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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Shame and remorse have, to some extent, been replaced by purposelessness and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
Jesus.
By: Pastor Cameron Stirk
We, the Stirk family, want to say,
“I thank my God ‘thank you’ for your love, welcome,
every time I hospitality, encouragement, and
remember you.” sharing during our stay at St. Stephens
Philippians 1:3 over this last summer. It was a great
joy for us to meet you all – and to
Saying ‘thank you’ is one of the share in our common life of faith and
first lessons we teach our children – love. It has been the most renewing
and grandchildren! It is not only a and refreshing experience for us as a
matter of good manners, it is also a family and as individuals for a good
sign that we appreciate those who number of years. Thank you for
have done something for us. It values sharing faith in a way that built us up
the other – says, ‘I have noticed – and and has encouraged us onwards.
I am grateful’ – it reminds us that Thank you for opening your homes to
nothing in our lives is dependent entertain us and treat us as though
solely on us. It also corrects us in the you were ‘entertaining strangers’
thinking that we are not responsible (Hebrews 13: 2). Thank you for
for all our life experiences, but, rather
that everything we know, do, and accompanying us to some precious
experience is ultimately down to God. places and build memories for us that
will last a life-time. Thank you for
Paul, writing to the early Church allowing us to inhabit your culture,
in Philippi begins with his words of your city, your church – for in doing
thanksgiving. He appreciates their so we have learned so much about
support and prayers – and as a sign of you and God.
his faith in God, he teaches them, and
us, to always give thanks. To give Thank you for bearing with the
thanks at all times and in all situations.
To give thanks for the Church. And to quirkiness and
give thanks for God for all that he idiosyncrasies of the
English! It has been
great to come ‘home’
– but whilst we were
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
completely opposite. The majority of
By: Stephanie Oliver the residents were with us and the
fellowship was amazing. It was nice
New Hope Housing is a non- to see these men come together with
profit agency in Northern Virginia each other and with our group. They
committed to finding creative and ate dinner with us and everyone
lasting solutions to end the cycle of seemed to have something to share.
homelessness by offering services to
help change lives. One such solution I went with the intention of
is Gartlan House which provides providing a blessing to these men and
permanent supportive housing for left feeling that I was the one who had
eight chronically homeless adult men. received the blessing.
The program serves residents able to
function well with no more than eight 5
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.

A Devotional Story Church Service and finally Evening
Vesper service.
By: A Generous Soul
One day about the age of 10, I
Born in a rural Kentucky area to came home to discover that my
a Navy family, we found ourselves grandmother had taken ill. As the
posted to various evening progressed her condition
parts of the worsened and the family physician,
country and the who made house calls, came to the
world including house to see what could be done.
Panama, China, While the doctor was examining her
and the she began convulsing and the doctor
Philippines during my formative years. advised my grandfather that he had
Whenever opportunity presented, we just lost his wife. My grandfather, who
would return to Kentucky where both I had never seen cry before, started to
of my parents were born and raised cry. I was in an adjoining room and
for visits with relatives. As WWII started praying for her. The doctor
neared, we were living in Shanghai,
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
medication. Remarkably,
My dad returned with me to from what I believe was a
Kentucky where I was raised by his combination of my prayers and a
parents who had no children living at Guiding Hand by the Great Physician,
home at the time. My grandparents she recovered.
were in their 60s and I must have Although she was hospitalized
been a handful for them to raise and for a number of weeks, she
take care of me. My dad went on with went on to live for another
his Naval career with the outbreak of 30 years. I believe that the
WWII. I settled down to a reasonable Lord heard my prayers that
adolescent life and developed lots of evening and restored my
friends and social activities in the area. grandmother back to
We were a strongly devout southern health for a purpose which
family who read Bible stories, the she accomplished by her
Bible, conducted daily prayers, and love and guidance to me in a
regularly attended Sunday church devotional way.
services from Sunday School to

