St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - September 14, 2022 | |
**Masks are now optional during the service** | |
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To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -
From the Deacon:
I will be on vacation from Sunday, Sept.11 after the service until Saturday, the 17th visiting my brother and sisters in Southern California. (Will be here on Sunday the 18th).If there is an emergency with a need for an ordained minister, please contact Catherine Packard (by calling the office number and leaving a message) and we can make arrangements for someone to help.
Peace, Deacon Steve
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St. John’s Parish Survey
The Discernment Committee has developed a survey to gauge your thoughts and opinions concerning our next clergy. The survey consists of 14 questions and takes about five minutes to complete. The survey is designed to be taken anonymously. The collected data will be analyzed and summarized. The results of the survey will be presented to the Vestry and Parish Members. The survey will remain open until 5PM on Oct 2. The Discernment Committee members greatly appreciate your participation.
The link to the survey is:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STJ_Parish_Survey_9-14-22
David Weir
Chair, Discernment Committee
stjdiscernment@gmail.com
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St John’s Discernment Committee Notes
An email address dedicated for the St John’s Discernment Committee has been established. You can email any questions or comments on the process of selecting our next clergy to:
stjdiscernment@gmail.com
David Weir
Chair, Discernment Committee
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THANK YOU DAVID! David Thompson, our Ministries Partner Coordinator, has given us notice that he has accepted a new job and his last day will be Sunday, Sept 18. Your Senior Warden and Vestry will be working on seeking to fill that important position in the life of St. John’s. We are grateful to David for his years of service to St. John’s and we wish him well in his new position. | |
We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's, and she is the priest celebrating the Sunday services. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns. | |
CREATION CARE GARDEN UPDATE
The Creation Care Garden on the church patio continues to yield fresh vegetables and herbs for the needy.
To date, 54 pounds of produce with an estimated value of $464.00 have been delivered to the WFCM food bank. Thank you to all who continue to make this a successful project. If anyone would like to help with the end-of-the-growing-season cleanup, please contact Bev Milunec.
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After the Service
"Coffee Hour" Is Back!
Please get a cup of coffee and/or a snack & join St. John's friends outside as we ease back into optional masking!
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If you would like to sign up to bring coffee hour "snacks" in the coming weeks, here is the new link:
SUNDAY SNACK SIGN UP
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35th Anniversary Celebration Honoring Founding Organizations of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Sunday October 2, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM,
at the Chantilly National Golf & Country Club
with appetizers and desserts, presentations and entertainment.
If you have questions, please contact
Deacon Steve (stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com) or 703-220-0270,
or Bob Faithful (faithfur@gmail.com) or 703-599-7948.
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Education for Ministry at St. John’s Centreville | |
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Want to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible in a supportive small group setting? Want to discuss prominent issues in a Christian context? Then Education for Ministry (EfM) might be for you!
EfM is a program in adult Christian formation through theological education and reflection that the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN has offered for the past 48 years!
All that one needs is a desire to learn and grow in your faith. Initially, there is a good amount of reading involved each week. But as the course develops, that tapers off. The good news is that there are no tests! Indeed, you get out of the course what you put into it. The overarching themes by year are Old Testament (Year 1), New Testament (Year 2), Church History and Development (Year 3) and Personal Theology (Year 4). Although it takes four years to complete the curriculum and earn your certificate, each participant signs on for a year at a time.
EfM has just graduated five St John’s Centreville parishioners but has several others who joined this past fall who are entering their second year in September. It is common for the group to have participants with one or more years of experience among our team. Indeed, there is value to be gained from such multi-staged groupings.
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For the newer members, the veterans give them a glimpse of the course yet unseen; for the “old timers” it is often a great review of the journey already travelled.
The ideal group size is a mentor-facilitator and 6-11 students who meet once a week for 36 weeks-- virtually and/or in person--on a day and time that is mutually agreeable and beneficial to all.
With our “large” graduating class of 2022, St. John’s is looking to interest at least two more inquisitive souls to join us this September. This year’s tuition has been reduced to $325 Tuition which includes the printed and e-book editions of the EfM Reading and Reflection Guide.
