National and International Outreach

Disaster Relief

St. John's provided financial aid to Church World Service in support of their efforts in the tsunami and Gulf Coast hurricane relief.

CROP Walk

Along with participants from other sponsoring churches, we regularly participate in walking three miles through central Richmond as a witness to the plight of the hungry.  Twenty-five percent of the funds raised remain here in Richmond.

Souper Bowl

Thousands of young people from congregations across the United States and in other countries annually participate in the "Souper Bowl of Caring" on Super Bowl Sunday.  All the money we collected is donated locally to help the hungry.

Heifer Project

The Heifer Project is an international organization that provides individuals and families with live animals for both sustenance and a livelihood.  As these animals are cared for and their numbers grow, the recipients share the animal population with their neighbors.  In this way, one pair of animals can eventually benefit an entire village. Virtually all types of animals can be "purchased" through contributions, and placed by the organization. 

Through financial donations St. John's purchased chicks that were sent to an area of the world in need.

Mission Trips

St. John's continues to support mission trips of members and friends. During the last several years mission trips include Haiti, Ukraine, the Dominican Republic and Jerusalem.  

One Great Hour of Sharing

Through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

Build sustainable communities - OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations to build sustainable communities that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity.

Respond to disaster - OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events. On average, OGHS responds to a disaster once every 2.5 days.

Ministry to refugees - OGHS responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin. More than 30 million of the world's people are uprooted at any given time.

St. John's graciously supports the mission of One Great Hour of Sharing each year with a springtime special offering.