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Announcements

Rise Against Hunger Grace Ministries and Green
Groceries
St. Stephen’s will attack world hunger
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
ministry. Plan to come and bring your • Oct. 6: Green Groceries
family and friends to this fun and
meaningful event. There will be a D.J. • Oct. 27-28: Grace Ministries
while we work and food trucks
available for lunch • Nov. 3: Green Groceries
afterward. Previously
Stop Hunger Now. • Nov. 17-18: Thanksgiving Fest
Grace Ministries
The Tech-Wise Family
• Dec. 1: Green Groceries
Do you want your family to live in
harmony with technology? Then join • Dec. 16-17: Caring at Christmas
our “Read-In Group” starting after Grace Ministries
October 1. The time of the group is
customized to fit your schedule. We’ll Your help is needed and all ages are
read a few chapters of The Tech-Wise always welcome! You can:
Family together at the meeting then
discuss the presence of technology in • Donate gently used clothing
our lives, its effects, and its proper
place. To get started, email • Volunteer
[email protected].
• In November, donate Thanksgiving
food

• In December, donate wrapped toys

• Lift up these ministries in prayer

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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
A Disciple's Path complete a registration form
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
overview of our United Methodist Children’s Ministry Upcoming
heritage, how God is working in and Events:
through the people of St. Stephen's,
and how you can participate in our • October 15: 3rd Grade Bible
mission by taking the next step along Dedication
the path as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Join us at 11 a.m. for fellowship and • October 20: Mission Possible Kids
class begins at 11:15 a.m. Child care is (3rd-6th grade), 6-8 p.m.
provided. To sign up, email
[email protected]. • November 10: Movie Night, 7 p.m.

• November 17: Mission Possible
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
123 45
9:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM 6:30 AM 3:30 PM 6 7
Cherub Choir Where Moms Maranatha Youth Youth Frozen 5:00 PM 8:00 AM Rise
945 AM Connect Singers Breakfast Study Yogurt First Fridays - Against
Sunday School 6:45 PM 11:00 AM 9:15 AM 6:00 PM Green Hunger
Staff Meeting Groceries 10:30 AM
6:30 PM Great
4:30 PM Orchestra Wednesday Girl Scout Salvation
Mustard Seed 7:00 PM Women's Study Troop 559 Christian
6:00 PM 7:00 PM Fellowship,
Productions ESOL Class Girl Scouts Youth Free ESOL Class Liturgical
5:00 PM 7:30 PM Troop 559 Wings & Bible 7:30 PM Dance
Tai Chi Chancel Choir 6:30 PM Study Bits & Pieces
5:30 PM 7:30 PM Source 7:00 PM 8:15 PM
Youth Group Mighty Peals Planning Cmmte: Mostly Men
of Joy 7:00 PM Preschool Choir
Cub Scout 7:30 PM
Pack 1131
7:00 PM Boy Scout
Source Band Troop 1131
7:30 PM
7:30 PM Cmmte:
Cmmte: Outreach
Stewardship 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 10
9:45 AM Where Moms Singers Breakfast Study Yogurt
Sunday School Connect 11:00 AM 9:15 AM 5:30 PM
6:45 PM Staff Meeting Wednesday Girl Scout
4:30 PM Orchestra 5:30 PM Women's Study Daisy Troop
Mustard Seed 7:00 PM Brownie Troop 10:00 AM 1186
Productions ESOL Class #1186 Creative 6:00 PM
5:00 PM 7:30 PM Hearts/ Girl Scout
Tai Chi Betty 6:30 PM Creative Hands Troop 559
5:30 PM Whitehurst Girl Scouts 6:00 PM 6:30 PM
Youth Group Circle Troop 559 Youth Free Cmmte: Music
7:30 PM 7:00 PM Wings & Bible 7:00 PM
Chancel Choir Cub Scout Study Boy Scout
7:30 PM Pack 1131 6:30 PM Order of the
Mighty Peals 7:00 PM Cmmte: FIT Arrow
of Joy Source Band 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
7:30 PM Boy Scout Boy Scout
Cmmte: Troop 1131 Round Table
Stewardship 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
7:30 PM Cmmte: Church ESOL Class
Girl Scout & Society 7:30 PM
Service Unit 54 7:30 PM Bits & Pieces
-15 Stephen
Ministry 7:30 PM
New Horizon
Group
8:15 PM
Mostly Men
Choir

