Cameroon Mission builds wells!

Four wells have been constructed in Cameroon villages this year through the fundraising support of St. John volunteers, donors and the work of project partners in Cameroon.  A fifth well will be completed in January at a center for women and children impacted by AIDS. These wells are providing clean drinking water for the first time to hundreds of village residents who previously collected water from impure rivers and streams.  Click here more information on the Cameroon mission

2023 Possibility Grant awarded to Heart Gallery

The St. John Mission and Outreach Committee gratefully announces the Heart Gallery of Alaska is the recipient of the 2023 Possibility Grant. We have been honored to have the Heart Gallery on display in the Triangle Room for the month of October.

Focusing on legally-free youth hoping to be adopted, the Heart Gallery advocates for these youth hoping to become members of their own “forever family.” The Heart Gallery of Alaska utilizes the power of media to capture the individuality of children living in foster care to advocate for their adoption, raise public awareness about their needs, and obtain support to help meet those needs.

The director of the Heart Gallery plans to use the grant to provide basic needs that the state is not able to provide and mentors to walk alongside these youth as they age out of foster care and enter adulthood. Without a family to support them, they have few resources and support. This grant will help fill that gap. Along with members of the local church community, the grant will provide staff and resources for the proper training and licensing of the mentors so that youth aging out of foster care will be better prepared to launch into adulthood.

Past Recipients Include:

• 2022 Alaska Literacy Program $8,600

• 2022 Girdwood Chapel/Turnagain Community Services $2,400

• 2021 Shiloh Community Housing LIFE program $10,000

• 2021 Choosing Our Roots $1,000

• 2020 Willow Community Food Pantry $10,000

• 2019 Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains $10,000.

• 2018: Rally the Regions & Alaska Innocence Project each $4500, Willow UMC Prison Ministry $1,000.

• 2017: Alaska Child & Family $10,000.

• 2016: Unalaska UMC $10,000.

• 2015: FISH $10,000.

Mentor an elementary student

The power of one! One Church, One School, One Mentor, One Child, One hour during the school week. Since 2016 St. John has provided mentors for students at Spring Hill Elementary. Continuing that mission, we are looking for Mentors to pair with Spring Hill students to meet once a week at the school during the upcoming school year. It is a great way to make a difference in a child’s life. That one hour can be used to talk, play games, do crafts, or help with homework. Whatever works best to let that child know they are special and you are there for them. Orientation and support materials provided. We are also looking for prayer partners to support our Mentors. Contact the office if you are interested.

Thirty-four quilts will be ready for residents of Shiloh Community Housing’s LIFE (Living Independent Forever) program, thanks to an effort supported by SJUMC’s Alaska Women in Faith. The LIFE program assists young adults ages 18-24 with housing as they gain independent living skills.

The 2022 Back to School Outreach Mission was another huge success. A total of 50 students from Kids' Corp and Big Brothers Big Sisters received backpacks stuffed with clothing. Gift cards will soon be donated to UAA’s Child Welfare Academy for students aging out of the foster-care system. Many thanks to the generous donors and amazing shoppers who helped make it happen!

Volunteers from St. John fill baskets headed to Covenant House in early September.

The Salvation Army was incredibly grateful for the camping mats collected for those living at Centennial Campground.. Mission and Outreach chair Carla says: “The (Salvation Army) woman was heading out within the hour so we just loaded everything into her car. She said they had run out of camping mats, so the timing was perfect. I think we really filled a need today.”

Mobile Food Pantries

Food Bank of Alaska's Mobile Food Pantry distributes fresh food to Anchorage families in need. Families receive healthy produce and dairy products that don't make it into their grocery budget. St. John supports this mission every third Thursday of the month in the west parking lot from 5 to 6 p.m.. Sign up here to volunteer at St. John

Volunteers are also needed at the First CME Mobile Food Pantry, the first and fourth Saturdays of every month at 3600 Macinnes St. Sign up here to volunteer at First CME

Meal Ministry
Your church family is there for you always, but especially in times of need. The Congregation Care and Hospitality team organizes meal trains as needed, such as after a death, when coping with a medical issue family crisis, or birth or adoption of a child. We are always looking for volunteer cooks! You can volunteer as little or as much as you'd like! If this is a way you'd like to serve, please email office@stjohnanchorage.org or call 907-344-3025 for more information.

Jesus Garden A team at St. John grows vegetables on church grounds for a local food pantry. Contact the office to learn more.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Do you know how to knit or crochet? Our pastoral staff and members regularly bring shawls to those in need of healing, prayer and support. We'd always love to have more shawls.

Days for Girls increases access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigmas and limitations for women and girls. Click here for more info.

Habitat for Humanity is a well-known international ministry that helps provide affordable housing through community involvement and sweat-equity. Over the decades, Habitat has transformed the way we think about housing ministries in our cities. The Anchorage chapter is always conducting “builds” and St. John is proud to participate frequently in the effort.

F.I.S.H. Ministry delivers emergency food aid to people in need in Anchorage, responding to a call for help through a network of volunteers. Whether at the end of a paycheck, out of work, beset by illness or in a family crisis, many people face difficult times. F.I.S.H. wants to be there for those who find themselves in an emergency needing food. Get a list of suggested items.

Birchwood Camp's mission is to build community on common ground. It strives to offer hospitality to all, and it opens its doors to groups both religious and secular. Guests are invited to retreat to a place of tranquility, a place apart from the everyday world to experience renewal and inspiration. Located in Chugiak, about 30 minutes from St. John.