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 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Coming up…

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 predominently young and diverse who blend into one sound in their concerts. 

Here is a link to their website

They have some recordings online 

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at what is Renaissance and Baroque music.

The concert will be free and open to all and will be advertized through the region.

St. Peter’s is covering the cost with a contribution from St. Asaph’s. 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.

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: 

the Duke Garden

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:

See the gardens at St. Peters

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, September 1, 2013  (full size gallery)

September 8- 10:50am, Godly Play (preschool through grade 2)

September 8- 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

The Schedule returns to "normal" this week..

After a summer hiatus, Ecumenical Bible Study returns this Wed. Sept 4 at 10:00. Here’s a picture of Bible Study 12 years ago in 2001:

Next 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 Godly 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 a 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!

Read more…

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 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 travelled 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

Read more…

Jim Patton’s article on the erection of the Belfrey

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

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

St. Peter’s Gardens, Part 2

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 Dave and Carolyn Duke:   

New this week – See the Duke Garden

See last week’s 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:

See the gardens at St. Peters

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture. Update 8/25/2013. "Cherry’s Sweet Mini" has been added. Update 8/29/2013. "Roxy" is now part of the kingdom.

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, August 25, 2013  (full size gallery)

September 1- 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Rite II

September 1- 12:00pm, Coffee hour

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

Lectionary this week -"The Way up is Down with God" – Luke 14:1, 7-14 

"Feast of Simon the Phrarisee" – Peter Paul Rubens (1618-1620)

I love David Lose’s comment on this passage -“If there was ever a gospel reading that invited a polite yawn, this might be it. I mean, goodness, but Jesus comes off in this scene as a sort of a progressive Miss Manners.” He later backs off of it

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. And so this, and all reported encounters with religious authorities, are going to clarify and sharpen the division between Jesus’ vision of right now, right here, being the time and the place for the realization of God’s Kingdom, and the authorities’ anxiety to keep social peace as defined and enforced by the Roman occupiers

He is invited to dinner by the big cheese – “house of a leader of the Pharisees”. Jesus does not seem to be invited for the hospitality of it, but for the hostility of it. The setting seems hostile. Sabbath controversy stories in chapters 6 and 13 had both ended with pharisees on the defensive (6:7; 13:17). Chapter 11 had ended with the pharisees "lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say" (11:54).

Thus Jesus is not being watched closely to see what they might learn from him. He is being watched closely to assess just how much of a threat he really might be. He is being tested outside of the admiring crowds. Jesus is watching them very closely in order to make observations about human conduct. He wanted to contrast their kingdom of ritual with the kingdom of God emphasizing mercy and radical inclusion.

The word pharisee can mean "to separate". The Pharisees were a group of people who separated themselves from the riffraff of society. They sought to live holy and pure lives, keeping all of the written and oral Jewish laws. Often in the gospels, Pharisees are pictured as being holier-than-thou types, the religious elite. They felt that they had earned the right to sit at the table with God. They criticize Jesus because he doesn’t separate himself from the "sinners and tax collectors."

The Gospel is sandwiched between two other situations. Just before the Gospel Jesus heals a man with dropsy and defended that Sabbath healing. He may have been the bait

There are two main scenes here with advice: 

1. Going to banquet sit at the lowest place so you can move up rather than forced down

In Israel, the meal table played a very important role, not only in the family, but in society as well. When an Israelite provided a meal for a guest, even a stranger, it assured him not only of the host’s hospitality, but of his protection Also in Israel (as elsewhere), the meal table was closely tied to one’s social standing. “Pecking order” was reflected in the position one held at the table

Jesus knows that most people would want to take the place of honor. What is interesting is that those who put themselves forward to take the highest or most dignified place might be removed not to the second place but to the lowest place

And, Jesus takes pains to show that this "demotion" is really an experience of humiliation. Rather than seeking to put ourselves forward, we are to wait until we are invited up to the honored position.

When the guests jockeyed for position at the table, Jesus spoke to this evil as well (vv. 7-11). While they believed that “getting ahead” socially required self-assertion and status-seeking, Jesus told them that the way to get ahead was to take the place of less honor and status. Status was gained by giving it up. One is exalted by humbling himself, Jesus said.

Note that Jesus is not criticizing the system but how people operate within it.

His exhortation is to pursue humility, a concept with significant status connotations. Humility was very rarely considered a virtue in Greco-Roman moral discourse

Humility doesn’t mean being passive. Letting others walk all over us Jesus shows by his life that being humble didn’t mean being passive, but, when necessary, it meant taking out the whip and driving the self-centered bullies out of the temple. 

There is a balance between being humble without self-degradation or shame o letting others "walk all over" us vs. deliberately putting ourselves above others through self-exaltation or arrogance

Exaltation depends too if you are doing the exalting or God Raising up and exaltation belong to God; recognition of one’s lowliness is the proper stance for human beings. The act of humbling oneself is not something for its own sake, but for the sake either of God or of Christ .Jesus advises a strategy of deliberately and consciously living beneath one’s presumed status in order to receive even greater honoring later.

Some scholars speculate that this teaching would particularly apply to Luke and his first readers as they were higher status Gentiles, and the mixed-status Christian communities would require them to live beneath their comfort zone. God would later recognize and honor their accepting of lower social standing.

Here is a paradox indeed. The way up is down. To try to “work up” is to risk being “put down.” Those who wish to be honored must be humble and seek the lowly place. Those who strive to attain the place of honor will be humiliated

2. If you are the host, don’t invite who can in turn invite you and be repaid but invite “ the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” and be repaid by God

Read more…

Richard T. Pratt Cushions

Editor’s note -The cushions are on the chairs opposite the lecturn on the graveyard side. Eunice discovered the writing on these cushions.

Richard Turner Pratt 1886-1988 lived a long life serving on the St. Peter’s Vestry for 75 years and was the senior warden for 48 years of those years. At the time of his death he was "senior warden emeritus."  He also served as a trustee.  His second wife Helen was elected the first woman on the Vestry August 22, 1967. The picture to the left was taken in 1984 at age 98.

He earned his degree at VPI and then a masters at the University of Chicaco. In 1911 he married Courtenary Tayloe Crump,daughter of Judge Beverley Tucker Crump and Etta Tayloe Crump and in 1963 he married Helen Graves Black. Pratt represented Caroline County during the 1922-23 term in the Virginia House of Delegates. After that , he lived in Fredericksburg for 20 years and owned and operated Virginia Sales and Service, a General Motors dealership and then retired to Camden. 

While this was known what wasn’t known (or forgotten) was the stitching on these cushions as shown above which was discovered by Eunice, August 18, 2013.  

Here is the log in the Book of Remembrance concerning the gift: 

The symbols on the cushion are the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  From Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."  Typically, they refer to both Jesus and God.  They have been used as symbols since the time of early Christianity. This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus has existed for all eternity. The phrase "alpha and omega" may signify that God is eternal. 

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Make each child a winner this fall: donate school supplies

Check out this school list here, bring them into the church and Fred will deliver to Bowling Green Elementary School. Deadline is Sept 1. According to the Free Lance-Star, the average family spends $635 preparing for the school year, so your donations make a difference.  

St. Peter’s Gardens, Part 1

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 Cookie and Johnny’s garden which is one of the largest gardens in the parish.

See Cookie and Johnny’s Garden

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:

See the gardens at St. Peters

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture . Update 8/21/2013. Terri uploaded 3 pets. Look for Dawn, Buffy and Irene.

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Busy Week! August 18, 2013  (full size gallery)

VBS Links: 1. Vacation Bible School 8/12 2. Vacation Bible School 8/13 3. Vacation Bible School 8/14

August 25- 11:00pm, Morning Prayer, Rite II

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

Lectionary this week -"A Kingdom that Can’t be Shaken"
 

Here is the scripture from Luke 13:10-17 for this week

Jesus continues on the road to Jerusalem but there is a change in venue. Jesus had been speaking to disciples and large crowds. Now, he appears in "one of the synagogues." His presence in a synagogue is his first since leaving Galilee, and he will not visit another in Luke’s gospel. The conflict with Jewish leaders he will experience then is foreshadowed this story.

Jesus enters the synagogue and he seems to be in search of something. Just before this scene, Luke records a parable in which Jesus’ vineyard owner says, “For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none” (Luke 13:7). His sensitivity is heightened as he continues to search for “fig trees” that are bearing fruit.

He enters the synagogue immediately following this parable and will heal a Jewish lady who has been suffering for 18 years. Jesus heals the woman in sacred space (a synagogue, mentioned twice) and within sacred time, namely on a Sabbath (noted no fewer than five times), and he is criticized for this breach of the law. Jesus insists that the synagogue and the Sabbath are not the only things that are holy — so is this woman’s life. He is also guilty of touching a ritually unclean woman in their eyes. Jesus isn’t abolishing the Law of Moses, but helping the people in the synagogue have a better understanding of how to apply the law.

This isn’t his first healing in Luke. Earlier, in Chapter 4, Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit. In Chapter 6, he healed a man whose hand was withered. On both occasions, Luke describes Jesus teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, but we are not informed about the content of his teaching. On both occasions, prominent religious leaders take offense at Jesus’ actions because of their view of what is allowable on the holy Sabbath day. By the end of chapter 13, Jesus’ search will turn into lament, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” (cf. 13:34-35).

