St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - October 13, 2021
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
At our Clericus meeting on Tuesday (a monthly meeting of the clergy in our region) the question was asked about plans for Christmas....yes, Christmas, even though we are only in October! This year, Christmas Eve is on Friday, Christmas Day on Saturday, and the First Sunday after Christmas is Sunday. In this time of COVID, will people come on Christmas Eve, particularly if they expect the church to be full? Should we have more than 2 services on Christmas Eve so there will be fewer people at each service? Will families bring their young children who cannot yet be vaccinated? Lots of questions and few answers. It's hard to know what COVID will be like in two months, which makes planning difficult.
I think stores are rethinking their Black Friday sales and offering sales earlier so as not to entice large crowds to shop at one time We have been warned that because of problems with the global supply chain, store shelves may be more bare than usual. Some of this may be due to labor shortages in many areas of commerce, as some people are reluctant to return to work because of COVID fears.
COVID has affected us in so many ways, ways that we are still discovering. God continues to be with us and love us and hold onto us, even in the midst of great uncertainty.
If you have any ideas or recommendations about our Christmas services, please let me know.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Centreville Day is this Saturday, October 16! As in the past, the main stage will be in our front parking lot and tents for various vendors will be across the street, bringing hundreds of people to our front door. We will have a table in front of the church to sell baked goods, cold drinks, coffee and our St. John's afghans and Christmas ornaments. We still need volunteers to provide baked goods. You can bring them to the church on Thursday or Friday. Saturday morning is also fine, but the streets around the church will be closed to traffic, except those with a parking permit to park behind the church. Please put your baked goods in individual bags with a price on them. We could also use some additional help with the set up at 8:00 AM and take down at 3:30 PM of our tent and tables.
Blessing of the Pets - We will have a blessing of the pets during Centreville Day, Saturday, October 16 at 2:00 PM in front of the church. Invite your friends and neighbors to bring their pets to be blessed.
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Many, many thanks go to our Wood Splitters, about 20 in number, who came to Gilead Green on October 2 to cut up the six dead trees that had been taken down previously. Thanks go to Andrew Wade for organizing this event and bringing friends and neighbors to help, and to Monti Zimmerman for his expertise in cutting down the trees. This is a huge undertaking that was well organized and executed. The firewood will be wrapped in small bundles and will be put out for sale in the coming weeks.
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St. John’s Second Annual Wood Splitting Event - a note from Andrew Wade
Wow. We had a terrific day of hard work, fun, and a little fellowship. Blast from the past: Former parishioners Larry Schaefer and his two boys Danny and Stephen were part of the work crew along with 20 other volunteers. Many neighbors and friends also participated. Two log splitters ran from about 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. One of the log splitters was a loaner for free, while we did have to rent the second one. The wood was nicely split and stacked behind the shed on pallets. We also had a little fire to help burn the small dead limbs. The good news is no one got injured and we had great weather! We completed about 75% of what needed to be done. Part II will most likely happen in the next 4 – 6 weeks.
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St. John's parishioners come through:
The word came to St John’s that a family was homeless due to their mobile home being unlivable due to the need for repairs. They needed an additional $300 to finish making the repairs in order to make their mobile home livable. St John’s parishioners came through for them immediately donating $350 that same day. I’m sure this will make a happy day not only for the family but for Jesus as St John’s continues to take action to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Peace, Deacon Steve
Deacon's and Clergy Conferences - Steve will be at the Deacon's Conference at Shrine Mont from this Friday through Sunday. Then Steve and Carol will attend the Clergy Conference at Shrine Mont from Monday, October 18 to Wednesday, October 20.
Calling all gardeners and others who like to get their hands dirty.....the weeds around the church are starting to take over. If you have some free time and would like to come to the church and pull some weeds, it would be greatly appreciated. We want to be "looking good" for Centreville Day on October 16.
All Saints' Day will be celebrated on Sunday, November 7. This is one of the five days during the church year that is appropriate for baptism. If you or a member of your family is interested in being baptized, please contact Carol as soon as possible. Also, if you have loved ones who have died who you would like to remember on All Saints' Day, please send their names to Carol and they will be prayed for on November 7.
