Outreach
So far, our monthly First Fruits donations are down for 2025. After the first four months, we have collected 1,000.3 pounds of food. For comparison, at this point we had collected 1,751 pounds in 2022, 1,140 pounds in 2023, and 1,930 pounds in 2024.
With the summer months traditionally bringing our lowest donations, we need to maximize May. Consider bringing in First Fruit donations every time you come to church between now and Sunday, May 4. Place your contributions in the baskets in the back of the sanctuary or on the wheeled cart in the Parish Hall. Let's use this month to catch up to our goal and maximize our support to our beloved community members served at Christ Ascension Food Pantry. We can do it!
The food bank currently needs diced tomatoes, toilet paper, canned chicken, cream of chicken soup, stews, all kinds of canned vegetables, tuna, and spaghetti.
"We are thankful for all your previous donations. We can only keep the pantry open with your assistance."
--Anne Rose, coordinator of the Christ Ascension food pantry
Next First Fruits Collections:
Saturday, May 3--10:00 a.m.-12 noon, 24th & Broad
Sundays through May 4--each time you come to church
Save the Date for Shalom Farms
St. John's will volunteer at Shalom Farms on Saturday, June 7, arriving at the Northside farm (1311 Westwood Ave, Richmond, 23227) by 8:45 am and work at planting, harvesting, mulching, weeding, cleaning, sorting, or packing produce until noon. Afterward we will take an educational tour that will provide an overview of the farm's crops and its programs that work to promote a just food system.
All parishioners aged 6 and up are invited to join. There is space for 15 volunteers. Please contact Victoria Hauser to sign-up.
Saturday, June 7
8:45 a.m.
Episcopal Relief & Development
Responds to Israel-Hamas War
The Collect for Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: so mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples, especially those of Israel and Palestine, may be gathered under the banner of peace as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
--adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815
Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency support in Gaza following the outbreak of war in the region. Please pray for peace in the Holy Land as they experience violence and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund. Support of this fund will help to provide medicine and other supplies and help our partners tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of all people affected by this conflict.
Read Episcopal Relief and Development's full statement here.
Other Outreach Opportunities
Parishioners of St. John’s also support Peter Paul RVA through volunteer services, financial contributions, and seasonal collections of supplies.