ST. JOHN'S CORE VALUES
We believe that:
· All are welcome at God’s table.
· We honor the dignity of every human being.
· God is present in our interactions with one another.
· We can make a difference in this world.
Saint John’s is a home where all are welcome to “come share the peace.” The mission of St. John’s Episcopal Church is to serve and celebrate God. We seek to thank God for God’s mercy and blessings, seek solace in God’s care, and form a community in prayer and worship, using the Episcopal liturgy as a framework. We do not discriminate on any basis, and our community reflects that. We choose to focus on the liturgy in English, but support the multilingual, multi-cultural community of which we are a part. We serve the spiritual and other needs of diverse adults and children from Union City and beyond. Serving the children of our community (inside and outside our parish) through worship, care, education, and the arts is a special part of our mission. Saint John’s has been a part of the Union City community and the Episcopal Diocese of Newark since 1846.
Location:
St. John’s Church (SJC) is located on the corner of 16th Street and Palisade Ave. in Union City, Hudson County. It is one of two Episcopal churches in the city. Union City sits on the Palisade overlooking Hoboken, the New York Harbor and the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel. It is tucked in between Jersey City on the south and West New York on the north. The cliff of the Palisades separates it from Hoboken to the southeast. Walking two blocks east from the church brings one to spectacular, panoramic views of Manhattan, the Lower Hudson Bay, Staten Island, and Hoboken. One can reach the Port Authority Bus Terminal near Times Square in New York City in 15 minutes by bus (which stops directly in front of the church).
Parish Community
The parish family of SJC has been described by visitors as being one of the friendliest, most welcoming congregations they have experienced. This attitude is based upon a real and abiding belief that we are here to serve God and all of God’s creation. It is manifested daily in many large and small ways; in the loyalty, love and support that members of the community give to each other, their clergy, and members of the community at large.
The congregation is diverse in many ways. The encouragement of this diversity gives the parish its strength and attraction for the members of the community. It is a small, but growing parish with approximately 50-60 people. There is one Eucharist in English on Sunday mornings at 10:30am. While a majority of the residents of Union City are Hispanic, SJC parishioners come from a variety of religions and ethnic backgrounds.
The population of Union City is approximately 58,000. Prior to the 1960s, the residents were largely Italian and Irish, as were many of the original members of the Parish. Some of their descents still attend, although their number has diminished greatly in recent years. Replacing the original demographic groups are singles, young families, and older couples. Most residents work in New York City or locally.
St. John’s Church is located in a somewhat transient neighborhood which has seen revitalization in the last eight years. Older houses are being restored, younger people are moving in and the affluence level is increasing. All along the Palisades, south of the George Washington Bridge, there has been a flurry of development of huge apartment complexes; Union City holds the last vestige of the original small town atmosphere of the Palisades. The neighborhood is urban in appearance and character, but a real community surrounds the church. In the mornings and afternoons the streets are flooded with children.
History:
The parish began as a group of Sunday worshipers who met in McRae’s silk factory in the city, then known as West Hoboken. St. John’s is one of the two oldest congregations in town. Our first church was built in 1848 (at 11th Street and New York Avenue). The cornerstone of the present church (at 16th Street and Palisade Avenue) was laid on October 6, 1901. The rectory was built in 1909 and the large parish house in 1923. In its long history, over 26 clergy have served St. John’s Church.
Union City was incorporated in 1925 with the merger of Union Hill and West Hoboken. Union City has a history of religious devotion, there being at one time many monasteries and convents located within a mile of the church. The buildings still stand, but some have been converted for residential use. A Carmelite nunnery is one of the few remaining. At one time Union City was the embroidery capital of the world and immigrants from Italy and Ireland settled here. During the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, many Cubans moved here; Union City contains the second largest Cuban population in the US. New immigrants include members of all walks of life including young and upwardly mobile professionals of various Hispanic groups and other ethnic groups listed above.
Make up of the Church:
There are about 50 to 60 members consisting of single people, families, and couples. About 70% are under the age of 50. About 10% of the members are under 30 and there are approximately 10 children of church school age.
Liturgy:
SJC is a Eucharistic centered parish. We have one Sunday service at 10:30 am. It is a Rite II service based on the Book of Common Prayer. Twice monthly we include the laying of hands for healing. We offer the usual festival services for Christmas and Easter as well as a full set of services for lent. The parish is presently developing a second service as part of its outreach to the arts community of northern Hudson County. The second service is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008.
