Caring & Outreach
St. John's is a vibrant congregation with a big heart. That is evident in our outreach to others through community service.
We donate food for the homeless, bag produce at the Arlington Food Assistance Center, have members involved in Meals on Wheels, hold fundraisers for charitable causes, and from time to time combine forces with other churches or community organizations to meet a community need. Our building provides meeting space for various organizations, including an Alcoholics Anonymous group.
A list of some of our projects and contact persons follows. We welcome others to join us in our outreach, from both the surrounding Glencarlyn Neighborhood and beyond.
Bagged Lunch Program
Once a month, our children and youth, along with adult members of St. John’s, prepare bagged lunches for the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. Last year they provided over 300 lunches to the homeless.
Food Assistance
We have begun bagging produce and other groceries for the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) on an ongoing basis. We bagging groceries from 6:30 to 7:30 pm the second Friday every month at AFAC's facility at 2708 South Nelson Street. For more information, please contact Faye Pritchard at 703-931-2168 or at pritchardpix@aol.com. We welcome anyone interested in helping to join us. St Johns's AFAC Bagging page
In addition, we are continuing our ongoing collection of non-perishable food items for AFAC. Not only do we collect items each Sunday at church but we include food collection as part of our fellowship and community events, such as game night. Last year we collected over 450 pounds of food for AFAC.
School Supplies for Needy Students
St. John's collects school supplies for needy students who attend our neighborhood schools Carlin Springs Elementary and Campbell Elementary.
Annual Tea
St. John's raises money for church and charity by holding a tea. The good china and silver appear, live music sets the atmosphere, and those attending enjoy homemade appetizers, sandwiches, breads, and desserts.
Christmas Giving
Every year during the Christmas season St. John’s participates in a Christmas giving program with a local agency. We provide gifts to needy families, including clothes and other requested items, as well as gift cards for food and other non-perishables. For the past few years we have been working with the Salvation Army and their Angel Tree program to provide clothing and toys to needy children. Some of our Glencarlyn neighbors have joined in.
Meals on Wheels
Some of our parishioners work with Meals on Wheels, which delivers food to the homebound and provides a bit of company to people who are often lonely. If you would like more information on Meals on Wheels in Arlington County, please visit their Web site.
Financial Assistance
St. John's budgets each year for the Rector’s Discretionary Fund account, which is used to assist those who have financial emergencies. You can the office at 703-671-6834 for more information.
United Thank Offering
This offering, collected in May and November, expresses our thanks to God for our many blessings. Every penny collected is used throughout the world for missions and in response to compelling human needs.
Church Meeting Space
St. John’s provides continuing meeting space for various organizations, including Alcoholics Anonymous. For more information on meeting space, please call the Parish Administrator, Virginia Pearson, on 703-671-6834, ext. 21.
