EPISCOPAL IDENTITY

Chapel services are an integral part of the educational program at St. John’s Episcopal School. Students attend chapel services at every grade level. During our services, which are led by adult and student chaplains working side by side, we model the values and benefits of the spiritual life, explore our common bonds, cultivate an awareness of the needs of others, and help students develop a relationship with God.

We use Christian liturgy while respecting all the faith traditions represented in our student body and on our staff. Services include songs, prayers, readings from Scripture, a homily or story, and a benediction.

Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion) celebrations occur several times during the school year, usually in connection with church feasts and holy days (All Saints’ Day, Christmas, Epiphany, Maundy Thursday, and Pentecost). Students who are baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion. We begin Lent with a service on Ash Wednesday where the imposition of ashes is offered to those students with a signed permission slip.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the clergy and chaplain of St. John’s Episcopal Church and School if you have questions about our weekday chapel and weekend church services (5:00 p.m. Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sundays) or about your own spiritual journey.

Service Learning is an integral part of the St. John’s experience. Service learning projects provide our children an opportunity to give back to others while learning more about themselves. They foster a sense of responsibility and allow students to understand the importance of each individual’s role in making contributions to create positive change. Incorporating the theme,”Stewards of God’s Creation,” service learning projects encourage responsible citizenship, as it seeks to deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Upper Elementary projects include:

• Restoration and cleanup activities at O’Neill Regional Park
• Visits to residents at Park Terrace Senior Living
• Distribution of produce from our Seeds of Hope Garden at the Rancho Santa Margarita Food Pantry

Middle Division projects include:

• Restoration and cleanup at O’Neill Regional Park
• Gleaning at nearby agricultural fields with produce being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank
• Support for the homeless community through Catholic Worker in Santa Ana

Reflection is the heart of Service Learning. When students return to school, they are given the opportunity to write a reflection and include what they learned about themselves and others because of their service.

School-wide service projects include monthly contributions to Students for Safe Water along with the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Angels Project, Souls for Souls, and the Birthday Project for nearby Orangewood Home.

St. John’s Episcopal Church Youth Group is open to all St. John's students as well as students from other schools in grades 6 through 12.  Following Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry’s invitation to follow The Way of Love spiritual practices, the youth group has chosen to GO out into the world.  The practices include TURN, LEARN, WORSHIP, PRAY, GO, REST, and BLESS.  Currently, the group meets at various times during the month for service opportunities in the local community.  During these opportunities, we are involved in several of the practices and enjoy our time in the community being of service.

There are also fellowship events each month, including “Walk and Talks” at the RSM lake, monthly hikes, lunches, or movie outings. Special events throughout the year include the annual All Nighter, Christmas Shindig, and Winter Retreat.

If your child is interested please email sjecyouthgroup@gmail.com.