Jesus’ rebuttal is clever, for while untying an ox or a donkey on the sabbath was forbidden in one part of the Mishnah (a Jewish book of laws), it was permitted in another. His point is that the woman is far more important than animals, yet animals are allowed more freedom on the sabbath than is the woman. This woman is a "daughter of Abraham," heir to the same promise as Abraham.

Note the story is not about his teaching or even the faith of the people. Both stories are healing stories but, more significantly, for Luke, is the controversy these healings created due to questions of Jesus’ Sabbath practices. He doesn’t argue about Judaism, or the restriction.

So what is it all about ? 

Read more….

Plain Ole’ St. Peter’s, 1979

The outside we see at St. Peter’s is a stucco covering of the original brick underneath which was revealed in 1979 when the Vestry decided to restucco the church rather than to remove it permanently. Apparently, there was some discussion then on which way to go.  It appears the idea was to make the stucco stronger.

Was the stucco original to the building in 1836 or put on later ? The consensus is that it was added after the 1849 fire. Ralph Fall thinks it was added later after the construction of the church. He states in Hidden Village in 1849  that the “unstuccoed brick structure suffered considerable damage.” Jim Patton isn’t sure but in a letter to E. Conway Davis in 1979 he says it could have been added in 1850 to cover “the scars and patching" and thus favored restuccoing the church. There is also brick work around the portico that is different from the original that shows it may have been placed later.

Stucco was a choice in early part of the 19th century but its use was not universal. James Patton’s home at Gay Mont had on the west walls  stucco that was designed in 1820 and 1839 by Benjamin Latrobe. Latrobe designed stucco over brick in churches  like St. John’s Washington and St. Paul’s Alexandria. Other church buildings were more plain without stucco.

The 1849 damage was described in an newspaper article attached to the minute book– flames spread over the roof and reached steeple. The steeple and bell and organ destroyed. It was then the George Stevens organ was purchased. In 1868 after a lightning attach the steeple and bell were removed and  the “present gable roof without a steeple was constructed.” There was much less damage. Was it due to the stucco or more localized nature of the lightning strike?

Stucco is a material made of water and sand or limestone. It is used for finishing the exterior of a building, and can be applied over almost any surface. Stucco is cheap, versatile and can be found in almost every color.

As a weather-repellent coating, stucco protected the building from wind and rain penetration, and also offered a certain amount of fire protection. It was an inexpensive material that could simulate finely dressed stonework. By the nineteenth century "stucco," although originally denoting fine interior ornamental plasterwork, had gained wide acceptance in the United States to describe exterior plastering.

Up until the late 1800s, stucco, like mortar, was primarily lime-based. Before the mid-to-late nineteenth century, stucco consisted primarily of hydrated or slaked lime, water and sand, with straw or animal hair included as a binder.

The popularization of portland cement changed the composition of stucco, as well as mortar, to a harder material. Portland cement was first manufactured in the United States in 1871, and it gradually replaced natural cement. After about 1900, most stucco was composed primarily of portland cement, mixed with some lime. With the addition of portland cement, stucco became even more versatile and durable. There were a number of additives (mud ,clay, waxes, fats, oils, varnish, sugar) that added to the strength and durability of the stucco.

The idea of strengthening the stucco was appealing in 1979. Patton urged the Vestry to go slow on the project.

In late 1979, the stucco was removed and as Fall writes “preparatory to placing a new cement-mix mixture of over the brick-work; the finished work was painted in a ‘sand-shade covering.’”

For a time in December, 1979 St. Peter’s resembled the church 140 years earlier albeit a few modifications. 

Jim Patton’s St. Peter’s file has a envelope of both color and black and white pictures with many closeups. These are far superior to the pictures in Hidden Village which are taken further away from the brick. Patton also labeled the pictures where they were taken. These may be the only ones available for this renovation.

What did they find when they removed the stucco ?

Read more….

St. Bartholomew, the Apostle, August 24 

Bartholomew was one of the earliest apostles of Jesus. He has been associated with the name "Nathaniel" only by the process of elimination with other apostles. The Gospel of John introduces him as a friend of Phillip.  

Caesarea’s Ecclesiastical History claims that following the ascension he traveled in mission to India where he left behind a Gospel of Matthew. Along with Jude, Bartholomew is said to have brought Christianity to Armenia. He was executed for allegedly converting the Armenian King Polymius to Christianity.

Read more….

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Make each child a winner this fall: donate school supplies

Check out this school list here, bring them into the church and Fred will deliver to the Rotary Club. Deadline is the end of August.

Tucker on Shine Mont  

"We had two baptisms at St. George’s Camp and then I came home and we had a baptism at St. Peter’s. It’s so great to be able to welcome them into the body of Christ, which is what we were learning about at St. George’s Camp. 

"In my eight days of staying at Shrine Mont we did a lot. We had Christmas. Now, an interesting thing about Christmas, because the sheppards were out watching their flocks, it probably was summertime or something, so maybe mid-August is when the sheppards may have visited with the good news. At Shrine Mont, they always through a little summer Christmas party. They had that in my session. I’m glad because I like having Christmas up at Shrine Mont. We had casino night. It’s a really fun night where they hand out monopoly money and you get to hang out at Moo-maw. 

"We hang out there at lot especially during camper free time. We did worship everyday. And one of the other things I had never been to an all camp worship. They did two all camp worships. I went both! 

"I also want to tell you about squdoosh. He’s a snake like thing which they made up for under the boys bathroom. If you have a question they made him up so he knows everything in the world. Everybody says that he’s the reason the bathroom smells so bad at the boy latrines. And we’re hoping that if they build new latrines that they’ll work better and squdoosh won’t smell as bad. " 

Music Part 4 – The Choir

Editor’s note: As part of the music series  we have looked at the George Stevens organ, concerts, and organists, with an interview with Brad. We will conclude this week with the choir. I have asked Roger Key for his memories of his life in music and in particular the St. Peter’s Choir

"I have loved music all my life. As a young boy I use to stay up at nights listening to the transistor radio. When a teen I asked Santa for a car stereo system before I had a car for it to go in. My music preferences changed often therefore not necessarily following any one type. I bore easily and most of time will change the song on a radio before it ever finishes.  

"When I was young and an acolyte at a Methodist Church, my mom sang in the choir. And still does to this day.

"When my wife Eunice and I was visiting churches near our home outside of Richmond, I  was awe struck by the choir at St Peters United Methodist Church because the way the  sanctuary was situated they stood directly facing the congregation and they truly enjoyed what they were doing.  I couldn’t resist and eventually joined. 

Read More…

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, August 11, 2013  (full size gallery)

August 12-15 Vacation Bible School – 6pm supper, 6:30pm activities

August 16- 6:00pm, Community Dinner #8 – Parish House 

August 18- 11:00pm, Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

This Week!   Vacation Bible School and Community Dinner, August 12-16

Vacation Bible School Parish House, Monday to Thursday, 6pm-7:30pm

• Supper, 6pm
   
• Activities for children and adults 6:30pm to 7:30pm. 

• The adults will be studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians.  Here is our series – Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Community Dinner #8 – August 16, 2013 – 6pm, Parish House

Hot dogs, hamburgers, beans, chips, watermelon

August 12 – First Night at Vacation Bible School

A good start to VBS. Check out the article and slide show on the first day

August 13 – Second Night at Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible school continued in night #2 with a concentration on the Apostle Paul taught on three levels:

Check it out.

August 14 – Third Night at Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible school continued in night #3 with a concentration on the Apostle Paul’s friends, his travels and Galatians conclusion. Big treat was ice cream afterwards:

Read the story and see the pictures

ECM Dinner, August 10, 2013 in Johnny’s barn  (full size gallery)

ECM 2nd anniversary dinner for the church, August 10, 2013. About 37 present with plenty of crabs, hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and of course the ECM 2nd annniversary cake. A beautiful summer evening after an earlier rain.

Gospel this week –"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" – Luke 12:49-56

There a shift of mood in the gospel from last week’s Luke 12:32-48. That passage begins with a beautiful theme of blessing for the crowd. “Do not be afraid, little flock” to this week’s “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Now there’s a shift ! 

When he is with the crowd, strangers and foreigners, he proclaims the Good News of God’s unconditional acceptance and universal compassion. When Jesus is with the disciples, his teaching is far more demanding and often blunt.

Contradicting the angels’ promise of peace on earth at his birth in Luke 2, Jesus emphatically denies that he’s come to bring peace. Instead, he claims to be the bearer of discord and fragmentation. As he journeys toward Jerusalem, Jesus becomes a source of conflict and opposition when he lays claim to startling forms of authority and power. His words are marked with a sense of urgency and intensity. The road to Jerusalem, after all, leads to a violent confrontation with death.

"Fire Window" – National Cathedral, Washington

This week’s gospel can be divided into three parts :

1 In verses 49-53, there are three images – casting fire, baptism/immersion , division of family members

At least with the first two images, fire and baptism, Jesus’ is distressed that he hasn’t completed these tasks. By placing this saying in the midst of the journey narrative — Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem but not there, yet — Luke may be indicating that the completion of these tasks takes place on the cross in Jerusalem when he is "immersed" into death, or, in a broader sense, his immersion into the passion/suffering events that take place in Jerusalem

Jesus explains the way in which His coming will “cast fire on the earth.” He also expresses an eagerness to get on with the process of bringing fire to the earth. This “fire” has implications for the family, but not those which we would prefer. The coming of Christ will cause great division within families, driving wedges between those family members between whom we normally find a strong bond.

