Reading the Bible in a year!
Resources
The Episcopal Lingo, Part 5: Parishioners
The series will explore words used in the Episcopal Church that are arcane, unusual or have changed over time. This week’s word-parishioner.
We know the parishioners of St. Peter’s today – those people who attend the church. Granted it’s a subset of all that choose to join a church, one of many. In the Colonial Church, all were required be a part of one church – Anglican. No formal establishment of Baptists, Presbyterias and they paid the same annual parish levies. (These dissenters had to rely on voluntary contributions to their own churches.) Thus everyone in your parish was a member – men, women, indentured servants and yes, slaves.
Earlier research emphasized how colonials were unchurched despite laws to the contrary. Although there are few surviving parish registers, recent research has shown that annual baptisms nearly approximated annual white births. Actual attendance, however is a problem since Va. parishes kept no membership roles. Attendance was mandantory and it differed over the 170 years of colonials from one or two times a month. If you violated the law you could be fined five shillings or 50 pounds of tobacco paid to the churchwardens. In 1750, that would amount to $31 (2006).
Virtually every county recorded non-attendees with most of the prosecutions in the older Tidewater area. Dissenters, however, were excluded from attendance requirements.
Twice yearly at May and November county court sessions, grand jurors, in response to information provided by the sheriff, churchwardens, vestrymen, justices, other officers of the court, or from their own personal knowledge, presented individuals suspected of violating the laws prescribing the conduct expected of Virginians
Continued below…
Christ centered, Biblically based, spirit filled and a place of simple hospitality, we have shared our communal life with our church,our community, and those in need. Your presence enriches us.
September 9 -9:45am Christian Education for children and adults
September 9 -11:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday Readings and Servers
Mission Trip Clothing Distribution CD
Did you miss the CD at Coffee Hour on the Mission trip ? This was compiled by the Moravians.
We also have a new gallery from Catherine’s photos. Finally, here is the group site.
A reflection on the trip from one on the team:
"History of Christianity", Part 1 starts this Sunday, September 9, 9:45am
During this year in Adult Education we are looking at "Struggles of Faith". How better to show it over 3,000 years with a wonderful video series based on an awarding winning book, Christianity the First 3,000 years, by English professor Diarmaid McCulloch.
This is not a history of just Palestine or Rome. The main character here is not Jesus or the gospels. It is in fact the Church, the institution of Christian faith that has fought its way through history. It also concerns how we have worshipped.
McCulloch takes you to over 20 countries to show you that Christianity is one of the great success stories with two billion Christians – a third of humanity – protestant, catholic, orthodox, pentecostal and many more – all extending from the tomb of Jesus. "And the conviction that you can meet Jesus, the son of God, and transform your life is a compelling message. It’s what drove Christianity’s relentless expansion."
In Part 1 his question is"Where do the roots of Christianity lie ?" Jerusalem, Rome. Yes, but the author also makes a case for Turkey and Syria. Have you hear of Syriac Church or the Church of the East? You will! The story of the first Christianity tells us that the Christian faith is in fact hugely diverse with many identities. Yet, there is a shared core.
Here is a fast moving YouTube video that provides scenes from all parts of the sereies. We will start Christian education at 9:45am on Sundays to allow for 30 minutes of video and 30 minutes of discussion.
The Earthquake- by the Numbers, a year later
We tend to remember events that we probably don’t want to remember.
- The 5.8 magnitude earthquake lasted 15 seconds cost over $18,615. That’s $1,241 per second.
- Number of Grants – 1. We received a matching grant of $3,500 from the Diocese of Virginia. We have collected $2,433.15 as of August 24.
- Number of repair areas – 2 -Most of the work centered around a structural analysis of the entire church. Major work was repairing a crack on the wall directly under supporting beam for the gallery on the west wall of the church. On the outside there was extensive damage to the chimney which vents the oil furnace underneath the church. It was removed and a vertical crack beside the sacristy door filled We purchased a new HVAC and furnace, the former which we have enjoyed this summer. Earlier furnaces had been replaced in 1949 and 1981.
- Number of Cracks – can’t count them all – over the windows, gallery door. These are not structural
- Number of Links -5
Gallery of Earthquake
Assessment
Removal of the Chimney, Nov, 2011
Congregationals Reports – Junior Warden, Treasurer
"Gospel on the Rivah", Sunday, Sept. 16th 5pm
"Shall We Gather on the River ? "This year the "Gospel" will be in Portabago Bay as last year at a new time- 5pm. Be prepared for some fine food, fellowship and heartfelt singing.
Here are some links from previous years:
Parshioners entering colonial churches found them divided by class, sex. They had assigned areas to sit with men and women divided. Pews were just being introduced in England in the 18th paid for by the wealthy but in Virginia they were a standard furnishing erected at public expense. The wealthy were assigned the best pews toward the front. Benches were usually reserved in the back for servants, slaves and other lower classes. Galleries originated by the wealthy parishinioners who were not satisfed even when they commanded the best pews.
Church buildings were simple in the colonial era – usually only one room in a rectangular design. They were wooden at first and then brick became more popular, particularly in the 18th century. They expanded as colonial planters donated land for the cause. Some churches in the northern Virginia area late in the 18th century were two story.
Essential to Anglican worship were the pulpit and communion table. Pulpits stood two or three "decks" high located on the north or south walls. The communion table often made of black walnut or white oak and with a low wooden railing was situated along the interior east wall. (Churches were built in an east/west direction) . Unlike in today’s church, communion was only held three or four times a year as a reaction against the Catholic past. A part of the Church’s 1606 canon was a requirement for the 10 commandments to posted along the east end. In Virginia churchdes, wall tablets were situated there with the 10 commandments, Apostles’ Creed and the Lord Prayer.
One item that Colonial Churches did not have was an organ – only about 5 or 6 did. So singing was generally done unaccompanied usually led or announced by the clerk. The latter was a lay official whom we call the officiant today. Congregations sang hymns but also the Psalms according to metrical settings.