A commitment to social justice: From the very beginnings of the parish, a consistent theme in its mission, programming and ministry has been to be a witness and change agent to the issues most affecting its membership. Our history records early support of soldiers during times of war, a committee for the unemployed, and support of Episcopal City Mission. Our Black Madonna stained glass window was dedicated in 1885 in memory of Sara Otis Ernst, a staunch abolitionist, and in 2002 our basement served as the office location for the production of a documentary on a prominent Rhode Island slave trading family. More recently our endeavors have included connections to the Diocesan programs for urban ministry, sharing our worship and office space for 10 years with Iglesia San Juan, an Hispanic-Episcopal mission, a 5 year tutoring project with immigrant Ethiopian women and their children and a monthly reading program for the children of first generation immigrants. We have participated in and contributed to diocesan trainings on urban partnerships for justice and anti-racism. The parish attempts to affect public policy through Bread for the World, the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and most recently the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry.
A commitment to the arts: Evident by the beautiful artwork in our Gothic Revival building ~ including Tiffany, MacDonald and LaFarge stained glass and two George Willoughby Maynard murals ~ early parish committees related to the arts, and an endowment to preserve and maintain our historic Hook organ. The St. John’s Choir has been a vital and accomplished ministry from the parish’s beginnings through to the present day. St. John’s was the original location for a local community orchestra started in the 1970’s. Currently we offer programs to the public in folk, Renaissance and classical music, and poetry and prose literature. We participate in Jamaica Plain Open Studios, and we make our sanctuary, with its extraordinary acoustics, available for community musicians for rehearsing and for instrumental music and vocal concerts and recording.
A commitment to providing a place of refuge in times of need: Throughout its history, St. John’s has offered respite and healing, whether following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln or the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Recently St. John’s has welcomed many members from different faiths and traditions who were searching for a place of worship that was welcoming and accepting. We host regular AA meetings and a yoga class as offerings to the wider community.
A commitment to the growth of the larger Episcopal Church: St. Johns’ history reflects a tradition of members who are called to ordained ministry and an environment where the process of discernment flourishes. In recent years St. John’s has served as a teaching parish providing valuable experience to seminarians and has regularly sponsored candidates for Holy Orders. The parish has long raised up women in positions of lay and ordained leadership, and we do the same now with our gay and lesbian members, both within our walls and in the wider church. St John’s has also hosted mission programs of the Diocese such as Iglesia San Juan and No Ordinary Time, an outreach ministry to train young people in spiritual reflection and social action.
A commitment to a rich and welcoming liturgy: St John’s carries on the robust sacramental tradition of the Anglican Church, ordered and dignified by history. As well, we offer a spiritual home to those who value tradition but who also seek progressive theology and social ethics.
These common interests and activities all provide opportunities for people in the community to enter into St. John’s – whether for a single event or for years as a committed parish member. These "points of entry" serve the local community and the building up of the body of Christ in Jamaica Plan.