Saint John's Episcopal Church, Salem NJ
Founded in 1722 - Serving Salem and the Surrounding Community for 300+ Years
The Work of the People
Liturgy
The Liturgy of the Word
Scripture
We follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Most services include a reading from Hebrew Scriptures, a Psalm, an Epistle and a Gospel Reading. Followed by a sermon or time of reflection lasting usually no more than 15 minutes (depending on the preacher)
The Liturgy of the Table
Sacrament
We celebrate Holy Communion/ Holy Eucharist every Sunday. We hold a sacramental theology that says that the elements of Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
The Prayers that we use both Rite I (Traditional Language- Thees and Thous) and Rite II (Contemporary Language- You and Your) will be familiar to Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, ELCA Lutherans, and many other liturgical traditions.
Clergy and Laity
Servants
All baptized people are ministers of the church; we call this order of ministry the laity or lay people.
There are also people ordained as Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Deacons are called to be the bridge between the church and the world. Our Deacon sets the table, proclaims the Gospel and leads our outreach efforts. Priests preside over the sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Baptism, Confession, Marriage, and Funerals. Bishops ordain, confirm, and oversee the life of the Diocese.
Sacraments
There are two sacraments and five sacramental rites in The Episcopal Church
Baptism
Open for All
The Episcopal Church baptizes any person who wants to be adopted into the Body of Christ the Church. We baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father Son and Holy Spirit) and use the symbols of water and oil to represent the grace of God in the liturgy.
There is no need to be "rebaptized" because we believe in one faith and one baptism .
Confirmation/ Reaffirmation/ Reception
For Those Who Desire
The Episcopal Church confirms the faith in us with the sacrament of Confirmation which is celebrated by the Bishop.
Confirmation often is offered for teenagers, but adults are welcome to be confirmed in The Episcopal Church if they were not previously confirmed in another tradition.
If you have previously been confirmed you can join the Episcopal Church by being received into the denomination by the Bishop.
Adults can also re-affirm their Confirmation vows at any time when a Bishop is present.
Confession/ Reconciliation
For Those Who Desire
The Episcopal Church offers the sacrament of reconcilliation of the penitent. An individual can schedule an appointment to meet with the priest to hear their confession and offer absolution. We also have a General Confession offered during most worship services. The general understanding of Confession in the Episcopal Church is that none must, some should, and all may partake in this sacrament.
Marriage
For Those Who Desire
The Episcopal Church recognizes marriage as a covenantal promise between two consenting adults. To be married a couple needs to complete premarital counselling, one partner must be a confirmed Christian, and the priest must meet with the couple to discuss the additional requirements.
Burial
For Those Who Desire
The Episcopal Church has liturgies for the burial of indviduals who are professed Christians and those whose faith is unknown. If you would like a funeral service at St John's you can preplan your service with the priest, or a family can contact the parish to make arrangments after an individual has died.
You can fill in a "Funeral Plan" online here
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About Saint John's Staff:
Our Deacon
Our Minister of Music
Our Minister of Music
Deacon Sally is a native of Salem County. She was ordained into the diaconate in 2012. She is the deacon of St. John's and St. George's in Pennsville. Deacon Sally served in the US Air Force and has spent her career as a nurse practitioner throughout South Jersey. She is the mother of 3 boys and has many grandchildren.
Our Minister of Music
Our Minister of Music
Our Minister of Music
Bill Clisham, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Church degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. He taught High School Vocal Music & Theory for 15 years. Bill has been a professional church musician since 1965, serving Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcop
Bill Clisham, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Church degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. He taught High School Vocal Music & Theory for 15 years. Bill has been a professional church musician since 1965, serving Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopal congregations. Bill was Minister of Music at St. John’s, Salem, 2008-2019, then was called out of retirement to resume this position in January of 2021. Bill’s wife, Mary Anne—also a native of Baltimore—is a retired main-frame computer programmer/systems analyst, and reccently retired as an office assistant at Diocesan House in Trenton. She is a singer, expert handbell player, and page turner “par excellence.” Their adult fraternal twin sons, Glen & Matthew, live in North Jersey and the Florida Keys, respectively.
Our Administrator
Our Administrator
Our Administrator
Eileen is a lifelong Salem County native. She graduated from Schalick HS and Elizabethtown College, where she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. Eileen taught for 35 years, retiring from the Pittsgrove Township School District in 2018. Eileen was elected to the Woodstown-Pilesgrove BOE in 2005 where she has served as President, Vice
Eileen is a lifelong Salem County native. She graduated from Schalick HS and Elizabethtown College, where she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. Eileen taught for 35 years, retiring from the Pittsgrove Township School District in 2018. Eileen was elected to the Woodstown-Pilesgrove BOE in 2005 where she has served as President, Vice President, and committee chair. She has also served at the county and state level in various roles for the NJ School Board Association. In her free time, Eileen sings with the Salem Oak Singers. Eileen lives in Woodstown with her husband David and their daughter Jean.
Our Priest
Our Administrator
Our Administrator
Mother Kim is our interim priest. She joined us in January of 2023 to accompany us in this time of transition. Originally from Berks County, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Temple University with degrees in Political Science and Asian Studies. She earned a master's Degree in Literature, Religion, and Philosophy from the University of
Mother Kim is our interim priest. She joined us in January of 2023 to accompany us in this time of transition. Originally from Berks County, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Temple University with degrees in Political Science and Asian Studies. She earned a master's Degree in Literature, Religion, and Philosophy from the University of Sussex in the UK and her Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She lives with her husband and their two children in Pitman, where Andrew is the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Mo Kim listens to Musical Theatre soundtracks, knits, cross stitches, and reads science fiction and biographies in her free time.
Feel Free to Reach Out to Ask Questions
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