Parish Budget:
The cash flow from all Church and facility related operations is about $270,000 a year. The priest’s salary is $40,000 part of which is drawn from monies allocated to DYFYS to the Puerta Abierta program. Pension, insurance, medical benefits, car allowance, education package and parking (as well as use of the rectory) bring that salary to over $55,000.
Facilities
St. John’s Church is a three-building complex on Palisade Avenue, composed of a stone, gothic revival church, a three-story brick rectory, and a large brick parish house. There is a back garden/courtyard.
Church:
The façade and walls of the church consist of large gray stones inset with lovely, original glass windows. A small garden contains a bulletin board advertising church events, information on bus schedules, and messages. The interior contains the traditional original wooden pews, a wood paneled, red carpeted chancel, and an ornate brass altar rail. The ceiling has striking dark wood trusses. The church, two windows, altar area and apse were renovated in 2000. There is still a lovely original pipe organ to the side of the area which needs renovation. The size of the church is about 55 ft. by 40ft., a nice cozy size. Many people comment on the lovely feeling they have when they enter the church. We receive many requests for weddings to be held in the church.
Undercroft:
There is a large undercroft with hard-wood floors, a stage, rest rooms, pantry and kitchen. These are used for Church affairs and rented to others.
Parish House:
Attached to the back of the church is the Parish House, containing offices, a classroom, a kitchen, and three small restrooms. In addition, the third floor has a large basketball court. It is one of the few in the neighborhood and is in demand by various groups. The basement includes storage space and a wash room. The Parish House is in good condition with recent roof repairs and original tin ceilings.
Rectory:
The rectory is next door to the church on Palisade Avenue. It was built in 1909 and contains many original architectural details, but with modern conveniences. On the first floor there is an entrance porch and vestibule, living room with fireplace, dining room with fireplace, sitting room, kitchen and a small powder room. On the second floor there are three bedrooms and one bath. The top floor also has three bedrooms and a bath. There is a large basement with wash area. A parking spot is included in a nearby lot.
Patio and courtyard:
Our Memorial Patio, located between the church and the rectory, was started in 2000 with bricks honoring family and friends, living or deceased. It was dedicated and blessed by Bishop John Croneberger on May 20, 2001. Behind the rectory is a paved garden which is accessed from the rectory.
Programs of the PARISH
Below are summaries of the numerous and varied programs and outreach provided by SJC. As well as programs run by SJC, we have made our facilities available to various community groups who use them on a regular basis. We see our mission extending through three main branches; upward, inward, and outward. Our programs, our goals, and our growth are seen in light of this tree and our call by Christ. Though a small parish, everyone is involved in our service to Christ and community.
We offer:
Worship with Eucharist every Sunday,
Sunday School for children,
Choir,
Acolyte training,
Weekly Education for Ministry Christian education and seasonal adult religious education,
Special seminars on various topics,
Outreach to other local programs, and
Live music including piano every Sunday and periodic concerts.
Puerta Abierta:
Our after-school program, called “open door” or “Puerta Abierta”, serves approximately 40 neighborhood children. It provides help with homework and supervision of playtime and crafts projects. It is funded by the Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and Union City and is staffed by five people. The program operates from 2 to 6 pm during the school year.
Camp Unit:
St Johns
Episcopal Church host Camp Unity every summer. Camp Unity is an arts and
craft summer day program for the children within the community. There are
many ways the children are exposed to the world of arts and crafts including
actors who come and teach the children acting techniques, and dancers who
come and teach the children the art of dance and movement. The children are
also exposed to nature and explore the diversity of the local community.
There are many field trips planned throughout the five weeks. The field
trips expose the campers to museums, arts, and cultures. This year, they
will experience the incubation and hatching of live chicks within the class
room.
St. John’s Guild:
St. John’s has had a women’s service group since the turn of the century. St. John’s Guild helps to support the parish through its programs and fundraisers. The Guild hosts three “High Tea” tea parties and two “Yankee Auctions” annually. They also host including fund raisers, concerts, and a senior citizen’s day during Celebrate Art.
“Where Two or Three are Gathered”:
The parish is developing a second worship/outreach program which is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008. The program will serve the arts community of northern Hudson County. The program is guided by a parish committee and assisted by the Diocese of Newark.
“Celebrate Art” Arts Festival:
September, 2008 will be our third year of Celebrate Art, a collaborative effort that raises scholarship monies for the children of St. John's Arts Camp Unity as well as other community outreach programs.
