Some opportunities for church members to carry out
their ministries within the congregation and "in the world."

St. John's Ministry
and Outreach Programs

St. Vincent’s Hospital Chaplaincy
St. John’s provides a chaplaincy to Episcopal patients at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Seventh Avenue at West 12th Street here in our neighborhood. For over 70 years, the parish has been caring for patients at this hospital and currently a priest and a deacon undertake this ministry of pastoral care, sacramental ministration and companionship in this large general hospital. Opportunities for ministry include visiting in the hospital under the supervision and training of the clergy who do this work. From time to time, there are small administrative tasks associated with this work.

Visit the web site of St. Vincent's Manhattan.

The Open Door
This project is unique among the myriad of services provided in our city for people with AIDS, those diagnosed with HIV, their partners, and families and those who care for them. The Open Door is a distinctly Christian ministry offering religious resources to address issues faced by those who live with this disease. Those interested in providing support for the program may give contributions to the parish marked for The Open Door. Questions concerning the program or about participation may be directed to the program's Chaplain, the Rev'd Samuel Cross, 212 243-6192.

Click here for more "Open Door" info.

The New York Foundling Hospital Project
The Foundling Hospital is an orphanage where unwanted or troubled children are placed and where children in danger reside to avoid destructive family life. St. John’s has four or five of the children in our Church School each week. Their program involves music, scripture lessons and training in liturgy and worship. Volunteers are needed to escort the children, teach classes (for which training is cheerfully provided) and help with the occasional parties and activities planned for these children.

The St. John’s Pastoral Counseling Center
The Counseling Center (which is a part of the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute) provides moderately priced psychotherapy, including a religious perspective, in Wade House, located in St. Benedict’s Courtyard. Persons in need with limited resources can find counseling at reduced rates and client assistance is often available. The professional staff are, psychologists, clinical social workers and clergy. The Rev'd Gary Hellman directs the work of the center.  Volunteers can occasionally assist with administration, telephone, and grant writing.
Click here for more info about the Counseling Center.

The Rattlestick Theatre 

Rattlestick is a non-profit theatre group who uses the theater located on the top floor of our parish house. They provide a place for new actors, writers and directors to begin or develop their theatre careers. Because theatre has been, for many years, an important part of the cultural and economic life of New York, the parish joins in sponsoring this good work. Rattlestick presents a half dozen productions each year and does some collaborative work with the parish on arts projects.

Volunteers can work with the Arts Committee to develop such programs and build the relationship with the Rattlestick Theatre.

Have a Meal on Us
Any needy person can get a free meal “on us” by applying at the Church Office. The parish has a relationship with a neighborhood delicatessen to provide food for those in need.  Volunteers can contribute to the fund for this work by gifts to the parish Discretionary Fund.

The St. John’s Choristers
The Children’s Choir provides free musical education for children on Monday afternoons and they, in turn, sing at the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist one Sunday each month. They learn about the traditions of music and liturgy and are trained according to the Royal School of Church Music, an English musical education program for children. The program serves neighborhood children and can often use volunteers to supervise the children on Monday afternoons, as well as doing administrative and support work for the choirmaster.

Click here for more Choristers info.

Stewardship of our Buildings

We make our buildings available for meetings of community groups, block associations, and 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. We have a long standing relationship with New York University, and many students from their music school have recitals in the church periodically.

The Canby Singers perform at St. John’s. Until this season we were also the home of Polyhymnia which is now "in residence" at the Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch on the upper westside. These groups remind us that music and religion are historically intertwined. 

Visit their web sites:  Canby Singers.  Polyhymnia.   

Job Seekers Support Group

Since the spring and summer of 2003 St. John's has offered a Job Seekers Support Group to address the epidemic of jobs being lost in our community. At present, the group is in recess but St. John's is ready to reinstitute this important ministry in reponse to your need. If you would like to see the group reactivated and are interested in attending a support group, please let us know.

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Background information from 2003:

During the spring and summer, St. John’s sponsored a support group for those out of work or seeking new work and we are planning to expand and change that program this fall. While having a support group seems helpful to many, and this dimension of the program may continue, it seems equally useful to provide some practical assistance in job seeking. This option seems particularly useful since we now have a professional in placement work in the parish, Gerald Dilley.

Mr. Dilley, Father Prator and Father Hellman, director of the PSI Counseling Center at St. John’s are meeting with other resource people to determine the best direction in which to take this important work.

Topics we considered in the past …

• Continuing a support group
• Offering a workshop on how to survive an interview
• Helping with resume preparation and career evaluation
• Providing direct counseling and referrals to career development
• Determining from those in need just exactly what needs the church might meet
• Determining which aspects of Christian faith and tradition are most useful to those seeking work

Please send us your input and suggestions about what job seekers might find helpful.

Click here to email your suggestions to Father Prator.

xThe Food Pantry

At each liturgy, there is a basket placed at the back of the church, in the narthex, into which people are invited to put nonperishable food offerings for the poor. At each sung liturgy, the food basket is presented along with the people’s other offerings. The food is given to the food pantry at a neighboring church for distribution to the poor. The basket is clearly marked and your contributions help those in need.

xSt. John’s Street Youth Program
Each Tuesday evening, from 6:30 to 8:00, the parish sponsors a drop-in program for street youth, mostly gay and lesbian teenagers who have no place to live, have been victims of assault or drugs, or are alienated from their families. A meal is offered and sometimes a film is shown. We also offer training in the theatrical arts and music through a series of workshops offered by members of the parish and the neighborhood community. Sometimes volunteers are needed, and funding is always appreciated.