WHO WE ARE
A Parish That Makes a Difference
We are a lively, loving community of all ages, backgrounds, interests, and gifts who come together joyfully as one body in the presence of each other and God. We are financiers and farmers, teachers and tradespeople, telecommuters and “summer colonists.”
Our faith runs deep. We are deep thinkers. Our hearts are open. Our arms are wide in inclusiveness. Our smiles are big and sincere. We are stewards, we are disciples, we are rooted in service to others, and we are family. We tend our sick and our frail of spirit. We delight in the gifts each of us has to offer.
OUR CONGREGATION
Our 339 parishioners experience three kinds of involvement at St. John’s, reflecting expansion and contraction in attendance over time and the ebb and flow of a resort population. Some have seen three generations and have personally known the last three Rectors, notably Rev. Peter Larsen whose tenure extended for 25 years until 2014. Some new arrivals are familiar with only our current Rector, Rev. Patrick Edwards. Other parishioners attend St. Andrew’s Dune Church in the Summer and come to St. John’s in the shoulder months of Spring and Fall.
We have a strong sense of community, fellowship, and faith. Our inclusive Eucharistic community actively shares the love of Jesus Christ with our village, town, and the world. It is our mission to invite all inquirers and seekers to experience spiritual growth and to empower all to meaningful service. St. John’s Parish House stands as a central location where parishioners convene for daily meetings, Bible studies, worship services, and quiet prayer, or simply to extend greetings to one another.
Our community prides itself on embracing individuals from various backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, all coming together as disciples of Christ. We have a commitment to impart the teachings of Christ to all who visit our establishment. It is our endeavor to foster a culture where all are encouraged to contribute. Our clergy, staff, and lay volunteers work collaboratively.
Our parishioners don’t just show up to church. They partake in our Altar Guild, sing in our choir, grace services as lay readers, and carry the sacrament as lay ministers. They roll up their sleeves as Vestry members, investment committee participants, and outreach leaders.
CHURCH GOVERNANCE
The governing body of St. John’s Episcopal Church is the Vestry, a group of nine parishioners elected by the congregation. Each member of the Vestry serves a three-year term. From its members two officers are chosen, the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden. The Vestry also appoints a Treasurer, who works with the church’s Finance Committee and a part-time bookkeeper. The wardens assist the Rector in the conduct of the day-to-day operations of the parish. In Interim time when a parish is between Rectors, the Senior Warden takes on “ecclesiastical authority” for the congregation.
As a congregation of The Episcopal Church, St. John’s comes under the supervision of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. The diocesan seat is located at Garden City, NY. The current and eighth Bishop of Long Island is The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, who was consecrated in 2009. For more information about the diocese and its ministries, see www.dioceseli.org.
