St. John's Episcopal Church

Blessing of the Backpacks
2024-08-25 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
Students and educators of all ages are invited to bring a backpack, work bag, laptop, or other school-related item to either service on Sunday, August 25 (9 a.m. outdoor service, 10:30 a.m. indoor service) to receive a blessing for the school year ahead.

Acolyte Lunch & Training
2024-09-01 12:00 - 13:00
All current acolytes, and any youth interested in becoming an acolyte (3rd grade and up), are encouraged to attend our annual acolyte training, with pizza lunch included, after the 10:30 service.

New program year begins & Celebration of Ministry brunch
2024-09-08
On Sunday, September 8, we will begin a new program year with a return to our regular worship schedule: Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, and a brief contemplative Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. All adults are invited to a Celebration of Ministry brunch in Hubbard Hall at 9:30 a.m. During that time, children age 3 and up will go to the education wing for Sunday School. Our professionally staffed nursery will also be open for children up to 6 years old from 9 a.m. to noon.

Installation service for the Reverend Todd FitzGerald
2024-09-25 19:00
On Wednesday, September 25, at 7 p.m. we will celebrate the Reverend Todd FitzGerald’s call as our newest rector with an installation service. The Right Reverend Jeffrey Mello, bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, will preside, and a reception will follow the service.

Jazz at the Red Door
2024-09-27 19:00
Join us on Friday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. as we welcome Nat Reeves and Friends paying tribute to the late piano legend Kenny Kirkland. For years, Nat has inspired and influenced countless musicians as an educator in Hartford – and he continues to amaze audiences through his performances and recordings. Joined by the innovative Benito Gonzalez (piano) and incomparable Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums), this trio of jazz masters will surely amaze. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. A reception will follow the concert.
The concert is free admission, suggested donation $20. Checks payable to Music at the Red Door or click here to donate online.

"Cottage Meetings" for capital campaign
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-13
In 2024-2025, St. John’s is undertaking the second capital campaign in the parish’s history. The first step in the campaign is discernment — coming together to dream about and discuss what God is calling this community to do and be, so we can decide where to direct our resources and ministries. So that as many people as possible can be part of this conversation, we’re holding a series of small group “cottage meetings” in the first two weeks of October — some at people’s homes, others at church. Each meeting will be about 90 minutes, and light refreshments will be served. Click here to sign up for one that works for your schedule.

Pet Blessing in honor of St. Francis
2024-10-06 17:00
In honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, we will host a pet blessing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 6. Dogs, cats, and any other type of pet (leashed or crated, please!) are welcome along with their owners!

New World Trio concert
2024-10-13 14:00
The New World Trio, ensemble-in-residence at Music at the Red Door, will present a concert at St. John’s on Sunday, October 13 at 2 p.m. Featuring Anhared Stowe on violin, Peter Zay on cello, and David Bellena on piano, the New World Trio presents wide-ranging concerts of both classical and contemporary chamber music works. These concerts are free admission, suggested donation $20. Checks payable to New World Trio. Details at www.newworldtrio.org

Chili Cook-off Dinner
2024-10-25 18:30 - 21:00
This favorite annual tradition features a variety of chilis made by parishioners (try a few and vote for your favorite!), along with beverages, sides, and desserts. Parishioners and friends of all ages are welcome!

Pipes Alive! with Ondrej Hornas
2024-11-03 12:30
The 2024-2025 Pipes Alive! series begins with organist Ondres Hornas playing the St. John’s organ on Sunday, November 3, at 12:30pm. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount. Checks payable to Music at the Red Door or click here to donate online.
For more information, go to www.reddoormusic.org

Prayers for Election Day
2024-11-05
St. John’s will hold two in-person prayer services on Election Day, November 5, 2024. All are welcome to join us for Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. and Noonday Prayer at 12 noon. You are welcome to linger in the church afterward to continue praying.

Philadelphia Eleven Movie Screening & Potluck Supper
2024-11-17 17:00 - 20:00
St. John’s is delighted to host a free screening of the new documentary, “The Philadelphia Eleven,” which tells the story of the first women ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church. This event is open to ALL, including all ages and guests unaffiliated with St. John’s. We will host a potluck supper as well, so please bring a main dish, side, or dessert if you are able. No tickets or reservations required. Please come and bring a friend!

Trivia Night!
2024-11-24 17:00 - 19:00
The St. John’s youth group is hosting a fun trivia night for all on Sunday, November 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a team, or join one when you arrive. Questions range from pop culture to Scripture and beyond. This family-friendly event is open to kids, youth, young adults, adults…in short, everyone! This is a free event, AND we’re raising money for Dignity Grows, a local nonprofit (dignitygrows.org). Suggested donation of $10/person, cash or check. Pizza and soft drinks provided. Bring a snack or sweet to share, or just come and enjoy! Register at sjparish.net/trivia so we know how many people to expect.

Thanksgiving Day Holy Eucharist
2024-11-28 10:00
Give thanks to God at our Thanksgiving Day service of Holy Eucharist with hymns and sermon, on Thanksgiving morning at 10 a.m.

