It is impossible to name only one reason we pledge annually to St. John’s. Most importantly, we pledge to acknowledge the many blessings we have received in our lives through the grace of God. We see our financial gifts as one expression of our gratitude. 

But, we also see the parish as our community and extended family. Our two daughters were married at St. John’s, and three of our grandchildren were baptized here. We regularly participate in the many program offerings available through the church, including book group discussions, Day Tripper events, evening Compline, and Bible study. 

We know too that giving to St. John’s is a means for us to support the wider community in McLean, in the D.C. region, and even internationally though missions and outreach programs. Our church building is a community center serving many needs, including, for example, Scouts and an AA group. 

Finally, by making a pledge this fall, we allow St. John's to plan its programs and to budget wisely for the coming year. We know that every pledge makes a difference. Without financial support the ministry of the church withers. With robust giving its ministry is vibrant. We are not misled into thinking that St. John’s, as a large parish, somehow naturally takes care of itself. Every pledge is vital to the church. 

For us, our pledge is an investment which pays many dividends to us, to those we love, and to our neighbors. The returns are spiritual, physical, and real. We recommend pledging as a wise investment. Join us in the Chorus of Generosity by pledging to St. John’s this year. 

Rodney and Deborah Page

I’m very proud to say that I’ve been an Episcopalian my entire life. Baptized, raised, confirmed; it’s safe to say that the Episcopal Church means a lot to me. Some of my fondest memories of growing up were affiliated with the Church. I sang in the Youth Choir, served as an acolyte, went to the Episcopal Youth Event, participated in youth group, and probably nerdiest of all, regularly attended the Episcopal Youth Music Camp. Giving my time, energy, and voice to the Church has always been important to me. 

When I moved to DC back in 2020, finding a new church to call home was high on my priority list. My first St. John’s service involved tuning in to Easter Sunday, 2021. I’ve always loved Easter Sunday, but something about St. John’s felt special. A lot of it probably had something to do with the music: the choir, the organ, the horns, especially the timpani. But there was something about St. John’s that drew me in. I found myself sitting in the pews later that summer and instantly remembered why going to church means so much to me. The community at St. John’s was more than welcoming, and I’ve never looked back. 

It was important to me, though, to get involved in the church again. As I look back on my four years as a regular parishioner, it’s safe to say that I love giving back to St. John’s. I taught Confirmation for three years and now help with youth group, went to the Dominican Republic on my first ever mission trip, assisted with the Christmas pageant, and this year, restarted the Young Adults group (this is a causal plug for all you young adults out there to come hang out with us!). I also am quite literally a member of the St. John’s community chorus, since I sing in the choir. 

My time, my energy, and my voice are not the only things that I give to St. John’s. I give because the church means so much to me, and I am more than happy to give back. 

Sara Duke

Today, as our granddaughters are baptized, our hearts are especially full of joy. We are reminded once again how much St. John’s Church has touched our lives in important ways.

We come to St. John’s on Sundays because we want what it offers. We enjoy the feeling of being in fellowship with people of good will and open hearts. Hearing the liturgy, thoughtful sermons, and gorgeous music gives us a “time out” for quiet reflection and the opportunity to pray for our friends and loved ones. It is a wonderful way to end the week and reset for the next one.

St. John’s also touches our lives and the lives of others throughout the week. Our minds have been enriched by the wide range of special programs and adult forums. We appreciate the opportunities for service by participating on the Flower Guild and Vestry, and have enjoyed the fellowship of others through Day Trippers and the Booklovers Group. St. John’s is also there every day for those in need of pastoral care. This parish cares for others less fortunate through outreach projects like the Drives of the Month, Sandwich Sundays, and the summer mission to the Dominican Republic. A gift to St. John’s translates into countless acts of charity both here and beyond McLean.

As new grandparents, we especially look forward to our gift benefiting the young people of this church. They hear the message of love and generosity in Children’s Chapel and are able to attend the larger church service. The EYC program provides teens a safe space and a solid footing in an unsteady world. We are blessed that families in St. John’s are so fortunate to have these youth programs.

All these things inspire us to support St. John’s. Giving to one’s church is a statement of who we are and what we care about— and we care that the ministries of St. John’s touch everyone’s lives.

Jamie & Mimsy Stirn

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