What is this fire ?

One possibility of the “fire” of which Jesus spoke is the same fire about which the prophets, including John the Baptist, spoke—the fire of divine wrath. When Jesus said that He had come to “kindle a fire” – the outpouring of God’s wrath on sinful Israel/ His death on the cross would set in motion a series of events, which will eventuate in the pouring forth of God’s divine wrath on sinners.

Another possibility is to consider the phrase “begin on fire” to refer to someone who is passionate about something. We need to get rid of things that exploit and do not sustain us (such as poverty, racism, disease). Redemption can come only when those systems are shattered and consumed by fire and we rebuild based on a different set of values. Business as usual means injustice and death. Thus, life can not flourish with a crisis which is God’s presence.

Thirdly, it can also speak to Jesus transformation – from man to resurrected individual and the change. His purpose was to become a sacrifice for our sins and his baptism was the crucifixion. His death on the cross would set in motion a series of events, which will eventuate in the pouring forth of God’s divine wrath on sinners and the creation of the church

Read More…

George Townsend’s sketches of Port Royal, 1880’s

His sketches are not particularly high quality but they do provide the earliest picture of St. Peter’s as well as provide drawings of other sites around Port Royal: 

These sketches were found in the Jim Patton file on St. Peter’s. Someone penciled a key to the picture which is shown below 

St. Peter’s drawing is found here

Read more….

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Music at St. Peter’s, Part 3 – The Organists 

Last week there was focus on our concerts. This week it is about the organists who have played the George Stevens organ .

Ralph Fall in Hidden Village lists the organists athe time of the book (1982) which we can bring current:

1744 – Francis Stephney

1795 – John Victor (also music teacher)

1860 – Earned A. Ambold (also music teacher)

1880 – Sarah Jane Peyton

1908 – Cornelia Ware

1940 – Cora Stitt

1943 – Lucy Hardin

1961 – Phyllis Sue Gouldman

1964 – Joan Gouldman

1966 -1982 – Elizabeth (Stambaugh) Fall

1982 – Nell Clarke

2000 – Denise Symonds

2007 – Brad Volland

Interview with organist, Brad Volland

Editor’s note. I gave a Brad a call one week and we talked for quite awhile about him and St. Peter’s for our music series. Here is what came out:

Brad developed a love of both piano and organ from an early age growing up in Stafford, Virginia. He recalled his Grandma Huffman taking him at age 5 and sitting with Mr. Harold Abmyer (“Mr. A”) at the Methodist Church organ in Fredericksburg. The organ enveloped him! (Abmyer would be the minister of music for 38 years there). He would later take organ lessons from Abymer from grade 8 through high school but not before being taught by his Cousin Kaye Mitchell Kingsberry for 4 years on piano (Kingsberry is still a music educator) and then Wayne Gill, another student of Abymer for 3 years. Wayne lived close by in Stafford for lessons.

Read more….

Make each child a winner this fall: donate school supplies

Check out this school list here, bring them into the church and Fred will deliver to social service. Deadline is the end of August.

Help Shrine Mont with its capital campaign

Next week Aug 11 is Shrine Mont Sunday. Shrine Mont is a gift to all of us in the Diocese. Many children go during the summer to Shrine Mont camps – both specialized (Explorers, Art, Sports, Music and Drama) and non-specialized as they have been for 50 years. The camps need a renovation after that time. In addition, camp has become too expensive for some families. A capital campaign is being launched later this year to handle both the cost and renovation issues.

In honor of Shrine Mont and the campaign here is a page of pictures, videos and information. If you have received an information survey either in the mail or on line, PLEASE complete it by Aug. 9. This survey is to help determine how much money can be raised.

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, August 4, 2013, Baptism  (full size gallery)

August 11- 11:00pm, Holy Eucharist, Rite II.
Shrine Mont Sunday

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

ECM Dinner, August 10, 2013 in Johnny’s barn  (full size gallery)

ECM 2nd anniversary dinner for the church, August 10, 2013. About 37 present with plenty of crabs, hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and of course the ECM 2nd annniversary cake. A beautiful summer evening after an earlier rain.

Johnny and Audrey make it to the Atlantic in NC!

Editor’s note: See last week’s article on this pair running/cycling from Oregon to the Atlantic. They stayed in our parish house. Here is an email update from them from Barbara and Boyd Wisdom on Sunday, Aug 4:

"We arrived August 2nd, 1:00pm!!! 3,534 miles total. Riding day #69 … It was our longest riding day of 76 miles… after a dip in the ocean (Johnny only), getting our tires wet and a short visit with a family member who lives in Virginia Beach, we were on our way again.

"Today we’re in Elizabeth City, North Carolina using the computer in the library to get caught up on all things electrical. It’s a warm 88′ day with typical humidity. We’re heading down to New Bern, NC, for a short visit with friends before we start riding North again to attend Johnny’s parents 60th wedding anniversary on September 2nd. After that… we think we’d like to ride West, back over the mighty Mississippi to see my dear friend Susan again and from there… find an Amtrack train to bring us back home. ..

"It’s been amazing in all ways and It’s A Wonderful Life. Sending our love, Audrey & Johnny"

The Lectionary this week – August 11 – "Faith"

This week’s scriptures center about faith in the future starting with Hebrew’s famous definition “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God’s Word is a power that creates “what is seen … from things that are not visible.” We can be certain of the reliability of God’s promises.

Abraham a righteous man learns in Genesis he will have heirs- he accepts it. Luke teaches us about the real treasures here and in the future. Our faith is given to us as a treasure for heaven – but we don’t always cherish it as one. We know that our lives – our gifts – our families are all treasures – but, again, we don’t always give them the respect and love they deserve.

 The Gospel  -"Do Not Be Afraid Little Flock"

Our verses are part of a larger context of "Readiness for the Coming Judgment" from Luke 12:1-13:9. This section started last week with the Parable of the Fool and will last until Aug 25.

Jesus is in the presence both of his disciples and the large crowds (12:1). He appears to be speaking primarily to the disciples, though within earshot of a large number of people. Even though teaching the disciples, "someone in the crowd" is able to interrupt with a question. Though speaking directly to the inner circle of the movement, Jesus’ teachings are also "overheard" by a large number of people.

This week, he follows the parable of the rich fool (12: 13-21) with exhortations to live without anxiety. Worry about food or clothing is unnecessary in light of God’s providence. "The nations" worry about such things–that is to say, people who think and act in light of the dominant culture’s assumptions will find themselves riven with uncertainty and anxiety.

Basic summary – In the declaration of paragraph one, Jesus puts his hearers at ease. God wants to give you the kingdom where he lives, with pleasure. So you can get rid of your possessions and give alms to the poor because your investment is in the kingdom of the heavens Do this because wherever you invest your life is where your attention will be.

The master is coming soon to celebrate his victory and even his slaves will be blessed in this celebration. The master will serve the slaves the only condition is the slaves must be awake and recognize him when he knocks at the door. It might even be in the middle of the night so vigilance is necessary so as not to fall asleep and miss the arrival of the master. Bill Long in 2007 comes with the key focus of this passage

There are three ever-more-difficult commands that Jesus gives his disciples.

(1) Banish Fear (v.32);

The context in which this passage opens is where Jesus is teaching about worry. He knows the human tendency to be concerned with material goods and the shape of our lives, but Jesus resolutely tells us: "do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you shall wear" (v. 22). Why not? Because the ravens neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them (v. 24). Since we are of much more value than ravens, God will so much more take care of us.

Fear erodes our creativity, occupies our mental space, distracts us from enjoying the true beauties all around us, and ultimately shortchanges us. We tend to be pre-occupied or even obsessed with having "enough" money or resources on which to live. We miss the details around us we don’t recognize the beauty of the lilies of the field, or the arcing flight of a bird. IT grips us

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." We are called a "little flock," a term of endearment also present in Ezek. 34 and other Biblical texts. God’s pleasure is to give us the "kingdom" (i.e., the presence of Jesus), but we are worried about our clothes, our money, our bank account and assuring our future economically

So, how do we get rid of this fear? Find out what your heart says is your true love. Let the sound created by fear ("I need to do X and then Y and then obtain Z and be vigilant on this deal and that investment and that sale") gradually be subsumed by a greater "sound"–the sound of you listening to the alluring music of love.

What is it that you truly love, that you would give yourself to in a moment if you had the courage to give yourself that moment? Perhaps you don’t even know what this is because you are so wrapped up in the life of fear that you don’t even permit yourself the "luxury" to think of what life would look like without being consumed by "what you should wear" or "what you should eat" (to quote Jesus). But when the noise stops and the glitter fades for the evening, what is it that your heart craves? Does it desire to explore other cultures? To learn a skill? To gain certain knowledge? To serve in some capacity to others? To move to a different region? To put on a different "persona?" Fear keeps us from doing these things

Read more….

