The Parish Picnic

The Saint John's parish community will gather on June 6th, after a 10:00 service (with exclusive youth involvement) for an afternoon filled with food, fun, friends, and fellowship. Sounds of music mix with the smell of barbecue grills and the sounds of laughter and conversation from all generations on the front lawn of Saint John's.

A constant favorite is the presence of a Good Humor truck filled with ice cream and other treats.

Parish Events

"May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
The Book of Common Prayer, page 339

Parish Life & Hospitality 

The sign outside Saint John’s at “O” and Potomac Streets claims “All are welcome.”  These are not just words; all are welcome in this community. From the moment one enters Saint John’s we strive to have our visitors greeted and assisted by our ushers and our parishioners in the pews. After services everyone is invited to come into Blake Hall for conversation and refreshments. Welcome Bags on the back pew of the church contain gifts from the parish as well as information about our mission and ministries. It is hoped that visitors will feel free to return for participation in services and in our activities as is comfortable for them. Newcomers are invited to alert the clergy and lay leaders about ways in which the church may be of help to them in their journeys.  

The corporate life of Saint John’s is limited neither to the church nor the classroom. Activities are scheduled throughout the year to encourage community growth and support. Groups of different ages meet for social gatherings and discussions of relevant issues. The Parish as a whole comes together for periodic dinners in the church, a Shrove Tuesday Supper, and early June Parish Picnic. Parishioners open the doors to their homes hosting “7 at 7” dinner parties. The Parish also works together to sponsor a Greens Sale in December, an Auction (given jointly with Saint John’s Episcopal Preschool) and, the Georgetown House Tour in spring. 

Monthly Parish Outings

Every month a “field trip” of sorts is arranged to a local place of interest. These are places of historical, cultural, or religious significance. Usually these trips occur on Saturday mornings and are followed by a group lunch at a nearby cafeteria or restaurant. Some of the places we have visited include: The Franciscan Monastery, The National Building Museum, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, The National Gallery of Art, The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the National Museum of the American Indian. Suggestions for places to visit are always welcome. This year we hope to visit (among other sites) the new Capitol Visitors Center and take an expansive tour of the Washington National Cathedral.  

Monthly Movie Nights

Several Saturday evenings throughout the year at 5:30 p.m. folks of all ages gather for a dinner and a movie with appeal that spans the generations. These are casual evenings that afford all of us the time to get together to know one another better.  

Social Gatherings

Each month when we do not have a PAC night, the parish arranges other events at which people from the parish can enjoy each other’s company as they get to know fellow parishioners. These gatherings as well as the monthly outings are a great opportunity for those who attend different services to become better acquainted. This year we hope to have “Issues Dinners” in Blake Hall focusing on pressing social issues.  

Young Adults Group

The Saint John’s Young Adults Group arranges gatherings to discuss religion and socially relevant topics as well as to get to know each other better. The Young Adults look forward to hosting social adventures as they seek to welcome newcomers, especially those in their twenties and thirties, into the Saint John’s community. This past year they have hosted a wine tasting, a “game board night”, ice-skating, and other activities.

Members of this group, which includes students from our local universities, will also explore ways in which to minister to those outside of the parish as a way of living out their Christian commitment. 

The Blessing of the Animals

On Sunday, October 3, 2010, Saint John’s will continue its tradition of welcoming the larger community and their “variously-footed” friends to our front lawn. Representation at this event spans a wide gamut: members of Saint John’s, those who may just be walking by,  cats, dogs, birds, the occasional horse, fish, a rare snake, and a wide array of other examples of the life preserved by Noah and his family on the ark. This is held near the Feast of St.Francis, who gloried in God as experienced in “all creatures of our God and King.” 

Greens Sale

Just before Christmas approaches, on Saturday, December 4, 2010, Saint John’s opens its doors to the Washington community to sell greens of all sorts for people to decorate their homes. Also found: gourmet taste treats, a Book Table (where well-known authors of adult and children’s books will personally sign their books), and many other Christmas gift ideas. 

Saint John’s Episcopal Preschool and Parish Auction

This annual tradition, growing from a long history of a pre-Lenten Dinner Dance Auction, will have two components this year. There will be multiple ways that people can purchase items to support the needs of both the church and the preschool. There will also be an evening of fun, food, and fellowship when the two communities will join for a auction and fellowship. ?The Parish-Preschool Auction will be held on Saturday, February 20th (6:30 p.m.) and goes West for its 2010 theme. “Little Boots” – our Preschool – and “Big Pursuits.. exemplifying the entire Saint John’s community.

The Georgetown House Tour

This venerable institution has a long history of supporting all of the various missions, ministries, and operations of Saint John’s Church. On 24 April 2010, approximately ten homes in Georgetown will graciously open their doors to receive the hundreds of guests coming from far and near to tour some of the most remarkable residences in Georgetown. During the preceding week, a party honoring the Patrons of the Georgetown House Tour will be held at another notable Georgetown residence. This is an event which has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. 

Christmas Pageant

The Church School children participate in a Christmas Pageant at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve in the church. A rehearsal for this pageant is held Sunday before Christmas Eve and another one just before the service itself. The Christmas pageant is one of the treasured joys of Christmas at Saint John’s. 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

On Tuesday evening, 16 February 2010, the kitchen at Saint John’s will once again be busy and noisy with the sounds of spatulas and griddles as pancakes go flying up in the air as the last night before Lent is celebrated with a community pancake supper. A visit by “Bubbles the Clown” is always popular with our younger members. 

The Parish Picnic

The Saint John’s parish community will gather on June 6th, after a 10:00 service (with exclusive youth involvement) for an afternoon filled with food, fun, friends, and fellowship. Sounds of music mix with the smell of barbecue grills and the sounds of laughter and conversation from all generations on the front lawn of Saint John’s. A constant favorite is the presence of a Good Humor truck filled with ice cream and other treats.