To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

The Rev. Steve Busch joined St. John's in 2020 as part of an internship required of all deacons-to-be. Once ordained to the diaconate in 2021, he stayed on here, re-forming our outreach committee and coordinating our mission and outreach with local charities. Since then, in serving at the altar, packing and transporting holiday boxes, feeding families at Hanley House, representing St. John's at community events and the diocese at convention, and more, Deacon Steve has brought the needs of Centreville and the world to our doors and empowered us to go and meet those needs as best we can.

This month, Deacon Steve reaches retirement age, and he'll be leaving St. John's for a period of discernment and, from there, to wherever the Spirit calls him next. He'll be with us through the holidays, and we will say our farewells on January 11, 2026. Our usual 9:30 AM Sunday worship on that day will feature a service of leave-taking with the archdeacon, followed by a reception of thanksgiving.

Personally, while I'm excited he'll get to enjoy retirement and explore new ministries, I'm going to miss my clergy colleague. I've prayed, studied, preached, and served with him. I've marched in prayer at the White House with him. I was there (and so were all of you!) when he baptized his grandchildren here at St. John's. Above all, I'll miss Deacon Steve's constant insistence on - and encouragement to - Christian service to all our neighbors.

If you'd like to help us organize the festivities, please let me know. More details to come. For now, please join me in thanking Deacon Steve for all that he has brought to St. John's - and in thanking God for all that God has done - and will continue to do - through his faithful deacon. Congratulations and thank you, Deacon Steve!

Faithfully,

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Sharing the Kingdom: There's Still Time to Make Your Pledge!

Our fall stewardship campaign - Sharing the Kingdom - has come to an end, but there's

still time to voice your commitment to St. John's in 2026.

Thanks to your generosity, we have reached 94% of our goal of $260,000 in total pledge dollars. Can you put us over the top and then some?

The funds we can dedicate to staff salaries, to our historic campus and facility, to mission and outreach, to evangelism and growth, and to worship and formation in 2026 depend on your commitment today. Help put us over the top with your pledge today.

St. John's is a space of God's healing, hope, and hospitality, a place where the kingdom of God can be seen, felt, and lived. At our best, we not only rejoice in this glimpse into the future, but we share that kingdom with one another, with our neighbors, and with the world. Prayerfully consider your 2026 commitment to St. John's today.

Visit our website for more information - including print pledge cards - and/or click below to make your pledge for Sharing the Kingdom.

Advent Wreath Workshop

Thanks to all who came out for our Advent Wreath Workshop last night to make something beautiful for this season! And special thanks to Emori and Nancy for putting the event together.

Joy to the World with Voce Chamber Singers, December 6 & 7

Make a joyful noise this holiday season with Voce Chamber Singers! This December, we present Benjamin Britten’s jubilant Ceremony of Carols alongside Leonard Bernstein’s stirring Chichester Psalms. Sing along to your favorite carols and enjoy these timeless choral classics featuring musical guests on harp, organ, and percussion.

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:30pm at Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna, VA

Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 4:00pm at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, McLean, VA

Tickets available online and at the doors.

Clean and Green, December 13

On Saturday, December 13, at 10:00 AM, we will "clean and green" the historic church! We have high and low tasks, climbing and sitting jobs, dusting and polishing needs, minor repair and mending activities, vacuuming, and then assembling the apple board and hanging it along with the greens, wreaths, etc. Please join us even if you have only an hour. We will be there until about 12:30 or 1 pm with light refreshments. Contact Val Tucker for more information.

Advent and Christmas at St. John's

Join us to celebrate the birth of the Savior!

• Blue Christmas/Longest Night, 12/21/2025, 7 PM
• Christmas Eve Family Eucharist, 12/24/2025, 4:00 PM
• Christmas Eve Eucharist, 12/24/2025, 8:00 PM
• Christmas Day Eucharist, 12/25/2025, 9:30 AM
• Christmas Lessons and Carols, 1/4/2026, 5 PM

More events and information to come...

Scam Alert

Be on the lookout for strange emails and texts claiming to be from St. John's staff. Learn more here.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

View our services on our YouTube channel and look for new sermons 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 Second Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Isaiah sees a time coming when God will raise up a righteous and generous ruler for his people; the good leader will usher in peace and prosperity for all.