Pipes Alive! with Walden Moore
2024-12-01 12:30
The Pipes Alive! series continues with organist Walden Moore (retired music director at Trinity Church in New Haven, and current interim music director at St. John’s) playing the St. John’s organ on Sunday, December 1, at 12:30 p.m. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount. Checks payable to Music at the Red Door or click here to donate online.

Christmas Festival
2024-12-07 10:00 - 14:00
The annual Christmas Festival is a favorite St. John’s event, open to the public. Come shop for unique handmade gifts and Christmas décor, enjoy a bite to eat at the Festival Café, and take home some sweet treats or homemade soups to enjoy later or share with your holiday guests. This event is one of two major annual fundraisers that support St. John’s mission and ministries. All are welcome.

Advent Lessons & Carols
2024-12-15 15:00
Advent’s Lessons and Carols has been an important Anglican ritual since the late 1800’s. In the tradition of King’s College, Cambridge, this event provides an introspective journey of sacred stories and music to help prepare us for the Christmas Season. On Sunday, December 15, at 3:00pm, Lessons & Carols will provide you moment of musical peace in this often-complicated world, as we offer spectacular carols and musical anthems from a long tradition of music of the season. This event will be presented in person and by livestream.
Presented by the St. John’s Choir School and Adult Choir; Walden Moore, interim choirmaster; Floyd Higgins, organist.
A reception will follow this event. Free admission, with donations received. Checks payable to Music at the Red Door or click here to donate online.

Christmas Pageant
2024-12-22 10:30
Our youngest parishioners, from infants through high school, will present the nativity story in word, dance, and song at the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, December 22. All children and youth are welcome to participate, even if they do not regularly attend St. John’s. Contact Associate Rector Margie Baker for more information.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day worship
2024-12-24 - 2024-12-25
Join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:
Christmas Eve:
4 p.m. Festal Eucharist with music from the St. John’s Choir School (musical prelude begins at 3:45)
The 4 p.m. service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
10 p.m. Festal Eucharist with music from the St. John’s Adult Choir (musical prelude begins at 9:30)
Christmas Day:
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with sermon and hymns

Pipes Alive! with Kari Miller
2025-01-05 12:30 - 13:00
The 2024-2025 Pipes Alive! series continues with organist Kari Miller playing the St. John’s organ on Sunday, January 5, 2024, at 12:30pm. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount.

Twelfth Night Tree Burning
2025-01-05 17:30
Join us for this uniquely festive tradition, when we bid farewell to the Christmas season by burning Christmas trees and wreaths (safely!) outdoors. The EYC (youth group) will be selling hot cocoa and snacks as a fundraiser for their annual project to support Dignity Grows, a local nonprofit that provides hygiene supplies to people in need in the Greater Hartford area. Come on out for this fun event!

Annual Meeting
2025-01-26 09:00 - 10:15
All parish adults and youth 16 and older are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting, where we review the year just past, look ahead to a new year, and elect new vestry members. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and will finish in time for the 10:30 worship service. A potluck continental breakfast is served.

Pipes Alive! with Madison Thompson
2025-02-02 12:30 - 13:00
The 2024-2025 Pipes Alive! series continues with organist Madison Thompson playing the St. John’s organ on Sunday, February 2, at 12:30pm. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount.

Bishop's Visit and Confirmations
2025-02-23
We are excited to welcome the Right Reverend Jeffrey Mello, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, to St. John’s on Sunday, February 23. The bishop will preside and preach at both the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. At the 10:30 service, he will also baptize and confirm a group of St. John’s youth, and receive several individuals and families into the Episcopal Church. All are welcome to this celebration of our parish and community.

Pipes Alive! with Christa Rakich
2025-02-24 08:00 - 17:00
Our 2024-2025 season draws to a close with Pipes Alive! featuring St. John’s organ artist-in-residence Christa Rakich playing the St. John’s organ Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 12:30pm. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount. Access the livestream via the Music at the Red Door web site.

Pipes Alive! with Michelle Horsley
2025-03-02 12:30 - 13:00
The 2024-2025 Pipes Alive! series continues with organist Michelle Horsley playing the St. John’s organ on Sunday, March 2, at 12:30pm. This event will be presented in person and by livestream. The concert is free admission – donations welcome in any amount. Access the livestream via the Music at the Red Door web site.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Imposition of Ashes
2025-03-04 18:00
The annual pancake supper to mark Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent begins, will be on Tuesday, March 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. Suggested donation of $7 per person or $20 per family, to support the youth group’s Dignity Grows fundraiser to provide hygiene products to people in need. Following the pancake supper, there will be a brief, family-friendly service with imposition of ashes to mark the beginning of Lent. All are welcome.

Ash Wednesday
2025-03-05
St. John’s will offer three services with imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025: 7 a.m., 12 noon, 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Centering prayer workshop on Wednesdays in Lent
2025-03-12 18:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-19 18:00 - 18:30
As part of this year’s Lenten observance, the Reverend Nancy Wright (a St. John’s priest associate) will lead four half-hour sessions to introduce attendees to the practice of centering prayer — a contemplative practice designed to deepen one’s awareness of and connection to God. Four sessions will be held on Lent Wednesdays at 6 p.m.: March 12, March 19, March 26, and April 2. Participants are welcome to come early at 5:30 p.m. for our weekly Wednesday evening spoken Holy Eucharist if they wish.
