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Nurture and Challenge Your Spirit
NURTURING OUR COMMUNITY
with outreach programs for all
Providing opportunities for thousands among our community whether you're giving back or asking for help.
St. John’s shines with grace and excellence in many ways, but none more brightly than in our service to people in the wider community. We do more for those outside our walls than most churches twice our size. Formally known in the Episcopal Church as "Ministries—activities carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith" our programs stretch from involvement in our services to weekly alcoholics anonymous meetings and feeding the hungry or even faith education.
WORSHIP
Church
Acolyte
An Acolyte assist the priest and help lead the congregation during worship to ensure that the service runs smoothly. Serving as an Acolyte at St. John's Church is a wonderful and unique way to participate more fully in the spiritual life of the church.
Duties Include: lighting/extinguishing the candles, carrying the cross, assisting with the gospel reading, and offertory and communion preparation. In addition to serving at Sunday Services, acolytes serve at special services such as weddings and funerals. Training is available and scheduling is flexible.
Altar Guild
Serving on the Altar guild is a wonderful chance to get close to and truly feel a part of the service. Members of the Altar Guild are responsible for preparing the church for Sunday and Holiday Services. Members meet on Saturday to set up the church.
Duties Include: filling candlesticks, preparing the service vessels, and setting up the required items for communion. Following services, members clean the vessels and make sure the sanctuary is clean and tidy. Scheduling is flexible and members serve on a rotating basis.
Flower Guild
The beautiful floral arrangements that grace the altar every week, as well as seasonal decorations, are the work of the Flower Guild.
Duties Include: Meeting every Saturday, arranging the flowers and placing them on the altar and around the sanctuary. Scheduling is flexible and members serve on a rotating basis. No experience is necessary.
Lay Eucharistic Ministry
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) distribute the wine at communion during weekly services, as well as assist the priest during the service whenever necessary.
How to Participate: Guidance/training is provided and simple. Scheduling is flexible. A request regarding availability is sent out approx. four times a year and substitutes can be provided.
Ushers and Greeters
These folks help to provide the behind-the-scenes activities during Sunday worship.
Duties Include: distributing the weekly bulletin, collecting contributions, bringing the elements forward at the offertory, assisting with the logistics coming up to communion, and closing the church following the service. Scheduling is flexible and based on your availability
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Outreach
Grace Center
What: The Grace Center is a grant-funded, faith-based program serving the at-risk community of Cape Ann. Breakfast and lunch are provided, as well as engaging activities such as Bingo, discussion groups, arts and crafts, music, and movies. A social worker and staff work closely with other agencies in town to ensure the guests needs are being met. To learn more about Grace Center visit their website.
When: Monday–Friday from 8am–4pm
Where: Unitarian Church at 10 Church St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Volunteering includes greeting and registering guests, meal preparation, social interaction, or playing music. Shifts are flexible!
Action Lunch Program
What: The Action Lunch Program provides a bag lunch for guests of the Action Shelter in Gloucester. St. John's has been involved in this ministry for nearly 20 years! Without this lunch many would not get a mid-day meal on Sunday.
When: Saturdays
Where: St. John's Parish Hall, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Volunteering includes preparing 20 bag lunches that include a simple sandwich, small drink, chips and fruit. The lunches are delivered to the shelter after 5:00pm and are distributed on Sunday morning. All participants can be reimbursed for expenses and we'd be happy to help anyone through their first time participating!
Sunday Food Collection
What: A basket included in each Sunday Service Offertory is donated to the Open Door each week to be added to the shelves in their food pantry. Donations help to fill the gap in the assortment of food available and provide much needed nutritional support to our community.
When: Sundays during St. John's services
Where: St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: All food items NOT IN GLASS CONTAINERS are welcome but, please check the expiration date. We also accept diapers, baby wipes, as well as women's sanitary products. Please bring 1-2 items to church with you and drop them in the basket.
Ms. Fixits
What: Started in 1990 as the Housekeeping Committee, this group of volunteers works together to clean, paint, and repair anything that needs minor work in the church and on its grounds.
When: Mondays from 9:00am–12:00pm as needed.
Where: St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: When projects are assigned, the Ms. Fixits will be called upon and after work they get together for lunch in the parish hall.
Community Supper at The Open Door
What: St. John's sponsors a community supper at The Open Door six times a year providing a nutritious meal to those who need it.
When: Dates TBA but, typically two shifts: 2:30pm–5:00pm and 5:00pm–6:15pm.
Where: The Open Door, 28 Emerson Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Volunteering includes preparing and/or serving a dinner for approx. 50 people in need of a hot, nutritious meal and social contact. From 2:30–5:00pm volunteers prepare and organize items for the salad bar, slice bread, prepare the main course for the oven and lay out dessert. From 5:00–6:15pm these volunteers plate the meal and serve the guests. This is an opportunity to socialize and share meaningful experiences with fellow parishioners. This program is on hold.
Thrift Shop
What: St. John's Thrift Shop not only carries a terrific array of items for sale but it also serves as a means of outreach to the Gloucester community and provides an opportunity for social interaction among parishioners and the community.
Where: St. John's Parish Hall, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Volunteering helps keep things going. Possible duties include cashier, front room supervision, back room inventory, and shift leader. Training and guidance are available. Scheduling is flexible and shifts are available in 2.5 hour blocks.
Visit our Thrift Shop page >
Pastoral Care
What: As a church family, St. John's focuses on supporting the needs of fellow parishioners. Members of the community provide support in areas including transportation, temporary respite care and meals, Eucharist distribution, visits and phone calls.
When: As needed.
Where: St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Requests for help come through our rector and church assistant. All are welcome to participate in this ministry.
EDUCATION
Education
Cape Ann Arts Alive: Music and More
What: This is a summer day camp for children ages 5–12 that introduces kids to different aspects of music and performance. Under the direction of music master Mark Nelson, the program focuses on music, drama, movement, and art. A public performance is held on the last day of camp.
When: Monday–Friday from 8:30am–12:30pm
Where: St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: Volunteer to provide snacks that are served throughout the day or sign up your children to be a part of this fun-filled and educational experience.
Men's Bible Study Group
What: This group of gentlemen meets every week to review the readings for the upcoming Sunday service and reflect on their meaning. This results in a lively discussion that provides additional insight as they prepare to participate more fully in the weekly services (often this group go out for breakfast at Two Sisters following the meeting).
When: Wednesdays from 7:00am–8:30am
Where: The Thompson Room, St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: No preparation is necessary and materials are provided. All men are welcome.
Cursillo Reunion Group
What: This group provides an opportunity for members of St. John's community to grow in faith and spirituality. It encourages participants to live out their Baptismal vows. Following an initial Cursillo weekend retreat, members of the group meet twice a month to share how each person has encountered and exercised their faith.
When: First and Third Tuesdays 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Where: The Thompson Room, St. John's Church, 48 Middle St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Get Involved: No preparation is necessary and materials are provided. All are welcome.
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