St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - January 26, 2022
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
This past week, St. John's lost a pillar of the choir and of the church. Helen Rusnak died on Thursday, January 20 after a brief illness. Her husband Chuck, their sons Matthew (Toni) and Benjamin (Susan), their grandchildren, and her church family, grieve their loss. Helen was a bright light, a joyful and smiling presence. Singing was her passion, her gift and her ministry. She loved to sing, and people loved to hear her sing. She sang regularly in the choir and did many solos, particularly at Christmas and Easter. Helen enriched our worship every week.
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It is hard when you lose someone you love, someone whose presence you enjoy. But as Jesus taught us, death is not final. We will be with Helen again in eternal life. Although we grieve at having lost her from this world, we can rejoice that she is at peace and with God. And we can be sure that she is using her beautiful voice to sing with the angels! May God bless and comfort all who mourn Helen's death. May God bless the soul of our beloved Helen and hold us all in the palm of God's loving hands.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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David Weir put together the following video for all who would like to hear Helen sing one more time...
(No arrangements have yet been made for a celebration of Helen's life. It may be held in the spring.)
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In January & February, we will have online services only
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We will have 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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OUR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING WILL BE ON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 12:00 NOON - ON ZOOM.
ALL PARISHIONERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
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Vestry Candidates Needed - We currently have 6 returning Vestry members and we can have a total of 12. To date, we have three 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! If you would like to run for the Vestry, please talk with Carol as soon as possible.
The Vestry candidates and a short biography of each follows:
Elise Wade Crawford - I began attending St. John’s in the mid-90’s, when we were still meeting at a local school while the Parish Hall was being constructed. I have previously served on the Vestry, was President of the ECW, served on the altar guild, was a member of a Covenant Discipleship Group, led the Newcomers’ Ministry and was very active in fellowship and outreach projects. Lately, I have been a reader and an usher. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have spent my career working locally in community mental health. My husband and I live in Manassas. I have made life-long friends at St. John’s and am willing to serve again on the Vestry because it takes all of us working together to make St. John’s the wonderful faith community that it is.
Sandy Jones - I have been a member of St. John's for over 20 years. My husband Dan and I joined when we were expecting our first child. Now both of our girls are away in college. The ministries I have been involved with over the years were mostly around the children. I taught Sunday School for many years which also led to Vacation Bible School. Many summers I helped plan VBS and was a group teacher. More recently I have been helping by creating the Sign-ups for the various parish activities.
Susie Pike - Susie is honored to run for the Vestry of St. John’s. She and her husband Larry have been members of St. John’s and the choir since the mid 1990’s. Over the years Susie has been active in many areas of the church as a member of the history committee, communication committee, Senior High youth group leader, Vacation Bible School teacher and was part of the leadership team that annexed the property now known as Gilead Green. Most recently Susie was a member of the vestry from 2019 -2021 serving as senior warden for two years, and is presently on the finance committee.
At the Annual Parish Meeting, we will also be electing one delegate and one alternate to represent St. John's at the South Fairfax Regional Meetings (3-4 per year) and the Annual Diocesan Convention (held in November, in Arlington this year). If you are interested in running for either of these positions, please let Carol know as soon as possible.
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Looking ahead - Our Lenten book study will use the book "Soul Stages: Surviving and Thriving in the Second Half of Life" by Christopher Chamberlin Moore (2021) We will be looking at times of transition and change in our lives, as we look ahead to transition and change at St. John's. Please order your own book, which can be found on Amazon. We will meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM on Zoom during Lent.
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.
A woman recently called St. John's and is in need of a used camper or RV for housing for herself and her 3 children. We are one of many places she has contacted in the hopes that someone will know someone who can help. She is in dire need and will lose her housing at the end of the month. Her children may have to go into foster care. If you know of anyone who has a camper or RV to donate, please let Carol know.
COVID test updates - The government has a website for those who would like to order 4 free COVID tests. Only one set of four is allowed for each residential address. The website is www.covidtests.gov .
