scroll

The Scroll





October 2017

Letters from Our Church Family





Discovering Your Call

It’s often said that people today don’t feel “guilt” as keenly as people did
from eras past and that this void has been filled with a sense of “aimlessness.”

Shame and remorse have, to some extent, been replaced by purposelessness and

a feeling of being lost.
To the extent that this is true, and although forgiveness is as important as

ever, it is truly good news that God has a calling for each and every one of

us. The Lord is eager for each of us to live more purposely than we’ve ever
imagined possible. God calls out to us and shows a path. Not an easy path. Not

a painless path. But a path more wonderful than any path we could carve out
for ourselves.

Many people assume that only “religious professionals” have a calling, or

that people are only ultimately called to a religious profession. Nothing could be
further from the truth.

Do you realize that you have a calling? Have you discovered this

calling? Have you answered God’s call? Have you perhaps discovered that God’s
call for you has changed? Have you discovered all the areas of life that are

touched by this call? How do we discover these things?

From October 8 through October 29, we’ll share a sermon series called

“Discovering Your Call.” Over the course of these four weeks, we’ll work on
discovering our call by journeying through the book of Jonah. This classic

biblical text will help us to see our whole lives as part of this great call: our
hearts, our actions, our giving, our relationships, everything!

Be on the lookout for the ways this year’s Stewardship Team will help us

celebrate seeing our service and tithing in this meaningful light. Let’s discover
God’s call together! Bring a friend and join us for worship in October!

Your Fellow Minister in Christ,


Mark Mrini











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Thank You provides – most of all in the form of

By: Pastor Cameron Stirk Jesus.

We, the Stirk family, want to say,
‘thank you’ for your love, welcome,

“I thank my God hospitality, encouragement, and

every time I sharing during our stay at St. Stephens
over this last summer. It was a great
remember you.” joy for us to meet you all – and to

Philippians 1:3 share in our common life of faith and

love. It has been the most renewing

Saying ‘thank you’ is one of the and refreshing experience for us as a
first lessons we teach our children – family and as individuals for a good

and grandchildren! It is not only a number of years. Thank you for
matter of good manners, it is also a sharing faith in a way that built us up

sign that we appreciate those who and has encouraged us onwards.
have done something for us. It values Thank you for opening your homes to

the other – says, ‘I have noticed – and entertain us and treat us as though
I am grateful’ – it reminds us that you were ‘entertaining strangers’

nothing in our lives is dependent (Hebrews 13: 2). Thank you for

solely on us. It also corrects us in the accompanying us to some precious
thinking that we are not responsible places and build memories for us that

for all our life experiences, but, rather will last a life-time. Thank you for
that everything we know, do, and allowing us to inhabit your culture,

experience is ultimately down to God. your city, your church – for in doing
Paul, writing to the early Church so we have learned so much about

in Philippi begins with his words of you and God.
thanksgiving. He appreciates their Thank you for bearing with the

support and prayers – and as a sign of quirkiness and
his faith in God, he teaches them, and idiosyncrasies of the

us, to always give thanks. To give English! It has been
thanks at all times and in all situations. great to come ‘home’

To give thanks for the Church. And to – but whilst we were
give thanks for God for all that he with you we ‘felt at

home’ and we know




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that this summer has been a real joy,

privilege, and adventure for us that we
shall never forget.

Whilst we were with you I
preached a sermon on Thanks living.

On my return to the UK, that
challenge has struck me again.

Whatever life offers us—whether at

home or overseas; whether in joy or
struggle; whether together or on our

own – we are called to a life of thanks
living for all that God has done for us.

We bear testimony to that and
encourage you also to be thankful in

all circumstances.
God Bless you all – we hope to see

you again one day!


