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Older NewsHOLY WEEK SERVICESMaundy Thursday (April 9) - 7:00 PM Good Friday (April 10) - 3:00 PM Holy Saturday (April 11) - 8:00 PM Easter Day (April 12) - 8:30 AM February 2009Fridays in Lent: We will meet on the Fridays in Lent for a light Lenten supper followed by the Stations of the Cross. Celebration of Discipline: Richard Foster's classic book on liberation and spiritual growth through the traditional Christian Disciplines will be the focus of our Lenten study this year. All are welcome to attend. Please call the church office for more information or to register. Suggestions for Lent: The Church recommends the Three Notable Duties of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, enjoined by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Prayer: Take one step forward this Lent in this holy habit. A good rule is to pray once more per day than you presently do. If you don’t pray at all, begin now to say at least the Lord’s Prayer each day. Fasting: Self-denial, tempered by reason, brings growth in character. Most of us live lives of comfort and ease. Sacrifices in food, drink, and bodily comfort will subdue the flesh to the spirit. Deny yourself things you don’t need: trashy reading, unprofitable TV, junk food, eating between meals. Almsgiving: Almsgiving is the setting aside of money, goods, or time for the special service of God. The Christian ideal is to give one tenth of our income to God’s purposes. This Lent find some person or cause as a beneficiary, such as an isolated person, a neglected child, or a worthy charity. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Shrove Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras, is Tuesday, February 24. We will gather at the home of a parishioner to celebrate. Call the church office for information. Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 25. The Imposition of Ashes, Penitential Office, and Holy Communion will be offered at the church (in our Sunday School rooms) starting at 7:00pm. Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Michelle Huiet led a teaching on the spiritual gifts to the Adult Study class on Feb. 22. Brunch with Memorial UMC: On Sunday, March 1, we celebrate our covenant relationship with Memorial United Methodist Church with a special Coffee Hour/brunch. January 2009Looking Back and Ahead: 2008 was a year of many blessings for St. John’s. During this 4th year of our existence, we had 5 baptisms of young children, 3 confirmations, 3 receptions into the Anglican Catholic Church, 2 new births, and 1 expectant mother. We had our first parish retreat and our first parish-wide outreach event (to Union Mission). We hired a part-time parish secretary along with a nursery attendant. We are grateful to Almighty God for these blessings, and, with His help, we will continue this momentum going into 2009. In particular, we plan to implement a plan and program for numerical church growth. Fall-Winter 2008The Annual Parish meeting was held on Sunday, Dec. 14. Reports were given by the Rector, Senior Warden, and Treasurer. A budget of $42,041 was adopted for 2009. Michelle Huiet and Sam Shakespeare were elected to the Vestry, replacing Kathryn Tisdale and Jim Vermillion, whose terms had expired. Outreach to Union Mission: Our first parish-wide outreach event was held Friday evening, Dec. 19. Thirteen people from St. John’s went to Union Mission’s facility on Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk. We bagged frozen turkeys and put together boxes of canned goods for distribution to needy families. We also stocked shelves and organized canned goods in the warehouse. Following the work, everyone returned to the church for a pizza dinner. This was a fun and heart-warming experience, and we look forward to doing it again. Many thanks to all who participated, particularly Jim and Bet Vermillion, who led and coordinated the event. We began financial support and prayers for the Tidewater Crisis Pregnancy Center. We have begun a time for prayer and intercession each Sunday morning at 8:00am in the church. The Adult Sunday School class studied the Book of Nehemiah, while the children have been led and taught in a series of topics including our vocations; the books of the Bible; and the role of the sacraments in our lives as Christians. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis, St. John's held its first ever Blessing of Animals. This was a Parish Outreach event to our community that we plan to continue in the years to come. Four children were joyously received into the fellowship of the Church by the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Oct. 5. They are Jacob (age 8), Jesse (age 9), Kaitlyn (age 4), and Claire (newborn), the children of Ed Gallop and Heather Fretwell. Godparents are St. John's own Michelle and Caleb Hueit. Our first ever Parish Retreat was held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The focus of the retreat was on discovering and using our spiritual gifts. A dozen people attended. Many thanks to Michelle Huiet for planning the retreat and leading the teaching. We plan to repeat the teaching for