Adopt-A-Platoon -     
Many of you may be wondering who and why we are praying for PV2 Hoeun and Cpt. Daniel.  Hoeun (stationed in Iraq)  is our adopted soldier through our participation in the “Adopt-A-Platoon” program and Daniel is our adopted soldier through a grandmother’s plea for help.  Newsday ran an announcement about our participation in this program and asking for the community to join us in supporting our men and women stationed over in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This little announcement led to the phone call from the grandmother asking us to please “adopt” her grandson since he was to be deployed from Afghanistan and was told last minute that his stay had been extended.  Please help us support our troops over there by supporting this ongoing outreach program.   All you need do is drop them a line telling them that we care about them or drop off any one of a number of items into our “adoption” basket in the basement.  If you do not have time to think about this just send a check made out to St. John the Theologian and we will do the shopping for you.

Just think how you would feel if this were your son, daughter, spouse, or loved one stationed over there in very harsh conditions and how it would make them and you feel knowing that ordinary citizens cared enough to stay in touch and add a little bit of the comforts of home to their lives.

If you would like to learn more about the program please feel free to go to www.adoptaplatoon.org and learn about this organization and its efforts.  Any questions can be sent to the church via our email page or leave a message on the answering machine.  Thank you, and God Bless Our Troops!

Choir -

Divine services in the Orthodox Church are sung a capella, without any instruments.  Singers and Readers compliment the beauty of the services with their singing of the divine hymns and chanting of the holy scriptures.
Rehearsal time and place: Rehearsals are always held in the church, usually right after liturgy or immediately prior to services.  Consult the calendar for specific rehearsal dates and times.

Church School -

Also known as JOY ("Jesus, Others, You").  Classes are divided by age and grade and we use material from the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America's FOCUS website.
Meeting time and place: JOY takes place in the parish hall, downstairs, following the conclusion of Holy Communion, when the children are dismissed to attend class sessions.  Classes are held from the beginning of October to the end of May.

Feed the Need -

Parishioners collect and dontate to the parish food pantry canned goods, dry good, toiletries and other useful and needed items (like toys during Christmas) for distribution to either those who call the church directly or to those churches in the neighboring community who might be better able to distribute them.  Special emphasis is given to these collections during November, December and during the Great Fast (i.e., Great Lent).  Parishioners help and take turns in distributing the food baskets during these times.

Greeters -

At the frontline of a parish visit, Greeters play an important role in welcoming newcomers to the church for services and making sure their time with us is spiritually and socially fulfilling.  This includes inviting the guest to add their address and email to our parish mailing list, providing them with the bulletin and, if needed, prayer book, and facilitating their participation in Coffee Hour where they can meet parishioners and make important connections with new friends and neighbors.
Meeting time and place: Greeters, after completing training, do not meet per se.  Occasional meetings may be held prior to important or large events or services.  Consult the calendar for further information.

Outreach -

The Outreach Ministry plans events that will spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make our parish's role in the spreading of that gospel known to the wider community.  Ministry work centers around promoting both knowledge of the Orthodox Faith as well as of our parish community from both within the parish as well as from without, in the wider community.  This includes the website, advertising, outreach at parish, civic and community events, guest speakers, seekers and inquirers classes, seminars and workshops promoting church growth, leadership and the Christian use of our God-given gifts and talents.  Also, we plan community-based events that bring our parish into the wider community.  Our biggest yearly event is the annual Longwood Fair, held the weekend after Labor Day and running for two days, Saturday and Sunday.  Funds raised through these events primarily go to the parish's charitiable outreach ministries.
Meeting time and place: Meetings are held occasionally.  Consult the calendar for scheduled meetings.

Sisterhood of St. Xenia -

The Sisterhood of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg is the parish's fellowship for women and the parish's main social outreach arm.  The Sisterhood meets monthly from October to June and plans many events that benefit both the parish and community.  The Sisters plan social, outreach and fundraising events that are of spiritual and material benefit to the St. John's.
Meeting time and place: the Sisters meet in the parish hall during Coffee Hour on the second Sunday of the month from October through June.

Strategic Planning -

The Strategic Planning Committee (aka "StratPlan") meets quarterly to discuss, plan and evaluate the parish's long-term and short-term goals and objectives.
Meeting time and place: StratPlan meets on Sunday during and after Coffee Hour, usually on the first Sunday during the months of March, June, September and December.

Teens -

The parish teen program begins with the seventh grade and a child's 12th birthday.  Teens meet monthly and also have a year-long program of events, trips and educational activities, including an annual weekend retreat in the Poconoes in October.  Their fundraising activities has brought in over $1,000 in the past year to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Meeting time and place: Teens meet on the third Friday of the month, rotating between the homes of teen members.