WHEN: Monday – Friday, June 15-19, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This five-day camp, for rising 2nd through 8th graders, includes classes in ensemble singing, music theory and composition, games, and will even feature vocal coaching from professional singers! Mid-morning snacks and drinks are provided; child should bring a lunch. 

Space is limited. Reserve your spot! The early-bird registration fee is $150 per child (through May 1, 2026). After May 1, the registration fee increases to $175 per child. Need-based assistance is available.

REGISTER HERE

The post St. John’s Choir Camp appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Our 2026 Lenten Guide is built around a simple and hopeful theme: “And so we say it again.”

Lent invites us to return to the words, prayers, and practices that quietly shape our lives—spoken not once, but over time, and together. This guide is designed to help you slow down, listen more carefully, and discover how God uses repeated prayer and Scripture to form us in truth, humility, and hope.

What you’ll find inside the guide

The guide walks you through how repetition works in Christian life and worship—why returning to the same prayers and words is not dull, but deeply formative. You’ll be invited to notice how shared language trains our instincts, gives us words when our own fail, and helps us tell the truth about ourselves and the world before God.

Praying with the Great Litany

A central focus of this Lent is the Great Litany—one of the Church’s oldest prayers. The guide explains its history, its steady rhythm of honest petition, and why its repeated response, “Good Lord, deliver us,” is especially fitting for this season. Below is a recorded version of the Great Litany you can pray at home, on a walk, or whenever you need faithful words to lean on.

Words Jesus speaks—and words we carry

Each Sunday in Lent centers on a short, powerful phrase from the Gospel—such as “It is written,” “Come and see,” “One thing I do know,” and “Unbind him, and let him go.”

The guide invites you to dwell with one phrase at a time across the week, allowing Scripture to work slowly on the heart and imagination rather than rushing past it.

Simple practices for everyday life

You’ll also find gentle, realistic Lenten practices designed for busy lives—ideas such as carrying one short prayer through the week, noticing repeated responses in worship, reflecting on which words stay with you after prayer, and creating space through fasting or new rhythms of prayer and service. These are not meant as spiritual achievements, but as steady ways of making room for God.

Resources to go deeper

The guide includes a curated list of books and devotional resources—ranging from Scripture and prayer, to memoir, fiction, and cultural reflection—to accompany you through Lent and help you notice what is shaping your thinking, attention, and prayer.

Download the full Lenten Guide to explore the prayers, practices, weekly Gospel journey, and recommended resources in depth—and to walk this season with words the Church has trusted, and returned to, again and again.

Lenten Events & Services

Vessels of Faith: Crafting a Lenten Communion Set

Sunday, February 15 | 10:15 AM | Carter Chapel

Learn the story behind the handcrafted wooden Communion set created for Lent.

Ash Wednesday: The Beginning We Return To

Wednesday, February 18 | 7:00 PM, 12:10 PM & 6:30 PM*

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” *6:30 PM service will be livestreamed and have incense.

Friday Book Study

Fridays during Lent | Starting February 20 | 12 PM on Zoom

Book study featuring “Psalms, The Prayer Book of the Bible,” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Lent I Worship Service

Sunday, February 22 | 7:45, 9, & 11:15 AM | Church

On the First Sunday in Lent at St. John’s, we will begin the season by praying the Great Litany together, with the choir processing among the congregation at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services.

Morning Prayer in Carter Chapel

Tuesdays during Lent | Starting February 24 | 7:10 AM | Carter Chapel

Join St. John’s lay leaders as we gather and pray the Daily Office.

Lenten Quiet Day

Saturday, March 14, 9 AM – 12 PM | St. John’s Campus

Step away from the noise of everyday life for a gentle Lenten Quiet Day of rest, reflection, and renewal, complete with an Anglican Prayer Beads Workshop, contemplative prayer, and an Instructed Holy Eucharist led by Fr. Lonnie Lacy. This event is sponsored by the St. John Chapter of the Daughters of the King. (Attending the Lenten Quiet Day is free, but the Anglican Prayer Beads Workshop is $15 for supplies.) REGISTER ONLINE.

