Masks are optional during the service

To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -

From the Deacon:

  Today as I write this e-notes message it is Nov 1, All Saints' Day. A day that we remember in prayer and with thanksgiving the lives of our loved ones who have died in faith and are now united with all the saints in the love of Christ. Those who shared the love of Christ in this life and are now at peace with God have cared the for the sick, the elderly, the hungry, and the homeless. I believe every act of love never dies. It endures through God’s love for all time. Paul describes the 15 attributes of love in Corinthians 13 between brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ including “love never fails” and “love is eternal” ending with “these three remain, faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love”. So, as we read the names of loved ones at this Sunday’s service, it is a celebration of lives lived in the love of Christ and their neighbors and that they now share in the full joy of God’s love. Let us be in joyful remembrance of God’s great goodness and in joyful expectation of eternal life with those we love.  

Peace,

Rev Deacon Steve

           ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY               

is observed this SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

If you would like the names of your loved ones included in the list of the departed, please send them in email to the Parish Admin at the main email address:

SJECCENTREVILLE@AOL.COM as soon as possible.

Parishioners and Members of The Episcopal Church

are invited to attend:

the Consecration of The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson,

who will become the XIV Bishop of our diocese.

The Chief Consecrator will be The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church.

All attendees are required to register online - RSVP by Nov. 9.

There is no limit on the number of people who may attend from a single parish. The event date is Saturday, December 3.

Parishioners and members of The Episcopal Church may register here: 

The Consecration of the Rev'd Canon E. Mark Stevenson Tickets, Sat, Dec 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

has started ! Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Envelopes available - please drop envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

A LETTER From our former Rector...

  I have missed you all so much since my last service with you on Easter Day. My sabbatical was incredible, totally beyond words. It was a once in a lifetime trip with memories I will always cherish. Thank you for your support and allowing me to go.

  Since returning from my sabbatical and starting my retirement on August 1, things have been busy. Knowing that I wanted to move to or near Mechanicsville, VA (outside Richmond) to be closer to my daughter Kim and her family, I started looking for houses online. Many properties don't stay on the market more than a few days, so it was a challenge to find what I wanted where I wanted to live. By late September, I found exactly what I wanted, just 5 minutes from my daughter, in a 55+ community. After sorting, giving to Goodwill, throwing away, and packing up my Clifton condo, I moved to my new home in Mechanicsville on October 11 and closed on October 18. On October 19, Kim gave birth to my third grandchild, Kaylee Jean. I was able to take care of their two year old son while Kim was in the hospital. I am getting settled in nicely and have met many of the neighbors.

   Thanks to Ann Goldberg, my real estate agent, my condo sold before going on the market. I will close shortly. My other daughter Kathryn and her daughter Julianna moved to Newport News so they are just one hour away. It's good to be close to them all.

   The St. John's parish family remains in my daily prayers and I think of you often. I have been visiting several nearby Episcopal churches but have not yet chosen one in which to become a member. I trust that God will lead me to where God wants me to be.

   I will always remember my eight years at St. John's with great joy and heartfelt thanks. May God continue to bless you as you spread the Good News of God's love and forgiveness.

The Rev. Carol Hancock

7317 Dress Blue Circle

Mechanicsville, VA 23116

703-201-7861

cjhancock54@gmail.com

Sunday School Volunteers have been added - just a few more needed to be able to rotate throughout each month.

St. John’s is very focused on ensuring that we attract young families to the church and one of the ways we hope to do that is by getting our Sunday School program started again! Currently we have a few young families who are interested in having their children attend class, so we just need a few volunteers to help teach. We have already purchased a curriculum, so we just need a few volunteers who can commit to teaching the little ones one Sunday per month. If you are interested, please see Dave Parker, Senior Warden, after the Sunday service. Or send an email to the church office: SJECCentreville@aol.com.

                     St. John’s Parish Survey Results

The results of St John’s Discernment Committee Parish Survey can be viewed at the following You Tube Link:

https://youtu.be/tK1AHuVkKEE

Comments or questions about the survey can be posted on the St John’s You Tube Channel or emailed to STJDiscernment@gmail.com

David Weir,

Chair, Discernment Committee

How to help Ukrainians 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: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 

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)

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries 

Would You Like to Help Our Neighbors with

WFCM Thanksgiving Holiday Food Assistance?

