OUR MINISTRIES AND SERVICE ORDERS

Acolytes. An ancient order of service for young people of all ages in the church. Acolytes serve at all High Masses as crucifers, torchbearers, flag bearers, thurifers and assistants at the altar. New acolytes are being training year round, with a policy of continuous open recruitment for interested persons to join this important order of service.

Altar Guild. The Altar Guild is a dedicated group of church women who are called to keeping the clergy vestments, altar dressings, candles, and other sacramental furnishings. Like all others, the guild maintains continuous open recruitment.

Brotherhood of St. Andrew. The Brotherhood is part of an international group of churchmen, lay and clergy that minister to men and youth. They meet the second Saturday of each month in Alard Hall at 8:00 AM for breakfast, fellowship, bible study, and chapter business. Like all others, the Brotherhood maintains continuous open recruitment.

Choir & Music. The Choir is a group of men and women that add so much to our ancient rites of worship through song. Like all others, the choir maintains continuous open recruitment.

Daughter’s of The King. The "Daughters" is a group of churchwomen whose calling is prayer. Daily each member of St. John’s chapter prayers for the sick, the nation and the world, and for those included in the Anglican cycle of prayer. Like all others, the "Daughters" maintain continuous open recruitment.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW). The ECW is every woman in the parish. It is organized to provide assistance to the parish by supporting special events, conducting parish fund raisers, and other activities as appropriate. Major contributions to the parish is the Thrift Shop retail store, The annual "Awesome Auction" fund raiser and dinner, the St. Andrew’s Day Luncheon, and numerous covered dish fundraisers through the year.

Outreach Programs. St. John’s parish is a food outlet for Farm Share, a local food for the poor distribution facility. This program, an adjunct to our Spanish Ministries, distributes food to the needy of the church and community.St Johns' parishoners also serve meals at the Homeless Assistance Center in Homestead on the second Monday of each month, and prepare birthday cakes for the homeless children each month..

Shepherd of the Streets Ministries (SOTS). SOTS is a ministry of the Deacons of the parish. It ministers to both the Anglo and Spanish of our community. It provides a basis for food distribution, pastoral care, and social service referrals. SOTS maintains a special ministry to the elderly. It maintains a regular nursing home and hospital visit ministry, supervises Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and maintains a separate web site for the elderly: www.SeniorAnglicansOnLine.org

Sunday School. Our Sunday school ministers to three groups of children. They range from 3 years and up, to middle school, to those in high school. The Sunday school meets at the same time the 10:00 AM service, and children are returned to their parents in church just before the Eucharist.

Flower Guild. The ladies of the parish of the Flower Guild are called to obtaining and arranging flowers on both the High Altar and that in St. Andrew’s Chapel weekly.

Greeter’s & Ushers. As you enter our church on a Sunday, you first meet one of our greeters and ushers. This is a group of men and women who are called to greeting members and soon to be members entering for worship on Sundays.

Junior Warden’s Working Crew. The Junior Warden is the next senior lay person on the Vestry of the Church. The Junior Warden’s job is very much like the Director of the Physical Plant. The Junior was regularly has working parties made up of parishioners to mow the grass, clean, pick up, and keep the grounds of the parish campus in tip top shape.

Lectors, Chalice Bearers. Another ancient order of sacramental service to the church. These are licensed lay persons who at each service read from the Hebrew scripture, Psalter, and New Testament. Others, so licensed assist the priest and deacons by bearing the Chalice during the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

Nursery. Our nursery workers watch and minister to the toddlers and infants too young for Sunday School. This service enables young parents an opportunity to engage in the worship service in a fullest possible way.

The Vestry. The vestry are 9 to 12 lay men and women elected during the annual meeting of the parish that serve for a 3 year term. They meet monthly to oversee the church budget, programs, and general church and school business. The head of the Vestry is the Senior Warden, assisted by the Junior Warden. The Rector of the parish serves as daily parish executive with the advice and consent of the Vestry. In the absence of a rector, the Senior Warden is commonly vested with the authority of overseeing parish affairs.