Until then, thank you sincerely,




Pastor Cameron, Lucy, Aidan,

Callum, & Ronan (Stirk)




















Service Times



8:30 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 6:30 PM
Traditional Contemporary Classic Chapel



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A New Hope Much to my amazement, this visit was

By: Stephanie Oliver completely opposite. The majority of
the residents were with us and the
New Hope Housing is a non-
profit agency in Northern Virginia fellowship was amazing. It was nice
committed to finding creative and to see these men come together with

lasting solutions to end the cycle of each other and with our group. They

homelessness by offering services to ate dinner with us and everyone
help change lives. One such solution seemed to have something to share.

is Gartlan House which provides I went with the intention of
permanent supportive housing for providing a blessing to these men and

eight chronically homeless adult men. left feeling that I was the one who had
The program serves residents able to received the blessing.

function well with no more than eight
hours of on-site support per day.

Through St. Stephen’s, I was

provided with the opportunity to visit
Gartlan House twice, so far. A group

of St. Stephen’s folks went to visit
with these men in December, 2016

and again in August, 2017. When we
visited the first time, we brought

dinner and a holiday gift for everyone.
The idea was that we would spend a

couple of hours engaging with the

residents and have dinner together.
Everyone we met was pleasant and
appreciative, but only one resident

actually joined us to enjoy his meal

and conversation.
When the opportunity arose

again in August, I was happy to join
again, but had been internally

wondering if we should just provide
them a meal and let it go at that.



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A Devotional Story Church Service and finally Evening

By: A Generous Soul Vesper service.
Born in a rural Kentucky area to One day about the age of 10, I

a Navy family, we found ourselves came home to discover that my
posted to various grandmother had taken ill. As the
parts of the evening progressed her condition

country and the worsened and the family physician,
world including who made house calls, came to the
Panama, China, house to see what could be done.
and the While the doctor was examining her

Philippines during my formative years. she began convulsing and the doctor
Whenever opportunity presented, we advised my grandfather that he had
would return to Kentucky where both just lost his wife. My grandfather, who

of my parents were born and raised I had never seen cry before, started to
for visits with relatives. As WWII cry. I was in an adjoining room and
neared, we were living in Shanghai, started praying for her. The doctor
China and were preparing to return to determined that there

the U.S. when my mother was one last thing that he
unexpectedly became ill. In a few days could do to bring her
she died, which I chose at the age of around and he injected

8 not to believe. her with some
My dad returned with me to medication. Remarkably,
Kentucky where I was raised by his from what I believe was a
parents who had no children living at combination of my prayers and a
home at the time. My grandparents Guiding Hand by the Great Physician,

were in their 60s and I must have she recovered.
been a handful for them to raise and Although she was hospitalized
take care of me. My dad went on with for a number of weeks, she

his Naval career with the outbreak of went on to live for another
WWII. I settled down to a reasonable 30 years. I believe that the
adolescent life and developed lots of Lord heard my prayers that
friends and social activities in the area. evening and restored my

We were a strongly devout southern grandmother back to
family who read Bible stories, the health for a purpose which
Bible, conducted daily prayers, and she accomplished by her

regularly attended Sunday church love and guidance to me in a
services from Sunday School to devotional way.





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Announcements





Rise Against Hunger Grace Ministries and Green


St. Stephen’s will attack world hunger Groceries
by packing and sending meals for Each month, St. Stephen’s provides

hungry people with Rise Against food and clothing for over 120 families

Hunger on October 7 from 10 a.m. to in need in our community. Here are

1 p.m. This year we’re trying to pack our awesome autumn plans:

54,000 meals for 54 years of • Oct. 6: Green Groceries
ministry. Plan to come and bring your

family and friends to this fun and • Oct. 27-28: Grace Ministries

meaningful event. There will be a D.J. • Nov. 3: Green Groceries

while we work and food trucks • Nov. 17-18: Thanksgiving Fest
available for lunch Grace Ministries

afterward. Previously

Stop Hunger Now. • Dec. 1: Green Groceries
• Dec. 16-17: Caring at Christmas

Grace Ministries
The Tech-Wise Family
Your help is needed and all ages are

Do you want your family to live in always welcome! You can:
harmony with technology? Then join

our “Read-In Group” starting after • Donate gently used clothing
October 1. The time of the group is • Volunteer

customized to fit your schedule. We’ll • In November, donate Thanksgiving
read a few chapters of The Tech-Wise food

Family together at the meeting then

discuss the presence of technology in • In December, donate wrapped toys
our lives, its effects, and its proper • Lift up these ministries in prayer
place. To get started, email

[email protected].