Lenten Service of Comfort & Healing: Feast of the Annunciation

Wednesday, March 25 | 12:10 PM | Carter Chapel

Lent can be a heavy season, but even in sorrow, light breaks through. This special 12:10 p.m. Wednesday Comfort & Healing Service, tied to the Feast of the Annunciation, invites us to bring our burdens before God in prayer, music, and anointing.

A Model Passover Seder with Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky

Thursday, March 26, 5:45 – 8:30 PM | Alfriend Hall

Join us at St. John’s for a two-and-a-half-hour, guided model Passover Seder led by Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky—a participatory, prayerful, and gently paced ceremonial meal that invites all ages to learn, listen, and linger with traditions familiar to Jesus and his disciples (cost: $20 adults, $10 children). REGISTER ONLINE.

The post “And so we say it again:” A Lenten Guide 2026 appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Join us at St. John’s for a special and meaningful evening as Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky of Temple Israel leads us through a model Passover Seder—a ceremonial meal designed to teach and invite participation, even though Passover itself has not yet begun.

This is not a typical dinner, but a carefully structured and prayerful meal with timed and symbolic moments that unfold at a gentle, intentional pace. The evening lasts approximately two and a half hours and moves step-by-step through the Seder ceremony, the shared meal, and a concluding blessing. Along the way, Rabbi Paul will explain each part of the Seder as we experience it together, with time for questions and conversation.

This interactive evening offers a unique opportunity to learn the story of the Israelites and to explore traditions that would have been familiar to Jesus and his disciples. The meal will be simple, the experience will be participatory, and all ages are welcome (wine will be served).

Come ready to listen, learn, and linger—this is a sacred meal meant to be experienced, not rushed.

Cost: $20/adults, $10/children

EVENT IS FULL

The post Model Passover Seder with Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) lapsed on November 1. Millions of Americans—including children—are now facing immediate food insecurity. In Florida alone, nearly 3 million people rely on SNAP each month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Although federal judges have ordered the Administration to use existing contingency funds to maintain benefits, it’s still uncertain how quickly—or if—November payments will be distributed in full.

Given the deep commitment of our church community to supporting those in need, here are some immediate ways you can help our neighbors in the Big Bend area.

Donate to St. John’s November Food Drive

Your donations will make a direct and immediate impact to those served by St. John’s. Requested donations:

• Non-perishable food items
• $25 Publix or Wal-Mart gift cards

Drop-off Location: St. John’s front office throughout November.

Every contribution matters—thank you for making a difference!

•  Donate to Deacon Joe’s Fund for the Poor and Needy

Use the link below to donate money that goes directly to those who have requested assistance.

Contribute to Second Harvest of Big Bend

Second Harvest of Big Bend helps our community by providing much needed food supplies to those in need. They provide healthy food for neighbors facing hunger and food insecurity throughout our 16-county Big Bend service area. Your monetary donations help keep many in our area from going hungry.

Urge Congress to Support the “Keep SNAP Funded Act”

The “Keep SNAP Funded Act” is bipartisan legislation that would ensure SNAP is fully funded any time there is a shutdown in fiscal year 2026, including the current shutdown. It also allows for benefits to be distributed to SNAP recipients retroactively.

Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support and vote for passage of the Keep SNAP Funded Act.

Contact all your members of Congress easily through Bread for The World using the link below.

The post St. John’s Advocacy Update: SNAP Benefits & Food Insecurity appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Over the course of eight sessions (starting late September 2025 and concluding in November 2025), participants will explore themes that touch the heart of caregiving. Sessions will gently open space to name our caregiving journeys, reflect on the griefs and joys that accompany change, and consider how family patterns shape our present experiences. Together, we will also discuss the importance of healthy boundaries, the dignity of our loved ones as they age, and practices of prayer and presence when words are hard to find. Each meeting will be framed by prayer, scripture, or a devotional reflection, along with time for conversation and mutual support.

