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The Word
News from St. John’s, Lafayette Square
The Week of Sunday, March 1
| | | St. John’s Pride gathered after a recent Choral Evensong—just one of many groups at St. John’s committed to seeking opportunities for fellowship and growth. Find your community here. | | |
The Second Sunday in Lent
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell
Refugee Committee Toy Drive and N Street Village Supply Drive (details below)
8 a.m.
Eucharist with Sermon
Parish Choir (Parish House Fourth Floor)
8:30 a.m.
Nursery—available until 12:30 p.m. (Parish House Second Floor)
9 a.m.
Choral Eucharist with Sermon and Children’s Chapel
10 a.m.
Coffee Hour (Plaza, weather permitting, or Parish House First Floor)
Speaker Series (Togo West Parlor; see below)
Church School (Parish House Second Floor)
Youth Group (Parish House Second Floor)
Adult Bible Study (Parish House Third Floor)
St. John’s Choir (Parish House Fourth Floor)
11 a.m.
Choral Eucharist with Sermon and Children’s Chapel (Watch live on Sunday)
Noon
Coffee Hour (Plaza, weather permitting, or Parish House First Floor)
Church Tour (Meet guide Kevin Cordova-Brookey near the baptismal font after the service.)
Find all our Sunday reminders, including programming for children, youth, and adults, as well as details about our free valet parking, prayer requests, links, and more, at the bottom of this email.
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2025–2026 SPEAKER SERIES
Most Sundays at 10 a.m.
The Speaker Series is held most Sundays from September through May at 10 a.m. in the Togo West Parlor on the first floor of the Parish House. An audio recording will be available on our website the week after each talk. The lineup includes:
March 1: Michael Guy, historian, will give an update to the parish on our new history project researching St. John’s history in light of race and slavery.
March 8: Richard Grimmett, longtime parish historian, will speak about the work of the famed American architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, including his design of St. John’s.
March 15: Matt Dallek, noted historian and Professor of Political Management at George Washington University, will trace the history of political violence in America up to the present day.
April 12: Aalok Mehta, Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Wadhani AI Center, will address the promise, perils, and defining questions of artificial intelligence.
April 19: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, will bring us up to date on the current state of U.S. immigration policies and practices.
April 26: Martha Gimbel, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Budget Lab at Yale University, a non-partisan policy research center, will discuss the state of the U.S. economy.
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LENTEN PRAYER GROUP
Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6 p.m. | Next session: March 4
We are offering a time of simple, silent prayer on Wednesdays in Lent convened by the Rev. Dr. Sarah Coakley, who led a series of instruction on prayer last year at St. John’s. The group will gather in person at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, but if you do not live near the seminary you can join the group virtually. To participate, please sign up here.
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LATROBE YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP
Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m.
Join the Latrobe Fellowship for a worship service followed by a meal in the Togo West Parlor. We will be joined by Jim Marsh Jr., a licensed counselor and ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who has formed and sustained many communities of faith and service. Jim will facilitate a conversation on the Inward/Outward journey and other related topics.
The Latrobe Fellowship is an active and engaged group of adults, primarily in their 20s and 30s. We typically gather at St. John’s at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month for a short worship service followed by an activity. For more information, contact the Rev. Eric Bailey.
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ST. JOHN’S BOOK GROUP
Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m.
Please join us via Zoom to discuss An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin, whose work for President Johnson in the 1960s inspired her love of historical research and her career as a presidential historian. This book weaves together autobiography, history, and memoir about a turbulent time in the United States. The book group typically meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Contact Janet Edmond for more information and the link.
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YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS
Second and fourth Sundays at 10 a.m. | Next class: March 8
Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which candidates express a mature commitment to Christ before God, the bishop, and the gathered community. On second and fourth Sundays through April, we are preparing interested youth to take this important step in their faith journey, with confirmations to be held at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. Youth who have already been confirmed are also encouraged to attend, to review faith topics and get to know our new candidates.Questions? Contact the Rev. Eric Bailey.
