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| Older NewsDecember 2010Christmas Eve Service: 9:00 PM Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas. The word advent is from Latin and means "coming to." During Advent we think of the coming to us of Jesus Christ: first as a baby, 2,000 years ago in the manger at Bethlehem; and second as king at the end of time, to judge both the living and the dead. Advent is a season of reflection and hopeful expectation. The liturgical color is purple (or blue), and the Gloria in excelsis and other joyful hymns are omitted during the Holy Eucharist. More on Advent: Advent is a season of preparation, reflection, and hopeful expectation. The fact that our modern American culture celebrates Christmas during Advent and then puts away the Christmas decorations on the day after Christmas need not deter us from keeping the seasons in accordance with Christian tradition. As a side note, the four-color liturgical color scheme of purple, red, green, and white, familiar to so many today, is not indigenous to Anglicanism, but was adopted during the 19th century from the then-prevailing usage of the Roman Catholic Church. The practice in English churches prior to the Reformation was not nearly so rigid or uniform, and there were a variety of color schemes in different churches and dioceses (this was also the case within the Roman Catholic Church prior to the 16th-century Council of Trent). One very common English usage was plain white linen for Lent, dark red for the last two weeks of Lent, blue during Advent, red for most Sundays of the year, and even yellow, green, or blue, or sometimes a mixture, for certain feast days. The older English color scheme was revived in England during the 20th century, especially at the English cathedrals, and has since become common in many Anglican and Episcopal churches throughout the world. Advent Wreath: The Advent wreath, which has German origins, is probably the most recognized Advent custom. It is a wreath made of evergreens that is bound to a circle of wire. The wreath holds four equally spaced candles, the three purple ones lit on the penitential Sundays and a pink one for Gaudete, the joyful third Sunday in Advent. October-November 2010Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. Please exercise your civil right and duty and vote on Nov. 3. Pray that Almighty God will raise up godly leadership throughout our Nation. Prayer before an Election: Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Guide and direct, we humbly beseech thee, the minds of all those who are called at this time to elect fit persons to serve in the Congress of the United States. Grant that in the exercise of their choice they may promote thy glory, and the welfare of this nation. And this we beg for the sake of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Farewell Party for the Holmeses--Nov. 7: Our Parish farewell party for Brad, Carrie, and Natalie Holmes, who are being transferred to Pensacola, FL, will be held at Old Comfort, the home of Jim and Bet Vermillion, next Sunday, Nov. 7th, immediately following the liturgy. Diocesan Choir Festival: St. Peter's Church in Christiansburg, VA will host a choir festival led by Diocesan Choirmaster Bernard Riley. This event will be held Friday, Nov. 5 through Saturday, Nov. 6. Information and registration forms are on the Parish bulletin board. Diocesan Pre-Advent Retreat: This year's retreat will be held Friday, Nov. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 20 at the English Inn in Charlottesville. Information and registration forms are on the Parish bulletin board. June-July 2010This summer Fr. Rob has been preaching a series of sermons on the New Testament Epistle to the Romans, beginning with chapter 1. The overriding theme of this magnificent Biblical book is the nature of the Gospel message of salvation offered to humanity through the life and death of Jesus Christ. One of the pressing questions of so many people in Western society who are not Christians when they hear that "Jesus saves," is "but what do I need to be saved from?" St. Paul the Apostle provides the answer to this question as well as many other matters in this brilliant theological book. May 2010The Vestry of St. John's met May 19th. The Treasurer reported that our income is currently running about 27% higher than we anticipated when we passed the budget in December. As a result the Vestry will be looking into expanded outreach opportunities. The Vestry also agreed to establish a Building Fund for St. John's. The Youth of St. John's will be going to Busch Gardens on June 6. February 2010New Service Time Starting in March - 9:00am. Beginning in March, we will be starting our celebration of the Holy Eucharist one-half hour later. Our hope is that the later time will encourage more new people to join with us in worship, prayer, and praise. Suggestions for Lent: The Church recommends the Three Notable Duties of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, enjoined by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Prayer: Take one step forward this Lent in this holy habit. A good rule is to pray once more per day than you presently do. If you dont pray at all, begin now to say at least