The group is not about providing solutions or case management, but rather creating a safe and spiritually nurturing community. Through shared prayer, compassionate listening, and reflection on God’s presence in the caregiving journey, participants will be reminded that they are not alone—and that their work of love is holy.

If you would like to learn more or are interested in joining, please email Melanie Salsgiver by September 19 to register your interest.

The post A Small Group for People with Aging Parents appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

We wanted to give everyone a quick refresher on how to get logged on to Realm, as well as introduce a new function: Entering your Skills and Interests. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Dodd.

You can log on to Realm by clicking here.

Skills & Interests: Why This Is Important

We believe that everyone is unique. We all have time and talents that we wish to share with everyone. St. John’s would love to know where your passion lies and what you feel called to do. Through Realm’s Skills & Interests function, St. John’s can help you identify those areas where you would like to serve most. There is a place for everyone and adding your skills and interests to your profile will not only help St. John’s serving teams find YOU, but YOU find St. John’s serving teams! For example, do you love the way the altar looks on a Sunday morning? Do you have a gift or a “Skill” for organization and cleaning? Perhaps the Altar Guild Ministry is the “Interest” for you.

At St. John’s, we believe everyone should have a ministry, but don’t let that intimidate you. At its core, “ministry” is simply anything we do to extend God’s love beyond ourselves. Ministry can be behind-the-scenes or out-front. It can happen one-on-one or in a crowd. It can take place at church, in the community, or even in your own home. There are infinite ways to serve God. What’s yours?

You can log onto Realm by clicking here. Follow the instructions below to enter your Skills & Interests.

The post Realm Refresher – Are you logged on? appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Jesus says to us, “Serve one another as I have served you.” As a part of our faith, we are called to serve with the talents that God has given us. Each summer, St. John’s Youth Ministry provides opportunities for middle and high schoolers to learn about service, guided by adults who have vowed to love and support them along their faith journey.

Consider joining St. John’s this summer for one of our youth service opportunities. We hope participating youth will then take what they have learned and apply it to their everyday lives: serving others in their schools, at church, and even in their own homes.

Every summer since 2014, St. John’s has offered a way for youth to come together and serve in our community. Youth B.E.A.T, which stands for Youth Being Extraordinary Around Tallahassee, has sent young people to a variety of partnering organizations over the years, ranging from homeless shelters and food banks to nursing homes and schools. This summer, we will be offering Youth B.E.A.T. service opportunities. Follow the link for more detailed descriptions. More opportunities are on the way!

ST. JOHN’S VBS

WEEK OF JUNE 24-28
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

St. John’s Vacation Bible School is headed to Camp Firelight… and we need volunteers! This year, VBS will be held in the evening, for rising PK4 through rising 5th graders, and will feature discovery, arts & crafts, stories, and mission projects. However, this week is not possible without adult volunteers and our amazing youth helpers. Share your contact information on our volunteer form (link below), and we’ll put you to work helping our adult volunteers shepherd groups of children around campus or assisting with activities during VBS week.

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12
Time: 5 to 8 PM
Service Hours: 15 hours

SECOND HARVEST

TUESDAY, JULY 2 & TUESDAY, JULY 9
SERVING AT SECOND HARVEST
Join us to help Second Harvest pack produce that will be distributed to the many food insecure families in our area. Second Harvest is doing all they can to help families have regular, healthy meals. Let’s help them out!

We’ll meet at St. John’s at 11:30 AM for lunch, then head to Second Harvest to start serving at 1 PM. When our shift is finished, we’ll head back to St. John’s for snacks and chance to talk about our afternoon. Youth can be picked up at 4 PM from St. John’s. Transportation from St. John’s to Second Harvest will be provided. If you would like to help volunteer to transport youth, please tick yes in the additional questions below.

