Social Justice
A part of who we are!
The St. John’s community honors the sacredness of the Earth and God’s gift of all life upon it. A core value of our parish is to “walk the talk,” following Christ’s command to love and serve others locally, nationally and globally. Outreach is in our DNA and congregants are proud to be part of St. John’s continuing commitment to work beyond our walls. Parishioners met in January of 2023 to collectively identify and strengthen major Social Action Ministries (SAM) primarily focusing on Food Insecurity, Caring Neighbors, Community, Equity and Inclusion, Gun Violence Prevention, and Climate Care.
Ministry for our unhoused siblings
We welcome without question our unhoused neighbors. Our monthly soup kitchen provides made-from-scratch, nutritious meals as well as bag lunches, and is in partnership with St. Benedict Health & Healing to provide personal hygiene items, haircuts, and health checks during our guests’ monthly soup kitchen visit. An on-campus afternoon Grab-and- Go meal, in cooperation with Boulder-sponsored Community Table, includes coveted home-baked cookies. Volunteers serve at the church’s household & personal care products pantry, giving in-need families the chance to stretch their limited grocery dollars a little further. Teams of parishioners partner with both local and regional organizations to help provide basic needs of food and clothing to immigrants and those in poverty or crisis.
Racial justice ministry
Racial justice issues call numerous members of our congregation who devote time and money to support local NAACP efforts and social justice for refugees, immigrants and Indigenous peoples. Fundraising, of course, is also part of St. John’s outreach. Following the devastating Marshall fire in which several parishioners lost their homes and many more were affected by the tragedy, the congregation generously gave financial donations as well as personal support. Fundraising within the church has also provided wider assistance to organizations such as Locally Haiti and Episcopal Relief and Development.
Ministries
St. John’s is passionate about social justice! We hav a variety of justice oriented ministries you can be a part of.
Food Insecurity
Soup Kitchen
Whittier Neighborhood Pantry
Caring Neighbors
Knitting Group & Prayer Shawl Ministry
Climate Care
Climate Change Social Action Network
Community
Locally Haiti
Equity & Inclusion
Inclusive Communities Social Action Network
Reporductive Justice
Gun Violence Prevention
Gun Violence Prevention Social Action Network
ILLINI 4000
The Illini 4000 cyclists spent several days at St. John’s in the midst of their cross-country ride in support of cancer research. The group was formed in 2007 by students at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne and annually undertakes the challenges of a demanding road trek. Following time to let muscles relax, tour Boulder and enjoy meals prepared by St. John’s parishioners, they departed for Idaho Springs — their next stop en route to San Francisco.
Letter Writing Campaign
Saint John’s held a very successful Letter Writing Event on Sunday, April 23 after both services. We had over 240 letters and post cards written by adult parishioners and well over 50 cards and drawings by our children addressed to Senator Michael Bennet. This effort is part a national program supported by the Diocese of Colorado and the international non-profit Bread for the World urging the U.S. congress to pass a new Farm Bill in 2023 that expands the access to and coverage for nutritious food benefits to millions of Americans.
If you were not able to join us last Sunday, you may still write to Senator Bennet to make your case for this initiative. Below is his e-mail contact and a fact sheet of why St. John’s is engaging in this project.
Greetings, beloved friends.
Last month, members of our parish – adults, youth and children alike – gathered to prepare an Offering of Letters in support of the Farm Bill pending before Congress. More than 300 letters and colored sketches were collected and soon will be delivered to Senator Bennett’s Denver office.
With the masterful help of our A/V technician, Josh Monen, we were able to capture the event on film. You can view it below or on our YouTube channel. In addition to Josh, I want to thank those who contributed to this production: +Bishop Dan Edwards; Pastor Julia+; Wayne Grider; Lu Walters; and Jordan Teague Jacobs, an executive with Bread for the World. We also were blessed with an anonymous gift that underwrote the cost of filming and editing.
The video will be included in the materials forwarded to Sen. Bennett with the encouragement that it be shared with other members of Congress and their staffs. It also will be sent to the Bishop Kym’s office for distribution throughout the diocese and national church.
Again, deepest appreciation to all who contributed to this vitally important initiative. We’ll keep you updated on how you can continue to advocate on behalf of the Farm Bill and its reforms.
Peace,
Fr. Marc+