St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA |
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Parish News - August 25, 2021 |
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
As we continue to watch thousands of Afghan citizens flee after the Taliban has taken over their country, we must pray for those who are leaving everything they had behind- homes, family, businesses, culture - and going to the US and other countries to settle in a foreign land where they may not know the language or the culture or anyone else. How terrifying that must be! We must continue to pray for those who have chosen (or been forced) to stay in Afghanistan and live under a repressive regime. Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calls us to pray for the people of Afghanistan:
Eternal God, hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. There is a profound humanitarian crisis. Countless people, mostly women and children, are now fleeing and vulnerable. The lives of many are now endangered. The hopes of many are forgone. Send your Spirit, Lord, to rally the resolve of the nations of the earth to find pathways to save human lives, protect human rights, and to resolve the hardships of those seeking refuge, asylum, and safety. Hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. This we pray as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
For the people who want to know how they can support The Episcopal Church's efforts to resettle and provide direct assistance to Afghans seeking special immigrant visas, please visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give.
Also, as Afghan refugees are being housed at the Dulles Expo Center, our Outreach Committee will be meeting soon to discuss how we can help.
Haiti is suffering from the effects of a 7.2 earthquake and a tropical storm. Over 2200 people have been killed. They must remain in our prayers as well. Our Presiding Bishop has called us to pray for the people of Haiti:
Eternal God, send forth your Sprit to encourage and strengthen the people of Haiti in these difficult times. We pray especially for those impacted by the recent earthquake. Encourage and strengthen those who help and support others. In your mercy, receive the souls of those who have died; comfort their families and loved ones. Surround with your presence the sick and suffering. Aid the work of those who still search and rescue. Empower the medical and aid workers and all who labor to heal.
Likewise, inspire and empower the resolve of the nations and peoples of the world to be your instruments of help and healing. Stir up the might of your love and compassion among the nations to rally resources and stay the course until the humanitarian job is accomplished.
Lastly, enfold and uphold the people of Haiti—from the youngest newly born to the oldest among us—in the arms of your love and the strength of your might. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
May we pray without ceasing for our brothers and sisters who are suffering and who are in harm's way.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Many thanks go to those who helped remove our bell last Thursday - Monti Zimmerman, Dave Parker, Andrew Wade, David Daniel Weir, and Larry Pike. The bell was returned to the Navy Yard in Washington where it will be assessed and stored for 2-3 years. It might be put on display in the Navy Museum that is scheduled to open in 2023.
Update on Lisa Heller - Lisa Heller left Los Angeles about two weeks ago and has been in quarantine in a hotel in Guangzhou, China. She will be in quarantine for another week in her home and hopes to start work around September 1. Lisa continues to watch our services online and keeps up with St. John's through the E Notes. Although she and her husband Jim are now on the same continent, they are about 8 hours apart. Their two adult children are in the US but are also in different cities. Fortunately, the internet keeps them all connected!
If you have a home vegetable garden, you are invited to bring your extra produce to the church this Sunday, August 29 and put it on the long table in the breezeway. After the service, parishioners will have the opportunity to purchase the produce they would like. A free will offering basket will be provided. The proceeds will go to St. John's, and any left over produce will go to WFCM.
Bishop Porter's class for the laity - Begins late August/early September
Weekly one-hour sessions via Zoom
In Bishop Porter's fall online class for laity, he'll explore "remembering our Christian calling even as we confront the difficulties we face." To structure the conversation, the group will use a book by Ron Rolheiser, Wrestling With God: Finding Hope And Meaning In Our Struggles To Be Human. Day and time of sessions are to be determined. If you wish to participate, please contact Anita Lisk. See full class description.
We are searching for a new non-profit group to use the parish hall during the week. If you know of any group looking for space, please tell them to contact David Thompson at St. John's (703-803-7500). We need to spread the word as widely and as quickly as possible. There are flyers on the back table in the church if you know of someone to send it to or a public bulletin board to post it.
