There are a number of ways people share in the ministry at St. John’s and we are grateful for our many engaged and gifted volunteers who support all that we do, many of them behind the scenes.
They enhance the life of the congregation. They provide opportunities for fellowship and education. They maintain the three historic buildings which comprise St. John’s Parish. They prepare the altar and sanctuary for service.
Licensed Lay Ministry
For those interested in helping to share more formally in assisting with leadership in worship, there are opportunities for training to share in the work of pastoral care and administrators of Holy Communion. We are pleased to have a group of Licensed Lay Ministers who assist with liturgy.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild performs the practical and spiritual work of preparing the altar and sanctuary for worship, caring for liturgical items like vessels and linens, arranging flowers, and ensuring the church’s sacred space is clean and orderly for services. They act as liturgical partners to the clergy, managing everything from washing Altar clothes and polishing chalices to coordinating seasonal decorations, ensuring that the physical space reflects the holiness of liturgy.
Congregational Development
Committee
Following its inception at the June, 2012 Parish Council meeting, the Committee defined its “mission” to be: to study and consider ways to expand the membership of St. John’s and members’ involvement in Parish life and to provide recommendations to Parish Council for action.
Property
The parish of St. John’s is proud of its heritage, it’s buildings and its position as a core part of the UNESCO town of Lunenburg and a major attraction as a national historic site for visitors coming to the area. We open our church doors to visitors each year and through the summer months typically welcoming over 30,000 into the church to enjoy the beautiful interior of the building and learn its history and how it has evolved over the past two-plus centuries.
All three of our buildings – the church, the parish hall and our rectory – are greater than 200 years old and are registered provincial heritage sites. Our church building is actually the second oldest Protestant church in Canada, at over 270 years, and a registered national historic building. The preservation of all the buildings is the focus of a dedicated team of volunteers with a goal of maintaining all three in a condition that suit these privileged historical designations. We work closely with a number of partners to make this happen, including Parks Canada, and the Nova Scotia, Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage.
Our efforts in both time and money to keep our buildings and properties at a level that we can be proud of, for the enjoyment of our congregation, our community and all who cross our threshold, is not insignificant, but it is work we are passionate about.
If you are a visitor, we encourage you to enjoy the space whether it is to join one of our Sunday or Wednesday services, one of the many concerts held in the church, participate in a tour during the summer months or simply to sit in this magnificent space in solitude or prayer and imagine the history that has passed by these hallowed pews.
Or, if you are a local, or soon to be local, have a passion for the work we are doing and would like to engage with our dedicated property team, please contact the parish office through this website.
St. John’s Guild
St. John’s Guild has been a part of St. John’s since the early 1950s. Established by a small group of women, the aim was to provide the congregation with an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual development.
Originally called the St. John’s Ladies Guild, the name was changed to St. John’s Guild to ensure inclusivity. The Guild meets monthly, often with a guest speaker. Once a month they provide the congregation and visitors with coffee following the service. Perhaps a small gesture, however, the joy and warmth a single cup of coffee creates has proven to be immeasurable.
During the Christmas season a basket of wonderful gifts is raffled, and donations are made to St. John’s, Anglican Foundation, Harbour View Haven, Mission to Seafarers, Feed Nova Scotia, and the Madagascar school project.
The Guild is welcoming and open to anyone who wishes to join.
