St. John's Parish Profile
For the complete parish profile, see our Diocesan page here
To make an inquiry about this position,
contact the Transition Ministry Officer,
the Rev. Meredyth Albright at [email protected].
contact the Transition Ministry Officer,
the Rev. Meredyth Albright at [email protected].
Who We Are
We proclaim the redeeming and life-giving power of Jesus Christ. We are scripture-and sacrament-centered and we seek the transforming power of personal relationships with Jesus and His presence in our lives. We value the traditions that flow from scripture.
We celebrate Eucharist weekly in order to both remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and to renew our commitment to be the body of Christ in the world today.
We welcome all people into our midst and share the treasures of Biblical teaching, the gift of Christian friendships, the transforming power of the Eucharist, and the energizing guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We invite Jesus’ teachings to transform us so that our actions bring His presence into the world today. We believe in God’s healing power, and gently minister that love.
We encourage one another to begin each day with gratitude for God's gift of life and to approach every situation with the belief that with God nothing is impossible. We believe this can lead people to enjoy a life of serenity and inner peace.
We attract people who are looking for something more, something deeper, and something richer from their Christian life.
We celebrate Eucharist weekly in order to both remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and to renew our commitment to be the body of Christ in the world today.
We welcome all people into our midst and share the treasures of Biblical teaching, the gift of Christian friendships, the transforming power of the Eucharist, and the energizing guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We invite Jesus’ teachings to transform us so that our actions bring His presence into the world today. We believe in God’s healing power, and gently minister that love.
We encourage one another to begin each day with gratitude for God's gift of life and to approach every situation with the belief that with God nothing is impossible. We believe this can lead people to enjoy a life of serenity and inner peace.
We attract people who are looking for something more, something deeper, and something richer from their Christian life.
History
St. John’s Episcopal Church has been a presence in New London for 140 years. The first Episcopal service in New London was held at Cline’s Hall on Sunday evening October 1, 1876. The rector George Vernor of Grace Church (now All Saint’s Episcopal) in Appleton led the service. The town’s other churches suspended their usual services and all attended this gathering. The new church continued to meet in various homes and other locations in the city until the new home for St. John’s was finished and dedicated in 1905. St. John’s ministered to the needs of New London at the Market Street location for nearly 100 years.
In the late 1990’s the congregation was moved by the Holy Spirit to do church differently and focus on offering healing ministry. New London embraced this new ministry and St. John’s community outgrew the Market Street location. Land was purchased to begin construction of a larger building. The current structure was complete enough to occupy on May 31, 2001 when the congregation gathered for the first time in the new building. Since 2001 St. John’s opened a food pantry and thrift store and has continued to provide healing ministries in a variety of ways to the community.
In the late 1990’s the congregation was moved by the Holy Spirit to do church differently and focus on offering healing ministry. New London embraced this new ministry and St. John’s community outgrew the Market Street location. Land was purchased to begin construction of a larger building. The current structure was complete enough to occupy on May 31, 2001 when the congregation gathered for the first time in the new building. Since 2001 St. John’s opened a food pantry and thrift store and has continued to provide healing ministries in a variety of ways to the community.
Year |
Pledging Units |
Average Sunday Attendance |
2016 |
42 |
69 |
2017 |
29 |
43 |
2018 |
25 |
38 |
2019 |
22 |
35 |
Where We Believe the Holy Spirit is Calling Us to Grow
~To Do God’s Work
First and foremost, we want to do God’s work both within our faith community and in the New London area. During our time of transition, we have laid the foundation for strong lay leadership of our ministries. This is a new model for us and one we’d like to continue to encourage and grow. To that end, we seek a priest who will partner with us to lead, support and grow St. John’s lay ministry leadership and ministries.
~To Be A Healing Community of Faith
Our healing ministries - which include our Order of St. Luke, the food pantry and the thrift store - are core to who we are as the people of God at St. John’s. While we don’t expect our priest to take a primary role in these ministries, we are seeking a priest who will bring gifts of experience, knowledge, and the ability to work with us to expand these healing ministries and to be a cheerleader for those active in them.
First and foremost, we want to do God’s work both within our faith community and in the New London area. During our time of transition, we have laid the foundation for strong lay leadership of our ministries. This is a new model for us and one we’d like to continue to encourage and grow. To that end, we seek a priest who will partner with us to lead, support and grow St. John’s lay ministry leadership and ministries.
~To Be A Healing Community of Faith
Our healing ministries - which include our Order of St. Luke, the food pantry and the thrift store - are core to who we are as the people of God at St. John’s. While we don’t expect our priest to take a primary role in these ministries, we are seeking a priest who will bring gifts of experience, knowledge, and the ability to work with us to expand these healing ministries and to be a cheerleader for those active in them.
Who We Seek
We are seeking the priest that God desires for us. We seek a passionate priest who can inspire participation from new and existing members in our ministries, encourage spiritual growth and build on our vibrant, joyful, welcoming community who desire to serve all wherever they may be on their spiritual journey
~Our Vision for A Half-Time Priest
Our diocese encourages the use of blocks of time rather than hours. A block is morning, afternoon or evening, approximately 4 hours per block. As a half-time appointment, we would anticipate a priest to work 6 blocks per week. These estimates are not set in stone and will be adapted to the gifts and talents of our new priest as well as circumstances in our daily life together (i.e. Holy Week).
~Our Vision for A Half-Time Priest
Our diocese encourages the use of blocks of time rather than hours. A block is morning, afternoon or evening, approximately 4 hours per block. As a half-time appointment, we would anticipate a priest to work 6 blocks per week. These estimates are not set in stone and will be adapted to the gifts and talents of our new priest as well as circumstances in our daily life together (i.e. Holy Week).