NOTE: Second Harvest will need everyone attending (adults & children) to sign up beforehand for whichever date they will be attending via the link found in your confirmation email. Once you click the link, you will be directed to create an account (or sign into an existing account) and then you will be able to view the calendar and sign up for the shift (Tuesday, July 2, 1-3 PM AND/OR Tuesday, July 9, 1-3 PM) and see more details. Your accounts will also include Second Harvest’s online waivers. Everyone volunteering must have an account and sign up ahead of time. Closed-toed shoes are required and comfortable clothing is encouraged.

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12 (youth must be at least 13 years old)
Time: 11:30 AM to 4 PM
Service Hours: 3 hours

KEARNEY CENTER

THURSDAY, JULY 25
SERVING AT THE KEARNEY CENTER
Join us for an evening of serving meals to our neighbors at Tallahassee’s homeless shelter. St. John’s assists with dinner service twice a month at The Kearney Center, where those experiencing homelessness can come for daily meals, shelter, and comprehensive emergency services. Our team will relieve the parishioners who typically volunteer on the 4th Thursday. We’ll serve meals, fill beverage cups, distribute cutlery, bus tables, and get to know the guests. Drop-off will take place at The Kearney Center, where we will meet as a group before heading in to serve. Pick-up at the same spot.

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12 (youth must be at least 13 years old)
Time: 5 to 7:30 PM
Service Hours: 2.5 hours

GRACE MISSION

TUESDAY, JULY 30
SERVING AT GRACE MISSION

Join us to help Grace Mission with some cleaning, organizing, and gardening. Grace Mission is doing all they can to help feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and heal the sick. Let’s help them out!

We’ll meet at St. John’s at 11:30 AM for lunch, then head to Grace Mission to start serving at 1 PM. When our shift is finished, we’ll head back to St. John’s for snacks and chance to talk about our afternoon. Youth can be picked up at 4 PM from St. John’s. Transportation from St. John’s to Grace Mission will be provided. If you would like to help volunteer to transport youth, please tick yes in the additional questions below.

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12 (youth must be at least 13 years old)
Time: 11:30 AM to 4 PM
Service Hours: 3 hours

ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY

MONDAY, AUGUST 5
HELP TIDY THE ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY

Volunteer with the Diggers for our final BEAT activity of the summer. This is an opportunity to experience how some amazing Tallahassee history connects to our lives today and help preserve this story as the future unfolds. Wear closed toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a water bottle and a snack, too!

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12 (youth must be at least 13 years old)
Time: 8:30 TO 11:30 AM
Service Hours: 3 hours

The post 2024 Summer Youth Service Opportunities appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

November 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the installation of the Living Waters for the World water treatment system at St. John’s companion church, San Pedro Apóstol in Zorrilla, Cuba. Parishioner Tyler Macmillan will lead a team to Zorrilla from November 7 to 14 to celebrate that anniversary. This will be the first St. John’s team to benefit from the reconfiguration of Zorrilla’s water treatment system, a project that has taken several months to complete.

The original steel platform that held the two elevated 1,500-litre tanks for the system has been suffering from serious rust and degradation. During a visit in early 2023, St. John’s parishioners committed funds to upgrade the system. Our awesome partners in Cuba set about making improvements by building a concrete platform that is much more sturdy and durable.

Our companion parish also built and plumbed a beautiful new bottle-filling station located outside the church’s outdoor meeting space. 

Many thanks to all who contributed to this project, prayed for this project and otherwise supported it. And kudos to the talented individuals from our companion parish who worked on the project. Our team cannot wait to see it in person!

In addition to Tyler, the St. John’s Cuba mission team includes Marissa Hall, Heather Jordan, Brad and Kate Kile, Mother Leslie Roraback, and Francine Walker. Marissa Hall recently attended Clean Water University in Johnsonburg, New Jersey, so she will lead the mission team in providing “refresher” training sessions and children’s activities for our companion parishioners during the November trip.

St. John’s will also bring some much-needed humanitarian aid for our Zorrilla family, including over-the-counter medications and food items. Click the button below to see the list of requested items. Contributions can be dropped off at St. John’s by November 1.