Response: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

In a royal psalm perhaps used at coronations or anniversaries (and one of only two psalms attributed to Solomon), the Psalmist prays for the current king and maybe a heavenly one to come.

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-13

People aren’t great at getting along; it’s only ever by God’s grace that communities are able to live together in harmony. Jesus Christ is the only true uniter.

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

With strong allusions to the Old Testament and the prophets, John the Baptist clears a path for the Word made flesh, preaching the truth to all those gathered.

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.

Jesus Goes to the Movies: Christmas Edition, Mondays at 7 PM in Advent

Stereotypical Christmas movies follow Hallmark heroines and hard-hearted heroes who become better, more generous people when others help them rediscover "the true meaning of Christmas." What exactly is that? What is the meaning of Christmas?

Join the Rev. Kevin Laskowski - and Santa Claus, Kevin McAllister, John McClane, Ebenezer Scrooge, and more - for a presentation, discussion, snacks, and lots of Christmas clips we explore this holiday through the lens of some classic - and not-so-classic - Christmas movies. There's no homework, and you don't need to have seen the movies beforehand to join in the fun. Spoilers abound. Christ our Savior is born!

• December 8: "It's silly, but I believe": Santa Claus and the Magic of Christmas
• December 15: "I made my family disappear": Love, Family, and Going Home for the Holidays
• December 22: "Bah! Humbug!": Ebenezer Scrooges and Christmas Carols

Join us Mondays in Advent at 7 PM in the Parish Hall.

More Advent Resources

Click here for a multitude of resources for Advent: calendars, websites, prayers, and readings. Enough for several seasons. Something here is sure to be meaningful for you.

Saint of the Week: Andrew the Apostle

Andrew was the first called of Jesus's apostles, the first missionary, and is famously the patron saint of Scotland.

Read more about him here.

Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

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.)

Christmas Boxes!

Christmas boxes are ready for you to pick up! St. John's has committed to provide a number of holiday meal boxes for families in need at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Please pick up a box, and sign it out as soon as possible. Purchase the sides and other items on the shopping list, and return your box(es) to the church (and check your name off the list) by Sunday, December 14. Help a family have a merry Christmas!

Give with the Angel Tree

In partnership with Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. John's is once again offering an angel tree this season. Look for the tree in the breezeway by the front door. Each angel has information about a child in need and a suggested gift from a family being supported by a local social services organization. Please take a blue angel from the tree, purchase the gift, and return the wrapped gift with the angel on it.

Serving at the Hanley House

This month, we served a Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole to 45 people. We were told that 5 families just moved out, so we were a little lighter this month. But those spaces are expected to be filled by next month. We are going to serve the same meal next month as it was appreciated by the residents! Join us in December!

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 December 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.

Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Food banks are often well-stocked with nonperishable items this time of year. What they can really use is money to buy perishable items (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.) for families. Please keep those food donations to the church for WFCM coming, but consider contributing as well. Click the link to WFCM below.

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. 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)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
• Boxed Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Rice (white or brown)
• Peanut Butter
• Flour (white or Maseca)
• Sugar (1 or 2 pound bag)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
• Chicken/Beef/Bone Broth
• Similac (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Almond Milk (family size)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Deodorant 
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash 
• Hair Shampoo and or Conditioner 
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Pull Ups size 4t-5t

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.

Creation Care Garden Update

Bev Milunec has a holiday message about our garden:

'Twas the week of Thanksgiving when all through the garden

Not a creature was stirring, not even our warden.

The plant cages were nestled all snug in the shed

Containers were stored underneath each raised bed.

Sincere thanks to Durinda, Tom, Jean, and Len

As well as to Jerry, Gail, Gene, Bev, and Ann.

Along with the Girl Scouts they planted each seed

Which yielded good harvests to feed those in need.

One hundred eighty pounds of produce in all

Were delivered to the food pantry by fall.

We hope to continue this fine ministry.

If you can help tell Father Kevin or me.

Supporting Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

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 supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let Deacon Steve know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact Deacon Steve for more.

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

Helping the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. 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.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd'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. Click the button below to give online or visit our website for more.