To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I would have thought that things are supposed to slow down in summertime... but not here at St. John's. Our Wednesday-Thursday Bible study, which has been working through the Gospel of Luke for months, concludes next week with the Resurrection. I just said goodbye to the audit committee, here at work in the office this afternoon. The Finance Committee and Vestry are hard at work with their meetings this week. And that's just a fraction of what's going on at the office today.

Sure, some of it is we're preparing for the fall, but St. John's has been busy ministering all summer. Be sure to read all of this week's newsletter - especially about our mission and outreach efforts - to see what God is doing here at St. John's and in Centreville. Backpacks and school supplies were delivered to those in need this week ahead of the start of school on Monday. Volunteers lost count of those served at our monthly dinner at Hanley House. The harvest in our garden continues. Scroll down for more! How will you participate in what God is doing at St. John's and here in Centreville?

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Blessing of Backpacks and Devices, August 17

Fairfax County students head back to school on Monday. It's the unofficial beginning of fall. Bring your own backpacks, phones, laptops, devices, briefcases, purses, or whatever you're carrying into the fall to worship August 17 at 9:30 AM for a special blessing.

Retirement Ceremony for Emori Moore, August 24

You are invited to attend Capt. Emori Moore's retirement ceremony on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 PM in the St. John's Parish Hall. Join us as we celebrate a parishioner and vestry member's faithful and honorable service to our country.

Please click here to view the invitation and to RSVP.

Volunteer! We need volunteers to bring additional food and drink to celebrate and volunteers to assist with set-up for the event (beginning at 2:00 PM on August 24). If you can assist, please contact Ann Goldberg.

Centreville Day, October 18

The 33rd Annual Centreville Day is upon us! Centreville Day will be held Saturday, October 18 here in the Centreville Historic District from 10 AM to 4 PM. There's so much to be seen this year: the Eco Expo, the Safety Expo, Pets in the Park, the Trick or Treat Trail, the Historic Centreville Trail, food, entertainment, vendors, rides, and more! Admission is free. Entertainment is free. Children's rides are free. Invite family and friends!

And, of course, St. John's will be there!

If you'd like to assist in St. John's Centreville Day presence, contact Senior Warden Lisa Heller or Fr. Kevin. We are especially looking for someone with graphic design skills, who might be able to help us with flyers and other promotional materials. Please contact the parish office. There will be lots of other opportunities of volunteers on that day so stay tuned.

Evangelists Wanted

The Vestry is looking for additional volunteers to assist with evangelism and marketing, helping with a revamped website, social media, and other promotional materials. If interested, contact Fr. Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

Jesus says the Son of Man will come at an unexpected time. God shows up for us not at the opportune times when trust in our own power may lead us astray, but at the unexpected times when something new, wonderful, and uninvited can surprise us. We are called to carry that grace into the world to show up for others at unexpected times, in unexpected places, among unexpected people.

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 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

• Jeremiah 23:23-29
• Psalm 82
• Hebrews 11:29-12:2
• Luke 12:49-56

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: Teresa Benedicta (nee Edith Stein)

Edith Stein (aka St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) was a German Jewish philosopher who converted to Roman Catholicism, became a Discalced Carmelite nun, and was martyred in a Nazi concentration camp along with many of her followers. 

Read more about her here.

Registration for Education for Ministry (EfM) Now Open

Are you looking to deepen your faith? Are you hoping to understand how your personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God's people? If "yes," EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for you.

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology. EfM is delivered through small seminar groups and meet for 36 weeks over a year. Participants in years 1 & 2 study the texts and context of scripture; Year 3 looks at Church History; Year 4 delves into Christian ethics and spirituality. Also built into the group is a fifth voice: Wide Angle, which offers a taste of each of the four years into one year.

Registration is open. Contact Walt Cooner to inquire about the upcoming EfM year at St. John's - where we have deep conversations about things that matter – always looking for ways God is active in our lives.

Bible Study on Luke Wraps! New Study Coming in September!

Our Bible study on the Gospel of Luke wraps next week, but you can join us in the library Wednesday at 11:00 AM or Thursday night at 7:00 PM for the exciting conclusion. We're 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.

Stay tuned for details on the next Bible study beginning in September.

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.)

Backpacks for Local Students!

Thanks to all our angels at St. John's for your gifts of backpacks to local elementary school students.

Twelve backpacks went to Floris Elementary School (home of the Eagles!), where staff were very happy to accept them and already had families in need of them.

Another twenty backpacks went to Greenbriar West Elementary School (home of the Pandas!). The staff and assistant principal were very appreciative to accept them on behalf of their students and families.

School Supplies for Students at Hanley House

St. John's is helping students start the school year off right. Two massive tubs filled with notebooks, scissors, binders, and other school supplies were delivered to Hanley House today for children in need there.

Thanks to all who donated - and especially to parishioner Shelley Howard Cox, who coordinated the effort and secured additional donations from local stores.

Busy Night at the Hanley House

We had a VERY busy dinner at Hanley House this month!! We lost count at 75, so we served a lot of folks! 

Time's are getting tough, and we may be serving a little larger crowds going forward. Hanley House staff told us they have converted additional space to house more people there. 

We served pizza this month which has become our summer schedule. For next month we will be returning on September 9th and will be brining Pulled BBQ Chicken and Mac and Cheese! Please check out the sign up and help out others in our community.

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the local family shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on September 9 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.

St. John's Creation Care Garden Update

Another delivery of produce to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries earlier this week brought our total 2025 harvest to 64 lbs.!

And there are many more peppers and green beans growing in the garden to be harvested and delivered. Thanks to our many volunteers who have been very dedicated workers!

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:

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Canned Vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
• Pancake Mix
• Syrup
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
• Canned beans (black and red)
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries:

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

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

Note: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

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.

Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) Raises Alarm

The Virginia National Guard has announced that it will be deployed in early September to “provide administrative and logistics support” to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is in addition to the February signing of a 287(g) agreement, enabling state and local agencies to act as federal immigration enforcement.

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. If you're interested in volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work, especially English-language education, contact Deacon Steve for more information.

You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Help the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has three volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to people who are over 50 and and can no longer drive by offering driving services to:  

• the WFCM Food Pantry
• Medical & Dental Appointments
• Therapy Services

The Shepherd's Center needs additional drivers and support for local seniors. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shephed's Center here.

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.