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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The Ministry of Helpfullness

Recently my youngest brother, Don, sent me notes from  Life Together, a book written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1939. The author had been one of our favorite Lutheran theologians (we were raised in the Lutheran faith, and Don now serves as a certified lay minister in the church). Bonhoeffer resisted the Nazis during WWII, protected scores of Jewish families, and was executed two weeks before Hitler met his end.
In chapter four of Bonhoeffer’s book he focuses on the meaning of ministry and included the following: the ministry of listening; the ministry of holding one’s tongue; the ministry of meekness; the ministry of helpfulness; the ministry of bearing  one another’s burdens; and the ministry of proclaiming God’s word  – –  as Bonhoeffer said, “What a difficult thing it is to utter the name of Jesus even in the presence of a brother.”
In reviewing my brother’s notes, I realized that our rector’s sermon on Ash Wednesday on how we might observe Lent was consistent with Bonhoeffer’s writings. Luis suggested we take time to be silent ( listening is one of the best ways to experience God), study ( if we proclaim God’s word, we must know what we are talking about – – this is my take on the value of studying the Bible), and service ( Galatians 6:2 says, ” Bear ye one another’s burdens so as to fulfill the Law of Christ.” ). When Bonhoeffer wrote about the ministry of helpfulness, he meant that we must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God who sends us people with claims and petitions. As I pass by a homeless person, I will remember this.
A final note: In Hebrews 10 we are told to stand by our faith and put our trust in God.  This is what Lent means to me. I’m confident Dietrich Bonhoeffer would agree.

-Fred Webber


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