Category Archives: Ministries

Here is a list of current articles that pertain to the various Ministries that parishoners at St. John’s Church are carrying out.

A Lenten Offering for Syrian Refugees

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Thank you to all who contributed clothing and stuffed toys at Christmas, which St. JOhn’s Church in Beverly Farms is transporting to Syria. Their parish has invited churches throughout the diocese to support Nuday refugee camps in Syria for those who have been displaced by the civil war there.

A fourth cargo container will be shipped to Syria, and the following donations are welcome:

-Book Bags for children
-School supplies, such as pencils, markers, and notebooks
-Yarn,  Fabric and Art Supplies: the women in the camp have expressed interest in making clothes, sweaters, and art projects with children

We will have a basket at church to collect supplies each Sunday throughout Lent. Consider these donations a “giving of alms” during Lent.

Hurricane Relief

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thWhen we hear of natural disasters, we sometimes wonder how we can help. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is the agency of our church that provides direct and immediate relief in the aftermath of disasters such as Hurricane Matthew. If you hear the Spirit calling you support recovery efforts in Haiti and the southeastern United States, you can do so by visiting the ERD website here.

There will also be more information and envelopes at church this Sunday, if you wish to send in our donation by mail.

Alice and the goatIn addition to providing disaster relief, Episcopal Relief and Development supports the ongoing mission work of the Episcopal Church throughout this country and around the world. Their “Gifts for Life” program provides persons and communities with an opportunity to provide for others at Christmas and other times of the year with mission gifts. Last year, the Episcopal Church Women helped us purchase goats for families through this program. You can find out more about Gifts for Life here. There is also a catalog with a listing of gifts available at church.

Be a Blessing with B-SAFE

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Summertime is B-SAFE time and we need your help!!

For the past three years, St. John’s has teamed up with our friends at Old North to spend a wonderful, fun-filled week assisting with B-SAFE … the Bishop’s Summer Academic and Fun Enrichment program.  This fabulous Diocesan program provides a safe, fun, academically enriching environment for more than 600 elementary and middle school students at six Episcopal church and school sites in Boston and Chelsea. B-SAFE also offers meaningful work experience for teens and young adults hired as counselors-in-training and staff.  We will be assisting at the St. Luke’s, Chelsea site from Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29. Your financial support, your time and your talents are needed.

Donations are being accepted now: Checks made out to St. John’s with “B-SAFE” in the memo will go to purchase the food we will be serving at lunch on Wednesday and Thursday, July 27 and 28, and for lunch and other costs associated with the field trip we are sponsoring on Friday, July 29.

Please check your calendar and sign up now to assist!  We need your help here in our kitchen Wednesday evening, July 27 to prep the meal we will serve on Thursday, and again Friday morning to prepare bag lunches for the field trip. Your help is also needed from 10:30am until 2pm, Monday through Thursday at the St. Luke’s Chelsea site where our friends from Old North will be joining us to prepare lunch, serve lunch and join the children to eat lunch each day.  Middle and high school age children are welcome to assist as well — both in the St. John’s “prep” kitchen and at St. Lukes!

Please click here to go to the electronic sign-up sheet and let us know when you will join us to help.  You can also call the office, or speak to Steve Spinetto to volunteer. Ask anyone who has helped in the past … this is a wonderful, fun and grace filled thing to do!

Ziti was a popular choice for lunch last summer!

Ziti was a popular choice for lunch last summer!

An Invitation to Ministry With the Homeless Community

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AN INVITATION FROM MAUREEN LAVELY

ecw 005MANNA (Many Angels Needed Now And Always) is a community of homeless and previously homeless folks that meet at the Cathedral of St. Paul on Tremont Street, Boston every Monday at 10:00 am for a meeting, and then lunch for ANYONE who wishes to come at noon. After lunch we have a service with Eucharist celebrated each week.

The Missioner of this program, Cristina Rathbone, is traveling to India for a three-month sabbatical. While there’s a “seasoned” group of volunteers and staff, new energy is always welcome.

Typically I leave Charlestown around 9:20 am to walk to the Cathedral; however, I’m willing to take the T if you’re not a walker. I’m usually home by 3:00 pm. I eat with the guests.

Please speak to me if you’d like to give this opportunity to serve a try.

Thanks.

Maureen Lavely mglavely@verizon.net
617-242-3868