Feature Stories
Vacation Bible School was a Galactic Blast!
Over 150 children and 75 adult and youth leaders participated in this year’s Vacation Bible School at Saint John. The children were treated to an exploration of the universe as we celebrated the Galactic Blast theme. Visits from great Biblical characters, singing and dancing, crafts and story telling made for very full days. What a great celebration. Thanks to all who had a hand in making this the best VBS ever!
Totem Pole Proclaims the Christmas Story
The Christmas Totem, the beautiful retelling of the Christmas story using the totem imagery of the Tsimshian people of Southeast Alaska, was recently installed on the lawn at Saint John UMC. The totem is the creation of pastor emeritus David Fison, an adopted member of the Tsimshian Nation. He first carved the totem years ago, using tradition native images and ideas to tell the story of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Our recent interim pastor, John Dodson was inspired by Pastor Fison’s insightful telling of the Christian story through the use of totems and encouraged David to make this project possible. The totem was made possible by a gift from the Fison family. Pastor Fison was the pastor of Saint John UMC from 1982-1989.
Recently a group of church members gathered to install the Christmas Totem, which is an exact replica of the original cedar log carving. It is traditional custom that totems kept outdoors must be painted, and so the totem is decorated in beautiful traditional colors.
Latest News

Special Needs Classes
Saint John's outreach to special needs children is making a difference in the lives of the children, their families, the class leaders, and the congregation. … [Read More...]
Newcomer Orientation Night
All persons interested in learning more about Saint John and our life together are invited to share pizza and fellowship this evening at 6 pm on Wednesday, … [Read More...]
Sermons
A Simple Gospel
A Simple Gospel
July 25, 2010
Luke 10:25-37
Perhaps you heard about the two psychiatrists who met on the street. One of them said, “Good morning! How are you?” After they had passed, the other one thought, “I wonder what he meant by that?” We’ve become accustomed to complexity, so much so that we miss the simple truth when it should be obvious.
As people of faith, we have a long and distinguished history of making things more complicated than they need to be. It all started when God gave Moses those two tablets with Ten Commandments. It was a pretty simple set of rules. Moses carried them down the mountain, got the people’s attention and they all lived happily ever after, right? Well, not quite. [Read More...]
