To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Last week, after Trinity Sunday services, a group of us discussed the doctrine of the Trinity in a special lectionary forum. We discussed what the Trinity means and some of the theological language used around this fundamental belief of ours. Then, I shared some ideas I've been kicking around about the Trinity, our Anglican and Episcopal identity, and how we read the Bible. (We'll talk more later...)

But all that had me thinking this week - amid everything else we're doing here at St. John's - about theology, especially "proofs" of God's existence. There are all kinds of such proofs. We've got cosmological, teleological, and ontological arguments. And now there's a relatively new group of arguments for God's existence or, at least, there's a new name for them: hagiological.

In a new book I've been waiting for on the topic, Robert MacSwain, an Episcopal priest and Sewanee School of Theology professor, explains that hagiological proofs are arguments from holiness. As the Anglican theologian Austin Farrer said, "The saint is our evidence." We observe extraordinary holiness in the lives of people, past and present, whom we call saints. As one version of the argument goes, the best explanation for these people, their gifts, their charity, and their willingness to suffer on behalf of others is that there is, in fact, a God. Rather than arguing from first cause, or universal fine-tuning, or logically from a definition of God, these proofs argue from the believer. In a way, we believe and should believe because we encounter other believers who make us wonder, "That has to come from somewhere--or someone."

All of which is my exceedingly long and overly academic way of saying: Perhaps, we don't owe our faith to theology as much as we owe our faith to each other. I believe in God, I'm faithful, because of saints like you. I thought you should know.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

P.S. Sunday ministers - readers, acolytes, ushers - don't forget to scroll all the way down to the usual link and sign up to serve. And if you're interested in serving on Sundays, contact Fr. Kevin.

Mutual Ministry Review, Tomorrow, Saturday, June 6

The Vestry and Rev. Kevin will be conducting their Vestry Retreat and second Mutual Ministry Review tomorrow, Saturday, June 6. It's a time of discussion, discernment, and decision. If you have ideas, concerns, or thoughts about what’s next for St. John’s, we’d love to hear from you ahead of this important meeting.

Contact Fr. Kevin, our Senior Warden, or a Vestry member.

Read "Rectors, Priests-in-Charge, and the Mutual Ministry Review" for more.

Ushers Meeting, Sunday, June 7

We need more ushers!

Our ushers are ministers of welcome. They greet all visitors, whether it's their first time at St. John's or they've been here for decades. They help prepare our worship space. They organize bringing up the gifts for Communion and invite people to the altar. They're the first friendly face that people see when they arrive, and that can make all the difference.

If you're an usher, or you're interested in serving as one, stick around after worship this Sunday, June 7 to check in, renew, and expand this important ministry.

Other ministry teams--acolytes, lectors (readers), and Altar Guild--have already met. If you couldn't make those meetings but would still like to be involved, email Fr. Kevin.

Save the Date: Centreville Day, October 17

Centreville Day will be held October 17, 2026. This annual community celebration in the historic district features food trucks, local vendors, history, entertainment, and, of course, St. John's! The stage is in our parking lot!

Planning with local leaders has already begun. If you'd like to assist Fr. Kevin on that committee, or help St. John's prepare for the day, email Fr. Kevin.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

Trinity Sunday is a challenging day for a preacher. There are all kinds of jokes about counting the heresies in the sermon. Let me throw down the gauntlet: there won’t be any. And, then, there’s preachers' unfortunate avoidance of the doctrine when we say, "Oh, it’s a mystery," as if that’s the end of it. All of this misunderstands heresy, mystery, and the Trinity. Heresy isn't being mistaken, having doubts, or asking questions; it's betrayal. Mystery isn't an end to a discussion; it's the beginning. The Trinity proclaims one God in three Persons. It is an invitation to participate in the love of God, in the love that is God.

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.

Readings for the Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 5A)

First Reading: Hosea 5:15-6:6

God withdraws from His people until they confess their guilt, prompting them to confidently beg for His swift healing and renewal; however, God laments their fleeting loyalty and declares that He desires sincere, steadfast love and true relationship over empty religious rituals and sacrifices.

