Churches thrive when everyone has an opportunity to serve and volunteering is a wonderful way to feel connected to one another. There are many ways to become involved at St. John's. Here are some of the most loved.
Our Community Garden The Canon Richard Rowe Memorial Garden exists to support our Food Pantry while providing an environment conducive to teaching personal self-reliance, garden education, creation care, and community service. We grow vegetables by organic and sustainable methods, thus increasing the nutritional value of food distributed by our Martha Simmons Food Pantry. You can keep up with how our garden grows on our Community Garden Facebook page. Or Read more about this ministry on our Garden page. When can I volunteer? Contact the office at 828-652-4144 for days and times.
Our Food Pantry St. John's, Martha Simmons Food Pantry started in 1974 due to the work of a parishioner named Martha Simmons. She was concerned by the extent of food insecurity in McDowell county so she began addressing the need with a "food closet" by bringing nonperishable items to the Parish House and storing them in large closet. Today, our drive-through Pantry is run out of the entire lower floor of our Parish House and we currently give out between 125-170 family sized boxes weighing approximately 50 pounds each, containing fresh produce and shelf stable items every Friday from 4:00-6:00pm. Once or twice a year because of church activities we move to the following Saturday but over the decades we have only had to close twice, both early on during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We even found a way to open immediately following Hurricane Helene. You can read more about this ministry on our Food Pantry Page. Volunteers are always needed and welcome, not just on Fridays, we receive MANNA deliveries twice a month on Thursday mornings and every Wednesday we need drivers to pick up food from area grocers, farmers, and other sources. Just contact the office if you are interested, we'll be glad to give your name to our Volunteer Coordinator!
Pastoral Care St. John's has a pastoral care team that helps our Rector with the ministry of prayer and presence. Members reach out to those in our parish who are experiencing illness, infirmity, or grief. We make calls, do home visits, pray, and send cards. A member of the pastoral care team maintains our prayer lists for the Prayers of the People on Sundays. If you or a member of your family is in need of prayer, please contact the office and let us know. If you would like to join the Pastoral Care team. If you would like to be considered to be a Lay Eucharistic Visitor please contact our priest for training.
Liturgical Ministries for Worship Lay Eucharistic Ministers are Lay persons, trained in the parish and licensed by the bishop, to assist the clergy as they administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. Prior to the current lay ministry canons, specially licensed lay readers administered the chalice at the eucharist and were known as “chalice bearers.” Lay Eucharistic Visitors are Lay Eucharistic Ministers who are additionally licensed and overseen by a priest or deacon to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. Lectors (readers) are lay persons trained in reading scripture who are appointed by the clergy person in charge of the congregation to read lessons or lead the prayers of the people. The term is from the Latin, “to read.” There is no license required for this lay ministry. A lector may also be known as a reader. The Choir - The choir is made up of singers who provide musical leadership for congregational singing in the worship of the church. Choirs may also sing anthems or make other special musical offerings to beautify and enhance the experience of worship. The primary role of the choir is to lead and support the congregation's worship through singing, not to provide a musical performance. St. John's Choir meets on Sunday mornings before the 10:00 service. Please just show up in the church at 9:30 if you'd like to join, Contemplative Music for 5th Sundays Ushers/Greeters welcome worshipers as they enter the church, assist visitors and newcomers, distribute bulletins, assist with seating when needed, collect the offering, and assist parishioners with getting to and from the communion rail. Altar Guild members prepare the altar for services whether held in the church or other locations (occasionally we hold outdoor services) including regularly scheduled worship, as well as weddings and funerals. They maintain all the altar metal-ware, linens, and candles. Ideally two or three people work together as a team. Flower Guild members prepare flowers and other decorative elements for the services including regularly scheduled worship, as well as weddings and funerals. The Flower Guild also sometimes prepares flowers and decorates the Parish Hall for some special events. Members sometimes work on their own but enjoy teamwork and plan together when schedules allow.