We are excited to start thinking of a reinvigorated effort to provide meals to people in our parish who are struggling with illness or other situations where they might need our help. There are several ways this will take place in the upcoming weeks ...

  • First – a mini-cookbook. Do you have a recipe that is a favorite to take to someone who is under the weather? Sometimes we are willing to provide a meal and unable to come up with what to cook! Let's pool our experience for some easy recipes that are particularly suited to people who are recovering from illness and perhaps some that are especially good for families with children. We have a volunteer who is willing to pull them all together so we can hand them out to anyone who is interested.
     
  • Second – the WINGS group has talked about having several cooking workshops to make some items that can be frozen and then pulled out as needed to deliver to parishioners who need them. Items like chicken pot pie, lasagna and chicken soup have all been mentioned as suitable for a cooking and freezing marathon! Stay tuned for dates and times for these workshops. What we will need is some freezer space – does anyone have some space in a chest or upright freezer they would be willing to let us use?

Talk to Joanne Tainsh if you have freezer space or questions! Stay tuned for more details – and turn your recipes into the office labeled "Pastoral Care Committee." Thank you!

Invitation to Service 2010

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
- F. Buechner

We invite you to find joy in the many ministries at St. John's. These opportunities allow us to develop our faith, care for each other, share our faith with our children and community, reach out to one another, and to glorify God in both worship and service.

Worship Ministries

  • Acolyte – Serve on the altar and assist the clergy at worship services.
     
  • Acolyte Advisors – Adults who assist the acolytes.
     
  • Altar Guild – Prepare the altar for worship prior to all services.
     
  • Flower Guild – Arrange flowers for the altar every Sunday and for weddings and funerals.
     
  • Vergers – Assure that services are carried out in a smooth, orderly manner.
     
  • Chalice Bearers – Assist clergy during the service by passing the cup to lay persons during the Eucharist.
     
  • Lectors – Adults and children read the lessons or the intercessions during the service.
     
  • Ushers/greeters – Welcome people as they enter church. Collect and present the offerings.
     
  • Lay Eucharistic Ministers – Visit ill or shut-in members of the parish and celebrate the Eucharist with them.
     
  • Worship Team - Assist and advise clergy in planning worship services.

Music Ministries

  • Senior Choir – Sing at the 10:00 am service on Sundays, Holy Days, and other special occasions. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact Raymond Buttero for more information, 245-4065.
     
  • Children's Choir – Sing at the 10:00 am service on Sundays, occasionally throughout the year. Rehearsals Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm. Contact Raymond Buttero for more information, 946-6587.
     
  • Music Development Team – Assist the Music Director and clergy to assess our music needs.

Caring

  • Pastoral Care – Provide support to members of the congregation who are in need of care by preparing a meal, providing transportation, assisting with funeral reception or special event or visiting an elderly or shut-in parishioner.
     
  • Flower Re-arranger - After the 10:00 service re-arrange the altar flowers for the flower deliverers.
     
  • Flower Deliverer – Take flowers from the altar on Sunday after the 10:00 service and take to a member who is sick or homebound.

Fellowship

  • New Member Ministry Team – Help determine how best to welcome and include newcomers to St. John's.
     
  • Episcopal Church Women – Join the ECW and meet for fellowship, education and outreach.
     
  • May Breakfast – Assist with planning, cooking, and serving for this annual event.
     
  • Rummage Sale – Held twice a year. Proceeds benefit various ministries within the parish.
     
  • Encore Consignment Shop - "Sacred Sisterhood of the Cellar" -- Women working together to raise money for outreach programs.
     
  • Dinner & Movie Night - On the third Tuesday of every month, families gather in Field Hall. Each family brings a bagged dinner that they eat while enjoying a movie.

Resources

  • Property Team – Appraise the condition, adequacy, and attractiveness of our facilities as a place of worship and fellowship.
     
  • Stewardship Team – Develop and implement an annual giving campaign and other fund raising activities to raise money to support the parish.
     
  • Memorial Garden Team – Oversee the care and maintenance of St. John's Memorial Garden.
     
  • Finance Team – Assist the Treasurer in the administration of an annual operating budget that promotes financial stability at St. John's.
     
  • Vestry – Governing body of the parish that is responsible for funds, building and providing leadership to the parish. Elected at the Annual Meeting.
     
  • Planned Giving Team – Assist in developing strategies to help parishioners make bequests to St. John's.
     
  • Communications Team - Strategize ways to communicate information to parish and community.

Administration

  • Volunteer Office Administrative Assistant – During office hours serves as a warm and welcoming presence by greeting people, in person or on the telephone. Assists with administrative tasks. Computer skills desired.
     
  • Parish Mailings – Help with assembling and mailing newsletters, etc. 2-3 days per month usually in the morning.

Christian Formation

    Adults

    • Adult Education – Assist with planning for Sunday forum series.
       
    • Bible Study – Meet with a small group to discuss scriptural readings.
       
    • Inquirer's Class – Learn more about the Episcopal Church.

    Children
    All parents and volunteers have participated in Safe Church training.

    • Church School Teacher – Lead children in classroom activities on Sunday mornings.
       
    • Room Parent – Assist the teacher with church school activities.
       
    • Nursery Parent – Assist nursery care provider with infants and toddlers on Sunday mornings.

Family Ministries

  • Family Ministries Team – Develop family activities for worship, fellowship and outreach.
     
  • Family Ministries Event/Activity Leaders – Plan and coordinate Family Ministry activities and events throughout the year.
     
  • Family Fellowship Dinners – Plan and coordinate family dinners held approximately 3 times per year.
     
  • Family Usher/Greeters – Serve as ushers and greeters at the worship service.
     
  • Family Flower Deliverer – Take flowers from the altar on Sunday and take to a member of St. John's who is sick or homebound.

Want to do something that's not listed?

Please let us know and we'll help you coordinate it!

"If there is joy in the labor of the hands...it is more than simply work." - M. Radmacher.

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191 County Road • Barrington, RI 02806 • Phone: (401) 245-4065 • Fax: (401) 245-0518