Parish Ministries

Sign up for a ministry that fits your gifts!

MINISTRY INQUIRY:

God creates each of us uniquely with individual gifts and talents. We are called to put our strengths to work in the service of others and for his glory.

Learn more about or sign up for a ministry by filling out the short form. You can also download a PDF of our Ministries Playbook.

Worship Ministries

The beautiful liturgies offered at St. John’s Episcopal Church require much preparation and the support of lay volunteers. Whether serving up front at the altar or behind the scenes, there are many opportunities for parishioners to serve God and the worshiping community in a way that is personally enriching and fulfilling.

  • Acolytes assist the clergy during services, leading the procession with cross and candles, helping to set the altar for communion, ringing the bells and generally making sure things run smoothly. Acolytes play a vital role in our church’s worship. Children 8 years and older and adults of all ages serve in this ministry. Training is provided.

    Time Commitment: 1 to 2 hours per month.

  • Greeters serve a valuable role in welcoming newcomers to St. John’s. Welcome newcomers with warm friendly greetings, exchange names, and gather contact information so we can stay engaged and follow up. Help them become familiar with services, programs, and events.

    Time Commitment: 1 Saturday or Sunday a month; approximately 2 hours a month.

  • Ushers welcome worshipers, help with seating, and attend to worshipers’ needs during the service. They are part of our front line of hospitality for the visitor’s experience. Ushers are vital to our parish’s worship. Training is provided.

    Time commitment: Approx. 2 hours a month.

  • St. John’s Cantate Deo Choir is a beautiful ministry that seeks to sing to the glory of God. The choir leads St. John’s 11 am congregation in worship by singing our liturgy and hymnody. The choir sings throughout the year for Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and other feast days. The choir rehearses Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Come make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

    Time Commitment: Approximately 3–4 hours a week.

  • LEMs are specially trained and licensed to serve the chalice and read the Scriptures and the Prayers of the People at the Holy Eucharist. They also serve as Subdeacons at the Sung Eucharist, standing alongside and assisting the celebrant. You are responsible for attending periodic meetings, rehearsals, and refresher classes. Training is provided.

    Time Commitment: Serve approximately once every 2–3 weeks, arriving 30 minutes prior to the appointed service time and leave approximately 20 minutes after the service conclusion.

  • The Altar Guild’s work consists of preparation for and cleaning up after every Eucharist, including baptisms, confirmation, weddings, and funerals. The Altar Guild also serves an important role in the church by caring for liturgical objects, linens, vestments, and altar hangings. They are responsible for cleaning and mending, polishing, and all other necessary tasks. All are encouraged to participate. Training provided.

    Time Commitment: Approximately 2–3 hours a month.

  • The Stream Team broadcasts the 11:00 am Sung Eucharist live on Facebook and YouTube each week.

    Time commitment: 1 Sunday per month.

  • he flower committee organizes the weekly flowers for church services and funerals and the seasonal flowers that decorate the altar during Christmas and Easter.

  • A Lector is a person who is trained and licensed by the Rector to read the Holy Scriptures during the Eucharist. Lectors serve at all of the weekend services as well as funerals special occasions.

    Time Commitment: 1 service a month.

  • Counters are part of teams that count the parish’s receipts one Sunday a month. 

    Time commitment: About an hour following the 11:00 Eucharist. 

Community & Outreach

We love our East Dallas community and seek to make a difference in the lives of others, even to the ends of the earth. Our outreach ministries seek to the express the grace, mercy, and compassion of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

  • Feed our friends!

    Each Sandwich Team serves 4 times a year, meeting at 10:00 am on the first Saturday of the month to prepare sandwiches for the Austin Street Center.

    Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours every three months.

  • Our St. John's Team serves one night a month, meeting at our adopted spot at White Rock Lake.

    Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per month.

  • We have volunteer after-school tutors, provide teacher appreciation lunches, collect donations, and more.

  • Mission trips are organized every few years with youth and adults serving the ministries of the Kellermann Foundation in Uganda, including the Bwindi Hospital, the Nina Waits School, and the Batwa Development Program

    Time commitment: when a mission is organized, bi-monthly meetings starting 11 months out with a trip to Uganda that runs 12 days.

  • This Ministry stocks and stuffs Blessings Bags, provided to parishioners so they are able to respond to people in need.

    Time commitment: 1 hour per month.

  • We collect and donate Christmas gifts/gift cards to women and children escaping violence.

  • The WRCH provides food, clothing, emergency rent assistance, and many other services to folks struggling here in East Dallas. Volunteers serve in food service, tutoring, teaching, and supporting events.

    Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per month.