All boxes of food that are donated by St. John’s parishioners will have the same food items and quantity. List shown below. This will ensure all the families receive an equitable amount for their Thanksgiving Holiday. Please do not deviate from the list.

Boxes/Bins requirements: Since all boxes/bins must have a lid/be able to close & be stackable & WFCM prefers same size boxes for easy storage and disbursement, St. John’s will supply the boxes. Please pick up a box at church this Sunday, along with this list to ensure that all boxes meet the dimension requested by WFCM.

·        Pick up your box on Sunday

·        Purchase the food items listed below

·        Deliver your Thanksgiving box back to St. John’s on Sunday Nov 13 

***We are requesting a volunteer with a pick-up truck or large SUV to deliver St. John’s boxes:

·        Saturday Nov 19

·        8am – 9am

·     To Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)

located at 4511 Daly Drive, Chantilly VA 20151

Save the Date: Christmas Holiday Food Distribution will be Saturday Dec 17 @ WFCM to the families.

***You may also donate individual cans or boxes of food items from the list below, and we will collect those individual items and make up a complete box.

Thanksgiving Shopping List 

Food Items To Be Included in Each Box:

Canned vegetables (corn, peas, mixed veg) - 4

Potatoes – Instant (box) - 1

Canned Fruit - 3

Chicken Broth (Can or Box) -  1

Rice (1 lb bag) Jasmine or White - 1

Brownie/Cake Mix  - 1

Frosting for Cake Mix - 1

Sugar (4lb. bag) - 1        

Oil (48 oz or less) - 1

Flour (2lb bag) -1 

Juice, (Plastic Bottle Only) - 1

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities

• Sign up for an orientation.
• Fill out the Intake form on website
• Join us in action as we make Centreville a model of how day laborers and the community can work together!
• http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/

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.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is nearby and  houses 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

Please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.

• 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)

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.

We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead

for the Sunday Service lesson.

The Twenty- second Sunday after Pentecost observed as 

All Saints' Sunday

November 6, 2022

The First Reading: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

Daniel has a disturbing vision and asks its meaning of a holy attendant in his dream. Though powerful kings will ascend to earthly power, God will rule over all.

The Psalm: 149, BCP, p. 807

The Second Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23

The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is given to all who call upon the name of the Lord in faith.

The Gospel: Luke 6:20-31

The values and blessings of kingdom of God counter present values and blessings. The call of Christians is to live in God’s kingdom, even in the midst of today’s milieu.

Sale of Bishop Goff’s Art Opens

We are pleased to announce the opening of an auction and sale of art by Bishop Susan Goff. Many have admired Bishop Goff’s creative expressions, and you now have the opportunity to own a piece that speaks to you artistically and spiritually. She has generously provided 33 of her original works for an art sale, the proceeds from which will be used to support the Bishop Goff Fund for Racial Justice Initiatives. 

The sale is being hosted by Gala-Bid, and can be accessed at Celebration of Bishop Susan Goff - GalaBid. The site will be accepting bids through 6:30 p.m., November 12. To place a bid, you will have to register with the site. Payment can be made by providing a credit card through the site’s payment processing platform, and buyers will be able to indicate arrangements for receiving their purchases. Questions about the art or the auction can be submitted to the “Contact Host” button at the left sidebar on the auction site.

Other Ways to Celebrate Bishop Goff

Letters of Appreciation

Many people wish to share words of appreciation for Bishop Goff’s ministry among us. The Transition Committee will be collecting your writings, printing them, and collating them in a book that she can enjoy and revisit often in the years ahead. You may choose your personal or congregational stationery. Feel free to contribute brief cards or longer letters. These letters of memories and expressions of care can be sent via email to bishoptransitionva@gmail.com or by post (in a flat envelope, letter unfolded), to: Cindi Bartol, 3709 Fort Worth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Please send your contributions by November 8, so we have sufficient time to print, collate, and assemble the book.

Gifts to Bishop Goff’s Retirement and Travel Fund

When ordained clergy retire, it is traditional to gather financial gifts, known as a "purse," from grateful disciples among us. Bishop Goff has expressed an interest in travel following her retirement, so her "purse" would support this well-deserved interest. These gifts may be made using the diocesan online giving portal or by check, made out to the Diocese of Virginia, memo line "Bishop Goff's purse," and mailed to The Diocese of Virginia, 110 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220.