St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA |
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Parish News - May 4, 2022 |
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's. She is the priest celebrating the Sunday service until July 31. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.
We had a message and photos from Carol this week, see below.
Next step for St. John's: On May 22d, the Vestry will meet with the Diocesan Transition Minister to learn more about the process towards our next rector.
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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY
FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN'S!
New Masking Policy
Due to the current low COVID19 transmission rates in Fairfax County, the Vestry has decided to make masking during worship services optional. We will monitor the transmission rates and modify this policy if things in our area worsen. We will use the data from the Fairfax County Health Department to make these determinations. This applies to our worship service. The policy of our ministry partners may differ, so please respect them by masking while in other parts of the building. You should also mask If you need to be in close proximity to others in an enclosed space. You never know who may be unable to be vaccinated or is otherwise compromised.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We will also continue our "safe" way of having communion by using the individual cups for the bread and the wine.
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The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. The link to the online service is found below and will be the same link every Sunday. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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UPCOMING PRESENTATION: ON ZOOM
Carol chose the theme of her sabbatical to be "sabbath rest", and noted that "Especially in Northern Virginia, we are hurrying and "doing" all the time, with little time for rest and enjoying this world that God has given us." Before she left on her sabbatical, she invited The Rev. Kathy Guin to share the concept of "sabbath rest" to all of us at St. John's
The Rev. Kathy Guin*
Zoom presentation on "Sabbath Rest"
Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 PM.
*The Rev. Kathy Guin is a retired Episcopal priest, who served as the Rector of St Margaret’s, Woodbridge, Virginia, a vibrant diverse church. She received her Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, served on the Committee of Priesthood for the Diocese of Virginia and as the Dean for the Potomac region. Kathy served as a spiritual director at the National Cathedral and Virginia Theological Seminary. Recently, she moved from Northern Virginia to Maine to enjoy the quieter life there. She is certified from the Bon Secours Retreat Center Spiritual Direction Program and received Family Systems training through a two-year clergy track program. Currently, she is working to complete another spiritual direction program with a Jungian Mystical Christian tradition framework through the Haden Institute.
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ALSO FOLLOWING THE THEME OF SABBATH REST: IN PERSON
On Sunday, May 22, Kirk Gibson will be joining us after the service to talk about retreats at Shrine Mont. Many parishes have yearly parish retreats, though individuals can make private retreats as well.
He will come to talk about sabbath rest by having a personal and/or parish retreat at Shrine Mont (our camp and conference center).
Join us Sunday, May 22 at 10:45 AM in the library. You can check out lots of Shrinemont offerings at: www.shrinemont.com.
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OUTREACH PROGRAM: GIRL SCOUTS & GARDENING |
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On Sunday, April 24, the St. John's Garden Committee & Senior Girl Scout Troops 5647 &6687 (Greenbriar & Chantilly) gathered on the patio at the church to begin the project of the vegetable garden. The girls are fulfilling requirements for their Gold Award project (equal to Eagle in Boy Scouts). They are currently working on the Journey Badge (Sow What) by assisting with the church’s community garden that will fulfill the badge’s requirements. They will assemble the vegetable beds, mix in the soils, plant, water, weed and harvest throughout the summer and fall. There were 9 girls, and 5 Mom helpers.
On May 15 the Girl Scout troop and some St. John's members will continue the project and do the planting. We welcome church members to come and celebrate the continuation of this outreach program that will benefit the community in providing healthy food for those in need. God has generously blessed us with the materials and volunteers for this garden – Praise the Lord!
We are still in need of 6 tomato cages and stakes for the project. If you would like to donate the items, please bring them to the church office. If you would like to make a donation to the Garden Committee you may do that also and the committee can purchase the items needed.
The Garden Committee was formed in 2021 as an outreach to provide fresh vegetables for our food pantry partners and the local community. We are starting small and hope to expand the garden each year. Members of the committee are Susan Davis, Dick Griffith, Bev Milunec, Mimi Spear and Gail Weirich. We would very much like to have more members join the committee – especially those who are experienced at gardening….and those who would like to become more experienced!
