Outreach

St. John’s is called to embody the love of Christ. We believe our mission is to serve those in need in our neighborhood, in the city of Atlanta, and in the world. Working for social justice plays a significant role in our ministry of discipleship, and the congregation provides a wide variety of opportunities for members to be involved.

Habitat for Humanity

In partnership with the DeKalb Thrivent chapter, St. John’s provided much of the labor to build a Habitat house in Conley, GA. Members of the congregation devoted many Saturdays from February to August in commitment to this project to provide a home to a wonderful family which immigrated to the US from Iran. The house was dedicated August 19, 2007. St. John’s expects to be working on another house in 2008.

Habitat for Humanity House Dedication, August 2007

Atlanta Hunger Walk

St. John’s participates in the annual Hunger Walk cosponsored by the Atlanta Food Bank. In 2008, St. John's raised over $10,000 to fight hunger in the Atlanta region.

Over sixty St. John's members marched in the 2007 Hunger Walk

St. John's raised over $10,000 for the 2008 Hunger Walk.

Six Star Refugee Partnership

Six Star Refugee Partnership is an ecumenical ministry whose mission is to mentor and assist refugee families during their transition to self-reliance, and to advocate on behalf of the refugee community. St. John’s supports Six Star by providing board members, volunteer workers and tutors, by collecting donations for sponsored families, and providing financial support to the program. Families are provided with housing for a period up to two years, and directly assisted with English tutoring, enrolling children in school, obtaining medical care, transportation, obtaining employment, and adjusting to the community. Families come to Six Star through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) (www.six-star-refugee.org).

Lutherans Concerned/North America

St. John’s is a member of the Reconciling in Christ program of Lutherans Concerned/North America, a roster of congregations in the Lutheran Church that invites gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons to participate fully in the life of the church. The Southeast synod chapter of RIC meets regularly at St. John’s.

Angel Tree

Every December, St. John’s hosts other area Lutheran congregations in wrapping special presents, then gathering for the annual Christmas party for families. Angel Tree® is designed to reach the innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten…children of prisoners. Angel Tree® touches those children with the love of Christ at Christmas by providing them with special Christmas gifts. Members of local churches volunteer to sponsor these children by purchasing gifts based on information gathered by PF volunteers and prison chaplains. The prisoner writes a card to be presented along with the gift, assuring the children that Mommy or Daddy misses and loves them. The true gift of Angel Tree® is the strengthening of the family bond while the family is apart.

Urban Immersion Camp

St. John’s Lutheran Church partners with Lutheridge and Lutherock to provide one-week summer urban immersion experiences for youth in the Southeast. Groups complete service projects in Atlanta and then return to the church for Bible study, reflection, and fun. For more information on bringing your group to one of these camps, visit www.llmi.net.

Building Ministry

St. John’s sees our building as a tool for outreach to support groups that are doing important work for compassion, justice, and service to our community. Groups using St. John’s as their “home” include: Atlanta Bead Society, Augustine Fellowship, Druid Hills Civic Association, Fairness for Prisoner’s Families, Kairos Outside, Master's Place, Oakdale Circle Time School, Reconciling in Christ (SE Synod chapter), Stand Up For Kids, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Retreat Center

One wing of the historic Stonehenge Mansion has been converted into a dorm-style retreat center that is available for groups who plan to come to Atlanta for retreats, urban immersion experiences, and special conferences. The center can sleep up to 25 people in bunk beds. There are four showers available. Groups are able to use the kitchen and the rest of the church’s facilities as available during their stay. Cost for the retreat center is $15 per person per night. For more information on booking your group, please contact the church office.

Angel Tree party

Intown Community Assistance

Intown Community Assistance (ICA) is an ecumenical ministry, serving those with emergency needs on the Ponce de Leon corridor. Located behind Druid Hills Baptist Church, ICA is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00-1:00 p.m. Clients should plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m. The center offers clothing, food, and time with a social worker. St. John’s supports the center through its budget and by providing volunteers to work at the center and serve on the board of directors. Every Sunday, we invite members to bring food for a special collection that goes to help maintain ICA's food pantry. The congregation has also committed to being "The Peanut Butter Church," by supplying ICA's monthly needs of this staple.

Sandwich Sunday

On the fourth Sunday of every month, members of St. John’s stay after church to make 100 sack lunches for the clients of Intown Community Assistance.

Fair Trade Coffee

By purchasing coffee through Lutheran World Relief, we make “Fair Trade” coffee available to St. John’s members. Fair Trade assures consumers that the coffee we drink was purchased under fair conditions. To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria; paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26, providing much needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance, such as help transitioning to organic farming. Fair Trade for coffee farmers means community development, health, education, and environmental stewardship (www.lwr.org/fairtrade).

Bread for the World

St. John’s is a member congregation of Bread for the World (www.bread.org), an organization that seeks to end hunger by influencing public policy.

Micah Six Project

A Micah Six congregation with the National Council of Churches, committed to the principles of Micah 6:8 - What does the Lord require, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?

Monthly Giving Focus

Each month, St. John’s has a special offering focus. Special giving has included the ELCA World Hunger Fund, Six Star Refugee Partnership, Intown Community Assistance, Lutherans Concerned/North America, Youth Camp Scholarship Fund, Campus Ministry, Souper Bowl, Discretionary Fund, Katrina Relief, Stand with Africa, and Kairos Outside.

Blessing of the pets