St. John's Episcopal Church

Welcome to the E-Notes!

January 24, 2018

  VESTRY
 

December 2017 Vestry Highlights 
  • Formation of Search Committee for new Music Director
  • Date set for Annual Meeting-February 11th
  • Recommendation to investigate earlier re-finance of mortgage to lock in lower interest rate
PARISH
  • Vestry Candidates Needed
The Vestry is the governing board of the parish and makes financial, outreach, building and other decisions on behalf of the congregation. Vestry members are elected at our Annual Meeting which will be held on Sunday, February 11. Two of our Vestry members, Penny Parker and Val Tucker, are finishing their three year term and will be rotating off. We need confirmed members in good standing to run for the Vestry to fill up to five vacancies. (We can have 12 on the Vestry and we currently have 9.) The Vestry meets on the third Sunday of the month at 12:00 noon. Vestry meetings are open to parish members to attend. If you would like to know more, please talk with a Vestry member, David Weir our Senior Warden, or Carol Hancock. 
  • Sunday counters needed
We are looking for a few new counters to add to our roster. On a rotating schedule, two counters count the weekly offering and take the deposit to the bank. If you want to learn more, please contact Marie McDermott at memcdermott1@aol.com  
  • Lay Eucharistic Ministers needed
We are in need of additional Lay Eucharistic Ministers to assist with Sunday services. LEM's need to be confirmed members in good standing. Interested? Please see Carol Hancock.
  • Bishop's Visitation on April 22
Bishop David Jones will make his visitation with us on Sunday morning, April 22. Bishop Jones and perhaps other retired bishops will be assisting with visitations during 2018 while the diocese searches for a second suffragan bishop. Bishop Ted Gulick retired at the end of December. If anyone, age 14 or older, is interested in being confirmed when Bishop Jones is here, please let me know as soon as possible so we can set the dates and times for the necessary classes.
  •  Annual Meeting February 11
 Our Annual Parish Meeting will be held after the service on Sunday, February 11. It is important for all parishioners to attend. We will present the budget, elect Vestry members, and hear reports from our various groups. Please make every effort to attend.
  • WFCM says "thank you"
 Western Fairfax Christian Ministries sent a note expressing gratitude for the food that St. John's donates to them each week. In 2017, St. John's donated 1330 pounds of food and toiletries. "Your contributions will help us continue to provide food to persons in crisis, reducing their risk of homelessness and empowering them towards greater self-sufficiency. This work would not be possible without your generous support." Many thanks go to everyone who has donated food through our Sunday collections. Let's keep up the good work!
  • Lent is quickly approaching!
 Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, is Wednesday, February 14. We will have services at 12:00 noon and 7:30 PM. Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend. Beginning on February 21, we will have a service at 6:00 PM, followed by a light supper and program for the 6 weeks of Lent. More details about the program will be coming shortly.
  • Don't forget the Pancake Supper!
 We will have our traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 13 (the day before the start of Lent) in the parish hall. Times and details will be coming soon. Traditionally, households had to use up the lard they had in their pantries before the start of Lent. Making pancakes was a good way to do that. Come join us for fellowship and delicious pancakes on February 13!
 

EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE:


Letter to the Episcopal Church from Presiding Bishop, President of House of Deputies   
'Our church must examine its history and come to a fuller understanding of how it has handled or mishandled cases of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse through the years'

Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs, Posted Jan 22, 2018

CLICK HERE 
Letter written by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings.  
 
 
  OPPORTUNITIES 
  • 2019 Trip to Israel
If you are interested in the trip to Israel in January 2019, you need to contact Andrew Wade
andrewdwade@gmail.com    as soon as possible.The trip is filling up fast and there is a limit of 40 people. Each person planning to go must make a reservation with St. George's College in Jerusalem and make a $500 deposit by January 31. We will be traveling with parishioners from Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Delaplane.  
  • Evening School of Theology at VTS
The Evening School at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria (3737 Seminary Road) will be starting the following classes soon:

Spring 2018 Course Offerings

Mondays, February 5 - April 23, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 
$125

Kathy Brown, D.Min.
Wednesdays, February 7 - April 25, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m
$125

How Myths Make Meaning: Theological Themes in Star Wars & Harry Pott
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Lyons 
Mondays, February 5 - April 23, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (no class 2/19 & 4/2) 
$125
 
Christian Formation is a life long process. The seminary offers evening classes for adults in the spring and the fall to enrich our spiritual lives. 
 