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Where in the world is Carol? In her own words:
Many of you have asked about my plans for my sabbatical. As you know, I received a grant from the Lilly Foundation for a three month sabbatical. Here's a quick rundown. On April 20, I am headed to the beach for some much needed R and R. On April 29, my sister and I will fly to London and visit some of the cathedrals and other historic sites. On May 6, we will take a train through Scotland to the island of Iona, off the northern coast of Scotland. Iona is a very spiritual place (often called a "thin place") where we take part in the life of the abbey there. Following Iona, we will travel to Glasgow for a few days before flying to Munich, where we will join a tour group to see parts of Germany and Austria. The highlight of that tour is seeing the Passion Play in Oberammergau, a play that is done once every 10 years by those living in that town. People come from all over the world to see this! We will then return home for awhile before flying to Hawaii for almost three weeks. After we return home, we will have a small family reunion at the Outer Banks, NC. My retirement will then begin on August 1. Three things that I have always wanted to do have been to visit Hawaii and England, and see the Passion Play. And I will be able to do all of these during this trip, thanks to your support and the generosity of the Lilly Foundation.
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Here are pictures from London! Two are in front of Big Ben and the British parliament. The other picture is Westminster Cathedral. The tour of the cathedral was incredible! We’ve also taken a bus tour of London. It’s been a great trip so far. On Friday we travel through Scotland to the island of Iona, a very spiritual place. We will stay at the abbey and take part in their daily chores and activities. Hope all is well at St. John’s!
Carol
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We have all seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine. If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution on their website at
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine escalates, please continue to pray for all those involved in this conflict.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)
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We Celebrated the Ministry of The Rev. Carol Hancock,
with us at St. John's from 2014 - 2022. We send best wishes from all of us as you take your sabbatical and begin your new chapter - retirement!
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If you couldn't attend, here is the LINK to the video tribute put together by David Weir to click on, showing lots of photos of our years with Carol at St. John's. https://youtu.be/uRd125LhBkU
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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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Top Items Currently Needed by The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /
Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant
The items may be dropped off at the office.
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The KKHFS is very thankful for the donations St John’s has provided to support their clients as they transition to their long-term residences. However, they are still looking for volunteers in these various roles to support their long-term success: |
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The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is located nearby and currently house up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for:
- On-call movers:
- Volunteer Delivery Driver
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant
- Volunteer Shelter Assistant
- If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.
Most needed items in the food pantry this month, MAY 2022:
Most needed items in the food pantry this month:
· Canned Vegetables (low salt beets. collard greens, carrots)
· Rice - bagged white and brown
· Great Northern, Cannelli, and Black Beans
· Canned Mandarin Oranges
· Spaghetti (1 lb. packages)
· Pasta Sauce - canned or jars
· Oatmeal
· Cereal
· Boxed Stuffing
· Jelly
· Ramen soup
· Olives
· Gluten-free food items
· Family-size Snacks (chips, crackers)
· Cake Mix/Brownie Mix
· Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, and Salad Dressing (family size not miniature packs)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size diapers, larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email scwfc.office@gmail.com and copy Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com.
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Registering now for the
- WFCM 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser to be held
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Monday, May 23, 2022, at the
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Chantilly National Golf & Country Club, 14901 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA
- This is a major fundraiser for WFCM.
Registration is now open. Join them for a great day starting at 8:30 AM (registration opens at 7:30 AM) with continental breakfast boxed and ready in your cart, followed by 18 holes on a beautiful course, contests, complimentary beverage and snack cart, and concluding with a boxed barbeque lunch to go or enjoy on the patio. Register today at wfcmva.org/golf; registration closes May 9th.
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Please consider volunteering to support our Sunday Worship.
We need Lectors to read the lessons, ushers to greet and help with the service, Lay Eucharistic Visitors to help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home, and Altar Guild members to help prepare for our worship service.
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Sunday service reader or usher We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar.
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Altar Flowers
When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. CLICK HERE
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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION |
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We have all seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine. If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution on their website at
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
On this Mothers’ Day, we give thanks for our mothers -
those who are living, and those who are no longer with us.
