WELCOME

Dear Prospective Candidate,
Thank you for taking the time to get to know us as you navigate through the information we have put together about our church family at St. John's, Congaree in Hopkins, SC. We are grateful that you are willing to consider us. The time and effort spent preparing this part of our website and our parish profile have allowed us to consider the following questions in our faith journey: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? Through prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit, we are excited about the positive change and spiritual growth the transition with a new rector will bring as we build on our traditions of workshop, ministry, and fellowship.
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​
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The History of St. John's, Congaree
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Staff & Vestry
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Worship: Being nourished through the Eucharist is the center of worship at St. John's. Our Sunday services are an 8:30 Rite II service and a 10:30 Rite I service. 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, chalice bearers, ushers and greeters, and altar guild members. Read more on Worship at St. John's
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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
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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.
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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, SC. We are about 11 miles west of Columbia, SC, about 34 miles from Camden, SC, and about 30 miles east of Sumter, SC. St. John's is part of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Trinity Cathedral and the Diocesan offices are both located in Columbia. Eastover and Gadsden, SC are small towns adjacent to Hopkins which are a mix of suburban and rural properties. The church is located near McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Tree farms, horse pastures, vegetable/fruit farms, and hayfields surround the church. Congaree National Park, the oldest old-growth flood plain forest in the United States is nearby. While we are sometimes referred to as "The Church in the Swamp", we enjoy our pastoral environment that leaves most of the noise and traffic at a comfortable distance. Read more about our Community
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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!
Ministries
At St. John's, Congaree, we are blessed to have members with compassionate hearts, willing to serve by sharing their time and talents with each other and the community. We serve to help others but realize the joy we receive in giving to others.
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The Episcopal Church Women (ECW): The ECW strives to empower our women to carry out Christ’s work in our community and the world. Three to four times a year the women serve a brunch between Sunday services. Food and fellowship are enjoyed by all and the generous donations help to fund the many charities the ECW supports such as St. Jude’s Hospital, Harvest Hope Food Pantry, local charities that support women and children, and the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. A scholarship to Camp Gravatt, the Diocesan Camp, is funded annually. The ECW also supports local families in the community at Christmas by coordinating a church-wide drive for gifts and food. The response is always overwhelming!
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Missions and Outreach: This ministry provides a response to needs within the community that are brought to the attention of church members. Examples of recent service include the building of a wheelchair ramp and other home repairs. During the pandemic realizing the community's need, this committee made special donations to Harvest Hope Food Bank, Senior Resources, and the Women’s Shelter of Columbia.
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Cemetery: Any active member may request burial space, free of charge, in St. John’s Cemetery. Those who are not members of St. John’s, but who are lineal descendants of members, may acquire the right for burial space in the cemetery. The Cemetery Committee is available to serve our families as a contact with local funeral homes to facilitate gravesite opening and monument placement. The cemetery also serves as a way to keep in contact and communicate with prior members or families who may no longer attend St. John’s due to distance or illness.
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Gadsden Elementary Outreach: St. John’s, Congaree has developed a warm relationship with a local school, Gadsden Elementary. The school, located about 5 miles from St. John’s, serves many low-income families, so opportunities to open our hearts in love abounds. Through a partnership with Gadsden Elementary, St. John’s has provided supplemental, weekend meals for students in need. Healthy, non-perishable food is provided for children to take home each Friday. Many members participated in the “back-pack” program, and look forward to resuming once COVID restrictions ease. Reading Matters, a program that began in 2015 through a partnership between faith leaders in Columbia and Richland School District One, provides reading help for students. Members of St. John’s have volunteered their time to this worthwhile cause.
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Hospitality: Giving nourishment and comfort to those hurting or sharing in the joy of those celebrating special events is the goal of the hospitality ministry at St. John’s. Members are always willing to provide friendly, compassionate, generous receptions for members, guests, and visitors. Food is provided for special occasions such as The Bishop’s visitation, momentous birthdays, and baptisms. Receptions following any funeral service at St. John’s are provided should the family desire it. Within our church, family meals and visits are arranged for anyone who may need help following a hospital stay or other hardships.
Communication
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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: An answering machine was added to the church’s phone so messages could be left. We initiated a system that immediately forwards voice and transcribed messages to the rector or a designee. This allows a return phone call within a reasonable amount of time.
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Call Multiplier: Robocalls serve to communicate important information instantaneously with members of the church by phone calls, texts, or both.​​
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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.
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In Christ,
The St. John's Search Committee
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