If anyone is interested in the Education for Ministry program, which meets once a week for 9 months and is a four year program, we WILL be starting a class in September. Over four years, the students study the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and theology. Through theological reflection, we look at how to see God in everyday events and how to apply what we learn to our everyday lives. Please let Carol know soon if you are interested in joining the class or want more information. The tuition is $375 per year. We will meet on Thursdays from 3:30 - 6:00 PM at the church, starting in the fall.
If anyone does not already receive the email communications from the diocese and you would like to, there is a form on the back table of the church that you can send in to get your email address added to the list. You can also email the Director of Communications, Nancy Chafin, at nchafin@thediocese.net and ask that you receive the E-Communique. There are often stories about things that are going on in other churches or events that the diocese is sponsoring. As the diocese gets further into its search for our next bishop, there will be updates on that as well. It's a good way to stay in touch with our diocese.
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Online Service Videos
As we return to in-person worship, it will be important for us to continue our ministry of having our services online for those who cannot or choose not to come to church. Our videos are also sent out by parishioners to friends and family in other states. We need several people to take turns recording the service on Sunday mornings. Instructions will be given. Please join us if you can help with this ministry. We need several people so it doesn't fall on the shoulders of one person every week. Please let Carol know.
You may be on YouTube. As we are now recording our services in the church and posting them on YouTube, you might be recorded in the service, particularly when you are going up to communion or returning to your seat. If this is a problem for anyone, please let Carol know.
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OUTREACH
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries has put out their list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.
· Canned garbanzo beans (low salt preferred)
· Canned kidney beans, red beans, and black beans (low salt preferred)
· Canned pasta
· Pasta Sauce (low salt preferred)
· Canned Tuna and Canned Chicken
· Flavored pasta/rice
· Mashed Potatoes
· Oatmeal (Quaker Oats Healthy Old Fashioned Oatmeal)
· Canned vegetables (corn, carrots, spinach, beets) (low salt preferred)
· Canned Pineapple (no sugar added preferred)
· Tomato Paste (low salt preferred)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, feminine pads, deodorant, baby wipes, shaving cream, mouth wash (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
Outreach Opportunity to Help Our “Neighbors”
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email scwfc.office@gmail.com and copy Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com.
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Sign Up: Sunday service reader or usher We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar. If you would like to do either of these, CLICK HERE.
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Sign Up: Altar Flowers
Please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin.(Wedding anniversary, in memory of someone - something special you want to remember by providing flowers.) CLICK HERE
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Service of Evening Prayer - Virtually
Every Wednesday, St. John's has a Service of Evening Prayer. It is a peaceful way to end the day, and it's now being held virtually. Here is the link to this evening's service:
Wednesday, August 25
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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Last Sunday's recorded service: The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 22, 2021
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION |
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 29, 2021
The First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Moses urges the Israelites to observe the law with care, avoiding the idolatry that leads to destruction.
The Psalm: 15, p. 599, BCP
The Second Reading: James 1:17-27
James urges Christians to put their belief into practice, lest their words ring hollow.
The Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for elevating human precepts to doctrinal importance.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.
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A Meditation for the Fourteenth Week of Pentecost
This Old House
Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25
I have always liked old houses. Especially the quirky, idiosyncratic kind with peculiar nooks and big drafty windows. Double points for more than one staircase, finished but uninhabited attics, and pantries made for cooks and gardeners who mean business. And... I also like tankless water heaters, lots of electrical outlets, WiFi, and central air.
That is to say: I like old houses that have been carefully, thoughtfully, respectfully renovated.
Like you, I’ve been wondering what the future looks like for this house called The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia. As we move from summer into fall, the questions seem to have a bit more of an edge – how have we weathered the storms of the last year and a half?
