ADVENT is the season that looks to Christ’s coming into the world. At St. Peters we have been busy getting ready for this event. Our church has a beautiful Advent Wreath and Marie Duke was present to light the first candle last Sunday. The windows and altar have lovely red poinsettias as usual to welcome you each as you enter the building!
I hope you can be with us for one of our special events. The Living Nativity will take place on Sunday afternoon with presentations in the yard at 5:00 and 5:30pm. The Parish House will serve as “The Inn” and no one will be home when Mary and Joseph knock on the door. Later the back entrance will welcome ALL for hot chocolate and cookies after they visit the manger scene and see the precious baby Jesus (portrayed by Alonzo).
The Christmas Eve Service will be on Tuesday Dec. 24 at 4pm. Guests are always welcome. The Rev. Tom Hughes will be with us. Lessons and Carols follow on Sunday Dec. 29th at 11am. The Rev. Pete Gustin will be with us then. (Let us know if you would like to be one of the eight readers. )
Wonderful memories…………..
AN INVITATION…….
We are invited to the Heimbach’s lovely home, Riverview, next door for the January 5th Regular Coffee Hour. They will still have their lovely holiday decorations and we will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Please bring a dish as you usually do. Coffee & juice will be provided. It will our first gathering in the New Year!! See you in January!!
The Vestry recently reviewed the church cemetery By-Laws. There was a slight increase in the fee due to costs of upkeep, mowing, etc.
BY-LAWS OF S.T. PETER’S CHURCH CEMETERY
2024
I
The name of the burial ground located on the west lawn of St. Peter’s Church, situated in the Town of Port Royal in Caroline County, Virginia shall be St. Peter’s Church Cemetery. This cemetery shall in no way be considered a public burial ground, but is the exclusive property of St. Peter’s Church and under the full and perpetual control of the Vestry.
II
The cemetery is for the use of the members of St. Peter’s Church and their immediate families. Other members of the extended family may be buried here at the discretion of the Vestry.
III
The Vestry stall appoint a Cemetery Warden, who shall keep a Cemetery Record Book containing the rules and prices adopted, the names of all persons buried here assignment of lots, past and future, and shall perform any other duties assigned by the Vestry. Applicants for burial space shall apply directly to the Cemetery Warden. No deeds will be given for these lots, but transactions will be recorded in the cemetery Warden’s Book.
IV
The cemetery may be extended in the northerly direction from the present bell tower to the top edge of the riverbank, at approximately the same width as the existing section. No graves may be placed on the east side of the church.
V
A fee of $500 for each burial was approved by the Vestry in October 2024. This is to be paid to the St. Peter’s Cemetery Fund before ground is broken. This fee is for upkeep an care of the site and is separate from any charges made by the funeral home. Burial may be in single lots ten feet by four feet or in the Memorial Garden established in 2004 where ashes are interred and names are recorded on the Memorial Garden Stone.
VI
No lot may be enclosed by fences, copings, hedges or posts. No arbors, trellises or mausoleums may be erected. Lot markers and footstone must be implanted at ground level. The Cemetery Warden must be advised of the size and design of any grave marker before it can be erected. If there is any deviation from the generally accepted norm, the Cemetery Warden shall submit the design for Vestry approval..
VII
The Vestry shall have the overall responsibility for any plantings in the cemetery (trees, shrubs, etc.) No one shall place on any lot flowers or greenery that is artificial or articles such as toys, pots or other bric-a-brac except for seasonal wreaths or potted plants. The surviving family has the responsibility for removing flowers and plants when they become withered and unsightly.
VIII
The Vestry is responsible for the financial solvency of the cemetery operation and shall request donations for the purpose as it becomes necessary. Funds for the support of the cemetery and proceeds from the sale of grave sites shall be deposited in the Cemetery Fund.
The Cemetery Warden is Carolyn Davis. Members of the Cemetery Committee are Carolyn Davis, Linda Upshaw and Jim Anderson.
Adopted by Vestry 11/21/24
ECW and ECM are busy at St. Peters
Many of you enjoyed the wonderful dinner the ladies cooked in November. It was just one of their ways to raise money for charities! Their mission statement is : “ The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia, together, share the love of God through prayer, service and education in knowing the Christ and making Him known.”
The men have planned a work day on Sat. Dec.14h at 8am at the church. Soon all the leaves will be gone, etc. They will enjoy a late breakfast or lunch together afterwards! Earlier this month they collected $800 to buy Christmas gifts for eight needy children in Caroline!
Shrine Mont….A Place Apart
Nestled among the trees at the foot of Great North Mt.in the Shenandoah Valley is the beautifully serene community of Orkney Springs. Since the 1920s this has been a conference center of the Episcopal Diocese of Va. “To provide a place apart for rest, devotion and fellowship where all may grow in the grace of God.” It has tennis courts, a volleyball court. 2 outdoor swimming pools, hiking trails, etc. Meals are served family style in one dining room or buffet stye in another dining room. It is a place where one can reflect and give thanks to God for his creation!
“As a teenager, while Rev. Fall was at St. Peters, I recall spending amazing days there…Shrine Mont remains a place in my heart,” said Cookie Davis. Adult conferences as well as family times together at Shrine Mont are truly memory makers!
Note from the acting Treasurer & Senior Warden:
Please complete your 2024 pledges and return your pledge cards for 2025! Only 9 have been returned so far. Thanks & God Bless us all.