Outreach Ministries
Ministry and Volunteering
Faith and Spirituality – St. John’s is a bold and inclusive community inspiring intellectual curiosity and welcomes diverse philosophical ideologies, spiritual traditions, and religious affiliations. We encourage new perspectives and honor old ancestral heritage. Both a church and a spiritual center, St. John’s weaves music, prayer, artistic expression, care for the natural world, and social justice into its religious services and spiritual experiences to engage people in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling.
Pastoral Counseling – Loneliness, depression, relationship crisis, substance abuse, sexual assault. These are just a few of the issues people face every day. Without counseling services available on our island, it is paramount to provide help for individuals struggling with life challenges. St. John’s Pastor provides private and confidential counseling to address the needs of Madeline Island residents.
Stewardship – As stewards of our church, we educate people about the ways our ministries and outreach programs support people, solicit financial support to fund these programs, and build relationships with donors with the hope of seeking strong financial support in future years.
Altar Guild – Enhancing the experience of worship, the Altar Guild decorates our altar with flowers and candles, prepares the elements for Holy Communion, and changes the paraments in the church in keeping with the church calendar.
Second Century Endowment – Provides philanthropic support for our church, ministries and outreach initiatives and strengthens our ability to serve the entire community. By adding future planned gifts to the endowment, we’ll be able to expand our capacity to support Madeline Island for many years to come.
Reaching the Community and beyond
Communications – Committed to strengthening connections within our church community using both print and electronic platforms, St. John’s monthly Lighthouse reaches over 400 individuals. Using our website and social media, we share newsworthy events and activities throughout the year.
Community Tithe – St. John’s allocates a portion of its annual budget to support local programs in the Chequamegon Bay area such as the community garden, women’s shelter, animal rescue program, and other health and human services. This fund also allows the church to help Madeline Island residents with financial support such as propane expenses during a cold winter.
OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) – St. John’s makes a contribution to our Wisconsin Conference to help support the work the United Church of Christ is doing beyond the local church. Through its Conferences, national ministries, and UCC-related institutions, this broader mission reaches out to impact the lives of all our neighbors, near and far, irrespective of class, race, gender, and borders.
Community Partnerships
Balance Exercise Group – St. John’s hosts weekly group-led exercise classes to help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance.
Al-Anon – Al-Anon is a fellowship of people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. We share our experience, strength and hope with each other in order to solve our common problems. St. John’s provides Al-Anon with meeting space but there is no other affiliation.
Alcoholics Anonymous – Although not affiliated with St. John’s, the church opens its doors to weekly peer-led fellowship meetings dedicated to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism.
Full Moon Circle for Women – Based on Native American traditions, this monthly gathering of women honors the Ojibwe custom of celebrating the full moon by lighting candles and offering prayers.
Island Harvesters Food Wagon – Dedicated organic farmers grow and forage to contribute the finest natural foods to Madeline Island’s food system. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, and other food products are available every week throughout the summer on St. John’s campus.
Madeline Island Community Garden – Growing, planting, harvesting, sowing, producing … the Community Garden is a collaborative initiative supported by St. John’s as a place for local gardeners to grow their own food, learn about food sovereignty, and provide seasonal produce for St. John’s Food Shelf.
Little Learners’ Program – St. John’s partners with the Madeline Island Public Library to offer the Little Learner’s Program, a fun and engaging preschool curriculum for three to five year old island children. Little Learners supports the development of important preschool skills and connects and supports our young families. St. John’s provides the space in its Fellowship Hall for this enrichment program.
Outreach
American Heart Association Blood Drive – Every summer, community members donate blood to benefit patients in local hospitals.
Food Shelf – St. John’s offers a Food Shelf in the Fellowship Hall lobby to provide canned goods, fresh produce, and pantry items for local residents with food insecurity.
Island Closet – Housed at the Materials Recycling Facility, the Island Closet accepts donations of household goods, sporting equipment, gardening tools, and unexpected treasures and makes them available for a free-will donation.