Centered around a rich, research-based curriculum, St. John’s is a traditional school with many strengths and offerings. In the long-established Episcopal tradition of education, “Students are encouraged to fulfill their unique potential through intellectual, moral, and spiritual challenge.” From the very youngest students to our eighth-graders, we prepare each child for a successful future in high school and in life.
African Palms is an outreach ministry of St. John's church. The ministry sells palm crosses to churches, schools, hospitals, prisons, book stores, and church goods distributors for use on Palm Sunday and other special occasions. The crosses are hand-woven by villagers near Masasi, Tanzania and are made from the dried leaves of the dwarf palm. The proceeds from the palm cross sales are returned to Tanzania, and other countries in African in the form of humanitarian aid grants.
Our Neighbor's House is a parish effort to help refugee family travelers coming to the United States from all parts of the world, we work with the International Rescue Committee to furnish a first US home for State Department supported families.
St. John's Food Pantry serves as a way to help the needy in the community and to introduce them to St. John’s. The first Sunday of each month, church attendees are invited to bring in non-perishable foods to help
“Fill St. John's and Olney Help food pantry.
Olney Help delivers food to families in need.
Esther Deel Holy Thread and Whine is
St. John's Prayer Shawl Ministry. The shawls are used to console those who are grieving, comfort those who are ill, and bring hope to those in despair. The shawls are blessed by the rector before they are passed on.
Music at St. John's is a means of prayer, worship, and spiritual encouragement. Our 10 am service on Sundays is full of music, including the hymns, psalms, acclamations and prayers that are shared by the congregation.
St. John's Altar Guild Ministry is a volunteer group of the parish whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. Members prepare the sanctuary for services, and clean up after.
Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors are lay persons authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. The Eucharistic Visitors take the consecrated elements to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, are unable to attend service.
Lectors are scheduled at all services throughout the year to read the Old Testament lesson, New Testament lessons, and the Prayers of the People. Any mature youth or adult may become a lay reader following training. Readings are sent out by email the week they are scheduled to read.
St. John's acolytes participate in the worship service by a carrying the crosses, candles, and other items in procession. They also help in a number of important ways throughout the service. Acolyte ministry is open to anyone in fourth grade or above.
The ushers are typically the first and last people that visitors see at St. John's church services. They bring a friendly spirit and warmth and are responsible for handing out programs, assisting people in finding a seat, managing the offerings, and ushering parishioners to and from communion.