St. John’s offers a wide variety of opportunities for adults. There Sunday morning classes, Wednesday night events, young adult events, men’s breakfast cooking group, and more. There are also a wide range of volunteer opportunities throughout the church, from altar guild, to brass polishing, to garden work and cooking & serving for special events.
Sunday School
Sunday school for all ages is offered from 9:15am-10:15am every Sunday.
ECW
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of St. John’s seeks to unite the women of St. John’s through programs of worship, study, and service which deepen and strengthen their spiritual lives and lead them into Christian service in the parish and the community.
There are four general meetings of St. John’s ECW held each year. Two guilds, which meet regularly, along with the Daughters of the King Guild serve as important vehicles for the work and spiritual life of the ECW and its members.
- St. Mary and St. Martha Guild is a fellowship and support group for younger women, generally under age 55. Meetings are announced by email and in the Eagle. Contact Ashley Hamlett for more information.
- Avis and All Angels Guild is also a fellowship and support group for women generally over age 55. Meetings are held at various times of day on a monthly basis excluding summer and announced by email and in the Eagle. Contact Caroline Lawson for more information.
- The Daughters of the King is an international Episcopal order for laywomen who take a simple vow of prayer and service. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the vision as Daughters of the King is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world. The group, which meets monthly, engages in spoken prayer, quiet prayer and Bible study. All women interested in becoming members are welcomed. Contact Sarah Spratling for more information.
General Meetings are luncheons and/or dinners with a program held in the Parish house at various times during the year. In May there is a picnic at the home of a parishioner. Our most recent event was a special Lenten candlelight evening in the Parish Hall. All women of the church were invited.
The ECW has many projects and programs which enhance the life of the parish as well as the greater community, presenting opportunities for participation and fellowship such as Archives, St. John’s Bazaar and luncheon, Flower Guild, Reception Committee, Pastoral Care, and more. General meetings, guild meetings, projects and items of interest are announced in the Eagle and by email.
The Bazaar and Luncheon is a one day event on the Wednesday the week prior to Thanksgiving, and is the ECW’s main fund raising event for its outreach programs. The ECW members work during the year on arts and crafts, hand sewing, painting, and other items to be sold at the bazaar. Workshops will be announced in the Eagle. All women are encouraged to participate in projects and help the day of the bazaar.
Cursillo
Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning “short course.” In the Episcopal Church the word is used to describe a weekend retreat led by clergy and laity several times a year at Camp McDowell. The weekend provides a wonderful opportunity to “get away from it all” and experience foundational Christian teaching, warm Christian fellowship and relaxed worship in a very comfortable atmosphere. The event begins with the weekend itself, and emphasis is placed on continuing the spirituality through weekly Reunion Groups and monthly gatherings called Ultreyas. Click here for a link to the Alabama diocesan Cursillo page.