Community Involvement

St. John–Norrona Parish is actively involved in many projects and activities within our local community and surrounding areas. We are an engaged participant in the Shared Ministry group, supporting and hosting a variety of community-wide events, including:

• World Day of Prayer – A Shared Ministry service held each year in March.
• Christian Unity Lunches – A Shared Ministry event held locally each January.
• Rogation Service – A Shared Ministry community service held at Lions Park. During the service, blessings are offered for water, seeds, land, gardens, animals, tools, and wild and uncultivated places. Each church participates, and refreshments and cookies are shared following the service.
• Shared Ministry Community Church Service – A community worship service held each June at the Strasbourg Memorial Hall.
• Prelude to Christmas – A community-wide event held annually in December at the Strasbourg Memorial Hall, with participation from all local churches.
• Community Easter Program – Held annually and typically well attended. Local churches provide Easter-themed presentations similar to the Prelude to Christmas program. A lunch follows the service, with each church contributing cookies and dainties. A free-will offering is collected in support of a local community program. In recent years, funds have supported food hampers. Hosting duties will alternate between the Lutheran and Alliance churches going forward.
• Blue Christmas Service – A Shared Ministry service held in December.
• Christmas Food Hampers – A Shared Ministry initiative with food donation bins placed throughout Strasbourg and surrounding communities. Food hampers are distributed to local families in need during the Christmas season.
• Community Food Hampers for World Food Day – A Shared Ministry project in partnership with the Strasbourg Co-op. Canned and dry food items are collected and provided to the Co-op for distribution to local families in need.
• Monthly Parish Breakfasts – A time of fellowship featuring a great meal, an engaging speaker, and social time together.
• School Food Program – Each March, donations are accepted in support of the William Derby and Bulyea Elementary School food programs. Donors are asked to clearly indicate their intent when giving. Seventy-five percent of funds raised support William Derby School, and twenty-five percent support Bulyea Elementary School.
• Music Festival – Held annually in April at St. John Lutheran Church. This is a two-day event.
• Jesse Tree – Norrona’s mitten tree, set up in December. Items are collected and donated to Carmichael Outreach in early January and are greatly appreciated by recipients.
• Shrove Tuesday – Held annually in February at St. John Lutheran Church.