ECW Outreach Donations
At the ECW annual meeting, decisions are made as to the recipients of outreach funds. Recipients in the past have included those mentioned in the ECW section and Friends of the Rappahannock, Jacob’s Ladder, Tappahannock Rescue Squad, Jackson – Field Episcopal Home, and Hunters for the Hungry.
Fifth Sunday Plate Collections
Loose plate collections on all fifth Sundays are donated to charitable organizations.
Community Dinners
St. John’s provides a free community dinner on the fourth Monday of every month, except May, November, and December. We offer a hot meal that can be enjoyed in our parish hall or taken out. Three other local churches provide meals on the first, second, and third Mondays of each month. Our parishioners enjoy interacting with our guests.
Blessing Baskets
St. John’s members purchase needed supplies for The Haven Shelter and nonperishable food items for Essex Community Services Food Pantry. Two ‘Blessing Baskets’ are in the narthex of the church. Deliveries are made monthly.
Christmas Elves
The St. John’s Christmas Elves are a group of women that give their time and talents throughout the year, creating gift and decorative items for the home to be sold at the November Farmer’s Market in Tappahannock. The creations offer a limited number of one of a kind, seasonal, handmade decorations, with a distinctive touch of professionalism.
Proceeds from the Elves’ project in the past have provided Christmas gifts for the frequently overlooked teenaged boys in the community and now go to foster children of Essex County through the Essex Co. Dept. of Social Services.
Essex Churches Together
St. John’s Church is a member of Essex Churches Together. The mission of this group is to provide and coordinate resources and services to assist all Essex County residents in need.
Christmas Angel Tree
Parishioners select an Angel Tag from our Christmas Angel Tree. The tag contains a wish from a local child. This project supports the Essex County Christmas Mother project.
Sally and Fax Settle Scholarship
The Sally and Fax Settle Scholarship is given annually in memory of long time members of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Sally and Fax strongly believed in education and in helping others. This $1,000 scholarship is given to an Essex High School graduate for college, vocational training, or technical school.
Operation Inasmuch
Operation Inasmuch (OIAM), sponsored by Essex Churches Together, is a one day event of community service whereby members of local churches become the hands and feet of Christ, providing activities and services to those in need within our county. From construction projects to visitations, 500+ volunteers uplift their fellow community members through their prayers, presence, gifts and talents. United with the goal of serving others, OIAM in Essex County has become a model for other localities to emulate.
Blood Drive
St. John’s hosts the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on the second Tuesday of January each year at the Tappahannock Fire House. Parishioners assist by checking in donors, making future appointments, and providing sandwiches and snacks for those who donate blood.
Trick or Treat in the Graveyard
Trick or treat in the graveyard provides a safe environment for neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
United Thank Offering
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Each fall the UTO encourages congregation members to give thanks for their many blessings. UTO collections from St. John’s support the Diocese for scholarships, Viva Voce, and other projects.