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PLEASE MAKE A 2026 PLEDGE TO ST. JOHN’S
As of Tuesday, February 24, we had received 265 pledges, totaling commitments of $1,078,250 toward St. John’s mission and ministry in 2026.
Your 2026 pledge is a commitment of financial support to St. John’s for the upcoming year. It can be a one-time annual payment, or it can be paid weekly, monthly, or on the schedule of your choosing. Pledges enable us to plan for the work we will undertake in the mission and ministry of St. John’s in 2026. You can make your pledge online or return a completed pledge card either by mail to the church office or by placing it in the offering plate on Sunday. Thank you for your financial commitment to our parish!
Pledge envelopes are available for pickup at the reception desk in the Parish House.
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SAMARITAN MINISTRY’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT STEP BREAKFAST
Saturday, March 14 | Free event, registration requested
Come be uplifted and inspired! Hear from STRIVE program alum Diego Cunningham, entrepreneur and social and racial justice advocate Andy Shallal (founder of Busboys and Poets), and others about how Samaritan Ministry changes lives—and learn about ways that you can support Samaritan’s mission to help DMV residents get back on their feet, as a volunteer or through your financial gift.
This event will be held at the National Press Club (529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor) in downtown DC. Breakfast, registration, and time for meeting our speakers and other Samaritan supporters will begin at 8:30 am, and the program will start at 9 a.m.
Visit samaritanministry.org to get all the details and to register, become a sponsor, or make a donation. Questions? Contact Sarah Wood.
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REFUGEE COMMITTEE TOY DRIVE
Sundays through March 8, after the 9 and 11 a.m. services
On Sundays through March 8, the Refugee Committee is accepting donations of toys to help recent Muslim refugee families celebrate Eid. Gifts will then be distributed by the Resource Center of the Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), the designated refugee resettlement organization for our region.
Although toys for all ages are welcome, there is a particular need for gifts for children of middle school age and older. Suggestions for this age group include chess sets, science activity kits, makeup sets, jewelry-making kits, nail polish sets, and sports balls (especially soccer balls). You may also make a monetary donation here.
No stuffed animals, please, as LSSNCA already has an adequate supply.
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N STREET VILLAGE SUPPLY DRIVE
Now through April 5
The Sisters at St. John’s are partnering with N Street Village, a local group that supports D.C. women experiencing homelessness by offering a broad spectrum of services, housing, and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. We are collecting a variety of necessaries, including toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary pads, women’s underwear all sizes, and casual pants sizes medium to XL. To donate, bring any of the above items to church and leave them in the basket by the reception area in the Parish House.
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BECOME A PARENT NAVIGATOR / PEER MENTOR
As part of a pilot program, Communities in Schools (CIS) is looking for volunteers to serve as navigators, or peer mentors, for parents striving to support their children’s education and their own personal and professional goals. As a navigator, you can use your knowledge in areas such as finance, medicine, nutrition, and child advocacy to provide one-to-one guidance, support, and practical strategies that help parents build strong home-school connections and advocate for themselves and their families. Volunteers matched with a family can expect a commitment of a few hours a month. Other ways to mentor include doing a webinar or virtual workshop in your area of specialty. Orientation, training, and ongoing support will be provided. For more information, contact CIS leaders Ann Gardner and Livy More.
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LAFAYETTE FELLOWSHIP DINNER AND DISCUSSION
Tuesday, March 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Please join the Lafayette Fellowship for a Lenten discussion and light dinner. Come share what you’re focused on avoiding or adding during Lent and learn how others are approaching the season. We will gather in the Togo West Parlor on Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Lafayette Fellowship is a group of adults looking for community. Our events offer the time and space to build friendships, expand our hearts and minds, and have fun. For planning purposes, RSVP to Hilary West.
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DIOCESAN LENTEN SILENT RETREAT
Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15 | Led by the Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton
In such troubled times as these, how do we find the spiritual space to “give rest to the weary, soothe the suffering, and shield the joyous” in our own lives, as well as for others? During this weekend retreat we will explore these themes through guided meditations, silent walks, worship, and reflection on the serenity prayer. For information, including location and registration, visit edow.org/diocesan-retreat.
