The word minister in the Latin means ‘servant’. In baptism, we believe that persons are fully initiated by water and by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church. So the work that we do as members of Christ’s body is a response to our baptismal call and a service to Christ in the church and in the world around us.
The people of St. John’s are involved in a variety of ministries and activities that represent a major part of the life of our church. As a vital congregation there are many opportunities to engage in a variety of activities.
Outreach
Currently St. John's local outreach efforts are focused on providing food and meals for needy families in the Lockport community. Specifically, at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, this committee provides holiday meals for families in need. In addition, at Christmas time the committee sponsors a project that helps ensure that children in need have presents for the holidays. St. John’s collaborates with other area agencies in this effort. Along with this, donations of winter clothing are sought to provide to families who are part of the food basket program. Approximately 20 families are beneficiaries to this effort during each of these holidays. St. John’s partners with Morning Star Mission on these kinds of projects.
Other Outreach activities which regularly involve St. John's include:
- Supporting the local food pantry
- Jump on the Bus (school supplies for children in need)
- Supporting Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)
- Seminary education
- United Thank Offering (UTO)
- Church Periodical Club (CPC)
- Supporting Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – provide location for meetings
- Participating in activities associated with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
How one can be involved in outreach at St. John’s?
- Outreach Committee: This group of people plans various activities that help meet the needs of less fortunate people. This includes food baskets at holidays. There are several service projects that this group engages in throughout the year. Contact people for this ministry are Ruth Kozlowski and Judy Broud.
- Food Baskets: Volunteers help collect food for families in need during holiday seasons
