Dear St. John's parishioners and friends:
This past week has been a very hard one for all of us. The death toll for the COVID 19 virus topped 100,000 and a National Day of Mourning was held on Monday, June 1. Last week, an African American man, George Floyd, was killed by a white policeman in Minneapolis, which sparked riots and chaos across the country. Violence, looting and death are happening in our streets. The President stood and held up a Bible in front of a burned Episcopal Church in DC for a photo-op, and the following day had another photo-op in front of the St. John Paul II National Shrine, drawing outrage from the religious community.
Last Sunday, on Pentecost, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, preached on the gospel of love, broadcast from the National Cathedral. He wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post, which was printed last Sunday, asking us all what love looks like. It does not look like the images of violence and despair that we have seen on TV. The gospel of Jesus Christ can overcome the despair that many of us feel right now.
It's been a tough week. We pray for an end to the racism and the violence and the lack of compassion for others that we so often see. We are called to love one another as Christ loves us.
I pray for each one of you, that you will take care of yourselves during this difficult time, and that you care for one another. I invite and encourage you to read what our Presiding Bishop has written and preached, and what Bishop Goff has written. The links can be found below.
"Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God."
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
St. John's is here to help you!
If you or someone you know has a need that the church can help with during this pandemic (going to the grocery store, picking up prescriptions, etc), please do not hesitate to call the church (703-803-7500). Many of us are ready and willing to help, should the need arise. The church is here to help in any way we can.
What else can St. John's be doing to fill your spiritual needs during this difficult time? If you have ideas or suggestions, please let Carol know.
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Every Wednesday, St. John's has a
Service of Evening Prayer
at 6 PM. It is a peaceful way to end the day, and it's now being held virtually. Here is the link to this evening's service:
https://youtu.be/feIiT0PDSqI
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Sermons from the Bishop's Online Chapel
Each week, one of our bishops or a member of the diocesan staff prepares and posts a sermon based on the Sunday's readings that can be used for online services. Here is the sermon posted for this past Sunday by The Rev. Sarah Brockenbrough.
Use this
Dropbox link
to view the video. Once you get to Dropbox, you do not need to "get the app", you can just click on "continue to website", then click on the date you wish to view.
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Psychological First Aid
Psychological distress often follows a crisis. You may need support for yourself, your family, and your community....
Here is the link for the webinar:
Scroll part way down, until you see the title "Psychological First Aid", then click.
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ChurchNext Offers a Free Online Class
This course is designed to give you a boost.
We don’t know when this pandemic is going to end, but we can tap into resources to help us deal with it in healthy ways. As we are increasingly tempted to fall into our phones and ask people to wake us when Covid-19 is over, it becomes increasingly important that we maintain healthy habits.
This course can help us ponder ways we can tap into our faith as a resource for us and others.
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OUTREACH TO OUR COMMUNITY
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HELP FROM THE HEART Community Drive
You can drop off items 24/7 at Sully Station (4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly) or at any local police station
https://bit.ly/fcpdgis
Please place only NEW items in plastic grocery bags in the collection bin.
Items needed (New ONLY)*
- Toothpaste & Brushes
- Deodorant & Lotions
- Diapers & Baby Wipes
- Soap, Shampoo, & Conditioner
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Adult Incontinence Underwear
- Laundry and dish detergent
- Household cleaners
- Paper towels and toilet paper
End date TBD.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
With schools being closed
items
are being included for
breakfast and lunch food for kids
(primarily single servings that do not require a stove). The bags will also include bread, fresh fruit and items already in our pantry that come daily from grocery stores.
HOW TO HELP WFCM FAMILIES DURING COVID-19
WFCM is pre-bagging food
to continue to provide all clients with food.
They are
not accepting individual small donations from homes.
If you would like to donate food items,
please order food and toiletry items online and ship them directly to WFCM's office in Chantilly or
donate online
.
Here is the link that takes you directly to WFCM's 'wish list' on Amazon:
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Fairfax County Health Department Neighbor to Neighbor Program
In response to COVID 19, the Health Department has set up a Neighbor to Neighbor Program for residents 60 and over who need to have someone pick up groceries and medications for them. Contact Fairfax County Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resource Line at 703-324-7948.
Fairfax County Provides Spiritual Support by Phone, Needs Volunteers
To provide support during these unique times, the Spiritual Response Team will offer
spiritual support by telephone for adults aged 60 and over
in our community. This is for adults who may be feeling scared, overwhelmed and in need of comfort. If community members would like to speak with a member to the Spiritual Response Team, they would
call 703-324-5185
and leave their name and telephone number. Ramona will send a group text to the team with the phone number and first name of caller, an available team member will respond and talk to the community member for up to 30 minutes to hear their concerns and help them find peace and comfort in these challenging times. If there is a need for supports beyond spiritual comfort, the team member will connect the community member to county resources. The program will be available
Monday – Friday, from 10a.m. through 6p.m. each day
.
If you are agreeable to serve, these are the next steps:
- If you are willing to serve in this capacity, you have to be become apart of the Spiritual Response Team n group text.
- Be willing to be “on call” M-F between 10 a.m. – 6p.m. and have the ability to respond to texts.
