Sunday, September 1, 2013 (full size gallery)
September 8- 10:50am, Godley Play (preschool through grade 2)
September 8- 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Rite II
This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings
The Schedule returns to "normal" this week..
After a summer hiatus, Ecumenical Bible Study returned this Wed. Sept 4 at 10:00. This is held weekly at the same time. Here’s a picture of Bible Study 12 years ago in 2001:
This Sunday, September 8, Godly play for preschool through grade 2 begins and will be at 10:50am just before the worship service
Here is a primer from the Godly Play Foundation on Godley Play
Here is a video.
Feasting with Jesus returns..September 12,6pm
Back in Lent of 2013 we hosted a number of programs of meals within Jesus time. Check out these earlier sessions here.
We are starting new session for the fall. The first one will be on Sept 12, 6pm in the Parish House. Come join us as we learn more about the culinary world of Jesus time.
Previously in this series in the spring we went to festive events inside – the banquet, the wedding, the todah and the seder supper. Now we move outside and September is still a great month for picnic, hence “Picnic on the Beach”. The book The Food and Feasts of Jesus by Douglas Neel and Joel Pugh is the reference for this series.
Catherine describes the menu: "The menu this month will be grilled tilapia wrapped in fig leaves, roasted chickpeas, goat cheese marinated in olive oil and herbs, and of course bread, wine and olives. In addition to these traditional foods, we’ll have other foods in that are now in season locally, as would have been the custom in the first century. In order to have enough fish for everyone, I will need to have a general idea about who plans to come to this Feast, so send me an email or call me at (540) 809-7489 if you plan to attend."
Feasting on Jesus usually focuses on a scripture that illustrates the role of food in Jesus life. “Picnic on the Beach” is one of the more exotic entries based on around the end of John’s Gospel – John 21:9-14.
“When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.”
All four gospels have at least one account of a very large picnic, where thousands of people dined on bread and fish. What makes this account exceptional is a breakfast with the risen Christ at the end of the Gospel of John!
Bread! Bread! Bread! Give us your bread recipe in September!
"How can a nation be great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?"
–Julia Child
People revolted in the past over the lack of bread and when they only had stale bread. This month we would like to celebrate bread instead. This month Feasting on Jesus on the 12th will combine Fish and Bread. Then later in the month on Sat. Sept 28 at 9:00am there will be a “Bread Retreat.” What more can we do ?
This month we would like to collect bread recipes of the parish. You name it – we want – loaf breads, muffins, cornbread, pizza dough, bagles, banana bread, beer bread, pretzels, pumpernickel – whatever you have that could be considered as bread. If we get enough you will be able to sort the bread by type.
We have an online form for this. Also you can send them to Catherine by email . But if you have a typed out card Catherine will take that too.
Deadline is the bread retreat day or Sept 28. We will try to publish them as we get them. Hopefully it would be a reference the next time you need bread and want some good recipes.
Lectionary this week -"Sept 8- Luke 14:25-33 – The Cost.. and Benefits of Discipleship
Climb that Hill
Here is the passage
This is at least the third time Jesus has said something provocative. Jesus makes a statement in 12:51 about not bringing peace. Also consider his actions on the sabbath in 13:11. Now another teaching moment on the cost of discipleship.
Picture yourself in the crowd following Jesus. You can only see his back. Occasionally, he turns around to deliver a difficult saying, almost as if daring people to continue following him. Yes, he is probably trying to reduce the crowd by making the way harder than it is now. Jesus is beginning to sense the "all" that lies ahead for him personally (betrayal and denial by his closest companions, followed by false arrest, torture, and brutal execution). He is trying to find the genuine seeker.