Coming Up!   Mid- August Extravaganza, August 10-16

1. ECM picnic at Johnny Davis, Saturday August 10, 4pm.   Crabs & Barbecue  

2. Vacation Bible School, Parish House, Monday to Thursday, August 12-15, 6pm

Supper, 6pm

Activities for children and adults 6:30pm to 7:30pm 

3. Community Dinner – August 16, 2013 – 6pm, Parish House

Paul and Galatians, Part 3 – 6 major elements in Paul’s thought

Did you miss part 1 ? or part 2 ?

Editor’s note – On August 12-15, the Adult portion of vacation Bible school will study of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Over the three weeks we have looked at Paul and a background to Galatians. We began with a summary of Paul’s life in part 1 and last week his thought in general. Today we are looking his connections with Galatia.

t

In the face of Jewish opposition, the southern region of Galatia had been fertile soil for Paul’s ministry as he traveled with his companion, Barnabas, through cities recorded by Luke in Acts 13 and 14 . However, after Paul left the area of Galatia he received news that some trouble-makers were agitating the believers . Although Paul was not completely sure of the identity of his opponents (Galatians 5:10), apparently a group of Jewish Christians, or possibly local Jews, were teaching that submission to the Jewish law was a requirement of salvation. Paul’s letter to the Galatians was a result of the challenges the Galatians were facing, but also reflected a continuing debate regarding the applicability of the Torah in Jerusalem and Antioch in Syria.

Paul’s opponents viewed adherance to the law as an integral part of maintaining and, likely, procuring a relationship with God . In order to further their agenda, the agitators attempted to undermine Paul’s authority, claim Paul’s gospel was not true, and charge that the gospel preached by Paul would lead to immorality. Paul addressed the issues of the law with various arguments.

The crucial language utilized by Paul arguing for the sufficiency of the Christian faith climaxes with “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 5:20) which naturally leads to the recognition that righteousness, which the Jewish Christians were attempting to accomplish through the futility of human effort, can only be realized by grace via faith. In other words, “Christ in me” imputes righteousness not the Law, otherwise, “Christ died needlessly” (Galatians 5:21-3:2).

Longenecker in the book The Cambridge Companion to St Paul identifies four significant Pauline points which decimate the opponent’s gospel which, of course, is no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7):  

1 Morality –Paul emphasizes that a morality is central to a life with Christ. This righteousness frees believers from the need to acquire significance or justification from immoral idolatries such as human performance by realizing the very thing we are striving for already exists.

2 The Law -Paul explains the entirety of the Law is fulfilled in one word: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). In other words, through “service to others the expectations of the law are fully concretized in unrivalled fashion.” Self-giving is magnified completely fulfilling the Law in an unbridled extension of love for others.

3. Walk in the Spirit. Paul refers metaphorically to the purpose of the law as pedagogue (Galatians 3:24) which is “relieved of its duty once the child comes of age,” just as the function of the law terminated with Christ’s arrival Accordingly, Paul now directs us to “walk by the Spirit” not by the Law, for if led by the Spirit, we are not under the Law (Galatians 5:16-17).

4. Finally, Paul plunges a dagger into the motivation of his opponents by accusing them of championing teaching of the law for the purpose of self-promotion (Galatians 4:17).

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Music at St. Peter’s, Part 2 – The Concerts 

Part One of this series on the organ is here.

Last week there was a focus on our wonderful Steven’s organ. This week it is about the concerts that featured the organ and other instruments .

Most of the concerts below were during Nell Clarke’s tenure as organist (1982-2000). She is pictured above in one of her concerts. Nell earned a masters of music at the University of North Carolina, taught many years at her studio in Fredericksburg and also taught part-time at Germanna Community College. On Sundays she was at St. Peter’s.  Most of the concerts were in the fall on Sundays.  In several case, she took a collection during the concerts for organ maintenance.

We have not held these concerts for several years and not in a series. Should we schedule concerts again and if so, should we consider a small concert series ?

• Oct 18,1970 – Program of Organ, Flute and Vocal Two organists play – Cleveland Fisher play selections by Beethoven and Purcell. Paul Birckner played Bach and Pachelbel, Carolyn Fix sang, Bryan Dyker played a piece by Telemann. Program .
   
• Nov 11, 1984 – Music for strings and organ. Becky Riley and Cindy Ross to perform on violin, Ann Hamer on cello. They performed works by Zohann Zach, Haydn, Mozart. Free Lance-Star article  
   
• Nov 24, 1985 – Nell Clarke, organ, vocal and string with tenor John Samarie from Culpeper, violinist Cindy Ross, Ann Hamer cello. Works included Bach’s Pastorale for Organ, arias from the Cantatas “Sleeper’s Awake” and “Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds”, Handel’s Sonata in D, No. 4 for violin, cello and organ.  Free Lance-Star article
   
• Nov 4, 1990 – Nell Clarke performs works by Telemann, Mozart, C. P. E. Bach. Becky Riley and Cindy Ross to perform on violin, Ann Hamer on cello and harpsichord.  Free Lance-Star article
   
• April 16, 1993 – Nell Clarke performs Bach “Pastorale”, French noel “When Jesus was Born at Christmas” ,3 choral preludes by Brahms.  Free Lance-Star article
   
• October 20, 1996 Nell Clarke. Works Americans may have performed in their parlors- “Refuge” by William Horatio Clarke, “Trip to Pawtucket” by Oliver Shaw, “Voluntary VIII” by William Selby, “Adagio” by Lucien Southard. Then there were works by English composers Matthew Camidge, Raynor Taylor. The program concluded with transcriptions of the final chorus of “Silla” and the march from “Deidamia”, both operas by G. F. Handel. Free Lance-Star article

• Oct 10, 2010 – Thomas Marshall from Williamsburg demonstrating 4 centuries of organ music from Garbrielli to Vierne on the George Stevens organ. This was part of the 175th Anniversary.  Article and photo gallery

How Does your garden grow ?

For a future article, we would like to spotlight gardeners at St. Peter’s . This includes both flower and vegetable gardeners. With all the rain your garden should be in good shape. We are looking for pictures and descriptions of your garden, such as how big, what have you grown, successes and difficulties, etc. We would especially like to hear about a spiritual component to gardening. You can upload your picture here. or email them hereYou may upload as many pictures as you like. It also asks for a description and your name. One picture description may be that of your garden and the others simpler describing only the picture included. Your choice. Thanks!

 Coming up – Mid- August Extravaganza, August 10-16

1. ECM picnic at Johnny Davis, Saturday August 10, 4pm.   Crabs & Barbecue  

2. Vacation Bible School, Parish House, Monday to Thursday, August 12-15, 6pm

Supper, 6pm

Activities for children and adults 6:30pm to 7:30pm 

3. Community Dinner – August 16, 2013 – 6pm, Parish House

 Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, July 28, 2013  (full size gallery)

August 4- 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Rite II and Baptism

August 4- 12:00pm, Coffee Hour at the Longs

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

Summer is a time for.. Running Across America, July 30, 2013

Barbara and Boyd ran across a couple, Johnny and Audrey, on July 30 in a trek across country from Oregon, one running and the other riding.  They began end of April, 2013. Unique yes ! Through the "powers that be" they received a night stay at Fall Hill.

This relates well with 2nd Pentecost in June where we welcomed the stranger. Of course then it was healing the Centurion’s slave which was very different.  Still  the principle is the same – welcoming Johnny and Audrey as the sermon emphasized with "graciousness and generosity."  Here, Boyd is helping Johnny with maps charting the next step on their journey:

Everyone needs a summer’s vacation. Don’t you think the buildings need a break from us ! The same old people and the same conversations. Yes.. We take vacations from it so it needs one from us. 

Here’s their set up for the night:

There is a story here that is told in their blog

Doing some digging this is what I found…

Read more….

Summer is a time for.. Going to Shrine Mont to camp!

The Fisher family loves Shrine Mont. Both Kimberly and Tucker went this summer and looks like from this picture Zeke got in the action too when Tucker was there recently:

They noted a deficiency – problems with the screens. Yes, and there are no ceiling fans. And there not enough bath houses as Kimberly stressed. Shrine Mont is going through a capital campaign beginning shortly. These items should be cleared up by next summer. We need to help out.

Tucker with Churchill Gibson leads the "Shouting Prayer" 

"God loves the world! 
God loves us!
God loves you!
I love you!
God loves me!
I love me!
Thanks be to God! Amen! (Aaaamen!)"

See more here on St. George’s camp
at Shrine Mont

 In any case it remains Shrine Mont,  a gift for all of us. Campers are never the same coming back home. They take part of the mountain home with them to save up for next summer. We can go up on retreats and have a moment to take a breath in the mountain air that will revive us.

Sunday Focus on "attitudes toward stuff" in the Kingdom

The four lectionary texts assigned for this Sunday have a common theme: "wealth". More specifically, the texts are concerned with attitudes toward wealth. The theme is considered in a variety of literary types: a parable, a piece of wisdom literature, a letter, and a psalm.

 Background- Parable of the Rich Fool -Luke 12:13-21

Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem. People seek him out – the Centurion that wants him who servant was on the road to death; in other cases with the widow of Nain he wonders into situations. Some might come to challenge him or justify themselves, like the lawyer who provided the context for the parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37). Others came to Jesus with a complaint. We saw this in a previous exposition of the Mary/Martha story (10:38-42). Actually for this story we don’t know the motivation but it leads to another teaching moment. The gospel reading is here.