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Coffeehouse for a Cause Kid Min News


Please join us on October 21, at 7 Attention Families with 3rd Graders!

p.m. in the Welcome Center for an We feel called to help families relay the
evening of song and refreshments faith to the next generation. One way

showcasing SSUMC's own Sonja of doing this is by providing an age-

Tussing and Melissa Stoltz. All appropriate Children's Bible to 3rd

donations will go to the victims of graders who are now ready to read on

mud slides in Sierra their own and begin implementing
Leone. Come out regular spiritual practices. These

and support this Bibles will help children and their

vital UMCOR families develop vital spiritual practices

(United Methodist such as reading the bible together,

Committee on prayer, and daily devotions. If you
Relief) mission. would like your child to receive a Bible

on October 15, during worship, please

complete a registration form
A Disciple's Path and return it to Karen Wells’ mailbox


This six-week introductory course on in the church office by October 8.
discipleship in the Wesleyan tradition, You can find a form in the Gathering

beginning October 1, is designed as Place or at the Sunday School check-in

the first step in our church's kiosks.
discipleship plan. The course gives an Children’s Ministry Upcoming

overview of our United Methodist
heritage, how God is working in and Events:

through the people of St. Stephen's, • October 15: 3rd Grade Bible
and how you can participate in our Dedication

mission by taking the next step along • October 20: Mission Possible Kids
the path as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Join us at 11 a.m. for fellowship and (3rd-6th grade), 6-8 p.m.
class begins at 11:15 a.m. Child care is • November 10: Movie Night, 7 p.m.

provided. To sign up, email • November 17: Mission Possible

[email protected].
Kids (3rd-6th) grade, 6-8 p.m.


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Endowment Opportunities


Endowment giving to SSUMC may take many forms:

• Securities are generally deductible at full market value and taxes on the gain
may be avoided.

• Real Estate is also generally deductible at full market price.

• Life Insurance Policies may be used to designate the

SSUMC Permanent Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.

• Charitable Trusts provide the donor with income for life
with the assets passing to the SSUMC Permanent

Endowment Fund.

• Wills and Trusts may be used to designate assets to the
SSUMC Permanent Endowment Fund.

• Liquid Assets such as cash, treasury bills, money market accounts.

• Gift Annuities provide the donor with income for life with the assets
passing to the SSUMC Permanent Endowment Fund.

Contact Jim Allison, Endowment Committee Chair, at 703-323-8132 to further

explore these opportunities.




Upcoming Pre-Baptism Class



All adults, parents or guardians who are interested in baptism for themselves or
their child are invited to enroll in the upcoming Pre-Baptism Class on October

12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor (M8). Class is approximately one hour and child care
is provided in the nursery. Email [email protected] if you are

interested.




Our Church Family



New Members: Maureen Allison, Peter and Hope Caggiano, Madison Caggiano
Births and Adoptions: Charles Brock Bateman, Angelina Nancy Lucas, Nilah Mackenzie Rotteveel