This text begins and ends with an "all or nothing" injunction about following Jesus, with two practical illustrations in between.
a. introductory statement (25)
b. "hating" family members (26) // Mt 10:37; Th 55:1; 101:1-3
c. bearing one’s cross (27) // Mt 10:38; Mk 8:34; Mt 16:24; Lk 9:23; Th 55:2
d. tower builder (28-30) –illustration 1 no parallels
e. warrior king (31-32) –illustration 2 no parallels
f. renouncing all possessions (33) no parallels
Jesus has three demands three demands or renunciations: (1) one renounces one’s family; (2) one renounces one’s life–by bearing the cross; (3) one renounces all that one has. Note the demands are for disciples, the leaders, not to those who are invited to only come eat at the table. Grace is for all but not discipleship.
The Three Demands:
1. Renounce family
The word “hate” use here is different than in our own time It means "to turn away from, to detach oneself from," rather than our animosity-laden understanding. In Genesis, we read in one verse that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah (29:30), but in the next verse, it literally says that Leah was hated ("unloved" see also v. 33). Leah was not hated like we usually use the word, but Jacob simply loved her less than he loved Rachel. Jacob didn’t have an intense dislike for Leah.
The family context is important. You were identified by your family. Individuals had no real existence apart from their ties to blood relatives, especially parents. If one did not belong to a family, one had no real social existence [like widows and orphans?]. Jesus is therefore confronting the social structures that governed his society at their core.
"Hate" is used in the sense of subordinating our natural affections, even our own being, in commitment to Jesus. A person who decides for Jesus may well find their family opposed to their new faith. In such a circumstance, loyalty to Jesus takes precedence over loyalty to family – if you want to be a disciple – a leader in the Jesus movement. Ultimately Jesus’ appeal is not to ignore people’s interest but to appeal to them. You want real profit? You want real life? Then follow me – become detached.
2. Bearing the Cross. Jesus usually says to take up the cross but this time is to bear the cross. In the Interpreter’s Bible it says this “Cross bearing requires deliberate sacrifice and exposure to risk and ridicule in order to follow Jesus. This commitment is not just a way of life, however. It is a commitment to a person.”
Bearing the Cross simply may mean bearing the burdens. Luke traveled with Paul and in Galatians – “From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body." If indeed Luke accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys, he would be familiar with the Pauline vocabulary. Paul no doubt thought deeply about the way that his discipleship to Christ was like marks on his body–indeed, he says that his imprisonments and punishments were for Christ.
3. Give up possessions
St. Peter’s Gardens, Part 3
From "God’s Garden" by Dorothy Frances Blomfield Gurney (1858-1932)
We asked people to submit pictures of their gardens recently. The truth is that people love to share the products of their gardens with others – flowers and fruit. What do these gardens look like ? Why are people so passionate about them ?
This week we spotlight a garden from Alex and Nancy Long:
Previous Gardens:
Garden from Cookie and Johnny.
Gardens are another example of our community together. They bring people together over the produce, flowers and beauty they create. They bring people together in the process it takes to bring them into fulfillment. In many cases, a seed or a sprig is shared which prospers over time. They bring people together even talking about the critters that take from our gardens! Beyond that it is a sense of wonder and amazement how seeds you can put in your hand grow to be fruits and flowers.
Gardens figure prominently in the Bible. Gardens were prevalent during Bible History, when they were often enclosed within a wall of earth or stone, or a hedge, and guarded by a watchman as protection against animals and thieves. Frequently used as places of worship and prayer (by the righteous, and by pagans), gardens were also used as a spiritual analogy for God’s blessings upon believers, or for the unbeliever’s fruitlessness. Gardens were sometimes used as burial places, a somewhat appropriate irony, since the dead are like sown seeds with the potential of new life e.g. "Thy dead shall live, their bodies shall rise. O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy!"
They can be sorted out in four functions and related to a Bible verse:
Jim Patton’s article on the erection of the Belfry
Editor’s Note Jim Patton in his papers has a couple of articles he wrote on parts of the church – the belfry, the rectory, and the graveyard. In constructing these, he went to the Vestry minutes but included excerpts from the Bernard diaries and papers since he was living in their house at Gay Mont. (These papers are at William and Mary). He then sometimes researched other sources. This time he went to the records of the Annual Council of the Diocese called the "Journals of the Council." They are available online here. During the 19th century, the minister usually made some short comments about the church. These comments have been very valuable to church historians writing later.