Jesus is in the middle of encouraging his disciples to confess even when they are under duress, when he is interrupted by one of the crowd who wants Jesus to settle a financial dispute between siblings. Jesus, however, refuses to enter into the family squabble and instead uses the situation as an opportunity to teach about the seduction of wealth.

The problem the man faced was a common and significant one–how to divide the property between siblings. At that time the older son received twice the inheritance of youngers ones – maybe this is a younger. It may be natural to come to Jesus – Rabbi’s were expected to arbitrate on matters of law, but Jesus is unwilling to play this role.

If Jesus had taken up the man’s challenge and entered into his life, he faced two problems: the first is that his intervention might provide the occasion for the brothers both to turn on Jesus; the second is that Jesus’ intervention would just open a Pandora’s box of more questions until Jesus had actually become the man’s attorney. Jesus may be a healer or teacher or proclaimer of the message of the kingdom, but he isn’t a judge in domestic disputes. . He knows his task and his limitations. Thus, Jesus really isn’t a "problem solver."

Do you have a clear sense of what you are about it in life? Jesus has an instinctive sense of what he ought to be doing; of when he ought to enter in and when he ought to keep his distance. Jesus’ explanation is "who made me a judge or arbitrator over you? Jesus doesn’t give an explanation for why he doesn’t want to intervene but finds the heart of the matter (abudance, greed) and throws it back to the questioner. Jesus reframes the question and it becomes a parable.

So how is your barn ? Parable of the Rich Fool

The second part of this scripture is the reframing of the man’s question and the parable -"Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Since there is stuff to be divided there could be “abundance of possessions” and the next step beyond that – greed. 

The Greek word used here for greed means “yearning for more”. It is a form of idolatry. If greed is a desire to get more — then there is never a point where a greedy person has enough. Greed can never be satisfied. It is always looking to get more. In other places, there are writings against greed. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Ephesians 5:3-5. The greedy will not inherit the kingdom of God. It brings God’s wrath. greed can take many forms: the greed for attention, the greed for control, the greed for security.

Luke, by situating the parable of the rich fool right in the middle of Jesus’ predictions of his own death and the plots to kill him, connects this universal human desire for more with universal human insecurity and fear of death.

The parable is about a farmer who does well – he has produced abundantly and has no place to store his crops so he will build larger barns. So what’s wrong with this ? David Lose causes us to assess the situation “He is not portrayed as wicked – that is, he has not gained his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others. Further, he is not portrayed as particularly greedy. Indeed, he seems to be somewhat surprised by his good fortune as he makes what appears to be reasonable plans to reap the abundance of the harvest. What is wrong, we might therefore ask, about building larger barns to store away some of today’s bounty for a potentially leaner tomorrow?

Lose goes on. “Except for two things. First, notice the farmer’s consistent focus throughout the conversation he has with himself: "What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?" Then he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul…."

The relentless use of the first person pronouns "I" and "my" betray a preoccupation with self. There is no thought to using the abundance to help others, no expression of gratitude for his good fortune, no recognition of God at all. The farmer has fallen prey to worshiping the most popular of gods: the Unholy Trinity of "me, myself, and I." This leads to, and is most likely caused by, a second mistake. He is not foolish because he makes provision for the future; he is foolish because he believes that by his wealth he can secure his future: "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."

Wealth is not the problem but how we use it – wealth for its own enjoyment or own end. It’s thinking that possessions lead to a satisfied life. Bigger barns do not necessarily bring happiness and contentment. They rob us of the person who builds the barns. People retire and set them up to separate themselves from a world they help to build. The man in this story does not have the vision and/or imagination to see beyond his own walls. He is his own prisoner.

The text says that the man decided to gather in these new barns not just the grain from the harvest but "my goods" (v. 18). He is thinking of barns not just for the grain but also for his "goods." He can kill two birds with one stone, but in Jesus’ parable, it is as if he is killing his soul by the expansion project. Then he has thoughts that he has made it and can kick back. The idea of celebrate goes back to the parable of the prodigal son to describe the festive atmosphere at the return of the prodigal.” In the end the grim reaper may be coming for him.

The story ends: "So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

The parable tells us about two different kinds of riches–those toward oneself and those toward God.

Read more….

Paul and Galatians, Part 2 – 6 major elements in Paul’s thought

Did you miss part 1 ?

Editor’s note – On August 12-15, the Adult portion of vacation Bible school will study of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Over the next three weeks we will look at Paul and a background to Galatians. Last week a summary of Paul’s life and this week his thought in general.

Based on Pauls authentic letters James Tabor in his new book Paul and Jesus: How the Apostle Transformed Christianity has isolated six major elements in Pauls Christianity that shape the central contours of his thought:

"1. A New Spiritual Body. For Paul the belief that Jesus had been raised from the dead was a primary and essential component of the Christian faith. He states emphatically: "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14). His entire understanding of salvation hinged on what he understood to be a singular cosmic event, namely Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Paul’s understanding of the resurrection of Jesus, however, is not what is commonly understood today. It had nothing to do with the resuscitation of a corpse…Paul understood Jesus’ resurrection as the transformation—or to use his words—the metamorphosis, of a flesh-and-blood human being into what he calls a "life-giving spirit."

"So transformed, Jesus was, according to Paul, the first "Adam" of a new genus of Spirit-beings in the universe called "Children of God," of which many others were to follow.

2. A Cosmic Family and a Heavenly Kingdom. According to Paul this new genus of Spirit-beings of which Jesus was the "firstborn" is part of an expanded cosmic family (Romans 8:29). Paul believed that Jesus was born of a woman as a flesh-and-blood human being, descended from the royal lineage of King David, so he could qualify as an "earthly" Messiah in Jewish thinking. But for Paul such physical Davidic lineage was nothing in comparison to the glorification of Jesus as the firstborn Son of God. ..What this means is that God, as Creator, has inaugurated a process through which he is reproducing himself—literally bringing to birth a "God-Family."

"The destiny of this cosmic heavenly family is to rule over the entire universe. .. Jesus described it in clear and simple terms in the prayer he taught his disciples: "Let your Kingdom come, let your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

"3. A Mystical Union with Christ. Paul completely transformed the practice and understanding of baptism and the Eucharist to his Greek-speaking Gentile converts…Baptism brought about a mystical union with what Paul called the "spiritual body" of Christ, and was the act through which one received the impregnating Holy Spirit.  

"4. Already but Not Yet. Paul operated with a strongly apocalyptic perspective that influenced all he said or did. He was quite sure that he and his followers would live to see the return of Christ from heaven. Life in the world would go on, but not for long. Everything was soon to be transformed…Paul states emphatically that the "appointed time has grown very short" and he advised his followers not to marry, begin a new busi¬ness, or worry if they were slaves, since everything in the world was about to be turned upside down and all social relations were terminal.  

5. Under the Torah of Christ. As a Jew Paul decisively turned his back on the Torah revelation given to Moses on Mount Sinai, with all of its laws, customs, and traditions. In other words, Paul abandoned his Judaism. He would have never put it that way, though, since what he advocated he called a new and true Judaism, making the first version obsolete. He maintained that the Torah had now been replaced and superseded by the new Torah of Christ (Galatians 3:23-26). He never denied that the one God of Israel, who had sent Jesus and glorified him as Son of God, had once spoken through Moses and the Prophets. What he insisted upon was that alongside the one God of Israel was an exalted heavenly Lord Jesus, to whom the whole cosmos would be in obeisance.

What Paul proposed as a replacement of the Torah of Moses he called the Torah of Christ. It was not a legal code, written in stone or on parchment, but a manifestation of the Christ-Spirit in those who had been united with Jesus through baptism, both Jews and non-Jews.

"6. The Battle of the Apostles. Paul understood his own role as an apostle, "last but not least," as he put it, as the essential and pivotal element in God’s cosmic plan to bring about the salvation of the world through unworthy even to be an apostle, he nonetheless believed that his call to be an apostle was a singular and extraor¬dinary event (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Unlike the other apostles, who had been chosen by Jesus at the beginning of his preaching in Galilee, Paul believed that he had been set apart and called before he was even born—while still in his mother’s womb (Galatians 1:15).  

"Given this perspective one might conclude that rather than being last, Paul was chosen before all the others. His "conversion," then, would just be a matter of God determining the time was right to reveal Paul as an apostle. As Paul puts it: God chose to "re¬veal his Son to me" (Galatians 1:16). This places him in a rather extraordinary position with reference to the original apostles, since he understood that his singular position as the "Thirteenth Apostle" was to take the message about Christ to the non-Jewish world. This special mission, he believed, was essential for him to complete before the end of the age could arrive. Just as Christ was sent to his own people, the Jewish nation, to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, Paul, as a kind of "second Christ," was commissioned to go to the entire world (Romans 15:8-9).

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

Music at St. Peter’s, Part 1

"It has a beautiful ancient sound. It blends with other instruments. It blends with voices. It fills the church…That organ just fits there like a jewel." – John Baird, a member of the Hilbus Chapter of the Organ Historical Society in Washington, 1990.   

This is one of a series of articles on music at St. Peter’s, first considering the organ and then looking into other topics, such as concerts held here, the organists who played and the choir members who have participated in services.