Response: Psalm 50:7-15

Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25

Paul explains that God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants depends entirely on faith and grace rather than adherence to the law, which only brings wrath; despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness, Abraham’s unwavering belief in God’s power was credited to him as righteousness, a justification that now extends to all who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead for our sins.

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to follow him and dines with sinners, rebuking the critical Pharisees by declaring that he came to heal the spiritually sick; he then pauses on his way to a grieving household to instantly heal a woman who touched his cloak in faith, before arriving at the leader’s home to raise his young daughter back to life.

Saint of the Week: Melania the Elder

Melania was a part of the first generation of Roman aristocrats who were encouraged to embrace Christianity, and lived to see it become the official religion of the Roman Empire. She founded two monasteries, offering hospitality and protection to pilgrims, especially women, and became a teacher to many prominent theologians and writers.

Read more about her here.

Bible Study on 1 Corinthians Wraps This Week!

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

Tune in for the exciting conclusion of our experience with Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians this week June 10 and 11. We'll be looking at chapters 15-16.

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

And Stay Tuned for What's Next...

The exact calendar and syllabi are still to be determined, but expect the same Wednesday noon and Thursday evening rhythm to our Bible study. We will turn to the Hebrew Scriptures in the coming months…

• Summer: Psalms! They're praise. They're lament. They're praise, even when they're lament. They're the Psalms! We’ll tackle a few classics, some perhaps neglected Psalms, and a few of Fr. Kevin's personal favorites in a short session over the summer.
• Fall: Ezekiel! Be warned! Tradition held that no one under the age of 30 should read this book. Ezekiel required too much care and caution to be read by just anyone. Rabbi, theologian, and activist Abraham Joshua Heschel described prophecy as a “ceaseless shattering of indifference,” an “exegesis of existence from a divine perspective.” Ezekiel is prophecy in all its glory and all its horror. Join us by the river, in the valley, and at the temple for the terror and the hope that come with bearing the very word of God.
• Advent: Isaiah! As we anticipate the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem, in the future, and in every human heart at Christmas, we’ll study passages from the book of Isaiah. If Advent is a season of waiting, what is it really that we’re all waiting for, hoping for, fighting for? Isaiah had some answers for us.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Registration Now Open

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

St. John's EfM cohort currently meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced.

Registration for the 2026-2027 EfM year is now open for both the Classic (4-year) and Wide Angle (1-year) options. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

No Adult Lectionary Forum This Sunday

Our usual discussion of the day's readings will not be held this Sunday, June 7.

Creation Care Garden Planting Day, Tomorrow, Saturday, June 6

St. John's Creation Care Garden raises fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' free food markets. Last year, St. John’s Creation Care Garden Committee grew, harvested, and delivered more than 180 pounds of produce, totaling 667 pounds over the past four years.

The new season begins tomorrow, Saturday, June 6 at 9:30 AM on the patio at the back of the church to plant peppers, radishes, beans, and more. We'll once again be joined by local Girl Scout troops. Thanks again to Tom Jones for preparing the soil in all the pots. And thanks to Bev Milunec for her invaluable knowledge and support.

Contact Jean Makurat or the parish office for more information.

A Delicious May at the Hanley Shelter - Join Us This Tuesday, June 9!

St. John's provided 35 meals at Hanley House in the month of May. We served up a delicious Beef Stroganoff!

Our next date is Tuesday, June 9th. We are serving Pulled Chicken with Mac and Cheese. Please support us in the tasty ministry!

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 June 9 to serve.

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

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:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (tuna, salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole paste)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, peaches)
• Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
• Refried, Garbanzo, and Kidney Beans
• Dried Beans (lentils, pinto, black beans)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
• Pancake Mix 
• Flavored Rice (Rice-A-Roni) and Flavored Pasta (Knorr)

Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Tissues (Family Size)
• Baby Wipes 
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5

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.

Support the 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 the parish office 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 the parish office 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 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.