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2026 SPRING ADULT INQUIRERS’ CLASS
Saturdays, March 14 and 21, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Would you like to be baptized, confirmed, or received into membership in the Episcopal Church at St. John’s? Or are you just interested in learning more about the Christian faith, the Episcopal tradition, and the ministry of St. John’s Church? Either way, please join the two-day Spring Adult Inquirers’ Class, led by the Rev. Rob Fisher, on Saturdays, March 14 and 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Lisa Koehler to learn more or register for this class.
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GRACE’S TABLE
Third Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Upcoming Dates: March 21 and April 18
Grace’s Table is an outreach partnership between St. John’s and Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown. Every third Saturday of the month, a group from St. John’s prepares and serves a meal at Grace to folks who are unhoused or at risk of losing their housing. Volunteers purchase and prepare food (including casseroles, rolls, salad, and dessert) and/or serve the guests. Typically, as many as 60 or 70 guests come seeking food and fellowship. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other St. John’s parishioners and to spread God’s loving kindness in our community. Contact Elizabeth Field with questions or to volunteer.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
Wednesday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a contemplative service of Choral Evensong on Wednesday in Holy Week that centers on biblical stories of lament. The St. John’s Choir and Choristers will sing William Byrd’s motet Civitas sancti tui, a lament for the desolation of Jerusalem, and Eric Whitacre’s monumental late twentieth-century anthem When David Heard, which sets King David’s anguished cry over the death of his son Absalom. The Magnificat and Nunc dimittis from Byrd’s Second Evening Service will be accompanied by viol consort. Come prepare for the Holy Week liturgies that follow as we lament Christ’s death and await the Day of the Resurrection.
The St. John’s Choir and Choristers sing Evensong on the third Wednesday of most months from September through May, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and followed by a reception in Togo West Parlor. Validated parking is available in the Colonial parking garage at 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Ask an usher for a validation ticket before or after the service. The service is also available via livestream on our website.
IMAGE: BRUNO AGUIRRE / UNSPLASH
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UPCOMING MUSIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Parishioners are invited to sponsor additional musicians for Music Festival services and other special events in the life of the parish. These gifts enrich our worship and make it possible to present larger-scale musical works throughout the program year. Sponsorships may be made in thanksgiving, in memory of a loved one, or simply in support of the music ministry at St. John’s, and partial sponsorships are encouraged. All donors will be acknowledged in the bulletin. The following upcoming services are currently available for sponsorship:
Viol Consort for Holy Week Evensong | April 1—$2,000
Following the success of last year’s Holy Week Evensong, this service will again feature Tudor choral music accompanied by a consort of violas da gamba in a striking musical offering on the Wednesday of Holy Week.
Brass Ensemble for Trinity Sunday | May 31—$1,350
Support our festive celebration of Trinity Sunday and the final Sunday of the program year with a brass ensemble accompanying choral and congregational singing.
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AN EVENING WITH THE CHOIR OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m.
The White House Historical Association and St. John’s, in celebration of America’s 250th, will host an evening with the choir of Westminster Abbey on Friday, May 1. Westminster Abbey’s choir is renowned worldwide as one of the finest of its type, with up to 30 boys and 12 professional adult singers. The choir’s wide-ranging performing activities are rooted in a centuries-old tradition, and its repertoire ranges from plainsong and Tudor polyphony to 20th-century masterpieces and new commissions. Purchase tickets ($25) here.
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FEDERAL WORKERS | GIVING AND RECEIVING SUPPORT
Many of our parishioners have been affected by recent layoffs in the federal government. We are seeking to care for one another. If you are seeking help—or if you have help to offer—please complete our survey with the details of what you need or can provide. You can also reach out to Jordan Baugh, our point person for this ministry.
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CAN YOU HOST A PARISH LUNCH?
Sunday lunch at St. John’s is a longtime tradition in which every member and every visitor can participate. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones—a time for fellowship and for hearing another’s story. The lunch is held most Sundays in the Parish House. Contributions of $5 for adults and young people 13 and over and $2 for children under 13 are requested to help defray the costs of the lunch. All are welcome. Valet parking hours are extended to 2 p.m. any Sunday with a parish lunch.
The Sunday lunch tradition relies on volunteers to prepare and serve the meal—which is why we encourage individuals, families, groups, or ministries to host at least once per program year. Hosts may be reimbursed for expenses or receive a tax receipt. Not sure what’s involved? Want to claim a future date? Contact Parish Lunch coordinator Holly Sukenik.
March 1—No Lunch
March 8—Marion Blakey and Friends
March 15—St. John’s Book Group
March 22—Needs a host
March 29—No Lunch: Palm Sunday
April 5—No Lunch: Easter Day
April 12—RJ Lyerly
April 19—Vestry
April 26—Sisters at St. John’s
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Our prayers are requested for the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially:
THOSE WHO ARE SICK, RECOVERING, OR GRIEVING
From our parish: Lauren Edwards, Bill Josey, and Jocelyn Tichenor.
Friends and family of our parish: Conor Barry (Sarah Wood), Robert Bliss (Katherine Bliss and Mark Dennis), Gisela Block (Sigi Block), Chad (Wendy Fibison), Jim DeBello (Grace Barrett), Dru Dowdy (Frances S. Tyler), Walt Eccard (Margaret Depue), Ed Eder (Joanne and Powell Hutton), Julie Ellis (Preston Cherouny), Laurie Feldon (Eleanor and Peter Odom), Blair Fiore (Debby Hailey), Peggy Fisher (Debby Hailey), Bob and Heather Gilbert (Andrea Winchell), Chantay Griffin (Charley Griffin and Gee Gee Bryant), Linda Young Gsell (Rick Young), Morgan Hickenlooper (Livy More), Doug Holy (Joanne Hutton), Jack (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), Latithia and Charles Jones (GeeGee Bryant), Olivia Kehoe (Kat Kehoe), Elizabeth Lee (Clayton Crawford), Jane Lee (Claire Kim and Jess Unger), William Markiewicz (Matthew Taylor), Jim Martella (Livy More), Tammy McCleaf (Matthew Taylor), Nell Montgomery (Brandon Montgomery), Teri Nelson (Lisa Koehler), Ann Petrosky (Johnathan Miller), Sunil Ramchand (Susan Cardwell), Scott (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), Connor Smith (Patrick and Cameron Smith), Nancy Stephenson (Ann and John Gardner), Ashley M. Smith (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), Mackenzie Toland (Wendy J. Fibison), Caleb Williams (Alfred Thesmar), Darrel Williams (Caleb and James Hays-Reilly), Edward Leland Williams II (Virginia Bader), Bess Williamson (Wendy Fibison), Andrew Woods (Johnathan Miller), and Judith York (Caroline Fisher).
THOSE WHO ARE IN ASSISTED LIVING:
From our parish: Milton Chamberlain, Janet Helgert, Marcella Odom, Becky Schergens, Suzanne Whitmore, and Mary Wilson.
Friends and family of our parish: David Brown (Lisa Koehler), Bob Chrystal, Sr. (Chris Jones), Denise T. Griggs (Ginny Griggs), Veronica Jones (Chris Jones), Lori LaPoint (Brent Erstad), Yvonne Reiffer (Jack Reiffer), and Carl Wright (Frank and Nancy Klotz).
THOSE WHO ARE IN HOSPICE CARE:
Friends and family of our parish: Wilma Daubs (Kay Gilley).
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BORN:
From our parish: Noah Shim, February 16 (Ju Park and Wonyong Shim).
THOSE IN OUR PARISH CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK:
Craig Burkhardt, William Davis, Helena Demirdjian-Rivest, Fruzsina Harsanyi, Zealan Hoover, Christopher Jones, Tonya Kirchner, Elizabeth Mays, John Noonan, Lydia Olson, Sharon Park, Cooper Thesmar, Alfred Thesmar, Ryan Wagner, and Karen Zachary.
THOSE IN OUR PARISH CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK:
Ellen and Michael Underwood
THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES:
Friends and family of our parish: Janie Abernethy (Elizabeth Lewis and David Abernethy), Philip L. Faris (Caroline and Steve Faris), and Charles Lewis, Jr. (Charles Lewis, Sr.).
Please click here to add, remove, or change the status of someone on the prayer list.
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WEEKDAY SERVICES
We typically offer the following midweek services, except when precluded by a special event, funeral, federal holiday, or office closure:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at 12:10 p.m.: Eucharist
Friday at 12:10 p.m.: Noonday Prayer
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BAPTISMS
The next dates for Baptism and required pre-baptismal classes with the clergy at St. John’s are as follows:
Sunday, April 12, at 9 a.m. (Class: Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m.)
Sunday, May 24, at 9 a.m. (Class: Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m.)
If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, please contact Lisa Koehler. Please note that the parents or grandparents of children being baptized must be active, pledging members of St. John’s. Adults interested in baptism must also attend an Adult Inquirers’ Class, offered each fall and spring, and be active, pledging participants in the life of the parish.
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FOR CHILDREN
Children are welcome at all worship services.
A nursery for infants and children up to age three is available most Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Parish House.
Children from birth through grade 5 are invited to participate in Children’s Chapel, a special liturgy just for them most Sundays during the sermon at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Parents may accompany their children, and are encouraged to do so for those younger than three.
Children’s Bulletins with coloring pages of stories from this Sunday’s scripture readings are posted here each week in time for Sunday services.
Most Sundays from September through May, from 10 to 10:50 a.m., children in pre-K through fifth grade may participate in Church School on the second floor of the Parish House.
Our Chorister Program runs from September through May. Young singers receive training in sight reading, vocal production, music theory, liturgy, and leadership, and become part of a vibrant community of music makers. Contact Brent Erstad for more details.
For more information about our children’s ministry, please contact the Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell.
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FOR YOUTH
Most Sundays from September through May, from 10 to 10:50 a.m., middle and high schoolers are invited to Youth Group on the second floor of the Parish House for an exploration of life and faith with their peers.
From September through May, youth in sixth grade and above are also invited to join the Acolytes ministry. Acolytes assist with worship services by serving as torch bearers or crucifers and by helping set the altar for communion. To learn more, contact Vincent Scauzzo.
From September through May, youth with unchanged (treble) voices are invited to join our Chorister Program. Through a custom-made curriculum, singers receive training in sight reading, vocal production, music theory, liturgy, and leadership, and become part of a vibrant community of music makers. Contact Brent Erstad for details.
For more information about opportunities for youth, please contact the Rev. Eric Bailey.
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ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 10 a.m.
During the program year, this group gathers most Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. using a hybrid approach, with some joining via Zoom and others in person. Conversations explore the connections with the Sunday lectionary lessons and sermons. In Lent we will study two of the major discourses and the passion narrative of Matthew, as well as the narratives of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the book of Genesis. For information, please contact Jack Reiffer.
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SECURITY MEASURES AT ST. JOHN’S
St. John’s identity as a congregation is shaped by our urban location in the nation’s capital. We seek to welcome all to our services and activities with dignity, while ensuring the safety and well-being of those who worship in our facilities. We hire security personnel for Sundays and special services to maintain a low-key, proactive presence and to be prepared to respond quickly and respectfully to any needs that may arise.
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FLOWER MEMORIALS AND THANKSGIVINGS
The flowers that enhance the beauty of the Church and Parish House are made possible by gifts from our community and are often dedicated to the memory of a loved one or to mark a birth or birthday, a wedding, an anniversary, a graduation, or another special event. To make a dedication, pick up a flower card at the entrance to the Church.
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GET INVOLVED IN A MINISTRY GROUP
Want to get more involved at St. John’s? Hoping to make some new friends? Check out our ministries at www.stjohns-dc.org and contact leaders via our online Ministry Directory for more details or to sign up.
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