St. John's Episcopal Church

Altar Guild: Some eleven parishioners strong, the Altar Guild tends and sets the table for Christ's Eucharist every Sunday. It is a ministry of quiet reverence and devoted care. The linens are clean and bright, the bread is fresh, the cup shines pure. "Therefore let us keep the feast."
Buildings & Grounds: Built in 1860 with several parish hall and office additions, and with the Church Rectory on Prospect Ave., St. John's and its grounds need constant care, mostly volunteer with an ad hoc group who work with the Junior Warden to keep things in proper shape. It should be noted that with St. John's at the heart of Randolph and in the very center of the state, hardly a day goes by without a day or evening meeting in the Parish Hall.
Education: While "a small church", St. John's has consistently maintained weekly Sunday School with volunteer and paid nursery care. Adult programs vary from weekly Bible Study (Mondays at 1 PM) to a host of special forums such as the ten week "Via Media" series, Religion and Science course, Great Religions, and Global Mission discussion group. If one or more parishioners express an interest in a subject of spiritual value, we'll try it; not just for St. John's but for the larger community.
Pastoral Care: Six members of the Pastoral Care Committee meet monthly to join the Rector in responding to the joys and hurts of all parishioners. They do this especially through cards of sympathy and celebration. They are also responsible for coordinating and sharing in the hospitality of the congregation to gatherings at funerals and numerous family passages.
Liturgical Sunday Ministries: Someone once figured that it took twenty-five persons to celebrate Sunday worship. From ushers to readers, intercessors, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, crucifers, coffee Hour hosts; these are the assigned ministries on any given Sunday with almost everyone in the congregation taking part on one or more Sundays in a month. Each ministry has a captain who then lists assignments in the monthly newsletter, "The Messenger". Job descriptions are available for each ministry whether licensed by the Bishop or not. Good worship is efficient and participatory.
Prayer Chain: Like many churches, St. John's has a quietly active Prayer Chain made up of parishioners who accept in confidence any prayer requests and pass them along by telephone so that daily prayers for healing and peace may be offered up to God who cares and listens.
St. Margaret's Guild: Every woman of St. Johns is automatically a member of the St. Margaret's Guild (the equivalent of the Episcopal Church Women or ECW). While the main ministry focus of the St. Margaret's Guild is the provision and care of our altar, the Guild sponsors many projects such as Rock Point camp scholarships, and non-budgeted needs of grace around the Parish. It's main fund raising event is the Annual Christmas Bazaar on the first Saturday of December, which with its wreaths and other crafts is clearly regarded as one of the finest bazaars in the area.
Choir: Some fifteen or so people make up the St. John's choir, offering their own talents and devotions during Sunday services from fall through spring, with a couple of summer sightings tossed in for good measure. A diverse group in age and experience, they've tackled a wide range of choral music from chant to contemporary, both accompanied and a cappella. The choir rehearses Tuesday evenings from 5 to 6:3o PM. Feeling the need to "make a joyful noise?"-- please join us!

"Building for the future with thanksgiving and praise." - St. John's Vestry, 2006