Ministries
Church School
St. John is blessed with many children! Our church school serves ages 3½ – 12th grade and meets after Sunday morning Divine Liturgy at 11:30am. Contact: Claire van Drimmelen (cvandrim@gmail.com)
Choir & Chanters
Our liturgical music draws from two different traditions: Byzantine chant (monophonic, featuring a single melody accompanied by a drone note) historically used in Orthodox worship; and choral music, closer to the Russian style that incorporates four-part harmony. Despite the differences, both the chanters and the choir strive to glorify God in words and melody. Contact: Bill Stanek (choir@stjohnmemphis.org)
St. Brigid Food Pantry
The St. Brigid Food Pantry has served those in need in our neighborhood for many years. Each Wednesday morning we hand out bags of food to all who come to our door. Donations to the pantry are accepted all year. Contact: Karen Wells (KJWells68@hotmail.com)
Burial Ministry
As the body of the Lord Jesus was cared for by Ss. Joseph and Nicodemos and the Myrrhbearing women, washed, anointed, clothed and placed with prayer into a tomb, so Orthodox Christians have traditionally buried their loved ones. Our burial ministry of continues the ancient traditions of the Orthodox regarding the death and burial of those in the Church, and enables our faithful to bury their dead at an affordable cost. Contact Sandy Childress (lovemyreddog@yahoo.com)
Antiochian Women
The Antiochian Women of St. John strive to combine education, service, and fellowship for women ages 18 and older. We support our national board’s annual project through Dinner and a Show, as well as making time to be together during our annual Fall retreat, book club, weekly teaching, and more. Contact Sarah Elliott (sa.elliott901@gmail.com)
Antiochian Men
The Men of St. John meet together regularly for encouraging Christian fellowship. Whether it is over lunch at our Tuesday meal, dinner for our quarterly barbecue fellowship, or over a good book at our monthly Sons of Thunder book club, our men strive to draw closer to Christ and one another through fellowship. Contact: Brandon Maas (brndnmaas@gmail.com)
Teens
SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organization), is a vibrant part of St. John. Our goals are to grow in our relationship with God, find our place in the Church as a whole, and grow in our relationships within SOYO, our whole parish, Diocese, and Archdiocese. Our goal is ultimately about Communion. What does that mean? Come find out! We gather most Sundays for about two hours after Church and one Saturday a month filled with fellowship, service projects, and discussions. This ministry is for all Middle and High Schoolers. Please reach out to Ted, our youth director, with any questions or thoughts at ted@stjohnmemphis.org.
Young Adults
Our St. John Young Adult Fellowship is a vibrant active group. Our young adults are numerous and have regularly scheduled events organized by our leadership team. Each month the young adults meet for Doctrine on Draft (a spiritual talk at a local brewery or restaurant), quarterly social events and practical sessions and an annual retreat. Contact: stjohntelos@gmail.com
Room in the Inn
Each month, a group from St. John volunteers to host up to 15 women and children at Room in the Inn’s Congregational Shelter downtown. If you’re interested, please use the sign-up link on the weekly parish emails to see if there is a task you can help with, or contact Thea Wallace at thea.wallace@yahoo.com or 404-408-3292
Prosphora
In the ancient Tradition of the Orthodox Church, Holy Mystery of Communion is carried out through the mediums of wine and leavened bread. The bread is specially baked for the purpose of communion, and it is called “Prosphora” (meaning “that which is offered” in Greek.) If you’re interested in learning how to bake prosphora or to sign up to provide it for a Sunday, contact Mindy Williams at mindywilli@yahoo.com.
Ushers
Our ushers are responsible for welcoming our members and visitors, as well as directing people orderly during Holy Communion. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact John McGee at jdmcgee01@gmail.com.