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St John's Ministries Other Ministries |
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| All Christians are called to ministry through their baptism, and each person within the Saint John's community is called to contribute to and partake of our parish life. The Saint John's Vestry and church infrastructure provide a broad-based opportunity for the effective integration of the multitude of talent and needs within the parish. We hope you find this literature informative. If you would like more information about an organization, ministry, or any aspect of Saint John's parish life, please contact the responsible person listed at the end of this Guide, or contact the Senior Warden at 658-4591 or e-mail pbousquet@cox.net. | |||||||||
| Christian Education | |||||||||
| Our Christian Education Ministry addresses the spiritual education needs of our children, youth, and adults, and includes our Sunday School, the First Communion, Confirmation and Reception Preparation Programs, prebaptismal and premarital counseling, Episcopal Conference Center programsand Vacation Bible School. |
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| Coffee Hour | |||||||||
| Held in the Parish Center after the 10 a.m. Sunday service, the coffee hour provides a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and, of course, refreshments. It's a great opportunity for visitors, new members, and current members to mingle, meet, and chat. Volunteers provide coffee, beverages and light snacks. |
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| Counters | |||||||||
| This ministry is responsible for assisting the Recording Treasurer in the counting and recording of the alms received at our services. Two-person counter teams serve on a rotating schedule. |
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| Episcopal Charities | |||||||||
| The Episcopal Charities Fund, administered by the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, is committed to helping change the lives of Rhode Islanders who are in crisis and need. It is a funding agency for social service programs within the Rhode Island Community. Since its founding in 1952, Episcopal Charities has been a link between healers and those in need of healing. Its mission began with a desire and sense of responsibility to help those in need. This tradition continues today. Funds from Episcopal Charities assist battered women and abused children seeking a safe haven, with the education and counseling that will help them achieve a better life. Thousands will have food, heat, shelter, healthcare and other basic needs. With Episcopal Charities funds the elderly and terminally ill receive comfort and a sense of dignity through their last days. Those who suffer from drug addiction receive help toward recovery. Immigrants will be able to read and speak English. Children find fellowship and learn team-building skills at summer camps. In 2004, social service grants were given to 99 agencies and programs throughout Rhode Island. Episcopal Charities raises funds for grant distributions by launching an annual campaign (usually in March) and soliciting individuals in the Episcopal parishes and the corporate community. When Episcopal Charities began, they received a generous endowment that would pay for all campaign and administrative costs. Every dollar donated to Episcopal Charities will go directly to the agencies being funded. Excess endowment income is also be put into grants. Saint John's actively supports and participates in the annual Episcopal Charities Campaign. |
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| Fellowship | |||||||||
| The goal of this ministry is to promote fellowship and caring among all parishioners. This is accomplished through a variety of social events, parish trips, and fundraisers throughout the year. This ministry is also responsible for the Coffee Hour on Sundays. |
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| Nursery | |||||||||
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| Outreach | |||||||||
| This ministry seeks to facilitate individual and collective acts of benevolence by the congregation. The goal is to provide opportunities for parishioners to demonstrate Christ's love by being of service to those in need in the community at large through a variety of charitable programs. Outreach at Saint John's includes the Episcopal Charities Campaign, the Happy Basket and Giving Tree Programs, Support our Troops, the Chimney Hill Ministry, Saint Elizabeth's Home, Operation GUARDian, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. |
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| Prayer Team | |||||||||
| This ministry provides all members of Saint John's with the opportunity to communicate the need for prayer for a loved one or friend. The names of those in need of prayer are subsequently included in the Prayers of the People in the Sunday Bulletin, and are prayed for by assigned clergy, the congregation, and the Daughters of the King chapter. |
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| Stewardship | |||||||||
| The ministry through which parishioners are enabled to move to a deeper and more profound understanding of the unique responsibility of being faithful Christian stewards of the time, talent and treasure with which God has blessed each of us. The goal is to create and implement a strategy, based upon individual pledging, that generates a significant portion of the annual operating funds necessary to fulfill the long-range plan of the congregation and to assure the financial stability of St. John's Church. This ministry also provides guidance to the Parish Treasurer regarding annual and proposed budget plans. (See also Pledging) |
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| Sunday School | |||||||||
Sunday School is held in
the Parish Center every Sunday at 10 a.m. (September thru June), except
the first Sunday of each month, which is Family Sunday. Registration for
Sunday School takes place in August. The annual Sunday School registration
fee is $10. The Sunday School uses the Godly Play curriculum which teaches
children the art of using the language of Christian tradition so children
can "enter" religious language to know about  God and find direction
in their lives while they are still young. A Godly Play session is organized
to follow the pattern used in worship: the children enter, get ready, listen
to God's Word, respond, prepare for the feast, share the feast, receive
a blessing, and go out. The resources used for Godly Play are beautiful
child-scaled replicas of the desert, Jerusalem, Jericho, the Temple, Tabernacle,
Jesus, the disciples, and much, much more. Children are encouraged to touch
and handle the pieces and learn the Bible story by actually experiencing
it. All Godly Play classes conclude with an arts and crafts activity that
ties in with the lesson of the day. Godly Play classes are taught by the
Sunday School Co-Directors and volunteers. |
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| Youth Ministry | |||||||||
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St. John's of Cumberland RI is pleased to announce that we have a Nursery available for our youngest parishioners. We are staffed by volunteers (1 adult and 1 teen helper) every Sunday of the month, except the 1st Sunday each month (Family Sunday service). The nursery is located across the street from the church at our parish hall where Sunday school classes take place during the 10a service. Since our parish hall also includes a professional daycare center that operates during the weekdays, we are fully equipped with toys and equipment necessary to take care of and entertain little ones. Nursery opens at 9:50am and runs until approximately 11:30am so that you may enjoy coffee hour after the 10am service (held at the parish hall). Please come on in to visit the nursery and feel free to stay as long as you like to get your little one settled. We are looking forward to spending time with your children while you attend our 10:00am Sunday service. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Nursery Coordinator, Wendi Bosland (508.695.4835 or 
We are a community of faith and witness in which youth ages 12-17 can grow both spiritually and socially through exploration. The Youth Ministry, under the direction of adult volunteers, provides a variety of opportunities for discovery, fellowship, and a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.