Greetings!
PARISH NEWS for Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Dear St. John's parishioners and friends:

As this pandemic continues, so does our social distancing and our "fast" from in-person public worship. In her weekly webinar with the clergy of the diocese last Wednesday, Bishop Goff directed us to no longer live stream or record services in the church. This is to support our governor's stay at home order. At least 5 - 6 people are needed to record the services as we have been doing, and asking people to come to the church is putting them at risk. As Bishop Goff pointed out, the church should be leading by example to stay home and slow the spread of this virus. By doing that, we are helping to protect the most vulnerable in our community.
We will continue to record services and post them on our YouTube channel, thanks to David Weir. I will be recording them at home, with the help of my daughter Kathryn, who is more technologically savvy than I am. I will have a service of Evening Prayer on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM , and a service of Morning Prayer on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM . The link to the Wednesday service will be sent out in the weekly E Notes ( see the link below for tonight's service ) and the link to the Sunday service will be sent out prior to the service. This Sunday, Steve Busch, our deacon in training, will be preaching the sermon. Be sure to tune in.
Another aspect of the stay at home order that Bishop Goff addressed was that of church staffs. She directed all church staffs to work from home as much as possible. If there is something that needs to be done that cannot be done at home, then the staff member can go to the church. So I will be working from home and only going into the office when it is necessary. Catherine Packard, our parish administrator will do the same. Juliette Faulding, our bookkeeper, cannot do her work from home, so she will be in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. David Thompson, our Ministry Partners Administrator, has agreed to come in to be sure the building is secure and to work on some maintenance projects. At this time, none of our Ministry Partners are meeting. We hope and pray they will all be able to return after this pandemic is over.
I will be checking my phone messages regularly. In case of an emergency, please call the emergency number - 703-201-7861. Feel free to email me anytime with any concerns you may have, or just to check in (stjohnscvpriest@gmail.com). Members of the Vestry are contacting each person in our parish directory to be sure they are okay and if there is anything folks need.
Please know that you are all in my prayers and I look forward to the time when we can worship together at St. John's. But until that time, know that by staying at home and doing the other protective measures, you are making a sacrifice for the greater good of the community to stop the spread of this disease. God is with us and will give us the strength and courage for whatever lies ahead. Take care.

The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector

Here is the link to the Wednesday service of Evening Prayer:
 

St. John's is here to help you!
If you or someone you know has a need that the church can help with during this pandemic (going to the grocery store, picking up prescriptions, etc), please do not hesitate to call the church (703-803-7500). Many of us are ready and willing to help, should the need arise. The church is here to help in any way we can.

Diocesan Resources
The Diocese of Virginia has posted on its website (www.thediocese.net) many resources for individuals and clergy to use during this time when we cannot gather together for worship and Christian Education. On the opening page of the website, you will see "Covid 19 Resources" in the upper right hand corner. This page includes statements by Bishop Susan Goff, some church financial resources, tips about recording services online, and Christian Education resources to use at home. One resource is entitled "Do Faith at Home" and has ideas for adults and children ( www.dofaithathome.org ).

Click here for:

With schools being closed items are being included for breakfast and lunch food for kids (primarily single servings that do not require a stove). The bags will also include bread, fresh fruit and items already in our pantry that come daily from grocery stores.

HOW TO HELP WFCM FAMILIES DURING COVID-19

WFCM is pre-bagging food to continue to provide all clients with food.They are not accepting individual small donations from homes.  If you would like to donate food items, please order food and toiletry items online and ship them directly to WFCM's office in Chantilly or donate online .

Here is the link that takes you directly to WFCM's 'wish list' on Amazon:


Many thanks go to David Weir for recording our services and getting them online for you to see. Thanks also go to Val Tucker and Walt Cooner who assisted with the Holy Week services, and to Meg Crossett and Craig Staresinich who assisted with the Easter service. Thanks also go to Larry Pike for playing the music from You Tube at the appropriate time.

Just so you're aware... the prayers of the sick, and those who have died, are read during the services we are posting on YouTube. So they are now "viral".

We encourage you to please stay current with your pledge and contributions to St. John's. Our bills continue to come in and need to be paid. You can mail your contributions to St. John's at 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville, VA 20120. If you would rather give online, please use the Tithe.ly buttom below. As we did not have the two Easter services in the church, when we normally get a large plate offering from visitors, we ask that you be particularly generous with your contributions, if you are able.

Blood supplies are getting low. If you are able to give blood, please consider doing so. Y ou can go to the Inova Blood Services website to find donation sites and you can sign up online.

Every Monday morning , Presiding Bishop Michael Curry broadcasts a short reflection entitled, "Habits of Grace". He has encouraging words of hope and love for all of us during this difficult time. You can watch the videos at https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace

If you have a prayer or a reflection , either one you have read or one you have written and you would like to share it in the E-Notes, please send it to Carol. If its one that someone else has written, be sure to include their name.

UPDATE - The mulch will not be arriving until June 13 so we will not have our mulch-spreading-party until after that date.

