 minutes before and after Coffee Hour for set up and clean up.   Weekly sign-up sheets are posted in the parish hall.

Jobs Network

These difficult economic times have meant hardship for a number of St. John’s parishioners.  They are unemployed and looking for work.  The St. John’s Jobs Network is a new ministry intended to help unemployed members of our parish community find work.

To understand how this works, think of the St. John’s community as one big employment network.  Members of St. John’s work in a wide variety of industries and professions and can help others learn about job openings at their companies and in their fields.  Any member of the St. John’s community can have an abridged version of his/her resume circulated among members of the parish and all members of the parish are being called on to be an information resource for those seeking employment.

This is an important new ministry and one in which each of us can contribute in a very meaningful way.  Please help us realize the enormous potential by getting involved.

Accessibility

This newly forming committee will access and recommend changes to make St. John’s a more open and inclusive community to individuals with disabilities. Being inclusive means being accessible to those with all disabilities and incorporating their talents within our parish. This committee is open to all interested persons.

Newcomers & Greeters

The Newcomer Committee was formed in 2002 to greet newcomers to the parish in various ways.  Members aid the priest in greeting visitors at the end of each service and serve as ‘hosts’ for visitors at Coffee Hour, helping to make introductions.  It is a huge and pleasant challenge to keep up with all of our new members.  In recent years we instituted the “Newcomer Wine & Cheese”; Diana & Lee host this event at the Rectory, and we have a wonderful blend of old & new members attend.  The committee’s goal is to welcome visitors and help them when appropriate make the transition from newcomer to member.

Return to St. John's Activities Page