As an alternative to sending in medications, you can make a monetary contribution to help our team purchase food items. Please contribute through Realm (selecting “Cuba Mission” from the drop-down menu). 

The post Bringing “Living Waters” Improvements to Life! appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

The Year of the Bible is happening! How does that fit in with The Saint John’s Bible?

Whether it’s something you read in the eChimes, something you heard in a sermon, or just the excited chatter of your friends, it has been hard to miss the fact that The Saint John’s Bible is coming to our parish for an entire year, a year we’re calling the “Year of the Bible at St. John’s.”

It’s all very exciting! Both activities are part of our parish’s commitment to embracing the lessons of the Bible and living them out in community with each other and with our neighbors all across town. 

Here’s a quick breakdown to satisfy your curiosity…

THE SAINT JOHN’S BIBLE

The Saint John’s Bible is the first Bible to have been hand-written and hand-illuminated in 500 years. The fact that it is called “The Saint John’s Bible” is just a happy (or some may say serendipitous) coincidence. The name actually comes from Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn., the institution that commissioned the work. We will be hosting the Gospels and Acts volume of The Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition at our St. John’s until fall 2024.  

The Saint John’s Bible is a unique work of art, combining ancient monastic traditions with the technology and vision of today.

On our campus, we will use it in worship, study, small groups, special events, and workshops. Several of these events are already on the calendar, including a special “Breakfast with the Bible” (Sept. 16), our next SALT Luncheon (Sept. 22), and a Painting Workshop sponsored by The Front Porch (Oct. 7). Come hear all about the Bible and see it up close and personal.

We are also planning to take The Saint John’s Bible to hospitals, education groups, our area prisons, and more. There will soon be an online form where anyone in the community can request time with the Bible.

THE YEAR OF THE BIBLE

In contrast, the Year of the Bible at St. John’s is about all Bibles (not just The Saint John’s Bible mentioned above).  The Year of the Bible will be our parish theme for the next nine months of faith formation – nearly a year-long engagement with the Bible, and an exploration of God’s love story to all humanity.

Our deep dive into the Bible is for people of all ages, backgrounds, and time commitments. We kicked things off with Miqra, our 72-hour Bible reading marathon. And now, together, we will encounter afresh the ancient writings that provide the road map to a loving, life-giving, and liberating relationship with God.

So, plan to come to worship and join us for Sunday School classes. Offerings for ALL AGES begin on Sunday, September 10. There are weekly readings that you can dive into in advance of each Sunday’s sermon and our Sunday School discussion. If reading the entire Bible sounds daunting, you can get a companion guide to be a part of your studies. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions.

Every Christian—whether liberal or conservative, free-thinking or fundamentalist—has a right to holy scripture, and it is only together that we come to know it best. So, join us for this special and unique year. It is an exciting prospect to consider our whole church family reading the Bible in community – the stories we have read many times before or the complicated parts we’ve never really understood!

Special thanks to St. John’s parishioner Paula Kiger, for helping put this article together.

The post Begin a Bible Journey With Us! appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Jesus says to us, “Serve one another as I have served you.” As a part of our faith, we are called to serve with the talents that God has given us. Each summer, St. John’s Youth Ministry provides opportunities for middle and high schoolers to learn about service, guided by adults who have vowed to love and support them along their faith journey.

Consider joining St. John’s this summer for one of several youth service opportunities. We hope participating youth will then take what they have learned and apply it to their everyday lives: serving others in their schools, at church, and even in their own homes.

SINGLE-DAY PROJECTS

Every summer since 2014, St. John’s has offered a way for youth to come together and serve in our community. Youth B.E.A.T, which stands for Youth Being Extraordinary Around Tallahassee, has sent young people to a variety of partnering organizations over the years, ranging from homeless shelters and food banks to nursing homes and schools. This summer, we will be offering two single-day Youth B.E.A.T. service opportunities. Follow the links for more detailed descriptions.