Baptisms: Nathan Charles Ludington

Deaths: Meredith Heinsohn Austin



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October 2017





Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM 6:30 AM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 AM Rise
Cherub Choir Where Moms Maranatha Youth Youth Frozen First Fridays - Against
945 AM Connect Singers Breakfast Study Yogurt Green Hunger
Sunday School 6:45 PM 11:00 AM 9:15 AM 6:00 PM Groceries 10:30 AM
4:30 PM Orchestra Staff Meeting Wednesday Girl Scout Great
Mustard Seed 7:00 PM 6:30 PM Women's Study Troop 559 Salvation
Christian
Productions ESOL Class Girl Scouts 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Fellowship,
5:00 PM 7:30 PM Troop 559 Youth Free ESOL Class Liturgical
Tai Chi Chancel Choir 6:30 PM Wings & Bible 7:30 PM Dance
Study
5:30 PM 7:30 PM Source 7:00 PM Bits & Pieces
Youth Group Mighty Peals Planning 8:15 PM
of Joy 7:00 PM Cmmte: Mostly Men
Cub Scout Preschool Choir
Pack 1131 7:30 PM
7:00 PM Boy Scout
Source Band Troop 1131
7:30 PM 7:30 PM
Cmmte: Cmmte:
Stewardship Outreach
7:30 PM
Cmmte: SPPRC
7:30 PM
Cmmte:
Trustees
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
9:30 AM Columbus Day 9:30 AM 6:30 AM 3:30 PM
Cherub Choir 9:15 AM Maranatha Youth Youth Frozen
9:45 AM Where Moms Singers Breakfast Study Yogurt
Sunday School Connect 11:00 AM 9:15 AM 5:30 PM
4:30 PM 6:45 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday Girl Scout
Mustard Seed Orchestra 5:30 PM Women's Study Daisy Troop
Productions 7:00 PM Brownie Troop 10:00 AM 1186
5:00 PM ESOL Class #1186 Creative 6:00 PM
Tai Chi 7:30 PM 6:30 PM Hearts/ Girl Scout
Creative Hands Troop 559
5:30 PM Betty Girl Scouts 6:00 PM 6:30 PM
Youth Group Whitehurst Troop 559
Circle 7:00 PM Youth Free Cmmte: Music
7:30 PM Cub Scout Wings & Bible 7:00 PM
Chancel Choir Pack 1131 Study Boy Scout
6:30 PM
7:30 PM 7:00 PM Cmmte: FIT Order of the
Arrow
Mighty Peals Source Band
of Joy 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
Cmmte: Boy Scout Boy Scout
Stewardship Troop 1131 Round Table
7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
Girl Scout Cmmte: Church ESOL Class
Service Unit 54 & Society 7:30 PM
-15 7:30 PM Bits & Pieces
Stephen 7:30 PM
Ministry New Horizon
Group
8:15 PM
Mostly Men
Choir
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October 2017






Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
9:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM 6:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:00 AM
Blood Where Moms Maranatha Singers Youth Brkfst Study Preschool-Cody Preschool- Great
Pressure Connect 11:00 AM 9:15 AM & BJ Cody & BJ Salvation
Clinic 6:45 PM Staff Meeting Wed Wmen's Study 3:30 PM 3:30 PM Christian
9:30 AM Orchestra 11:00 AM Youth Frozen Youth Frozen Fellowship,
Cherub Choir 11:15 AM UMM Bible Study Yogurt Yogurt Choir
9:45 AM 7:00 PM Lunch With 12:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Retired Men's Lunch 6:00 PM
Sunday ESOL Class Friends Optimist
School 7:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM Girl Scout Girl Scout
4:00 PM Chancel Choir Girl Scouts Troop Youth Free Wings & Troop 559 Troop 559 Club of
Bible Study
Central
Deadline for 7:30 PM 559 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
SCROLL Mighty Peals 7:00 PM Cmmte: Youth ESOL Class ESOL Class Fairfax
Articles of Joy Cub Scout Pack Ministry 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
4:30 PM 1131 7:30 PM Boy Scout Bits & Pieces Bits & Pieces Coffee
Mustard Seed 7:00 PM Troop 1131 8:15 PM 8:15 PM House
Productions Source Band 7:30 PM Mostly Men Mostly Men Concert
5:00 PM 7:30 PM Children & Family Choir Choir
Tai Chi Council
5:30 PM Cmmte: 7:30 PM
Youth Group Stewardship Cmmte: 50+
7:30 PM
Cmmte: Finance
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
9:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 6:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 7:30 AM
Cherub Preschool Fall Preschool Fall Youth Breakfast Preschool Fall Preschool Fall Grace
Choir Festival Festival Study Festival Festival Ministries
8:00 AM
9:15 AM
9:45 AM Where Moms 9:30 AM Preschool Fall 3:30 PM 4:00 PM
Sunday Connect Maranatha Singers Festival Youth Frozen Grace
Yogurt
11:00 AM
School 6:45 PM Staff Meeting 9:15 AM 5:30 PM Ministries Set-
4:30 PM Orchestra 5:30 PM Wednesday Girl Scout Daisy Up
Women's Study
Mustard 7:00 PM Brwnie Troop #1186 10:00 AM Troop 1186 7:00 PM
Seed Brownie Troop 6:30 PM Creative Hearts/ 6:00 PM Piano Recital
#1465
Productions 7:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 559 Creative Hands Girl Scout Troop
5:00 PM ESOL Class 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 559
Tai Chi 7:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 1131 Youth Free Wings & 7:00 PM
5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Bible Study ESOL Class
Youth 7:30 PM Source Band 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
Grace Ministries
Group Men's Gathering 7:30 PM Praise Band Bits & Pieces
7:30 PM 8:15 PM
Mighty Peals of Boy Scout Patriot 7:30 PM Mostly Men
Joy District Committee Boy Scout Troop
7:30 PM 1131 Choir
Cmmte: Stewardship 7:30 PM
Church Council
29 30 31
9:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM
Cherub Choir Where Moms Maranatha Singers
9:45 AM Connect 11:00 AM
Sunday 3:15 PM Staff Meeting
School FACETS Meal
4:30 PM Prep. 6:30 PM
Mustard Seed 6:45 PM Girl ScoutsTroop
Productions Orchestra 559
5:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
Tai Chi ESOL Class Cub Scout Pack
5:30 PM 7:30 PM 1131
Youth Group Chancel Choir 7:00 PM
7:30 PM Source Band
Mighty Peals of
Joy
11

United Methodist Women is open to all women in the church. For more
information on any of our activities please pick up a red UMW Activity Sheet in

the Gathering Place or on the UMW Bulletin Board.


Betty Whitehurst Circle information, contact Bring a project that is

meets October 9 at 7:30 Betty Baumgartner (703- portable, your lunch, and
p.m. in Room C40. We 239-0125) or Sara a beverage. Contact: Jean

welcome any women who Alexander (703-470- Taylor (703-644- 9480 or
would like to join us for 2656). [email protected]).

fellowship, food, and Service4Others: will be New Dimension Circle:
devotions. We meet the hosting the Coffeehouse This e-mail circle is for

2nd Monday of the Concert with decorations women of our church
month. If you have and refreshments on who cannot participate in

questions please call October 21. The concert a monthly circle meeting,
Marion Gunnell (703-978 will benefit relief efforts but would like to be

- 1950) or Jane Keck (703 by UMCOR. For informed about current

-250- 1935). information contact UMW activities, present
Faithful Friends Circle: Cindy Sbrocco (703-764- concerns, and
does not meet in 8913) or Kathy information on UMW

October. We will meet in Hennemuth (703-239- and St. Stephen’s in

November. For info, 2871). general. Contact Linda
contact Valerie Bates (703 Creative Hearts, Baird (703-591-6023 or

-425-5470). Creative Hands: our [email protected]).
Frances Allen Circle: needlework ministry will UMW Board Meeting:

meets October 12 in the meet the 2nd and 4th We will meet November
Rob Forrest Room at St. Wednesdays of the 13 in Room C40 from

Stephen’s. The program month (October 11 and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For
has not been finalized. 25) from 10 a.m. to 2 questions please contact

For information, call p.m. in Room M9. Join us Suzanne Bottoms
Priscilla Parrott (703-865- for all or part of the time. ([email protected] or

6042) or Betty Ann Van 703-978- 4871).

