ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST ANGLICAN CHURCH Diocese of Algoma PARISH PROFILE. 228 Pearl Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1E4

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1 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST ANGLICAN CHURCH Diocese of Algoma PARISH PROFILE Pearl Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1E4

2 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST ANGLICAN CHURCH PARISH PROFILE 2014 MISSION STATEMENT "The mission of St. John the Evangelist Church is to enable members to share their faith by reaching out to others as a caring community, reflecting God's love for all creation, revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord." OUR CHURCH HOME St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1872, is the oldest operating church in Thunder Bay. It is the mother church to several parishes in the Thunder Bay Deanery. The present building, constructed in a Revival Gothic style, in 1884 (following a fire) has been a feature of Doors Open Thunder Bay. St. John s is the designated regimental church of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment and as such the colours are prominently displayed in the chancel. Over the years, modifications have been made to the church to accommodate the changing needs of the congregation. Additions have been added such as a hall and kitchen to accommodate social and fund raising activities, Sunday School and nursery needs as well as an enlarged Sacristy and some office space. Most recently a new roof and solar panels, linked in with the Ontario Power Authority Feed-In Tariff( F.I.T.) program were installed. Adjoining the church building are gardens. The parish garden volunteers are busy from spring until fall taking care of the flowers, shrubs and trees. In the fall of 2003 St. John s was honoured to receive the City Beautification Award in the Institutional/Public Grounds category. The gardens continue to be an oasis of beauty and peace. We have recently sold the church rectory and thus a housing allowance will be provided to the new incumbent. 2

3 WORSHIP Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, said service using the Book of Common Prayer (attendance of approximately 15 to 20 each week). 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist using the Book of Alternative Services. St. John s uses the Common Praise Anglican hymnal supplemented with occasional pieces from other sources. Introits and anthems are a regular part of the service (attendance of approximately 40 to 50 each week). The Midweek Holy Eucharistic is a said service using the BAS and is held from September to June. After the service there is coffee and conversation in the church kitchen (attendance of approximately 5 to7 each week). SUNDAY SCHOOL CHOIR and MUSIC St. John s has a dedicated choir of approximately nine volunteer choristers augmented by three university students throughout the school year from the Lakehead University music program who receive an education subsidy from St. John s. The Lisa Richardson Memorial Music Fund is used to enhance St. John s music program. This program is led by an organist/choir director, who is a part-time employee. There are two instruments in the church; a 1934 Woodstock pipe organ of 13 ranks and 848 pipes that was refurbished in 1993 and a Risch upright piano. There is a Mason piano in the church hall. All instruments are maintained on an annual basis. Sound systems are located in the church and in Langworthy Hall. Sunday School is attended by a small number of children during the 10:30 am Sunday Service throughout the school year. At St. John s we strive to include children and youth in family worship, to provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for learning, and hospitality in family fellowship. Children sit with their parents/grandparents, or other children at the beginning of the service. Partway through the service, the children go to Langworthy Hall for their lesson led by volunteer teachers who use the Spark multi age lectionary curriculum. Children return to join the service during the offertory hymn and sit with their parents/grandparents. There is also an area set aside in the church so that children can play or read during the service. 3

4 MINISTRIES AND ACTIVITIES Our parishioners are active in many ministries at St. John s Church as well as outreach in the larger community. (1) Liturgical Ministries: Servers Chancel guild Lay reader Choir Eucharistic assistants Lesson readers Intercessors Offering of gifts (2) Welcome Ministries: Greeters Hosts Coffee fellowship volunteers (The greeters and hosts assigned each Sunday assure that new people are welcomed to our church home.) (3) St. John s Food Cupboard St. John s Food Cupboard is a parish ministry making a direct positive impact not only within the downtown North Core neighbourhood, but within the entire City of Thunder Bay. The weekly Food Cupboard provides approximately two days worth of food to individuals and families. The Food Cupboard is open every Sunday except the first Sunday of the month and on an average Sunday we distribute food to 100 to 115 people. (4) Events and Fund Raisers: Spring and Fall Teas Nearly New sales (rummage sale) Bridge luncheons Pot luck meals Other events which promote fellowship and fund raising opportunities 4

