St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church members are involved in several special ministries to the Williams community and the surrounding area.

Camp Genesis Camper Card Program

Each year up to 24 children, ages 8 to 17, gather in Prescott to attend Camp Genesis.  The mission of Camp Genesis is to create a safe space for children who have or have had an incarcerated parent to have fun, grow in self-esteem, and build community.  The campers come from diverse backgrounds, but all of them live with the challenging effects of having an incarcerated parent.  The Camp Genesis Card program was created in order to keep the camp experience alive in their memories, encourage them throughout the year, and remind them that they are loved by God.  St. John’s joined this program in September 2025.  Members of the congregation are sending a card to each camper each Autumn, for each camper’s birthday and a Christmas card in December.

Food Cupboard

In 2017 the members of St. John’s came up with the idea to create a cupboard that will be stocked 24/7 with some basic food items to help in between major food bank deliveries.  Those who are hungry may take what they need, and we ask that everyone in the community, who can, help restock the cupboard to help the next hungry person.  The cupboard was built by Dr. Cesareo Vasquez, and was filled for the first time November 18, 2017.  Within days of being filled for the first time, it was serving several people in the community.  We ask that the Williams community continue to help us provide food in the cupboard for those that are hungry.

Williams receives a once-a-month visit from St. Mary’s Food Bank (based in Phoenix) at Northwoods Church (100 N. Pinecrest Trail) on the first Wednesday of every month starting from 10 a.m.  to Noon.  On the fourth Thursday of the month, food is distributed at Bethany Fellowship (behind Family Dollar) from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Those needing more food assistance in Arizona should click this link for more helpful information: https://www.firstfoodbank.org/get-help/

Hope Bags

Once a month, members of St. John’s, under the direction of Deacon Gallup, create Hope Bags that are then distributed at the Williams Senior Center.  The bags contain personal hygiene items (soap, washcloth, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) along with food items to snack on.  All the items are donated by church members.

Lessons and Carols

Since 2009, St. John’s has brought a variety of music to the community with concerts on Sunday afternoons during Advent.  The Lessons and Carols choir (which is open to all in the community – not just members of the congregation) and local clergy/lay persons present Lessons and Carols service the second Sunday of Advent. This service also features many local and regional musicians.  The concert(s) are child-friendly and free (a free-will offering is there for who would like to help offset the costs of the performances).  After the service, members of the church serve refreshments in Walker Hall and it provides a time for the musicians, readers, and the public to meet. Check our Events calendar to find out more about Lessons and Carols rehearsals for those who would like to join the choir, and also when the program will be given each year.

Adult Book Study

We meet in Walker Hall.  The book study group is open to the community.  You do not need to be a member of St. John’s to participate.  Please write to the church email address with any questions you may have.  Our schedule is on our Events calendar along with what book we are reading and discussing.

St. John’s Choir

The choir meets at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary.  Rehearsals last about 30 minutes.

We welcome members and non-members of St. John’s alike – the only requirement is a love of singing God’s praises.  The choir sings once or twice a month on Sunday during the worship service.   We welcome young adults (middle school through high school) as well as adults into the choir. The choir does special music for the Advent and Lent/Easter church seasons along with the regular Sunday music.

Rummage Sales

St. John’s typically hosts one or two large rummage sales per year.  Items do not have price tags, but instead we only ask for a donation for the items needed.  This means it can be what you can afford.  Check our Events calendar to find out when the next sale is going to be!  Proceeds from the sale go to various Episcopal and Lutheran (ELCA) agencies/missions.

Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinners

Each year we mark the day before Lent begins with a Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras pancake dinner for the community.  Pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, beverages and a variety of syrups are offered for a free-will offering donation.

Blessing of the Animals

The first weekend of October we celebrate the Blessing of the Animals.  All pets are welcomed at St. John’s, receive a blessing, and a St. Francis medallion that can be placed on their collar or cage.  From goldfish to horses, they are all welcomed.  Check our Events page to find out the exact date and time in October.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Meetings

AA and Al-Anon meetings are held in St. John’s Walker Hall (the parish hall).  These meetings are open to the community. Information line phone numbers are: 928-853-7706 or 928-255-7330.  The schedule below does change, so do call to confirm a meeting time and day!

Al-Anon meets in Walker Hall on Thursdays at 6:30 PM.

AA meetings are:

• Monday -12x 12 Discussion – 6:30 – 7:30 PM
• Tuesday – High Noon – Noon – 1:00 PM
• Wednesday – Women’s meeting – 10:00 – 11:00 AM
• Wednesday – Grapevine Discussion – 7:30 – 8:30 PM
• Friday – Daily Reflection – 6:30  – 7:30 PM
• Saturday – Dawn Patrol (closed men’s meeting) – 7:30 – 8:30 AM
• Saturday – Big Book Study – 7:00 – 8:00 PM

For more on other AA and Al-Anon area meetings and times call 866-641-9190 for assistance.