EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP

St. John’s is nothing if not a community. As we celebrate God’s presence in our lives, we become aware of our shared community of faith and our responsibilities to each other. We believe that one way that God works among us is in freeing us from isolation and loneliness, so that we can love and care for one another. We grow together not only through our common weekly worship, but also by learning, praying, and having fun together. We often have forums on particular topics following Sunday morning worship or weekday evenings, ranging from living simply and “green” to estate planning to gay parenting. We also like to gather in our garden (above) or nave for more festive fellowship, including Labor Day BBQs, fundraisers for our El Salvador mission trips, and Fat Tuesday pancake dinners. Other activities are listed below.

  

Photos from our parish retreat: The Chapel at the Bishop’s Ranch, view of the Healdsburg valley, hiking at the Bishop’s Ranch, coffee clatch at the ranch.

Annual Parish Retreat: Many members of the parish elect to spend a weekend on retreat together at the Bishop's Ranch in the beaautiful valley outside Healdsburg in Sonoma County. Typically, the weekend is organized around a common theme, with time for reflection, discussion, prayer, and fellowship around common meals, hikes, and other recreational activities. Recent themes have included prayer, commpassion, and "what in the world is God calling me to do?" The 2008 retreat is scheduled for June 6-8. For more information, contact Fr. John Kirkley.
 
Contemplative Prayer Group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. The purpose is to support the spiritual journey of its members and to introduce people to the practice of contemplative prayer. The "heart" of the practice is a 20-minute period of silence resting in God's presence together. Each session begins with a brief check-in and a short inspirational reading. Contact Fr. John for more information.

Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EfM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year's work. For more information, contact Brad Pethoud.
 
Greeters are the first to extend the welcome of this parish to visitors. They arrive early to greet all who come to worship on Sundays and other major Holy Days. After the service they help newcomers feel at home by introducing them to other parishioners. In addition, the Greeters maintain the Visitors' Table. Service as a Greeter is open to all members of the parish. Training is provided. Contact Fred Marett.

Hospitality Volunteers: Under the direction of the Hospitality Coordinator and weekly Team Captains, Hospitality Volunteers provide food and drink for the social hours following services and, occasionally, meetings. They also coordinate picnics and maintain the kitchen, its supplies, and equipment. Volunteers are always welcome and are requested to make their interest known to the Hospitality Coordinator, Rebecca Gordon.

House Church: Several small groups meet on an ongoing or time-limited basis in parishioners’ homes for fellowship, prayer, and Christian education. Please speak with Father John Kirkley for information about times and locations. Newcomers are welcome.

St. John’s in the Outdoors invites participants to enjoy the majesty of God's creation by hiking in many of the Bay Area's wild spaces -- from Point Reyes National Seashore in the north to Butano State Park in the south. And sometimes we go on weekend outings to the High Sierra. Our outings give us opportunities to relax, share each other's company, and sometimes simply walk in silence to listen to the sounds of the natural world-- and reflect on the beauty that surrounds us. We hike about once a month, meeting at church, and sharing rides to the trailhead. Hikes are announced in the Divine Dispatch. For more information, contact Steve Griffiths.

Photos: K. Leibenath; P. Lane; B. Pethoud; P. Lane; M. Cousins