Parish Involvement
We seek to be a light for our community, a place where God's saving and transforming grace lives and works, changing lives.
St. John's congregation is active locally, nationally and internationally as servants and leaders in ministry inside and outside Christ's Church.
Consider becoming involved in one or many of our worship and liturgy roles; in-parish small groups; or in outreach projects. God doesn't call those who are able, he calls those that are willing and gives them the ability. Getting involved is just another way of engaging ourselves in a relationship with God, by utilizing our time and talents to serve Him and others; we transform the world one person at a time. If you are interested in joining any of these fellowship groups, please contact church@stjohns-ames.org.
Participate in Worship and Liturgy
Sunday worship services at St. John's involve clergy and lay people working together before, during, and after the service(s). Our worship services are a community offering to God. From captivating sermons, to behind-the-scenes Altar Guild members, to liturgy planning, our worship is enriched by the participation and talent of parishioners of all ages.
Help with Sunday Services
On Sunday mornings, you can be involved in the service as follows: Chalice Bearer, Greeter/Usher, Lay Reader, and Acolyte. Call the main office (515-292-6655) or email our Parish Administrator (church@stjohns-ames.org) for more information about these activities.
Liturgy Committee
Since the beginning of the church after the Crucifixion, lay people have been involved in worship. Not just being present for the service, but also part of designing the liturgy, and the way we conduct our worship. The liturgy is what opens our being to Christ’s teachings and is one conduit for his love into the world. It might seem like that is the purview of the clergy. But lay folks can affect how we worship and should be involved. To that end, we are asking folks to serve on a liturgy committee. Send your name to the office and we will start a list for this important service church@stjohns-ames.org.
Altar Guild
Altar Guild is seeking additional members to help set up and take down 8 AM and 10 AM Sunday Eucharists throughout the year. If you are interested in joining Altar Guild, please let Bronwyn Frame (bronwyn.rf@gmail.com) or Diane Rioux (dirio02@msn.com) know. We look forward to hearing from you! If you are contemplating becoming a member of the Altar Guild, consider attending our annual meeting in the fall to learn more about us! We are open to all those 12 years and older. You need not have experience as you will be trained after you volunteer.
Provide Altar Flowers
If you would like to donate fresh altar flowers on any given Sunday, please be in touch with Diane Rioux, St. John's Altar Flower coordinator, at dirio02@msn.com or 515-233-8340. Sunday altar flowers are provided by parishioners, often in celebration of an important date or in memory of a loved one. Diane will give you instructions on how to have your flowers delivered to the church.
Participate in Parish Small Groups
Deepening Faith
If you are looking to add a new opportunity for prayer, reflection, and fellowship to your spiritual journey, we invite you to join us for Deepening Faith. This is a prayer group of 2 to 6 parishioners that practice contemplative prayer (Lectio Divina) and explore the treasure of prayers available in the Book of Common Prayer. The contemplative prayer is a way to practice ‘the habit of holy silence.’ Lectio Divina is the practice of reading a selection from scripture 2-3 times with periods of silence in between for quiet reflection and a time for group discussion after the third reading. The format is flexible and there is not a structured curriculum track, so it is easy to join at any time. Participants range from young adults to seniors with a nice mix of life experiences and spiritual perspectives.
The Deepening Faith group is currently on hiatus, but usually would meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Meetings start at 7 p.m. in the parlor and we close at 8:30 p.m. The format is flexible and there is not a structured curriculum track, so it is easy to join at any time. Participants range from young adults to seniors with a nice mix of life experiences and spiritual perspectives. Contact Ed Gillott (edg813@gmail.com) or Steve Prater (pratersb@gmail.com) for more information.
Outdoor Grounds and Gardens
St. John's outdoor workdays are organized on Saturday mornings throughout the spring and fall to help maintain the grounds and property. Tasks include:
• Trash pickup around the building. (Always!!)
• Weeding the mulched areas if needed
• Memorial Garden - general fountain upkeep
• Check gutters and roof drains for debris.
• Focus on ideas or tasks that can improve the east property area, now that the windows are done.
If you are interested in taking part in this essential parish ministry (while meeting other members of the congregation and getting some fresh air and exercise), please contact Ed Gillott at edg813@gmail.com or Bronwyn Frame (bronwyn.rf@gmail.com) and we will notify you by email when the next scheduled work day is.
Bible Study
A group of dedicated individuals meets every Wednesday morning for Bible Study. This group uses various texts to look more in-depth at aspects of the bible affecting our current lives. Currently, we meet at 10:30 over Zoom before the noon Eucharist.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Committee is open to anyone willing to help with the care and attention to fellow parishioners. Please contact The Rev. Dr. Mary Jane Oakland for more information at mary.j.oakland@gmail.com.
Order of the Daughters of the King
Perhaps you have noticed several women at St. John’s wearing a similar cross and you might have wondered what it signifies. Daughters of the King is an order of Christian women who are trying to follow a life of Prayer and Service. At St. John’s we meet on the third Sunday of each month (September - May) following the 10 a.m. service.
D.O.K. members follow two Rules. The first is The Rule of Prayer: every member must have a rule of daily prayer. Each month we keep an intercessory prayer list praying for members of our parish, friends and family, and each other. This list is confidential and incorporated into our daily prayers. The second rule is The Rule of Service: the application of one’s baptismal vows. That is to be Christ’s servant, to regularly take part in worship, study, and work of the Church, and to render aid to our Rector for the spiritual upbuilding of the parish.
See The Order of The Daughters of the King National Website for more information.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
The Education for Ministry (EfM) group at St. John's began a new class in September 2022. We will continue to meet using the zoom format so that students who started with this group but have moved will be able to continue with familiar faces. For more information contact Ed Gillott or the church office. EfM is a four-year course for laypersons wishing to deepen their knowledge of the Bible, Church History, and spirituality. It helps participants to discern their gifts and apply them to ministries within or outside of our church. It runs during the school year from September through May and involves reading and weekly discussions. It is an amazing experience along with a group that becomes close friends on your own personal “Road to Emmaus.”
Ed Gillott edg813@gmail.com
Church Office church@stjohns-ames.org