Reimagining Church

Thriving Congregations Initiative: New Models for the 21st Century

St. John’s Episcopal, North Haven

In the Midst

I first walked into St. John’s Episcopal Church in late August of 2022. I had just moved to town and was about to begin my seminary education at Yale Divinity School. Like most churches in the post-COVID era, there was far more pew space than parishioners. The congregation, without the leadership of a priest, led themselves in Morning Prayer, and the words of the prayer attributed to St. John Chrysostom echoed in my ears: “You have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them.”

St. John's Episcopal Church, North Haven

At St. John’s, we seek to engage each part of ourselves — heart, soul, and mind — in the practice of loving God and our neighbors. Part of it is done during our worship services, with readings, songs, and prayers celebrating our connection to God’s creation and in gratitude for the gifts shared with us. Another part of it is done in the activities among our community as stewards of God’s gifts. Yet another part is done in various ways of serving our neighbors with food and fellowship opportunities.

Reflections

open hymnal

In the Midst

By Molly Cooke

I first walked into St. John’s Episcopal Church in late August of 2022.
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