Who We Are ...back to top

Who We Are at Saint John's Episcopal Church
We are a family of faith, seeking to know Christ, serve Christ and make Christ known in the world.

We are an open and welcoming congregation where everyone can feel at home, within a family atmosphere of the Christian faith, tradition and practice.

St. John’s is an Anglican Church
We are a part of the global Anglican Communion of Churches, of which the Church of England is our mother church. There are 48 Provinces of the Anglican Church around the world and 80,000,000 members. Our unity is rooted in Christ’s unbroken body and in the principles of the Chicago/Lambeth Quadrilateral 1886/1888:

1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the revealed word of God.
2. The Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian Faith.
3. The two sacraments , - Baptism and Holy Communion, - ministered with Christ’s words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him.
4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the unity of His Church.

We are Episcopal
Our historic roots go back much further than the corner stone of this building (1884)! We go back more than 200 hears and our history in Connecticut goes back beyond the consecration of Samuel Seabury, the first American Bishop of the Episcopal Church in 1784. Our origins even reach back beyond the beginnings of our Anglican heritage with the English Reformation in the sixteenth century.

Our roots go back to the beginning of the Christian faith as recorded in the second chapter of the Book of Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. When the Spirit of God rested upon the heads of the first apostles, empowering them to proclaim the good news of Christ, our Church began. The tongue shaped flame of God’s Spirit, described on that day of Pentecost, is represented by the miter (pointed hat) worn on the heads of bishops to this day.

The word Episcopal comes from the Greek work “episcopos,” meaning bishop. In other words we are a Church lead by bishops. Our modern day bishops are the spiritual successors of the first apostles. The Apostles’ teaching passed down from generation to generation in the church, through the oversight of bishops is a central part of our tradition.

We Are Traditional
This means that we honor and discern what we have received from those former members of the same faith, whose experiences and expression of faith are still alive and life giving for us. Our common faith is defined in the words of the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.

We are Common and Contemporary
Our book of worship, know as the Book of Common Prayer, was first written in 1549, as a means of putting the way we speak to God in the common language of the people. Many prayer books of other Christian Denominations have derived from our prayer book. Subsequent revisions of our ‘common’ prayer book continue this tradition of keeping our expressions to God relevant and contemporary.

We are Catholic and Protestant
Our parish community is rooted in the “one, holy, catholic (meaning universal) and apostolic faith’ as we recite in the most common Creed of the Church. Many members of our parish come from the Roman tradition of Catholicism. Others come from one of the protestant traditions, as various expressions of the reformed denominations of Western Christendom, of which the Church of England and our Anglican tradition are a part. Many people find in the Episcopal Church much of what was meaningful to them from their former denomination or tradition, while arriving at a place in their spiritual journey that no longer embraces some former ecclesiastical structures or conformities of belief.

We are Sacramental and Biblical
Being both catholic and protestant, the Episcopal Church embraces equally the two great expressions of Christian experience and tradition.

One is the authority of Scriptures as the inspired word of God, which has been received in the form of human language and is consequently and unavoidably open to on-going human interpretation as well as divine revelation.

The second is our focus on a Sacramental Life, as outward, tangible representations of those transcendent realities of God in our lives that words alone cannot fully express. These include Baptism, by which we become part of the ‘body of Christ’, and Communion, by which we are nourished and sustained by and in the Body of Christ.

At St. John’s, all who would desire to do so, may take part in the sacramental life we share.

Church History: Past and Present ...back to top

Our Church's Past
St John's Episcopal Church has served the Lord and New Milford from various locations for over 250 years. Established by missionaries from 'The Venerable Society' in England, the first church was built c.1744. With the consecration of the second church by Bishop Seabury in 1793, the parish became known as St. John's Episcopal Church. Construction of our present day church began July 9th 1881. If a more detailed history would interest you, please contact us.

