Upon receiving a gift from our Christmas Star Ministry, a 4th grader asked his dad,

"Who is Saint John? Is he Saint Nick's brother?"

Since 1994, the Christmas Star ministry continues to identify families in need in the Bellevue area and provide the children with gifts of toys and clothing. This ministry also provides food to make a holiday meal. Each year in November, the members of Saint John eagerly await the arrival of the Christmas Stars. Each child will receive a clothing star and a toy star.

History: It was Dorothy Marciniak who brought this idea for the Christmas Star Ministry to Saint John from her previous church. Because of the time restraints that first year the Christmas Star Ministry had a humble beginning with one family of six (four children and 2 adults). The following year this ministry grew as it provided clothes and toys for 33 children along with food for a Christmas meal for their families. Today, the Christmas Star ministry continues to bring joy to over 20 families and approximately 40 children.

This ministry has also grown from a two person ministry to at least a dozen who yearly plan and oversee the distribution of the food and gifts. Of course, all this would not be possible if it were not for the multitude of members who take a star and who donate food or money to purchase the food for the families.