Volunteering
Hundreds of hours of volunteer work are contributed each year by St John's parishioners to all aspects of the life of the St John's community.
In the Church there is a team of honorary clergy and lay ministers who take part in the Church services and Children's Church. There is also a Sacristan and a team who prepare the Sanctuary for services and make sure the sanctuary light keeps alight and the brassware and silver is gleaming. Another team arrange the church flowers each week, and pop in each day to freshen the flowers during the week. The Cleaning team keep the red carpets and church furniture clean. Others wash the altar linen. Other volunteers ring the bells for services. Others sing in the choirs, and play the organ. Others put up the church notices and sweep the paths. Others keep the churchyard clear. Others show schoolchildren around the Schoolhouse Museum, the Church and the churchyard.
In the Parish Centre, there are teams that look after lunches for St John's Care, refreshements after Funeral services, morning teas after Sunday services. In the Parish Office, volunteers look after inquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals (and columbarium), prepare the Weekly Newsletter and Service sheets, manage the hiring of rooms and car parking spaces, and bookings for special events. In St John's Care, teams of volunteers look after the many clients who come for food and company. Other volunteers help with maintenance of the site. More generally, many volunteers contribute hours of their time as Wardens and members of Parish Council and its Committees.
Without these contributions, St John's would not be the lively and committed community it is! Giving help, and getting help are core to the mission of St John's.
Volunteers do get tired, or are unable to continue to do their voluntary work. If you would like to become more involved, or have an interest in a particular volunteer activity, there are usually several options. You can find out more about the groups and opportunities to volunteer by looking at the activities and contacts on this website. Contact the Parish Administrator at admin@stjohnscanberra.org or telephone 6248 8399 to discuss current volunteer opportunities. St Johns Care and the Schoolhouse Museum welcome volunteers too.