Artists from across Hudson County and New York City share their arts at St. John's. The festival brings art pieces from many outstanding artists working in Hudson County and New York City. The event opens with an evening gala with the artists and musicians. Saturday is family day, and Sunday brings live music, high tea, and drama! Thanks to FAN of HC, St. John’s Guild, the performers and artists, and all the parish participants, the art weekend is a great success.
The fiberglass “keep your head up high” Giraffe, the featured art piece of last year’s show, became a permanent member of our parish, standing beside the church entrance. With Bishop Beckwith’s visit in December, 2007 the giraffe received her Episcopal blessing, with lots of passing cars pausing at our corner to observe the unusual event.
100 Year Committee:
The 100 Year Planning Committee has been meeting since June 2007, discussing the possible alternative, and expanded uses for the parish house. Members have been visiting various outreach and community service facilities in Hudson County has potential models for programs and outreach at St. John’s.
We recognize that, as Proverbs 29 says, “Where there is no vision, the people of God perish.” Being a community of God challenges us, both as a committee and as a parish, to:
1. discern the Holy Spirit’s calling to our parish,
2. to vigorously study the Scripture, and
3. to remember and honor our history.
Our challenge has been to discern our identity (which we see founded in our past, our core values and our strengths), to be flexible to the Spirit’s lead, and to be listening to the needs of our community, all at the same time. Reviewing the history of our parish, we see that we have always struggled with finances, but have grown from worshipping in a silk mill, to a wooden hall, to our present church; and from a very small conservative church, to a small, upward and outward focused, vibrant community. Though none of us will be here in 100 years, we are all committed to planning and enabling the parish’s future.
Community Outreach:
The community outreach of St. John’s extends beyond the weekly programs housed and supported by the parish. The following activities are highlights of the last year’s outreach:
As an annual outreach, SJC serves dinner to homeless people at the Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC) in Union City. Parishioners prepare the food and serve the meal. They meet and talk with the homeless guests and weekend staff.
Each May SJC sends delegates to walk in the AIDS Walk in NYC Central Park. The walkers are part of the Newark Diocese team with both children and adults completing the 10 mile walk around Manhattan.
In late summer we hold several morning prayer services in the courtyard which brings new faces to worship at St. John’s. The services enable us to enjoy the sounds of summer, change the feel of our Sunday worship, and also make the parish more approachable to our neighbors.
SJC participates every year in Jersey City’s Gay Pride Day. In August SJC shares a tent with the rector and congregation of Jersey City’s St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, and Union City’s St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. We meet and talk with the lesbian and gay community of Hudson County, and invited them to the St. John’s arts programs. We offer prayers and collect prayer requests which all three parishes include in their Sunday services.
SJC organizes a Crop Walk for Union City annually for the Church World Service, an ecumenical relief service ministry. Last year the walk included Lutherans and Episcopalians who walked across Union City to the Methodist church in Weehawken. The participants had sponsors and collected money along the way. The funds raised went to CWS to support education and advocacy programs, immigration and refugee programs, and social and economic development. The walk raised over $500 and also aided PERC.
Last October St. John’s sponsored a Hip Hop Evensong. Pastor Rev. LaDana Clark (aka LADYJAM) came from the Church-in-the-Hood in Plainfield with members of her worship group to lead the service. The service brought many new visitors from Union City and Jersey City.
During Advent, 2007 St. John’s collected children’s pajamas, to assist the campaign by Grace Episc. Church in Rutherford. Over a dozen pajamas were collected and appreciatively received by the parish of Grace.
Social activities at St. John’s include:
- Tween events and trips for kids between eight and twelve.
- Parish Fun Nights
- Suppers before Maundy Thursday and after the Christmas Eve and Easter Vigil services
- Poetry readings
Altar Guild, Choir and Worship Committee:
The Sunday worship at St. Johns is assisted by the Altar Guild who set and maintain the altar and vestments of the parish. The Worship Committee assists the Rector in planning and undertaking Sunday worship and special services. The committee also assists in recruiting and training lay readers and ministers for services. SJC has a small choir led by the church music director.
Financial:
The financial committee is led by the parish treasurer. The committee oversees the parish finances, including church and school costs, collections, grants, and outreach expenses.
Stewardship:
The stewardship committee meets regularly to assist the financial goals of the parish and to plan stewardship activities. The committee is committed to seeing the stewardship is a year-round goal. Recent activities have included “greening” the church through parishioners augmenting their pledges to support energy efficiency at home and at church (including moving the parish to eco-friendly energy use), replacing of electric bulbs in the parish properties with energy-efficient bulbs, and planting the front garden with flower bulbs.
