INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
Through the Missions Committee, the congregation is involved in outreach around the world.
The annual service trip to our partner parish of San Gabriel in Consuelo, Dominican Republic is taking shape! The team of both first-time and veteran participants has room for a few more members. The per person cost is approximately $1500–1800, including airfare, lodging, meals, and ground transportation. Plans for fundraising efforts are under way to help defray these costs.
The week of July 20–27, the St. John’s team will work alongside volunteers from San Gabriel to produce their Vacation Bible School during the morning hours, and complete physical plant improvement projects in the afternoon.
Our relationships with the clergy and parishioners of San Gabriel have emerged strong and deep post-Covid, after the pandemic hiatus. Last year’s St. Johns team of 14—including many who had never before participated in this ministry—increased the lasting bonds of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ at San Gabriel.
If you feel called to this ministry, please complete and submit the Interest Form. For the sake of logistics, the team must be capped at 14 participants; therefore, please respond as soon as possible. You may complete the form or contact the Rev. Andrew Moore by Monday, February 26.
Former mission trip participants are happy to answer any questions you may have, or you may contact
the Rev. Andrew Moore,
Stefanie Stayin, or
Margaret Kerfoot
at any time.
July 22–29 a 12-member team of St. John’s parishioners visited with our brothers and sisters at Iglesia Episcopal San Gabriel in Consuelo, Dominican Republic for a week of service, friendship, and fellowship there.
In the morning hours the team partnered with the congregation of San Gabriel to hold their Vacation Bible School. During the afternoon the team helped repair the roof of the San Gabriel church office and bathroom which were badly damaged by rain.
Follow the journey on our Facebook page where the team posted photos and stories of how God is working in our lives and in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic.
Reaching the World’s Poorest
The St. John's family continually discerns the needs of the global poor by researching and supporting organizations that seek to meet these needs. We focus on ways to reduce poverty, hunger and disease, foster maternal and child health, broaden educational and employment opportunities, and enlist global cooperation to sustain these efforts.
Educating the parish by means of presentations, informative articles in church publications, and engagement with communities outside our own are ways we reach the world’s poorest.
Partnership in the Dominican Republic
St. John’s has been in partnership with Iglesia San Gabriel in Consuelo since 2002. At the request of the bishop of the Dominican Republic and in response to a 30% unemployment rate in that area, we funded and participated in the construction of the Bob and Ellen Snow Technical School. This is the first Episcopal school of its kind in the Diocese, and we hope that lessons learned here will benefit other Diocesan technical schools currently under construction. The school has classes in hair and nail salon operations, secretarial skills, and other skills needed for productive jobs.
St. John’s conducts annual service trips to Consuelo, to assist in construction, repair and maintenance of the trade school facility, and to participate in a Vacation Bible School for elementary school aged children. Teenagers, college students, and adult parishioners participate in a year-long orientation in preparation for the trips.
If you want to know more, or would like to participate in our 2024 service trip to Iglesia San Gabriel, please contact Stefanie Stayin.
Concern for Refugees
Among the care of selected communities, St. John’s cares for those in the world who flee from violence around the world. Download more information about refugees and migrants HERE.