St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - October 5, 2022 | |
Masks are now optional during the service | |
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To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -
From the Deacon:
Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7
Psalm 66: 1-11
2 Timothy 2: 8-15
Luke 17: 11-19
We have some great messages in this week’s Lectionary. Positive and encouraging messages in the face of adversity, hardship, mercy, and gratitude. We face many (if not all) of the same challenges as the Jews and early Christians in this week’s readings and Gospel. Jeremiah is writing to the Jewish elite who had been taken into captivity in Babylon and made slaves or servants to their new masters in Babylon. Jeremiah as the prophet of God tells the exiles, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf,” (What?? Pray for the people who destroyed my city and temple and have taken me into exile! – umm, I don’t think so – well maybe if God insists) for in its welfare you will find welfare.”
Are we in the midst of Babylon today? How are we to respond to the “me first” culture, which sounds to me a lot like that of Babylon. God tells his followers in Babylon to live in that society but not just to live there “but to seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” So, whether we are satisfied with today’s culture and attitudes or are frustrated as God expressed through Jeremiah was frustrated, let us keep the welfare of each other and our neighbors front and center of our Christian Community, thereby sharing Jesus’ love with ourselves and our neighbors.
Rev Deacon Steve
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The Courage to Escape the Past
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are,
far more than our capabilities." Albus Dumbledore
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Joanne was born into a middle-class British family in the 1960s. What should have been a childhood of happiness turned into one of constant struggles and disappointments. Her elementary school teacher considered her a “dunce” for doing poorly on math tests. In high school she was bullied. She retreated into the world of books and stories from her own vivid imagination. Joanne had a close and loving relationship with her mother but was crushed when her mother became ill with multiple sclerosis. Her relationship with her father was strained. She felt lonely and miserable during her teenage years.
She earned her degree from the University of Exeter then she moved to Portugal. Once there, Joanne got married and had a baby girl. The marriage was rocky from the beginning and her husband physically abused her. She left him, took her young daughter, and moved to Edinburgh Scotland. She later recalled, “I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears that my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.”
It was then she decided to set aside her past failures and finish the book she had started writing. Most of the publishing houses turned down her manuscript. One publisher finally called her with an offer after he noticed his eight-year-old daughter totally immersed in Joanne’s writing. Joanne’s book was the first of the Harry Potter series published under the name of J.K Rowing.
Her creative efforts resulted in 10 books and eight movies based upon the Harry Potter character. It is estimated J.K. Rowling earned over 700 million dollars from the Harry Potter franchise!
It is not uncommon for yesterday' fears to intrude upon today thoughts. The bible teaches us that God will sometimes give us the choice of listening to Him or our past fears.
Moses escaped with his life from Egypt and was shocked when God told him to return. Not only did He want Moses to return to a country where he might be killed. God told Moses to confront the Pharaoh, the very seat of power in Egypt. Despite his misgivings, Moses did go and the story of God’s deliverance of the Hebrew people from Egypt has been celebrated for thousands of years during Jewish and Christian Passover services.
As you think about your pledge of time, talent, and treasure for St John’s 2022 campaign, it might be helpful not to stand too close to yesterday’s sorrows. Instead, focus on what you believe God is saying to you today. You can do this because God reminds us,
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.”
Genesis 28:15
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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. | | |
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After the Service
"Coffee Hour" Is Back!
If you would like to sign up to bring coffee hour "snacks" in the coming weeks click SUNDAY SNACK SIGN UP
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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 https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ Please continue to keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers.
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)
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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | |
Centreville Immigration Forum and Labor Resource Center
Volunteer & Intern Opportunities
Volunteer in these areas:
- Administration / Community Outreach / Database Management Marketing Committee / Personnel Committee / Fundraising
- Our new volunteer orientations are a great way to meet the staff and hear more about our current volunteer needs.
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Please fill out the Intake form by going to the link below, and we will reach out to you shortly with information about the next information session. (Be sure to read our Code of Ethics before filling out the form!)
