Ministry in the Episcopal Church
St. John’s is one of the most active churches in Austin in its outreach ministries, such as the Refugee Ministry, as well as its many internal ministries such as Pastoral Care, Daughters of the King, Choir, Altar Guild, and many more!
Outreach
The Outreach Ministry Team supports the following ministries:
The Refugee Ministry
Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home Ministry
St. John’s Community Center Food Bank
Labyrinth Community Garden
Buckner Villas Service
Drive-A-Senior North Central Austin
Support for Handmade Charities
Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home Ministry
On the fourth Monday of each month, St. John’s parishioners visit residents at the Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home. Members assist the residents in playing Bingo and then serve them refreshments afterwards. Although the residents enjoy playing Bingo and having snacks, the real benefit is the attention they receive from St. John’s parishioners. Residents’ expressions of gratitude are received on a regular basis. If you are interested in participating, contact Mark Hartwell (512-343-0550).
“I have received more in this feeling of Jesus’ love being realized in these people’s lives than anything that we have actually given or provided. It is a miracle and it is love……..His love and I want to encourage all of you to be a part of this wonderful ministry.” Mark Hartwell
St. John’s Community Center Food Bank
We support Saint John’s Community Center with food and monetary donations. We pay $1200 per year to the Capitol Area Food Bank which allows the community center to buy food from them. Saint John’s Community Center clients include low income and homeless individuals. For Thanksgiving and Christmas we supply holiday meals and gifts for the families. Guidelines for donated food are no soups, canned meats and vegetable with pull tops, bottled drinks, pasta, dried beans, rice, peas. Please make sure the food is within the sell by date range. The food basket is in the narthex (front of church). Contact Judy Hughes (hhughesjr@austin.rr.com, 512-836-9694) if you would like to help more directly.
Labyrinth Community Garden
A community garden is being developed on St. John’s land which will proved plots to be rented to the neighbors in the area surrounding the church. Contact Hal Hughes (hhughesjr@austin.rr.com, 512-836-9694) if you are interested in helping develop the garden, run the garden, or have a plot!
Buckner Villas Service
On the fourth Sunday of the month St. John’s provides a worship service for the residents of Buckner Villas, a retirement community. Contact the Rector, the Rev. Matt Seddon, if you are interested in bringing the Gospel outside the walls of St. John’s!
Drive a Senior – North Central Austin
This program provides free rides from volunteers for seniors unable to drive. Trips usually take about an hour and includes bringing people to medical treatments, dentist appointments, and grocery shopping. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Scott McFarland (512-761-4451). Drivers are needed.
Support for Handmade Charities
Loops and Stitches and the Sunday School class knit or crochet hats, scarves and other items for Trinity House (St David’s homeless population), Safeplace, and knit, sew, or crochet baby clothing for Brackenridge Hospital babies. The group meets in the parish hall at noon on alternate Sundays and enjoys some time stitching together! You may also donate items directly to the church office.
Outreach
The Outreach Ministry Team supports the following ministries:
The Refugee Ministry
Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home Ministry
St. John’s Community Center Food Bank
Labyrinth Community Garden
Buckner Villas Service
Drive-A-Senior North Central Austin
Support for Handmade Charities
Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home Ministry
On the fourth Monday of each month, St. John’s parishioners visit residents at the Oakcrest Manor Nursing Home. Members assist the residents in playing Bingo and then serve them refreshments afterwards. Although the residents enjoy playing Bingo and having snacks, the real benefit is the attention they receive from St. John’s parishioners. Residents’ expressions of gratitude are received on a regular basis. If you are interested in participating, contact Mark Hartwell (512-343-0550).
“I have received more in this feeling of Jesus’ love being realized in these people’s lives than anything that we have actually given or provided. It is a miracle and it is love……..His love and I want to encourage all of you to be a part of this wonderful ministry.” Mark Hartwell
St. John’s Community Center Food Bank
We support Saint John’s Community Center with food and monetary donations. We pay $1200 per year to the Capitol Area Food Bank which allows the community center to buy food from them. Saint John’s Community Center clients include low income and homeless individuals. For Thanksgiving and Christmas we supply holiday meals and gifts for the families. Guidelines for donated food are no soups, canned meats and vegetable with pull tops, bottled drinks, pasta, dried beans, rice, peas. Please make sure the food is within the sell by date range. The food basket is in the narthex (front of church). Contact Judy Hughes (hhughesjr@austin.rr.com, 512-836-9694) if you would like to help more directly.
Labyrinth Community Garden
A community garden is being developed on St. John’s land which will proved plots to be rented to the neighbors in the area surrounding the church. Contact Hal Hughes (hhughesjr@austin.rr.com, 512-836-9694) if you are interested in helping develop the garden, run the garden, or have a plot!
Buckner Villas Service
On the fourth Sunday of the month St. John’s provides a worship service for the residents of Buckner Villas, a retirement community. Contact the Rector, the Rev. Matt Seddon, if you are interested in bringing the Gospel outside the walls of St. John’s!
Drive a Senior – North Central Austin
This program provides free rides from volunteers for seniors unable to drive. Trips usually take about an hour and includes bringing people to medical treatments, dentist appointments, and grocery shopping. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Scott McFarland (512-761-4451). Drivers are needed.
Support for Handmade Charities
Loops and Stitches and the Sunday School class knit or crochet hats, scarves and other items for Trinity House (St David’s homeless population), Safeplace, and knit, sew, or crochet baby clothing for Brackenridge Hospital babies. The group meets in the parish hall at noon on alternate Sundays and enjoys some time stitching together! You may also donate items directly to the church office.
