In the Christian calendar, we begin the year with Advent, which started last Sunday. Restoration has again created a Daily Prayer Guide which will give you Scripture readings and prayers for every day of the coming year. We hope you use it to grow deeper with God. There is one for everyone– so make sure you pick up yours in the narthex on Sunday! (We also make it available online.)
We give thanks to God for our new members of Vestry!
Christine, Susan, and Chad will serve for the next three years. During that time, our church will be listening to God and each other as we develop a new strategic plan and keep offering the programs and opportunities that allow good things to grow here. I am grateful to everyone who said they were willing to serve on vestry (over 45 of you were nominated!) and grateful for the ways this team keeps our church stretching forward in faith to be a part of what God is doing.
We give thanks to God for Rev. TJ Ono!
TJ has served as Restoration’s curate for the last 15 months. He has built up our Alpha offerings, led small groups, taught confirmation classes, served on Sundays, and walked alongside many people as they grow closer to Jesus. We are grateful for what God has done through TJ and in TJ while he has been at Restoration. He has discerned his next yes and written a letter to our congregation. Thank you, TJ.
To my dear friends of Restoration Anglican Church,
About eighteen months ago, I packed all my belongings into my Volkswagen Jetta and drove nine hours down the East Coast, from Boston to the DMV. Not knowing exactly what I had said “yes” to, I was both eager and anxious about the journey ahead. But I was confident that this was my next “yes.” And to my deep pleasure, what awaited me on the other side of that 471-mile journey was you.
You were so ready to receive me. You opened your calendars, homes, and hearts to me. You shared countless meals, walks, and coffees with me. You showed me your favorite places in the DMV and explored new ones with me. But most of all, you shared your stories and your hearts with me. And you received mine with gentleness, kindness, and empathy. You treated me as a friend, a brother. Thank you for the love you have shown me.
For months, many of you have asked me what is next. You always assured me that it was okay not to know, that I didn’t have to share unless I wanted to, and that you were in my corner — no matter what! I walked away from these conversations feeling assured, for you saw God’s work in my life. God has used your perspective to help me see God’s work in my own life. This gift ministered deeply to me.
As my curacy comes to a close, I have come to immense clarity about my next “yes.” God gave me two words to guide my discernment into this next season – place and pace – specifically, the District and slowness.
In the midst of thinking about church planting, I knew place and pace would be essential to my emerging epoch. During the last few months, the Spirit slowly revealed form to the concepts He gave me. I discerned that I am to spend a few years slowly getting to know the neighborhoods and neighbors of DC, before “planting” a new parish. Practically this means that I have begun the search for a non-church job that allows me to move into the District. I want to offer a portion of my time for free to a local congregation who may feel stretched for pastoral personnel. And I deeply want to be a thoughtful and intentional small group leader in DC. I cannot help but feel excited and confident about this plan, because it is so congruent with my convictions and values!
To conclude, I want to say thank you. Thank you for the friendship you offered me. Thank you for believing in and praying for me. And thank you for being the congregation who walked me into ordained Anglican life. When I first drove my Jetta to 1815 N. Quincy Street, I was timid about re-entering pastoral ministry. But on the other side of this curacy — on the other side of encountering you — I will forever tell the story that I experienced restoration at Restoration. Thank you, my dear friends. I am profoundly grateful.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. TJ Ono
Two Opportunities to Grow
Our friends at The Telos Group are offering an an immersive experience through the US South which is designed to help participants know, own and write a more honest American story. It will happen March 20-26, 2025. You can find out more information here. If you are interested in this opportunity, you must send an email to Scott by Sunday, December 8
Next Thursday at 7 pm at Marymount University, Sojourner Truth Comes Alive! This is a play about one-time Arlington resident Sojourner Truth. After the show, folks from Restoration will gather at Metro 29 Diner for conversation and a bite to eat. Come out for a good evening of Arlington history and meet someone new from our church.
