2007 - 2008
PARISH LIFE
Parishioners on the Parish Life Committee work together to provide
fun and fellowship opportunities for everyone at St. John’s. Everyone
is welcome to plan and participate in opportunities to get to know one
another better. Please contact Brooke Whittemore or
Kim Byrd for more information.
NEWCOMERS
We welcome all visitors and newcomers to St. John’s and invite you
to participate fully in all church programs and educational offerings.
Twice each year a newcomers’ dinner is offered to welcome newcomers to
St. John’s. Dinners this year are scheduled for Monday, October 15 and
Monday, April 14.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
The Stephen Ministers are available to provide prayer and
confidential conversation to those in need. They are a group of
dedicated parishioners trained in the art of active listening and
compassionate care. Stephen Ministers, marking their 11th year at St.
John's, also assist the clergy with lay pastoral visits.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
LOAVES AND FISHES SOUP KITCHEN
Loaves and Fishes has many volunteers from St. John's who cook and
serve a meal for 200 homeless men, women and children at Immanuel Church
in Hartford. The YPF, groups of friends, and associations within the
Church, each take a month to coordinate the buying and cooking of meals.
Ann Krissinger has been the person who has contacted the people who very
faithfully serve the meal the second Wednesday of each month. This is
cooperation at its best and an important ministry at St. John's Church.
THE MEN OF ST. JOHN'S
A group of men of the parish meets the third Wednesday of each month
from September through June at 7:00 a.m. for the Holy Eucharist, followed by
breakfast and a brief program. Richard Krissinger and Alf Millard are
co-chairmen.
MOTHERS GROUP
Women caring for children meet together on the third Wednesday of
every month for fellowship and conversation. Discussions and
presentations focus on how faith informs caregiving and how parents can
best encourage the spiritual lives of their children. Childcare is
provided.
BIBLE STUDIES
Two early morning Bible studies are offered this year, each of five
weeks, both on Mondays from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. October 15 - November
12: The Fifth Gospel, (The Letter to the Hebrews); and April 14 - May
12: Deuteronomy. No special preparation is required; simply join us
and bring a friend. Coffee is provided.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Shawls...they enfold, comfort, cover, wrap, warm, mother, hug, give
solace, shelter and beauty...symbolic of a loving God...inclusive and
unconditionally loving. A small group of dedicated women at St. John's
has been knitting prayer shawls for several years now, for the comfort
of parishioners and others. If you are interested in joining this
special ministry, please call Cindy Lawler at 236-5665 for more
information.
CASSEROLE MINISTRY
This year we will begin to stock our freezer with casseroles available
to those among us in need. If you are cooking or baking, consider
doubling the recipe and donating half to this new ministry. Offerings
can be as simple or complex as the cook desires - all that's necessary
is food in a disposable container, wrapped for freezing, with a list of
ingredients attached.
MEALS ON WHEELS
St. John's has been involved with the Visiting Nurse Health Care
Service's Meals on Wheels program since 1981. The meals are prepared in
Hartford and delivered to a shed behind the Baptist Church on North Main
Street near West Hartford Center. Every Tuesday morning two members of
our parish pick up approximately six to eight meals and deliver them to
clients in West Hartford. The route, along Farmington Avenue, takes no
more than thirty minutes to complete. If you have the time, please
consider joining our group. You can contact the staff to let them know
of your interest in becoming a MOW volunteer.