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Reflection
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Christ, faithful Sower, scattering the good seed, God’s word of promise, full of truth and grace;
give us, your people, courage, strength, and wisdom, that we may serve you in this time and place.
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Teach us discernment as the quickened seeds sprout, when weeds and good plants have together grown, to tell temptations from the worth they mimic,
to seek your purpose rather than our own.
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Gird us with patience when no harvest ripens,
lest we despair and think our labors vain;
though it seem slow, your word of life will prosper, seedtime at length will yield abundant grain.
— hymn by Carl P. Daw (1944–)
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Who We Are
We are Christians who:
Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus;
Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to
God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;
Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable.
Community Reflections
Once I entered the sanctuary, something about the church just felt right. The vaulted ceiling, rich woodwork and intricate stained glass was reminiscent of churches I’ve visited in England and set the mood perfectly. St. John’s mystical side of worshiping God is what drew me in and brings me back each week. I truly feel immersed in the presence of God and welcome at His table. The structure of the liturgy, juxtaposed with the creative aspect of singing it, gives me a sense of connection to the continuum of Christian worship throughout the centuries.
-Matt
When I was divorced, I became interested in the Episcopal Church when I learned it was similar to Roman Catholicism. I attended a service at St John's where I was warmly welcomed, and accepted. There I experienced the friendly, open, non-judgmental and spiritual attitude I had been hoping for. I enjoy the spiritual, social and educational aspects offered. I'm happy to have found this renewing spiritual community.
-Joanne M.
For me St. John's provides a sense of community and family. The liturgy and the music are uplifting. Our organist, Margaret Angelini, is a gem. Her presence and playing each week on our organ makes it that much more special.
-Joanne H.
Parish Staff
Parish Leadership
St. John's Episcopal Church is currently in the midst of a leadership transition.
Embracing brave change
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (I Cor. 16:13-14)
God is calling to us to look ahead and to embrace brave change. As fewer people turn to the church as a source
of solace and strength, more than ever we yearn to know and be known by God and one another. In a world
plagued by grievous conflict, injustice and poverty, God gives us the courage to be agents of reconciliation,
justice and abundance. There will be difficult choices for us as followers of Jesus. It is only through ongoing,
prayerful discernment together that we will find a path to a faithful future.
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-from the guidebook Parish Transition Process for the Diocese of Massachusetts
Margaret Angelini, Director of Music
Margaret Angelini is the organist at Saint John’s. Margaret began her organ studies as a freshman at Wellesley College with Frank Taylor, and completed a Masters Degree in Organ at New England Conservatory with William Porter. Since then she has given numerous performances around New England on organ, harpsichord, and carillon. Having taught piano and music theory at Stonehill College for 9 years, she now teaches carillon at Wellesley College, where she is advisor to the 25-member student Guild of Carillonneurs.
Ms. Angelini is a member of the Boston chapter of the American Guild of Organists, where she has served as both Sub-Dean and Dean. She has also served in many roles on the board of the Old West Organ Society, including Executive Director. When she is not bringing carillon students on field trips around New England, she enjoys cooking, sewing, and crocheting afghans for her nieces and nephews.
The Reverend Jerry Morrow, SCP Rector Emeritus
Retiring in December 2016, the Rev. Jerry Morrow was our rector for nearly 34 years. Jerry grew up in a small town in Western Illinois, attended MacMurray College (Illinois), Union Theological Seminary (NYC), and Boston University, and was ordained in the Diocese of New York in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. In addition to his divinity degree, Jerry has two music degrees and has also done post-masters work in music and musicology. While a graduate student in New York he sang with the Camarata Singers, the Delbarton Consort, the Interchurch Center Choir, the New York Pro Musica Collegium, and the Saint Paul’s Chapel Choir at Columbia University.
Jerry lives in Dorchester (Ashmont) with his spouse, Joyce Hempstead, who recently retired as Director of Communication at the Roxbury Latin School, and their cat, Harriet. They have two grown children, Bethany and Peter.
Since retiring as our rector, Jerry has occasionally assisted at All Saints' Church, Ashmont, a sizable parish near his home. Among Jerry’s hobbies are reading and walking, often in that order.
