To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I spent the last day and a half at Virginia Theological Seminary's alumni convocation. Convocation is one part homecoming (but no football game) and one part conference with worship, presentations, and receptions. Thankfully, a lot of it was livestreamed, so I get to share some of the experience with you.

Click above for Bishop Mariann Budde's "Courage is Contagious." Click through to New York Times columnist David French's "Faith in an Age of President Trump." And look for more from the occasion here.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Centreville Day, October 18

The 33rd Annual Centreville Day is upon us! Centreville Day will be held Saturday, October 18 here in the Centreville Historic District from 10 AM to 4 PM. There's so much to be seen this year: the Eco Expo, the Safety Expo, Pets in the Park, the Trick or Treat Trail, the Historic Centreville Trail, food, entertainment, vendors, rides, and more! Admission is free. Entertainment is free. Children's rides are free. Invite family and friends!

And, of course, St. John's will be there!

Thanks to all who've volunteered!

For those who can't be there on Saturday:

• Share the event. Invite friends, family, and neighbors, even if you can't go yourself.
• Baked goods. Please drop your baked goods off at the church on Thursday from 10:30 to 2:30 or Friday afternoon. The breezeway will be open after 1 PM on Friday for you to leave things there. Please package your baked goods for single serve sales. If you can, please note any important allergens - nuts, eggs or wheat.
• Candy. We're a stop on the event's "Trick or Treat Trail," so please bring donations of Halloween candy to the church office at the hours above. We'll welcome trick-or-treaters on Centreville Day and Halloween.

For those volunteering on Saturday, look for an email shortly with final instructions.

For more information, contact Senior Warden Lisa Heller or Fr. Kevin.

Sharing the Kingdom

"Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." - Luke 9:1-2

The kingdom of God is a place and a time that operates differently from the often cruel, violent, and absurd world we inhabit. If we're doing this church thing right, people get a glimpse of God's time and place here at St. John's, and when they encounter folks from St. John's. When we serve in the world, when we're advocates for justice, when we help those in need, when our kindness honors the image of God in a neighbor, we're sharing the kingdom. God sends us out to reclaim time and space from all that still holds us down and holds us back.

[Sharing the Kingdom is our seasonal initiative of sharing God's healing, hope, and hospitality with Centreville and beyond.]

Voce Chamber Singers, Into Paradise Concert, October 18-19

The heavenly voices of Voce Chamber Singers join forces with a professional orchestra for the world premiere of In Paradisum by Z. Randall Stroope. Join us at our latest venue, Annandale United Methodist Church, for transcendent moments from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem as well as Tarik O’Regan’s soaring Triptych for strings, soloist, and choir. Join us Saturday afternoon for commentary from our featured composer, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope. On Sunday evening, enjoy a special collaboration with singers from the South Loudoun Youth Chorale. Visit for more information and tickets.

Gospel of Revolution, October 21

Join us at St. Patrick's in Falls Church on October 21 for the Gospel of Revolution! Father Kevin will again discuss how clergy wrestled with loyalty, rebellion, and their faith in the years around the American Revolution - and what that might mean for Episcopalians today.

Halloween, October 31

St. John's will welcome neighborhood trick-or-treaters on October 31. We'll be in the front parking lot in costume (or not) and giving away candy.

Please bring Halloween candy to church during worship or to the church office. We'll be giving it away during Centreville Day and, of course, on the big night October 31.

Scam Alert

Be on the lookout for strange emails and texts claiming to be from St. John's staff. Learn more here.

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 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading: Genesis 32:22-31

As Jacob prepares to face his brother, Esau, whom he wronged years earlier, he spends the night in struggle with God.

Response: Psalm 121

In poetry often recommended for funerals, the Psalmist imagines the Lord as their rescuer and keeper who watches over "your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore."

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Christians must be discerning and humble as they seek God’s wisdom. Many become attached to their own ideas and find ideas to suit themselves rather than pursuing the gospel.

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus teaches that nagging pays off. This parable on persistence in prayer encourages us to approach God regularly on our knees.

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.

Saint of the Week: Edith Cavell

"Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone," said our featured saint for the week Edith Cavell. Cavell was a woman of intense faith who treated soldiers on both sides of World War I. She was arrested and shot by firing squad for her ministry.

Read more about her here.

Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

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.)

Serve at the Hanley House

St. John's served 61 chili-mac meals last night. Dinner included corn bread, salad, grapes, rice krispie treats, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. We'll return on November 11 with chicken and broccoli casserole.

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 November 11 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.

Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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.

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 (beets, potatoes, spinach, peas, yams)
• Canned Pasta (ravioli, spaghettios, etc)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Sugar
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chicken/Beef/Bone Broth
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
• Canned Beans (kidney, black, garbanzo)
• Boxed Cereal 
• Hot Cereal (oatmeal, grits)
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix 
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Almond Milk (family size)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Deodorant 
• Lotion
• Mouthwash 
• Hair Shampoo and or Conditioner 
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Pull Ups size 4t-5t

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.

Support Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

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.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let Deacon Steve know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact Deacon Steve for more.

You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Help the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. The Shepherd's Center needs additional drivers and support for local seniors. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd's Center here.

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.