5 OUTREACH MINISTRIES (5) Other Ministries: Screening in Faith Part-time office volunteers Volunteer cleaners and maintenance Congregational Development Team Anglican Church Women (ACW) Craft Group Reception Committee The Church Family Care Group visitation for the sick and shut-ins two prayer chains the prayer shawl ministry At St. John s we are grateful for the many parishioners involved with ministries both at St. John s and beyond such as: Missions to Seafarers Camp Gitchigomee Primate s World Relief and Development Fund Elevate Thunder Bay (AIDS and HepC) - Mother s Cupboard and the Secret Santa Program Christmas Cheer Thunder Bay Food Bank THE WIDER FAITH COMMUNITY St. John s parishioners are involved in a variety of activities within a wider faith community such as: Thunder Bay Deanery (Tarime project fund raiser, Shelter House BBQ) Anglican-Lutheran Women s Committee Dew Drop Inn (a safe, warm and welcoming place where hungry people can come to eat with no questions asked, operated by St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church) Immanuel Lutheran Church regularly donates to St. John s Food Cupboard Support to Northern Communities during evacuations to Thunder Bay Support to other faith communities when needed OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD The North Ward of Thunder Bay provides a significant population from which to draw potential parishioners. There are four Anglican churches in the North Ward and an equal number in the South Ward of Thunder Bay. Most of the North Ward falls within the radius of a 15 minute automobile ride. The opportunity presents incentive to continue moving forward in developing a quality worship service that meets the spiritual needs and cultural comprehension of a new generation. 5

6 St. John s is located in a downtown business core and is three blocks from an expanding Marina waterfront development which includes new condominiums. This area offers many opportunities for outreach. St. John s Vestry has expressed a commitment to embrace the value and integrity of all individuals. This understanding requires theological guidance and explanation as we grow and develop as a parish. CITY OF THUNDER BAY PROFILE The City of Thunder Bay is located on the north shore of Lake Superior, and offers a wealth of artistic opportunities, economic ventures, and natural resources. The city has a population of just under 110,000 people and it serves a greater population base of 145,000. There are also a significant number of people who reside temporarily in the city for school, medical needs, family or work, many of whom come from our neighbouring northern communities. Thunder Bay has an excellent education infrastructure with public and separate school boards offering French immersion as well as a French language board servicing Francophone children. Great postsecondary opportunities are available at Lakehead University (LU) and Confederation College as well as several private schools and colleges. The most recent new faculties at LU are medical and law schools. Thunder Bay has a strong arts tradition with performances at the Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and professional productions at Magnus Theatre. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is one of many in the city, along with a number of musical bands, artisan programs, several amateur theatre groups, choirs, music festivals, something to meet every interest from bagpipes to pottery! The city boasts many opportunities for sports and recreation within the city limits or short drives to the surrounding countryside. Children and adults can choose from activities such as soccer, hockey, curling, diving, golfing, sailing, kayaking, rock/ice climbing, alpine and cross country skiing, fishing and hiking or simply enjoying one of our many parks. Although geographically isolated with driving distances of about 700 km to both Sault Ste. Marie (home to the Diocesan Synod) to the east and Winnipeg to the west, Thunder Bay has an international airport being served by Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and several regional airlines. We are also serviced by Greyhound and there is a public transit system in the city. 6

7 For more information on Thunder Bay visit the following websites: City of Thunder Bay website: Statistics about Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Tourism: Thunder Bay s daily newspaper: Thunder Bay news: Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Thunder Bay Art Gallery Magnus Theatre Cambrian Players STRENGTHS STRENGTHS and CHALLENGES In a recent survey conducted by the concurrence committee St. John s mission work and its dedicated, hardworking members were identified as key strengths within the parish. Hardworking and dedicated people St. John s has a core of volunteers willing to work to grow the parish and to work in a positive and supportive manner even in difficult times. This dedicated group is able to work together to plan and carry out events at St. John s both fund raisers and mission work. Mission Work Reflective of our mission statement, St. John s has a strong missional ethic that is attractive to many outside the church. We have a strong focus on addressing the needs of the community of Thunder Bay, and a commitment to outreach; examples of which include the Craft Group work, the Change for Change project, and the St. John s Food Cupboard. The church building St. John s is a beautiful, downtown church with lovely gardens, near the waterfront. It is an appealing and comfortable structure with space to try new things. Worship in this building is enhanced by a wonderful music program. Leadership The parish of St. John s is fortunate to have strong, experienced leaders who know their talents. They are willing to contribute ideas, and to support the work and activities needed to follow through with plans. Welcoming Our members are quite intentional at welcoming and meeting visitors and newcomers to our services by inviting them out for breakfast or sitting them with at coffee hours. 7