  • We provide food donations for large holiday meals for refugees and resettled families.

  • We support the school in any way we can, by sponsoring, participating in and contributing to school events.

Christian Formation

St. John’s has a rich offering of Christian Education opportunities for children and adults, including Bible studies, Sunday School classes, and midweek meetings. We are always looking for people with gifts in teaching or facilitating a class for young and old alike.

  • St. John’s offers an array of Christian Formation for adults, including Bible studies, book studies, prayer groups, recovery groups, or classes on contemporary issues. Teachers who are gifted in instructing or facilitating learning can choose offerings in consultation with the Rector.

    Time commitment: 4 hours a week for class and preparation.

  • Sunday School teachers facilitate courses that help develop mature disciples of Christ in thoughts, words, and deeds. The teachers are responsible for leading a Sunday School class, starting at 10:00 a.m. Sundays on a weekly basis for the agreed-upon duration of the course. This primarily consists of facilitating the curriculum and guiding the discussion, as well as investing time each week to prepare for each lesson, Teachers are encouraged to converse with the church and/or CYMC staff members to receive support and training, as well as time for prayer and troubleshooting.

    Time Commitment: 2–3 hours per week (1 hour in class plus 1–2 hours in preparation).

  • The CYMC is a team of volunteers dedicated to grow the hearts and minds of our children, raising them up with unfailing faith in the Lord. The Council considers classes and initiatives, recruits teachers, implements curriculum, and plans social events for young people and their parents.

  • St. John’s offers parishioner-lead Bible Studies for men and women on Sunday mornings at 9 am focusing on various Books of the Bible throughout the year. Once or twice a ear, a 6-12 week Bible study is provided during the week. Training is provided.

    Time Commitment: Approximately 2-4 hours a month.

  • VBS is offered to children 5-10 years of age each summer. We need volunteers to help prepare, decorate, teach and help with the program each year.

    Time Commitment: Varies depending onthe role you volunteer for.

Pastoral Care

As outreach focuses on those beyond our church community, our pastoral care ministries serve the needs of our members, providing love, encouragement, and sacramental support to parishioners of St. John’s.

  • A Lay Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized by the bishop to Holy Communion to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, are unable to be attend church. LEVs are commissioned by the priest after communion. LEV assignments are made by the month and reminders are sent out on Fridays. If possible, visits are made on Sundays but can also be scheduled during the week. Training is provided.

    Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per week.

  • The Order of the Daughters of the King is an international order for women in the Episcopal Church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the order is to know Jesus Christ, to make him known to others, and to become a reflection of God’s love throughout the world. A Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service, and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of our parish.

    Time commitment: In addition to daily personal prayer, approximately 2 hours per month.

  • This ministry sends personalized greeting cards to parishioners celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.

    Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per month.

Fellowship & Events

The “hands and feet” of the Body of Christ are those who set up, serve, and clean up. Serving in a fellowship and events ministry makes possible our times of celebration, keeping our community joyful and strong.

  • The Coffee Teams serve coffee and refreshments for worshipers following the 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. service each Sunday, providing a place for community building and fellowship within the Body of Christ. They arrive before the service to brew coffee and set out snacks, as well as cleaning up after the Coffee Hour.

    Time Commitment: approximately 2 Sundays (3–4 hours) per month.

  • Dinner Groups offer a delightful way to meet others or renew friendships in a relaxed, fun, and informal way. Everyone takes a turn as “host” and decides on the menu and format for their month. It could be dinner at home, but it could be a restaurant, or even a picnic in the park. Being creative is part of the fun.

  • Founded in 1994, the St. John’s Men’s Camping invites all men of the parish to participate in the “Food, Fun, Faith, and Fellowship.” The highlight activity is the annual fall extravaganza camping trip to a variety of locations including Big Bend, Fort Davis, the Texas Hill Country, and the Arkansas Ozarks. The camping is easy, and the meals are gourmet an are structured for adults over 21 years old. Other activities include service projects for the parish.

    LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

  • The Bridge Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month for playing Bridge in the Parish Hall.

  • Ladies gather in the Parish Hall on the third Tuesday of the month for dinner and games. The cost is only $5 per person to cover dinner.

  • Do you have great taste, and decorating skills, or just want to assist in transforming the church rooms and Parish Hall into something spectacular for special events and holidays? Come be part of a creative team to carry out the design and decoration.

    Time Commitment: 1–2 hours per month, if events are scheduled.

  • Committees are formed to plan and prepare for major parish events such as the Annual Parish Picnic and community events hosted on our campus.

Ministries Playbook

Download the PDF version of our ministries playboook filled with a complete listing and descriptions.

Download the Ministries Playbook