the Lordâs Prayer each day. Fasting: Self-denial, tempered by reason, brings growth in character. Most of us live lives of comfort and ease. Sacrifices in food, drink, and bodily comfort will subdue the flesh to the spirit. Deny yourself things you don't need: trashy reading, unprofitable TV or Internet, junk food, eating between meals. Almsgiving: Almsgiving is the setting aside of money, goods, or time for the special service of God. The Christian ideal is to give one tenth of our income to God's purposes. This Lent find some person or cause as a beneficiary, such as an isolated person, a neglected child, or a worthy charity. December 2009Christmas Eve Service - 9:00pm: We will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 24, starting at 9:00pm with Christmas Carols and a Festive Holy Communion. Everyone is encouraged to invite a friend, neighbor, or acquaintance to church with them this Christmas Eve. September 2009Sermon Series: Our rector (pastor) has been preaching a series of Sunday sermons on the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.The books of 1 and 2 Samuel deal with the establishment of kingship in Israel and its theological significance. The books begin with Israel still under a decentralized system of the judges (1100 B.C.) and end with the Israelite monarchy firmly in place (970 B.C.). The questions of whether and how the monarchy should be established dominate the first portions of 1 Samuel. These are followed by the question of who should be the king of Israel. The two books revolve around three of the Bible's most famous characters: Samuel, Saul, and David. Sunday School: Our fall program of Christian education for both young people and adults began on Sept. 13. Our youth are learning about the virtues of chastity and abstinence, based on Mary Beth Bonancci's book Real Love. Our adults are studying the Book of Common Prayer and worship in the Prayer Book tradition. Remembering 9/11: We pray for the blessed memory and eternal repose of the souls of the innocent victims of the barbaric attack of September 11th, of those who unjustly lost their lives and of those who heroically fell in the line of duty attempting to help these victims. We also pray for the families of the victims, that they may be granted help and strength from above, and for those wounded by this unjust attack, for their salvation and complete restoration to health. July 2009Pool Party & Cookout: Members and friends of St. John's gathered for what has become an annual summer tradition in our parish: a pool party and cookout. This year's event was hosted by the Whitakers. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and cold drinks, along with some delicious side dishes, were served. Several people from St. Matthew's, Newport News joined us for a fun-filled day of Christian fellowship. June 2009Day of Prayer and Reflection: On June 6 parishioners from St. John's joined with parishioners from St. Matthew's, Newport News, at Norfolk Botanical Gardens for a time of prayer, meditation, lunch, and fellowship. Michelle Huiet planned, organized, and led this event, which was a real blessing to all who attended. We look forward to other joint gatherings with St. Matthew's such as a possible picnic later this summer. NCD Survey: Natural Church Development (NCD) is about growing the local church using Biblical principles to release the potential that God has already implanted in our lives. Based on research in more than 40,000 churches in all six continents, NCD describes universal principles that are applicable regardless of culture or spiritual style. NCD focuses on increasing the quality of a church rather than on numerical growth goals. The Rector and Vestry of St. John's have decided to try NCD in our church. The first step is for church members to complete an NCD survey, which will be used to gauge the current health of our church. New Prayer Books: We have 25 new 1928 Prayer Books for use in church to replace our old hand-me-downs. We welcome donations toward the cost of these new Prayer Books, which was $18 per book. Checks can be made payable to St. John's with "new Prayer Books" in the memo line. Diocesan Synod: The 32nd Annual Synod (Convention) of our Diocese was held June 11-13 in Newport News. St. John's was represented by Michelle Huiet, Brad Holmes, and Fr. Rob. Bishop McClean reported a slight decrease in communicants since last year and emphasized the need for evangelism by all of us, particularly the personal invitation of family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to church. The Diocesan Evangelism Committee gave a presentation recommending the use of the Internet (including youtube.com and facebook.com) to tell others about our church. A diocesan budget of $181,500 was adopted, $2,100 less than last year. While the business meeting of the Synod was, as usual, very "cut and dried," our delegates enjoyed the worship and fellowship with others from our diocese. May 2009In response to a parishioner's questions, Fr. Rob has been preaching a series of sermons on the atonement, or, what did the death of Jesus Christ on the cross accomplish? Deepening Our Christian Spirituality: Our Adult Bible Study Group has continued to read and discuss Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Most U.S. Christians Don't Believe Satan, Holy Spirit Exist: According to a recent article in the Christian Post, the majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity, the latest Barna survey found. Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil," the survey found. Likewise, most Christians in the United States do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force. Fifty-eight percent strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that the Holy Spirit is "a symbol of God's power or presence but is not a living entity." Trends such as these demonstrate both the confusion rampant among Christians today as well as the critical need for sound, orthodox, Bible-based teaching and preaching in our churches, which is what we strive to do here at St. John's. Diocesan Summer Camp for children ages 8-15 will be held this year July 12-18 at Camp Hanover, near Richmond, VA. Registration forms are available on the diocesan website (www.anglicancatholic.org/dmas). HOLY WEEK SERVICESMaundy Thursday (April 9) - 7:00 PM Good Friday (April 10) - 3:00 PM Holy Saturday (April 11) - 8:00 PM Easter Day (April 12) - 8:30 AM February 2009Fridays in Lent: We will meet on the Fridays in Lent for a light Lenten supper followed by the Stations of the Cross. Celebration of Discipline: Richard Foster's classic book on liberation and spiritual growth through the traditional Christian Disciplines will be the focus of our Lenten study this year. All are welcome to attend. Please call the church office for more information or to register. Suggestions for Lent: The Church recommends the Three Notable Duties of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, enjoined by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Prayer: Take one step forward this Lent in this holy habit. A good rule is to pray once more per day than you presently do. If you don't pray at all, begin now to say at least the Lord's Prayer each day. Fasting: Self-denial, tempered by reason, brings growth in character. Most of us live lives of comfort and ease. Sacrifices in food, drink, and bodily comfort will subdue the flesh to the spirit. Deny yourself things you don't need: trashy reading, unprofitable TV, junk food, eating between meals. Almsgiving: Almsgiving is the setting aside of money, goods, or time for the special service of God. The Christian ideal is to give one tenth of our income to God's purposes. This Lent find some person or cause as a beneficiary, such as an isolated person, a neglected child, or a worthy charity. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Shrove Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras, is Tuesday, February 24. We will gather at the home of a parishioner to celebrate. Call the church office for information. Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 25. The Imposition of Ashes, Penitential Office, and Holy Communion will be offered at the church (in our Sunday School rooms) starting at 7:00pm. Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Michelle Huiet led a teaching on the spiritual gifts to the Adult Study class on Feb. 22. Brunch with Memorial UMC: On Sunday, March 1, we celebrate our covenant relationship with Memorial United Methodist Church with a special Coffee Hour/brunch. January 2009Looking Back and Ahead: 2008 was a year of many blessings for St. John's. During this 4th year of our existence, we had 5 baptisms of young children, 3 confirmations, 3 receptions into the Anglican Catholic Church, 2 new births, and 1 expectant mother. We had our first parish retreat and our first parish-wide outreach event (to Union Mission). We hired a part-time parish secretary along with a nursery attendant. We are grateful to Almighty God for these blessings, and, with His help, we will continue this momentum going into 2009. In particular, we plan to implement a plan and program for numerical church growth. Fall-Winter 2008The Annual Parish meeting was held on Sunday, Dec. 14. Reports were given by the Rector, Senior Warden, and Treasurer. A budget of $42,041 was adopted for 2009. Michelle Huiet and Sam Shakespeare were elected to the Vestry, replacing Kathryn Tisdale and Jim Vermillion, whose terms had expired. Outreach to Union Mission: Our first parish-wide outreach event was held Friday evening, Dec. 19. Thirteen people from St. John's went to Union Mission's facility on Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk. We bagged frozen turkeys and put together boxes of canned goods for distribution to needy families. We also stocked shelves and organized canned goods in the warehouse. Following the work, everyone returned to the church for a pizza dinner. This was a fun and heart-warming experience, and we look forward to doing it again. Many thanks to all who participated, particularly Jim and Bet Vermillion, who led and coordinated the event. We began financial support and prayers for the Tidewater Crisis Pregnancy Center. We have begun a time for prayer and intercession each Sunday morning at 8:00am in the church. The Adult Sunday School class studied the Book of Nehemiah, while the children have been led and taught in a series of topics including our vocations; the books of the Bible; and the role of the sacraments in our lives as Christians. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis, St. John's held its first ever Blessing of Animals. This was a Parish Outreach event to our community that we plan to continue in the years to come. Four children were joyously received into the fellowship of the Church by the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Oct. 5. They are Jacob (age 8), Jesse (age 9), Kaitlyn (age 4), and Claire (newborn), the children of Ed Gallop and Heather Fretwell. Godparents are St. John's own Michelle and Caleb Hueit. Our first ever Parish Retreat was held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The focus of the retreat was on discovering and using our spiritual gifts. A dozen people attended. Many thanks to Michelle Huiet for planning the retreat and leading the teaching. We plan to repeat the teaching for those St. John's folks who weren't able to attend. We have a new Sunday School curriculum for our young people. It is the classic Teals curriculum, which teaches the Christian faith from a traditional, orthodox Anglican perspective. Ed Gallop is leading our youth Sunday School. The Women of St. John's met on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the home of Kathryn Tisdale in Chesapeake. Summer 2008We are planning a day of spiritual reflection, prayer, and fellowship this Fall. It will be a retreat focusing on discovering our spiritual gifts. We are hiring a part-time Parish Secretary to answer our telephone and provide administrative assistance. Many of St. John's members recently underwent Safe Sanctuary Training. The specific purpose of the training is so that volunteers can work in the nursery in the rare event that our paid nursery attendant is unable to be here on a Sunday. In light of recent revelations of abuse in other Churches, we want to do everything we can to ensure that our young people have a safe and secure environment when they are present at church or participating in church-related activities. Wanted: Volunteers to help with any of the following:
No experience necessary. Training will be provided. April-May 2008Our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. William McClean, made his annual episcopal visitation to St. Johnâs on April 27. Bishop McClean confirmed and received six people into our parish and diocese and instituted the Rev. Robert J. Whitaker, Ph.D., as St. John's first rector. The Women of St. John's hosted a Special Coffee Hour & Reception for our Bishop, confirmands, and Rector following the Service. Our rector recently participated in a retreat on ways of planting new traditional Anglican churches and building up existing ones. The retreat was held in in Newport Beach, California and was sponsored by the Missionarary Society of St. Paul. Pentecost concludes the great fifty days of celebration that began at Easter. One the three great feasts of the Christian Year, it recalls the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-11). The Jewish feast of Pentecost (or "Weeks") commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which was kept on the fiftieth day after Passover. Whitsunday, an old English name for Pentecost, derives from "White Sunday," and alludes to the white robes worn by the newly baptized on this day, since climatic conditions made Pentecost a popular day for baptisms in England and other northern European countries during the Middle Ages. New Testament Titles for the Holy Spirit Biblical Symbols for the Holy Spirit March 2008Episcopal Visitation - Sunday, April 27: Our Bishop, the Right Reverend William McClean, will be making his annual visitation to St. John's on Sunday, April 27. Bishop McClean will confirm several people, officially receive others into the Anglican Catholic Church, institute Fr. Rob as the first Rector of St. John's, and preach at the Holy Eucharist. Please plan now to be here on April 27th to welcome our Father-in-God and successor to the Holy Apostles. Easter Day, March 23, 8:30am. Easter Day is the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest and most joyous day of the Christian Year. On this day Jesus rose from the dead in victorious triumph over the forces of sin, Satan, and death. By this event he not only proved that he was indeed the Messiah of God, but he also guaranteed eternal life for all who believe in him. We will celebrate this happy occasion with a Festive Holy Eucharist, renewal of baptismal vows, and special music. Holy Saturday, March 22, 8:00pm. In the 1st century Church, both the Passion and the Resurrection of Christ were celebrated at a single service during the night of Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday, culminating in baptisms and the Holy Eucharist at dawn. By the 4th century, the Paschal Vigil Service came to center upon the Resurrection, and the Paschal Candle, with its symbolism of light, was introduced. We will keep a simplified form of the Vigil Service, with prayers and readings from Holy Scripture, beginning at 8:00pm. Good Friday, March 21, 3:00pm. On this day Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and was buried. For Anglican Catholics, Good Friday is a day of fasting (see BCP, page li). We will remember the Lord's saving death for us on that day with a Good Friday Liturgy starting at 3:00pm. Our priest will also be available after the Service for anyone who would like to make a private confession of sins. Maundy Thursday, March 20, 8:00pm. On this night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper, also called the Holy Communion and the Holy Eucharist, "as a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again" (BCP, page 80). We will celebrate the Lord's Supper followed by the Foot Washing Ceremony ("The Maundy"), the Stripping of the Altar, and Vigil before the Altar of Repose starting at 8:00pm. The Vigil is in memory of Jesusâ words to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane: âCould you not watch with me for one hour?