To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

“I am about to do a new thing: now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19

There are rhythms in the life of a parish - rhythms in the liturgical year and rhythms in the generations of families that grow and move on. Likewise, there are rhythms in our facility as well. All of our ministry partners start small. Some fade away after a few years. Others outgrow us and move along to new things, as the preschool and daycare that occupied a large portion of St. John's facility recently moved.

St. John’s is moving on to another chapter preparing for our next tenant to grow with us. In recent months, we have been preparing for our next residents: new paint and carpeting, repairing the water fountains, upgrading the fire panel, and improving the playground. Shortly before Easter, we signed a listing contract with a professional real estate agent to help us market the property.

To assist with this transition and to help cover some of our lost revenue in the meantime, in late 2024, an anonymous donor gave us $42,000 with the understanding that, at the right time, we would approach the congregation to supplement, even match, that amount.

The vestry and finance committee feel that now is the right time to do so. Over the next month, we will be requesting contributions from the parish to help us meet our financial needs as we move into the “Next Chapter.” This brief campaign will wrap up May 25.

You can support the “Next Chapter” campaign:

• by check with “2025 Next Chapter” in the memo line;
• online, selecting “Next Chapter 2025;” and/or
• by gifting an appreciated stock or mutual fund, or a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. Please designate as “Next Chapter 2025.”

The campaign has commitments of $12,600 from a limited number of donors and we are optimistic that we will be able to meet the needs of the transition quickly. If you’d like to discuss this campaign and your gift more, please reach out to us or to the parish office.

As the prophet Isaiah says, God is doing something new in our midst. We eagerly anticipate something new coming to our facility in the coming months. We hope you will join us in helping write the “Next Chapter.”

Faithfully,

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Andrew Wade

Co-Chair, Challenge Grant Campaign

Lisa Heller

Co-Chair, Challenge Grant Campaign

Volunteers Welcome!

There are many ways to be involved in the life of the congregation in addition to roles on Sunday morning. Over the next few months, we are looking for volunteers who may be willing to help members of the vestry with the organization of the following programs:

• Pentecost (June 8) – Parish picnic and outdoor Eucharist
• June parish off-site trip to a local winery or park
• July 4 celebration – picnic/sparklers/fireworks viewing
• Bishop’s visit – July or August

Please be in touch with the office if you are able to assist.

Progressive Dinner, May 24

Our annual Progressive Dinner will take place May 24. Participants meet up at a parishioner's house for appetizers, proceed to one of several houses for dinner, and, finally, meet up at another parishioner's house for dessert. It's a wonderful evening with old and new friends. Sign up by printing and turning in this paper form, also available in the back of the church or in the church office.

Altar Flowers Needed

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

Faith that believes without seeing is incredibly powerful and is as valid as the faith of the first disciples. Let us embrace Jesus’s message to Thomas, recognizing the blessedness of believing without seeing.

View all our services on our YouTube channel. And look for new sermons as always here.

Join Us In Person or Online

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday or watch live via YouTube. Additional links to the livestream, worship bulletin, and lectionary class are sent Saturday and also available on our website.

Upcoming Readings for The Third Sunday of Easter:

• Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
• Revelation 5:11-14
• John 21:1-19
• Psalm 30

New Worship Customary

Bishop E. Mark Stephenson has updated liturgical guidelines for the Diocese of Virginia. Remember: "individual communicants may not dip their own hosts or bread in the wine." The minister will intinct for you, if you so desire. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin.

Saint of the Week: Christina Rossetti

Christina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet known for her romantic, devotional, and children's poems. In the Episcopal Church, she's perhaps best known for "In the Bleak Midwinter" (1982 Hymnal #112) and "Love Came Down at Christmas" (1982 Hymnal #84).

Read more about her here.

Join Us for Bible Study!

Jump in to Bible study any time, even if you haven't attended in recent weeks, or at all.

Reminder: This week’s Bible study did not meet today, Wednesday, April 30 while Father Kevin is attending the diocesan clergy retreat. The Thursday, May 1 class will meet as usual. The Wednesday class will cover two chapters of the Wright text next week to catch up. Thanks!

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM, for a weekly Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. We'll be using N.T. Wright's Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups (2011) to explore the third gospel. No need to RSVP for individual classes. For more information, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Adult Lectionary Forum

Join us Sundays in person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons. (This is the new link for meeting #826 4944 0667. Please make sure you use this new, updated link.)

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Dried Beans
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Hot Cereal
• Pasta Sauce (no glass containers please)
• Pasta
• Diced tomatoes, Tomato sauce, Tomato Paste
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
• Family sized snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, seeds, etc.)
• Jam/Jelly
• Hot beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

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Toiletries:

NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Toilet Paper
• Baby Wipes

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to more than 600 local families every month.

Creation Care Garden Gearing Up!

St. John's Creation Care Garden committee is making preparations for the 2025 growing season. Last year, this ministry grew over 216 pounds of vegetables for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Monetary donations are requested to purchase seedlings and needed garden supplies. 

There are several ways to make a donation: 

• by check made out to St. John's Episcopal Church with the words "Creation Care Garden" in the memo field,
• by cash accompanied by a note with your name and address, or
• online here and donating to "Creation Care Garden."

Donations can be placed in the alms bag during a church service or dropped off at the church. Thank you in advance for your generous support of this worthy ministry.

April Dinner Another Success at Hanley House

A big thanks for all the help in April's dinner, serving 62 people! And we served all our veggies and salad this time! The baked ziti was delicious, and we were able to leave a tray for lunch the next day.

Next month our dinner is May 13th and we will be serving pulled BBQ chicken and mac and cheese!

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on May 13 to serve. Contact Deacon Steve for more information.

Bring donations for our local family shelter to church or drop by the office.

Their needs may be found on their In-Kind Donations Wish List through Amazon.

Centreville Immigration Forum

CIF provides immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community, improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants, and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add yourself or someone you care about to our Sunday prayer list, please contact clergy or the church office.

Sunday Services

Additional readers and ushers are needed. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour

We gather after worship for food and fellowship. Assist with snacks here.

Katherine Hanley Monthly Dinner

We cook and serve every second Tuesday of the month. Sign up here.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Photos?!

Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.

Support St. John's Episcopal Church

With your online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Join us now!



• Click the button below to set up a recurring gift online, or text "STJOHNSCENTREVILLE" to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
• Pledge to give using this online form.
• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.