St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Where Stewardship is a Way of Life

Blog

Men’s Retreat – With a Father’s Heart

Announcements, Blog

Men of Parish Family 30—you’re invited to a morning of reflection, prayer, and brotherhood on Saturday, April 26, from 8 AM to 12 PM at St. John the Baptist. Inspired by Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, this retreat, With a Father’s Heart, invites us to reflect on the example of St. Joseph as men of faith, family, and community.

We’ll begin in the MPR with a hearty breakfast at 8:15 AM, generously provided by the Knights. Then, we’ll move to the sanctuary for prayer and our featured speaker, Fr. Jim Coyne.

Bring a friend, a brother, or your dad—and come be renewed!

An Interfaith Exploration of Women in Ministry

Announcements, Blog

An Interfaith Exploration of Women in Ministry

Hosted by the Women’s Commission of St. John the Baptist

📅 Tuesday, May 6 | 7:00 pm
📍 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042

Join us for an evening of conversation, curiosity, and connection as we welcome four women who serve as ordained leaders in their faith communities.

Across religious traditions, women are called to ministry—to teach, to lead, to walk with others in faith. This moderated panel will explore how that call is lived out in different spiritual contexts. Our panelists will share their journeys of vocation and service, offering insight into the joys and challenges of ministry, and the ways their leadership continues to shape the communities they serve.

Panelists include:

✨ Pastor Rachel Swenson, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines
✨ Pastor Cheryl Olsen, Crossway Church in Auburn
✨ The Rev. Canon Elise Johnstone, Rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle
✨ Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg, Congregation Kol Ami in Kirkland

This evening is more than a conversation about what they do—it’s an opportunity to reflect on why they do it. Through storytelling, dialogue, and questions from the audience, we’ll honor the deep call to serve that each of these women has answered.

Following the discussion, we invite you to stay for fellowship over coffee, tea, and light refreshments.

Whether you’re curious about how women lead in different faith traditions, or simply wish to celebrate those who minister with compassion and conviction, all are welcome. No RSVP is needed—just bring a friend, bring your curiosity, and come ready to listen and learn.

We look forward to seeing you on May 6!

Support the Yard Sale—Donate and Volunteer!

Announcements, Blog

Looking for a fun way to give back, stay active, and connect with people? Be part of the team that makes the St. John the Baptist Yard Sale happen!

This isn’t just any old yard sale. It’s the largest pop-up thrift store in South King County! And it brings our parish and local community together like nothing else. You’ll be surprised how many folks show up for the deals, but they also come for the good vibes and the friendly faces (that’s you!).

1. DONATE

2. VOLUNTEER

The Largest Pop-Up Thrift Store in South King County!

*we’re pretty sure that’s true

Declutter for a cause!

We’re collecting donations for our famous St. John the Baptist Yard Sale—proudly known as the largest pop-up thrift store in South King County! Your donated treasures help support parish ministries and bless the wider community with access to affordable, repurposed goods.

If your closets, garage, or attic could use a clean-out, we’re ready for your stuff!

📅 Donation Drop-off Dates

May 18 – June 15, after all weekend Masses
(Please, no unattended drop-offs—we can only accept items during designated collection times!)

✅ What to Donate

We ask that all items be clean and in usable condition:

  • Sports equipment
  • Holiday decorations
  • Linens & bedding
  • Books
  • Electronics (tested and working, please!)
  • Housewares & kitchen items
  • Home décor
  • Baby gear (excluding car seats or cribs)
  • Toys & games
  • Clothing (all ages and sizes)
  • Purses & bags
  • Shoes (in good condition)

🚫 What Not to Donate

To keep things safe and manageable, we cannot accept:

  • Large furniture (desks, dining tables, sofas, hutches, etc.)
  • Mattresses
  • Batteries (any kind)
  • Oil/Fuel/Paint
  • Items containing fuel or oil (like lawn mowers or camping stoves)
  • Medications
  • Medical equipment that can’t be sanitized
  • Electronics with missing cords or components
  • Large appliances

⚠ Furniture donations—new guideline for 2025:
We can only accept small furnishings that one person can carry alone (think small chairs, side tables, compact shelves).

Your thoughtful donations make this event possible—and meaningful. Let’s work together to make this year’s St. John the Baptist Yard Sale our best one yet!

Have a question about whether something’s okay to donate? Reach out to us before you load it up. We’re happy to help!

Be Part of Something Special!

This isn’t just a yard sale. It’s a ministry.

What started as a little fundraiser has turned into something much bigger. Now, it supports all kinds of parish ministries and gives people in our community a fun and affordable way to shop. And we keep tons of stuff out of landfills while we’re at it. Win-win-win!

Why You’ll Love It

✅ Meet great people (and maybe catch up with folks you haven’t seen in a while!)
✅ Get your steps in (who needs the gym?)
✅ Sneak a peek at all the treasures before anyone else
✅ Be part of something that makes a real difference
✅ Bring a spouse, friend, or neighbor along to volunteer with you!
✅ Enjoy snacks during setup and lunch on yard sale weekend
✅ Celebrate with the team at our wrap-up party later in the summer!

A lot of our volunteers come back year after year—not just because it’s meaningful but because it’s fun! We work hard, but there’s plenty of laughter along the way. Everything’s more fun when you bring a buddy, so grab your spouse or a friend and join the team!

We Need All Kinds of Help!

Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with your favorite sidekick, there’s a job for you!

📦 Receiver (May 17 – June 15)
Be one of the first to see the treasures people donate! Greet donors, accept their items, and help us keep things organized in the McMullen Center.
👉 Count me in!

🗂️ Presorter (Through June 8)
Sort clothes, move stuff to the right areas, toss the broken things, and set aside those hidden gems.👉 I’m on it!