- Join us in action as we make Centreville a model of how day laborers and the community can work together!
- http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/
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Top Items Currently Needed by
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.
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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 , Volunteer Shelter Assistant
If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.
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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: OCTOBER
· Pasta Sauce
· Canned Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
· Canned Corn (low salt preferred)
· Refried Beans
· Dried Beans (all types)
· Pasta
· Flavored Pasta (Pasta Helper)
· Flour
· Vegetable Oil
· Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste
· Flavored Rice
· Family Size Boxed Cereal
· Ramen soup
· Mac & Cheese
· Ketchup and Mayo (family size not miniature packs)
· Toiletries: body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, feminine pads, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, toilet paper (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate size 6 diapers or larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers if you want to donate items for babies.)
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.
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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. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCf2NAO3eBO3DHEuHFGKzlzw/Live
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SIGN UPS - Volunteers Support our Sunday Service | | |
- 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)
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Sunday service reader or usher We welcome and value your help! The lector reads the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher hands out bulletins and brings the elements and offering to the altar.
CLICK HERE.
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Altar Flowers
When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin.
CLICK HERE
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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
is held after the Sunday service. 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. Here is the current login link, which runs through December: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87899564581?pwd=djlEeWFGd1JpZUlTaUh3YmZlUld0UT09
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson.
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 9, 2022
The First Reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Jeremiah encourages the Israelites in diaspora with God’s command to settle, to build lives, and multiply even in captivity. Their faithfulness to the Lord in the midst of exile will result in blessing.
The Psalm: 66:1-11
The Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Though preaching the gospel will almost definitely result in hardship, the Word is unabated.
The Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Being relieved of disease is not the only aspect of healing. By returning and acknowledging Jesus as the source of healing, only one of the lepers is fully restored.
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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 sjeccentreville@aol.com.
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Bishop-Elect E. Mark Stevenson to Call Canon to the Ordinary
Bishop-Elect E. Mark Stevenson has announced his intention to call the Reverend Deacon d’Rue Hazel to be Canon to the Ordinary following his consecration as Bishop in December. Hazel currently serves as Archdeacon for the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Among her many duties, she oversees clergy continuing education, training, conferences, and transition ministry.
Archdeacon Hazel will begin her new ministry in the Diocese of Virginia in January 2023. In her role as Canon to the Ordinary, she will support congregational development, work with congregations in conflict, oversee the work of congregational consultants, manage the Title IV process, and work with diocesan teams to identify and embrace new opportunities for the Church.
“I have known d’Rue for more than fifteen years,” said Bishop-Elect Stevenson, “and she is one of the most talented, good-humored, straight-forward, well-read, lovers of Jesus that I have ever come across. Her diaconal focus - to inspire and support the people of God in their vocational calling - has enriched the ministry of the episcopate in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and across the whole of the Church.”
Since 2003, Archdeacon Hazel has served in a variety of roles in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, including Dean of the Diocesan School for Ministry (2003-2005), Director of Ministry Development (2005-2010), and Canon for Vision and Ministry Development (2010-2021). Prior to that, she served as a lay professional at St. Mary’s Church, Columbia, SC.
Archdeacon Hazel holds a certificate in Education for Ministry from the University of the South and has completed graduate courses at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
“While engaging in discernment with Bishop-Elect Stevenson,” said Archdeacon Hazel, “the potential of serving in a diocese that embraces the ministries of reconciliation, evangelism, and stewardship affirmed this call. I am personally excited to work in a place that has such a strong sense of history and mission and that has provided, over many years, the love of Jesus to its people and a prophetic vision to the church at large. It is with profound gratitude that I accept his invitation to serve with the people of God in the Diocese of Virginia.”
Archdeacon Hazel will succeed the Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey who has served as Interim Canon to the Ordinary since 2021. Canon Bailey will continue to serve through the first quarter of 2023 to assist with the transition.
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