â (Matthew 26:40). Palm Sunday, March 16, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian Year. The Book of Common Prayer appoints proper readings for each day of Holy Week (pp. 138-162). The Gospel readings focus on the passion, trial, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. January-February 2008Sermon Series: On Jan. 27, Fr. Rob began a series of sermons on the basic articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the Apostles' Creed. Adult Inquirer's/Confirmation Class: On Jan. 27, during the Sunday School hour, we began a new Adult Inquirer's/Confirmation Class. The class is an introduction to traditional Anglican faith, worship, and practice. Topics include basic Christian beliefs, the sacraments, Church history, the liturgy, the Church calendar, the life of prayer, and Christian duties. All are welcome to attend. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also called The Purification of St. Mary the Virgin and Candlemas, is remembered on Feb. 2. The Gospel reading for this feast relates how Jesus, Mary, and Joseph went to the Temple for Mary's post-natal ceremonies. There, two senior citizens in the Spirit greeted them with prophetic utterances. St. Simeon announced the Christ Child to be "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of [God's] people, Israel." Candlemas is a feast of lights halfway through the winter, as its secular name, Groundhog Day, indicates. It is an ancient custom for candles to be blessed and carried in procession on this day. See the Book of Common Prayer, page 231. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is Feb. 6. Mass, Penitential Office, and Distribution of Ashes will be offered at 7:00pm at the church in our Sunday School room. November-December 2007At our Second Annual Parish meeting, held Dec. 9, we elected two members to the Vestry and adopted our Parish Budget for 2008. We will celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Dec. 24, starting at 9:00 PM with Lessons, Carols, and a Traditional Anglican Mass. The Women of St. John's will meet on Sat., Dec. 15. October 2007St. John's has launched a new blog, The Good Word. We hope that this blog will provide insights into the life, beliefs, and practices of our church. We would like to engage in polite dialogue with others regarding faith, worship, spirituality, the Christian life, and other similar issues of common concern. The newly formed Women of St. John's held their first meeting on Sat., Oct. 13. The next meeting will be held in November. Our young people have been studying how to defend their Christian faith to nonbelievers and those who may question them. Fr. Rob attended the 17th Provincial Synod of the Anglican Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 10-12. This is our Church's version of General Convention. September 2007The start of our Christian education and Sunday School program for 2007-08 will begin Sept. 16. Our adults will spend a month or two reading and discussing How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. This will be preceded by a basic introduction to the books and structure of the Bible. Our young people will be led in a four-week study of how to defend their Christian faith titled "Defense Against the Dark Arts." A Women of St. John's group is forming. The initial meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13. Many thanks to Simon and Marisa Nance for hosting the St. John's family at their home for a superb cookout and fun-filled swim party on Aug. 26. August 2007Father Rob has been giving a series of expository Biblical messages each Sunday on the Book of Genesis. Topics have included the creation of the world and of human beings, God's original plan for human beings and our subsequent choices, the origin of sin and of human unhappiness, the origin of human violence and bloodshed, the story of Noah, the Tower of Babel, and the call of Abraham. In our Adult Bible Study, we have been viewing a superb series of videos produced by Focus on the Family that depict and explain the geographical and cultural settings of various Biblical incidents in the Holy Land. June-July 2007St. John's Youth Group has continued to meet each Sunday under the leadership of Brad Holmes. They have also taken several fun trips recently. Diocesan Summer Camp was held July 15-21 at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA. Four young persons from St. John's attended the camp. Food Pantry: In partnership with Memorial UMC, we are collecting canned