To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Published in January 1776, Thomas Paine's wildly successful pamphlet Common Sense was instrumental in making the case for American independence. (See our upcoming Fourth of July events below!) As I read it in 2001, I was surprised to find the deist, atheist-adjacent Paine suddenly turning to the Bible - with all its tales of and support for kings - to make his case against monarchy. Paine cited Gideon's refusal to rule over Israel: "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). He quoted at length 1 Samuel 8, chronicling Israel's desire for a king and the Lord's warning against it. Paine declared, "These portions of scripture are direct and positive. They admit of no equivocal construction. That the Almighty hath here entered his protest against monarchical government is true, or the scripture is false."

Paine, I discovered, had tapped a deeply antimonarchical strain in Scripture. As often as the Bible has been used to justify the divine right of kings, many portions of Scripture are less than enthused with earthly rulers. The book of Judges essentially makes the case for a king, but, even there, as Paine and others saw, Gideon pointed out that only the Lord truly ruled. Psalms frequently refer to God as king, which limits and complicates earthly rulers' claim to sovereignty. Indeed, the prophet Ezekiel refuses to use the word king, except to describe foreign tyrants unworthy of the title. In his utopian vision of the restored Temple, there is no king, only a "prince." Earthly rulers are criticized and demoted before the good shepherd who is God. Alongside the texts that cry out for the peace and justice only a king can seemingly provide are other voices that find the only king worth turning to is God.

All of which is to say that, according to these voices, if not all of Scripture, there wasn't meant to be one class of human beings ruling or dominating over another. As many times as the Bible has been conscripted to countenance cruelty, Scripture screams against it. This past Sunday, we read Galatian 3:28: "There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Colossians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 12:13, and Romans 10:12 all echo the same creed. To paraphrase Paine, that the Almighty hath here entered his protest against discrimination, division, and domination is true, or the scripture is false.

Every division in society - sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, nationality - places one group over another, but in God, in Jesus Christ, those divisions - and the war, violence, domination, and cruelty that comes with them - are abolished. We weren't meant to have kings. We weren't meant to rule over one another. We were meant for something more. We were made for love, and peace, and justice, and joy. In God, every month is a Pride month, every day is a Juneteenth, every day is an Independence Day. Or, at least, it should be.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

St. John's Winery Social

When: This Saturday, June 28, 2025 @

11:00 AM

Where: Paradise Springs Winery, 13219 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, VA

Join St. John's at Paradise Springs winery! The winery opens at 11:00 AM, and we will be able to easily get tables at that time. We are not able to reserve tables, and it will get crowded later. Family friendly and dog friendly. They have food trucks and sell snacks and charcuterie, but you can bring your own food as well. Just no outside alcohol.

Want to add some exercise to the day? How about a pre-winery hike? Anyone interested can meet at 9:45 AM to take a hike at Hemlock Overlook Park. The parking for Hemlock is right across the street from Paradise Springs. You can leave your food in your car during the hike and then bring it into the Winery.

You don't need to sign up (and if you sign up you are not obligated to show up!), but it would be helpful to know how many folks will be coming.

If you have any questions, see the contact information on the sign up sheet!

The Gospel of Revolution: Preaching, Politics, and the Episcopal Church

When: Thursday, July 3, 2025 @ 7:00 PM

Where: St. John's Historic Church

Social upheaval. Political polarization. Religious division. Sound familiar? That's the world of the American Revolution. We take independence for granted, but the very idea of an independent United States was a difficult and deadly debate in these former British colonies--and in what would become the Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski will present on the history and theology of American independence, looking at sermons of Anglican clergy and others. We'll then worship according the prayer book then in use at the time--with the congregation voting whether or not to say the prayers for the king... Join us for The Gospel of Revolution!

Independence Day Sparkling Social

When: Sunday, July 6, 2025 @ 8:00 PM

Where: St. John's churchyard

Join us to celebrate Independence Day with sparkling wines - and sparklers! - in the front churchyard.

St. John's Anniversary Outdoor Eucharist

St. John's was consecrated July 14, 1854. Join us Sunday, July 13 at 9:30 AM to celebrate our anniversary with a special outdoor Eucharist.

Evangelists Wanted

The Vestry is looking for additional volunteers to assist with evangelism and marketing, helping with the website, social media, and other promotional materials. If interested, contact Fr. Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Candles

If you make candles or know someone who does, there are 10 pounds of candle stubs from the altar candles available. They are white or ivory, and most are 51% beeswax. If interested, contact Libby McCullough.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

View all our services on our YouTube channel. 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 Third Sunday after Pentecost:

• 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21
• Psalm 16
• Galatians 5:1,13-25
• Luke 9:51-62

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.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Graduation

Congratulations to parishioner George Dewey for completing his four-year journey through Education for Ministry! George was awarded his certificate from Sewanee The University of the South's School of Theology this past Sunday.

Best wishes to all of the participants in St. John's cohort as they break for the summer, and thanks to the cohort's mentor Walt Cooner for his ministry.

Are you looking to deepen your faith? Are you hoping to understand how your personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God's people? If "yes," EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for you.

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology. EfM is delivered through small seminar groups and meet for 36 weeks over a year. Participants in years 1 & 2 study the texts and context of scripture; Year 3 looks at Church History; Year 4 delves into Christian ethics and spirituality. Also built into the group is a fifth voice: Wide Angle, which offers a taste of each of the four years into one year.

Contact Walt Cooner to inquire about EfM at St. John's where we have deep conversations about things that matter – always looking for ways God is active in our lives.

Saint of the Week: Alban

St. Alban is the earliest recorded Christian martyr in Britain.

Read more about him here.

Join Us for Bible Study!

Our Bible Study will not meet June 25-26 or July 2-3.

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM, for a weekly Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. We'll be using N.T. Wright's Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups (2011) to explore the third gospel. No need to RSVP for individual classes. For more information, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

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.)

Another Delicious Dinner at Hanley House

June was a delicious month at the Katherine Hanley Shelter. We served 50 people a Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole. As we enter the summer months, we simplify and serve pizza with salad and chips. We have other items that we serve, so please check the sign up and join us!

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 July 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.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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)
• Canned Vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
• Pancake Mix
• Syrup
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
• Canned beans (black and red)
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

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Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes

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.

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.

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.

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!



• Click the button below to set up a recurring gift online, or text "STJOHNSCENTREVILLE" to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
• Pledge to give using this online form.
• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.