Our Church Today
St. John’s Welcomes you. We honor the dignity of every person in accordance with our Baptismal Covenant. We strive to include all persons without regard to race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, family configuration, ethnic background, economic circumstances, difference in ability, culture or age. Our love and acceptance of each other embodies our commitment to unity in the Body of Christ.

As Episcopalians, we are part of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. New Milford is part of the Danbury Deanery, one of 14 Deaneries that make up the Diocese of Connecticut.

Our Worship ...back to top

Sunday morning worship is a liturgy of Word and Sacrament, which traditionally centers around the Holy Eucharist, also called the Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Mass . Occasionally the service of Morning Prayer is said. We use the Book of Common Prayer, which is the worship manual for the Episcopal Church. We invite everyone to worship with us and welcome all Christians to the Lord’s table to participate in Holy Communion.

Hours of Worship ...back to top

Sacramental Rites ...back to top

The Christian life includes many milestones as we grow in faith. We celebrate each milestone in a special way through worship. If you would like to participate in any of these rites, please contact the church office.

Baptism - the rite of initiation into the Body of Christ (infants, children and adults).
First Holy Communion - for children whose parents wish them to understand Holy Communion more fully before receiving.
Confirmation - an adult affirmation of faith and commitment to a life in Christ and a share in his ministry. Confirmands must be 15 years of age.
Reception in to the Episcopal Church - the rite of confirmation for those who have made not previous adult affirmation of faith or reception and welcome into the Anglican part of Christ’s Body from another recognized Christian denomination by one of our Bishops.
Holy Matrimony - The Rite of Marriage for people who are practicing their faith and wish to make their vows a witness of their life together in Christ and who come seeking His blessing.
Reconciliation/Confession - the rite of confession with a priest, available to all for healing and assurance and required of none.
Anointing of the sick - The anointing and prayers offered for the sick, the suffering and the dying for the purpose of healing, strength and faith.
Christian Burial - The commendation of loved ones into God’s hands as lambs of God’s own redeeming. Ordination - the laying on of hands by a Bishop of those called to the ministries of deacon or priest for ministries of Service, Word and Sacrament.

Music Ministry ...back to top

We are very pleased and honored to have Ms. Zoe Vandermeer as the Music Director at St. John's. Zoe lives locally and comes to us with a wide range of musical talent, experience, and enthusiasm. We are blessed to have her.

St. John's has a Senior Choir comprised of adults and middle and high students and a Children's Choir of elementary students.

The Senior Choir offers music at the 10 o'clock service through the school year from shortly after Labor Day until June and on festival days during Christmas and Holy Week. The group of mixed voices rehearses one evening a week and at 8:50 A M on Sundays.

The Children's Choir learns unison songs and meet after church. The youngers sing a few times a year.

The Children's Choir is open to any child who can attend rehearsals faithfully. The senoir choir requires a major time comittment and the ability to learn a part accurately. The results have been satisfying and the both choirs enjoys enriching services at St. John's.

Prayer and Spiritual Formation ...back to top

St. John’s has a variety of Adult offerings for growth in our life in Christ including Centering Prayer, Men’s Prayer Breakfasts, Women’s Book Clubs, Women’s Camping/Retreat Weekends, Quiet Days, Retreats, Adult forums and Deanery and Diocesan sponsored events.

Christian Education ...back to top

We provide church school for children in pre-K through High School most Sundays from September to June during the 10 A.M. service. Children join their parents for Communion. Our curriculum teaches about the life of Christ, worship, prayers, familiarity with the Bible, moral values, and about the Church. Classes also participate in a Chapel Service and in our computer room on a rotating basis.

Adult education in the form of Bible studies and other forums are offered throughout the year.

Godly played is the curriculum used for children age 4 through 4th grade. Following Jesus is the program for grades 5 and 6 and Journey to Adulthood is the curriculum used for grades 7 through 12 including Rite 13, J2A and YAC (youth at church).

