St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - March 30, 2022
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
As we get closer to the time of my leave-taking, I thought it might be helpful to explain the various terms for the priests who might be coming to St. John's, and their roles.
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Supply clergy - The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn will be leading the Sunday services from April 24 - July 31. That is her only role. She will not be attending Vestry meetings, finance meetings, or anything else having to do with the running of the parish. If someone has a pastoral need, she and our deacon Steve Busch will work together to address the need.
Interim Rector - Hopefully, in early August, a part-time or full-time Interim Rector will be found. (The diocese will supply names of priests who might be looking to do interim ministry.) This person will not only lead Sunday services but will also be involved in the running of the parish. He/She will attend Vestry and finance meetings and will be fully involved in the life of the parish. The Interim is usually here for 1-2 years while the Search Committee does its work to call a permanent rector.
Priest-in-Charge - Rather than an Interim Rector, a Priest-in-Charge might be called to serve. That person is usually here for a specific time, perhaps 3 years and is fully involved in the life of the parish. The Search Committee can do its work during this time. If the Priest-in-Charge is a good match for the parish and the Vestry approves, he/she can be called to become the rector.
Rector - After the Search Committee has interviewed candidates and visited them in their home parish, they will give the Vestry usually 1-3 names, based on the charge they received from the Vestry. The Vestry will also interview the final candidate(s) and will make the final decision as to who will be called as rector.
I hope everyone will support the Search Committee and the Vestry as they undertake the task of listening to and depending on the Holy Spirit to find new ordained leadership. May God bless all who do this work.
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The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY AS WE HAVE RETURNED
TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN'S!
We will continue to wear masks and socially distance ourselves as much as possible. We will also continue our "safe" way of having communion by using the individual cups for the bread and the wine.
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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. 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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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
Lenten program - Our Lenten book study is reading the book "Soul Stages: Surviving and Thriving in the Second Half of Life" by Christopher Chamberlin Moore (2021) . We meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM on Zoom during Lent. Please read chapters 4-5 for tonight. The Zoom link is below.
There are many online resources for Lent, including daily prayers and reflections. Here are a few:
If there are other online resources for Lent that you would like to share, please send the links to Carol and they will be included in the E Notes.
Retired Bishop Ted Gulick will be with us this Sunday, April 3 for the 9:30 AM service. All the loose plate offering will go to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund. If the weather is good, we will have a short reception outside for Bishop Gulick after the service. Please bring cookies or finger foods to share. However, if the weather is not good, we will not have the reception.
A Celebration of the Life of Helen Rusnak has been scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at 1:00 PM in the historic church. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery after the service, followed by a reception at the church.
In lieu of making donations for Easter flowers, please use that envelope in your pledge packet to make a donation to Outreach. The Flower Fund has enough money in it to purchase flowers for Easter. Cross out "Easter Flowers" on the envelope and write Outreach on the envelope and on the check. Please email Catherine or Carol if the donation is in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
We need the following help for Holy Week and Easter:
-Readers for the dramatic reading of the passion narrative on Palm Sunday, April 10. (Please let Carol know if you can help. Do NOT sign up on the sign up sheet.)
-Lectors, ushers and crucifers for all services (sign up online)
-Donations of wrapped candy for the Easter Egg hunt (NO plastic eggs are needed).
We need the candy before Friday, April 8 when volunteers will gather at 10:00 AM to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday, and fill the Easter eggs with candy. We will be having the Easter Egg hunt after the 10:30 AM service. Please have children bring a basket or bag to hold the eggs that they find.
The Vestry discussed our policy of having everyone wear masks in church. It was decided that everyone should continue to wear masks, especially since we normally have a larger attendance on Palm Sunday and Easter.
Thanks to David Weir and John Tucker, we are continuing to livestream our Sunday services. People who attend the services are being recorded. That announcement will be put in the bulletin each week.
The final candidates for Bishop of Virginia have been named. They are:
- The Rev. Joseph Hensley, Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry within The Episcopal Church
To get to know the nominees, the diocese will host several "Meet and Greet" forums around the diocese. The one closest to us is on Saturday, May 21 from 5-7 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. This event will also be live streamed. The Standing Committee strongly encourages members of the Diocese to submit questions to the Transition Committee at [email protected] using the subject line “Meet and Greet Questions". Our lay delegate is Walt Cooner and he will be voting for the bishop-elect on June 4. Let him know what you think of the candidates.
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St. John's is forming a search committee to find our next priest. If you are interested in obtaining more information about being on that committee, please contact David Parker, Senior Warden, via email at [email protected] .
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Postcard Ministry - Many thanks go to Denise McCarthy for volunteering to send out the birthday postcards each week.
Podcast – The Episcopal Church - Bishop Curry's "The Way of Love" is now a podcast. This podcast offers helpful ideas and inspiring stories from Bishop Curry and others. Click on the link to find out more about it.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine escalates, please continue to pray for all those involved in this conflict.
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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YOU ARE INVITED TO A GATHERING!
SUNDAY - April 3, 2022 - 5 PM
To Celebrate the Ministry of The Rev. Carol Hancock
As many of you know, Carol will be taking a long-awaited sabbatical following her last Sunday, Easter Sunday, as St. John's Rector, and then will enter into her next chapter of life, her retirement.
The celebration will be held in the Parish Hall (lower level), and will be a catered dinner, dessert and tribute for Carol.
