Here are some other programs and ministries in which you can participate at St. John's-Grace. Click on the subject for more information.
Acolytes
Acolytes assist in our worship services by lighting and extinguishing the candles, leading the choir and clergy with the processional cross and torches, bringing the alms, bread, water, and wine to the priest for blessing and consecration, and carrying the gospel book. Boys, girls, men and women may serve as acolytes. Contact Rev. Phil Dougharty or Rob Petersen for more information.
Each Sunday morning adults gather for a variety of Christian Education classes or discussion groups between the 8:30 and 10:30 services and after the 10:30 service. Click here to see details on Christian Education Programs at St. John's-Grace
Bible 101 is an informal group which meets on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Each week the group reads a chapter or so of the Bible together. Each person brings their life experience to the discussion which lends a new perspective on the passages.
The Adult Book Discussion Group meets each first and third Sunday evening of the month at 7:30 downstairs in the Walter Lord Room
to discuss a
chapter of the book the group is currently reading. We have read and discussed John Shelby
Spong's Why Christianity Must Change or Die and A New Christianity for a New World, Resident Aliens: Life in the
Christian Colony by Hauerwas and Willimon, Elaine Pagels'
Beyond Belief: the Secret Gospel of Thomas, Matthew Fox's Original Blessing, Thich Nhat Hanh's Living Buddha, Living Christ, Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You, and others. We are now looking at Seyyed Hossein Nasr's book, The Heart of Islam. Everyone is invited to join the group for
any
or all of these sessions. Our conversations are stimulating, surprising, revealing, wide-ranging,
unorthodox, deeply personal, challenging, reassuring and very rewarding. The rules for
discussion do not allow anyone’s ideas to
be criticized by others. We revel in our diversity of views. Come and tell us yours! For more
information, contact Cecily Whiteford (882-7296), Carol Brothers (877-1369) or John
Schimminger (834-3923). If the cost of the book is a problem, don’t worry! Just pay what
you can and join us.
Monthly "Third Wednesday" Family Activities
"Third Wednesdays" are a time for any members of the church, as well as their families and friends, to gather for a family-style meal, conversation and learning activities for all ages. Come at 6:00 sharp and enjoy some hearty home cooking! A free will offering is accepted, but pay only what you can afford.
Monthly Movie Nights provide an opportunity to look at how religion, or at least facets of religious life, are portrayed in popular cinema followed by a discussion session. But have no fear! This is anything but a dry, lifeless discussion. Recent showings have included Babette's Feast (in which we looked at aspects of liturgy and distortions of religion), Edwards Scissorhands (with Edward as a Christ-figure), and Simon Birch, (exploring such questions as "Is God really interested in doughnuts after services?") Snacks are provided and also gratefully accepted! Call the church office (885-1112) for shows and times. See you at the movies!
The Altar Guild is responsible for the care and preparation of the sanctuary and the various sacramental objects and liturgical decorations such as altar linens, vestments, communion vessels, hangings, candles, and floral decorations.
Community Action Ministry/Voice-Buffalo
The Saint John's-Grace Community Action Ministry is a parish group which works to strengthen the congregation through the development of leadership capacity for the parish, as well as in the public arena through the VOICE-Buffalo organization. VOICE-Buffalo is a faith-based interdenominational community action organization of 29 congregations in Metropolitan Buffalo working for the betterment of our community through systemic change. The Community Action Ministry also acts as a communication link between VOICE-Buffalo and the parish. Voice-Buffalo is part of the
Gamaliel Foundation's internation network of organizations. Click here to visit the Gamaliel Foundation Website.
Loaves and Fishes Dining Room (Soup Kitchen)
St. John's-Grace participates in providing lunch for the hungry five days a week through its volunteers and financial support for the Loaves and Fishes Dining Room, operated by Concerned Ecumenical Ministries to the Upper West Side (CEM), and housed at Lafayette Presbyterian Church two blocks to the east at Elmwood and Lafayette. CEM is a community service agency supported by several Upper West Side congregations on an interdenominational basis as a means to providing cooperative charitable services to those in need in our neighborhood.
Members of the Healing Team provide the laying on of hands, anointing and healing prayers at the two Sunday services. We meet once a month (usually the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.) to talk, listen and pray. We have read several books including: The Wounded Healer by Henri J. M Nouwen, Medicine of the Cherokee: The Way of Right Relationship by I. T. Garrett and Michael Garrett, and Dreams and Healing by John Sanford. If you are interested in becoming part of this healing ministry, please speak with Deacon Cecily Whiteford.
The Prayer Group is a loosely organized collection of St. John's-Grace people who make a commitment to pray at home for friends and relatives of church members who have special needs. We meet once a month for a pot luck dinner to update our prayer list and for socializing. We are always interested in increasing our membership and welcome all newcomers to our group. If you have any questions, please speak with Marian Stelter, Ken Kerber, David Hamilton or Betty Juen.
The Salt Shakers Dinner Groups gather in groups of six or eight in individual homes to share a meal and conversation. It's a wonderful way to really get to know your fellow parishioners, and enjoy great food and fellowship. The hosts provide the main dish and the others bring hors d'oeuvres, bread, wine, salad or vegetable, and dessert. Those who have participated in the past make it a point to invite someone new to their group - there's room for all!
12 Step Programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, NarAnon)
St. John's-Grace is host to a number of Twelve Step recovery programs. Alcoholics Anonymous groups meet on Sundays at 7:00 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. There is an Adult Children of Alcoholics meeting at 5:00 p.m. each Saturday and there are Nar-Anon meetings at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Adult Christian Education
Adult Discussion Group
Monthly "Third Wednesday" Family Activities
Monthly Movie Nights
Altar Guild
College Outreach
Community Action Ministry/Voice-Buffalo
Loaves and Fishes Dining Room (Soup Kitchen)
Healing Ministry
Prayer Chain Group
Salt Shakers Dinner Groups
12 Step Programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, NarAnon)