St. John’s Market has been a cherished tradition since the late 1800s, bringing joy, fellowship, and generosity to our parish and the wider community. As we look toward 2025 and beyond, we’re taking a thoughtful pause to reimagine what Market can be—not because anything is wrong, but because we want this beloved event to thrive for generations to come. Below are answers to common questions about this year’s plans and the discernment ahead. Click here to watch Fr. Lonnie’s May 25 sermon where he preaches about St. John’s Market 2025 and beyond.
Q: What’s changing with Market this year?
For 2025, we’re taking a one-year pause from the traditional, full-scale Market. Instead, we’ll host a one-night-only event that combines the most joyful and meaningful parts of Market and the Preview Party in a simpler, more sustainable format.
Q: Why the pause?
The classic Market—especially the garage-sale-style elements like books, attic goods, and furnishings—has become increasingly complex and time-intensive over the last few decades. Organizing it requires months of year-round effort and a heavy volunteer lift, which has become harder to sustain.
Q: Is Market going away for good?
Not at all. This is simply a pause for 2025. There’s no decision yet about how Market will look in 2026 or beyond. As a parish, we will use this time in 2025 to reflect, regroup, and imagine what Market can look like in the future.
Q: What will the 2025 event look like?
We’re envisioning something like “Market Under the Stars” (name still TBD):
- One festive evening in both Alfriend and Eve’s Garden
- String lights, music, and great food
- Holiday shopping, silent auction, and perhaps even some live auction!
- Featuring:
- Artisan goods and jewelry
- Florals and plants
- Jams, jellies, pies, and cakes
- Honor cards, allowing guests to make donations to outreach ministries in honor of a loved one
- Fellowship, conversation, and fun
Q: What won’t be included this year?
This year’s event will not include the garage-sale-style items: no books, dishes, trinkets, or furnishings. These are the pieces that require the most volunteer hours and space year-round.
Q: Will you still need volunteers?
Absolutely. Volunteer support will still be essential. More details on how to get involved will be shared in the coming months.
Q: Are you still taking donations?
For 2025, we are not receiving material goods like dishes, furnishings, or books.
Q: Will the 2025 event be open to the public?
Yes! It will be a ticketed event at an accessible price, open to all. We’ll spread the word through local media and social platforms. Unlike past preview parties, items will be sold at their regular prices—not marked up.
Q: Why not just ask for more volunteers?
This isn’t a simple logistics issue; it’s an adaptive challenge. Volunteer availability and energy have shifted over the years, and so have people’s patterns of giving, serving, and buying. This moment calls for listening, creativity, and care, not just a new signup sheet.
Q: Who made this decision?
Since there’s no formal Market committee, the Vestry made the decision based on a recommendation from a subcommittee they appointed after reviewing the current challenges. As part of our plans for 2026 and beyond, we plan to form a dedicated steering team—closer to the ground—to help carry Market forward and guide future adaptive decisions.
Q: How will the parish be involved in discerning Market’s future?
We’ll share more in the fall about how the discernment process will unfold. This will be a parish-wide conversation, with opportunities to listen, share, and shape the future of Market together.
Q: How can I share my thoughts or ideas?
We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Senior Warden Leslie Redding if you have questions, insights, or inspiration.
Q: What’s the bigger picture?
We want Market to thrive, not just this year, but for generations to come. This lighter-lift version in 2025 gives us space to rest, reflect, and reimagine for the long-term future. The process is just beginning, and it will be a parish-wide conversation.
