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Christian
Education and Spiritual Formation
Education in the faith is a lifetime journey.
It has been said that if we do not know what we believe and why
we believe it, we won’t know what we’re doing or even who we are.
Jesus was a teacher, and we follow his example by offering a
Christian Education program that allows each person to increase their
understanding of our faith.
Church
School meets at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings during the school year,
with special all-age events periodically throughout the summer.
We offer classes at these levels:
Kindergarten - Grades 6 and Grades 7-12.
Curricula in current use include the Episcopal Children’s
Curriculum and Group youth materials.
The
Adult Christian Education class meets at 9:00 AM on Sunday
Mornings in the parish hall and covers a wide variety of subjects.
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Special
Educational Opportunities
St.
John’s offers the four-year EFM curriculum
developed by the Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee.
This popular lay ministry course lasts four years and cover
the Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, Church History and
Theology/Ethics.
It teaches a method of theological reflection that encourages
participants to apply all they learn to their daily lives.
Kerygma Bible study is offered on Thursdays during the Day.
Via
Media is a program of exploration of the Anglican/Episcopal
faith that is offered yearly.
Theology
on Tap is a program for young adults that meets in a
local pub to discuss theology.
Other
programs are offered seasonally.
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Youth
In addition to our Youth Sunday morning class, our young people meet
periodically for outings, fellowship and outreach aimed at nurturing a
Christian lifestyle now and in the years to come.
The group has done such things as make soup for those who
need it, and raise money to support children in underdeveloped
countries.
Our
youth attend diocesan youth gatherings at the All Saints Conference
Center, and many attend summer camp there.
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Outreach/Service
 The Outreach/Service Commission believes that, as we reach out to
those who need us, we find new meaning within ourselves.
The commission invites your new ideas, your fresh perspectives
and your energy as it reaches beyond St. John’s walls to help.
Angel's
Attic is a local thirft shop that was founded by St. John's
to address the financial needs of Angel's Clinic, a free
clinic in Murray. It has been greatly successful and is now
a community endeavor, giving more than $4000 a month to help
people in our community without health insurance.
Members
of St. John’s currently help sustain the Calloway County Family
Resource Center, the Humane Society, the local Red Cross, Calloway
County Need Line (which addresses low income needs), Parents
Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Habitat for Humanity.
Our Episcopal Church Women manage a program of Love Layettes,
which are bundles including diapers, gowns, socks and blankets
delivered to the local hospital for distribution to needy parents.
Ministries to local retirement and nursing homes are also in
place.
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Pastoral
Care
Pastoral care is available in many ways at St. John’s.
Through our worship services, coffee hours, prayer chain and
small-group gatherings we care for each other in the name of Christ.
Home and hospital visits, spiritual direction and referrals to
counseling are central parts of the Vicar’s work among the
congregation. In
addition, many of our lay people are deeply involved in pastoral
care through our Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Newcomer Ministries and
lay pastoral care teams. The Vicar and the commission members always
are available in emergencies.
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Music
The congregation of St. John’s serves as its choir.
Among our members are many gifted musicians of all ages, who
both sing well and play a variety of instruments.
Occasional special offerings are presented, often by our
informal children’s choir, and new musicians are most welcome.
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Quiet
Evenings and Spiritual Retreats
Quiet Evenings are held at least twice yearly, accompanied by
simple, candlelit quiet suppers. The
evenings include meditations, time to listen for God’s words to us
in silence and Holy Communion. A
special guided retreat to a convent, monastery or some other
spiritual center is offered once yearly.
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