October 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
15 16 17 18 19 20
9:30 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM 6:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 21
Blood Where Moms Maranatha Singers Youth Brkfst Study Preschool-Cody Preschool- 10:00 AM
Pressure Connect 11:00 AM 9:15 AM & BJ Cody & BJ Great
Clinic 6:45 PM Staff Meeting Wed Wmen's Study 3:30 PM 3:30 PM Salvation
9:30 AM Orchestra 11:15 AM 11:00 AM Youth Frozen Youth Frozen Christian
Cherub Choir 7:00 PM Lunch With UMM Bible Study Yogurt Yogurt Fellowship,
9:45 AM ESOL Class Friends 12:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Choir
Sunday 7:30 PM 6:30 PM Retired Men's Lunch Girl Scout Girl Scout 6:00 PM
School Chancel Choir Girl Scouts Troop 6:00 PM Troop 559 Optimist
4:00 PM 559 Youth Free Wings & Troop 559 7:00 PM Club of
Deadline for 7:30 PM 7:00 PM Bible Study 7:00 PM ESOL Class Central
SCROLL Mighty Peals Cub Scout Pack 7:00 PM ESOL Class 7:30 PM Fairfax
Articles of Joy 1131 Cmmte: Youth 7:30 PM Bits & Pieces 7:00 PM
4:30 PM 7:00 PM Ministry Bits & Pieces 8:15 PM Coffee
Source Band 7:30 PM Boy Scout 8:15 PM Mostly Men House
Mustard Seed 7:30 PM Troop 1131 Mostly Men Choir Concert
Productions Cmmte: 7:30 PM Choir
5:00 PM Stewardship Children & Family
Tai Chi Council
7:30 PM
5:30 PM Cmmte: 50+
Youth Group
7:30 PM
Cmmte: Finance

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
9:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 7:30 AM
Cherub Preschool Fall Preschool Fall 6:30 AM Preschool Fall Preschool Fall Grace
Choir Festival Festival Youth Breakfast Festival Festival Ministries
9:45 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM Study 3:30 PM 4:00 PM
Sunday Where Moms Maranatha Singers 8:00 AM Youth Frozen Grace
School Connect 11:00 AM Preschool Fall Yogurt Ministries Set-
6:45 PM Staff Meeting Festival 5:30 PM Up
4:30 PM Orchestra 5:30 PM 9:15 AM Girl Scout Daisy 7:00 PM
Mustard 7:00 PM Brwnie Troop #1186 Wednesday Troop 1186 Piano Recital
Seed Brownie Troop 6:30 PM Women's Study 6:00 PM
Productions #1465 Girl Scout Troop 559 10:00 AM Girl Scout Troop
5:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Creative Hearts/ 559
Tai Chi ESOL Class Cub Scout Pack 1131 Creative Hands 7:00 PM
5:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM
Youth Chancel Choir Source Band Youth Free Wings & ESOL Class
Group 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Bible Study 7:30 PM
Men's Gathering Boy Scout Patriot 6:30 PM Bits & Pieces
7:30 PM District Committee Grace Ministries 8:15 PM
Mighty Peals of 7:30 PM Praise Band
Joy Cmmte: Stewardship 7:30 PM Mostly Men
Boy Scout Troop Choir
1131
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 6:30 PM
4:30 PM Prep. Girl ScoutsTroop
Mustard Seed 6:45 PM 559
Productions Orchestra 7:00 PM
5:00 PM 7:00 PM Cub Scout Pack
Tai Chi ESOL Class 1131
5:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM
Youth Group Chancel Choir Source Band
7:30 PM
Mighty Peals of
Joy

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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.

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.

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Youth Ministry News for 7-12 Graders

We had a great tailgate party to kick-offthe
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 100

Extension 104 Leslie McAndrew
Preschool Administrative Assistant
Rev. Abi Foerster
Associate Pastor [email protected]

[email protected] Sarah Backes
Assistant Youth Minister
Extension 103
[email protected]
Rev. Drew VanDyke Colby
Associate Pastor Mike Faunda
Director of Media Ministries
[email protected] [email protected]

Extension 105 Dr. Ingrid Lesturd

Tammy Lydon Children’s Music Ministry Coordinator
Director of Music Ministries
[email protected]
[email protected]
Esther Lee
Extension 107 Accompanist

Veronica Mayes Harold Mansfield
Preschool Director Maintenance Engineer

[email protected] St. Stephen’s
United Methodist Church
703-978-9024 9203 Braddock Rd.,
Burke, VA 22015
Ashley Hill 703-978-8724
Coordinator of Communications ststephensfairfax.org

[email protected] 15

Karen Wells
Office Manager

[email protected]

Extension 102
Susan Snow

Financial Manager

[email protected]

Extension 106

October 2017

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

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