COVID testing is now available in parking lot B at the Fairfax County Government Center by appointment only from Saturday - Wednesday 9:00 - 5:30 pm. To get an appointment, go to Virginia Dept. of Health website. These are PCR tests, not rapid tests.
Online services on YouTube - Thanks to David Weir and John Tucker, our live streamed services are posted on YouTube. Underneath the video is a button you can click on to make you a "subscriber". Being a subscriber is only for St. John's posts. David has informed us that if we can get 100 people to subscribe, he can do more things with the videos. So the next time you watch a service, please become a subscriber.
If you are not receiving the E Notes on a regular basis each Wednesday, please check your spam folder. If you continue not to receive it, please let Catherine Packard know . ([email protected]).
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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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Many thanks go to those who donated household items for the Katharine Hanley Family Shelter. Those items are being delivered today.
As part of our continuing community outreach, we seek volunteers to help out in several areas at the 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.
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. Deacon Steve at [email protected] who will coordinate with 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.
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 26
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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 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
January 30, 2022
The First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10
When the words and actions we are given to speak and to do are inspired and undergirded by God and his wisdom, then we need not fear whatever consequences.
The Psalm: 71:1-6, p. 683, BCP
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
More than provide a romantic reading for a dewy-eyed wedding party, the Apostle Paul calls every person to radical love of neighbor in this letter to the recalcitrant Corinthians.
The Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
May we love God for the sake of himself alone, and not for what miracles he could perform or healing he could inflict.
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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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Leaving the Shallow End
In her book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard writes this:
“Thomas Merton wrote, ‘There is always a temptation to diddle around in the contemplative life, making itsy-bitsy statues.’ There is always an enormous temptation in all of life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for itsy-bitsy years on end. It is so self-conscious, so apparently moral, simply to step aside from the gaps where the creeks and winds pour down, saying, I never merited this grace, quite rightly...I won’t have it. The world is wilder than that in all directions, more dangerous and bitter, more extravagant, and bright. We are making hay when we should be making whoopee; we are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus.”
When I received my Ph.D. from Emory University, we had lunch with my mother and father. As I sat wearing my academic robes, my mother said to me, “Won’t it be wonderful that you have another diploma for your wall?” Looking back, I realize there was indeed part of me that was acquiring “itsy-bitsy statues.” Part of me was settling for the signs of wisdom instead of seeking to be wise.
However, at the age of 71, I don’t have time to stay in the shallow end. I am too old, and the world is too upside down to be happy with merely quoting interesting poems or making sure that our worship services are aesthetically pleasing. It’s not that I have illusions about changing the world by myself; it’s that I want to use the years I have left to live out the baptismal vow to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.”
My assumption is that I don’t need to join anything or go to a distant country. If we have learned anything from Epiphany, it’s that the light of Christ shines everywhere. That light not only shows us what to do, but, much to our surprise, it equips us for the work. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” I am convinced there is plenty of pain and inequity and injustice right where I am. I just need to open my eyes and my heart to see it and to respond to it.
Dorothy Day, one of the founders of the Catholic Worker movement, said this is how that movement began: “We were just sitting there talking when lines of people began to form saying, ‘We need bread’.....If there were six small loaves and a few fishes, we had to divide them. There was always bread. We were just sitting there talking and people moved in on us. Let those who can take it, take it. Some moved out and that made room for more. And somehow the walls were expanded. We were just sitting there talking and someone said, ‘Let's all go live on a farm. It was as casual as all that, I often think. It just came about. It just happened.”
It just happens when we align our hearts with God’s dream of a new world. Our lives are short and the need for justice, peace, and community is great. If we align our hearts, then I believe it will be clear how to move beyond raising tomatoes and discover God has equipped us to be agents for God’s raising Cain or Lazarus or this broken world.
Bishop Porter Taylor
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Kingdom
If we are truly attuned to the words of Jesus, we can see the kingdom of God breaking in all around us. Just as he pointed to something as small and insignificant as a mustard seed as a sign of the breaking in of God’s kingdom, so too is life in a time of pandemic full of kingdom moments.
-Br. James Koester
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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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