- Attend a virtual meeting/training to go over protocol and process to discuss engaging the community over the phone.
- Patience and Grace will need to abound as this is our first time attempting something at this scale.
- You must complete the onboarding training and return all
- If you have any questions please email [email protected]
N
V RIDES needs for drivers
NV Rides coordinates a network of local partner organizations driven to help our older neighbors with their transportation needs. Through our partner organizations located throughout the region, well-organized volunteer drivers are available to help older adults with rides, conversation and kindness.
While we have seen a decrease in the amount of ride requests to medical appointments and the grocery store, our partners have been working to retool their programs so that their volunteers can help meet the most immediate needs of the seniors they assist. Those services include grocery pick- up and delivery, medication delivery and friendly check in calls.
When we do get back to some semblance of whatever normal will look like, we anticipate being inundated with medical rides requests as seniors will have not attended any preventative or chronic disease management appointments.
If you have folks looking to volunteer, please have them contact NV Rides by calling 703-537-3071. We will match them with a program that is convenient to their location.
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In celebration of the Pentecost last Sunday, parishioner Mimi Spear tied red balloons to the fencing along Mt. Gilead Rd. It was fun to see for all who were passing by!
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This Sunday, June 7, join us for a virtual coffee hour at 12:00 noon on Zoom.
The link for the coffee hour will be sent out in Saturday's email, which will have the link for the service (9:30 AM), the link for the Adult Lectionary class (10:30 AM) and the link for the coffee hour (12:00 noon)
.
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A few announcements
-All Shrine Mont camps
have been cancelled for this summer due to COVID 19 and the need to keep all campers and counselors safe.
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St. John's received a $5000
matching grant from the Peter James Lee Grants for Small Churches from the diocese. These funds will be used to offset some of the costs of the HVAC unit that was recently purchased and installed. Many thanks to Tom McDermott for applying for this grant on behalf of St. John's.
-St. John's received a
Payroll Protection Plan grant for $28,300 to help with the payments of salaries, mortgage, and utilities. Many thanks to Andrew Wade, Juliette Faulding and Susie Pike for applying for this grant.
The Prayer list -
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please email Carol. The readers who do the readings as well as the Prayers of the People, do their recordings from their homes toward the beginning of the week. If you send a name after the recording has been made, the name might not be on the prayer list until the following Wednesday or Sunday. Also, please note that the prayers of the sick, and those who have died, are read during the services we are posting on YouTube. So they are now "virtual".
We encourage you
to please stay current with your pledge and contributions to St. John's. Our bills continue to come in and need to be paid. You can mail your contributions to St. John's at 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville, VA 20120. If you would rather give online, please use the Tithe.ly button below.
Forward Day by Day
, a daily devotional normally available in the breezeway, is now here for May/June/July. If you would like one to be mailed to you, please call Carol or send an email.
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Make an Online Donation!
You can make your donation here electronically.
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Use this button to make your donation.
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
*Now being held virtually via Zoom. All are invited to join in, following the virtual Sunday service. The links to the Forum and the service are sent out in a separate email on Saturdays.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
Trinity Sunday - June 7, 2020
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The First Reading:
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
By the power of God’s very word, the world is made; God speaks and it is so
.
The Psalm: 8, page 592, BCP
The Second Lesson:
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul closes his letter to the troublesome Corinthians on a hopeful note, urging them to show God’s grace and peace.
The Gospel:
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus commissions his body, the church, to continue the ministry which he began in the world.
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Most of the bundles will be ash wood. If you would like to fill up your car or truck, please leave a message with the church office and we will make arrangements.
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St. John’s Men’s Group / Lumberjacks SELLING WOOD!
Replenish your firewood, as we are all sequestered at home! And help benefit St. John's at the same time!
The Lumberjacks are selling bundles of wood outside the front entrance to the Historic Church for the great price of $5 per bundle.
(or $20 for 5 bundles).
Please give the money to someone in the office, a vestry member, or Carol.
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Diocesan Resources
The Diocese of Virginia has posted on its website (www.thediocese.net) many resources for individuals and clergy to use during this time when we cannot gather together for worship and Christian Education. On the opening page of the website, you will see "Covid 19 Resources" in the upper right hand corner. This page includes statements by Bishop Susan Goff, some church financial resources, tips about recording services online, and Christian Education resources to use at home. One resource is entitled "Do Faith at Home" and has ideas for adults and children
www.dofaithathome.org
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Every Tuesday morning, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry broadcasts a short reflection entitled, "Habits of Grace". He has encouraging words of hope and love for all of us during this difficult time. You can watch the videos at
https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace
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God of all hope, God of all goodness, we are a people hurting, lost and divided. Our world seems a strange and foreign land, our days a blur of separation and isolation. Gather us to your very heart as we pray for our nation, receive all who have died into the fulness of your heaven, guide the hands of all who serve others. Bless our efforts to love all people in concrete action and, in your powerful ways and in your perfect time, make us whole for the sake of a world so desperately in need of You. Amen.
The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff
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and the office number is 703-803-7500.
May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.
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Carol
The Rev. Carol Hancock, Rector
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | 5649 MT. GILEAD RD. , CENTREVILLE, VA | 703-803-7500
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Please note:
If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: [email protected].
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