WELCOME TO SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH

Welcome to St. John's Church, Lafayette Square—a vibrant historic Episcopal church located across from the White House. We invite you to join with us for worship, Christian fellowship and outreach.

History

From our organization as a parish in 1815 to today, St. John's Church has provided a powerful symbol of faith in the heart of our nation's capital.

Mission

At St. John's, we believe Christ is calling us to be a renewed church in a changing world. In worship, education, parish life, and social action, we seek to expand our horizons by serving God by loving one another.

Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

Meet St. John’s diverse and engaging clergy, vestry and staff.

Directions & Parking

Located at the corner of 16th and H Streets in Northwest Washington, St. John's is near the McPherson Square and Farragut North Metro stations. Limited street parking is available; free valet parking is offered for certain hours.
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Hold It

Psalm 95 Genesis 47:1–261 Corinthians 9:16–27 Mark 6:47–56
I hold grudges. Most of us do; it’s only human. How rude that salesperson was! How could
my coworker say that? How dare that driver cut me off? (I think everyone
who drives in D.C. can empathize with me on that last one.)
When I feel wronged, my innate sense of righteousness—of justice—is
tweaked. It’s almost as if a jarring chord within me has been struck, and I have
to wince at the dissonance. Without a means to right the wrong, I hold on to
that dissonance.
Holding on to it, though, turns it to frustration. Frustration turns it to anger
that can consume my thoughts and color my behavior. And that anger takes
energy. At times I actually feel physically drained—as if my body is not built
to bear my grudges.
This Lent, like every Lent, is an opportunity. This year, I will give up those
grudges. I will endeavor to forgive slights and offenses, especially those that
cannot be remedied. I will acknowledge my frustration, but I will also let it go.
Robert Frost once said that “nothing can make injustice just except mercy.”
There is perhaps no better season to practice mercy, I think, because I know at
the end of the 40 days that we will receive the greatest mercy of all. And that,
more than any grudge, is worth holding on to.
–Leah Proffitt


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