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Every women of St. John’s is considered a member of the Women’s Guild. Each women serves the church both individually and through the Guild. Any woman of the parish may be called upon to volunteer their time and efforts to serve a need of the church or community. We understand that each woman is empowered by God with unique gifts and talents, and each of those gifts and talents is required to serve Christ through the Church.
The Women’s Guild has a variety of established ministries in the Church. The Guild does fund raising to support church and community ministries. Once or twice a year the Guild organizes a church rummage sale. During Advent, the Guild hosts a Cookie Exchange. The Guild organizes and hosts various church dinners: The Annual Parish meeting in January; the Maundy Thursday Agape meal; dinner receptions during the Bishop’s parish visit; and the Christian Education Kick-Off in September. The Women’s Guild is also quick to respond to pastoral needs providing meals for people facing any type of family crisis, and organizing dinners after parish funerals. The Women’s Guild was also called upon to assist with the organization of Vacation Bible School.
As part of the Guild, the women of the church are also encouraged to participate in virtually every aspect of the life of the Church; including being vestry members, Altar Guild members, lay readers, choir members, etc..
The Women’s Guild has played an active role in the stability of parish since its organization in 1855. The goal of the Women’s Guild is to continue to be a pillar of strength for the parish as we move forward into another 150 years of serving Christ in the Community.
Choir Choir Director– Gail Robb Music and singing are important to our corporate worship. Our choir is small, but sings mightily and beautifully. Anyone, male or female, young or old, who has a desire to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” can become a choir member. Actual singing talent and experience would be preferred, but is not mandatory.
The choir meets to rehearse approximately 45 minutes before each service. Besides our Sunday Morning Holy Eucharist service, the choir comes together on an “as needed basis” to sing for special services through the year. The choir typically does not meet and sing during the three summer months.
Our singing is accompanied by two very talented musicians, who each play two Sunday’s per month. We have an Allen Organ, a piano, and occasionally we use guitars, and other musical instruments. Once or twice a year, for holidays or special occasions, we organize a children’s choir to sing songs for services.
We are always encouraging members, especially new members to join the choir to enhance our worship experience and to bring glory to God through music and song. |
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About Our Ministries
Women’s Guild Chairperson – Joetta Beebe |
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Outreach Chairperson—Diane Stover
St. John’s Outreach Committee is a volunteer group of men and women, professional and non-professional, employed and retired who believe that God calls us to lend a hand to those we see in need. This group, at present, ranges from mid-age upward, but is open to and welcomes upper teens and young adults.
The Outreach Committee’s activities are approved by the vestry and supported by our parishioners who provide the “muscle for many of the projects undertaken. Outreach is a joint project, involving anyone who is interested in helping. We meet once a year to plan the list of recipients, and then whenever necessary to implement the activities.
Gifts and talents that are helpful to this ministry are: a working knowledge of the community assistance programs, insight into human behavior, some administrative skills, awareness of and sensitivity to human need, creative thinking, ability to access resources, and some financial accounting skills. One person need not possess all of the above. Outreach is a team effort, each person bringing their particular gifts and talents to the table.
In Mt. Vernon and surrounding communities, we contribute to the following: Habitat for Humanity, Relay For Life, Posey County Young Life, day care scholarships for the working poor, township trustees, Kiwanis Christmas baskets, the Mt. Vernon Ministerial Association Christmas Gift Assistance Program, the United Thank Offering, Posey County Health Nurse’s private assistance to needy families, Family and Children’s Service, Mt. Vernon High School’s After Prom, Precious Posies (helps needy families of infants and children. St. John’s give a baby shower in the spring), YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter, Beds for Babies, and Riverboat Ministries (pastoral care and supplies for riverboat workers on the Ohio River). Nationally and Internationally, we have taken part in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes filled with goodies for children around the world), and we purchase animals for needy families through Heifer International. We also contribute to St. Gregory’s Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan, and we support Episcopal Seminaries.
If you have compassion for the needy, if you seek God’s wisdom in prayer, if you are willing to share and to work, or if you would just like to see what Outreach can be, this might be a ministry for you.
Education Chairperson— Diane Stover Christian Education and faith formation is a priority at St. John’s. It takes the form of Sunday morning Bible Study, Monday night Women’s Bible Study and Prayer, Sunday School classes (Nursery through High School), occasional Confirmation classes, and of course, through the reading of the Holy Scriptures at Eucharist and Morning Prayer services. Education programs also include a Wednesday night study during Lent, and Vacation Bible School in the summer.
