Saint Peter's in the Woods Episcopal Church

Here follows an excerpt from the church's website:

History & About The Episcopal Church
We were founded as a church plant in 1988 by the Church of the Good Shepherd in nearby Burke, and were financially supported by the Diocese while we grew our ministry. Services began in 1989 in Bonnie Brae Elementary School, which remained our place of worship until we moved into our current building in Fairfax Station in January, 1998.

In 2013, St. Peter’s in the Woods achieved status as a full parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, meaning we are now a fully independent and self-supporting parish.

We’re a relatively young church, rooted in an historic faith tradition, but not afraid to try new things as we live into the church God is calling us to be.

St. Peter’s in the Woods is an Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ. We are connected through local, regional, diocesan and national structures that help us do ministry together, serving God and the world. The Episcopal church is made up of 109 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations. The Most Rev. Michael Curry is the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world. Today, the Anglican Communion comprises more than 80 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 160 countries. At the head of the Anglican Communion is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions:

St. Peter’s in the Woods — Fairfax County’s First Old-Growth Community Forest
September 17, 2024
By Andreana Jinjue Lin

“The best memories of my childhood are connected to the natural world.” — Stella Pekarsky, Virginia State Senator

On Saturday, September 14, St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church celebrated a monumental milestone as they were officially inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network, the only national organization focused on preserving old-growth, native forests. The church’s five-acre forest, certified as a Native Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary by Plant NoVA Natives and Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, boasts oaks, tulip poplars, and American beech trees that are between 70 and 100 years old. This forest holds even deeper significance as it sits on the ancestral lands of the Manahoac tribe.

The ceremony opened with a prayer and blessing by Reverend Susan Hartzell, followed by a reflection from Stacey Remick of the church’s Creation Care Ministry, highlighting their ongoing sustainability efforts. Brian Kane from the Old Growth Forest Network led the formal induction, marking a new chapter for this cherished woodland. Virginia State Senator Stella Pekarsky and Delegate Dan Helmer shared personal stories about the impact nature has had on their lives ever since childhood. Closing up the ceremony, FACS Executive Director Chris Topoleski spoke to the church’s leadership and its pivotal role in the community.

St. Peter’s in the Woods was one of the first MOU signers to join FACS’ Power of Faith program. Receiving a matching grant from FACS, they have already upgraded their appliances and infrastructure to better feed and serve their community. The congregation has also been active advocates for pro-climate legislation and participates in FACS’ Tree of Life program, which focuses on combating the biodiversity crisis.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a reception filled with delicious home-baked treats before embarking on a peaceful walk through the church’s meditation trail. The scenic route also featured the church’s various gardens, including a native plant garden, a memorial garden, and a giving garden where they grow peppers, squash, and green beans for donation to Burke United Methodist Church’s food pantry.

“As the first Old Growth community forest in Fairfax County, you are a true champion of change, serving as a prime example of what it means to have ‘local climate solutions powered by faith communities.'” — Chris Topoleski, FACS Executive Director