St. John's Recycling Fundraiser
 
***Have you gotten a new phone lately? Consider donating the old phone to St. John's! 
Protect the environment and clean out those used electronic items that clutter closets & drawers!
Nothing to buy! Nothing to sell! Just bring in the used electronic items that you have replaced or that have broken. We will package the items and send them to Eco-Phones for recycling. Eco-Phones pays us for these items -
working or not. Here's what we're collecting:
 
cell phones - ipads & tablets - inkjet cartridges
 
Eco-Phones will not accept desktop computers and is no longer accepting laptops.
Bring your items to the church and place them in the "Eco-Phones" box in the breezeway. If you have any questions contact Penny Parker at 703-791-3482 or pennypar@gmail.com 
 

SIGN UP HERE TO
SERVE
as LEM, Crucifer, Lector, Usher, Verger, Torch Bearer at a Sunday Service.
   

click here: 
 
You will receive an automatic reminder a few days in advance. ( If you would like to become an altar server, please see the Rev. Carol Hancock.)

SIGN UP HERE TO
BRING SNACKS
for coffee hour after the Sunday Service in the Breezeway.

 click here: 
 
You will receive an automatic reminder a few days in advance. Coffee hour is an important part of fellowship - staying connected with each other and welcoming newcomers.


SIGN UP HERE TO
SUPPLY FLOWERS 
for a Sunday service throughout 2018.


click here:
You may sign up here to donate the flowers to be used on the altar for each of the Sundays in 2018. Click to read additional info before signing up.
 

 
  
We can prepare our hearts and minds by
reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons.  
        
THE FOURTH 
SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
January 28, 2018
  9:30 AM   
       
Christ Preaching at Capernaum 
        
The First Reading:
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 
God assures the Israelites that a prophetic leader will come after Moses. God also warns that a prophet must faithfully relay God's message. The consequences of inaccuracy are fatal.  
  
The Psalm:    111
   
The Epistle: 
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Though there are not fastidious rules about eating which God requires the faithful to obey, Paul advises the Corinthians to have mercy for those who are confused and convicted brethren who might find dietary freedom to be an obstacle. 
 
The Gospel:
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus performs a miraculous healing while the crowds witness his authority with amazement. The demons reveal Jesus' identity.
 
 
  




_______________________


THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
MEETS EACH SUNDAY IN THE LIBRARY,  
FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.  
FROM 10:50 - 11:50 am
 
___________________

CHILD CARE IS 
PROVIDED IN THE NURSERY   
(Rm. 205) 
During the Service
____________________
 
JOINT SUNDAY SCHOOL

  Each week, St. John's children join
 with three of our Ministry Partners: 
Fairfax Chinese Christian Church, 
Wellspring United Church  of Christ
& Grace Baptist Church

 for Sunday School 10:30  - 11:30 A M
 
We  offer 3 classes:
 
PreK: Rm. 205;  
K - 6th grade: Rm. 207/208;
 7th - 12th grade: Rm 206

________________________________
 
    
Reminder
Every Wednesday evening, we have a service of Holy Eucharist and healing at 6:00 PM. The service is about 30 minutes. It is a perfect alternative for those who cannot come to church on Sunday mornings, as well as a good spiritual boost in the middle of the week. Come join us!
 ***
Intercede
When we pray, as our Rule puts it, we are not calling down a divine presence to come to the place where we have seen a need, for the Christ who fills all things is already in that place. Christ is already there in grace and mercy beside those in greatest need - sharing their sorrows. In our prayers we are willing to take on the suffering of others, and join God in God's compassionate presence.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

 
 
My email address is stjohnscvpriest@gmail.com,
and the office number is 703-803-7500.  
May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.

       - Carol
       The Rev. Carol Hancock
       Rector

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