Local and Regional Outreach

CARITAS (Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter)

This is a major interfaith ministry of congregations to Richmond's homeless individuals.  As part of the CARITAS program, we welcome the homeless to St. John's as they check in with their CARITAS counselor prior to being transported for evening shelter.  Our volunteers serve coffee, arrange snacks, greet and provide fellowship for our guests.  We have also served as a host site which provides shelter for our guests.

William Byrd Community House

This Oregon Hill organization at 224 South Cherry Street provides support to families and individuals of all ages.  Our volunteers participate in the following mission activities:

William Byrd Food Pantry - Non-perishable food is collected throughout the year and delivered by St. John's members.

Winter season - Through our Christmas Mitten Tree, we provide mittens, gloves, hats and warm items for school children.

Spring season - Our Church school prepare items and crafts for the Children's Egg Hunt.

Circle Center for Adult Day Services 

This organization provides non-residential care for older adults Monday through Saturday, keeping their minds alert and bodies active, deferring the time when full-time residential care becomes necessary.  St. John's was instrumental along with the other churches of the Stuart Circle Parish in starting this ministry 25 years ago.  Circle Center is now an innovator and leader in Adult Day Services.

St. John's has two members on the Board of Directors of Circle Center and financially supports the Center's operations and capital needs.  Hands-on volunteer opportunities are also available.

Stuart Circle Meal Ministry

St John's helped found this excellent ministry that feeds the hungry every Sunday afternoon at First English Lutheran Church. On a rotational basis, we prepare and serve food, and participate in other aspects of the program. 

Habitat for Humanity

This renowned international organization builds affordable housing world-wide, including here in Richmond.  Our Vacation Bible School program of 2004 participated locally in this program.  We provided financial contributions, hands-on help with construction, and other aspects of the program.

During 2005, we participated in "The House that Faith Built."  Communities of faith from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu traditions provided the money and muscle to help build this special Habitat home. 

James River Regional Clean-up

The youth of St. John's participated in the annual city-wide James River Regional Clean-up in 2005 as part of the Summer Service Project.  The youth joined the volunteer work force in cleaning up along the river banks of the James River Park.

Confirmation Class Mission Activities

Our confirmands, with assistance from the congregation, have provided hands on, material and financial support for mission projects.  Projects included support of a summer camp (Camp Aeshi), assisting a community in need in West Virginia, and sending medical supplies to Honduras. 

In 2005 Confirmands spent a weekend at the William Penn Retreat House in Washington, DC helping two elderly persons clean and refurbish their homes.  In 2006 Confirmands will assemble relief kits and transport them to the warehouse facility of Church World Service in New Windsor, MD.

Our Church Building Used In Ministry

St. John's provides our facilities to four Narcotics Anonymous groups and one Alcoholics Anonymous group during the week for their meetings.

Two Saturdays a month we provide our facilities to the Richmond Habitat for Humanity for their training and educational sessions.