About St. John’s

St. John’s is a mid-sized parish, blessed with many opportunities for ministry within the congregation, in our local community and globally.  In our attitudes and actions, we strive to grow closer to God and our community with faithful adherence to God’s two greatest commandments.  St. John’s offers a variety of outreach ministries as well as small group gatherings for spiritual enrichment and fellowship. St. John’s is a member of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, one of 110 dioceses in 16 nations that make up The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, an international church present in more than 165 countries.

ALL ARE WELCOME

YOU are welcome here, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex, national origin, marital status, family makeup, socioeconomic status, or political persuasion. St. John’s Episcopal Church is a community of people who gather to acknowledge our need for divine and human love, and to respect our common humanity. At St. John’s, ALL ARE WELCOME.

We invite you to learn more about St. John’s and The Episcopal Church by exploring our websites or visiting with us in worship, study, service or fellowship.

OUR MISSION

We live our mission of “linking lives in the love of Christ” through our ministries – loving God, loving our neighbors, and being good stewards of God’s blessings. In worship, study, fellowship and service, St. John’s offers and invites opportunities for meaningful connection with God and each other.

OUR VISION

We joyfully gather to pray, worship, learn and serve as we seek to follow Jesus, and invite all to join us on a sacred journey of hope and transformation.

Join us… as we seek to follow Jesus
Join us… on a sacred journey of hope and transformation
Join us… as we joyfully gather to pray, worship, learn and serve
Join us… in linking lives in the love of Christ

OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

There is a genuine warmth and welcoming spirit here at St. John’s. The people of St. John’s value diverse expressions of belief and the process of discerning God’s truth and call for our individual and collective lives. We care about our parish family members and our neighbors near and far. Lay members have a vital role in the governance and ministry of our church; all our members are ministers of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Visitors and long-time members alike have shared that St. John’s offers a balance of traditional and relaxed experiences. Connecting with others through Jesus shapes our lives, our relationships and our ministries.

OUR HISTORY

St. John’s parish was organized in 1870, three years after the first Episcopal services were held in Midland, MI. 2017 marks 150 years of The Episcopal Church in Midland and we are celebrating in the community throughout the year.  Our first church was an old barn, dragged across the ice of the Tittabawassee River, and set on a lot at the corner of Larkin and Cronkright Streets. By the middle of the 20th century, worshipers were crowded in the pews and all available basement space, including a remodeled coal bin, couldn’t accommodate the Sunday school children.

Our current church (designed by Alden B. Dow, son of the Dow Chemical Company’s founder) was built in 1951 with the first services conducted in August 1952. As we entered the 21st century, funds from a capital campaign, St. John’s endowment income and parish families allowed for extensive renovation of the chancel and the construction of our Griswold House Ministry Center. The generosity of our past St. John’s families provided for much of what we enjoy today in both worship and parish programming: acoustical and lighting improvements, air conditioning, choir/ music rooms, a youth lounge, conference rooms for Bible studies & meetings, as well as staff offices.

The Episcopal Church

About The Episcopal Church

BEING AN EPISCOPALIAN

We will always have questions, but in the two foundational statements of faith – the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion – we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.  The text of these creeds is available here.

Episcopal parishes and dioceses worldwide use the Five Marks of Mission as a practical guide for our mission work.  You may find the Five Marks outlined here.

We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion.  All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church’s website is a fantastic resource that shares what Episcopalians believe and their perspectives.  We encourage you to explore this site.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH HISTORY & LEADERSHIP

The Episcopal Church in the United States of America grew out of the Church of England in the colonies after the Ameri­can Revolution. Today, it is a part of the 80 million-member worldwide Anglican Communion whose spiritual leader is the Archbishop of Can­terbury, currently the Most Reverend Justin Welby.  While it remains autonomous of the Church of England, this affiliation unites the Episcopal Church with Anglican congregations in 160 countries worldwide.

The Episcopal Church has members in the United States, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands.  Elected in 2015, The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry was installed as the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on June 27, 2015.  His role includes being chief pastor to the Episcopal Church’s 2 million members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses.  He joins leaders of the other 38 Anglican Provinces in consultation for global good and reconciliation.

More Information:
I am an Episcopalian
The Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Episcopal Church
The Anglican Communion

Glossary of The Episcopal Church Library