From: St. Peter’s Church Vestry- Minutes re: the Bell Tower
Apr. 19, 1872 " … The condition of the ceiling of the church was called to the attention’ of the Vestry. ‘R.G.R. Catlett, P.L. Robb and John J, Gravatt were appointed a committee to have the ceiling renewed. …"
(This problem was probably a result of the lightning striking the belfry July 6, 1868)
May 10, 1872 "…the committee reported they had contracted with Mr. Robert Garter to have the ceiling of the church replastered at a cost of $74.00 …"
(Unfortunately Mr., Carter is not available in 1999!)
July 3, 1872 The Vestry’s attention was called to the importance of having some suitable structure made for the bell. It was moved and adopted that an architect be consulted and requested to furnish plans for the erection of a tower or belfry. Mr. P. L. Robb was selected to carry into effect the above resolution. On motion Mr. G. W. Catlett was appointed a committee to have the parapet walls repaired.
Note: I never knew of a parapet. JSP
Jan, 6, 1873 Attention of the Vestry was again called for the removal of the bell from the church building and to the erection of a suitable belfry for it. C. B. Thornton and John J. Gravatt were appointed to confer with carpenters as- to the best mode of carrying out the wishes of the Vestry in regard to a belfry – and to make such a contract for it as they, the committee, might deem most advisable.
Apr. 7, 1873 The report of the building committee of the belfry was made and received.
That is all – the subject is not mentioned again in the minutes. However, Mr. Poindexter’s report to the Diocese as follows; "Not being able to replace the spire which some years ago was destroyed by lightning the Vestry erected a plain belfry apart from the church at a cost of $118.25, $3.25 contributed by the congregation but no mention from whence came the $115. Ralph Fall in his’ Hidden Village mentions the lightning and "again a fire caused great damage to the building. Necessary repairs were made and the present gabled roof without a steeple was constructed. The damage was not so great that church services could not be held. Uncle William Bernard in his diary for Sunday July 12, six days later when he wrote "Helen and Phil went down to church in Port Royal". His attendances thereafter were infrequent. "Due to indisposition" but often mentioned other family members as "going down to church".
Judge Hoyt of Prospect Hill was a loyal member of St, Peter’s for a few years and requested his burial spot to be beside the "campanile", as he always referred to the bell tower. We were well acquainted as our com¬mute to D.C. was on the same bus and I, for one, and probably the only one, would rather see the 126 year old campanile replaced than a belfry on the church. I have written the National Archives for a copy of notes of the Coast and Geodetic survey of 1854 that contained a tiny sketch of the belfry on the church and, if forthcoming, will pass it on.
James S Patton
Gay Mont, March 10, 1999
The Thirteen is an ensemble of twelve professional singers based in South Jersey, specializing in music of the Renaissance and Baroque. They perform throughout the mid-Atlantic region and also record. They are predominantly young and diverse who blend into one sound in their concerts.
Here is a link to their website
They have some recordings online
Next week and the following we will be looking at what is Renaissance and Baroque music with samples, some from the Thirteen.
The concert will be free and open to all and will be advertized through the region.
St. Peter’s is covering the cost. We will need some contributors at all levels to help us cover the costs. We have three categories of support.
- Well-wishers (up to $99)
- Friends (up to $499)
- Benefactors (over $499)
You can send a check to the church with the word "Music Fund" in the memo line to contribute or drop the check in the plate on Sunday.
We will include the names of contributors in the program on the night of the 22nd. You can also choose to remain anonymous.
We will see if this event leads to more concerts and even, possibly, a concert series. Here is an earlier article on concerts in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It has been done in the past!
Churches have always been centers of the arts and particularly vocal traditions. We have wonderful a church also with wonderful acoustics to support one or more concerts.