those St. John's folks who weren't able to attend. We have a new Sunday School curriculum for our young people. It is the classic Teals curriculum, which teaches the Christian faith from a traditional, orthodox Anglican perspective. Ed Gallop is leading our youth Sunday School. The Women of St. John's met on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the home of Kathryn Tisdale in Chesapeake. Summer 2008We are planning a day of spiritual reflection, prayer, and fellowship this Fall. It will be a retreat focusing on discovering our spiritual gifts. We are hiring a part-time Parish Secretary to answer our telephone and provide administrative assistance. Many of St. John's members recently underwent Safe Sanctuary Training. The specific purpose of the training is so that volunteers can work in the nursery in the rare event that our paid nursery attendant is unable to be here on a Sunday. In light of recent revelations of abuse in other Churches, we want to do everything we can to ensure that our young people have a safe and secure environment when they are present at church or participating in church-related activities. Wanted: Volunteers to help with any of the following:
No experience necessary. Training will be provided. April-May 2008Our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. William McClean, made his annual episcopal visitation to St. John’s on April 27. Bishop McClean confirmed and received six people into our parish and diocese and instituted the Rev. Robert J. Whitaker, Ph.D., as St. John's first rector. The Women of St. John's hosted a Special Coffee Hour & Reception for our Bishop, confirmands, and Rector following the Service. Our rector recently participated in a retreat on ways of planting new traditional Anglican churches and building up existing ones. The retreat was held in in Newport Beach, California and was sponsored by the Missionarary Society of St. Paul. Pentecost concludes the great fifty days of celebration that began at Easter. One the three great feasts of the Christian Year, it recalls the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-11). The Jewish feast of Pentecost (or “Weeks”) commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which was kept on the fiftieth day after Passover. Whitsunday, an old English name for Pentecost, derives from “White Sunday,” and alludes to the white robes worn by the newly baptized on this day, since climatic conditions made Pentecost a popular day for baptisms in England and other northern European countries during the Middle Ages. New Testament Titles for the Holy Spirit Biblical Symbols for the Holy Spirit March 2008Episcopal Visitation – Sunday, April 27: Our Bishop, the Right Reverend William McClean, will be making his annual visitation to St. John’s on Sunday, April 27. Bishop McClean will confirm several people, officially receive others into the Anglican Catholic Church, institute Fr. Rob as the first Rector of St. John’s, and preach at the Holy Eucharist. Please plan now to be here on April 27th to welcome our Father-in-God and successor to the Holy Apostles. Easter Day, March 23, 8:30am. Easter Day is the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest and most joyous day of the Christian Year. On this day Jesus rose from the dead in victorious triumph over the forces of sin, Satan, and death. By this event he not only proved that he was indeed the Messiah of God, but he also guaranteed eternal life for all who believe in him. We will celebrate this happy occasion with a Festive Holy Eucharist, renewal of baptismal vows, and special music. Holy Saturday, March 22, 8:00pm. In the 1st century Church, both the Passion and the Resurrection of Christ were celebrated at a single service during the night of Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday, culminating in baptisms and the Holy Eucharist at dawn. By the 4th century, the Paschal Vigil Service came to center upon the Resurrection, and the Paschal Candle, with its symbolism of light, was introduced. We will keep a simplified form of the Vigil Service, with prayers and readings from Holy Scripture, beginning at 8:00pm. Good Friday, March 21, 3:00pm. On this day Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and was buried. For Anglican Catholics, Good Friday is a day of fasting (see BCP, page li). We will remember the Lord’s saving death for us on that day with a Good Friday Liturgy starting at 3:00pm. Our priest will also be available after the Service for anyone who would like to make a private confession of sins. Maundy Thursday, March 20, 8:00pm. On this night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called the Holy Communion and the Holy Eucharist, “as a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again” (BCP, page 80). We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper followed by the Foot Washing Ceremony (“The Maundy”), the Stripping of the Altar, and Vigil before the Altar of Repose starting at 8:00pm. The Vigil is in memory of Jesus’ words to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Could you not watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Palm Sunday, March 16, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian Year. The Book of Common Prayer appoints proper readings for each day of Holy Week (pp. 138-162). The Gospel readings focus on the passion, trial, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. January-February 2008Sermon Series: On Jan. 27, Fr. Rob began a series of sermons on the basic articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the Apostles’ Creed. Adult Inquirer’s/Confirmation Class: On Jan. 27, during the Sunday School hour, we began a new Adult Inquirer’s/Confirmation Class. The class is an introduction to traditional Anglican faith, worship, and practice. Topics include basic Christian beliefs, the sacraments, Church history, the liturgy, the Church calendar, the life of prayer, and Christian duties. All are welcome to attend. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also called The Purification of St. Mary the Virgin and Candlemas, is remembered on Feb. 2. The Gospel reading for this feast relates how Jesus, Mary, and Joseph went to the Temple for Mary’s post-natal ceremonies. There, two senior citizens in the Spirit greeted them with prophetic utterances. St. Simeon announced the Christ Child to be “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of [God’s] people, Israel.” Candlemas is a feast of lights halfway through the winter, as its secular name, Groundhog Day, indicates. It is an ancient custom for candles to be blessed and carried in procession on this day. See the Book of Common Prayer, page 231. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is Feb. 6. Mass, Penitential Office, and Distribution of Ashes will be offered at 7:00pm at the church in our Sunday School room. November-December 2007At our Second Annual Parish meeting, held Dec. 9, we elected two members to the Vestry and adopted our Parish Budget for 2008. We will celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Dec. 24, starting at 9:00 PM with Lessons, Carols, and a Traditional Anglican Mass. The Women of St. John's will meet on Sat., Dec. 15. October 2007St. John's has launched a new blog, The Good Word. We hope that this blog will provide insights into the life, beliefs, and practices of our church. We would like to engage in polite dialogue with others regarding faith, worship, spirituality, the Christian life, and other similar issues of common concern. The newly formed Women of St. John's held their first meeting on Sat., Oct. 13. The next meeting will be held in November. Our young people have been studying how to defend their Christian faith to nonbelievers and those who may question them. Fr. Rob attended the 17th Provincial Synod of the Anglican Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 10-12. This is our Church's version of General Convention. September 2007The start of our Christian education and Sunday School program for 2007-08 will begin Sept. 16. Our adults will spend a month or two reading and discussing How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. This will be preceded by a basic introduction to the books and structure of the Bible. Our young people will be led in a four-week study of how to defend their Christian faith titled "Defense Against the Dark Arts." A Women of St. John's group is forming. The initial meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13. Many thanks to Simon and Marisa Nance for hosting the St. John's family at their home for a superb cookout and fun-filled swim party on Aug. 26. August 2007Father Rob has been giving a series of expository Biblical messages each Sunday on the Book of Genesis. Topics have included the creation of the world and of human beings, God's original plan for human beings and our subsequent choices, the origin of sin and of human unhappiness, the origin of human violence and bloodshed, the story of Noah, the Tower of Babel, and the call of Abraham. In our Adult Bible Study, we have been viewing a superb series of videos produced by Focus on the Family that depict and explain the geographical and cultural settings of various Biblical incidents in the Holy Land. June-July 2007St. John's Youth Group has continued to meet each Sunday under the leadership of Brad Holmes. They have also taken several fun trips recently. Diocesan Summer Camp was held July 15-21 at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA. Four young persons from St. John's attended the camp. Food Pantry: In partnership with Memorial UMC, we are collecting canned goods for those needing assistance in our area. A basket for these items is located at the front of the church. Memorial United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School is being held this year July 29-August 3. Dinner is served at 5:30pm with Bible School for Age 4 through 6th Grade from 6:15pm-8:45pm and Adult Bible Study from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Although St. John’s is not co-sponsoring the VBS this year, Fr. Rob will be co-teaching the Adult Bible Study with Pastor John Cole. Everyone is welcome to attend the VBS. May-June 2007Youth Group Bowling: St. John’s Youth Group went on its first outside fun activity on June 10 following the Sunday