Music at St. Peter’s has revolved around the George Stevens 1850 organ and its predecessors. With the amount of fine music written for the instrument that is only natural. With the choir it leads the worship service with music. Our 1850’s organ is one of the oldest in Va. that is still in current use.

We have information about Stevens (1803-1894) here as well as restorations and current maintenance

Stevens built one and two manual organs for small churches, around 800 over a career that lasted almost 60 years. Patton says 20 years ago (1973) 70 of his organs had survived. I have documented 25 here including St. Peter’s. The difficulty is that some have been completely rebuilt and so it is unclear how much of Stevens’ work remains. Two are in storage waiting for sales. Want a Stevens organ for your home ? We knew a professor at Salem who had one in his home. At the turn of the 20th century it was not uncommon.

The History of the Organ in the United States (Orpha Ochse, 1975) notes Stevens’ quality or workmanship although he never achieved a popularity of other builders, such as Appleton and Hooks. Stevens for most of his life had his own shop though worked in a partnership with William Gayetty from 1833-1835 and then James Jewett in 1855-1856. Stevens’ brother William also was an organ builder with his organ shop

Stevens organ can be divided into two phases – those characterized as "quite mild" to a sound  that can be said to be "brassy" and "bold sound". St. Peter’s is of the former type.

Read more….

2. How Does your garden grow ?

For a future article, we would like to spotlight gardeners at St. Peter’s . This includes both flower and vegetable gardeners. With all the rain your garden should be in good shape. We are looking for pictures and descriptions of your garden, such as how big, what have you grown, successes and difficulties, etc. We would especially like to hear about a spiritual component to gardening. You can upload your picture here.  You may upload as many pictures as you like. It also asks for a description and your name. One picture description may be that of your garden and the others simpler describing only the picture included. Your choice. Thanks!

 3. Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

4. Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  Sunday, July 21, 2013  (full size gallery)

July 28-  9:00am- Holy Eucharist, Rite I 

July 28- 11:00am-Morning Prayer, Rite II 

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

Focus on the Lord’s Prayer

Lord’s Prayer – Matthew vs. Luke

Lord’s Prayer in Luke Chapter 11

Another famous story from Luke. The Gospel reading is here. 

""The Lord’s Prayer" -Psalter (2008) 

The irony about Ordinary Time is that it is anything but ordinary. In the heat of the summer doldrums, the lectionary lights up with teaching moments – sending out of the 70, the parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of Mary and Martha. Connecting all are ideas of hospitality, anxiety and the “fatherhood” of God. The latter is explored this week.

The Lord’s Prayer is both in Matthew and Luke. Luke’s version is probably older since it is shorter. There are also a few differences in word choice (“sin” instead of “debt/trespass,” for example)

Luke puts a greater emphasis on prayer than the other gospels. -Jesus is praying at his baptism before heavens open (3:21) -Jesus spends the night praying to God before selecting the twelve (6:12) -Jesus is praying before he asks the disciples, "Who do the crowds/you say that I am?" (9:18) -Jesus is praying on the mountain before the transfiguration. (9:28, 29) -Jesus is praying before the disciples ask him to teach them to pray. (11:1)

It may be that Luke was writing to a group of people unfamiliar with Christian/Jewish prayer, so he emphasizes the importance of prayer as he moves among the gentiles.

The contexts for the Lord’s Prayer in Luke and Matthew are quite different. The audience in Matthew (6:5-15) seems to know about praying. Jesus says, "When you are praying,…" They seem to know how to pray and the importance of prayer, but they need further instructions about prayer. In Luke, the audience, (including the disciples,) don’t know how to pray (at least as Jesus’ followers).

The disciples (and Luke’s readers?) ask Jesus to teach them to pray.

There is a reference to John the Baptist. John’s disciples were known for certain practices, such as prayer and fasting (5:33). These practices served as markers for their identity as John’s followers. Jesus prayer also puts an identity on us as Christians. The prayer is intended to be communal, rather than personal. Note also the plural pronouns in the prayer: "our" and "us." The Lord’s Prayer is a list of those "good gifts", gifts we may ask of God in the sure knowledge that they are ours in the asking.

Clift Notes version – “God is Holy. Ask for God’s kingdom – reign over all things to become a reality in your life and in your world. Live simply; one day at a time. Stay humble and ask pardon for your wrongdoings. Offer pardon to others just as you want that for yourselves and ask for help to stay out of trouble. When you live with these things uppermost in your life, you will begin to live in God’s kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit to help you”

There are five key words in the prayer 1. Relationship 2. Hope 3 Nourishment 4 Reconciliation, 5 Peace

Read about these five words….

Why Prayer is Important?

"Give us Today our Daily Bread" -James Hook (1866) 

Michael Foss (Power Surge) lists "daily prayer" as "The first mark of a disciple."

From Yearning Minds and Burning Hearts: Understanding the Spirituality of Jesus by Glandion Carney , William Rudolf Long

“’Prayer changes us.’" The ultimate value of prayer is that it opens us to understand God and the world in fresh ways. Prayer gives us new spectacles to see the world–glasses that put the seemingly huge demands of contemporary life in a new perspective. Prayer helps us listen to the voice of God, accept the will of God and ask for the good things of God

“The practice of prayer is a standing rebuke to the wisdom of the world. The practice of prayer affirms a dimension to life that is unseen and unmeasurable, while the wisdom of the world considers something important only if it is visible and quantifiable. The practice of prayer proclaims that people are spiritual beings, rooted in the heart, while the wisdom of the world assumes that we are economic beings, concerned primarily with our personal net worth and an adequate retirement income. The practice of prayer indicates that God is the watcher, guide and protector of our lives, while the wisdom of the world teaches that unless we stand up for ourselves, no one will. The practice of prayer proves that "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37), while the wisdom of the world says we need all the resources ahead of time and all the right people speaking up for us or we will not be able to get what we want out of life. The practice of prayer says, "Don’t worry." The wisdom of the world says, "Calculate."

“Prayer is one of the principal ways of enlarging our awareness of God and of the universe. Prayer assumes there is more to the world than we can experience with our five senses. The great diversity of living things in the world should not only increase our sense of wonder, but also give us an awareness of our human limitations

“Prayer is the unique opportunity which God gives us to develop a deeper understanding of God and of the world

Three Characteristics of Prayer:

Read about these characteristics….

In the News: Belle Grove

Parishioner homes have been in the news of late. Witness Rock Stop Farm

Another home Belle Grove just across the river from St Peter’s was featured in the business section of the Free Lance-Star, July 21.  Here is the link to the story or you can follow it below.  

Carolinus Turner was a pew holder in 1850 in pew 29 on a list drawn up by Jim Patton and provided $75 to the church. A family tree can be viewed here.

Carolinus and Susan Turner would live at Belle Grove and  would have five children, Caroline “Carrie” M. Turner, Anna August Turner, George Turner, their only son, Susan Rose Turner, and Alice Pratt Turner. Carolinus live from 1813 until he died at age 64 of tuberculosis in 1876.

The obituary appeared in Alexandria Gazette on December 19, 1876 that was reprinted from the Fredericksburg Herald:

"…Mr. Turner was a large landholder, and previous to the war, owned a great many servants. He was a gentleman of excellent education, and commanded the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.”

A description of the properties of homes along the Rappahannock, many associated with St. Peter’s was found in DeBow’s "Review No. 26" in 1859:

Read more….

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

1. A 19th Century Parish Register 

Jim Patton’s box on "St. Peter’s has a folder entitled "membership." One of the documents is a rare list of church members, baptisms, wedding between 1871-1887. It is reconstructed from Jim Pattons’ notes of July, 1962 (probably by Patton) after the original volume was  lost between 1964-1982.

What does it say about St. Peter’s? At the time membership as shown here was dominated by 11 extended families. This is in keeping with the generations residing here continually over the period Patton indicated which members died in the period and moved away. Some like the Catlett family disappeared during the time period. 

There are some omissions. I would have expected to see such as members of the Powers, Holloway and Thornton families  who are buried in our graveyard. Were they not members ?

 See the register 

2. Writing to Alex Long in Afghanistan

Alex Long would appreciate mail from you. You can write Alex a letter at this address: 

Sgt Long, Alexander
1st MSOB A CO
UNIT 42550
FPO AP  96427-2550 

 3. Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

4. Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

  July 4, 2013  (full size gallery)

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. 

July 4- 11:00am-Port Royal July 4 celebration

July 7- 11:00am-Holy Eucharist, Rite II

July 7- 12:00pm-Coffee Hour – Men’s Cookout

Calendar 

Sunday’s Readings   

July 4 in Port Royal – What a Day!

St. Peter’s was involved in several ways:

1. Place of rest during the day. We showed two slideshows on the beauty of St. Peter’s constantly during the day and a new slide show "We Do- Life at St. Peter’s" (previews below). Marilyn Newman provided harp music

2. ECW and others (such as Johnny, Charles, Roger, Clarence) provided lunch. They made just under $600!

3. After lunch , St. Peter’s Mike and Nancy led a hymn sing with patriotic organ solos by Thom Guthrie.  

4. In the main celebration, Mike and Nancy sang the National Anthem and of course, Mike did the Declaration of Independence reading.  

Here is a photogallery of 2012 and the 2010 celebrations.  

"We Do.. Life At St. Peter’s"

120 slides describing life at St. Peter’s – worship through the year, ministries, music, outreach, fellowship and our church buildings. This was presented in the church during the July 4 celebrations.