8 CHALLENGES In the parish survey, participants were asked to consider the challenges currently faced by St. John s. As with many churches an aging congregation and concerns about adequately meeting a budget were identified as primary issues. Aging congregation Several difficulties arise with an aging population such as fewer members to lead or participate in fund raising and social activities; an increasing number of people needing home visits; and less revenue for the church. The challenge then is to attract younger people. Financial challenges This second challenge in many ways relates to the aging population. As there are fewer people attending church, fewer who are able to participate in fund raising as well as with the physical upkeep of the building, the budget becomes difficult to balance. The need for additions such as handicap access becomes harder to meet. The challenge is to be more visionary and open to change and to seek solutions which may, at present, be outside our comfort zone. Divisions within the congregation While having strong leadership among members is definitely an asset, it can become a challenge when too many seem to be in charge and there is not unanimity on the goal or outcome. We need to begin the process of healing so that we can effectively work together for a common purpose. The challenge is to develop diversified leadership and teamwork by increasing social events and fellowship and by finding ways to balance traditional and new approaches. A unified parish working in a harmonious atmosphere would benefit the first two challenges. QUALITIES THAT WE ARE SEEKING IN OUR NEW INCUMBENT Based on our questionnaire and discussions with parishioners we are looking for a rector who is well grounded in Anglican tradition, who has strong preaching skills, and is open to new and innovative approaches. We want someone who is interested in fostering spiritual development through a variety of avenues. The congregation is asking for a positive, caring person who has strong leadership skills and is willing to engage with the parishioners; a team builder who will empower the members of St. John s. They feel that an outgoing, enthusiastic person will draw in new people, help us to move forward with new ideas, and work at meeting our budgetary challenges. The parishioners are ready to grow together and work with the new incumbent to unite us as a parish. The parishioners of St. John s are looking for a rector who is friendly and engaging, and enjoys interacting with a variety of ages. They believe that such a person will bring out the strengths within the parish. 8

9 THE ROLE OF THE RECTOR AT ST. JOHN S St. John s is a medium sized parish with multiple, diverse needs. Our parish is in need of a rector with a committed attitude for providing pastoral care to our parishioners. We are a downtown parish involved in social justice work, such as the Food Cupboard, but aware that we could be doing more. As with most churches, we have ongoing financial challenges so administrative leadership is required. St. John s has many talented, dedicated volunteers who have varied skill sets. Our volunteers are capable of great things, but we need a strong leader to help us develop a vision and work toward common goals. ALGOMA PARISH ASSESSMENT The Diocese of Algoma has developed a process for parish assessments throughout the diocese. These discussions and studies have been conducted by committee leaders from the parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. However, at the time of writing this parish profile, the final analysis of St. John s assessment has not been released. FINANCIAL INFORMATION St. John's is, and always has been a self-supporting parish with at least one full-time priest, except for our current half-time interim. Currently, we have 113 households on the parish list and 100 identifiable givers. Because we are an older parish, offerings had been declining due to our shrinking congregation, but of late, our congregation has, under our interim, benefitted from a resurgence in the number of parishioners. Over the last few years, we have been forced to dip into our reserves to maintain our parish; we now appear to be heading for a balanced budget. We have recently replaced the roof on the church, and through the income provided by the addition of solar panels we were able to cover the payments on our loan at no cost to the parishioners. Although the full parish financials from our last vestry meeting are available on request, below is a quick snapshot of those financials. 9

10 As of Dec. 31, 2013 Amount Totals Income Parochial $121,000 Fundraising $20,000 Directed Income 1 $36,000 In kind $2,000 Miscellaneous $1,000 $180,000 Expenses Salaries & Related $71,000 General Expenses $18,000 Property Expenses $47,000 Apportionment $35,000 Loan $10,000 Mission $9,000 $190,000 1 Directed Income has been given to the church for a specific purpose e.g. PWRDF, music fund, prayer shawls, food cupboard, Christmas Cheer, capital projects. 10

11 Submitted by St. John s Concurrence committee: Rita Ash Margaret Boone Jim Green Brenda O Neill (Chair) Gail Pell Erminie Reid Mary Ripley 11