Liturgy. They went bowling at Little Creek Naval Base with Lt. Brad Holmes, Youth Group Director. Sign-up Sheets for various parish duties and ministries are posted in our fellowship room. Please consider volunteering for such things as Coffee Hour, ushering, and the nursery. Diocesan Synod: The 30th Annual Synod (Convention) of our Diocese was held on Friday, June 16th in Natural Bridge, VA. St. John’s was represented by Jim Theuer, Jim Vermillion, Bet Vermillion, and Fr. Rob. Bible Video Series: Our Adult Bible Study has been watching an excellent Bible video series from Focus on the Family depicting and teaching about the geographical setting of various Biblical incidents. Favorite Hymns: If you have a favorite hymn that you would like for us to sing at St. John’s this summer, please let Fr. Rob know. Many Thanks to Brad and Carrie Holmes for the superb parish barbeque they hosted at the church on May 27. The food was excellent, and everyone had a wonderful time. The Waites will be leaving our area soon to relocate to North Carolina as Fr. Brian goes on to serve his next assignment. We will miss them very much. Please keep them in your prayers. St. John’s Outdoor Church Signs: We now have two new outdoor signs. One is on Gammon Road and the other is on Morningside Drive. They were installed on May 19 by Jim, James, and Thomas Theuer; Brad Holmes; Pastor John Cole; and Fr. Rob. Please pray that people who see these signs may be inspired to visit St. John’s and to join our church. Diocesan Summer Camp: This year’s camp will be July 15-21 at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA. The age range for campers is 8 to 16 years old. The cost this year is $230 per camper. Registration forms are available on our bulletin board. Scholarships are available so if you know a child who would like to attend but cannot afford to go, please speak with Fr. Rob. Anglican Catholic Church and United Episcopal Church Sign Communion Agreement: On Ascension Day, May 17, 2007, the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) and the United Episcopal Church in North America (UECNA) entered into a communion agreement. (The UECNA is not The Episcopal Church but another Continuing Anglican Church started in the early 1980s by Bishop C. Dale David Doren, one of the original four Episcopal priests consecrated bishop in 1978 for the Continuing Anglican Church in North America.) Archbishop Stephen Reber of the UECNA and Archbishop Mark Haverland of the ACC signed the agreement at Saint Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Athens, Georgia, to reaffirm the state of communio in sacris (full communion) between the churches. This agreement came into immediate effect, though it still needs to be ratified by the ACC Provincial Synod and the UECNA Convention. Members of both churches will be welcomed at the altars of both bodies, and the clergy of both will be available for baptisms, funerals, and marriages as needed. Each church has agreed to consult carefully with the other in all matters affecting the other, including episcopal acts and ecumenical relations with other bodies and churches. April 2007Congratulations to Brad and Carrie Holmes, newly married members of St. John's. They were wed at St. Matthew's in Newport Beach, California, which is Carrie's home parish. Brad's home church is St. Mary's, Denver, Colorado. Our prayers and the thoughts of our hearts go out to Virginia Tech and all those who suffered and are suffering from the tragedy that occurred there on Monday, April 16. Holy Week at St. John'sMaundy Thursday, April 5, 8:00pm: Holy Communion & Vigil Good Friday, April 6, 3:00pm: Stations of the Cross & Prayers Holy Saturday, April 7, 8:00pm: Easter Vigil Service Easter Day, April 8, 8:30am: Festive Holy Communion & Hymns January-Feburary 2007On Feb. 11, we welcomed Samuel Nance into membership in Christ's Church through the sacrament of Baptism. The newly elected Vestry of St. John's met on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the church. Jim Theuer will continue as Senior Warden, Jim Vermillion as Treasurer, and Kathryn Tisdale as Clerk. Bet Vermillion agreed to be Junior Warden. The Treasurer reported an increase in the number of pledging families, and Brad Holmes gave a presentation about starting a Youth Group at St. John’s. Fridays in Lent: We will meet on Fridays in Lent in our Sunday School rooms starting at 7:00pm. Evening Prayer will be followed by soup, salad, and bread. Nursery: We now have a nursery during our worship and Sunday School time, staffed by a paid nursery attendent plus one adult volunteer. We are co-sponsoring the nursery along with Memorial United Methodist Church. 