Teaching skills are obviously desirable, but willing and enthusiastic volunteers can learn to teach through carefully selected curriculum which is “new-teacher” friendly. Creativity is an asset which can be expressed through program planning, lesson execution, and art and music activities. Music and art skills can help children express their love of God and can be added to education activities by the teacher or someone other than the teacher. Knowledge of the Bible is most important. However, if you want to become more thoroughly acquainted with God’s Word, teaching is a wonderful vehicle through the curriculum and working with other teachers. Not to mention that the children often teach us a thing or two!
St. John’s has a Christian Education staff, headed by the Rector and the director of Christian Education. Staff includes Bible Study leaders, ten Sunday School teachers and volunteer art and music persons. We meet in September to plan the annual Back to Sunday School and Choir celebration, determine curriculum and class configuration and to assign teachers for the classes. We hold additional staff meetings to plan Advent themes and activities, Lenten themes and activities (both of which are often involved in Outreach projects), Sunday School Recognition and Honoring of Graduates, and Vacation Bible School. Parents and young people are always encouraged to bring friends to our church.
If you love the Word of God, if you are comfortable in teaching situations, if you enjoy assisting in a learning environment, if you feel blessed by the presence of children, you might want to consider this ministry.
Lay Reader’s Coordinator—Bob Webster Being a Lay reader is just one of many opportunities to participate in the Church’s worship of the Lord.
Lay readers assist the Priest in the service liturgies of the Church. In the Eucharist, the Lay reader reads the Old Testament and the Epistle lessons and leads the congregation in the recitation of the Psalm. The Lay reader prays the Prayers of the People and administers the Chalice in the distribution of Communion to the congregation. The Lay reader also may assist the Priest in other services, as the Priest may require. In the absence of a Priest, the Lay reader may conduct Morning and/or Evening Prayer. Lay readers are trained by the Rector and are licensed by the Bishop.
Any member of the Parish age 16 or older is eligible to be considered to become a Lay reader. Lay readers need to be able to read the lessons and prayers and speak with a clear voice that all can hear. Anyone interested should apply to the Rector, Father Allen.
Acolyte Guild Whether participating in 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship, or one of our special festival services, our acolytes are always ready to serve with enthusiasm and dedication.
Acolytes are the glue that holds the service together and allow it to flow smoothly. They assist our Rector Rev. Allen D. Rutherford, in a variety of ways; carrying a processional cross, lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, bearing torches, with set-up and clean-up at the altar, as well as receiving the elements and offertory plates from the congregation and other important tasks.
Acolytes receive on-going training by staff members and coaching from the other members of the team. We expect all acolytes to help each other, keep a flexible attitude toward changes, show responsibility about schedule and commitment, and serve God at his table with attention and care. As they progress from first-timers to accomplished leaders, our acolytes take to heart the importance of liturgy and the joy of service in the life of our parish community here at St. John's Church.
If you are interested in becoming an Acolyte or learning more about Acolyte service at St. John's, please call the parish office (812-838-5445).
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Worship Chairperson— Rev. Allen Rutherford The primary purpose of our existence is to be in relationship with the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We foster that relationship through corporate worship and prayer. We are a liturgical church that relies on our Anglican heritage of prayer book worship. Our Sunday morning worship is from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and 1982 Hymnal, but we also use several other resources authorized for worship by the Episcopal Church.
The worship committee meets about two or three times a year to plan and organize upcoming worship services and any special services and celebrations involving worship. The worship committee is primarily constituted by the chairpersons of the various liturgical support ministries, and is headed by the rector. However, the worship committee is open to anyone 16 years or older who is interested in the worship of our church and has a creative spirit within them. A good analogy is to consider the worship service as a blank artists canvas on which the various liturgies and music are applied to make a beautiful piece of art which brings honor and glory to God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the worship service, we “celebrate” and acknowledge the grace and love of God expressed through the incarnation and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We invite you to come and “celebrate” with us.
Finance Chairperson—Bob Webster St. John’s has been blessed with people who have cared enough for the church to provide for its perpetuation through planned giving. These endowments require financial management on a periodic basis. The vestry of the church is canonically responsible for any financial decision making, but the finance committee provides the vestry with the wisdom and expertise to make those decisions, and puts into action those decisions. Knowledge of investment management is important, but not required to serve on this committee. Having a heart for God is, however, a requirement. Through careful management of our resources, the church is able to support the operation of the church and provide financial support to a number of outreach ministries both locally and worldwide. The finance committee meets once a year with the corporate, institutional stewards of our investments, and provides a report of that meeting to the vestry. The finance committee also provides a financial report to the entire congregation during the parish annual meeting each January. Given the volatility of the investment market, the finance committee is occasionally called together to address any sudden, drastic changes in the market. We understand that everything that we have and are given is a blessing from God. We are merely stewards of God’s blessings. Through careful management of God’s blessings on us, we are able to provide blessings to others.