Having said that, note that one need not be a St. John’s parishioner or even an Episcopalian to participate--Lutherans, Catholics and Methodists have even been among past groups. The discussions are often robust, and thought provoking, the readings are excellent, and the fellowship has always been great! We hope to reregister our group by early August so that we can resume the curriculum the first week in September 2022 and finish by the first week in June 2023 so that we do not impinge on your summer plans.
If you think you might be interested, do not hesitate to call Walt Cooner at (703) 472-8097 or email him at wcooner@yahoo.com.
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We have all seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine. If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution on their website at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ Please continue to keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers.
A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)
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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | |
Centreville Immigration Forum and Labor Resource Center
Volunteer & Intern Opportunities
Volunteer in these areas:
- Administration / Community Outreach / Database Management Marketing Committee / Personnel Committee / Fundraising
- Our new volunteer orientations are a great way to meet the staff and hear more about our current volunteer needs.
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Please fill out the Intake form by going to the link below, and we will reach out to you shortly with information about the next information session. (Be sure to read our Code of Ethics before filling out the form!)
- Join us in action as we make Centreville a model of how day laborers and the community can work together!
- http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/
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Top Items Currently Needed by
The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /
Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant
The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.
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The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is located nearby and currently house up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for: On-call movers , Volunteer Shelter Assistant
If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated 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.
Most needed items in the food pantry this month, September 2022:
· Canned Tuna
· Canned Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
· Refried and Black Beans
· Peanut Butter
· Pasta
· Flavored Pasta (Pasta Helper)
· Flour
· Vegetable Oil
· Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste
· Flavored Rice
· Family Size Boxed Cereal
· Ramen soup
· Mac & Cheese
· Ketchup and Mayo (family size not miniature packs)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste.
Please only donate size 6 or larger size diapers, larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
They accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
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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Because the CDC has listed Fairfax County as having Low COVID 19 transmission rates for the past few weeks, St. John's has relaxed our masking policy -masks are now optional. | |
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The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCf2NAO3eBO3DHEuHFGKzlzw/Live
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SIGN UPS - Volunteers Support our Sunday Service | | |
- Lectors read the lessons, ushers greet and help with the service
- Lay Eucharistic Visitors help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home (see Deacon Steve for this),
- Altar Guild members help prepare for our worship service (see Marcia Evans or another A.G. member)
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Sunday service reader or usher We welcome and value your help! The lector reads the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher hands out bulletins and brings the elements and offering to the altar.
CLICK HERE.
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Altar Flowers
When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin.
CLICK HERE
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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
is held after the Sunday service. 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. Here is the current login link, which runs through December: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87899564581?pwd=djlEeWFGd1JpZUlTaUh3YmZlUld0UT09
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION | |
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson.
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 18, 2022
The First Reading: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Jeremiah laments the consequences of the unfaithful people of Israel; their destruction is a direct result of their own wickedness.
The Psalm: 79:1-9, p. 701, BCP
The Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
The key to faithful Christian life is prayer — individual, communal, intercessory, in admission, in praise and jubilation — at all times and in all circumstances, all through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Gospel: Luke 16:1-13
Whatever skills and resources you have at your disposal ought to be used shrewdly. Jesus reveals the economics of the Kingdom of God: faithfulness in small things will bear fruit in larger ways.
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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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Dear Friends in the Diocese of Virginia,
It was our great joy to announce the news that Bishop Paul Bayes, retired bishop of our companion Diocese of Liverpool, England, was going to join us in mission and ministry this fall. Sadly, I now share that he and his wife Kate will not be able to be with us after all. An emerging health situation that needs close medical attention and follow up will keep them from travelling. Please hold Bishop Bayes and Kate in your prayers at this time of change and uncertainty in their lives.
All of the visitations scheduled for Bishop Bayes in our Diocese have been rescheduled. I am grateful to Bishop Ted Gulick and Bishop David Jones for pitching in with visitations this fall and for helping to ensure that needs of congregations do not fall through the cracks in this unexpected circumstance. The season will not bring what we expected – and God’s love, grace, peace and hope remain unshakable.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to our diocesan staff with any questions or concerns you might have.
Faithfully yours,
The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff
Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority
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