St. John’s Ministries
Sunday Liturgy (Worship)
The whole congregation participates in our Sunday liturgies through prayer and song as well as ministries of service as ushers, acolytes, choir members and readers. Before Sunday, members of our altar and flower and bread guild prepare the sanctuary and bake bread.
Interested in serving on a Sunday? Email our Interim Rector. Everyone is invited.
Music
Music is appreciated at St. John's and we enjoy making music together! It is a very important part of parish life. We have a Music Director who chooses anthems and rehearses a 15-voice volunteer choir, an Organist-Pianist who provides preludes and postludes for Sunday services, accompanies the choir for Holy Week services, Lessons and Carols, Christmas, etc., and a volunteer Music Coordinator who selects hymns and service music for all services.
The congregation includes talented musicians who can play special music when asked. We have heard recorders, guitar, piano, trumpet, and trombone soloists. The music heard at St. John's can be traced from the Middle Ages through our current time, and reflects the cultural diversity of the congregation.
If you’re a musician and would like to share your gifts with us, please contact our Music Director, Dee Murphy.
St. John’s Free Concert Series
The St. John’s Free Concert Series, which began in 2010, offers four to five performances every year. The concerts have been funded by donations from members of the congregation, along with voluntary donations from concert attendees. The performers have included classical soloists, small ensembles, choral groups, jazz bands, and voice recitalists.
If you’re a performer and interested in partnering with us for the concert series, please contact Dee Murphy.
Antiracism Team
At St. John’s Episcopal Church, we are committed to IDENTIFYING, DISRUPTING, and DISMANTLING racism within our church and community. Our focus is on confronting systemic and institutional racism—not just individual prejudice. We strive to transform the systems and structures that perpetuate racial injustice and oppression.
The definition of racism that guides us is Racism = Race Prejudice + Misuse of Power by Systems and Institutions.
To learn more or get involved visit our web page, or send an email to the team.
Outreach
Immigrant Support Team
The Immigrant Support Team responds to emerging needs of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in Chicago. The team collects household goods and personal items for newly arriving families, helps set up apartments, assists or finds assistance with legal documents and applications, and offers language translation, among many other things, including just being a friendly face and source of spiritual support to those in crisis.
Additionally, the Immigrant Support Team organizes a Fun(d) Fair in August: an afternoon of food, fun, and games to support the emergency needs of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
To get involved in this important ministry, email ist@stjohnschicago.com.
Community Fridge and Pantry
Our Fridge & Pantry team and supporters provide free food and essentials to neighbors in need, ensuring no one leaves empty-handed. We aim to keep the fridge and pantry stocked through consistent giving, creating a safe, welcoming space for all. Each offering reflects our commitment to addressing a need in our community.
If you are interested in learning more about it, please reach out to the feeding ministry team. There are many ways to help, including stocking, pantry and fridge maintenance, communications, and future planning.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
For 41 years (and counting!), St. John’s has served our neighbors with a free community Thanksgiving dinner that includes a sit-down meal with real plates and silverware, delicious food, festive beverages, live music, and, of course, fellowship.
It takes at least 65 people for food preparation, dinner service, and clean up, and many more who help provide this meal through donations. To get involved, contact thanksgiving@stjohnschicago.com.
Parish Life
At St. John’s, we love a good party! Our Parish Life Committee, in many ways, are our party planners. This group schedules, plans, recruits, and executes the social calendar of St. John’s.
Some of our regularly occurring events include:
Mardi Gras Party
Lenten Fish Fry
Variety Hour
Darwin Day
Fall Fest
Twilight Dinner
If you’ve got skills in the kitchen, expertise with event planning, or just have an idea for an opportunity for fun and fellowship (and maybe even fundraising!), please contact Khara Gonzales at parishlife@stjohnschicago.com.