2006December 2006We have recently welcomed several new members and friends to St. John's including some people new to our Church as well as transfers from other parts of the country. Our first annual parish meeting was held Dec. 3, with much good news and cheer. We have a newly elected vestry and several new outreach initiatives under way. Our Christmas Eve liturgy will be held at 9:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 24th. Food PantryIn partnership with Memorial UMC, we are collecting canned goods and toiletry items for the homeless and those in need of assistance in our area. A basket for these items is located in the narthex (entrance) to the church. Memorial UMC provides these items to those who come by the church for help. Please be generous. We are grateful to Bill and Donna McClelland for spearheading this outreach ministry on behalf of St. John’s. Sunday School & Christian EducationOur Sunday School and Christian education program this year will focus on the fundamentals of our belief and practice as Christians in the classical Anglican tradition. We are using the curriculum developed by the Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Roanoke, VA. There are separate classes for children and adults, with teaching specifically tailored to the needs and capabilities of each group. Baptism of Lydia & Bethany RileyWe welcome Lydia and Bethany Riley as members of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Bethany and Lydia were incorporated into the Body of Christ by a profession of faith and the sacrament of Holy Baptism, which they received on Saturday, August 26th. Their father, the Rev. Bill Riley, officiated at the baptisms, which took place aboard the U.S.S. Cape St. George, where Chaplain Riley had recently been Command Chaplain. In accordance with long-standing Navy tradition, Lydia and Bethany were baptized with water out of the ship’s bell, which had been set up for the occasion, and their names will be inscribed on the bell. Congratulations, Lydia and Bethany, and may our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless and guide you in your new life in Him! Vacation Bible SchoolSt. John's and Memorial United Methodist Church co-sponsored a joint Vacation Bible School Aug. 6-11. Young people from St. John’s, Memorial UMC, and the surrounding neighborhood came together each night for classes and other activities around the theme “Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School.” Dinner was served by members of Memorial UMC each evening. The children constructed a combination swing and playset that will be donated to a Habitat for Humanity family. Members and the clergy from St. John's participated in the events each night. Letter from Bishop McClean“Please convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to the people of St. John’s for the very warm welcome and reception. It was an honor and pleasure being with you all. You [are] a vibrant and active group of Anglican Christians, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will guide your evangelism efforts and that you will double by the time of my next visitation. Lorraine and I send our special thanks to the women of St. John’s for the extra effort they put into providing such a variety of ‘goodies’ for that great reception. The food was delicious and the fellowship delightful.” Bishop's Visit - July 23Our Chief Pastor and Father-in-God, the Rt. Rev. William McClean, made his first visit to St. John's on Sunday, July 23. He preached a rousing sermon on defending the Faith and administered the sacrament of Confirmation at our 8:30 AM Liturgy. Diocesan Summer Youth CampThe Annual Summer Youth Camp of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States was held at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA, July 16-22. Four young people from St. John's attended and reported having a wonderful week. Diocesan SynodThe 29th Annual Synod (Convention) of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States was held June 16-18 in Natural Bridge, VA. Representatives and clergy from 21 parishes throughout our Diocese came together with our Bishop to adopt a budget and conduct other necessary business. It was an extremely positive and uplifting meeting, with many signs of growth and new people in our Diocese. St. John’s Achieves Parish StatusSt. John's applied for and was granted Parish status at the 29th Annual Synod of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States held in Lexington, Virginia in June. Welcome, Father Joel Marable!In June we welcomed the Reverend Joel Marable to St. John’s. Father Joel, a resident of Chesapeake, was a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church for several years before discovering the Anglican Catholic Church. He has been assisting at St. Matthew’s, Newport News for the past year. Bishop McClean has licensed Father Joel to function as a Deacon while learning more about our Liturgy and Tradition, and the Bishop has also assigned Father Joel to work with Father Rob and to assist here at St. John’s. Bishop James O. Mote, R.I.P.Bishop James Mote, one of the founding priests of the Anglican Catholic Church who became one of its first bishops, fell asleep in the Lord on April 29 in his native Indianapolis. Born in 1922, he served as a chaplain's assistant in the Army during World War II, saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded a Bronze Star. He graduated from Canterbury College in Danville, Indiana, in 1950 and from Nashotah House Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin, a year later. