To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I just returned from the diocesan Spring clergy retreat at Shrine Mont earlier this week. Here's all the attendees. I'm left of center between Christine and Barbara. We were told to squish in to fit everyone into the picture. My new acquaintances stood on either side of me and put their arms around me, so my arms went around them.

Our program was led by The Right Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. He spoke on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35, which we heard recently during our bishop's visit). He spoke of it as a road to repair and recognition, of grieving and joy. He frequently had us turn to one another for short conversations. For instance, we were told to find someone we didn't know, thank them for being here, and bless them.

At one point in his discussion, Bishop Wright declared that "fine" was one of the biggest lies we tell each other. How are you? Fine. How's it going? Fine. We needed to be truthful with one another. He told us to pair up and tell our partner how we were not fine today. I was in the front row for some reason, so I stood up and turned around to find everybody behind me was already partnered. I faced forward, and Bishop Wright was standing right in front of me. "Do you have a partner?" he asked, extending his hand. I told him no. He looked at me and said, "How are you not fine today?" I blubbered my truth in a suddenly very dusty room. He said he was sorry about what was going on and hugged me. He told me what was going on with him and I said I was sorry for that and thanked him for sharing it with me.

That's church: a place for our joy - and a place for our grief. It's a place where you can go in your Sunday best to give thanks to God for everything good and great in your life, and a place where you can show up in less than your best to be surrounded by people who care and a God who loves you more than you know. Our whole selves - fine, not fine, both at the same time - are always welcome.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

P.S. Sunday ministers - readers, acolytes, ushers - don't forget to scroll all the way down to the usual link and sign up to serve. The church needs your ministry, and we often scramble to find folks on Thursdays before printing bulletins. Try not to repeat Sundays or serve more than once a month, but fill in those gaps where you can!

And if you're interested in serving on Sundays, join one of our upcoming ministry meetings (see below) or contact Fr. Kevin.

Progressive Dinner This Saturday, May 2

The tradition returns this Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 5 PM. Appetizers at one house, dinner at another, and dessert at yet another - it's a fun journey. Participants should have received their schedules and what to bring. If you weren't able to attend this year, we hope you'll join us next time. If you have questions, contact Penny Parker or Elise Crawford. We look forward to a fun evening!

Lectors Meet This Sunday

My first ministry in the Episcopal Church was lector. They held this parish ministry fair where all the different ministries of the church had tables and were recruiting. Vestry wasn't going to get me; I wasn't technically Episcopalian. Altar Guild wasn't really for me. But reading... I was literate, I thought, I could totally do that. And I discovered a whole new relationship with God, Scripture, and the church. If you're interested in a new relationship with the Word, if you're already a lector, or are thinking about it, join us after worship this Sunday in room 217/218.

More Ministry Meetings!

Are you interested in serving at the altar? Curious about reading the word? Would you like to help prepare the church for worship? What about welcoming newcomers and parishioners alike? Now's your chance! Liturgy is a "work of the people," and we need you to make worship everything it can be at St. John's.

If you're interested in serving in some way, or you're already serving, join us after worship on upcoming Sundays to renew and expand our ministry teams:

• May 3: Lectors/Readers
• May 10: Altar Guild
• May 17: Ushers

We'll review responsibilities and new expectations, and arrange for additional training for newcomers. Our acolytes met before our bishop's visit. More ministries and more meetings to come. This is just getting started. If you can't make a certain meeting but would still like to be involved, email Fr. Kevin.

St. John's is Hiring!

We are hiring a part-time Ministry Partner Liaison to enhance coordination between our many Ministry Partners and to ensure that Saint John's building is maintained and protected. See the description on the diocesan job page. If you know of someone who may be a fit for this opportunity, please be in touch with the church office or the Senior Warden. 

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

What is the abundant life Jesus promises? Our reading from Acts depicts a vibrant, prayerful, and charitable church, an image that's likely more aspirational than it is historical. We who've been hurt by the church know it as victimizer as well as victim. We must remain in touch with the God in Christ who lights us up and calls us to a life fully lived.

View our services on our YouTube channel and look for new sermons 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.

Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60

The preaching of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the church, provokes the people and they turn on him, making him the first Christian martyr.

Response: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Peter cites the Scriptures to encourage those who have recently converted to following Christ. He contrasts their old way of life to their new life, built on the solid foundation of Jesus.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

Immediately following the Last Supper, Jesus reassures his disciples by urging them to trust in God’s plan. He tells them that by their faith, they can do works even greater than his own.

Saint of the Week: Sarah Josepha Buell Hale

Suffragette, abolitionist, and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Buell Hale was the first American female editor of two very influential women's magazines, the author of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and the true moving force behind Thanksgiving becoming a national holiday in 1863.

Read more about her here.

Join Our Bible Study on

1 Corinthians

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. 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 This Week

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.)

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:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (tuna, salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole paste)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, peaches)
• Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
• Refried, Garbanzo, and Kidney Beans
• Dried Beans (lentils, pinto, black beans)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
• Pancake Mix 
• Flavored Rice (Rice-A-Roni) and Flavored Pasta (Knorr)

Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Tissues (Family Size)
• Baby Wipes 
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5

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.

Join Us in May at the Hanley Shelter

We served 65 people in April at the Katherine K Hanley Family Shelter. Kitchen renovations at the shelter meant a pivot to cold offerings this time out. Our new menu included sandwiches, wraps; chips; coleslaw, pasta, macaroni, potato and lettuce salads; grapes, watermelon and blueberry fruit cups; and chocolate cake and cookies for dessert. Many thanks to all those hands that prepared the food and provided the drinks.

Our next dinner is scheduled for May 12, menu to be determined. 

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 May 12 to serve.

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.

Support the 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 the parish office 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 the parish office for more.

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

Helping 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 contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the button below to give online or visit our website for more.