ST. JOHN’S VBS

WEEK OF JUNE 26-30
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

After a three-year hiatus, St. John’s Vacation Bible School is back … and we need volunteers! This year, VBS will be held in the evening, for rising PK4 through rising 5th graders, and will feature music, arts & crafts, stories, and mission projects. However, this week is not possible without adult volunteers and our amazing youth helpers. Share your contact information on our volunteer form (link below), and we’ll put you to work helping our adult volunteers shepherd groups of children around campus or assisting with activities during VBS week.

Volunteer Age: Rising grades 6-12
Time: 5 to 8 PM
Service Hours: 15 hours

CHOIR CAMP

WEEK OF JUNE 19-23
SUMMER CHOIR CAMP

This is the 8th consecutive summer that this camp has been offered at St. John’s. Even in the midst of the pandemic, St. John’s Music Ministry was able to offer an enriching way for elementary and middle schoolers to receive vocal coaching and learn about ensemble singing, music theory, and composition. We save lots of time for fun too! Camp is enhanced by the involvement of adult volunteers and youth helpers, especially those who love music! These volunteers help with shepherding groups of children around campus and assisting with activities/games. Click the button below to email Marissa Hall, St. John’s Assistant Director of Music, if you are interested and available to volunteer during the week of Choir Camp.

Age: Rising grades 9-12
Time: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Service Hours: 30 hours

The post Youth Service Opportunities appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Alfriend Hall is more beautiful than ever! Almost three years ago a Donor Recognition Committee was established and challenged with finding a tangible way to express appreciation for the many people who contributed to the restoration, renovation and preservation of St. John’s through the “For All the Saints Capital Campaign.” After considering several possibilities, we were led and captivated by the work of Ron Yrabedra, a highly regarded and greatly appreciated local artist.

Several delightful conversations with Ron, and realizing his obvious in-depth historical knowledge of the Bible, he began to share his vision of this project as a triptych, “From Eden to Gethsemane.” This piece of artwork is now hanging in Alfriend Hall for you to see and appreciate.

Each panel is filled with symbolism you will enjoy discovering (The Fig tree, the Burning bush, the Olive tree, Doves, the Palm tree, Lilies of the Field, Wheat, the Grapevine, etc.) It is a magnificent masterpiece for St. John’s to cherish forever.

Graham Lounge has also been beautifully renovated and redecorated, and it’s west wall has another painting by Ron Yrabedra. The painting “ I am the Vine,” was inspired by our long-range plan “Visioning the Vineyard” and represents the St. John’s Foundation.

Both of the paintings have been generously donated by Dr. Raymond Bye and his wife, Kathy Bye in thanksgiving for St. John’s.

Until you can enjoy these works of art in person, we hope you will take a moment to learn more about the artist, Ron Yrabedra and what leads him to create artwork like our new piece in Alfriend Hall.

The post From Eden to Gethsemane appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

So glad you are joining us for worship! We invite you to download our bulletin below and follow along with today’s order of service. Our weekly Chimes inserts are available for download by Sunday from our ONLINE WORSHIP page.

You can also support the mission and ministries of St. John’s Episcopal Church by participating in TODAY’S OFFERTORY.

The post Order of Service appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.

Robert Berry Augustus Alston
1855 – 1856 10 mos. unk
Section C – Lot 51

Inscription on Stone
As the sweet flow’r
that scents the moon
but withers in the rising day;
Time lovely was this infant’s dawn,
Thus swiftly fled its life away.

Sacred to the Memory of
Robert Berry Augustus Alston
Born 19 November 1855
Died 19 September 1856
AE 10 months

Quote is from Hymns and Canticles of the
Protestant Church with Music Consolation
p. 230

Photo: Phil Ashler

CHILDREN BURIED IN HISTORIC ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY

(use landscape orientation for best viewing)

The post Sample Cemetery Info Page appeared first on St. John's Episcopal Church.