Our Annual Pledge Campaign for 2022 has begun and you should have received a letter and a pledge card in the mail. Thanks go to John Tucker and Durinda Smith for being the co-chairs this year. During the month of October, we will hear from parishioners about why they give to St. John's, and David Weir will offer some reflections in the E Notes (see below). The ingathering of the pledge cards will be Sunday, November 7. Please prayerfully consider what your pledge will be in response to God's great goodness and mercy and return your pledge card as soon as possible. To date, we have received 19 pledges for a total of $97,032. Most are an increase from last year's pledge. Last year, we had 47 pledgers for a total of $215,565.
Speaking of pledges..... The Finance Committee has noted that the pledge money that has been received to date is behind what it should be at this point in the year. Please keep your pledges up to date as we finish what has been a difficult year financially.
Veteran's Day is November 11. We would like to remember all St. John's parishioners who have served, or continue to serve, in our armed forces, including active duty, reserves and National Guard. Please let Carol know what branch of the service you served in, your highest rank, and the years that you served.
Sunday School Update - We are in discussion with Wellspring, one of our Ministry Partners, to have a joint pre-school class in-person starting in January. We are also looking at the possibility of having a class online prior to that. We will keep you updated as plans become more firm.
The Society of St. John the Evangelist is offering several free online classes this fall. Check out what they are offering and see what you might like to sign up for to deepen your spiritual walk with God. The link is ssje.org/programs
Washington National Cathedral offers free spirituality classes online. These classes are offered on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 - 5:30 starting on October 3. You can sign up just for one class or the whole series. Click below for more information.
Treasurer and Assistant to the Treasurer set to retire. After serving faithfully for 6 years, our Treasurer, Tom McDermott, and our Assistant to the Treasurer, Penny Parker, will be retiring at the end of the year. We need to find a new Treasurer and Assistant as soon as possible so they can "shadow" Tom and Penny and learn the ropes. If you have some financial skills and a little time to commit, please consider volunteering. If you have questions about what is involved, talk with Tom or Penny. Please let me, Tom or Penny know as soon as possible if you are interested.
Calling all lectors, crucifers and ushers! We need you to sign up to assist with the Sunday services in the coming weeks. We are also in need of others to be trained to be lectors, crucifers and ushers. Please let Carol know if you are interested in being trained to serve on Sundays.
Diocesan Bishop Search Committee Announces Listening Sessions
The search process is lifting off in earnest this Fall. In early October, the committee will conduct virtual listening sessions to give all members of the Diocese an opportunity to share their hopes for our new bishop. All listening sessions will be held via Zoom. Registration is required. PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes 2 days prior to each session. The schedule for the listening sessions will be as follows:
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Tuesday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. Register
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Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. Register
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Saturday, October 16 at 10:30 a.m. Register
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Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Register
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Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. Register
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Friday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. Register
If you receive the E Communique from the diocese, you should have received a survey to fill out online. The diocese wants to hear from YOU as we begin the search for our next diocesan bishop.
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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. We have put an ad on Craigs List. If you know other websites where we could advertise (preferably for free), please let Carol know.
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A reflection, by David Weir
The Realm of the Divine
She was from a wealthy, privilege class but carried a cloud of sadness about her. Her father was a successful New York banker. Her mother a literary scholar and a strong believer in evangelical Christianity. Both parents died unexpectedly leaving her feeling unmoored. She married a controlling husband who managed to squander most of their financial wealth.
She found personal refuge in her poetry and commitment to liberal Protestantism.
It was the combination of her writing skills and deep spiritual dimensions that led her to experience what many believe to be a mystical encounter. The event resulted in her writing words to one of the more deeply moving songs in American History. The mystical experience took place at a hotel in Washington D.C.
Her name was Julia Ward Howe. On November 18th, 1861, she accompanied a group of people reviewing Union Troops at Bailey Crossroads in Fairfax County. On the way back to the Willard Hotel she joined the soldiers in the singing of a popular tune, “John Brown’s Body”. Julia Howe Ward was normally a sound sleeper but that night she did not sleep well. She later recounted:
“I awoke the next morning in the gray of the early dawn, and to my astonishment found that the wished-for lines were arranging themselves in my brain. I lay quite still until the last verse had completed itself in my thoughts, then hastily arose, saying to myself, I shall lose this if I don’t write it down immediately. I… began to scrawl the lines almost without looking…. Having completed this, I lay down again and fell asleep, but not before feeling that something of importance had happened to me.”