goods for those needing assistance in our area. A basket for these items is located at the front of the church. Memorial United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School is being held this year July 29-August 3. Dinner is served at 5:30pm with Bible School for Age 4 through 6th Grade from 6:15pm-8:45pm and Adult Bible Study from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Although St. John's is not co-sponsoring the VBS this year, Fr. Rob will be co-teaching the Adult Bible Study with Pastor John Cole. Everyone is welcome to attend the VBS. May-June 2007Youth Group Bowling: St. John's Youth Group went on its first outside fun activity on June 10 following the Sunday Liturgy. They went bowling at Little Creek Naval Base with Lt. Brad Holmes, Youth Group Director. Sign-up Sheets for various parish duties and ministries are posted in our fellowship room. Please consider volunteering for such things as Coffee Hour, ushering, and the nursery. Diocesan Synod: The 30th Annual Synod (Convention) of our Diocese was held on Friday, June 16th in Natural Bridge, VA. St. John's was represented by Jim Theuer, Jim Vermillion, Bet Vermillion, and Fr. Rob. Bible Video Series: Our Adult Bible Study has been watching an excellent Bible video series from Focus on the Family depicting and teaching about the geographical setting of various Biblical incidents. Favorite Hymns: If you have a favorite hymn that you would like for us to sing at St. John's this summer, please let Fr. Rob know. Many Thanks to Brad and Carrie Holmes for the superb parish barbeque they hosted at the church on May 27. The food was excellent, and everyone had a wonderful time. The Waites will be leaving our area soon to relocate to North Carolina as Fr. Brian goes on to serve his next assignment. We will miss them very much. Please keep them in your prayers. St. John's Outdoor Church Signs: We now have two new outdoor signs. One is on Gammon Road and the other is on Morningside Drive. They were installed on May 19 by Jim, James, and Thomas Theuer; Brad Holmes; Pastor John Cole; and Fr. Rob. Please pray that people who see these signs may be inspired to visit St. John's and to join our church. Diocesan Summer Camp: This year's camp will be July 15-21 at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA. The age range for campers is 8 to 16 years old. The cost this year is $230 per camper. Registration forms are available on our bulletin board. Scholarships are available so if you know a child who would like to attend but cannot afford to go, please speak with Fr. Rob. Anglican Catholic Church and United Episcopal Church Sign Communion Agreement: On Ascension Day, May 17, 2007, the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) and the United Episcopal Church in North America (UECNA) entered into a communion agreement. (The UECNA is not The Episcopal Church but another Continuing Anglican Church started in the early 1980s by Bishop C. Dale David Doren, one of the original four Episcopal priests consecrated bishop in 1978 for the Continuing Anglican Church in North America.) Archbishop Stephen Reber of the UECNA and Archbishop Mark Haverland of the ACC signed the agreement at Saint Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Athens, Georgia, to reaffirm the state of communio in sacris (full communion) between the churches. This agreement came into immediate effect, though it still needs to be ratified by the ACC Provincial Synod and the UECNA Convention. Members of both churches will be welcomed at the altars of both bodies, and the clergy of both will be available for baptisms, funerals, and marriages as needed. Each church has agreed to consult carefully with the other in all matters affecting the other, including episcopal acts and ecumenical relations with other bodies and churches. April 2007Congratulations to Brad and Carrie Holmes, newly married members of St. John's. They were wed at St. Matthew's in Newport Beach, California, which is Carrie's home parish. Brad's home church is St. Mary's, Denver, Colorado. Our prayers and the thoughts of our hearts go out to Virginia Tech and all those who suffered and are suffering from the tragedy that occurred there on Monday, April 16. Holy Week at St. John'sMaundy Thursday, April 5, 8:00pm: Holy Communion & Vigil Good Friday, April 6, 3:00pm: Stations of the Cross & Prayers Holy Saturday, April 7, 8:00pm: Easter Vigil Service Easter Day, April 8, 8:30am: Festive Holy Communion & Hymns January-Feburary 2007On Feb. 11, we welcomed Samuel Nance into membership in Christ's Church through the sacrament of Baptism. The newly elected Vestry of St. John's met on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the church. Jim Theuer will continue as Senior Warden, Jim Vermillion as Treasurer, and Kathryn Tisdale as Clerk. Bet Vermillion agreed to be Junior Warden. The Treasurer reported an increase in the number of pledging families, and Brad Holmes gave a presentation about starting a Youth Group at St. John's. Fridays in Lent: We will meet on Fridays in Lent in our Sunday School rooms starting at 7:00pm. Evening Prayer will be followed by soup, salad, and bread. Nursery: We now have a nursery during our worship and Sunday School time, staffed by a paid nursery attendent plus one adult volunteer. We are co-sponsoring the nursery along with Memorial United Methodist Church. 