St. John's invites you to consecrate the prayerful pilgrimage of your...
Outreach and Peace & Justice ministries are closely linked and grow out of our commission as Christians to love our neighbors as ourselves. Outreach and Peace & Justice cross many parish activities and are high priorities for parishioners. We attempt to have an impact on our local community, our region, the nation and the world.
The Senior Lunch–Held in the Parish Hall, the Senior Lunch is a bi-monthly time for seniors, primarily from local retirement homes, to come together for a meal, games, singing and enjoyment. An average of 45 seniors attend. Parish volunteers plan, cook, clean-up and offer fellowship. The Heritage Academy–The Heritage Academy is a 800 student pre-k through 9th grade school in Ghana, West Africa. We have a partnership of support with the school through the Schoerke Foundation, its primary funder. The parish sponsors fund-raisers, and an annual back-pack drive for the school. KIVA–Kiva is a micro-finance organization that provides small loans to individuals who have small businesses throughout the world in places like Cambodia, Viet Nam, Columbia, the Philippines, Costa Rica and Peru. St. John’s is dedicated to this idea because it helps support self-reliance to individuals in need. Food Pantry–Every Sunday, parishioners bring non-perishable food into our food pantry collection which is given to the Loaves & Fishes Food Cupboard at Jenkintown United Methodist Church. Interfaith Hospitality Network–The parish provides periodic meals and hospitality to homeless families in Philadelphia through this Network of muti-faith organizations. A Women’s Place–A Women’s Place is an organization in Bucks and Montgomery County that provides a safe haven and support for women who have been abused. The parish collects clothing which is donated to the Women’s Place. Debtors Anonymous–This organization meets each Saturday morning at the Church and helps people manage and resolve their financial debt issues. Episcopal Coalition for Gay & Lesbian Outreach–St. John’s is a member of this Diocesan outreach program and provide volunteer and financial assistance. Diocese Support–St. John’s pledges financial and other support that in turn provides for Diocesan programs in education and human services for the less fortunate. Sunday School Outreach–The Sunday School outreach projects have raised funds with a variety of objectives and have included prayer beads and pot holders, designing and producing Christmas cards, and baking and selling soft pretzels. Youth Group Outreach–The Youth Group sponsors periodic events and contributes proceeds to outreach activities such as the Heritage Academy in Ghana.
St. John’s has a special relationship with The Nexus School, a private educational institution focused on the needs of children along the autism spectrum. The School is housed at St. John’s, and the parish and the school are connected in an intense and daily way. More information on The Nexus School can be found at: http://www.thenexusschool.org/
St. John’s has a strong history of engagement. Examples of organizations we have assisted include:
Examples of actions taken for Peace and Justice include:
Statement of Beliefs and Action Principles Adopted September 14, 2005 The Peace and Justice Group grounds its action principles on the Vision adopted by the congregation on February 19, 2004. We, the people of St John’s Church, believe God calls us to:
************** WE BELIEVE we are all stewards of the world and the entirety of God’s creation, and that our lives represent a one time opportunity and responsibility to impact the ongoing re-creation of the world. We are small in numbers but “we are each called to go through life reclaiming the planet an inch at a time until the Garden of Eden grows green again.”* WE BELIEVE peace is Jesus’ way. We are concerned about society’s growing militarism and infatuation with violence. We believe violence and war are absolutely last resorts and that conflict–in our families, neighborhoods, schools and in the world as a whole– can be creatively resolved by turning away from fear and opening to empathy and compassion. WE BELIEVE justice is “the corporate face of God.” ** We are concerned that society is slowly turning its back on social justice because of materialism, greed and hubris, hence turning further away from God. We believe a just society is one in which all people are equally important, respected and nurtured irrespective of race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical/mental abilities, wealth or power. *************** We recognize that these are BIG issues, but we will, in our own way, fulfill our responsibilities as stewards an inch at a time: WE WILL be agile and flexible selecting the issues we address based on our ability to have an impact and based on what is happening in the world. WE WILL emphasize education and dialogue in our parish and community. WE WILL be activists in the sense that we will lobby elected officials, write letters to the editor, and express our point of view to family, friends and working associates. For example, we commit that we will not allow a prejudicial statement to be left unchallenged in our presence. WE WILL be humble and empathetic, yet vigilant and strong with those who may disagree with us. WE WILL speak up to power whether it is the church, the government or other institutions because, regrettably, power too often perpetuates violence and injustice. We believe our institutions have a sacred responsibility to tell the truth and be transparent in their decision-making. AND WE WILL listen to God, and courageously embrace the words, actions and prayers God leads us to for advancing peace and justice in our world. *************** * Joan Chittister, a Benedictine Nun ** John Hines, former presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA
