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The Word
News from St. John’s, Lafayette Square
The Week of Sunday, September 24
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The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
7:45 a.m.
Eucharist—Sermon by the Rev. Rob Fisher
8 a.m.
Parish Choir (Parish House Fourth Floor)
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nursery (Parish House Second Floor)
9 a.m.
Choral Eucharist—Sermon by the Rev. Rob Fisher
10 a.m.
Speaker Series (Togo West Parlor; see below)
Coffee Hour (Plaza, weather permitting, or Parish House First Floor)
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—Sermon by the Rev. Rob Fisher (Watch live on Sunday)
Children’s Chapel (Children begin in church)
Noon
Coffee Hour (Plaza, weather permitting, or Parish House First Floor)
Sisters at St. John’s Tea (Togo West Parlor; see below)
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THE SPEAKER SERIES
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.
September 24: Wonders & Realities. In this collaborative reading, acclaimed Irish poets Jane Clarke, Katie Donovan, and Catherine Phil MacCarthy will explore how poetry helps us fine-tune our senses and pay attention to the wonders and realities of our threatened world.
October 15: Shibley Telhami, a noted Mideast expert, will speak about recent developments in the region. Telhami is a nonresident senior fellow with the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings, and the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland. He has also served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of State, advisor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, advisor to Congressman Lee Hamilton, and member of the Iraq Study Group.
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SISTERS AT ST. JOHN’S: WELCOME TEA
This Sunday at noon
Calling all women! Join us this Sunday, September 24, at noon in Togo West Parlor to learn more about the Sisters at St. John’s. Come discover the wonderful things we do and find out how we support one another throughout the year. For more information and to RSVP, please contact coordinator Emily Lucio.
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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 in pre-K through fifth grade may participate in Church School on the second floor of the Parish House, most Sundays from 10 to 10:50 a.m.
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 11 a.m. service. 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.
For more information about our children’s ministry, please contact the Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell.
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FOR YOUTH
Most Sundays 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.
Youth in seventh grade and above who are considering being confirmed are encouraged to join our Confirmation Class. Register by this Sunday, September 24 (see full details below).
Youth in sixth grade and above are also invited to join the Acolytes ministry. Acolytes assist with 11 a.m. worship by serving as torch bearers or crucifers and by helping set the altar for communion. To learn more, contact Nora Haugh.
For more information about opportunities for youth, please contact the Rev. Shawn Evelyn.
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ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 10 a.m.
This group gathers most Sunday mornings, using a hybrid approach, with some joining via Zoom and others in person. The group is studying the structure, audience, and themes of the Gospel of Matthew. Conversations explore the connections with the Sunday lectionary lessons and sermons. To receive class notes and Zoom login information, please contact Jack Reiffer.
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PRAYER CARDS
You are invited to take a blank prayer card from the narthex (the entrance of the church) and write down something or someone you would like to pray for. You can hand your prayer card to the ushers when they take the collection, and your card will be blessed and prayed over during the week.
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MISSED THE MINISTRY FAIR? NO WORRIES!
It’s easy to get involved, and you can join in at St. John’s anytime
Our annual Ministry Fair was held this past weekend with great success. The event bustled with vibrant energy as leaders and members shared fellowship and information. A hearty thank you goes to our leaders and members. If you were unable to attend, please check out our website to find what might interest you, and then contact group leaders for more information or to sign up.
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CONFIRMATION CLASS FOR YOUTH
Deadline to register: This Sunday, September 24
In the sacrament of Confirmation, baptized Christians make a mature affirmation of their faith and commit to live into their baptismal promises. The bishop will next confer this sacrament at St. John’s on April 14 during the 11 a.m. service. In preparation, those who desire to be confirmed will undertake a period of learning, prayer, and discernment. Confirmands must be in seventh grade or higher. To register your youth for our confirmation class, please contact the Rev. Shawn Evelyn by September 24.
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VISITORS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
A delegation from Kwasa will be here October 16–24
We are excited to report that the Rev. Sharron Dinnie, head of the Kwasa College (a.k.a. the Kwasa Centre) in South Africa, is bringing a small delegation from the school to visit St. John’s in a few short weeks. You will have a chance to meet them on Sunday, October 22, when they will attend services, meet with members of the Church School, and offer the Speaker Series presentation. Come learn about the 19-year partnership we have had with Kwasa, which supports education and other services to 600 children living in an informal settlement near Johannesburg.
If you want to help provide a warm welcome to members of the delegation, contact Holly Sukenik. We are looking for folks to help provide transportation or meals and accompany them on tours of Washington, or who are able to set up meetings with government and nonprofit officials who might be interested in Sharron’s work to bring hope and education to young people in South Africa.
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GETTING READY FOR A NEW REFUGEE FAMILY
The Refugee Committee is furnishing an apartment for a newly arriving refugee family, and we’d love to have your help making it a home. Here are three ways to get involved:
Purchase home essentials through our Amazon wish list.
Donate new or lightly used furniture—We are still in need of a dining table and chairs, lamps, and bed frames.
Help us move larger furniture—specifically, by collecting donated items over the next few months and setting up the apartment when the time comes.
Please contact Lacy Broemel for more information or to volunteer.
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SUNDAY PARISH LUNCH IS STARTING SOON
Most Sundays after the 11 a.m. service—with a little help from you!
Our Parish Lunch tradition—one of the best opportunities for fellowship at St. John’s—is returning this fall, and we need your help to make it happen. We encourage individuals, families, groups, and parish ministries to sign up to prepare a meal; check the calendar for open dates. Hosts may be reimbursed for expenses or receive a tax receipt.
To sign up as a host or receive a list of guidelines, contact coordinator Holly Sukenik.
Not sure what’s involved? No problem! Register for our tutorial, and we’ll teach you what you need to know.
Parish Lunch 101: Refresher Course and Tutorial
Sunday, October 1 at 10 a.m., Parish House kitchen
If you have never participated in preparing Parish Lunch or have gotten “rusty” over the summer, please join Holly in the kitchen for a tour, a review of the process, and menu ideas. RSVP here.
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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Sunday, October 1, at 9 a.m.
Humans of all ages and pets of all varieties are welcome! This year, the Blessing of the Animals will take place within the context of the 9 a.m. service. Leashed and crated pets are invited into the sanctuary for worship that will last less than an hour. The Blessing of the Animals is often held in early October to coincide with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), the patron saint of animals and the environment.
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MIDWEEK MUSIC RETURNS
Wednesday, October 4, at 12:15 p.m.
Our monthly Midweek Music concert series resumes next month with a performance by Baltimore-based organist Jordan Prescott. The program includes selections from J.S. Bach’s seminal collection of organ works titled Clavier-Übung III. Midweek Music performances take place at 12:15 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month from October through May and are open to the public free of charge.
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LATROBE YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP
Wednesday, October 4, at 7 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the monthly gathering of the Latrobe Young Adult Fellowship, an active and engaged group of adults, primarily in their 20s and 30s. We gather at St. John’s at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. Contact the Rev. Shawn Evelyn for more information.
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ST. JOHN’S BOOK GROUP
Thursday, October 5, at 7 p.m.
Join us for a discussion of Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus on Thursday, October 5, at 7 p.m. in person at the church or via Zoom. This is the story of single mother Elizabeth Zott, a “brilliant chemist in a man’s world—1960s America—as she becomes an unlikely cooking-show host and the role model her daughter deserves.” In November we will discuss March by Geraldine Brook. For more information, contact Janet Edmond.
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ADULT INQUIRERS’ CLASS
Saturdays, October 14 and 28, 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? If so, please join the Fall Adult Inquirers’ Class. This two-day class will meet on Saturdays, October 14 and 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Rev. Rob Fisher, Rector of St. John’s, will lead the sessions.
All are welcome, whether you are a newcomer or a longtime parishioner. This is an opportunity to learn more about our Christian faith, the Episcopal tradition, and the ministry of St. John’s Church. To register, please contact Lisa Koehler.
Those who participate or who have completed another inquirers’ class are invited to celebrate with a Service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, November 4, at 10 a.m. Adult baptisms will take place at St. John’s on scheduled Sundays; see upcoming dates under “Baptisms” below.
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FAMILY MEETUP
Saturday, October 14, 4–6 p.m.
Join in an afternoon of fall fun at the church. We’ll have pumpkins to decorate and games to help build community among kids and caregivers. Dinner provided. RSVP to the Rev. Sarah Akes-Cardwell.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
Wednesday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m.
Evensong is sung by the St. John’s Choir on the third Wednesday of each month from September through May, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and followed by a reception in Togo West Parlor. Parking validation is available in the C & C Parking Garage at 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW. A validation ticket can be obtained from an usher before or after the service. The service will also be available via livestream.
