What’s All the Buzz? St. John’s to Open New Ministry

St. John’s is building an exciting new ministry in partnership with WV FREE (West Virginia Focus: Reproductive Education and Equity) to provide reproductive freedom resources to community members. Living in a state with an abortion ban, diminishing options for maternity care and limited sexual health resources, we are seizing an opportunity to embrace our values as Saints of John and offer compassionate support and direct services.

Located on 3rd floor of the parish hall, the CICADA Center will offer comprehensive, non-judgmental support to people navigating pregnancy decisions and reproductive health needs such as menstrual support. 

The mission of this ministry is to provide unbiased, evidence-based and compassionate care, education and resources, supporting each person’s ability to make non-coerced decisions about their reproductive lives and sexual health.

CICADA staff and volunteers will be trained in trauma-informed care, reproductive justice frameworks, and cultural humility. We will offer:

• Pregnancy testing 

• Options counseling: unbiased, non-directive conversations about abortion, adoption, and parenting; spiritual counseling will be provided if requested

• Referrals: trusted abortion providers, adoption agencies, OB/GYNs, midwives, doulas, mental health, financial/social services

• Material support: diapers, formula, prenatal vitamins (if continuing pregnancy), menstrual supplies, lactation supplies, clothing, children’s supplies such as toys, cribs, etc.

• Educational resources, workshops & support groups

Why CICADA?

CICADA stands for our values: Compassionate, Informative, Caring, Accessible, Dignified and Autonomy. Cicadas are powerful symbols of transformation, resilience, renewal, and voice. They emerge after long periods of quiet growth—unafraid to be seen or heard. The CICADA Center will embrace this symbolism by creating a space where people can access care, speak openly, and make decisions aligned with their values, free from stigma or pressure.

The grand opening celebration for the CICADA Center will be on February 8th immediately following the 10:30 service. We will then brunch and enjoy a fabulous juice bar provided by Mountain Juices starting at 12:30. A silent auction will be set up and proceeds will benefit the new center. We ask folks who are able to please bring an item to be used for clients at the center. Welcomed items include:

• Pregnancy tests

• Diapers

• Menstrual supplies - including tampons, pads, heating pads, ibuprofen, etc.

• Maternity supplies such as clothes, prenatal vitamins, etc.

• Lactation supplies such as pumps

• Baby and toddler supplies such as cribs, car seats, toys, bedding, formula, jarred foods

• Peppermint tea and other comforting items

The center will initially be open every Thursday, and hours will expand as demand increases.

We are thrilled to build this new ministry together and hope you will join us in making it a success!