Daily Reflection
St. John's Church, Lafayette Square
June 9, 2020
Dear St. John's Community,

We have been thrust into the middle of a national conversation on race. My prayer is that we add to the good work we have begun by showing up this past week. It is now important for us to go deeper as a community.

This Sunday we have an important opportunity. I have invited a friend of mine to lead us in a gracious, spirit-filled and honest conversation about race. This will be challenging but life-giving work for us, and the more participants from across our community the better.

Our leader will be the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, who works closely with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Her bio is below. Steph is a remarkable teacher, leader and facilitator.

Our goal will be to go beyond merely learning and reflecting, but to begin a process of discernment on how we will live into a new chapter of life together at St. John's, and explore meaningful actions that we can engage in for the sake of racial healing.

Please mark your calendar to participate!

11:00-12:30pm, Sunday, June 14th.

Sign-up information will be coming shortly.

MEET STEPHANIE SPELLERS

The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers and consultants around 21st century ministry and mission and is Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism and Reconciliation.

The author of The Episcopal Way (the first volume in the new Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series) and Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The Other and the Spirit of Transformation, she serves as Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism and Reconciliation.

Spellers is responsible for supporting the ministry of the Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church as it pertains to evangelism and reconciliation efforts at the local, congregational, diocesan, and church-wide levels.

She also teaches and directs programs in mission, reconciliation and formation at General Theological Seminary in New York City, and serves as a Senior Consultant for the Center for Progressive Renewal, an ecumenical consulting and training group that works nationwide.

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On Saturday, join us in celebrating the Rev. Savannah Ponder's ordination to the priesthood! Because of not having access to our building, St. Paul's K Street has graciously offered the use of their building—and their live-stream capabilities. Everybody will be able to tune in and virtually attend from home, as the service will be practicing social distancing.

Congratulations, Savannah!

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How to help, or how to get help. During this difficult time, St. John's is looking to connect people in need of assistance with those who are able to help. If you fall into either category, please visit this  link  or send an e-mail to  help@stjohns-dc.org with your name, contact information, and details of the type of support you can give or the support you need. And to get involved in any of our ongoing local outreach ministries, which are in special need curing this time, you may click here .
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St. John's Church, Lafayette Square
1525 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-8766