The members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Shawano are dedicated to helping the community through their outreach programs.
“We have 100 percent participation in all our programs,” parish member Marlene Brown said. “It’s a friendly parish and we all work together. That’s just the way our church is.”
“It’s a very open and caring church,” said Sue Sazama, chairperson of the church’s annual Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner. “We welcome everybody.”
One of the organizations members help is Safe Haven, an emergency shelter in Shawano. The church helps with food, supplies and money.
“We get a list of things to be donated and we try to comply,” Brown said.
Church members also donate personal items such as travel-size toothpaste, lotions and shampoo when they come back from vacations.
Right now the church is collecting cans of soup for a Souper Bowl of Caring for the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center. They collect food items all year long in a basket in church. They also contribute cash.
“We contribute weekly at Sunday service,” Brown said.
Member Peggy Garefino takes care of the Sunshine Outreach. She sends greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings, and to those who are sick or hospitalized.
“We’re a small church and we all know each other and we’re like a family,” Brown said.
Brown is the facilitator for the Prayer Circle. People request prayers for family and friends.
“It’s an important ministry in the parish,” she said. “We’ve had wonderful results.”
The church funds its outreach activities with the annual pancake dinner on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
Sazama said the meal has become so well-attended that the hours have been increased. It is the church’s biggest fundraiser.
“Most of the food is donated,” Sazama said.
Church members begin preparations on Monday, getting the potatoes peeled for the potato pancakes. They also serve buttermilk pancakes, sausage, cheese, desserts and beverages for the all-you-can-eat meal.
The event also includes 25 to 30 raffle baskets; the winning tickets will be drawn at 6:30 p.m. All of the baskets are donated. Pastor Mary Trainor will also raffle off her quilted wall hangings.
Also on the church’s schedule in coming weeks are Lenten services, with Bible study at 11 a.m. and Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and Holy Week services.
For more information, call the church at 715-526-3686.
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