May 8, 2022
The First Reading: Acts 9:36-43
The good, faithful work that Dorcas undertook for the Lord was not yet complete. A disciple is miraculously resurrected, with the apostle Peter as vessel and witness.
The Psalm: 23 - p. 612, BCP
The Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
John tells of seeing the saints gathered from every nation; the faithful call out, using prayers and words from the psalms and prophets to worship God on his throne.
The Gospel: John 10:22-30
Questioners corner Jesus at the temple and he reveals his divinity to them. Jesus know that many do not and will not accept his testimony and signs.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.
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THIS WEEK'S LETTER FROM THE BISHOP
Peter said: I’m going fishing.
It’s been a week or two since the drama of the crucifixion, the overwhelming, earth-shattering, cosmos-rearranging event of the resurrection, the inexplicable appearance of the risen Jesus in that locked room, and his later encounter with Thomas.
It’s still not very clear to anybody on the ground what will happen next. Jesus had said, “as the Father sent me, so I am sending you. Breathe in the Holy Spirit.” But as far as we can tell from the text, that’s about it. There’s no strategic plan binder, no Gantt chart, no letters of agreement, no bylaws, no org chart. Just the whole world turned upside down, whatever that turns out to mean. It’s all a big mystery.
Eventually, though, somebody needs to go feed the cat. So everybody is back out in Galilee by the lake, and Peter announces, “I’m going fishing.”
I don’t know about you, but (as is often the case) I sympathize with Peter. Peter knows Jesus wants him to do something, but he isn’t sure exactly what, or how. What he does know is that he has not been entirely loyal to Jesus. He undoubtedly cannot erase his mental picture of Jesus’ face when they saw each other in the courtyard at Caiphas’ house, the night of the “trial,” just after Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times. In all the cumulative emotion and uncertainty, Peter must be feeling a little unglued.
But he does know one thing. He knows fishing. So, he’s going fishing. Isn’t that what we do when everything is flying apart? We try to go back to the thing that used to work.
And then, once again, everything flips upside down and inside out. Out of nowhere, Jesus is there, on the beach, calling them to breakfast. And Peter really loses it -- puts his clothes ON, and jumps in the water, and somehow gets to the shore before the boat. And there he stands, dripping wet, in the presence of the risen Christ.
And right there, sitting by the charcoal pit and flipping fish, Jesus gives him the big test -- the aptitude test, the General Ordination Exam, the Minnesota Multi-phasic, the biggest test of his life. Three questions: 1. Do you love me? 2. Do you love me? 3. Do you love me?
Peter, never one to catch it the first time, keeps answering: Yes; Yes; why do you keep asking? YES!
And then Jesus gives him the strategic plan, the Gantt chart, the org chart, the letter of agreement, and the job description: 1. Feed my lambs. 2. Tend my sheep. 3. Feed my sheep.
My friends, there it is. Right there.
Do you feel like you don’t understand the catechism?
Well, do you love Jesus?
Or maybe you haven’t mastered systematic theology, systems theory, missiology, change management, and leadership development methodology?
Okay. Do you love Jesus?
Or maybe you feel like the Ash Wednesday Litany of Penitence and its vast catalog of sins of commission and of omission actually leaves out a few of your own shortcomings, and your salvation is, in your mind, a dubious proposition?
One question:
Do you love Jesus?
What do you do to show your gratitude for the unfathomable grace and goodness of God in Christ?
Feed God’s sheep.
What do you do to build up the body of Christ and bring revival in own heart, in your own congregation, in the Church?
Feed God’s sheep.
Where do you start to make things right in this world where so much is going wrong?
Feed God’s sheep.
Who are God’s sheep? You know the answer: all human beings, made in the image of God and redeemed by the love of Jesus.
What does it mean to tend and feed them? Well, we list a bunch of ways every time we reaffirm our baptismal vows. You know: from continuing in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship to respecting the dignity of every human being. The Bible, especially the New Testament, contains more than a few clues.
