The Falls Church Episcopal - Falls Church, Virginia

Raul E.

Ampliación de la Iglesia ⛪️

Sorkabeth

A warm, welcoming, wonderful church community that fully supports and includes people of all types. The historic church building is beautiful, the newer building hosts many of the services, Sunday school, vacation bible school (it was Harry Potter themed this year), and a lovely coffee hour. They are very welcoming to families with children and do not hesitate to put bouncy castles in the historic grave yard for special events.

Pamela M.

Seems like a caring, diverse & healthy congregation. We wanted to see the Palm Sunday street processional. It was great music, energy & we felt welcomed.

Steve H.

Father burl is it great addition to anyone in any congregation where he serves. I promise you. If you have hate in your heart and just can't get past it you are missing out on a great human being who can guide you and in your times of weakness and strength. Just look at his smile in the photo and tell me that's not a compassionat human. I have referred that look as a confidence grin amongst former bosses had jobs and it is comforting. If you have any doubts about my experience or his intentions I challenge you to message me directly and prove me wrong.

Lee R.

A welcoming Episcopal church open to many participants of varied backgrounds and beliefs.

My most recent visit was to the Thrifty Church Mouse which sells used household items and clothes. The hours are limited--only 10 to 3 on Fridays and Saturdays and not at all during religious weeks such as Holy Week and Christmas, but the prices are often less than half those at Goodwill. Has been a good source for my wardrobe as well as baby shower and Christmas gifts.

My next most recent visit was to play bridge on Tuesday morning, a game at The Falls Church that one 91 year old participant says we play seriously but do not take seriously. Note that new players at all levels of skill are welcome, but must reserve in advance so that we can make up tables of 4 (and might have to be waitlisted).

Lara R.

The Falls Church Episcopal is a warm, welcoming parish with incredible passion for Christ, community, and service. It is also a fascinating mix of history and new energy. While the church predates the City, the congregation is the best kind of start-up. After a more conservative faction of the church (nationally and locally) left to join the Anglican church, the Falls Church Episcopal finds itself with a dedicated group of progressive, inclusive, joy-filled members.

My wife and I (and 2 year old son) joined the church about a year and a half ago. I tend to be introverted, but from day one, I was welcomed and immediately plugged in. John Ohmer is the pastor, and he is real power in the pulpit. The Virginia Diocese sent us a rock star to help restart the church, and we feel fortunate every day. His theology is inspired and stimulating, his counsel is wise and comforting, and he is simply a fun guy.

One more thing - the coffee hour is legendary. It's worth trying out the church on a Sunday even just for the banquet that's provided after.

Paul A.

In the summer of 2013 my family and I were welcomed into The Falls Church Episcopal as new arrivals from Arizona. In fact, our Episcopal community in Phoenix recommended that we specifically seek this community out. Something special was happening there that we might want to be a part of, we were told. Just go check it out.

And so we arrived over Memorial Day, 2013, in the historic church, which was less than half full. After getting our first, satisfying taste of a John Ohmer sermon -- plain-spoken, humble, wise and funny -- we stayed for coffee hour, which grew to coffee 90 minutes. We hadn't even moved here yet (we were just in town house hunting at this point), but made friends whom we keep today. Our kids met friends their age, too (and learned the virtues of free food at coffee hour!). We went back to Arizona that May, contented in the knowledge that we had found both a physical home and a spiritual home on our brief visit.

By the time we'd returned permanently to Falls Church in August, we came back to our two homes, and have been nestled in ever since. Our kids have joined the Falls Churchlings choir group, and Rhian and I help out how we can in this close-knit, family-friendly spiritual community. All the while, the community has grown and grown, from dozens to hundreds of congregants, young and old, newborn to octogenarian.

Our Phoenix priest was right: Something special is happening here, and we do want to be a part of it. We're so grateful we checked it out.

Chandrasekhar A.

Racism staff, no etiquette, partiality.

I enrolled in February 2018 for my 2 years old kid for year 2018-19 which went to waiting list as first student. But we never got any email or phone call about the possibility for admission. We visited multiple times for the admission possibility. Lisa Ascunce, one of Director who is very harsh and racist answered very rudely. She comments about the immigration status saying I can come back if my immigration status is fine for the year 2019-20. I have never seen such racist personality especially in church schools.

Generally I don’t like to give negative comments about anything. But now I am giving this. This is my frustration based on experience with Lisa. I have two kids and admitted my other kid into other church school.

So for year 2019-20 we submitted application on very beginning of January 2019 with check requesting Monday to Thursday with add-on Friday class. On 31-Jan-2019 got call saying no slots available Monday to Friday as per the application which is frustrated. If it is not available, at least they can put into 4 days or 3 days classes. Rather than that she offered 2 days school for which we are not interested. We have been waiting for this school admission for more than a year. Now even after submitting the application in time, we didn’t get the seat which is disappointing.

Lisa mentioned the reasons for not allocating the seat for my 3 year old kid saying that seats are already allocated to the kids for back to school and church parent kids.

I have few things to ask the school management:
1. Why didn’t they inform to mention optional classes selection while putting the application?
2. Why didn’t the school staff informed about allocation process while putting the application?
At least they should have asked to mention optional classes selection like 4 days or 3 days.

Finally we are so disappointed by school staff especially by Lisa Ascunce by waiting more than a year for admission. It is an insult to parent which is nothing racism by her words. Even on 31-Jan-2019 her conversation is rude and recklessness.

I am so disappointed by her behavior.