WELCOME
Perspective Rector
Dear Prospective Candidate,
Thank you for taking the time to learn about St. John’s Congaree in Hopkins, South Carolina. We are honored that you are considering our parish as part of your discernment process.
As we prepared our parish profile and shared our story, we reflected on three important questions in our journey of faith: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where is God calling us next?
Through prayer, thoughtful reflection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have gained a deeper understanding of who we are as a church family and the opportunities that lie ahead. We are excited about this season of transition and the spiritual growth, renewed energy, and fresh perspectives a new rector will bring. Together, we look forward to building on our strong traditions of worship, ministry, fellowship, and service as we continue to follow Christ’s call.
We invite you to explore our profile and learn more about our congregation, our community, and our vision for the future.
In Christ,
The St. John’s Search Committee
St. John's Mission Statement
We, as members of St. John’s Episcopal Church Congaree, are an open, caring, nurturing community committed to living the Word of God by witnessing through Christ, growing in grace through prayer, fellowship, education, and service.
Meet the Search Committee
Fran Burnett, Lisa Clarkson, Chairperson,
Selman Watson, Lloyd Ash,
Bud McCaskill, Van Lott
Who We Are
The History of St. John's, Congaree
Staff & Vestry
Worship: Being nourished through the Eucharist is the center of worship at St. John's. Our Sunday Rite II is held at 10:30. A midweek Morning Prayer service is also available. To support our worship services, we have an active laity that helps each Sunday as lay readers, lectors, acolytes, chalice bearers, ushers and greeters, and altar guild members.
Read more on Worship at St. John's
Finances and Stewardship: St. John's is truly fortunate not to have any long-term loans or capital debt. When the church burned in 1981, it was completely rebuilt and funded through insurance and generous donations from parishioners and friends of our church. We have also had two renovations of our Parish Hall and the construction of a support building that did not require us to incur debt.
Read more on Finances and Stewardship
Fellowship: Meeting in fellowship comes in many forms at St. John's. After church on the last Sunday of each month, we meet for a covered dish lunch. Everyone brings something to share. We always have enough to feed those who stay and for any visitors.
The annual St. John’s All Saints BBQ brings church members, families, and friends together. We gather Saturday night for a “chicken bog” dinner to meet with those who will spend the night cooking the BBQ. Sunday morning there is a Eucharist at the BBQ pit and after our All Saints Sunday celebration, we serve lunch with the best BBQ in South Carolina!
Other opportunities for fellowship include holiday celebrations, Youth Sunday picnic and games (following the Sunday service), bible studies, and other study groups. Even workdays to spruce up the church brings us together.
Community: St. John's Congaree is located in Hopkins, South Carolina, just minutes from Columbia and within easy reach of Camden and Sumter. As part of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, we benefit from close connections to the diocesan community, with both Trinity Cathedral and the diocesan offices located nearby in Columbia.
Nestled between the neighboring communities of Eastover and Gadsden, our parish enjoys a unique blend of rural beauty and suburban accessibility. The church is situated near McEntire Joint National Guard Base and is surrounded by tree farms, horse pastures, family farms, and open fields that reflect the agricultural heritage of the region.
Our location offers the serenity of the countryside while remaining connected to the cultural, educational, and professional opportunities of the state capital. Just a short drive away is Congaree National Park, home to one of the largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the United States and a treasured natural resource for the area.
St. John's embraces its peaceful setting. Our pastoral surroundings provide a place of quiet reflection and hospitality, offering a welcome retreat from the pace and noise of everyday life while remaining accessible to the communities we serve.
Read more about our Community
Communication
Reliable and factual communication is important within any group, but especially at St. John's because our members live not only in the area near the church but also in the greater metropolitan area of Columbia.
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Bulletin: The Sunday bulletin lists announcements that are pertinent to the congregation and are sent by email to members and are also posted on the church’s website.
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Newsletter: Our Newsletter is shared monthly with all members. Many years ago when St. John's was in a search process, a newsletter was begun to keep the congregation apprised of the progress. The newsletter continues today with information and articles about our church.
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Voicemail: A dedicated voicemail system was implemented to ensure callers can leave messages at any time. Voicemails are automatically forwarded to the rector or a designated staff member, enabling timely review and prompt response times to inquiries.
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Call Multiplier: Robocalls serve to communicate important information instantaneously with members of the church by phone calls, texts, or both.
Thank You
It is our sincere hope that what we have shared with you provides the collective personality of St. John's as an open and welcoming church family seeking to share our love for God in the world. We thank you for taking the time to get a "feel" for who we are. Should you have any questions or want more information please email the Search Committee chairman, Lisa Clarkson at carros54@bellsouth.net.
In Christ,
The St. John's Search Committee