Masks are now optional during the service

To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -

From the Deacon:

     In this week’s reading from Paul, 2 Thessalonians, Paul celebrates that the Thessalonians' faith is growing abundantly and the love of everyone is increasing. I also celebrate that St. John’s is also growing abundantly both in numbers participating in our Sunday service and supporting the church and our community. While we may not be “persecuted” in the same sense that the early Christians were, we are challenged in many ways today to maintain our faith. Our Old Testament prophet Habakkuk speaks of destruction and violence, strife and contention, the law becomes slack, justice never prevails and the wicked surround the righteous, therefore judgment comes forth perverted. These sound-like headlines pulled from today’s news! Yet you do not lose faith, as you continue to care for each other and our less fortunate neighbors. Let us continue to do the good works God has called us to do, to love each other and our neighbor and to welcome the stranger in our midst.

Peace,

Rev Deacon Steve

Bench Installation & Dedication last Sunday

Last Sunday, DAR members were invited to attend our service and stay for the dedication of the bench they have given to St. John's. Members of the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) were also in attendance in period uniform as well. The Rev. Deacon Steve Busch offered a short prayer of dedication and invited the DAR to make comments. A beautifully made bench - no trees were harmed in the making!

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. There are envelopes available - please drop envelopes in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

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.

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.

                     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)

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.

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

• 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 can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead

for the Sunday Service lesson.

The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

October 30, 2022

The First Reading: Habbakuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

The Psalm: 119:137-144 , BCP, p. 774

The Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

The Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

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.