Justice Ministries
Faith in Action
Our Christian commitment to love and serve our neighbor is led by our Faith in Action commission.
This group of justice-seeking Episcopalians provides leadership and guidance in the areas of service, justice, education, and advocacy.
Upcoming Opportunities
Seek Justice
Creation Care
We are loved by God who saw that creation was good and made all things holy. We strive to care for, respect, protect, and learn about creation. The Creation Care group explores and advocates for sustainable practices at Saint John’s as well as considers the connection of our spiritual lives with the Earth.
Lenten Calendar
A helpful way to reflect upon our stewardship of creation during a season marked by sacrifice. This calendar is updated annually.
Episcopal Church in Colorado
Our Creation Care team collaborates with the diocese and churches across Colorado as we seek to honor and protect creation. A list of resources is offered below.
Migrant Ministry
This group strives to offer welcome and assistance to recent immigrants to the city of Denver. Through connection and action, we offer time and resources to those in need. Below are some of our partners and resources.
Casa de Paz
Casa de Paz (House of Peace) offers peace in the midst of chaos and is a close partner of the Cathedral. The Migrant Ministry and Faith in Action groups regularly volunteer and partner with Casa de Paz to welcome guests released from the immigrant detention center in Aurora by offering a safe space to connect with loved ones and find support.
Cocina Libre
A social enterprise that uplifts immigrant stories to build belonging and community for all. Cocina Libre creates educational materials (books, documentaries, and podcasts) and events (keynotes and workshops) where people connect over immigrant-made dishes and real, personal stories. A place that is not just about food; it’s about community and belonging.
Migrant Resource Guide
Created as a resource for migrants and immigrants, this guide is regularly updated by Migrant Ministry to connect community-wide resources.
Reimagining Justice
We believe that there remains much to be done in the continued fight against the legacy of systemic racism in the Denver area. We meet every month and are focused on repairing injustices stemming from centuries of anti-blackness and continued discrimination against disenfranchised racial groups in the USA. Many of us began this journey by participating in the Episcopal Church series ‘Sacred Ground’ or by working with the multi-faith group Together Colorado.
We are heartened by the growing momentum to study or pay reparations at the city and state level around the USA, including in Evanston, Illinois and in St. Petersburg, Florida. California has completed a monumental report on Reparations, and Colorado has passed S.B. 53 to begin a study of the same in our state.
Our Goals
To make a real difference in ameliorating the effects of historic and continued discrimination
To research books on these subjects and to make such books available to our congregation via bibliography and actual copies in our library
To work with local groups on issues such as jail tutoring, changes to zoning laws, affordable housing, health care for all, food insecurity, aid to historically segregated areas of Denver, and seek repair
To research and write a history of how the Episcopal church may have contributed to the exclusivity of certain neighborhoods or benefited from the profits of slavery
To lobby politicians at the city and national levels to begin hearings on reparations to African-American, Asian-American, Native American, and any other communities found to be the victims of illegal segregation, persecution, unfavorable health outcomes, and economic disadvantage
To incorporate a memorial service into our liturgy to commemorate the victims of racial violence
Meet Deacon Jack
As Deacon for Community Partnerships, Deacon Jack Karn oversees a wide range of activities, committees, and partnerships that strive for justice and peace in Denver and beyond. Specifically, he serves as the primary point of connection for all of our community partnerships, including the St. Francis Center and the St. Francis Apartments at Cathedral Square. Deacon Jack is the staff liaison to the Grants Committee and to the Faith in Action Commission.
Put Your Faith in Action
If you are interested in serving in any of the above ministries or learning more about our community partners, please contact Deacon Jack at jack@sjcathedral.org or (303) 577-7710.