What is the Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church, USA, is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which has its origins in the Roman Catholic Church. King Henry VIII of England wanted a divorce and wanted to control the Church in England - and so he titled himself head of the Church In England, which became the Church of England. Through colonial history, the church spread throughout the world, including the American Colonies. With the Revolution, the Church of England in the USA became the Domestic Foreign and Missionary Society, which re-named itself The Episcopal Church (USA). With 99 dioceses (geographic areas headed by bishops), the ECUSA numbers approximately 1,956,042 members, and we have, as our national leader, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry. We are a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan - The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland is our Bishop. For more information about the Episcopal Church, please go here.
Do i need to be a baptized or confirmed episcopalian to attend services?
Absolutely not. We welcome all who seek a closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ - as well as people who are simply exploring their faith and their spiritual selves. All are welcome, all are safe.
What about holy communion?
Holy Communion, or The Eucharist, is a sacrament of the Church in which we offer our selves - our souls and bodies - to God, and in which we express our communion with God in Christ and with one another. At St. John's, all are welcome to receive Holy Communion: The Table (altar) belongs to God, not to the Episcopal Church. If you'd like to talk about this aspect of our worship, please contact the Rector, The Rev. Sr. Dian Stier. And watch this website for an upcoming "St. John's 101" series of conversations! We'd love to welcome you.
can I get married at St. John's?
Absolutely. But we do not "rent out" our church - it is a holy place which belongs to the worshiping community. For information on weddings, please click on "Sacramental Services" above and contact the Senior Warden, the Associate Priest, or the Deacon.
Who runs St. John's? Who's the boss?
Interesting question! With the retirement of the Rector, The Rev. Wayne Nicholson, Nancy Herman-Kinney Senior Warden, is the ecclesiastical authority of the parish; it is ultimately her responsibility to care for the worship, music, administration, finances, and buildings and grounds; she is also the "public face" of our parish - you'll see her around town, at City Council meetings, the grocery store. It is important that St. John's be visible in the community - we live a thoughtful theology, and believe the community needs to know who we are and what we stand for. Sacramental Services and Pastoral Care are offered by our Rector The Rev. Sr. Diane Stier, ec, and our Deacon, The Rev. Nancy Casey Fulton.
The Senior Warden works hand-in-hand with our Vestry (similar to a Board of Directors), sharing these responsibilities with capable members of the parish, and Vestry also delegates responsibilities to committees and individuals - the Altar Guild (which cares for our worship), our Organists and Choirmaster (in charge of our music and caring for our truly fine organ), our Verger (sort of like an MC for our liturgies), the Finance Committee, our Treasurer and Pledge Secretary, the Building and Grounds Committee, our Eucharistic Visitors (who take Communion to shut-ins and the sick), Outreach (including our partnership with Isabella County Restoration House, providing overnight shelter to homeless people during the winter), Christian Formation. We currently have one Deacon who has been ordained to take the church into the world and bring the concerns of the world to the church; she also serves at our worship services and occasionally officiate services of Morning or Evening Prayer. And she preaches great sermons!
The Senior Warden works hand-in-hand with our Vestry (similar to a Board of Directors), sharing these responsibilities with capable members of the parish, and Vestry also delegates responsibilities to committees and individuals - the Altar Guild (which cares for our worship), our Organists and Choirmaster (in charge of our music and caring for our truly fine organ), our Verger (sort of like an MC for our liturgies), the Finance Committee, our Treasurer and Pledge Secretary, the Building and Grounds Committee, our Eucharistic Visitors (who take Communion to shut-ins and the sick), Outreach (including our partnership with Isabella County Restoration House, providing overnight shelter to homeless people during the winter), Christian Formation. We currently have one Deacon who has been ordained to take the church into the world and bring the concerns of the world to the church; she also serves at our worship services and occasionally officiate services of Morning or Evening Prayer. And she preaches great sermons!
What is a vestry?
The Vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal parish (local church); it is similar to a Board of Directors in the secular world. The Rector is chair of the Vestry; in his or her absence, the Senior Warden is chair. The Vestry is responsible for all financial matters, ministries, and the "fabric" of the church (i.e., building and grounds), and serves also as a council of advice to the Rector in, hopefully, a collegial relationship. Vestries sometimes exert their responsibility through a simple majority - or, they may operate more on a consensus model.
Who Does what?
St. John's is dependent on the generous volunteer ministries of our Parish. Here's a rough breakdown...
Ultimately, the Senior Warden, Nancy Herman Kinney, is "in charge" of the Parish. She is supported in sacramental ministries by The Rev. Sr. Diane Stier and The Rev. Nancy Casey Fulton.
The Vestry guides "the business" of the Church, supports the ministers, provides important feedback to the Rector, and approves policies, procedures, and financial matters for the Parish. The Rector chairs the meetings; the Senior and Junior Wardens are primary leaders of the Vestry and, ultimately, the Parish.
The Treasurer, Clancy DeLong, offers financial counsel to the Vestry (including the budget), provides detailed information, and collates all financial transactions. He is assisted by Lynne L'Hommedieu and a Finance Committee. Our Pledge Secretary is Pamela Dingman.
The Building and Grounds Committee is chaired by Adam Baker. B&G takes care of the Parish campus on a daily basis, overseeing building and grounds maintenance and upkeep.
The Choirmaster is Eric Vinciguerra; organist is Dennis Flynn. With the Priest we all try to provide music that is liturgically and pastorally appropriate, uplifting, inspiring, and musically honoring of our Anglican/Episcopal traditions while stretching beyond to new musical resources.
Pamela Dingman chairs the Altar Guild, which is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and placing our worship items - chalices, patens, linens, candles; they are also responsible for following the "color codes" of the Church seasons and services.
Alexis Robinson-Dear is our Parish Secretary, responsible for producing the weekly bulletins and our monthly newsletter; she answers the phone Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and directs callers to the appropriate volunteer or staff person. She also coordinates all our lay ministers for Sunday worship services.
Ultimately, the Senior Warden, Nancy Herman Kinney, is "in charge" of the Parish. She is supported in sacramental ministries by The Rev. Sr. Diane Stier and The Rev. Nancy Casey Fulton.
The Vestry guides "the business" of the Church, supports the ministers, provides important feedback to the Rector, and approves policies, procedures, and financial matters for the Parish. The Rector chairs the meetings; the Senior and Junior Wardens are primary leaders of the Vestry and, ultimately, the Parish.
The Treasurer, Clancy DeLong, offers financial counsel to the Vestry (including the budget), provides detailed information, and collates all financial transactions. He is assisted by Lynne L'Hommedieu and a Finance Committee. Our Pledge Secretary is Pamela Dingman.
The Building and Grounds Committee is chaired by Adam Baker. B&G takes care of the Parish campus on a daily basis, overseeing building and grounds maintenance and upkeep.
The Choirmaster is Eric Vinciguerra; organist is Dennis Flynn. With the Priest we all try to provide music that is liturgically and pastorally appropriate, uplifting, inspiring, and musically honoring of our Anglican/Episcopal traditions while stretching beyond to new musical resources.
Pamela Dingman chairs the Altar Guild, which is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and placing our worship items - chalices, patens, linens, candles; they are also responsible for following the "color codes" of the Church seasons and services.
Alexis Robinson-Dear is our Parish Secretary, responsible for producing the weekly bulletins and our monthly newsletter; she answers the phone Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and directs callers to the appropriate volunteer or staff person. She also coordinates all our lay ministers for Sunday worship services.
can i rent your parish hall?
Yes! And no: As a tax-exempt institution we do not charge "rent." We are very happy, though, for you to hold your meeting, workshop, graduation party, or bridge club at St. John's. Guidelines are here. You might check our church calendar to see if there's another scheduled event; after you look at our guidelines, give us a call and we can talk about your program. If you are interested in using the space, please fill out the Facilities Use Agreement Form. No events are confirmed until the signed contract is received and accepted.