Fellowship, friendships and good old-fashioned fun is what makes this commission so successful in bringing people closer to each and with God. We have a place everyone in our church community. Don’t hesitate to join in!
Chair: Karen Good, 410.465.1382 or kgood@comcast.net
Fellowship Through Food
Church Ladies is a women’s fellowship group that meet 3-4 times a year for dinner at a local restaurant. This is a large group of women of all ages who enjoy each others’ company.
The Friars is the men’s equivalent of Church Ladies. This group of men meet out for dinner 5-6 times a year. There is no agenda for these meetings—just clean, wholesome fellowship. Anyone is welcome to join at any time.
Church Ladies: Lisa Ragland, 410.715.9086, or lisaragland@verizon.net
Friars: Stuart Ragland, 410.715.9086, or sragland@dvv.com
Dinners for Eight offers groups of eight to ten parishioners an opportunity to gather together monthly or as they see fit. Singles and couples alike are welcome to join at any time throughout the year. Groupings are done in the fall and again in early spring. This is typically an adult-only group, however, some groups have been known to go outside the box and bring entire families together around the table.
Becky Daugherty, patnbeck@comcast.net
The Progressive Dinner is an annual event in January when 150+ adult parishioners come together for one spectacular evening. We begin with four or five cocktail parties with groups of 25-30 attending for an hour. After mingling at the cocktail hour, parishioners move on to smaller dinner groups of eight to ten at a different home. At the conclusion of the dinners, all groups come to the Auditorium for magnificent desserts, coffee, and fellowship. It is a magical evening where folks re-connect or develop new and lasting friendships. Sign up for this event occurs during in December and January.
Biz Merkey (410.750.9231 or bizmerk@comcast.net)
Karen Good (410.465.1382 or kgood@comcast.net)
Receptions Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who arrange receptions for special events at St. John’s. They coordinate all the logistics and food for confirmations, clergy forums, new member receptions, and other occasions. This group will receive members at all times throughout the year and is a great way to serve the community of St. John’s.
Beth Mackey, bethmackey@verizon.net
The Living Creche
For over 50 years, St. John’s has provided this joyous outdoor
nativity scene for the Howard County community. St. John’s families can sign up for one hour time slots from Christmas Eve through December 30. Each family that participates dresses in the holy family clothing and becomes a part of a scene that includes two live sheep. Families with children of all ages are encouraged to participate—it is a wonderful way to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Sign up occurs during the month of December.
Karen Good (410.465.1382 or kgood@comcast.net
Book Group
St. John’s Book Group is a women’s group that meets monthly to discuss popular and classical books in a casual environment. This group chooses all the readings and new participants can join at any time. It is a great way to come together
over a common interest—a good book!
Carol Moore, 410.309.4292
Quilters And Knitters
The Pieceful Quilters gather regularly to quilt their own pieces, quilts for young children in the hospital, large quilts to auction off to benefit our outreach mission or altar frontals that beautify our own home. This is a group of women of all ages and abilities. Parishioners may join at any time throughout the year. The Prayer Shawl Ministry, part of the Pastoral Care Commission, meets bimonthly to knit shawls for parishioners who are in need of a warm touch.
The Pieceful Quilters: Sue Van Voorhees, 410.715.0955, or svanv@earthlink.net
The Prayer Shawl Ministry: Judy Anderson, 410.461.7273, or Gudrun Huden, huden@comcast.net
Fellowship For 55+
The Prime Time Society is a community comprised of senior members of our church and First Lutheran Church across the street. The group meets regularly over lunch. It is time of reflection, devotions and discussions of interesting topics for seniors. The gatherings happen four to five times a year, and anyone over the age of 55 may join this group at anytime.
Sue Haynie, 410.465.3892
Fran Baldwin, 410.788.3150, fran21228@earthlink.net)
Episcopal Young Families
We cherish the fact that our many young families have a place to worship and have fun at the same time. This group focuses on families with children elementary-school-aged and younger. They sponsor and coordinate several events throughout the year. A Family Swim Night and a Yule Log Hunt in December are examples of the way this group comes together for each other and for St. John’s. Families are welcome into this group all year long.
Patty Wise, 410.461.6633, or patricia_wise@hotmail.com
