Giving to St. John’s is an essential refrain of our family’s faith. When Jon and I review our pledge, we see it not as a budget item, but as our annual investment in joy, belonging, and powerful ministry. Reflecting on the theme of our stewardship campaign, I wish for a thousand tongues to sing the ways St. John’s has meaningfully sustained us. 

Since our first visit on Ash Wednesday in 2022, we have found St. John’s to be a welcoming and dynamic home for us to sing a song of the saints of God, folks just like you and me. Even when our children Amelia (6) and Spencer (3) have the wiggles during one of Josh or Andrew’s thoughtful sermons, we’ve always been met with a “happy you are here!”

The parish grows more vibrant every year. Children’s programming has blossomed with Sally at the helm—making church fun and meaningful for our littlest members. We anticipate with delight the Easter Egg Hunt, Sundae Sunday, and Trunk or Treat! Amelia has learned to lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim as a junior acolyte, a role in which she takes great pride. We even benefit from ministries in which we don’t directly partake. Upon his baptism, the Caring Close Knit Crafters gifted Spencer a gorgeous yellow blanket. He asks to be tucked in with his “lellow” blanket every single night, a reminder of the enveloping care of this parish. 

Every Sunday, I thumb eagerly through the bulletin to see which hymns Karl has selected. In one of my favorites, we hear daughter and son, loud praying members, sing to the Lord a new song! He has done marvelous things, I too will praise him with a new song! St John’s has done marvelous things, and we are just getting started. Won’t you lift your voice and join us in this year’s Chorus of Generosity? 

Sarah Lang 

St. John’s occupies a special place in the heart of our family. We have been members of St. John’s for more than a decade, and our lives have been tremendously enriched by being a part of this community.

From the first moment we entered the doors here, it felt like home—a home that we could always count on, and one that we wanted to be a part of building and growing for others.

We have so many fond memories of family programs during Lent, of Easter and Christmas pageants, of sandwich Sundays and Shrine Mont, of watching Sydney and Jack grow up from children’s chapel to becoming acolytes and readers. We treasure the lessons we have learned, the friends we have made, and the spiritual fulfillment we have all found by having St. John’s in our lives. 

Our family also values the role that St. John’s plays in the broader community here in McLean. We know that through our actions and our contributions, St. John’s carries its message of hope and love to those who can benefit from our support. We also know that such good work takes resources—it takes the contribution of our time, talent and treasure.

The church we have today has been made possible by the involvement and financial contributions of those who came before us. We give to ensure that our church remains a force for good in this community, and so that St. John’s is here for every family who walks through these doors for the first time and realizes that they, too, have found home.

John & Kathleen Tregoning 

Where does St. John’s rank? How do I value St. John’s in my life? Each year at this time, when I receive multiple requests for donations from great causes, I ask myself these questions to decide how to allocate my charitable giving for the upcoming year. And, each year, the answer for me is the same — St. John’s belongs at the top of my list. Faithfully giving at St. John’s is not only creating good things for others. It’s also blessing me.

The work of St. John’s is important and meaningful. Our Sunday mornings are filled with beautiful music, robust programming for children and adults, and touching services led by our outstanding clergy. We are growing fellowship through the Men’s Group, Day Trippers, Harvest Dinners, and events for those new to our congregation. We are serving our local community through Martha’s Table and our outreach partners and further extending our reach through our Dominican Republic mission work. The church impacts me, my family, and all who attend.

While it is not exciting to talk about, funding our parish is expensive, and costs are increasing every year. In order to simply continue our current operations and provide staff with cost of living raises in 2026, we need to not only meet — but exceed — last year’s pledges by approximately 6%, from just under $1.1M to $1.15M.

I invite you to think about where St. John’s fits into your life. If you have pledged before, thank you; I hope you will pledge again, and, if you are able, increase your pledge for 2026. If you have not pledged before, please make this the year you start. It takes all of us to make St. John’s the amazing place it is, and it is up to us to fund the parish into the future.

Warmly,

Shelli Bushman

Stewardship Committee Chair