Come as you are • Find your place

Life at St. John's

There is always room at the table—whether you come to worship, learn something new, lend a hand, make friends, or simply have some fun.

Church life is about more than a Sunday service. It is food shared, hymns sung, questions explored, neighbours welcomed, sleeves rolled up, and plenty of laughter along the way.

You do not need experience to join in—just curiosity.

First, discover where you belong

Find the Place That Feels Like You

Some people lead, some make, some welcome, some listen, and some work behind the scenes. Bring what you love—every gift matters here.

Members of Community Corner gathered around a table with colourful handmade knitting and crochet projects

Creating • Caring • Connecting

Community Corner

Every Tuesday, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

St. John's Anglican Church

Community Corner has been bringing people together at St. John's for decades, creating a welcoming space where creativity, friendship, and fellowship flourish side by side. We meet at the church every Tuesday throughout the year to knit, crochet, quilt, and share ideas, with plenty of conversation, laughter, tea, coffee, and homemade sweets along the way.

Whether you are an experienced crafter, just beginning, or have never picked up a pair of knitting needles before, you will find a warm and encouraging community where questions are welcomed, skills are shared, and experienced crafters are always happy to teach and encourage others. As one member put it, “I came to learn one thing and ended up learning another.”

Community Corner is open to everyone, whether or not you attend St. John's, and you do not need to bring your own tools or supplies to get started.

Together we create prayer shawls, quilts, lapghans, toques, scarves, and other handmade items that are shared with Mission to Seafarers, Children's Aid, Christmas hampers, and other charities. Handcrafted creations sold at local festivals help support the ministry's outreach. We are always grateful for donations of yarn, fabric, books, patterns, and crafting tools.

Whether you come to create, learn a new skill, or simply enjoy good company, you will discover a joyful community where friendships are formed, gifts are shared, and everyone has a place at the table.

Ask About Community Corner
Members of St. John's Bible Study gathered together around a table

Scripture • Prayer • Friendship

Bible Study

Mondays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

In person or on Zoom, depending on the season

Our Bible Study is a welcoming place to explore Scripture, ask honest questions, deepen faith, and learn alongside one another. Led by The Rev. Carol Langley with Debbie Smith, the group benefits from having a priest studying and praying alongside everyone.

Studies range across both the Old and New Testaments. We may follow the story of a particular biblical character, explore a book of the Bible, or consider a theme that connects Scripture with Christian life today. Guided workbooks help shape each series, with a modest amount of reading, reflection, or homework between meetings.

Learning is only part of the experience. We pray together each week, enjoy tea, coffee, and treats when meeting in person, and make room for social afternoons during each study series. The regular studies typically run for about twelve weeks and pause for the summer, when special spiritual and social gatherings continue in July and August.

Whether you are opening the Bible for the first time or have studied it for years, your questions are welcome and there is a place for you in the conversation.

Ask About Bible Study

Newcomers are always welcome.

Worship & care

Strathhaven Monthly Service

Jeffrey Martin and Robert Benz lead a warm, lay-led service for residents, with a reflection, prayers, and the singing of familiar hymns.

Third Sunday of every month

Strathhaven Long-Term Care, Bowmanville

Jeffrey Martin and Robert Benz

Worship

Music Ministry

Singers and instrumentalists help fill our worship with music. There is room for choir members, soloists, and musicians who would like to share their gifts.

Sunday services and special celebrations

Sharon Kosloski

Worship

Readers & Intercessors

take turns bringing scripture and the prayers of the people to life during Sunday worship. New voices are always welcome.

Sunday services

Rev. Lucia Lloyd

Community care

Saturday Soul Supper

Volunteers welcome, serve, and clean up as we offer a free, nourishing hot meal with friendship and dignity to anyone in our community.

Every Saturday, 4:30–6:00 p.m.

Cale Nicholson

Worship

Chancel Guild

This caring team chooses flowers for the and prepares the for , helping make worship beautiful and welcoming.

Shared rotation

Mary Tillcock

Tech & creativity

Digital Ministry

Our projection, video, livestream, and YouTube volunteers help people worship from the church and from home. Training and support are available.

Sunday services

Jeffrey Martin and Paula Peters

Community care

Christmas Hamper Team

Together we provide local families with a turkey, festive meal fixings, and groceries to help carry them through the winter school break.

Christmas season

Jen Ball

Welcome & friendship

Migrant Worker Ministry

We host dinners and fiestas for local migrant workers and gather food and practical supplies, building friendship with neighbours who are far from home.

Throughout the growing season

Williette Gardner

Growing in faith

Children & Youth

Children explore faith, the Bible, worship, and loving our neighbours through interactive and creative activities during the 10:30 service. Volunteers help make it happen.

Sundays, September through May

Cathie McCabe

Hospitality

Welcome Team

Sidespeople offer a friendly welcome, help people find their way, guide , receive the offering, and make Sunday mornings feel easy and hospitable.

Sunday services

Rev. Lucia Lloyd

Food & friendship

Coffee Hour Hospitality

Cookie bakers, snack makers, and setup helpers turn the hall into a relaxed place to catch up, meet someone new, and linger together.

Sundays after the 10:30 service

Sharon Kosloski

Creation care

Gardens & Grounds

Gardeners and outdoor helpers care for our flowers, shrubs, leaves, and grounds so our corner of Bowmanville feels loved and inviting.

Seasonal work days

Williette Gardner and Cathie McCabe

Then, share life together

Celebrate Through the Seasons

Friendships grow when we make memories together. These traditions, feast days, service projects, and just-for-fun gatherings give every season something worth looking forward to.

Fall

Applefest

Our cheerful crew heads downtown with tables full of fresh baking made by and volunteers. It is a joyful day of fundraising, conversation, and meeting our Bowmanville neighbours.

Spring

Maplefest

Fresh-baked treats, friendly faces, and the bustle of downtown Bowmanville make Maplefest a favourite—and everyone can help bake, set up, sell, or say hello.

Summer

Migrant Worker Dinners & Fiestas

We cook, serve, celebrate, and build friendships with local migrant workers through generous meals and lively community gatherings.

Fall

Harvest & Blessing of the Animals

We celebrate God’s good creation with harvest thanksgiving and a special St. Francis Day blessing for beloved animals and their people.

Fall

Pumpkins, Leaves & Hot Cider

All ages join in pumpkin carving and our leaf-raking day—simple, laughter-filled traditions made even better with treats and hot cider.

Winter

Advent & Christmas

From generous Christmas hampers to pageants, carols, candlelight, and Christmas worship, the season is full of wonder and shared care.

Spring

Lent, Holy Week & Easter

Learning series, special meals, reflective worship, and the joy of Easter invite us to walk through the heart of the Christian story together.

All year

Potlucks, Retreats & Special Gatherings

Women’s gatherings, youth retreats, quiet days, concerts, community learning, and meals keep the calendar varied, meaningful, and fun.

Finally, take an easy first step

Start With This Week

You do not have to wait for a special occasion. Choose one friendly, relaxed gathering and come as you are.

Sunday

Early Sunday Worship

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Sunday

Sunday Worship

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Children’s Program

Sunday

Children’s Program

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Coffee Hour

Sunday

Coffee Hour

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Badminton

Monday

Badminton

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Community Corner

Tuesday

Community Corner

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville

Come as You Are

Try one gathering, pitch in for an afternoon, or tell us about an idea you would love to bring to life. There is no pressure and no perfect way to begin.