The Social Concerns Committee of St. John the Evangelist Parish strives to involve parishioners in providing comfort and services to those in need in our parish and in the larger community, reflecting Gospel values of service, justice, mercy and peace. We hold the dignity of all people in high esteem and are called to emulate Jesus as we serve others, promote justice, advocate social change, and protect and nurture all of God’s creation.

If you would like to be a part of these committees or the work that they do, please contact us at 436-6380 or Email: stjevan@sbcglobal.net or come to one of our Tuesday meetings! All are welcome!

Past Projects and Gifts:

• First Friday Communion
• St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer appreciation dinner
• NEW Shelter — served meals
• Immigration and JOSHUA
• Love Life: Reverse collection, Prince of Peace Collection, Mother’s Day collections
• Cornerstone Foundation Grant
• CWC monetary shower gift
• Back to School store
• Lick Violence
• Rebuilding Together

JOSHUA: Justice Organization Sharing Hope and United for Action

JOSHUA is an interfaith coalition that unites congregations of all faiths to build better communities promoting skills and attitudes that help us to know each other better within our organizations, and within an increasingly diverse community. It also works for a better future by uniting people of faith to have a powerful voice in our local community, our region, and beyond.

Some of the issues JOSHUA addresses are:

• Diversity in Schools
• Mixed-income housing
• Human Rights of Immigrants
• Treatment instead of Prison
• Environment
• Mental Health and other Human Services in Brown County.

JOSHUA has a board of directors with representatives from each member congregation or institution. The religious leaders of each member congregation also meet once a month to address matters of faith and community concerns. The current issues committees meet bi-monthly to discuss progress. Each congregation has a team which meets monthly. Our core team meets with First United Methodist’s core team. We welcome new members!

If you are interested in joining our core team, please contact the rectory at 436-6380.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.