St. John’s News

Seen my share ofBroken halosFolded wings that used to fly They’ve all goneWherever they goBroken halos that used to shine Angels come downFrom the heavensJust to help us on our wayCome to teach usThen they leave usAnd they find some other soul to save Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton

Rev. Spencer Reece, is the former canon to the ordinary and national secretary for the Bishop of Spain, a post he held for nearly a decade. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was educated at Wesleyan, Harvard and Yale Berkeley. Ordained in 2011, he served as the chaplain at Our Little Roses, the only all-girl orphanage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The last two years he served as the interim priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s in Jackson Read more…

Dear Church, We had a curious conversation at our Finance Committee meeting a few days ago. You have some sense that this particular group of leaders typically pores over budgets—present and future, balance sheets, profit and loss for our entire organization. We came across the designated gifts accounting ledger looking at the various funds nearly entirely allocated to outreach in our community. Someone chimed in, “ahh, this is where the love-spreading happens.” I stopped short Read more…

My name is Annie Sampson, and I would like to personally invite each of you to attend at least one of our focus group meetings over the next month. I have attended St. John’s for over 10 years. I came here seeking a greater connection to God and to others, to serve and to find a place with a strong youth program for my daughter. I found that and much, much more! I have been Read more…

By Mary Erickson In mid-August, I attended the groundbreaking for the Jackson Street Apartments, across from the Snake River Brewery. This project has been a long time in the works, and it is exhilarating to see it finally happening. This project began many years ago with a series of conversations with Ian and Annette Cumming, as they worked to figure out the best use of the tract of land they owned on W. Hansen from Read more…

Dear Church, You’ve heard me say our mission here at St. John’s is to cover this valley with love like snow covers it in the wintertime. I’m proud and humbled to say I see you doing just that. In spite of the challenge of the last few years, your work in spreading love around this community has been creative, innovative, generous, and inspiring. Way to go! Though the majority of the love-spreading work we do Read more…

Following our fantastic women’s retreat at Thomas the Apostle Center in Cody in May, I am more committed than ever to growing our women’s ministry. There is a deep need for spiritual and social connections with women across generations and varied life experiences. Happening Now: Thursday Lunches – women meet every Thursday at noon for lunch and fellowship. Remember the first Thursday lunch is provided, other Thursdays, bring your own. Coming Soon: New Women’s Worship Read more…

We interview volunteers from around the church about why they love St. John’s and how they’re finding belonging. Today, we’re chatting with Jo Ann West. She and her husband Larry Veit live in Victor, Idaho, and run the Teton Valley Laundry Love. Jo Ann serves as a lay eucharistic minister and is inspired by the work and the people of St. John’s Church. Serving as a Lay Eucharist Minister (LEM) at St. John’s and helping Read more…

I lost my father last week. It was not unexpected – he was 92, after all. I thought I was prepared, but I’m not sure we are ever really prepared for the loss of a parent – that person who has been a part of your life since the very beginning. My mother passed eight years ago, so there is also this odd feeling of being parent-less. A friend who worked in geriatric care told Read more…