As Christians, we are called at Baptism to “seek and serve Christ in all persons.”  At St. John’s the Outreach Committee leads community engagement, focused on partnerships to serve others, both in our local community and around the world, especially in education and aid to the needy.

Point of Contact: Jessica Sanchez

Upcoming Opportunities to Volunteer

       Bishop John T. Walker School

The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys (BWS) is a tuition-free Episcopal school for children from traditionally underserved communities. The school nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, social-emotional, artistic, and physical development of its students in a Christian community of learners that welcomes boys of all faiths and beliefs. Working in close partnership with students and families, the school strives to create an environment where each boy is challenged to reach his full academic potential and receives the structured support necessary to develop his unique gifts.

BWS is primarily funded through the generosity of the philanthropic community, receiving funding from individuals, parishes, foundations, and corporations. There are numerous ways to get involved and support the school’s mission, from making a gift to volunteering as a Lunch Buddy or in the library. St. John’s has played an active role in the development of the school with consistent financial contributions as well as the annual Christmas book drive.

Several St. John’s parishioners serve as representatives for BWS, including Andrew Clarke and Wande Johnson on the school’s Governing Board, Cay Buser on the Advisory Board; and JD Hague and Desiree Stolar on the Auxiliary Council. James Lowe served on the Governing Board until 2016.

Learn more about BWS by visiting their website or following their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter presence.

Point of Contact: Andrew Clarke

       Communities in Schools

Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital is the local affiliate of the nation’s largest dropout prevention program which has been successfully helping young people since 1977. Its mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

CIS places a dedicated staff member inside its partner schools to help identify students at risk of dropping out.  The dedicated staff then engages community partners and volunteers to effectively and efficiently address both the academic and human service needs of the students.  The result is improved attendance, behavior, academic performance, retention, and graduation rates. Learn more about Communities in Schools and its proven model here.

Points of Contact: Ann Gardner and Livy More

       Washington Interfaith Network (WIN)

St. John’s is a member of Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), a faith-based grassroots organization dedicated to improving the life of all residents of the District of Columbia. Founded in 1996, WIN is multi-faith, multi-racial, and non-partisan. It has nearly fifty church, synagogue, union, and public-school members, representing 25,000 families in every section of the city.

WIN is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest community organizing network in the United States with more than 60 faith-based community organizations across the nation, including BUILD in Baltimore, MD, and AIM in Montgomery County, MD.

Point of Contact:  Sarah Wood

            Grace’s Table

St. John’s provides food and fellowship to members of our community who are unhoused or who are at the risk of losing housing. Since 2013, St. John’s parishioners volunteer on the third Saturday of every month by preparing and serving a hot meal to our neighbors in need at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown.

This year, Grace’s Table transitioned from the COVID “box lunch” model back to the more hands on approach of homecooked meals prepared for the guests. Teams of 3-7 volunteers prepare the food, and then gather with guests to eat and socialize together. This wonderful local partnership enables St. John’s parishioners to make an impact close to home and build relationships within our community.

Point of Contact: Elizabeth Field

            Refugee Support

The Refugee Committee shares God’s love by providing a welcome to refugees and immigrants in the Washington metropolitan area. Our work stems from the Biblical imperative to love your neighbor and to build a Beloved Community where all are welcomed. We provide assistance, build relationships with refugees and immigrants, and partner with local churches and NGOs. Our work has included sponsoring an Afghan family resettling in Virginia, providing scholarships for continuing education and job training, furnishing apartments for refugee families new to the area, and hosting educational events. We have ongoing opportunities to engage and most regularly communicate through a listserv. Please email the point of contact to find out more or be added to the listserv.

Point of Contact: Lacy Broemel

       Samaritan Ministries

Samaritan Ministries of Greater Washington, a faith-based community partnership serving the greater Washington, DC area that brings together our neighbors who face poverty, challenges obtaining housing or other debilitating obstacles with partner leaders, donors, volunteers and staff in a shared ministry that improves the lives of all throughout the Washington area. There are always opportunities to volunteer as receptionists and caseworkers, and well as to organize canned goods, toiletries, and clothing, and assist with online job research and resume writing.

Point of Contact: Matt Bode

       Downtown Cluster

St. John’s is a member of Downtown Cluster, an ecumenical group of Washington churches that cooperatively uses member resources to meet critical community needs – prioritizing homeless safety, seniors, and youth.

Point of Contact: Rev. Shawn Evelyn

SEASONAL AND RECURRENT ACTIVITIES

       So Others May Eat (SOME)

When Covid precautions permit, we will resume providing casseroles for SOME, a ministry to the homeless and low-income individuals in DC.

       Sandwich Sunday

When Covid precautions permit, we will resume this beloved gathering where parishioners make 1000 sandwiches for the homeless.

       Toy Drive

In November and December, St. John’s parishioners donate hundreds of toys and clothing items for the church’s Angel Tree Gift Drive for children and young adults who would otherwise go without gifts at Christmas. Each year, we partner with local organizations to bring joy to children in need. Each child provides a wish list of toys, books, and/or clothes that he or she is hoping to find underneath the Christmas tree, and the church community never disappoints with its generosity!

       Clothing Drive

Periodically, St. John’s holds clothing drives to benefit various organizations so parishioners can donate their gently-used clothing in good condition to support people in need. We’ve collected clothes directed to help young persons who need professional attire for interviews as they seek and perform new jobs, and coats for children and refugees as winter months approach.

        Diaper Drive

We have periodic drives to support the Greater DC Diaper Bank, working to empower vulnerable families and individuals with basic baby needs and personal hygiene products across the DC Metro area.