To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Last week, Deacon Steve Busch, Lay Delegate Walt Cooner, and I attended the 231st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia. We gathered, worshiped, voted, and learned with clergy and lay representatives from all around the diocese under the theme "Telling Our Stories-Sharing Our Gifts."

• We heard from Bishop Stevenson in his pastoral address about the latest goings-on in the diocese and the need to counter the "legion" corruptions of the "dream of God" in our society.
• We heard from Virginia Theological Seminary Professor Lisa Kimball about the importance of lifelong formation to create disciples capable and ready to live out their baptismal vows.
• We attended workshops on storytelling, global missions, discernment, and involving children in liturgy.
• We took care of the business of the diocese, passing a budget, voting for diocesan leaders and provincial and national representatives, and passing resolutions to respond to war in South Sudan and to support threatened immigrant communities and ministries.

Read our recap here.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Sharing the Kingdom: Fall Stewardship Campaign Continues - Join us!

Our fall stewardship campaign - Sharing the Kingdom - continues! 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.

Two weeks into our four-week campaign, we have reached 40% of our goal of $260,000 in total pledge dollars. Prayerfully consider your 2026 commitment to St. John's today.

Click above to hear from Jerry Pankey or on this YouTube playlist to hear from all our speakers so far.

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

Friendsgiving, November 24, 6 PM

Join us for a Friendsgiving potluck in the downstairs parish hall. No Jeopardy! viewing party this year, but we'll give thanks to God and thanks for one another ahead of the holiday. RSVP, and let everyone know what you will be sharing.

Advent Wreath Workshop, December 2, 6:30-8:30 PM

Make your own Advent wreath! Nancy and Emori have put together wreath kits, including candles, wreath ring, and charger. Join us in room 217/218 on December 2 to turn them into something special for the season. Bring greenery and a snack to share. RSVP here.

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 Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

First Lesson: Malachi 4:1-2a

Evil people will not escape justice; God will smite all who revel in violence. They will be completely consumed and erased. Those who love God will prosper.

Response: Psalm 98

The Psalmist calls the people to join with all creation in praise of the judge of the world.

Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

There are no free rides in the kingdom of God. Being part of God’s people, a member of Christ’s body, means that everyone has something to give and something to be received by the community.

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

Jesus prophesies of the end of time and the fate of faithful disciples. The gospel finds powerful enemies in every age, no enemy is a match for God.

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.

Saints of the Week: Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, and Margery Kempe

This week, we celebrate three prominent figures associated with the development of English Christian mysticism.

Read more about these visionaries 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.)

Serving at the Hanley House

This week, 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 next month!

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.

Helping Families in Need at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ended on October 31, and they won't be restored until the federal government reopens. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) to Virginia residents who currently receive SNAP benefits, beginning November 3. Still, the disruption has hit area residents hard. Please keep those donations for WFCM coming!

Remember your Thanksgiving boxes! St. John's has committed to provide a number of holiday meal boxes for families in need, and all of them have been signed out. Remember to purchase the sides and other items on the shopping list, and return your box(es) to the church by November 20 for timely delivery (and check your name off the list).

Donate now! 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)

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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.

Harvesting and Winterizing the Creation Care Garden

St. John's harvested an additional four pounds of produce for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries this week, bringing our total to more than 168 pounds of food for those in need this season. Radishes continue to grow and will be harvested soon.

Winter Ahead. With the weather growing colder, the Creation Care Garden committee is winterizing: collecting the last of the harvest, removing vegetation, and cleaning and stacking for storage.

Leaders Wanted. As we look ahead to 2026, the Creation Care Garden will need a new chair (or co-chairs?). Current chair Bev Milunec will be stepping back in the new year. Contact Bev or Fr. Kevin if you feel called to help continue this worthwhile ministry.

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.