Something about this atmosphere feels deeply familiar. I’ve lived in actual houses boarded up for hurricanes before, stocked with bottled water and propane and batteries (and TP). I have listened before while the wind howls, fades suddenly into eerie stillness, and then howls again, and this last year has felt a little like that. I have felt before this unsettling mixture of fear and novelty, of adventure and claustrophobia, of being locked inside while a storm raged. I have waited before to see what the damage actually is and what still stands. I have worried before in uncertainty about whether the creaking and swaying mean that the house survived, thanks to sound engineering and flexibility, or whether it has been pushed too far and will be condemned to demolition. It’s the uncertainty that many rectors and congregations (and bishops, truth be told) are feeling about emerging into the sunlight and taking stock of where things stand, now.
As we are all talking about what the world looks like after (please, God) the worst of Covid, the sense of radical change afoot in the world, and what seem to be seismic shifts in culture, the uncertainty polarizes many of us into several camps: “Thank God that’s over – let’s get back to familiar patterns and stability right now!” to “Might as well tear what’s left down and start from scratch,” to perhaps the largest camp: “I am (or we are) exhausted and overwhelmed and don’t even know how to think about all this.”
What will the Church look like in Virginia in 2022? 2030? Will it still be here? Will we recognize it? Will it still sustain and strengthen us to do the work of the Gospel? Will – and should – we expand or contract? Will the Good News be reaching more and younger and different people? Will the Truth of Christ, mediated in Word and Sacrament, still bring transformation and hope to our communities? Is this house sound, or is it about to topple over?
Everyone along that spectrum wants the best for the Kingdom of God and Christ’s church, including this house called Episcopal. I don’t believe there’s any possibility that the Church will be gone; it’s the embodiment of Christ on earth, in some way or another. The real question, then, is HOW to get there. Like the debates in the civil arena, some argue for locking down tradition as tightly as possible, changing nothing, maybe going a little back in time if possible. Others argue for throwing all that out and starting again from first principles, whatever they imagine those to be.
When business guru Kevin Oakes asked similar questions about managing change and culture in business organizations, he concluded organizations do not thrive when they choose either reactionary doubling-down nor sweeping, radical demolition. The metaphor that he proposes for the way healthy organizations deal with the inevitability of a changing world is renovation.
This house called The Episcopal Church is old. That in itself is a source of strength and hope. It’s a truism in hurricane country that old houses can often fare better than new, high-tech structures. Some of that may be luck and the vagaries of windstorms, but some of it is that the old houses that come through the gale were built solidly, and at the same time, because of their timber frames, they are more flexible. The big drafty windows, even boarded up, and the functionally unnecessary but comforting fireplace chimneys, can help equalize the barometric pressure and prevent blowouts. The newer places, airtight and rigid, sometimes just blow right over. (Obviously, this is a loose metaphor, but let’s play with it, shall we?)
Beyond hurricane survival, there’s great opportunity in an old house. There’s much to rediscover, to preserve, to cherish. There are things that newer generations may come to value at different times, and there are sometimes treasures to uncover in attics and even magical wardrobes. And, naturally, there’s much that may need significant updating and repair. I know very few people (though I do know a few) who’d want to live in a place with cloth-covered wiring, a privy in the garden, a wood-fired stove, and an icebox.
Where are our foundations strong and solid, and what needs repair or updating? What has collapsed in the storm and created space for something new and stronger? What did we stumble upon in the attic while we were housebound? How has the hurricane changed the neighborhood, and the city? What can we do to be better prepared to weather the next storm? While we’re patching things up, might this be a good time to go ahead and replace all those harvest-gold kitchen appliances?
How can we renovate this grand old house?
I invite you to play with this metaphor with me as we move forward. I will be meditating further about the questions and the opportunities I see along these lines, and I hope that this will be a conversation. I hope that I will hear from you. And, with that peculiar surge of energy that can come after a storm, I hope and pray and expect that good things are on the way.
And God bless us all, every one.
Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
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Evangelism
Our call as members of Christ – whether in a digital space or in the flesh – is to show the world the face of God as revealed in the self-giving, forbearing love of Jesus. In this time of digital evangelism, may we remind ourselves of that purpose for which we have been sent.
-Br. Sean Glenn
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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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