Worship Committee
Our group is actively involved in assuring that a consistent, comfortable, spiritual, and fulfilling experience is shared by all during our worship. We continue to communicate with David our Priest by e-mail to solve any issues that may arise rather than call everyone out to a meeting. This is working well.
Our committee is comprised of, but not limited to, all the essential people who attend our worship services. In addition to the rector, wardens and interested parishioners from both the Sunday 8 AM and 10 AM and the mid-week services, representatives from the following groups are involved:
Vestry Senior Choir & Music Program
Cherubs and Jr. Choir Church School
Youth Group Eucharistic Ministers (E.M.) and Eucharistic Visitors (E.V.)
Chapel Lay Readers, Chalice Bearers, and Acolytes
Vergers Pastoral Care
Altar Guild Ushers
Parish Administration Special Programs (pageants, concerts, etc.)
Our main purpose is to plan for seasonal events such as Lent, Confirmation, Holy Week through Easter, Pentecost, Graduation, Recognition Sundays, summer services, Church School, All Saints, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. We also plan and coordinate special services and events, such as the Easter Vigil, the Bishop’s visitation, the Christmas Pageant and several musical programs presented throughout the year.
Our concern is that we provide the proper environment, liturgy and leadership for worship. When everything goes smoothly and seamlessly, we have done our job. Otherwise, we regroup and try to prevent problems in the future. It is important that we continue to receive your comments and participation.
Anyone may join our group. Julian involves our members in any matter that he feels requires our input. If necessary, we meet as a group. Otherwise, we use e-mail. Remember, Liturgy is “the work of the people.”
Communications Committee
The communications committee continued its efforts to maintain consistent exposure for Saint John's in the media. Press releases and photos were regularly submitted to both the Suburban News and Villadom Times. Just a few of the many church events that were promoted include Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Spring Boutique and flower sale, Easter and Christmas service schedules, rummage sales, church school schedule, Blessing of the Animals, and Holiday Fair (the Suburban News sent a professional photographer and posted a full page of photos from this event). The Saint John’s float for the borough’s centennial celebration also received special photographic attention from the paper and a photo of our church was featured on page one of the publication. In addition, Saint John’s invested in a half page advertisement in the Suburban News centennial supplement. A series of photos and accompanying write-up of our participation on the Ramsey Centennial Parade was submitted for publication in The Voice. During the course of the year, several photographs of various youth group and church school activities were also submitted for publication. Copies of the press releases and photographs are posted on the communications bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
Any church group that would like its events promoted should supply Elaine Jones Woods with the basic "who, what, when, and where" facts, and she will write and submit a press release for you. With support and contributions from the Church School, one issue of the Junior Eagle was published during the past year to highlight the educational opportunities and activities of Saint John's Church School and Youth Group.
Outreach Committee
When you hear “St. John’s Outreach Committee,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a group of people who meet in the Meriney room on the first Monday of each month? I suppose that’s correct as far as it goes, but it is not how I think of outreach. I think first of the dozens of dedicated parishioners who share the duty of providing a dinner for the guests at St. Paul’s Paterson shelter for men who are homeless. I think of how those men come alive as they help carry the food into their kitchen. I think about how I come alive as I join them at table. Other parishioners volunteer at local food pantries such as the Mahwah Center for Food Action or the mission at Christ Church in Suffern. One man brings his dog to a local hospital to serve in pet therapy while another couple uses their car to transport homeless people to safe havens in Rockland County. Others ask for donations of food and then to deliver that food to The Apostle’s House in Newark. Last year’s donations totaled several hundred bags. Infant clothes, diapers and formula are delivered to North Porch in Newark. Another group collects men’s toiletries and delivers them to the Seamen’s Church Institute at the Port of Newark. Saint Paul’s Paterson Community Development Corporations and Helping Hands of Rockland County sponsored fund-raising dinner auctions that were excellent opportunities to link up with other laborers in the vineyard. Many of us are grateful for the blessings these encounters with strangers have brought us.
Membership Committee— January – December 2008
The Membership Committee is charged with attracting people to St. John’s, welcoming visitors and all parishioners, incorporating new and all members into the life of the church and sustaining our current membership.
Meetings are held approximately every other month throughout the year and are well attended. Agenda items addressed at each meeting included:
· identifying new individuals and families – and discussing how to make them feel welcome.
· maintaining a Greeters Schedule.
· tracking individuals of concern and how special needs, if any, may be met.
· expanding the present membership.
· focusing special attention on Church School families’ attendance, growth, etc.
· support of families of the newly baptized.
· maintaining a Coffee Hour Hosts schedule.
Coffee Hour
Individuals/families are scheduled to host for an entire month; scheduling is underway for the entire year of 2010.
Greeters Program
reeters are assigned each week, having been scheduled in advance. Their role is to greet parishioners at the front and Parish Hall entrances to the church, welcome newcomers and provide information and assistance to guests and newcomers as needed.
The Greeter is often the first contact the newcomer makes at St. John’s, and the role is vital. Greeters are responsible for obtaining names and addresses of newcomers for follow-up purposes, introducing them to the rector and others - and Sunday School if required.
Support of the families of the newly baptized
Cards/notes are mailed by a committee member at time of baptism and on the following 2-3 annual anniversaries.
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