The Census - It is very important that everyone fill out the census. It only takes a few minutes online. One important aspect of the census is that the government can allocate funds appropriately based on the population and the need.
Make an Online Donation!
You can make your donation here electronically.
The Tithe.ly App
‌
Use this button to make your donation.
‌
‌
THE SUNDAY SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO THE VIRUS
We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson

The Second Sunday of Easter - April 19

 The First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Peter preaches the Gospel to the gathered crowd - Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people and God raised him from the dead.

The Psalm: 16 , page 599, BCP

The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Believers live in the hope of Jesus's resurrection even as they endure trials.

The Gospel: John 20:19-31
In appearing to the disciples, Jesus reveals God's power manifest in his own flesh.
____________________________
CURRENTLY THESE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT TAKING PLACE*
CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED IN THE NURSERY  
(Rm. 205) 
During the Service
____________

JOINT SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:30 - 11:30 AM
 Each week, St. John's children join with our Ministry Partners: 
Wellspring UCC & Grace Baptist Church
Room 215 (207/208 the first Sunday of the month)
_________________________

St. John's Sunday School class for ages 2-4, Room 215
Meets the first Sunday of each month from 9:50 - 10:40 AM 

_________________________

THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
*Now being held online
MEETS EACH SUNDAY IN THE LIBRARY, FOLLOWING THE SERVICE 
  FROM 10:50 - 11:50 AM

(The Saint of the Week:)

Coronavirus Updates and Information - April 2020
From the Fairfax County Interfaith Office
Common Grounds Newsletter - Newsletter for the Interfaith Community, h er e are a few of the topics:

  • COVID-19 Supports and Services Stay Connected Text FFXCOVID to 888777 To Receive Updates
 
  • Basic Needs: If you have congregants in Fairfax County who are in need of support please have them call Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) 703-222-0880 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays). Residents can also visit the Human Services Resource Guide (HSRG) at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hsrg/, an online, searchable guide to available health and human services resources in Fairfax County.
 
  • Community Food Locations: The county has developed a searchable map that includes all food distribution sites, including Fairfax County Public Schools, community meal distribution sites, food pantries and other related services.
 
  • Safe at Home: For some people, staying home doesn’t always feel safe because someone there may threaten or hurt you. If this is you, know that you can call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence hotline for help 24 hours a day at 703-360-7273. If it is not safe to talk, text or chat (text LOVEIS to 22522 for the national domestic violence hotline, chat at rainn.org for the national sexual violence hotline). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.For additional information visit Safe at Home.
 
  • Child Abuse Prevention: In the midst of this outbreak of COVID-19, many families find themselves facing many of the risk factors for child abuse and neglect. If you have questions or concerns about a child’s safety, call the Child Protective Services’ 24-hour hotline at 703-324-7400. Fairfax County's CPS hotline workers can also provide families with help, guidance, and referrals to supportive services. For additional information visit Department of Family Services - Children and Families.
 
  • Adult Protective Services: To report Abuse, Exploitation, or Neglect of an adult who is 60 years or older or is 18 years and older and incapacitated. Reports can be filed for people who live alone or with relatives or who are residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, or group homes. The Adult Protective Hotline: 703-324-7450. For more information on Adult Services please visit Fairfax County Services for Older Adults.
 
  • INOVA Respiratory Illness Clinics Inova Urgent Care (UCC) locations at Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons will staff Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. The three clinics will also be able to collect COVID-19 vehicle-side samples that have been ordered by physicians. To learn more visit INOVA.

Most of the bundles will be ash wood. If you would like to fill up your car or truck, please leave a message with the church office and we will make arrangements.

St. John’s Men’s Group / Lumberjacks SELLING WOOD!
Replenish your firewood, as we are all sequestered at home! And help benefit St. John's at the same time!

The Lumberjacks are selling bundles of wood outside the front entrance to the Historic Church for the great price of $5 per bundle. (or $20 for 5 bundles).

 Please give the money to someone in the office, a vestry member, or Carol.
THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA
April 7, 2020 - A video reflection from Bishop Susan Goff to the people of the Diocese of Virginia. 
Since the url is from facebook, you will probably need a FaceBook account to view the video.
https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseofVirginia/videos/261949604823919/
‌
Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays  through May. Click below:
I encourage all of you to watch his videos on Monday mornings. They are less than five minutes and are very uplifting.
VOLUNTEERING AT ST. JOHN'S
Sign Up Here to be an altar server , or to donate flowers for a Sunday service. ( if you're not an altar server, and would like to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), a Lector, or a Crucifer, please see Carol).
COMMUNITY
WESTERN FAIRFAX
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

"We know that food can be one of the most expensive items on a household budget list. Our hope is that in allowing our clients to visit once per month they will save enough money to pay for other expenses such as rent or utility bills."
I tems are collected weekly in the baskets at the front door of St. John's Church. For food list:
Reflections
Hope
This is what we are celebrating: the power of God to bring life out of death, hope out of despair. The paradigm of crucifixion and resurrection lies at the very heart of our Christian faith. This pattern of dying and rising is part of our DNA.
-Br. Geoffrey Tristram

May we who are merely inconvenienced (by this virus)
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.
-Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX
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
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | 5649 MT. GILEAD RD. , CENTREVILLE, VA | 703-803-7500
Please note: If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: SJECCentreville@aol.com.