2006December 2006We have recently welcomed several new members and friends to St. John's including some people new to our Church as well as transfers from other parts of the country. Our first annual parish meeting was held Dec. 3, with much good news and cheer. We have a newly elected vestry and several new outreach initiatives under way. Our Christmas Eve liturgy will be held at 9:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 24th. Food PantryIn partnership with Memorial UMC, we are collecting canned goods and toiletry items for the homeless and those in need of assistance in our area. A basket for these items is located in the narthex (entrance) to the church. Memorial UMC provides these items to those who come by the church for help. Please be generous. We are grateful to Bill and Donna McClelland for spearheading this outreach ministry on behalf of St. John's. Sunday School & Christian EducationOur Sunday School and Christian education program this year will focus on the fundamentals of our belief and practice as Christians in the classical Anglican tradition. We are using the curriculum developed by the Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Roanoke, VA. There are separate classes for children and adults, with teaching specifically tailored to the needs and capabilities of each group. Baptism of Lydia & Bethany RileyWe welcome Lydia and Bethany Riley as members of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Bethany and Lydia were incorporated into the Body of Christ by a profession of faith and the sacrament of Holy Baptism, which they received on Saturday, August 26th. Their father, the Rev. Bill Riley, officiated at the baptisms, which took place aboard the U.S.S. Cape St. George, where Chaplain Riley had recently been Command Chaplain. In accordance with long-standing Navy tradition, Lydia and Bethany were baptized with water out of the ship's bell, which had been set up for the occasion, and their names will be inscribed on the bell. Congratulations, Lydia and Bethany, and may our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless and guide you in your new life in Him! Vacation Bible SchoolSt. John's and Memorial United Methodist Church co-sponsored a joint Vacation Bible School Aug. 6-11. Young people from St. John's, Memorial UMC, and the surrounding neighborhood came together each night for classes and other activities around the theme "Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School." Dinner was served by members of Memorial UMC each evening. The children constructed a combination swing and playset that will be donated to a Habitat for Humanity family. Members and the clergy from St. John's participated in the events each night. Letter from Bishop McCleanPlease convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to the people of St. John's for the very warm welcome and reception. It was an honor and pleasure being with you all. You [are] a vibrant and active group of Anglican Christians, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will guide your evangelism efforts and that you will double by the time of my next visitation. Lorraine and I send our special thanks to the women of St. John's for the extra effort they put into providing such a variety of goodies for that great reception. The food was delicious and the fellowship delightful. Bishop's Visit - July 23Our Chief Pastor and Father-in-God, the Rt. Rev. William McClean, made his first visit to St. John's on Sunday, July 23. He preached a rousing sermon on defending the Faith and administered the sacrament of Confirmation at our 8:30 AM Liturgy. Diocesan Summer Youth CampThe Annual Summer Youth Camp of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States was held at Camp Hanover near Richmond, VA, July 16-22. Four young people from St. John's attended and reported having a wonderful week. Diocesan SynodThe 29th Annual Synod (Convention) of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States was held June 16-18 in Natural Bridge, VA. Representatives and clergy from 21 parishes throughout our Diocese came together with our Bishop to adopt a budget and conduct other necessary business. It was an extremely positive and uplifting meeting, with many signs of growth and new people in our Diocese. St. John's Achieves Parish StatusSt. John's applied for and was granted Parish status at the 29th Annual Synod of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States held in Lexington, Virginia in June. Welcome, Father Joel Marable!In June we welcomed the Reverend Joel Marable to St. John's. Father Joel, a resident of Chesapeake, was a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church for several years before discovering the Anglican Catholic Church. He has been assisting at St. Matthew's, Newport News for the past year. Bishop McClean has licensed Father Joel to function as a Deacon while learning more about our Liturgy and Tradition, and the Bishop has also assigned Father Joel to work with Father Rob and to assist here at St. John's. Bishop James O. Mote, R.I.P.Bishop James Mote, one of the founding priests of the Anglican Catholic Church who became one of its first bishops, fell asleep in the Lord on April 29 in his native Indianapolis. Born in 1922, he served as a chaplain's assistant in the Army during World War II, saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded a Bronze Star. He graduated from Canterbury College in Danville, Indiana, in 1950 and from Nashotah House Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin, a year later. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1952. He went to St. Mary's Church, Denver, where he remained for over four decades. We give thanks for the life, courage, and faithful witness of Bishop Mote, and we pray for the respose of his soul. New Location!St. John's has a new location. We meet at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road in Virginia Beach. Holy Communion begins at 8:30 AM, followed by coffee and refreshments and Sunday School at 10:00 AM. Memorial UMC is two blocks off Indian River Road, 1.5 miles east of Regent University, and about 6 blocks west of Military Highway. It is easily accessible from Interstate 64 via the Indian River Road West exit (Exit 286A). Holy Week & Easter ServicesMaundy Thursday, April 13, 8:00 PM: Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing Ceremony Easter Day, April 16, 8:30 AM: Blessing of the Paschal Candle, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and Festive Holy Eucharist Pre-LentThe Pre-Lenten Season follows the last Sunday after Epiphany and precedes Ash Wednesday. In the words of Hymn #235, Then three Sundays will prepare The three Sundays are Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, meaning "seventy," "sixty," and "fifty," preceding the forty day of Lent. The Gloria in excelsis and Alleluia disappear until Easter. EpiphanyThe feast of the Epiphany occurs each year on Jan. 6th. This feast celebrates the first manifestation, or showing, of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, in the persons of the Magi, or Wise Men, from the East. In the Eastern Church, this feast is called the Theophany and recalls our Lord's baptism, during which all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity were revealed. In England, Epiphany was called Twelfth Night as it occurs twelve days after Christmas and marked the end of the traditional Christmastide celebration. In many Hispanic countries, the giving of gifts takes place on Epiphany, following the example of the Wise Men, who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. 2005Advent & ChristmasThe Advent Season begins on Sunday, Nov. 27 and lasts until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. It is a season of preparation and expectation for the advent ("coming") of Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah-King. Jesus came to earth the first time as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. He will come again ("the Second Coming") as Lord and Judge of the entire earth, "with power and great glory." We will celebrate the Feast of Christmas (or "Christ's Mass") on Christmas Eve, Saturday Dec. 24th, starting at 9:00pm with Christmas Carols and the Holy Eucharist. We will meet at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road in Virginia Beach. Memorial UMC is located off Indian River Road about 1.5 miles west of Regent University (Exit 286A off I-64) and just east of Military Highway. We will also celebrate the Feast of Christmas on Christmas Day, Sunday Dec. 25th, starting at 12:15pm at the Fleet Reserve. Archepiscopal Travel to AfricaOur Archbishop, the Most Rev. Mark Haverland, traveled to Africa recently to visit some of our congregations and missions in that continent. All Saints' SundayOn Sunday, Nov. 6 we remembered the Feast of All Saints, which actually occurs each year on Nov. 1. This great feast of the Christian Year commemorates all of the saints (or "holy ones"), both known and unknown, who have been faithful to God in their several generations. In the New Testament, the word "saints" is the common title used for all Christians. Later, the term became more restricted and was used to refer to those Christians whose lives are marked by heroic virtue, extraordinary sanctity, or martyrdom. In the Apostles' Creed we state our belief in the "Communion of Saints." This refers to the spiritual union of all Christians with Almighty God as well as our fellowship with the angels, saints, the faithful departed, and one another in the Body of Christ. The saints are preeminently the friends of God. November is the Month of All SoulsFrom ancient times the Church has remembered all departed souls. In some places, All Souls' Day (also called "the Day of the Dead") is kept on Nov. 2 with special devotion. If you would like to have your departed loved ones remembered at the altar this month, please give their names to Fr. Rob. Many Thanks to St. Andrew & St. Margaret of ScotlandWe are most grateful to the Church of St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland in Alexandria, VA for their continued generosity and financial support for St. John's. They recently sent us a check for $1,250 to be used for advertising. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! |
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