🛠️ Room Organizer (June 9 – 19)
This is the big push before the sale. Help us set up rooms, make things look nice, and price stuff. Think thrift store but with better teamwork.
👉 Sounds fun!

🛍️ Sale Day Helper (June 19 – 22)
Be on the front lines during the sale! Help keep the rooms tidy, answer shopper questions, and watch for any funny business (it happens!).
👉 I’ll help out!

🧹 Clean-up Crew (June 22 & 23)
After the sale, help us pack it all up! Tasks include bagging clothes, loading trucks, and clearing out the building. We need people with trucks to help haul everything away!
👉 I’m ready to roll up my sleeves!

Oscar Says: Volunteers Make It Happen!

The St. John the Baptist Yard Sale is a highlight of the year, and we can’t do it without our volunteers. Whether you can give a few hours or a few days, we’d love to have you on the team. And did we mention the snacks? And lunch? And the wrap-up party? Yeah, we’ve got you covered.

And hey—did we mention, everything’s more fun with a friend! Bring someone along and make memories together.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: A Call to Awareness, Education, and Prayer

Blog

At St. John the Baptist and throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can flourish in faith and life. As a Church family, we are called to be vigilant protectors of the most vulnerable among us, ensuring their dignity, safety, and well-being.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time for deep reflection, increased awareness, and intentional action. Archbishop Paul D. Etienne encourages each of us to take this month to educate ourselves and our communities on how we can prevent abuse and support healing for those who have been impacted by its devastating effects.

This month—and every month—we recommit ourselves to:

  • Praying for healing and hope for survivors of abuse.
  • Learning about the safeguards in place to protect our children and youth.
  • Acting with compassion, courage, and vigilance to create safe spaces in our homes, schools, parishes, and online.

The Archdiocese of Seattle has a longstanding commitment to transparency, accountability, and assistance to victims of abuse. Our Safe Environment Program sets rigorous standards to ensure that all Church ministries, programs, and volunteers uphold these values with the utmost care.

You can learn more here: 👉 Archdiocese Safe Environment Standards
👉 Archdiocese Commitment to Transparency & Helping Victims

Keeping Children and Teens Safe Online

Technology can be a wonderful tool for connection, learning, and faith formation. But just like you wouldn’t hand over car keys to a teen without teaching them to drive, we must guide our children in navigating the digital world safely.

The internet can expose children and teens to unsafe and inappropriate content. It’s our responsibility—as parents, guardians, and a parish community—to help them develop healthy habits and boundaries online.

  • Practical steps include:
    Talk openly with children about internet safety.
  • Set clear guidelines for device use.
  • Monitor online activity in age-appropriate ways.
  • Encourage them to speak up if they see or experience anything that makes them uncomfortable.

For more resources and information on keeping kids safe online, visit the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment page.

St. John the Baptist Annual Yard Sale

Announcements, Blog

The Largest Pop-Up Thrift Store in South King County!

Every June, St. John the Baptist transforms its education building into the largest pop-up thrift store in South King County, offering a treasure trove of finds, unbeatable bargains, and a wonderful sense of community. Since its humble beginnings, this event has grown into a can’t-miss shopping experience, drawing visitors from all over the region.

2025 Yard Sale Dates

📅 Early-Bird Preview Night – June 19, 6 PM – 8 PM ($10 per shopper admission)
📅 Open to the Public (Free Admission)
🔹 June 20 & 21, 9 AM – 5 PM
🔹 June 22, 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042

What You’ll Find

🔹 Clothing for all ages
🔹 Home décor & kitchenware
🔹 Toys, books, and games
🔹 Electronics & tools
🔹 And so much more!

Donation Guidelines

🚨 Donations will be accepted beginning May 18th. Please refer to the guidelines BEFORE donating.
⚠️ Do not drop off any items without authorization ⚠️

Volunteer With Us!

Our amazing volunteers make the St. John the Baptist Yard Sale possible! We’d love to have you help with sorting, setup, or sale day assistance. Find out how to join the team

Proceeds Support Parish Ministries

All funds raised from the St. John the Baptist Yard Sale go directly to supporting our parish ministries and outreach programs.

Questions? Contact the St John the Baptist main office, 253-630-0701

Supper Club is Here!!!

Blog

We’re excited to announce the next round of Supper Club! Grab a form in the narthex or use the online form to sign up. Groups will be assigned the week before the quarter starts.

Supper Club is not just a way to meet new parishioners; it offers so much more! What makes Supper Club unique is that participants in each small group gather to share a meal three times over three months. While the first meeting may feel a bit awkward, by the third gathering, you have the opportunity to form meaningful friendships.

Being fairly new parishioners, we wanted to get to know other parishioners so we could feel more included. Manny and I enjoyed meeting 3 other couples from the church when we joined them for Supper Club last year. We had a great time getting to know a bit about the other couples. The food was great. (I especially liked Angelo’s beef stew and the wine.)

We all had quite a nice time learning about the great talents of our group. They were all invested in parish activities and stewardship. When the time came to end the festivities, we were sad to leave but eagerly looking forward to the next meet up. The camaraderie was great and we felt welcome by these wonderful people.

– Helen and Manny Martinez

Sign up for spring!

Come and experience an unforgettable dining experience that broadens your horizons. With randomly assigned groups, you’ll have the chance to engage with a diverse array of stories and perspectives.

Some of my most impactful meals have been spent with individuals I initially seemed to have nothing in common with—other than our bond to St. Johns. These moments opened my eyes to new narratives, and I encourage you to embrace the opportunity to hear and share stories that can enrich your life.

Join the Celebration!

God Bless – Bren Triplett, Stewardship Commission Chair