- Preparing to preach and presiding at one worship service: 2 blocks
- Administrative: 1 block; this includes preparing for and leading Vestry meetings and other duties
- Teaching & Training (equipping the saints for ministry): ½ - 1 block
- Pastoral Care: ½ block
- Other Ministries: ½ block
- Visibility in the Community (what that looks like will be discerned with the new priest): ½ block
- Sacramental preparation and presiding, on an as needed basis. We don’t have many baptisms, weddings or funerals so it is hard to assign a block
Worship at St. John’s
Our regular services are on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The Book of Common Prayer is used in worship services, predominantly using Rite II. Parish members lead music, are enthusiastic greeters/ushers, readers and intercessors at our service. Youth participate as acolytes through 8th grade and beyond if they wish. The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for worship services and maintains the altar linens and communion vessels. Our congregation typically holds special services for healing, baptisms, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday and during Holy Week
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Seeking and Serving Christ in All Persons: Our Ministries
We believe ministries are an act of worship as much as our Sunday services. We have a sincere commitment to reach out to those in need spiritually and physically. St. John’s has several vibrant outreach ministries that are well supported: a storefront food pantry, a thrift store, and strong healing ministry.
We have a committed group of members in our congregation that take care of the day to day operations including building and lawn maintenance.
~Music Ministry
Music is led by worship teams. We enjoy a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music using vocalists, guitars, and a conga drum during our services
~Our Thrift Store and Food Pantry
The store opened in 2002. It is run by paid staff and many volunteers.
The pantry opened in 2003 and is run by many volunteers.
~Our Healing Ministry
We know that Jesus still heals today because we have seen and continue to see evidence of miracles of healing. Our healing ministry group has been diverse and active in offering healing prayer after Sunday services, as well as a monthly healing prayer, scripture and sharing event, and an annual fall healing conference.
~Hospitality Ministry
The hospitality ministry provides snacks and beverages after Sunday worship. We offer other opportunities for people to connect such as a fall evening campfire, pie social, Christmas party and summer picnic. The last two Halloweens we opened our vehicle trunks and church for a community “Trunk or Treat” event which drew about 300 people at each event. We opened the church to serve hot chocolate and provide restrooms as well as answer any questions about who we are.
We have a committed group of members in our congregation that take care of the day to day operations including building and lawn maintenance.
~Music Ministry
Music is led by worship teams. We enjoy a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music using vocalists, guitars, and a conga drum during our services
~Our Thrift Store and Food Pantry
The store opened in 2002. It is run by paid staff and many volunteers.
The pantry opened in 2003 and is run by many volunteers.
~Our Healing Ministry
We know that Jesus still heals today because we have seen and continue to see evidence of miracles of healing. Our healing ministry group has been diverse and active in offering healing prayer after Sunday services, as well as a monthly healing prayer, scripture and sharing event, and an annual fall healing conference.
~Hospitality Ministry
The hospitality ministry provides snacks and beverages after Sunday worship. We offer other opportunities for people to connect such as a fall evening campfire, pie social, Christmas party and summer picnic. The last two Halloweens we opened our vehicle trunks and church for a community “Trunk or Treat” event which drew about 300 people at each event. We opened the church to serve hot chocolate and provide restrooms as well as answer any questions about who we are.
Growing in Spiritual Maturity: Our Adult Education
Historically St. John’s has hosted a Thursday evening adult study program which includes Eucharist. During our transition we have occasionally offered adult education programs. Each Lent we have had a reflective seminar. Our men’s group continues to meet twice per month prior to the Sunday service. We hope to resume weekly programming and home study groups.
We desire to engage our families, children and youth in our community. We look forward to partnering with a priest to support those leading these ministries.
We desire to engage our families, children and youth in our community. We look forward to partnering with a priest to support those leading these ministries.
Leadership and Administration
The Vestry meets monthly with the rector presiding. The Vestry is responsible for managing the business affairs of the parish. More importantly, the rector with the Vestry share the spiritual leadership of the parish using prayer to discern God’s will for the church.
Vestry and Warden elections are held in January. The vestry consists of five to seven parishioners serving three-year, staggered terms, each serving no more than two consecutive terms. The Senior and Junior Wardens serve one-year terms. Current wardens and Vestry members will serve until after our new rector is settled and then rotate off on a staggered schedule.
~Vestry Members
Dan LeClair - Senior Warden, Cheryl Weyers - Treasurer, Kathy LeClair - Secretary, Mark Metko - Member
~Search Committee Members
Luanne Nelson, Samantha Metko, Wanda Ostrander
Vestry and Warden elections are held in January. The vestry consists of five to seven parishioners serving three-year, staggered terms, each serving no more than two consecutive terms. The Senior and Junior Wardens serve one-year terms. Current wardens and Vestry members will serve until after our new rector is settled and then rotate off on a staggered schedule.
~Vestry Members
Dan LeClair - Senior Warden, Cheryl Weyers - Treasurer, Kathy LeClair - Secretary, Mark Metko - Member
~Search Committee Members
Luanne Nelson, Samantha Metko, Wanda Ostrander
Vestry at mortgage burning ceremony
About New London
Additional Information
The Diocese of Fond du Lac is a diocese of the Episcopal Church encompassing northeast Wisconsin. The Diocese contains about 5,550 baptized members worshipping in 37 locations. Since 2014, the Right Reverend Matthew Gunter has served as its eighth bishop.
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul the Apostle is in Fond du Lac and the Diocesan Office is in Appleton. Bishop Matt has called the diocese to be “a people of God's mercy and delight” through vital congregations, prayer, worship, and mission. The Diocese is in a companion diocesan relationship with the Diocese of Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
Learn more about who we are and what we do at diofdl.org
Confirmands March 2019
To Make An Inquiry
The Rev. Meredyth Albright
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