September 20, 2017
Dear Parishioners,
I am writing to update you on the progress of our Parish House renovation. Originally, work was scheduled to begin on or around September 1. Due to permitting issues with the District’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, that start date has been pushed back to a date in the fall. We are working through a difficult permitting process, facing a rejection and reapplying for correct permits. We hope to have this situation rectified as soon as possible.
Despite this setback, our Parish Office moved to 1155 F Street NW, Washington, DC, with thanks to Michelle Mangrum and her firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon for a generous donation of space. Our regular phone number 202-347-8766, is operational at the new address.
We will continue to maintain a presence at the church. Until construction begins, at least one member of staff will be available to connect with parishioners and the greater downtown community. In the intervening weeks between the office move and the projected construction start date, Nursery care will be provided on Sundays in the Parish House until the start of construction, a one-room Church School for children age three to grade five will meet in the Parish House. St. John’s Choirs will continue to meet for rehearsals on Thursdays and Sundays. Although we will not have access to the Parish House after construction begins, many of the activities that take place in the Parish House will continue. We have made arrangements for Church School and Nursery care to meet at the Hay-Adams Hotel, directly across 16th Street. Please look for more detailed information coming soon from Kaye Edwards, Assistant for Church Growth.
As we move through this renovation process, we have created a dedicated page on our website to update the St. John’s community. This page will have the most up-to-date information from me, Hayden Bryan, Executive Director for Operations, and the Vestry regarding the renovation, including timeline, details for Sunday worship, and more. I encourage you to visit the page often, and bookmark it on your computer. The page can be found here: https://stjohns-dc.org/2017-parish-house-renovation/. Watch for updates in our weekly bulletin and our eNewsletter, the Word.
Faithfully yours,
The Reverend Luis León ‘
Rector, St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square
August 8, 2017
Dear Nursery and Church School Parents,
As we begin the renovation of our Parish House, I want to share details about arrangements for the Nursery and Church School. I want to emphasize especially that plans are being made to continue both programs — and to keep your children safe, to teach them the great stories of the Hebrew scriptures and the gospel stories of Jesus, and to involve them in worship.
Until construction on the Parish House begins (estimate is late September or early October) the Nursery for children under the age of six will continue to be held in the basement of the Parish House. A one-room, multiage (age three to grade five) chapel/class will be held on the second floor of the Parish House beginning September 17. After construction begins, the Hay-Adams Hotel, directly across 16th Street NW from the entrance of the church, has offered use of space for these two programs. Please note that the rooms will not be available every Sunday; we will develop a calendar once the dates are firmed up so that you can plan your schedules.
Students in grades six through 12 are encouraged to attend a worship service with their parents. This will not only give your children a chance to experience the full and rich liturgy of the Episcopal Church, but also give us a chance to incorporate them into ministries during the service. High school students will be asked to take part in the service by ushering, reading, and serving as chalice bearers. Middle school students (grades six to eight) will be trained as acolytes. Training will be provided for these ministries in September.
We ask for your help in creating a strong and safe program for all children of St. John’s Church and will call on you during the year.
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about our plans and if you can offer your help. Until a new priest is called to the assistant rector’s position, I will coordinate these programs.
Kaye Edwards
Assistant for Church Growth
kaye.edwards@stjohns-dc.org
P.S. Registration forms are available here. Please return to me by the beginning of September.