Matre (703-663-7828). Book Club will not meet
Teen Circle meets in October, but will meet
October 15 at 11 a.m. in on November 16 at 10

Room M9. For more a.m. in Room C40. Refer




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United Methodist Women is open to all women in the church. For more
information on any of our activities please pick up a red UMW Activity Sheet in

the Gathering Place or on the UMW Bulletin Board.


to the Sunday Bulletin for stationery for the women

the next book selection. at Fluvanna as part of the
All are welcome to attend Christmas Gift Ministry.

whether you have read A basket is in the
the book or not. For Gathering Place

more information and/or specific plan for her, and with a list of items
any child care needs, that this plan would come needed and a place to

please contact Rachel to pass only if she leave the items. These
Martinez believed and acted in items will be picked up

([email protected] or certain ways. It was on October 19. Each of
703-425- 0480). difficult for her to make the approximate 1,300

Wednesday Women’s decisions about her life, inmates receive the gifts.

Bible Study: Join us as to own who she truly Save the Date for
we continue our study of was, who she wanted to Advent Coffee: On
Fearless by Max Lucado become, and what she December 2 at 9:30 a.m.,

on Wednesdays at 9:30 wanted to accomplish. The UMW and the

a.m. in Room M8. For After going through a Maranatha Singers are
more information contact divorce and making a big preparing for the Annual

Patti Keppler move, she realized that Advent Coffee with a
([email protected] or she needed to stop program of holiday

571-214- 4296) or Vicki believing voices of music. Along with the
Mazzocco authority who did not music program there will

([email protected] represent her. She found be a candle burning
t or 703-425-1820). God’s voice and she ceremony to honor or

The UMW Reading realized that it was her commemorate loved ones
Program: Femmevangelical: voice also. and a Christmas

The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fluvanna Correctional ornament exchange.

the Good News by Jennifer Center for Women: The Mark your calendar for
D. Crumpton. The Alexandria District UMW this wonderful beginning
author was raised to is collecting hygiene of the Holy Christmas

believe God had a items, greeting cards and season.




13

Youth Ministry News for 7-12 Graders






We had a great tailgate party to kick-off the


year and we are enjoying a great year!

October will include the Rise Against Hunger


night (with a teen-aged bonfire later that night

for teen volunteers), and we'll be finishing plans


for our Fall Retreat! Remember to join us

Sunday nights for Evening Chapel at 6:30 p.m.!















































@ssumc_youth

@saintstephensyouth


http://www.ststephensfairfax.org/opportunities-for-youth/


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Contact Information


Rev. Mark Mrini Anita Febbo
Senior Pastor Administrative Assistant

[email protected] [email protected]
Extension 104 Extension 100

Rev. Abi Foerster Leslie McAndrew
Associate Pastor Preschool Administrative Assistant

[email protected] [email protected]
Extension 103
Sarah Backes
Rev. Drew VanDyke Colby Assistant Youth Minister
Associate Pastor [email protected]

[email protected]
Extension 105 Mike Faunda
Director of Media Ministries
Tammy Lydon [email protected]

Director of Music Ministries
[email protected] Dr. Ingrid Lesturd
Extension 107 Children’s Music Ministry Coordinator
[email protected]

Veronica Mayes Esther Lee

Preschool Director Accompanist
[email protected]

703-978-9024 Harold Mansfield
Maintenance Engineer
Ashley Hill

Coordinator of Communications
[email protected]
St. Stephen’s

Karen Wells United Methodist Church
Office Manager
[email protected] 9203 Braddock Rd.,

Extension 102 Burke, VA 22015

Susan Snow 703-978-8724
Financial Manager ststephensfairfax.org
[email protected]

Extension 106


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October 2017




ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
9203 Braddock Rd. Burke, VA 22015



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