LOVE IN ACTION
“I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me….As you have done it for these, the least of these, you have done it to me.” –Matthew 25:35-40
Feast on the Street
Joining with members of several other churches and faith-based organizations, St. John’s, Georgetown members visit McPherson Square each Thursday afternoon to feed, clothe, pray with, listen to, and laugh with our unhoused neighbors in celebration of our mutual humanity. There are many opportunities to serve for those who desire to walk with the unhoused, which includes personal interactions on Thursdays, donating homemade sandwiches, toiletry collections, chili making, shoe and clothing drives, or participating in our Amazon “wish list” initiative.
Our Mission
The mission of Outreach at St. John’s, Georgetown is to be present “With” all of the people and communities we encounter. By seeing need and responding lovingly and creatively, we become disciples in action reflecting the heart of Jesus. We are his face (eyes?), hands, and feet here and now. We like to call this mission, “Crossing the Street”. We invite all parishioners to approach each service opportunity with empathy, openness, and radical generosity of spirit. Service opportunities, in addition to those listed here, are announced weekly in the bulletin. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.
The Great Shoe Share Project
During the month of November, the St. John’s community removes their shoes at one Sunday Service (Shoeless Sunday), recognizing how challenging it is to navigate the world without shoes. This act of solidarity gives way to the annual “Great Shoe Share,” when St. John’s, Georgetown parishioners purchase new winter shoes for local unhoused individuals. Parishioners receive the shoe size, and basic information for a specific individual for whom they purchase shoes and offer prayers throughout the year. We then gather downtown to personally distribute the shoes to our neighbors.
Emergency Food, Clothing, Supplies
In 2023, STJ opened this pantry to provide emergency assistance to neighbors in need. The pantry is stocked with non-perishable foods, clothing, backpacks, sleeping bags, clothing, and toiletries.
We collect non-perishable food on the first Sunday of each month, and accept donations of gently used clothing, shoes, additional food, and much needed toiletries during church office hours.
Care for Creation
St. John’s Care for Creation Committee is dedicated to preserving and protecting God’s creation, advancing environmental justice, and striving for a sustainable future for all people. We are committed to working with St. Johns leaders to evaluate operations and programs; offer recommendations, educational programs and materials; and help implement improvements to sustainability within our parish and home communities in a socially responsible manner that reflects who we are as people of faith living in the light of God’s love.
Grate Patrol
In 1983, the Salvation Army, working through a network of churches, organized a mobile meal service ministry to meet the basic needs of the unhoused population in Washington, DC. Grate Patrol (named for the heating grates where many unhoused neighbors congregate) operates every night of the year. In rotation with other participating churches, St. John’s, Georgetown provides and assembles nutritious dinners, toiletries packs, feminine menstrual supplies, socks and underwear, and other essentials every month. This is a parish-wide labor of love/ministry with some parishioners shopping, others cooking, some assembling the meals and supplies, and others helping the Salvation Army representative distribute them across the city.
Georgetown Ministry Center
St. John’s, Georgetown is a founding member of GMC, which provides much needed services to our local unhoused neighbors, both at their brick-and-mortar location and through street ministry. Our monetary contribution and presence on the Board of Directors, make food and clothing, shower and laundry facilities, housing transition services, street medical and counseling care possible. In partnership with other Georgetown churches in the winter, St. John’s, Georgetown supports the GMC Extends Program. Parishioners and other community members cook dinner and welcome our unhoused neighbors into the parish hall for a hot meal and fellowship.
OTHER OFFERINGS
SENIOR CENTER LUNCH
If you are a senior who would like to expand your circle of friends please join us in Blake Hall for yoga, a hot lunch provided by volunteers, and entertainment on Mondays and Fridays 11:30-2:00. Transportation is available to members living in Georgetown and NW Washington. New members are always welcome and volunteer cooks are always needed. For more information on becoming a member or volunteer, visit www.georgetownseniorcenter.org.
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
Our Angel Tree Ministry works with social workers to support needy families by providing Christmas presents and monetary gifts each year. Parishioners enthusiastically shop and donate presents and Outreach funds cover the monetary gifts. This is a joyous ministry every year.
CLINICA DE PROTECCION, HONDURAS
St. John’s, Georgetown has supported various missions throughout Honduras since the 1960s, including the building and establishment of a health clinic, Clinica de Proteccion, in the small village of Proteccion, Honduras. The three-room clinic is complete with sanitary toilets, running water for medical exams and procedures, a room for a pharmacy, and a waiting room. St. John’s, Georgetown annual financial contribution allows the clinic to employ a nurse to assist the two part-time doctors. The clinic provides services and medicines at a modest cost for the approximately 2,000 people living in the surrounding hamlets within a one-hour walk of the clinic.
