We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

Advent

Best of Holy Week and Easter, April 13-20, 2014

From Palm Sunday to Easter, 2014 we held 5 services with 203 in attendance, compared to 166 in 2013. We also participated in the Port Royal Sunrise service on Sunday morning. Yes, we did walk with Jesus in his suffering and hardships and then shared and proclaimed the resurrection.

Christmas Eve, 2012

The Christmas service was centered around music and story told through scripture. Brad and Helmut began it with violin and piano for three numbers and the choir added 7 carols, including Nancy’s solo on “O Holy Night”. Scripture was highlighted through Catherine’s reading of the Christmas story.

Christmas Pageant, 2010

Thanks to Nancy Long for overall direction of this year’s play – an amazing job. Special thanks to Becky Fisher who made the beautiful angel costumes. Both the Fisher family and Duke family committed their entire families to the play. Thanks to all participants.

Lesson and Carols, Dec. 30, 2012

Lessons and Carols is a great way to the end the year with a summary of the Christmas season in songs and words. A cold day outside but with exciting singing and readings inside. The choir previewed two new possible hymns for next Christmas. So we look forward too.

Advent 1, Nov. 29, 2015

A big Sunday, not only with two services at 9am and 11am but also a combination of the first Sunday in Advent backed with the Altarpiece fundraising kickoff. Cleo Mullins our altarpiece conservator was here to explain the conservation process during the announcements and describe the problems she encountered in the various parts of the altarpiece. It is a case of the elements (earthquake water damage), time (framework gild, tablets bowing) and human mistakes (overpaint and damage to the framework by ladders). She opened the review to questions. The conservation is not an exact process since various /details may be revealed in the conservation.

Moravian Candle Tea at Coffee Hour Dec. 7, 2014

This was a combined effort among Catherine, Cookie, Eunice, Betty and Toni. Toni is from Bethlehem, PA, central home of the Moravians and Catherine graduated from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, the largest southern settlement. Thus, it was a natural to bring some of Moravian traditions to Coffee hour. The Episcopalians and Moravians are now in full commuunion as well. On about the first weekend of December, the Moravians celebrate Candle Tea. This is hosted tour into their culture with foods (cookies, sugar cake), crafts (candles) and Putz and music (hymns). Highlights of today’s effort would include Cookie’s Moravian chicken pie, Eunice’s meat balls and assorted spreads, Betty’s cake and Catherine’s sugar cake plus Toni’s contributions of book and funds

Everett’s Christmas Party, Dec. 14, 2014

This is not a Christmas party but a Christmas experience. In every room in the Everett household you are surrounded by Christmas. It is challenging just to see everything. And their collection is still expanding! This year was special since it was Cherry’s birthday. We sang “happy birthday” and had a combined Birthday/Christmas chocolate cake. Also as the festivities began, we were at sunset along the Rappahannock with a wonderful light and the occasional heron flying by. There is a separate home attached with a inground pool covered over for Christmas. In this room are larger Christmas exhibits, including a manger scene, Santa in a balloon and a wire Christmas tree. (Don’t even try to count the trees in this house!). A long table was set for dinner for 30+.