Please make Reservations:
Send Susie Pike a note with number of attendees, and a check for the cost of $25 per adult (nothing for children if attending with an adult, just let Susie know they are coming) to cover the meal costs.
Susie Pike, 15334 Oakmere Place, Centreville 20120,
(or dropped off at the church office.)
Susie should receive payments by March 18.
We are excited for Carol that she will be able to take her long-planned sabbatical and wish to show her how much she is appreciated, loved, and will be missed, at the dinner event.
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SPECIAL REQUEST
A video tribute for Carol is being developed. If you have any pictures of Carol you would like to include please email them to me. If you wish, you can also email me a short video of your thoughts on her departure. Request your video be no more than a minute long. Please have any pictures and videos sent to me NLT March 18th. My email address is:
David Weir and Sandy Jones are assembling a video and photo tributes for Carol. If you have any videos / photos you would like included, please email them to David at [email protected] or photos to Sandy at [email protected]. Please have all videos and photos sent no later than March 18th.
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St. John’s Wood Splitting Event:
This Saturday Morning, April 2, 2022, 8:00 a.m. until...
“Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.” ~Proverb
We are having a scaled down log splitting event on Mt Gilead Green behind the church. No chainsaws! We will be splitting stumps left over from the last cutting exercise last fall. We have just one splitter for this day. We only need a crew of about 6 -8 people, as we just split and stack. This wood will get us ready for the 2022-2023 winter.
Please bring:
· Gloves, ear protection, & goggles, Dollys/handtrucks
We will have bagels/donuts in the morning as well as Water/Gatorade available.
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*Wood Bundles 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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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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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: 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.
- Volunteer Delivery Driver (VDD): Provides essential help in getting items to community members, residents, and Shelter House Program Participants. This position requires a working vehicle, license, and personal ability to navigate to new places.
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant (VOCMA): Requires the ability to lift, carry, and drive. They work directly with residents who are moving out of shelter or relocating 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. (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.
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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, March 2022:
- Canned Vegetables (low salt spinach, collard greens, corn)
- Juice (100% Fruit in plastic containers)
- Syrup
- Jelly/Jam
- Flavored Rice/Pasta
- Canned Pasta
- Pasta Sauce (low salt preferred)
- Canned Pineapple
- Brown Rice
- Spaghetti (whole wheat preferred)
- Jello/Pudding
- Maseca flour
- Sugar
- Granola Bars and Individual Snacks (chips, crackers)
- Condiments and Salad Dressing (family size not miniature packs)
- Baby Food (jar food, rice cereal)
- Similac Baby Formula (Blue Label/Advance)
- Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, lotion
As a reminder, we 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.
- (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size diapers, larger size pull ups, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
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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Registering now for the
- WFCM 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser to be held
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Monday, May 23, 2022, at the
- Chantilly National Golf and Country Club on Braddock Rd.
- This is a major fundraiser for WFCM.
Registration is now open. Join them for a great day starting with continental breakfast boxed and ready in your cart, followed by 18 holes on a beautiful course, contests, complimentary beverage and snack cart, and concluding with a boxed barbeque lunch to go or enjoy on the patio. The tee off is at 8:30 am for this scramble. Check their website for prices and additional information.
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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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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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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 Fifth Sunday of Lent
April 3, 2022
The First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
The Psalm: 126, p. 782, BCP
The Second Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14
The Gospel: John 12:1-8
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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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The Gospel as Fairy Tale
In 1977, Frederick Buechner wrote a book entitled Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. I came across it this week and was especially drawn to the gospel as fairy tale. Buechner writes:
“There is no less danger and darkness in the Gospel as there is in the Brothers Grimm, but beyond and above there is the joy of it, this tale of light breaking into the world that not even darkness can overcome. That is the Gospel, this meeting of darkness and light and the final victory of light…. The crucial difference from all other fairy tales…is the claim made for it that it is true, that it not only happened once upon a time but has kept on happening ever since and is happening still…. Once upon a time is this time, now….”
I have been thinking more and more that the disease that has infected our country is not only Covid 19, but also despair. Too often we think the way things are is the way things will be, and so we accommodate ourselves. Sometimes we find ourselves ignoring what we cannot abide, or diverting our attention with the 1,000 programs now available on television, which means we forget God’s vision and God’s promises for this world, or worse, believing we are the righteous and those who disagree with us are the enemy.
If “once upon a time is now,” then anything can happen. Perhaps instead of avoiding chocolate for Lent, we might avoid cynicism and despair. As the poet George Herbert wrote: “Away distrust. My God hath promised and he is just.”
How do we move away from distrust and deepen our faith? We start where we are and do what we can now. This Lent, I have lengthened my prayer list considerably. I have added the people I have categorized with a one-dimensional label. I am not praying for them. I am praying for God to enlarge my vision and to take away my distrust. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to move me out of melodrama and into a narrative that is more of a 360 view of my fellow travelers in this vale of soul making. This especially means I make a list of the politicians I disagree with and frankly look down upon. I am praying that I see them as human beings and praying that they widen their concerns for all God’s people. Most of all, I am praying be released from melodrama and instead to have a glimpse of this world as fairy tale where anything can happen.
If we believe in resurrection, then we must believe in a new world here and now, and we must pray for it, and we must also widen our gaze so that God might use us to help usher it in.
Once upon a time is this time now.
Bishop Porter Taylor
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Rest
Sabbath is not simply an opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. The real purpose of the Sabbath is to discover and share in the nature of a God who rests. Rest is an act of revelation, restoration, and love.
- Br. James Koester, SSJE
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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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