Common Table 

St. John’s Church provides a free sit down lunch program in the parish hall every Thursday. The free lunch, known as "The Common Table” serves anywhere from 120-140 people who are homeless or low income as well as business people and seniors from the community. Diners who can afford to make a donation. The rest of the money for the meals is provided by donations from parishioners, members of the community and a yearly fundraiser, "The Uncommon Table".  

The food is prepared in the kitchen by area volunteer chefs and 10-12 volunteers from the church and the community. Two teams of volunteers rotate weekly. Bakers are always needed to provide homemade desserts. 

Contact:  Lew and Judy Roberts at 778-2357 

Cooking for Crossroads House

On the first Wednesday of each month a crew of enthusiastic and cheerful cooks gathers in the kitchen in Thaxter Hall to prepare a meal for the residents of Crossroads House, the local homeless shelter.  St. John's provides the money for the groceries, but our group provides the imagination and energy to create an attractive and substantial meal for those with limited resources.  It is a wonderful outreach opportunity.

Contact:  Lacey and Andy Bangs  436-6218 or bangsls@comcast.net 

The Knitting Group

The Knitting Group meets twice monthly on Friday afternoons at 1pm.  They knit prayer shawls to be given to those in need.

Contact:  Mary Turner 603-436-7543, Tinky51@netzero.com
           or Karen Parrott 603-436-9256, akparrott@comcast.net 

Outreach Committee 

St. John's Outreach Committee mission is to evaluate, support with time and talent, and provide financial support when possible to local, regional and global charities. St. John's annual budget allocates funds to support these outreach efforts. Other outreach efforts, like Common Table are funded by fundraisers. Globally, through Episcopal Relief and Development we are fiscally supporting a project to reduce poverty in a Cambodian orphanage and a similar garden project in a Southern Malawi, Africa village. In southern New Hampshire and Maine we donate fiscally and/or with time and talent to local food banks, Habitat for Humanity, Seacoast Family Promise, Crossroads, and the Salvation Army. We usually meet after coffee hour in the Philbrook room the first Sunday of the month to discuss projects and funding priorities. New committee members are welcome.

Lew Roberts (603) 778-2357, LJ7222@comcast.net

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Ministry brings meals to members who are sick or bereaved or have a new baby.  We also give rides to church or doctor’s appointments to those who need them.  We can always use more volunteers, since members are not always available at the times needed.  Still, this ministry is not as time-consuming as it may seem, since other members can always fill in—and the more we have, the lighter the task.  There are also many ways to make bringing meals easier for volunteers.   

Contact: Annie Rainboth at 603-430-8066 or notetoannie@gmail.com  

Prayer Chain

Members of the Prayer Chain pray daily for those who call in requests.  We pray for healing, not just of the body, but of the mind and spirit for those who are troubled in any way—finances, divorce, depression, alcoholism--and also for the conception and health of babies.  All requests are confidential, and callers do not have to give a reason—they can just say they’re going through a hard time and would like to be prayed for.  People can stay on the list for as long as they need, sometimes for years.  Our list is different from — and a lot longer than — the Church list which is read on Sundays and Thursdays.  To be on the Church list (and you can be on both) call the Parish Administrator. For the Daily Prayer Chain please...

Contact: Susan Mennel at 603-430-2830 or rmmennel@cisunix.unh.edu.   

Seacoast Family Promise

Seacoast Family Promise (formerly IHN) is a network of volunteers from various faith communities demonstrating their strength of compassion and generosity, putting faith into action. Through donations of time and funds, Seacoast Family Promise provides a safe place for families to turn for immediate food, shelter, and social services. Participating congregations reach out to families in crisis offering guidance and encouragement while preserving the dignity of families as they take important steps to regain independence. More than eighty percent of Network guests secure permanent housing.  Though St. John’s cannot house people due to building regulations, we give financial and volunteer support.

Contact: Jerry Simpkins or Kathi Hardy, 207-439-7097

St. John’s Economy Shop

Come and visit the Economy Shop any Wednesday from 9-1pm located down stairs, literally under the church sanctuary. We are accepting gently used fall and winter clothing for all ages, as well as jewelry, housewares including small appliances, linens, belts, purses, books and children’s toys. Please, no non-seasonal clothing or large furniture or computers. There's something for everyone at the House of John!  Contact Ginny and Al Edwards at 207-439-2119,edwardsga@msn.com or Judy Roberts at 603 778-2357, lj7222@comcast.net.

The St. John’s Guild Auxiliary 

The Guild Auxiliary is a charitable organization.  The funds are received from interest of “The Elwyn Trust Fund.”  Spring and fall donations are given to charitable organizations in the name of St. John’s Church Guild Auxiliary.  We welcome new members. Our meetings are held on the third Tuesday of March, April, May, October and November at 10:00 am in Thaxter Hall.  In June and December we meet for a dutch-treat luncheon.  We also take poinsettias to shut-ins at Christmas time. 

Contacts: Ginny Edwards, Guild president, at 207-439-2119, edwardsga@msn.com; 
              Barbara Knight, Vice President,t 207-439-4841
              Joan Kulickowski, Treasurer, at 207-439-0299
              Mary Turner, Secretary, at 603-436-7543. 

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen

On the second Friday of every month volunteers from St. John's are at the Portsmouth Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. The team prepares the food purchased by St. John's, serves the meal and cleans up between 3:30 and 6:30 P.M. If you are interested in volunteering with this important ministry,

Contact:Nancy Fessenden 603-436-4904, cnfessenden@comcast.net.

Stewardship of the Earth Committee

MISSION STATEMENT

In accordance with the Covenants of The Book of Common Prayer, this committee seeks to encourage and enable all parishioners of St. John's Episcopal Church to be aware of God's whole creation, be faithful stewards of this fragile earth and take action, within the parish and community, to preserve the environment for present and future generations.

Consider the air, water and soil - when we take care of creation, we take care of each other.

Please consider joining the Stewardship of the Earth Committee!

Contact: Carole Renselaer chrenselaer@comcast.net or Judy Sabin 603-431-2542

Twelve Step Groups

St. John's provides meeting facilities for AA, NA and FA groups.

Contact: Dave Lajoie, facilities@stjohnsnh.org