Outreach

Outreach at St. John’s Presbyterian Church takes place at two levels. Our faith challenges us to work for those less fortunate in our community as well as those in less fortunate communities around the world. We have been serving those communities since 1819.

Our church contributes to the well being of our community through acts of service and planned events. We strive to ensure that the presence of St. John’s is felt, in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Especially, we try to transform the lives of people in our community who are hurting. We do our best to reach out .to build relationships and to meet the physical and emotional needs of our neighbours.

Those efforts are offered in many ways. Our new church building has a fine, large gymnasium – it takes little imagination to know that groups such as Girl Guides and football teams share our space. We support our neighbours in time of need — fire, storm damage, new arrivals, visitations to nursing homes and hospitals, special treats for shut-ins and families-in-need at Christmas.

Some of us remember three men who lived in a local Christian Horizons group home and who attended our worship services on a regular basis for three years. Especially we remember Jimmie. Although challenged in many ways, he turned solos into duets and duets into trios; he was always ready to join the elders as they welcomed new members; at the conclusion of worship he delivered his own benediction. These three men left behind quiet smiles hidden in the memories of many of the congregation. Perhaps this example suggests that St. John’s is a warm and caring church.

Through weekly offerings and tithes from the congregation, the work of the Presbyterian World Service and Development is reached and supported. In recent months we have responded to the innumerable needs caused by fire, flood and wind in many parts of the world.

We support the local food bank. One member of the congregation is most active in weaving mats and bed covers from milk bags.