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 can either be held right after Liturgy on a Sunday or on a Wednesday night beginning around 7:00 pm.  Consult the calendar for specific rehearsal dates and times.

St. John's church school program is known as JOY ("Jesus, Others, You") and is generally divided by age and grade.  We use material from the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America's FOCUS website.  A parents auxiliary known as JOYful Parents provides support for the wonderful and fun social events we plan for the children throughout the year.
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 with special summer projects.

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. The picture show clothing and food collected for Emmaus House in Harlem.

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.

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 (shown in picture), held the weekend after Labor Day.  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.

Regional Fellowship Groups are adult fellowship, bible study, and prayer groups all rolled into an evening hosted by a parish family in a particular geographic location.  Such regional groups will make it conducive to short commutes and building community among a far-flung parish population.

Currently, there are two RFGs:
* Manorville/Moriches
* Selden/Centereach 
Start times are 7:00 p.m. for each.  Fellowship begins with evening prayer, including intercesory needs, and then moves to a time study and discussion, and conclude with a time for prayer requests.  Plans are underway to add additional RFGs in other areas of our community.

All are welcome!!!

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.

The Church Health Team meets to discuss, plan and evaluate the parish's overall health and short- and long-term goals and objectives.
Meeting time and place: The CHT meets on Sunday during and after Coffee Hour and/or during the week as arranged by the CHT Director.

The parish teen program begins with the seventh grade and a child's 12th birthday.  Teen ministry is geared to meet the spiritual and social needs of our adolescent members.  Teens have a number of yearly events that they look forward to, including the overnight vigil on Holy Friday (shown in picture) and an annual weekend retreat in the Poconoes in October.  In past years their fundraising activities has brought in over $1,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Meeting time and place: Check the monthly schedule for times and locations.