When she did awake, she could not remember the words that came during the night. Next to her bed, however, were the verses to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Moments of mystical transcendence are recorded in the bible. The Prophet Daniel received God’s messages in “dreams and visions in the night”. In Second Corinthians the Apostle Paul writes, "I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know.”
During St John’s 2022 Pledge Campaign you may recall special moments or encounters where you felt the presence of God speaking to you. Perhaps you still find Him speaking to you. Guiding you for what He wants you to do. Whether it by transcendental moments or simple reassuring feelings, you know whenever you enter the Realm of the Divine:
Unredeemable souls find unconditional love
Unimaginable failures find unfathomable mercy
Unrelenting fear find unstoppable comfort
Unknowable mysteries find unlimited wisdom
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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 Committee: Updated Needs for Afghan Refugees
Many thanks to parishioners that continue to bring supplies to the church all during the week and on Sundays.
Here is the latest update as of 10/13/2021 (ENOTES) and as of 10/17/2021 (Church Bulletin):
Items Needed:
Women’s:
· New Shoes: Adult Size 7 - 9
· Socks
· Undergarments – Nothing above Large
Men’s:
· New Shoes: Adult Size 7 – 9
· Socks
· Belts. Size 34 or smaller
· Undergarments – Nothing above Large
Please leave in the office at the church. If you need someone to pick up any supplies or would like to give funds for someone else to make the purchases, please contact the church office @ 703-803-7500. If you have any other questions, please contact Andrew Wade: [email protected]
The Outreach Committee
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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 [email protected] and copy Deacon Steve at [email protected].
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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, October 13 - Due to technical difficulties, the Wednesday service is not available this week. We will try to get the problems worked out before next week.
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service. Here is the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person:
PLEASE NOTE LINK updated
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Last Sunday's recorded service: The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 10, 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 Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
October 17, 2021
The First Reading: Job 38:1-7 (34-41 optional)
Job, who questioned God’s purposes amid his great suffering, hears many questions from God.
The Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10
Jesus is the ultimate high priest, sealing the salvation of people across thousands of years.
The Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Jesus overturns human fixations on power and status, stressing that greatness comes from being a servant.
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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 [email protected].
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Corners of Heaven Lying Around
Just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only humming a little, the quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment, it has
so much to do in the world.
People who might judge are mostly asleep; they can't
monitor you all the time, and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can
get up and act busy.
Little corners like this, pieces of Heaven
left lying around, can be picked up and saved.
People won't even see that you have them,
they are so light and easy to hide.
Later in the day you can act like the others.
You can shake your head. You can frown.
We have lived with COVID in the USA since January 2020 and lived with the political divide and rancor longer than that. As a result, my sense of guardedness has become perpetual. These questions bounce in my head: Is that person coming near me vaccinated? Wearing a mask? Potentially dangerous because of infection?
Or -- is it safe to articulate any political position? If I tell people I am a bishop, am I setting the stage for hearing a lecture about what’s wrong with the Church?
Regardless of your political affiliation or lack of one and regardless of your behavior around COVID, all of us are weary. Tired of COVID and its restrictions. Tired of the pollical discord and dysfunction in Washington. Tired of living carefully all the time. Tired of worrying about the future or thinking of all that has been lost or dreaming of what could have been.
What has come to me is that I am 71 years old. I have so many more years behind me than before me. Of course, I lament so much that could not be done in this time as well as wonder what can be done while I am still on the planet.
However, this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I fear becoming a Miniver Cheevy (remember your high school English) who mourned over the life he could not live as a medieval knight instead of living the life given to him in the present moment. I am trying not to lament what didn’t happen during COVID nor fear what might happen in the future. Instead, I am praying to be like the voice of the poem and discover, “Little corners like this, pieces of Heaven left lying around, [which] can be picked up and saved.”
This is the day the Lord has made, and it’s the only day we have to rejoice and to discover “pieces of heaven lying around.” What the poet William Stafford missed is this: when we are fully present and receive those “pieces of Heaven,” that light is so transformative that fewer people shake their heads and frown, because they want pieces of heaven, too.
Bishop Porter Taylor
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Politics
The Good News preached by Jesus is not only personal, but also social and political. The repentance he requires is not just a turning away from personal sin, but the transformation of social and political systems that elevate some at the expense of others.
-Br. David Vryhof
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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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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: [email protected].
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