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MIDWEEK MEN’S GROUP
Third Thursdays at noon: Next meeting, October 19
This lectionary-based Bible study for men of all ages is convened by parishioner Carter Keithley, who holds a master’s degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. The group meets on the third Thursday of every month for a brown-bag lunch with fellowship and a wide-ranging, scripture-based conversation. Contact Carter for more information.
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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, November 5, at 9 a.m. (Class: Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.)
Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 9 a.m. (Class: Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m.)
Sunday, February 11, at 9 a.m. (Class: Saturday, February 10, 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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MAKE A PLEDGE TO ST. JOHN’S
A pledge is a commitment of financial support over the course of a year, to be paid weekly, monthly, or on another schedule. By making a pledge to St. John’s, you enable us to plan for the work we will undertake in mission and ministry. It’s easy to make a pledge commitment online on our website. Thank you!
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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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Our prayers are requested for the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially:
THOSE WHO ARE SICK, RECOVERING, OR GRIEVING:
From our parish: Linda Gaines, Robert Kirchenbauer, and Carl and Mary Raether.
Friends and family of our parish: Barbara Virginia Abalos Branes (Joanne Hutton), Bob Brow (Lauren Moriarity), Sandra Brown (Becca Brown), David Cannon (Kat Kehoe), Billy Beardsley Conderman (Margo Arnold), Mary June Cook (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), George Corbin (Shawn Evelyn), Ed Eder (Joanne and Powell Hutton), Reagan Eudy (Alfred Thesmar), Pamela Evelyn (Shawn Evelyn), Elaine Gravott (Margo Wiegenstein), Grace Grifferty (Kerri Stelcen), Linda Young Gsell (Rick Young), Jackie Hanson (Brent Erstad), Doug Holy (Joanne Hutton), Jack (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), Latithia and Charles Jones (GeeGee Bryant), Charlotte Crowley Junilla (Margo Arnold), Jim Kasson (Rob Fisher and Sarah Wood), Olivia Kehoe (Kat Kehoe), Lynne Kessler (Mary and Carl Raether), Lori LaPoint (Brent Erstad), Elizabeth Lee (Clayton Crawford), William Markiewicz (Matthew Taylor), Tammy McCleaf (Matthew Taylor), Barbara and John McGraw (Mary and Carl Raether), Katy Montgomery (Nora Rigby), Bruce Mortimer (Nancy Mathis), Carl Raether (Allie Raether), David Row (Livy More), Scott (Marta Cook and Cal Trepagnier), Lou Thesmar (Alfred and Hilary Thesmar), Sallie and William Wilkie Thompson (Cecelia Thompson), Theresa Weber (Kerri Stelcen), and Edward Leland Williams II (Virginia Bader).
THOSE WHO ARE IN THE HOSPITAL:
Friends and family of our parish: Bob N. (Wendy J. Fibison) and Amy Tejral (Jill Dowell).
THOSE WHO ARE IN HOSPICE CARE:
Friends and family of our parish: Carol Bradley (Larry and Krista Bradley), Henry Farrington (Wendy J. Fibison), and Lisa Peña (Autumn Brown).
THOSE WHO ARE IN ASSISTED LIVING:
From our parish: Eve Atkeson, Jack Kinsey, Barney Malloy, Marcella Odom, and Becky Schergens.
Friends and family of our parish: Wilma Daubs (Kay Gilley), Pat Morris (Will Morris), Cawley Scott (Robyne Johnston), and the Rt. Rev. Carl Wright (Frank and Nancy Klotz).
THOSE WHO HAVE DIED:
Friends and family of our parish: Jackie Stuemke, September 18 (Craig and Barbara Burkhardt).
THOSE IN OUR PARISH CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK:
Elizabeth Avery, Robert Craft, Clayton Depue, Shawn Evelyn, Art Fisher, Juliet Folger, Samuel Greene, John Hailey, Diane Hauslein, Lydia Hornbaker, Christine Kennedy, Thomas Kingsley, Graham Alexander Kosobucki, Jett Lyerly, Michael Mengel, Nicolette Neufeld, Lucy Smith, Jocelyn Tichenor, Susan Welch, and Gail West.
THOSE IN OUR PARISH CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK:
Bob and Tammi Hoback, Andree and Joseph Leonelli, Nancy and Randall Roe, and Andrew and Laurel Tierney.
THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES:
Friends and family of our parish: Janie Abernethy (Elizabeth Lewis and David Abernethy) and Philip L. Faris (Caroline and Steve Faris).
Please help us keep this list updated: Contact us with corrections, additions, and updates on status.
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