PARISH MINISTRIES
Sr. Maggie Simpson, CSF, and Robert Craig at our Castro Street Fair booth.

“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? . . .
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? . . .
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every
human being?”  -  The Baptismal Covenant

We believe that Christianity is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life. In living out our Baptismal Covenant, we are called to action in the world. That can mean at St. John’s, in our own families and communities, and throughout the world. We try to help members of the St. John's community, both new and long term, to use their particular gifts to support and nurture our activities. Contact Ministry Coordinator Jan Adams or Fr. John Kirkley to discuss various possible roles.

Parish Administration and Leadership
St. John’s has a long history of strong lay (i.e., non-clergy) leadership and volunteers who perform many of the duties essential to weekly worship and running the parish.

Vestry and Parish Officers
The Vestry functions as the legal corporation and fiscal authority of the parish. For more on our Vesty and Parish Officers and Representatives, see Lay Leaders.

 


The Buildings and Grounds Committee addresses issues related to facility maintenance and repair. Once a quarter the committee sponsors "work parties" to do general cleaning and light maintenance projects. Membership on the committee is open to all. Contact Dan Hutchinson, Junior Warden.

 
 

The Communications and Evangelism Team focuses on communicating and inviting, with the goal of keeping current members informed of parish life and inviting prospective members to visit us. C&E produces intenral communications and is responsible for all written communications aimed at parish growth, including the Web site, brochures, ads, and special promotional materials. The team also organizes volunteers to distribute materials in nearby neighborhoods, participate in annual events like the Castro Street Fair and the Pride Parade, and to do street-corner inviting for special services, like Christmas Caroling. The team welcomes the participation of those with an interest in growing our church and spreading the Good News, and those with skills in public relations, marketing, writing, editing, graphic design, or community organizing. Contact Kathy Veit.
Photos: Caroling at 18th and Castro, marching with Bishop Marc Andrus in the SF Pride Parade.

 


The Garden Guild members gather regularly to tend and refresh St. John's beautiful courtyard garden. All with a green thumb (or intersted in aquiring one) are welcome! Contact Don MacGregor.
 
Office Volunteers perform many of the routine administrative tasks that benefit the parish. They may answer the telephone, complete errands, help with mailings, and run copy jobs. Parishioners interested in serving as Office Volunteers should contact the Rector.
 
The Pastoral Care Team tends to certain specific pastoral needs of the parish, including visiting the sick, calling on new members and regular visitors, and incorporating members into the life of the church. Some lay members have been licensed as Lay Eucharistic Ministers by the Bishop (persons trained to take Communion to the sick and homebound). The Rector, in consultation with the Pastoral Care Team, selects new members. The current co-chairs are Br. Francis, B.S.G., and Ed Wright.
 
Stewardship Committee: The work of this committee is mainly one of teaching about the Christian concept of stewardship, that is, how we are called to use our resources wisely and charitably. The mandate of this committee is to raise our awareness of God’s call to consider how we use our time, talent, and treasure as an integral part of our spiritual life. To that end the committee conducts canvasses of the parish for pledges of giving, sponsors annual volunteer fairs, directs St. John’s recycling program, sponsors programming of reflection on the topic of stewardship, and, from time to time, informs the congregation of other opportunities beyond Saint John's. The committee is open to pledging members of the parish. Contact Nathan Hobbs or Mark Smith, Co-Chairs.

Photos: B. Pethoud; P. Lane; J. Adams; K. Veit; K. Leibenath