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1952. He went to St. Mary's Church, Denver, where he remained for over four decades. We give thanks for the life, courage, and faithful witness of Bishop Mote, and we pray for the respose of his soul. New Location!St. John's has a new location. We meet at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road in Virginia Beach. Holy Communion begins at 8:30 AM, followed by coffee and refreshments and Sunday School at 10:00 AM. Memorial UMC is two blocks off Indian River Road, 1.5 miles east of Regent University, and about 6 blocks west of Military Highway. It is easily accessible from Interstate 64 via the Indian River Road West exit (Exit 286A). Holy Week & Easter ServicesMaundy Thursday, April 13, 8:00 PM: Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing Ceremony Easter Day, April 16, 8:30 AM: Blessing of the Paschal Candle, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and Festive Holy Eucharist Pre-LentThe Pre-Lenten Season follows the last Sunday after Epiphany and precedes Ash Wednesday. In the words of Hymn #235, Then three Sundays will prepare The three Sundays are Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, meaning “seventy,” “sixty,” and “fifty,” preceding the forty day of Lent. The Gloria in excelsis and Alleluia disappear until Easter. EpiphanyThe feast of the Epiphany occurs each year on Jan. 6th. This feast celebrates the first manifestation, or showing, of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, in the persons of the Magi, or Wise Men, from the East. In the Eastern Church, this feast is called the Theophany and recalls our Lord’s baptism, during which all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity were revealed. In England, Epiphany was called Twelfth Night as it occurs twelve days after Christmas and marked the end of the traditional Christmastide celebration. In many Hispanic countries, the giving of gifts takes place on Epiphany, following the example of the Wise Men, who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. 2005Advent & ChristmasThe Advent Season begins on Sunday, Nov. 27 and lasts until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. It is a season of preparation and expectation for the advent ("coming") of Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah-King. Jesus came to earth the first time as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. He will come again ("the Second Coming") as Lord and Judge of the entire earth, "with power and great glory." We will celebrate the Feast of Christmas (or "Christ's Mass") on Christmas Eve, Saturday Dec. 24th, starting at 9:00pm with Christmas Carols and the Holy Eucharist. We will meet at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road in Virginia Beach. Memorial UMC is located off Indian River Road about 1.5 miles west of Regent University (Exit 286A off I-64) and just east of Military Highway. We will also celebrate the Feast of Christmas on Christmas Day, Sunday Dec. 25th, starting at 12:15pm at the Fleet Reserve. Archepiscopal Travel to AfricaOur Archbishop, the Most Rev. Mark Haverland, traveled to Africa recently to visit some of our congregations and missions in that continent. All Saints' SundayOn Sunday, Nov. 6 we remembered the Feast of All Saints, which actually occurs each year on Nov. 1. This great feast of the Christian Year commemorates all of the saints (or "holy ones"), both known and unknown, who have been faithful to God in their several generations. In the New Testament, the word "saints" is the common title used for all Christians. Later, the term became more restricted and was used to refer to those Christians whose lives are marked by heroic virtue, extraordinary sanctity, or martyrdom. In the Apostles' Creed we state our belief in the "Communion of Saints." This refers to the spiritual union of all Christians with Almighty God as well as our fellowship with the angels, saints, the faithful departed, and one another in the Body of Christ. The saints are preeminently the friends of God. November is the Month of All SoulsFrom ancient times the Church has remembered all departed souls. In some places, All Souls' Day (also called "the Day of the Dead") is kept on Nov. 2 with special devotion. If you would like to have your departed loved ones remembered at the altar this month, please give their names to Fr. Rob. Many Thanks to St. Andrew & St. Margaret of ScotlandWe are most grateful to the Church of St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland in Alexandria, VA for their continued generosity and financial support for St. John's. They recently sent us a check for $1,250 to be used for advertising. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Father Brian Waite's New Book
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Father Brian Waite's new book on his experiences serving in Iraq has been published by HeartSpring Media. For God and Country is the story of a Band of Brothers, a unit of United States Marines, who faced some of the fiercest fighting of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the battle of An Nasiriyah, and subsequent events, and the life lessons they learned. To order your copy, visit 