You can see the show here.  It is on an auto timer of about 4-5 seconds per slide or you can advance manually with the arrows on the left and right.

Warrington Tripp speaks on the Gideons

Warrington Tripp provided a summary of the work of the Gideons on Sunday.

If you missed it, his sermon can be viewed here with all the other sermons     

You can also assist the Gideons by purchasing Gideons expression cards. Withese cards, you send the card to the person you wish and tell them of the number of Bibles that were purchased in their name. Each Bible purchased is $5.00.

Donations can be sent to :
Caroline-King George Gideons
PO Box 1522 Dahlgren, VA 22448

FredCamp lunch signup, June 30-July 6

St. Peter’s will be providing lunch to the youth volunteers working on rehabilitating homes the week of June 30- July 6. It will involve preparing food for 10 people at a worksite, probably in King George. Not only do you get to meet the crew, but you get a chance to see what they are doing!

If you can donate snacks, desserts, fruit, and help assemble sandwiches or choose a day to take pizza or other fast food to the workers, please let Catherine know (540) 809-7489 or by  email.

A Special Coffee Hour – Men’s Cookout, July 7, 12pm

A great way to conclude your July 4 weekend is to come to church and stay for the  ECM’s (Episcopal Church Men)  cookout

This is an extension of the older Pentecost church picnic which St. Peter’s used to hold in the 1990’s.  Since we are still in the Pentecost season, the idea still fits. 

We will use “ole fashion church picnic” theme and please bring a side dish.. Dessert and drinks will be provided

July 7 – Last Day to signup for ECM Dinner in August

Today is also the last day to sign up for Episcopal Men Group Crab and BBQ Dinner, August 10, 4pm. Please give your form to Johnny Davis or drop it in the collection plate.

You can pick up a form here. 

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

1. How Does your garden grow ?

For a future article, we would like to spotlight gardeners at St. Peter’s . This includes both flower and vegetable gardeners. With all the rain your garden should be in good shape. We are looking for pictures and descriptions of your garden, such as how big, what have you grown, successes and difficulties, etc. We would especially like to hear about a spiritual component to gardening. You can upload your picture here.  You may upload as many pictures as you like. It also asks for a description and your name. One picture description may be that of your garden and the others simpler describing only the picture included. Your choice. Thanks!

2. Emma Cocke’s Home featured in Free Lance-Star

Jim Patton and Emma Cocke (2001) .

Two St. Peter’s families have been involved with Rock Stop farms:  

1. Barbara Wisdom reported this connection:

"My great-grandfather/mother (Thomas Hugh and Lizzie Lee Broaddus Motley) bought this farm in the 1880’s. Several of their children were all born there:

"John Lewis (1890) – my grandfather
Lizzie Lee (1894)
Frank Broaddus (1896)

"(Three other children: Tommy, Laura and Ora were born and died very young or at birth. Their oldest child, Richard Hugh, was born in Middlesex Co. in 1882.) Richard lived at Rock Stop for many years.

"Their mother died in about 1898. Thomas remarried to Martha Ellen Sale. I have a wonderful photo of the Motley clan on the steps of the Rock Stop house. Ellen died in 1931 and Thomas in 1932. The farm then went up for public auction."

2. Emma Cocke – from her obituary

"Emma Arntzenius Cocke, 92, of Caroline County died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at her home, Rock Stop Farm. 

"Mrs. Cocke was born in The Hague, Netherlands. She survived the Nazi occupation of northern Holland for five years. She came to the United States immediately after World War II. 

"She was preceded in death by her late husband, retired U.S. Army Col. Philip St. G. Cocke IV, and her daughter, Emma E. Luckenbach."

"She was buried at Grace Episcopal Cemetery  Bremo Bluff Fluvanna County. 

At St. Peter’s she was active as treasurer of the ECW (1981). 

Rock Stop Farm was bought in 1959 by U.S. Army Col. Philip St. G. Cocke IV and Emma . Emma Cocke retained the property after her husband’s death, and upon her death in 2005 at age 92, the property was divided between their two sons. Philip St. G. Cocke V received the main portion and John R. Cocke received Cottage Woods. This is a single story home with two bedrooms, one bathroom and a sun room that was created by enclosing a porch. It would make an ideal guest house.

John Cocke and his wife live at the Cottage Woods house, and the main house in the past has been occupied by a caretaker until the Fitzhughs bought it.

2002 Newsletter article on Emma

Free Lance Star, June 28, 2013 article on the renovations made by the Fitzhughs.

 2. Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

3. Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

 Week ending Sunday, July 14, 2013  (full size gallery)

July 21- 11:00am-Holy Eucharist, Rite II 

Calendar

This Sunday at St. Peter’s – Servers, Readings   

 Pictures from Noah trip, July 16, 2013  (full size gallery)

Here are Eunice’s reflections on the trip:"I recall getting goosebumps three times during the NOAH performance. The singer/actors were extraordinary, as was the choreography. As a matter of fact, seeing this entices me to want to see every performance that is put on by Sight and Sounds theater.

"We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Miller’s Smorgasbord which appeared to have service that must have been provided by people who loved their jobs-you could feel the love.

"Our driver was also very committed to the job-we didn’t get much two conversation from her, during the 8 hours on the road, as she was very dedicated to the wheel, the directional signs and keeping us all safe from the hazards of the road.

"It was especially nice to spend the day with everyone who took a day out of their lives to experience a taste of Lancaster, PA together. By separate message I will send you is a picture of Roger standing outside of the threaten. If you focus in you can see a house drawn plow and farmer working in the field behind him. The patterns in the field almost seemed artistic."

Catherine plugged Miller’s which provided a convenient way to sample Amis cookery. She was impressed with the six types of soup and marvelled how well it was managed.

Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha, Sun. July 21st

"Christ in the House of Mary and Martha" – Vermeer (1655)

Another famous story from Luke. The Gospel reading is here. 

Let’s set the scene. We are in the long travel narrative in Luke (9:51 — 19:28). Jesus "set his face to go to Jerusalem" (9:51) and instructs those who would follow that the journey must be their first priority (9:57-58). Jesus sends the seventy ahead with no provisions for the journey and insists they depend on the hospitality of those in towns who welcome them (10:1-11).

Immediately preceding the stop at Martha’s home, Jesus tells a story about a man on a journey who is beaten and left to die. He is saved by an unexpected merciful neighbor (10:30-37). The story of "the good Samaritan" confirms that the journey to Jerusalem is dangerous, and that disciples might welcome the compassion of someone who, in other circumstances, would be considered undesirable.

This week we are in a seemingly peaceful setting – Jesus is invited into the home of Mary and Martha. This is only reference to Mary and Martha in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). The two sisters and their brother, Lazarus, figure prominently in the fourth gospel, but hardly at all in the synoptics. However, fireworks erupt within this setting 

Martha like the Samaritan is welcoming and is doing what women then were supposed to do – getting the house ready for the visitor. However, she is overwhelmed. We don’t how many guests there are. Where Jesus goes there are at least 12 other guys following him…and then the gravity and reality of the invitation comes crashing down on her. She is distracted. By contrast, Mary is sitting at the master’s feet, intent on listening to him but not lifting a finder to help.

She wants Jesus to tell Mary “get with it” and help out. Instead Jesus turns the tables and praises Mary saying “Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”  

So what’s going on here ?  There are a variety of interpretations 

1. The Kingdom being brought to all and in particular women

Jesus is crossing Jewish cultural bounds – he is alone with women who are not his relatives;  a woman serves him; and he teaches a woman in her own house.

Women were not supposed to sit with teachers as the disciples did.  Mary is assuming a male role – at the feet of Jesus

In the first century, rabbis did not teach women. Outside of being instructed in their proper gender roles according to custom and law, women received no education

Both in the previous story , The Samaritan and this story, they moving beyond boundaries. The Samaritan for Luke illustrates the second commandment (‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’). Mary exemplifies the fulfillment of the first commandment. ‘You are to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your energy, and with all your mind.   

2. How do we deal with rivalries ?

The Martha and Mary story is just another in a series of instances of the disciples letting rivalry get in the way. This is similar to James and John and their discussion of  "whom is the greatest?"  

Martha asks Jesus to intervene. "Tell her then to help me."   Martha may be considered a "control freak."

Jesus doesn’t mince words in his response. Calling her by name not just once but twice, in a manner that sounds more like a parent than a friend, he describes the situation.

The rivalries that we live in are the things that distract us. Jesus calls us out of these rivalistic relationships and into the Kingdom. Without the rivalry we can still attended to the daily demands of life, but maybe without seeing ourselves as victims of someone. 

Read more….

What Mary gets that Martha doesn’t – Colossians 1:15-29 – "Christ in You"

"This mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations
 but now is revealed to God’s saints… is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

—Colossians 1.27-28

You can think of this way.  This year is the year of the 17 year cicadas emerging.   The cicadas exoskelton is like Christ’s work within us – it keeps us focused and provides the strength.  

In their cycle, the young cicadas hatch from the tree branches, fall to the ground, and burrow 18-20 inches into the soil. For the next 13 to 17 years, they tunnel through the ground and draw liquid out of tree roots, their sole source of food. They’ll need a few days for their bodies to harden after they wriggle out of their exoskeleton. The insects will have only 4 to 6 weeks to mate before they die. "Christ in us."

A poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes

"Never mind the lonely trek across the desert to find your elusive teacher, nor does your Savior have to come to you. The Beloved lives inside you, breathing here, moving in you, moving you, the silence shimmering in your lungs, the heat rising, pulsing, pushing, straining to get out and love this crazy world.

"The life in you is of God. The Chosen One is in your blood, your flesh, even your wounds, bleeding sometimes, and when you bleed you bleed glory, and when you are weary the splendor of God rests, and when you suffer the Gentle One silently accepts your lashes, and quietly rises again and again.

"The Beloved lives inside you, working miracles, or speaking to you in that silent language, or sometimes sitting still, eyes closed, with a little smile, or maybe just relaxing, looking around, being at home. 

We have to look inside to see our own unique gifts that are a part of our community . These appear in soul searching as a result of our faith if we take the time to search them out. And we have to be ready to receive the gifts of others as well.

Martha as well as May has the opportunity to receive God’s grace through faith through their identification with Christ. Martha needs to see that she needs nourishment. She needs to be "renewed in faith and strengthened for service." Jesus is the host with many gifts to give. We have to take the time to "get it."

This scripture represents Paul’s dealing with those in Colossae who believe that obedience to the law through the Torah provided the basis for God’s promised blessings. Not so, says Paul. When a person believes in Christ, Christ enters into their being and they receive, as a gift, the full benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. Thus with "Christ in us" we possess the "hope of glory." We can all share in his glory It was his effort to preach and incorporate the Gentiles into the body of Christ.

Student Ministers – They got their start here

Between June 30, 1933 and June 1, 1935, St. Peter’s was led not by ordained priests but by students at Virginia Theological Seminary. Fall’s history provides no reason why this was done or what they did when communion was necessary since student priests would not have been able to perform that part of the service. Their names were John Ellis Large (1933-1934) followed by Frederick Griffith (June 15, 1934-June 1, 1935). We had Griffith picture but not Large’s even though Ralph Fall wrote in Hidden Village “their photographs appear in the church sacristy.”  Until now.  Chris Pote, archivist at VTS, sent us this picture of Large in his 1934 class picture.

Large actually became an author and was famous enough to have his obituary in the NY Times in 1982.

A native of New York, his early career was that of a English teacher and school principal on Long Island before he entered seminary. He left St. Peter’s to be ordained at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, L.I., in 1934.

His career spanned service in St. Simon’s Church in Brooklyn, Christ Church in Babylon, L. I. , St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and Church Heavenly Rest at Fifth Avenue and Saint Boniface, both in New York City.

Large appeared in print also from defending Billy Graham’s 1957 crusade in NY which garnered much media attention. He was quoted in saying “Some ministers have used bad taste in criticizing Graham, and one said the Holy Spirit couldn’t exist in the Garden. But what started in the Garden of Eden and reached its finest moment in the Garden of Gethsemane should be brought out of those gardens and into the present. Madison Square Garden is as good a place as any for that."

Large was ahead of his time for his studies on spiritual healing. He introduced the practice of laying on our hands to St Boniface in 1963 after doing the same at Heavenly Rest earlier. At Boniface, the demand led to the creation of a separate mission house. Many churches are incorporating healing directly into services today.
 

Large was a prolific author. His books include Ministry of Healing , God So Love the World, Night of Betrayal: A Narrative Poem , God is Able: how to Gain Wholeness of Life, Young Pegasus, and Think on these things. 

You can see our current collection of priests here

 Block Print by Mike Newman

Projects 

1. St. Peter’s as "Theatre of Action" in 1835 

Jim Patton’s St. Peter’s files reveals an interesting incident at the Church before the 1836 consecration at the time the church was actually complete in December, 1835

Patton’s research into the Bernard family of "Gay Mont" revealed the following:

Eliza Skipwith, who lived at "Gay Mont" with her aunt, Mrs. John H. Bernard, wrote to her uncle in Richmond, under date of Dec. 14, 1835 –

"Since writing you last, instead of the ballroom & beaux, our new Church has been the Theatre of action. ‘Twas opened for the first time on Friday when we had a 3 days meeting, and several delightful preachers. Sarah Ann and I were most zealous in our attendance, indeed, I do not think they could have gotten along at all without us, at least in the singing line for we let our voices out most melodiously much to Mr. Hord’s apparent edification. I actually thought Sunday when Mr. Bowers gave us such a lecture about dancing with ‘frantic mirth and most ungodly glee’, that I would never be caught at such bad practices again, but we cooled off considerably on our way home, and John met us with a letter from the University saying several students were to be with us, so that I very much fear if they give me a chance, I shall break, through all my good resolutions, and caper away to the best of my abilities." 

 2. Enter our animal kingdom!

 Don’t see your pet ? Upload a picture

3. Prayer requests – Add a name to the prayer list here.

 Week ending Sunday, July 7, 2013  (full size gallery)

July 14- 11:00am-Holy Eucharist, Rite II 

Calendar

Sunday’s Readings   

July 4 Links from last week

Slideshow July 4 on St. Peters

"We Do – Life at St Peter’s" slides

"Visitor Brochure, updated July 4, 2013

"Historic Brochure, updated July 4, 2013

Adult Ed Survey

The Vestry is hoping that everyone will take a few minutes and complete this brief survey to help with planning for Adult Christian Education next year.

You can complete the survey online. You can also print one off here.

This Week – Focus on the "Good Samaritan"

Compassion without Boundaries -Background of the "Good Samaritan" in Luke

Some background of the Gospel of Luke provides insight of why this story appears in this gospel and no others. Luke wrote in the 80’sAD after both Matthew and Mark (and before John). Jesus resurrection was 50 years earlier.  He wrote it in Antioch in Turkey at a time when Christianity was expanding to the Gentiles all throughout the Mediterranean. How was Christianity to unite these peoples ?   

The issues are taken up in The Hidden Power of the Gospels: Four Questions, Four Paths, One Journey by Alexander Shaia. (We used this book as the basis for a Christian Ed class early in 2011).  Here is what he wrote:

“Nero had executed the Jewish Christus followers of Rome twenty years earlier, although persecution had not extended to Christus believers throughout the rest of the empire at that time. Then in 70 CE, Vespasian leveled the Great Temple of Jerusalem and massacred all its priests, throwing Judaism into total disarray. In the steps that religion took to survive, a process began that still resonates in the lives of Christians and Jews.

“The slaughter resulted in a complete lack of religious authority. The Pharisees, educated teachers of Jewish religious law but not officially con­nected to the Temple, stepped into the vacuum. By the mid-80s CE, the time of Luke’s gospel, their role had significantly increased. In many Jewish communities, their voices rose to roles of clear leadership. In others, they represented merely one of many voices struggling to advise how best to move forward in the face of great loss. Eventually, the Pharisees became the primary voice of the Jewish community, reunifying the people in the ab­sence of the Temple and its priests—but not before  Luke began to write.”

And as part of their ascension “The Pharisees advocated for the removal from Judaism of all variant sects who believed that the Messiah had already come. Chief among these were the "Followers of the Way"’ (the Christus sect), who maintained that the Messiah had arrived for the salvation of all people, not just Jew

“They carried pain, and some of them likely had a touch of ar­rogance attached to their lingering resentments. They had also migrated all over the Mediterranean basin, which presented them with persecution from another quarter. The Roman government was more than nervous about the Christus followers—it was terror-stricken.

"The fear of this message led to its oppression of the Christus communities—and the persecution increased steadily.

Read more….

The Good Samaritan – ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’

"Good Samaritan" – Van Gogh (1890)

This is one of the most practical Bible lessons.  

“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? This is a basic, universal question that is asked by almost all human beings, even today. In Mark and Matthew, the question is more of a Jewish question. That is, “What is the greatest/first commandment of the law?” Mark and Matthew were asking a fundamental Jewish question; Luke was asking a fundamental universal question.

Luke was written to a larger world which he knew as a follower of Paul. This was the first time the idea of Dt 6:5 (“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” being combined with Levticus 19:18 (“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”)

Jesus is challenged by a lawyer. The lawyer’s presence and public questioning of Jesus shows the degree of importance his detractors are placing on finding a flaw they can use. He is trying to see if there was a distinction between friends and enemies. Luke in the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”) had eliminated the distinction and the lawyer was trying to introduce it again.  As Jesus’ influence with the crowds continues to grow, the alarm of the religious establishment grows as well.

His first question is “what must I do to inherit eternal life.” Jesus answers “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. The lawyer follows up with a second question, also a very good one. If doing this, i.e., loving God and loving neighbor as oneself, is a matter of eternal life, then defining "neighbor" is important in this context. The lawyer is self-centered, concerned only for himself.

Jesus shifts the question from the one the lawyer asks — who is my neighbor?–to ask what a righteous neighbor does. The neighbor is the one we least expect to be a neighbor. The neighbor is the "other," the one most despised or feared or not like us. It is much broader than the person who lives next to you. A first century audience, Jesus’ or Luke’s, would have known the Samaritan represented a despised "other."

Of the four characters in this story (besides the robbers and the victim) – the lawyer, levite, priest and Samaritan – the first three were known in Jewish society. The Samaritan is the outsider.

Read more….