St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - January 12, 2022
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
With the Christmas season and the Feast of the Epiphany now behind us, we now look forward to this time of transition for St. John's and for me. The Vestry will be taking on the important role of selecting parishioners to serve on the Discernment/Search Committee; deciding whether to call an Interim priest, a Priest-in-Charge, or a Rector; interviewing candidates; and calling the next priest to serve St. John's. This is important work, and you will be guided and supported by the diocesan staff. As The Rev. Mary Thorpe, former Transition Minister for the Diocese of Virginia, wrote in her book "On the Emmaus Road", "You are not hiring a priest (like you hire a lawyer, or a plumber or a doctor). You are seeking God's will for your parish in the next step of its story, and discerning what spiritual leader will help you write that chapter." (page vii).
The role of the Vestry and Wardens in making prayerful decisions is crucial. The role of all the parishioners to pray for the Vestry, the Search/Discernment Committee, the congregation and the potential candidates is crucial. The election of new Vestry members will be at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 6 at noon on Zoom. If you would like to serve on the Vestry at this important juncture in the life of St. John's, or if you have questions, please let me know. So far, we have two people who are willing to run for the Vestry, to join the six remaining members. We can have up to 12 people on the Vestry.
In our Lenten program, we will be reading the book "Stages of the Soul in the Second Half of Life". We will discuss the transitions in our spiritual lives as we look at the transitions happening at St. John's.
It has been, and continues to be, my joy and honor to journey with you for these past eight years. My last Sunday with you will be Easter Day, April 17, a day of resurrection and new life. The Rev. Philene Ware-Dunn will take the Sunday services until August 1, when another priest will join you on the journey. I hope you will embrace this time of transition and listen for the voice of God to lead you and guide you. It can be a time of hope and change and anxiety and renewal and growth, all at the same time, as we all continue to open our hearts and minds to love and serve the Lord.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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For the month of January, we will have online services only
(no in-person services) due to the large increase of COVID cases in Fairfax County and in the state of Virginia. The services will be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. While we would all prefer to gather in person to worship on Sundays, we are taking this step to insure the safety of everyone, particularly the most vulnerable. The link to the online service is found below and will be the same link every Sunday. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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OUTREACH
As part of our continuing community outreach, we seek volunteers to collect and deliver items to the Katharine Hanley Family Shelter. They provide crisis intervention, stable housing, and supportive services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence. They are 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.
St John’s is looking to support the clients of the Katharine Hanley Family Shelter by collecting items needed as they move into their permanent residence. Please drop off any of the below items requested by the KKHFS on or before Jan 19th . The following items are in need year-round as these families transition into permanent housing. Items should be new or like new.
Household items
Trash cans, Shower liners (new only), Shower rings, Toilet bowl cleaner and toilet brush, laundry baskets, laundry soap, Toilet paper, $25 gift cards to Walmart, Home Depot, or Lowe’s
Kitchen
Cutlery, Flatware, cooking utensils, measuring cups/spoons, Mixing bowls,
Tupperware sets, Pot and pan set, Broom and dustpan, Dish soap and sponges
Linens (new only)
Twin, Full and Queen sheet sets/comforters, Towels, Bathmats
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is seeking volunteers in collaboration with St. John’s for the following immediate needs and volunteer opportunities:
- On-call movers: Support for moving items of furniture: 3-4 volunteers with a pick-up truck or U-Haul Rental Truck, must be able to lift and move furniture and other household items – we can form teams around a member with a truck able to pick up these items. Let me know if you are interested in volunteering and especially if you have a truck.
- Volunteer Delivery Driver (VDD): Provides essential help in getting items to community members, residents, and Shelter House Program Participants. The VDD is asked to assist in delivering items to both public and private locations on an as needed basis. This position requires a working vehicle, license, and personal ability to navigate to new places. Items to be delivered range in size, quantity, and description. This is a
flexible / on-call position. (Ages 17+)
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant (VOCMA): A hands on position that
requires the ability to lift, carry, and drive. The VOCMA is invited to work directly with residents who are moving out of shelter or relocating and need assistance in both loading and transporting items such as boxes, furniture, etc. This position involves both physical labor and logistical planning. The VOCMA agrees to be added to an “on call” list and contacted by Shelter House staff when needs within the community arise. This position does not include the transportation of people. (Ages 18+)
- Volunteer Shelter Assistant (VSA): A versatile position that participates in
onsite tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and various hands-on activities depending on the needs of the shelter determined by the Building Manager and/or Community Coordinator. This position requires physical participation including but not limited to the ability to lift, carry, and bend. The VSA might have direct contact with shelter residents since much of their work is within and surrounding the building. (Ages 16+)
- If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rev.
KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started. Note: positions may
require training from the KKHFS particularly those involving direct contact
with clients.
- Please contact Deacon Steve for Additional information about the KKHFS
about these and other volunteer positions.
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Bishop Ted Gulick will be making a Bishop's Visitation to St. John's on Sunday, April 3. If anyone wishes to be confirmed, received into the Episcopal Church from another denomination, or renew their baptismal vows, please let Carol know as soon as possible. Classes for confirmation candidates will need to start in January.
Vestry Candidates Needed - On February 6 at 12:00 noon on ZOOM, we will have our Annual Parish Meeting where we will be electing new members of the Vestry. Three of our current Vestry members will be completing their three year terms. Six people will remain on the Vestry so we can elect up to six additional members. If you would like to have more information about the work of the Vestry, please feel free to talk with a member of the Vestry (listed on the back of the bulletin each Sunday) or to attend one of our meetings on Zoom. Just let Carol know ahead of time so she can send you the link. The Vestry currently meets on Zoom on the third Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM. Vestry members must be confirmed communicants in good standing. To date, we have only two people who have agreed to run for the Vestry. This will be an important year for the Vestry as St. John's moves into a time of transition with Carol's retirement and the call of a new priest. The Vestry will appoint the Search/Discernment Committee; decide whether to call an Interim, Priest-in-Charge, or Rector; interview the candidates; and call the next priest to serve St. John's. We need YOU on the Vestry!
The link for the "Sign Up Genius" for 2022 is below. Please sign up for the dates you would like to provide flowers for the altar, and write your intention (in memory of a loved one, in thanksgiving for a birthday or anniversary, etc.). If you are a lector, usher or crucifer, please sign up for the dates when you can serve. (We do not need to have ushers while we are having online services only). It is helpful if people sign up ahead of time so we don't have to call around to find someone at the last minute.
Please remember to send in your monthly pledge or donation. Even though we are not currently having in-person worship services, our bills continue to come in.
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*Wood Bundles Now For Sale*
The price is still nominal at $5 per bundle and the bundles are located outside the breezeway. Donations can be put in the envelopes provided and put in the secure adjacent mailbox.
Andrew Wade
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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, January 12
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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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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 Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 16, 2022
The First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
The Psalm: 36:5-10 p. 632 , BCP
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The Gospel: John 2:1-11
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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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"Because the Bible is a theological book, it is a book of wrestlings, not a book of answers. In each age, the people have to struggle to hear the word of the Lord for their time, and sometimes their hearing is keener than at other times."
The Dream of God by Verna Dozier, page 18
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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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