In Reach Ministries

In-Reach is the heart and soul of St. John's. In-Reach comprises the small groups and ministries that bind our parish together in work, in play and in prayer. St. John's has many In-Reach groups, but perhaps you have a vision for a group which does not yet exist? I would love to hear your idea for a new In-Reach ministry. My job is to facilitate all such ministries in the parish community. Sarah Jones sarahcjones@mindspring.com

Carpool/Ride Ministry – Offering and coordinating rides to St. John’s Sunday services and events for those unable to provide their own transportation (as well as to reduce our carbon footprint.)
Barbara Cadwalader bcadwalader@earthlink.net

This ministry is currently in need of more volunteer drivers (so that each volunteer only need drive once per month) as well as a new coordinator. Please contact interim coordinator Barbara Cadwalader or Sarah Jones if you'd like to volunteer.

Casserole Brigade – The casserole corps is a group of volunteers who can be called upon to cook a simple meal for a St. John’s family at a time of need. When the Corps is alerted that there is a birth, accident, surgery, illness, death, or other emergency in a family, Casserole Brigade services are offered. If the Corps offer is accepted, inquiries are made about food restrictions, preferences, frequency, best time for meal delivery and directions to the home. Casserole Brigade members are then called and a schedule for delivery is set.
Karen Notsund notsunk@comcast.net or Nancy Walker nanwalker@sbcglobal.net

Elderberries – For those who have reached the 60-plus benchmark, this group offers fun, fellowship and philanthropy. They have sponsored the Elder Artists programs, the Armchair Travelers presentations and they go on an occasional field trip. They support one another and reach out to others in their time of need; the ministry to Tanzania developed from this group.
Elaine Reichert elaine@st.johnsoakland.org or Sandra Davidson sjdson@earthlink.net

  • Armchair Travelers – Part of the Elderberries ministry, Armchair Travelers meet monthly following the FIRST Wednesday noon Eucharist. Speakers share their travel adventures, experiences and photos. Lunch is provided, and usually complements the country visited.
    Elaine Reichert elaine@stjohnsoakland.org

Foyer Groups – These groups provide a wonderful way to get to know your fellow parishioners in a relaxed social setting. Everyone who wishes to participate in this program is assigned to a group of 6 or 8 people who meet throughout the year to share a meal. Each group decides where these meals will take place: a dinner at home, a brunch at a restaurant, a picnic in a park. Groups are changed every year. Signups are in the early fall of each year. In 2010-11, we even have a Foyer Group featuring families.
Susan Freeman susanfreeman1@gmail.com

Hospitality (AKA Java Corps) – All the ministry groups are assigned “ownership” of coffee hour once per year on a given Sunday (with the exception of certain large groups, which are assigned twice per year). Download the latest Java Corps Schedule. This ministry needs a facilitator! If it's you, please contact interim facilitator Sarah Jones.
Sarah Jones sarahcjones@mindspring.com

Men’s Group – Guys getting together once monthly for an evening of food, faith and fellowship. The Men’s Group also handles significant maintenance and improvement projects around the Parish and its properties.
Paul Brumbaum zpaulb@wellsfargo.com

Newcomers/Welcoming/Greeters – Welcome visitors at Sunday services and offer guidance to new members of St. John’s. "Newcomers" is a small volunteer committee which provides information for newcomers and a welcoming path into St. John’s community. Participation includes periodic meetings of the committee, telephone and /or personal visits to newcomers, and liaison efforts to bring newcomers into parish activities.
Helen Nicholas  hnicholas@juno.com or Elaine Reichert elaine@stjohnsoakland.org

This ministry is currently undergoing an overhaul and YOUR ideas are welcome for how to improve our welcoming to newcomers. If you are interested, please contact chair Scott Tate at STate@schnader.com

Rector’s Pastoral Care Team & Pastoral Prayer Partners – The mission of the Rector’s Pastoral Care Team is to integrate pastoral care into the daily lives of our congregation through prayer, communication and support. Parishioners are connected as needed to a Pastoral Care team that offers assistance and support in areas such as prayer, home visits, transportation and more.

Prayer Partners are simply individuals who desire to pray for others. A partner’s only responsibility is to pray for designated people each day. If you are interested in serving in either or both of these ministries, please contact Scott or Ann. Finally,

Prayer Request Cards are available in the church pews and in the narthex. Anyone may use them to share with others or to keep. When a concern arises for which someone would like the parish to pray, a card may be filled out and dropped in Sandra Ahn’s mailbox or mailed to the church office, ATTN.: Prayer Partners. Requests are added to their prayer list each week and will remain on the prayer list for four weeks, unless renewed for a longer period.

Retreats – Men's, women's, youth and parish/family. The Parish/Family Retreat is held each spring on Mother's Day weekend, when parishioners gather at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon to socialize, reflect, worship and, most of all, to have a lot of fun. The weekend includes special programs for all ages, worship, and opportunities to create, swim, hike, read, or do just about anything you want to do. Fun, fellowship, and the opportunity to really get to know fellow parishioners are promised! The weekend is open to all and financial assistance is available.

Saints and Sinners Softball Team – For many years St. John’s has fielded a team in the Piedmont adult softball league that plays at Coaches’ Field. A “kinder, gentler” form of co-ed, slow-pitch softball, the team usually plays one night a week from June to August.
Sarah Jones  sarahcjones@mindspring.com

Singles – The singles group meets occasionally for scheduled events as well as impromptu outings (movies, dinners, plays, etc.). Contact Bette to hear more, offer suggestions for outings and events, and be added to the group email.
Bette Ingraham, MD thegooddocmedbil@yahoo.com

Women's Group –The women's group meets the third Thursday of the month (Jan.–Oct.) for sharing and support in a relaxed, catch-as-catch can dinner meeting called "Lite Bites." We communicate by means of our opt-in Yahoo Group. All women are welcome.
Lilah Greene greentiem@comcast.net or Michelle Ziegmann mziegmann@gmail.com

Young Adult Ministry – This new ministry to college-age, post-college and other young adults was launched in summer 2010. They meet regularly for conversation and outings.
Annie Pierpoint afpierpoint@gmail.com

Other In-Reach Ministries —

  • The Ecology Group, currently classified under In-Reach, has its own heading at right.

  • Lenten Suppers – Every year the staff develops a central theme and schedules a series of speakers to speak and discuss topics related to the theme. Each week during Lent, the parish gathers for a simple supper (typically soup or pizza), good conversation, and has the opportunity to hear some fascinating stories. In recent years the themes have been the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and social action in Oakland. This is another great way for newcomers to meet other parishioners.

  • Mailboxes – In the Narthex are parishioner mailboxes that are used for intra-parish communications. If you'd like one, contact Helen Nicholas at hnicholas@juno.com.

  • Nametags (lanyards or buttons) – New parishioners can request a name tag (with pin or ribbon) by filling in your name on the signup sheet that is to the right of the door leading to the restrooms.

updated Nov. 4 2010 scj

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