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 UTC
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 UTC
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 UTC
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 UTC
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 UTC
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 UTC
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 UTC
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

Philadelphia Eleven Movie Screening & Potluck Supper
2024-11-17 17:00 - 20:00 UTC
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 UTC
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.

Pipes Alive! with Walden Moore
2024-12-01 12:30 UTC
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 UTC
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.

Christmas Pageant
2024-12-22 10:30 UTC
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

Twelfth Night Tree Burning
2025-01-05 17:30 UTC
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 UTC
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.

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.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Imposition of Ashes
2025-03-04 18:00 UTC
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.

Spring Fling & Auction
2025-05-30 18:30 UTC
The Spring Fling is a favorite annual gathering to celebrate the St. John’s community and raise money to support our ministries. All adults are welcome — parishioners and friends. Tickets ($10 per person) will be for sale on Sundays starting three weeks before the event, or may be purchased at the door for $15 per person. Join us for good company, food and beverages, live music, and the opportunity to bid on items in the silent and live auctions.

All-ages Vacation Bible School
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-19
This popular event is truly for everyone! We welcome parishioners and friends of all ages for four evenings of prayer, scripture, food, and fun as the summer begins, June 16 to 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. each day. This year’s theme is loosely based on Anne Lamott’s book Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. The cost is $25 per person, with a maximum of $75/family. Dinner, t-shirts, and all supplies for activities are included. We welcome guests who do not regularly attend St. John’s. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Register at sjparish.net/vbs.

Church by the Pond in Bushnell Park
2025-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Every Saturday at 2 p.m., clergy and congregations from Episcopal and Lutheran parishes around the state host an outdoor worship service at Bushnell Park and distribute brown-bag meals to anyone in attendance who is hungry. St. John’s will host Church by the Pond on Saturday, July 26, with the Reverend Margie Baker presiding. Meet at noon at St. John’s to prepare bagged meals, or meet at Bushnell Park by 1:45 p.m. Provide sandwich supplies by signing up at sjparish.net/churchbythepond. Church by the Pond is a ministry of Christ Church Cathedral.

Program Year Begins
2025-09-07 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
On Sunday, September 7, we will return to the program year schedule: 8 a.m. spoken Holy Eucharist, Christian education for all ages at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. choral Holy Eucharist, and professionally staffed nursery care from 9 a.m. to noon. During the education hour at 9:30 a.m., we will host the final of our Education Wing open houses for anyone who wishes to learn more about our growing programs for children and youth, and the proposed space upgrades for this space that are included in the fall 2025 capital campaign.

Capital Campaign Kick-Off Event
2025-10-19 12:00 (America/New_York)
After the 10:30 service on Sunday, October 19, we’ll host a special coffee hour to officially kick off the congregational phase of our Fall 2025 Capital Campaign, which is raising money to ensure a healthy and vibrant future for St. John’s. Projects to be funded by the capital campaign include paying off the cost our new, more efficient HVAC system, upgrading security, renovating the Education Wing to better accommodate our growing children’s programs, and adding to the endowment. Come learn more about the progress made on the campaign so far and how you can support it!

Trivia Night
2025-10-19 17:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for one of our semiannual Trivia Nights! Hosted by the youth group (but open to EVERYONE), Trivia Night is all about gathering for food, fun, and friendly competition. You might even learn an interesting fact or two. Bring your own team or get matched up with a team at the event. Pizza dinner provided, with cash donations accepted to defray costs. Please RSVP to the parish office by Thursday, October 17 so we know how much pizza to order!

Chili Cook-off
2025-10-24 18:30 (America/New_York)
A favorite annual event, the Chili Cook-off is an all-ages gathering featuring a chili competition plus lots of other good food and drink. Please come and bring a friend!

Christmas Festival
2025-11-21 - 2025-11-23
The annual Christmas Festival fundraiser will take place earlier this year, in late November, to give you a chance to get ahead of your Christmas decorating and gift-giving! The festival will offer many items for sale, including uniquely decorated evergreen wreaths, upcycled Christmas decor, baked goods and other treats, hand knit items, and more. Stop by the Festival Café for a cup of soup and a sandwich, or try your luck at winning one of several fabulous raffle baskets.
This year we also have an expanded schedule:
Friday, November 21: Preview Gala at 6:30 pm
Saturday, November 22: Festival hours 10 am to 1 pm
Sunday, November 23: Festival hours 12 to 1:30 pm

Twelfth Night Celebration
2026-01-04 17:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for St. John’s unique celebration of the end of the Christmas season, where we (safely!) burn Christmas trees and wreaths outdoors. Refreshments are provided by the youth group to raise funds for their annual collection in support of Dignity Grows, a nonprofit that provides period and hygiene products to those in need. Bundle up and come check it out!

Annual Meeting
2026-01-25 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
The St. John’s Annual Meeting will be held in Hubbard Hall at 9 a.m. on Sunday, January 25. All parish members (adults and youth 16+) are encouraged to attend as we review the year just ended, look ahead to what’s next, and elect new vestry members and officers. Bring something for a potluck continental breakfast if you’re able.
