To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us..." - Hebrews 12:1

I spent Monday afternoon and evening at Shrine Mont, the diocesan retreat center. I'll be serving as a youth chaplain again later this summer for Shrine Mont Camps and was attending the staff commissioning along with other session chaplains and camp staff.

I'm excited this year because I'll be working with All Saints Camp. We'll be celebrating the saints of the past as the saints of the future explore their gifts and talents in at least one of three tracks: Art Camp, Sports Camp, and Music & Theater Camp. It's got me thinking about all the legends of the saints I grew up with and the saints I've been learning about here at St. John's in our Adult Lectionary Forum (which features a saint each week). [Trivia Question: Who is the only nonhuman saint in the calendar of the church year?]

I'll be encouraging them--as I encourage you--that you are surrounded by the love and the beloved of God--our forebears, the ancestors, heroes and heroines of the faith, the great cloud of witnesses who went before us. Like them, we have our flaws, but we also have our gifts. Like them, we are loved more than we know and capable of more than we think.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Men's Group Breakfast and Grounds Clean-Up

When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 @ 8:00 a.m.

Where (New Spot): First Watch at Fair Lakes, 12249 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr., Fairfax, VA  

The grounds right around the historic church are a little bit overgrown with weeds and debris. Some branches are now touching our freshly painted sanctuary! The breakfast will be followed by a very brief clean up. Please bring pruners/loppers/gloves. For whoever is able to stay, we will work from around 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (about an hour only). We would like the grounds to look nice not only for our parish, but as the building is being shown to potential tenants. RSVP here.

St. John's Winery Social

When: Saturday, June 28, 2025 @ 11:00 a.m.

Where: Paradise Springs Winery, 13219 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, VA

Join St. John's at Paradise Springs winery! The winery opens at 11 AM, and we will be able to easily get tables at that time. We are not able to reserve tables, and it will get crowded later. Family friendly and dog friendly. They have food trucks and sell snacks and charcuterie, but you can bring your own food as well. Just no outside alcohol.

Want to add some exercise to the day? How about a pre-winery hike? Anyone interested can meet at 9:45 AM to take a hike at Hemlock Overlook Park. The parking for Hemlock is right across the street from Paradise Springs. You can leave your food in your car during the hike and then bring it into the Winery.

In the event of rain we will reschedule! Contact Sandy Jones with questions.

The Gospel of Revolution: Preaching, Politics, and the Episcopal Church

When: Thursday, July 3, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.

Where: St. John's Historic Church

Social upheaval. Political polarization. Religious division. Sound familiar? That's the world of the American Revolution. We take independence for granted, but the very idea of an independent United States was a difficult and deadly debate in these former British colonies--and in what would become the Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski will present on the history and theology of American independence, looking at sermons of Anglican clergy and others. We'll then worship according the prayer book then in use at the time--with the congregation voting whether or not to say the prayers for the king... Join us for The Gospel of Revolution!

Save the Date: St. John's Anniversary Eucharist

St. John's was consecrated July 14, 1854. Join us Sunday, July 13 to celebrate our anniversary with a special Eucharist. Additional details to come!

Candles

If you make candles or know someone who does, there are 10 pounds of candle stubs from the altar candles available. They are white or ivory, and most are 51% beeswax. If interested, contact Libby McCullough.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

The Trinity is our Christian claim and calling. We claim worship of one God in three Persons. We are called to live into the love at the heart of reality.

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 Second Sunday after Pentecost:

• Isaiah 65:1-9
• Psalm 22:18-27
• Galatians 3:23-29
• Luke 8:26-39

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: Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill was a poet, novelist, pacifist and mystic. She described her early mystical insights as "abrupt experiences of the peaceful, undifferentiated plane of reality—like the still desert of the mystic—in which there was no multiplicity nor need of explanation." The meaning of these experiences became a lifelong quest.

Read more about her here.

Join Us for Bible Study!

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.

We will meet this week as usual, but we will not meet June 25-26 or July 2-3.

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)

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.

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

Another Delicious Dinner at Hanley House

June was a delicious month at the Katherine Hanley Shelter. We served 50 people a Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole. As we enter the summer months, we simplify and serve pizza with salad and chips. We have other items that we serve, so please check the sign up and join us!

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 July 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.

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 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.