Youth Ministry ...back to top

St. John's has a strong youth program for kids from grades 6 through 12. The Youth Ministry uses the Journey to Adulthood program as an integrative tool for forming our young people through rites of passage into disciples in faith and mission. In addition the youth coordinators work with the youth to build bonds with one another and to the larger church through game nights, lock ins, fund-raisers, crafts, holiday events, youth led worship services and trips to other churches, ski resorts and amusement parks. The youth are involved in ministry within the parish as care givers in the nursery, acolytes, lectors, ministers of communion, members of the choir, musicians, ushers and greeters. Outside the parish, the youth are involved in walkathons for the town food pantry and the homeless shelter and assist in the recycling part of the parish's earth ministry program.

Pastoral Care ...back to top

Our pastoral care team provides visits to those of our congregation who are homebound or confined to a nursing home. This team, with the priest, offers a Holy Eucharist Service once a month to each of the town's two nursing homes. They also bring the Sacrament to shut-ins and offer friendship and assistance to any in need. If you are in need of this ministry, please notify the church office and someone will contact you. Meals are brought to families dealing with illness, crisis and death and food baskets brought to families during loved one’s surgeries and hospitalizations. Prayers are offered daily by rector and members of the church for those for whom prayers are requested.

St. John’s also uses the special Stephen Ministry, a program in pastoral care which involves in-depth training of adults to be present with people through difficult times with relationship to health, grief, crisis and other issues which require constant support for a period of time.

Mission ...back to top

St. John’s works with the interfaith community, the deanery and the Diocese to address local and global issues of peace and justice. We have taken a leadership role in a variety of ministries among the people of New Milford such as advocacy for the homeless, a winter shelter program, support service and a community of welcome. We cook and serve one meal a month at Loaves and Fishes hot meal program, collect nonperishable foods for social services, host blood drives and a summer camp for bereaved children, women’s shelter counseling services, English as a Second Language classes and other programs as the need arrives. We have a companion church, El Calvario, in Havana Cuba for whom we pray and with whom we stay in touch.

St. John’s has joined the leadership of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion in a mission to address the Millennial Goals set by the United Nations:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

Earth Ministry ...back to top

Imagine yourself returning to Earth after a flight to the moon. Dwell on the sight of the cloud shrouded globe, as the oceans and land become more distinct. You may become aware of a call to care for what you behold. Remember the Earth is a garden, and we humans the gardeners; we share cultivating and care together as a team. Jesus is our guide, and we see his face among us as we walk, mindful of his presence, like disciples going to Emmaus. All are called to the ministry of caring for creation, our support system, each in one’s own way. We pray and praise together in the Sunday liturgy for “this fragile earth, our island home,” regarding ourselves as co-creators with our Father God....

Please choose some aspect of the task- care of water, air, soil, plants, animals, political justice, child care, and get yourself better informed and more familiar with action. Please give your name and interest to any of the committee below Help us find ways to live and work together, in loving care of the parts of our island home we occupy, or which feed us.

(Blanche Hamilton, Nancy Brown, Judith Toce. We may be able to form subgroups of those with common interests, and find ways to raise community awareness of environmental stress.)

Becoming a Member ...back to top

If you are interested in membership at St. John’s, you must provide a letter of transfer from the Episcopal Church where you were last a member. If you are not an Episcopalian, we need copies of your baptismal certificates. If you have not been baptized, contact the office and arrangements can be made. A member is expected to attend worship with regularity, receive Holy Communion, contribute to the financial support of St. John’s worship, life and mission together and share in its ministry according to one’s gifts. Membership forms and pledge cards are available through the office.

Ministers and Staff of St. John's  ...back to top

email Priest in charge: gwwelin@gmail.com
email the church: stjohns.episcopal@charterinternet.com
St. John's Episcopal Church
7 Whittlesey Avenue
PO Box 179, New Milford, Connecticut 06776

Tel. (860) 354-5583
Fax. (860) 355-9895
Office Hours: 9:00am - 2:00pm Monday - Friday