Our Community
St John’s reaches out to the community by opening its doors to outside groups (for example AA) and by participating in such charitable organizations as the Roe-Jan Pantry, which distributes food to those in need. Our clergy and laity are active in the Hudson Valley Deanery and the ecumenical Roe-Jan Clergy Association, both of which are cooperating to better use their individual resources. Members of the parish also belong to Albany Via Media, a lay-clergy organization that seeks to promote closer ties between the Diocese of Albany and The Episcopal Church.
St John’s participates in many ecumenical events in Columbia County, for example concerts, Thanksgiving and Christmas services, Winter Vacation Bible School, Churches Assisting Neighbors (CAN), Habitat for Humanity, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Meals on Wheels, and Community Hospice.
In July St John’s hosts a Summer Gala and Fundraiser. This event is popular, fun and successful!
Music Program
Music is an important element of our worship. Edith Hedrick serves as Organist and Choir Director. Our dedicated choir sings at the 10:00 am services all year round. Our music follows the Church seasons, with special programs for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. In February, we sing Spirituals to honor Black History Month. Hymns of Thanksgiving are appropriate for the harvest season.
We welcome singers in all ranges who are willing to “Make a joyful noise” at 9:00 am on Sunday. This eases the burden of midweek gatherings, but lengthens the interval between practices, a trade off. Because many of the choir members participate in local singing groups, they keep their voices in shape. Please contact Edee if you would like to sing with us! She can be contacted by phone at (518) 799-3282 or by email ejhedrick@berk.com.
Our lovely organ was designed and constructed by the Rosenberry and Clapper Organ Company of Valatie, New York. After it was painted to match the windows, an ancient drawing was discovered in the church archives. Our new organ turned out to be nearly identical to an organ painted near the turn of the 19th century!
Additional Musical Offerings
Named after the spectacular waterfall, the Bash Bish Bluegrass Band includes stand-up bass, fiddle, banjo, dobro and guitar players from the tri-state area. They play old fiddle tunes and country and bluegrass standards.
Winds in the Wilderness is a first rate chamber ensemble whose name echoes and home base is St. John in the Wilderness.
In addition to our own church music, St John’s has become the favored site for diverse musical offerings.
Sometimes in December we’ve had a wonderful Handbell Holiday Concert by the Salisbury Congregational Church Bell Choir as part of Copake Falls Winter Walk.
Jazz Vespers has often been celebrated at St John in the Wilderness – a unique Evening Prayer service with live jazz led by composer and musician John Myers and keyed to the themes of the readings and feast of the day.
Copake Falls Day and our Harvest Fest feature folk musicians, Bluegrass.