Sunday Morning Hospitality Coordinator—Sue Webster Sunday Morning Hospitality Ministry, otherwise know as “Coffee Hour” meets every Sunday morning following the church service. If you’re looking to serve on something this is possibly the easiest ministry.
The ministry currently consists of fourteen families dedicated to providing food and drink to members and visitors. The women usually take the most active role in the preparation and serving, however, some of the men are also very helpful with the set up and clean up. The children of the parish take a very active role by consuming as much as their parents will allow.
Everyone is welcome to join our ministry if they are willing to donate a little extra time, once in awhile, on Sunday morning. With the current number of participants each family is only called upon about once every three months. Additional members would decrease the times you would be called upon to serve.
Members are asked to prepare coffee and juice. Thanks to Joetta Beebe this preparation entails adding the water to the coffee pot and plugging it in before the Sunday service. . She usually measures and sets out the coffee and cups and makes the juice. You may wish to provide some kind of pastry, fruit or snack items. You may be very creative or you may just wish to provide the basics, COOKIES!! The members of this congregation appreciate ANYTHING. Each family is responsible for the clean up, but as often is the case, other members pitch in to help while still enjoying the camaraderie.
We have tried to add a little variety by serving outside in the front and side yard. The heat this summer has limited this activity, however, we hope to get in some Sundays before the winter weather sets in.
This ministry has given us an opportunity to get acquainted with new members and to share stories and weekly experiences with each other. Come join us on Sunday, see and hear the noise and laughter.
Altar Guild Chairperson—Diane Hancock The Altar Guild is blessed with the duty of preparing all the things necessary, in and around the altar, for the celebration of Eucharist or any other sacraments or services of the church. The preparations are done so that services are conducted with order and beauty fitting for the worship of God and his Son, Jesus Christ. This includes maintaining clean and pressed linens, applying the appropriate colors to the altar for different seasons and services of the church, and maintaining the silver, brass, and/or gold vessels used for services. In addition, the use of flowers around the altar is maintained by the Altar Guild.
The Altar Guild at St. John’s is primarily made up of women in the church, although men have played a vital assistive role, and children will also assist by carrying items to and from the sacristy. Men, women, and responsible children may serve on the Altar Guild. All it takes is devotion and a sincere desire to serve the Lord in this manner. Sometimes, the work seems tedious and mundane, but presenting an organized and beautiful altar is an offering to our Lord. Gifts and talents necessary are only the willingness to learn the simple lay-out of the altar and being available every few months to serve for a month, with another person. St. John’s is such a flexible environment, if you have to miss a Sunday, there’s always someone who pitches in and helps.
Serving on the Altar Guild is an honor and a privilege; a service to God, and his Son, Jesus Christ.
UTO (United Thank Offering) Coordinator—Lydia Rutherford “Expand the circle of thankful people.” This is the mission statement of the United Thank Offering Committee. UTO is an organization founded by women in 1889 and originally supported women missionaries. It is now world wide and meets many types of compelling human needs. By thanking God for our blessings, then giving offerings in our UTO boxes, we can help bring blessings to others. We collect our blue UTO boxes in May and November every year.
Anyone can participate. Simply pick up a blue UTO box from the parish hall. Put coins in the box anytime you are thankful for a blessing. The offerings support ministries such as after-school programs in Indiana, renovations providing handicap accessibility in a campus ministry house in Wyoming, vocational training in the Middle East, and establishment of clean water sources in Uganda.
The coins and prayers of the UTO do make a difference. Let’s “Expand the circle of thankful people”
Historiography Chairperson— Elizabeth Dingman In 2005 St. John’s celebrated its 150th Anniversary. At this time work was put into writing a history of St. John’s using previously written histories, church records, newspaper microfilms and oral traditions. This resulted in a 126 page hard covered book of St. John’s history which was given to each family in the congregation. The historiographer of the church tries to continue to collect information for future generations through photos of church events and newspaper articles about church members. The congregation is kept up to date through a bulletin board of church events and people. The information is then stored in acid free files in the St. John’s history room behind the main office. Individuals seeking information on former members should contact either Elizabeth Dingman or The Rev. Allen Rutherford. The 2005 publication of St. John’s history is available for purchase through the church office. |
