To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Last night, Deacon Steve and I attended a reception for the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF), one of many local organizations St. John's supports. We met board members, staff, volunteers, supporters, and the night's honorees:

• Elena de León is a Mayan Ixil woman from Nebaj, Guatemala. She is an entrepreneur, creator, and designer who, along with other immigrant women, makes clothing using traditional weaving.
• Juan Andres, a citizen of Spain and a Pharmacist from University of Alcala de Henares, worked as a Pharmaceutical Executive for over 35 years in several countries such as Spain, United Kingdom, US (three time periods), Puerto Rico, and Switzerland. In 1984, he was an exchange student, learning English with the family of the now-chair of the Centreville Immigration Forum. His career in developing and manufacturing medicine included work with Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Moderna.
• Karol Escalante is Fairfax County Director of Immigrant Community Affairs. She is part of the One Fairfax team and has more than 15 years of experience working with key topics related to immigration, community engagement, public policy, diversity, inclusion, and strategic planning. She served as a diplomat in the Foreign Service of Honduras for approximately 8 years, being her last post in Chicago, IL as Consul General of Honduras. 

Operating one of only two day labor centers in Virginia, CIF, according to its website, is one of the few places where a low-wage worker can get help recovering wages. CIF also advocates for improvements to immigration policy and stronger worker rights protections.

The Rev. Phil Mohr of Centreville United Methodist Church reminded us all in his invocation of just how many of the Bible's heroes and heroines are immigrants and refugees. Abraham and Sarah were immigrants. Noah and his family were boat people, seeking salvation. Joseph was sold into slavery. His brothers sought refuge during a famine. Ruth and Naomi, Ezra and Nehemiah, all immigrants. Even Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees, escaping a genocide.

Faithful people can disagree about the particulars of immigration policy and reform, but, amid racism and xenophobia, at least two things are undeniable: the extraordinary contribution of immigrants to our nation and God's call to walk with the poor and the stranger in our midst.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Funeral Service for Vilda Simon

A service in celebration of the life of Vilda Simon, Gail Weirich’s mother, will be held today, September 18, 2024 at St. John's at 3 PM, with reception to follow. Vilda will be laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery tomorrow morning.

Northern Virginia Reception for Dean of St. George's College in Jerusalem

September 21, 5-7 PM

St. Peter's in the Woods Episcopal Church along with the North American Committee for St. George's will host a reception on September 21st from 5 - 7 PM. 

Clergy and past pilgrims, and those interested in hearing a first-hand update from Dean Richard about the current situation in Israel/Palestine as well as the work of St. George's College, the Anglican Center for Pilgrimage, Education, Hospitality and Reconciliation in the Holy Land area are warmly invited to attend. 

It will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow pilgrims and engage in this important conversation. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

Register here.

Author Night! September 30th at 7 PM

Come out and listen to a reading from parishioner Lee Griffith's book The Right Thing. We will hear Lee read, have a Q&A, and you can buy a book and have it signed by Lee!

About The Right Thing: A world-class sniper teams up with a physical phenom to challenge one of the most dangerous men in the Middle East. They first must pass a selection process that involves a months-long evaluation in mountain warfare, mountain climbing, survival, and shooting.

About the Author: Besides being a member of St. John's Church, Lee is a veteran of twenty years of service with the U.S. Navy, Lee worked with Navy SEALs. As the naval air station security officer, he wrote the base counterterrorism plan and exercised it frequently. An avid climber, he summited Mount Whitney, Mount Rainier, Mount Fuji, and Mauna Kea. He has participated in sprint triathlons for twenty years, and will represent team USA at the sprint triathlon world championships in Malaga, Spain.

Please sign up to bring an item to share if you can. Plates, napkins, utensils, and glasses will be provided.

Save the Date! Centreville Day!

Centreville Day will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024. Be sure to save the date for an amazing day in the Centreville Historic District.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, to keep our minds on divine things and not solely on human things?

View the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost on September 15 here. 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 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20

In words that come to be applied to Jesus, Jeremiah writes: “But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.”

Response: Psalm 54

Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

James writes of Christians who are bound by old patterns: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus teaches on humility: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

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.

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)

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

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.

Volunteers Needed at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on October 8 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. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
• Canned Chicken

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Toilet Paper
• Size 6 Diapers 
• Large size pullups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Baby Wipes​

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.

For an Election

2024 is an election year, so let us pray:

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 822)

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!



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