In the Diocese of Virginia, we are committed to feeding and tending God’s sheep through racial reconciliation and healing, care of the creation we inhabit together, and loving people enough to share the Good News of God’s grace with them. We literally feed them with gardens and food pantries and community suppers. We feed them with our work for justice and peace. We tend them with simple kindness, and with sacrificial love. That is what Jesus was teaching Peter, whose struggle to understand how faith works became the rock upon which we, the church, are built.
Jesus saw Peter floundering around in his fishing boat. He knew Peter’s troubled heart. He called him over to the barbeque pit. He reversed Peter’s triple denial with his triple questions. He answered Peter’s bewilderment with his three instructions. And just for good measure, he gave them all a dramatic, parabolic, mixed-metaphorical picture of what the haul would look like, when they went out fishing for people by feeding God’s sheep.
So -- when it’s all a big confusing enigma, and you’re tired, and you’re scared, and you just want to go back to the things that seemed to be working in the past, remember Peter’s fishing trip.
Do you love Jesus? Feed and tend God’s sheep.
And be ready for the nets to overflow and never break.
With every blessing,
Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
*This meditation was preached at Christ Church, Charlottesville, on May 1, 2022
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An Update on the Nominees and Petition Process for the 14th Bishop
April 29, 2022
Dear Diocesan Family,
The Standing Committee is pleased to provide additional information about our nominees. We invite you to view their resumes and a short video message from each nominee. The petition process is ongoing. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the Standing Committee will announce to the Diocese any qualified petition nominees by May 8. Please keep our Nominees, the Transition Committee, the Standing Committee, and our Diocese in your prayers during this time of discernment. Faithfully,
The Standing Committee
A Prayer for the Search for a New Bishop
Almighty God, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, who calls, guides and empowers us as your Church: Create in us discerning minds as we seek to elect a bishop in this diocese. So many issues are open before us; so many wounds that need healing; so many gifts that need celebrating. Bless and continue the good work begun in your name and open our ears to the hurts and hopes around us; broaden our vision to see what we do not want to see; and enliven our hearts with honesty and compassion to do the hard work that lies before us. Guide us as we seek an inspirational leader and willing advocate to help us meet the challenges and lead us to become the people you have equipped us to be in your service. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
The final candidates for Bishop of Virginia have been named. They are:
- The Rev. Joseph Hensley, Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry within The Episcopal Church
To get to know the nominees, the diocese will host several "Meet and Greet" forums around the diocese. The one closest to us is on Saturday, May 21 from 5-7 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. This event will also be live streamed. The Standing Committee strongly encourages members of the Diocese to submit questions to the Transition Committee at bishoptransitionva@gmail.com using the subject line “Meet and Greet Questions". Our lay delegate is Walt Cooner and he will be voting for the bishop-elect on June 4. Let him know what you think of the candidates.
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The Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia met via Zoom on Thursday, April 28, 2022 for a regularly scheduled meeting.
Bishop Goff said that the appointments to the Reparations Task Force were announced this week. She and the diocesan Standing Committee have appointed a diverse group of 16 members to the Task Force. Two additional Task Force members – one from the Standing Committee and one from the Executive Board – will be named soon. The creation of this Task Force was initiated by a resolution adopted by the diocesan Annual Convention in 2021. Resolution R-10a commits the Diocese to appoint a “Reparations Task Force to identify and propose means by which repair may begin for those areas of our structures, patterns, and common life by which Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) … still carry the burden of injustices, exclusions, and biases born out of white supremacy and the legacy of slavery.”
The Board continues its progress on implementing R-1a, The Virginia Plan for Covenantal Giving, as approved by the diocesan Annual Convention in November 2021. As a result of that resolution, gatherings will be held on Saturday, June 18 at four locations around the Diocese. At these gatherings, all churches can learn more about our shared diocesan ministries and how R-1 will affect financial pledges to the Diocese for the years 2023 and beyond. All churches have been asked to submit information about their finances and their diocesan involvement by Wednesday, June 1. In addition, those churches needing to request adjustments to the levels of diocesan pledging established by R-1 can attend the gatherings and discuss their requests in person. Churches requesting adjustments will need to submit additional information. Details about these gatherings and the forms for submitting information to the Diocese can be found here.
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