Mission Statement

The mission of St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church in Williams is:

Grounded in Christ’s love, St. John’s provides an atmosphere for all to explore their faith & reach out to those in need.

St. John’s Shield

The shield for St. John’s is unique to this church.  It combines the Episcopal shield with Luther’s seal.  The shield is the symbol of the Episcopal Church of America, as adopted by the General Convention in 1940.  Martin Luther designed his seal in the 1500s as an expression of his faith.  Together, they symbolize the dual heritage and unity in Christ of our church.

More About Us

We believe in an all-loving and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  A God that cares about diversity in its revelation.  St. John’s has a history of inclusion, and we aspire to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. In both the Episcopal and ELCA Lutheran  traditions, women and men serve as bishops, priests/ministers and deacons in our churches.  Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels.  We strongly believe that God loves all – no exceptions.

In recent years, Episcopal, Lutheran and many other churches have been voicing this belief through more active participation in LBGTQ+ events, assistance to asylum seekers, work in prisons, feeding the hungry wherever they are, and working to repair hundreds of years of mistreatment to indigenous peoples and people of color (POC) in the USA.

We are all equal and made in the image of God.  Too often humanity forces division and exclusion between God’s children.  The Church is called to remind people that nobody is excluded in God’s heart.  This church is a safe house for all, including the LGBTQ+ community.  St. John’s is an affirming church where are all are welcome.

For more about our history, click here.

Leadership and Bishop’s Committee

Our Interim Vicar at St. John’s is The Rev. Philip A. Shaw.  Father Phil is also an Assisting Priest at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Prescott, where he served as Interim Rector from February 2022 through September 2023.  Bishop Smith ordained Father Phil in June 2007, and he served Trinity Church in Kingman until becoming an interim in Prescott.  St. John’s was his sponsor at his ordination.

Deacon Dale Gallup is also assisting in the ministry of St. John’s. He is part of our worship services, except for the first Sunday of each month.  He is a full-time chaplain for a hospice agency in Kingman, Arizona and is on call on those first Sundays.  He is also attending those at home or in medical care facilities in our congregation, providing communion and support.  He also is leading our Hope Kit projects and other new projects for the church and community.

The Bishop’s Committee is the local governing body at St. John’s.  The officers of the Bishop’s Committee are Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Clerk and Treasurer. The Bishop’s Committee members meet regularly and make decisions regarding St. John’s finances, programs, and goals. Bishop’s Committee members are responsible for carrying out the mission of St. John’s Church.

Services

Please join us Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for our regular services. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is a part of every Sunday service, and all those who truly sorry for their sins, are welcome at the Lord’s table.

Healing Services are held at St. John’s on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at noon.  These are a shortened service but include the Eucharist/Holy Communion as part of the service.  All who are in need of any kind of healing  or know of someone who is need of healing are encouraged to attend this service.  It is also appropriate for those who are unable to attend our Sunday services due to work or family commitments.

St. John’s is located in the heart of the downtown Williams, just one block south of Historic Route 66 at the corners of Grant and 2nd Streets.

Whether you are just passing through Williams, visiting the Grand Canyon, touring Historic Route 66, new or old residents of the community, and/or in the process of seeking Christ in your life, you are invited to attend this church and worship with us.

Please join us for any of our worship services. You will definitely feel welcome at St. John’s!

Land Acknowledgement

The congregation of St. John’s in Williams, Arizona, nestled below Bill Williams Mountain, gratefully acknowledges the Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather today: the Hopitutskwa, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Hualapai, Hohokam, Diné, and Apache, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.