There are numerous opportunities for ministry at St. John's in both service and outreach. These are just some of the ways that our Cathedral is making a difference in our church and our community. There is a place for your talents at St. Johns and we ask you to prayerfully consider joining any of our ministries. Get involved now
Alpha is a 10-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressured. Alpha is enjoyed and appreciated as much by those who have never set foot in a church as it is by those who once attended and by the regular churchgoer. No matter what their background, whether investigating Christianity for the first time or revisiting their faith, participants get a lot out of an Alpha Course.
Topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" Everyone is welcome to participate in the Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death. Still, others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. People come from many different backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints - but all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives.
Lay readers are laymen who hold licenses to preach and conduct some religious services but are not licensed to celebrate the Eucharist.
Lectors read the lessons during our common worship, which is usually at the Mass but can also be at Morning Prayer, or Evening Prayer as well as other worship services. They not only read the lessons, as the Lector does, but may also lead or officiate at non-sacramental worship services when assigned.
The St. Martha's Guild is a ministry of the Anglican Women's Fellowship that makes provisions for food in crisis situations.
To be a member of the Altar Guild is a privilege open to all women of our community. It is a ministry of women serving our Lord and charged with the care of the sacred vessels and vestments and the preparation of the Altar for worship. It is in and of itself a labor of worship and love. Members in the course of their duty must handle sacred vessels on and in which the Sacramental Body and Blood of our Lord has rested. No care can be too meticulous. Therefore, it requires the highest standards of which we are capable.
Our beautiful pipe organ, played by our organist, Gary Blickhan, provides music for Choral Mass and other Holy Day Masses. Other instruments can also be incorporated.
The St. Nicholas' Guild is a ministry of the Anglican Women's Fellowship that provides emergency child care for parishioners of St. John's.
The nursery services are available for infants and children through five years of age during the Sunday School hour and during the Choral Eucharist.
Opportunities to minister to our community and beyond include but are not limited to:
Pastoral Counseling Center at St. John's where we assist God's people in finding peace for their soul.
St. Jude's Guild provides ministry to Quanada, an agency that provides services and shelter to victims of domestic violence.
International Anglican Fellowship: Anglican missionary work throughout the world.
Loaves and Fishes: Ministry providing food for the Quanada Food Pantry.
Mitten Sunday: Ministry to provide mittens, gloves and caps to children.
Support of Right to Life of Adams County and Birthright of Quincy
Care Net/Baby Bottle Blitz: Support of Care Net Pregnancy Services.
Christmas Party for Underprivileged Children: Parish hosts an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children to include provision of gifts.
Good News of Christmas: The Good News campaign has helped hundreds of families in need. More than 200 people in 50 cases will benefit from each year year’s program. Families throughout the Quincy Herald-Whig’s circulation area in Illinois and Missouri are selected to receive Christmas gifts by caseworkers familiar with their plight. St. John's Cathedral adopts one family each year.
Operation Christmas Child: Ministry providing gifts to children worldwide
Unmet Needs Committee: We support and have a representative on the United Way of Adams County's "Unmet Needs" Committee.
Quincy Catholic Charities: Quincy Catholic Charities provides vital social services to the people of Quincy and the surrounding area. Services include Counseling, Crisis Assistance, Family Preservation, Food Pantry, MedAssist, Referral Services and School Counseling. St. John's Cathedral supports Quincy Catholic Charities.
Small "Cell" Groups are made up of 2 to 12 people who come together to build relationships through encouragement, accountability, guidance, and prayer so that all members experience life transformation through Christ. Members are encouraged to share their thoughts, feelings, struggles, and joys while applying Biblical principles in their daily lives. Many people join a small "cell" group as a follow-up to the Alpha Course.