Mission & Principles
Mission
St. John's uses this pictogram as a mission memory tool. Uniquely designed for our parish, its use of a Canterbury cross reminds us that we are a Christ-centered community of Episcopal (Anglican) heritage. With an historic, octagonal baptismal font and lifeboat oars radiating from its core, the visual design reminds us both of the saving gift of new life in Jesus as well as a ship's wheel and porthole, fitting for a congregation located in this Elizabeth River nautical town. Each arm of the cross bears one of of our four Mission Marks: Dwell, Feast, Journey, Shine.
Dwell
We dwell with people, in their cultural contexts, by following God’s example of moving into the neighborhood.
“God’s dwelling place is now among people...They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3
Feast
We feast joyfully at altar and table, recognizing that Jesus' presence is experienced in the breaking of bread.
“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29
Journey
We journey forward and deeper, seeking to be renewed by the riches of the Spirit.
“Shed upon us, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostles, may so walk in the light of your truth & attain the fullness of eternal life.” Book of Common Prayer
Shine
We shine inside and out, transforming lives as we make disciples and serve those in need.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Principles
We use these principles, held collectively by the community, to build on our mission foundation.
We commit ourselves to:
Holy Scripture as the foundational and primary source of our individual and corporate identity, perspective and vision. God’s gifts of tradition and reason, guided by the Holy Spirit, help us hear more clearly how the words of the Bible connect with our modern world.
Our Ancestors and their expressions of the Christian faith in the words of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
The Global Community of over 85 million Christians, called the Anglican Communion, to which we belong.
Transparency to God and each other that is possible through relationships both centered in prayer and open to transformation through belonging to a small community within the larger church.
A Life-long Journey in which “the greatest truths are given to the youngest child” and during which teens and adults can wrestle with their faith in order to more uniquely bear Jesus’ image to God’s beloved world.
Interactive Engagement of all ages in every aspect of our common life in which the experience of the community is more important than one’s individual preferences.
An Entrepreneurial Spirit where the reality that the baptized are gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry and service is realized in the freedom of each person to perceive, obey and implement the messages and vision God places in their lives.
Quality in all that we say and do, believing that excellence honors God and lavish generosity reflects God’s abundant love for the world.
Indigenous Worship in multiple styles and formats, engaging worshipers to experience the timelessness of Jesus’ gifts of Baptism and Eucharist by drawing from both the breadth of music, language, architecture, technology, and art forms found in both the 21st Century and the rich liturgical heritage of the early unified Christian Church.
Integrity in our mission, principles and in our commitments to God and one another.
