St John’s is a member of the Sleeping Giant Build – the community-based group of local religious organizations, civic groups, businesses, individuals and families who have come together to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven to sponsor a house build. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing through the creation of homeownership opportunities for low-income, working families. Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes in the New Haven area with the goal of creating safe, affordable houses that add to the revitalization of New Haven's neighborhoods. The Sleeping Giant Build is currently working on a building for the Morales family at 75 Hallock Street in New Haven. Check out their website.

The ground-breaking ceremony took place in late January, and St. John’s members were present along with people from all the other sponsors and the Morales family.

As a sponsor, St. John’s is committed to supporting the build with volunteer labor. There are many jobs to be done on the building site. Contact the parish office (239-0156) to pass your name along to the volunteer coordinator. We are also committed to supporting the build financially. Our sleeping Giant Build committee is organizing a number of “Homemade” opportunities to make contributions. Several Sundays this spring, they will be holding old-fashioned bake sales during coffee hour after the 10 am service, and on Saturday, April 26, there will be a Homemade Fair featuring a raffle for a beautiful new quilt, made by a parishioner.

The fair will be followed by some of the most delightful homemade music you can find in the New England area, performed by the folk-duo, Atwater-Donnelly, who performed at St. John’s last April. Tickets are $15; $5 for children under 12. For members of St. John’s and their friends and family, tickets will be on sale after the 10:00 service at coffee hour beginning Sunday, March 30th.

Tickets can also be reserved in advance by emailing buildingwork26@yahoo.com and will be on sale at the door at 6:30 pm on the night of the concert.

In addition, there will be a bake sale at intermission and following the concert in the Great Hall.

“Working on a Building” Concert Sponsorship Opportunities are also available:

• For a $100 contribution, the “Gold Cloggers’ Circle,” sponsors will receive 2 free adult tickets to the concert.
  
• For a $50 contribution, the “Silver Strummers’ Circle,” sponsors will receive 1 free adult ticket to the concert.

All sponsors will be acknowledged on sponsor signage at the concert and in the program. Since profits will benefit the Sleeping Giant Build, this is a great way to help a great cause! Sponsorship flyers are available in the narthex (the entrance to the church) and outside the Guild Room. Feel free to pick one up!