Ministry Directory
This is a directory of ministries at St. John’s, Lafayette Square. Use the menu below to quickly contact a specific ministry. You can also scroll down to browse our many offerings and learn more about all that we do here at St. John’s.
Christian Formation and Education
Being With
Leadership: The Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell
Through ten weekly sessions, small groups explore Christian faith and life through friendship, shared experience, and personal stories that validate God’s presence.
Bible Study
Leadership: Jack Reiffer
This group meets each Sunday, in person and over Zoom, to explore the connections between that morning’s liturgical lessons and the sermon given by St. John’s clergy.
Book Group
Leadership: Janet Edmond
The St. John’s Book Group welcomes life long learners who enjoy diverse works of fiction and non-fiction with emerging themes of stewardship, equity and fairness.
Education for Ministry (EFM)
Leadership: Carolyn Crouch
Since 1975, over 100,000 EfM participants have learned how to articulate their faith, shape it into action, and make a difference.
Sacred Ground
Leadership: The Rev. William Morris
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.
Community Building (In-Reach)
Christmas Pageant
Leadership: The Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell
This Christmas Eve offering, featuring St. John’s youngest members, welcomes helpers who enjoy directing, organizing, sewing, and energizing families.
Lafayette Fellowship
Leadership: Hilary West
Adults looking for community—old souls or the young at heart; parents, couples, singles, or married—are welcome to join the Lafayette Fellowship at St. John’s.
Latrobe Fellowship
Leadership: Jess Unger
The Latrobe Fellowship is an active and engaged group of young adults in their 20s and 30s who find themselves at different places in their life and on their spiritual journeys.
St. John’s Pride
Leadership: Brian Cordova-Brookey & John Schutz
St. John’s Pride shares the good news of God’s love for all in a nurturing, inclusive, and affirming space where the LGBTQIA+ community and allies may find connection and support, celebrate their identities, and walk in love as Christ loves us.
Midweek Men's Group
Leadership: Carter Keithley
The Midweek Men’s Group is an opportunity for men in St. John’s parish to become acquainted over a brown bag lunch using the prescribed readings for the upcoming Sunday as the starting point for conversation.
Parish Lunch
Leadership: Holly Sukenik
Sunday lunch at St. John’s is a longtime tradition in which every member and every visitor can participate—a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Pastoral Care
Leadership: The Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell
The Pastoral Care ministry complements the work of clergy by visiting, praying, and caring for members of the congregation.
Sisters at St. John’s
Leadership: Emily Lucio
Sisters at St. John’s is a group of women who support each other throughout the year in fellowship, friendship, and ministry, including an annual weekend retreat generally held during Lent.
1816 Society
Leadership: Lisa Kirchenbauer
Formed during our 2016 bicentennial, the 1816 Society recognizes those who support St. John’s through planned giving, an invaluable ministry to our church and congregation.
Engaging Communities and Outreach
Bishop Walker School
Leadership: Andrew Clarke
A tuition-free school of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington for boys in kindergarten to 5th grade, Bishop Walker School strives to alter the educational trajectory of children from traditionally underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8, preparing them for leadership and service in their communities and well beyond.
Care of Creation
Leadership: Joanne Hutton
The Care of Creation ministry group seeks to educate and empower ourselves, our parish, and our neighbors to fulfill our joint responsibilities as people of faith for the care and stewardship of God’s creation.
Christmas Gift Drive
Leadership: Brian & Kevin Cordova-Brookey
Our Angel Tree outreach ministry involves organizing and advertising gift-giving through an Amazon Wish List and then distributing gifts to youth in need of assistance in the greater Washington community.
Communities in Schools
Leadership: Ann Gardner & Livy More
Drawing on community resources to support vulnerable students and their families, CIS empowers students to stay in school and achieve in life.
Grace’s Table
Leadership: Elizabeth Field
Every month, parishioners from St. John’s volunteer to prepare and serve a meal at Grace Episcopal in Georgetown to those who are unhoused or on the margins of homelessness.
Kwasa
Leadership: Abbott McCartney
Since 2004, St. John’s has partnered with Kwasa College, an educational institution supporting children living in an informal settlement outside Johannesburg, South Africa. St. John’s also supports clergy development in South Africa’s Diocese of the Highveld.
Outreach Committee
Leadership: Jess Sanchez
Serving others directly and through partnership, in our local community and around the world, the Outreach Committee seeks to live out Christ’s words: “Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.”
Refugee Committee
Leadership: Lacey Broemel
The Refugee Committee provides welcome to new migrant neighbors through direct support and educational efforts.
Worship Leadership
Acolytes
Leadership: Nora Haugh
Acolytes in 6th grade and older have the opportunity to serve and more deeply explore Eucharist services by carrying the cross and candles during the worship procession.
Chalice Bearers
Leadership: Joanne Hutton
Chalice Bearers assist clergy and administer the chalice during communion.
Crucifers
Leadership: Kenny Kraft
Crucifers carry the cross at the head of the worship procession, leading choir and clergy in and out of church in a dignified manner.
Flower Guild
Leadership: Katherine Kyle
St. John’s Flower Guild enriches worship and beautifies the church with flowers for Sunday services, festivals, weddings, funerals and other parish activities throughout the year.
Greeters
Leadership: Eleanor Odom
Greeters act as ambassadors of the church on Sunday mornings, standing in front of the church to welcome all people!
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM)
Leadership: The Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell
Lay Eucharistic Ministers deliver Eucharistic bread and wine, blessed during Sunday worship, to parishioners unable to attend in person.
Lectors/Lay Readers
Leadership: Martha Ellison
Lay Readers deliver the Old Testament and New Testament lessons and lead the prayers of the people during worship.
Livestream Tech
Leadership: Lisa Koehler
Livestream Techs operate cameras and streaming equipment to broadcast our services to those unable to attend in person.
Parish Choir
Leadership: Brent Erstad
We are always interested in auditioning new members for the Parish Choir, comprising dedicated volunteers who contribute their talents to worship each Sunday.
Tour Guides
Leadership: Richard T. Busch
Tour guides provide brief talks on the history of St. John’s, Lafayette Square following the 11:00 AM service on many Sundays throughout the year.
Ushers
Leadership: James Czerwonky
Ushers assure that parishioners and visitors have a safe and meaningful experience in worship, provide logistical support to staff, pass offering plates, and help maintain decorum during services.
Staying Connected With St. John’s Church
We invite you to connect with St. John’s and learn more about this congregation in the heart of the nation’s capital. Please click below to fill out our Welcome Form or sign up for one of our newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you into the St. John’s parish family!