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.

Newsletters

Newsletter, February, 2025



St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
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Our mission: “To do God’s Will”

February is beautifying our grounds with snow but services go on and we are so thankful for the support of our members and friends.  If you read the annual reports of our many activities last months, you know how busy we all are!

This month the Men’s Group (ECM) has been busy planning a “Ladies Night Out” which has been moved to Sat. Feb. 22 at 6pm at the Parish House.  This fundraiser ($30 per man) will help the ECM fund their philanthropic partnership with the Caroline County Dept. of Social Services. There will be wine, food, music and time to “sing along” with your friends!  Please call Ken to chat /RSVP at 540-847-9017. 

The Food Bank at the Parish House will be this coming week also.  Meet the truck that appears magically (loaded down) at 9:20am on Tuesday 2/18!  Help is always needed to unload and organize food items inside.  Then on Wed. Feb. 19 another team meets those who come in need of food and other supplies.  Thanks to all who take time to help. (This is a St. Peters Ministry that has helped the needy for more than 10 years!) 

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January, 2025 Newsletter

January Greetings from St. Peters in Port Royal, Va. on the Rappahannock River.

            Thinking of you all today and found this 1774 map showing the Rappahannock with many names that are familiar to me.  (Cleve Marsh, Skinker, Turner, Buckner etc.)  I grew up looking out of my family’s window at Cleve Marsh & the Rappahannock River.  Turners and Taylors & many more have visited in recent years and I have been proud to show them the town with a visit to St. Peter’s Church(built in 1835) too. 

            Rev. Tom Hughes and his wife Alice will be with us at St. Peters this Sunday (Dec. 5th) “The Feast of Epiphany”.    Coffee Hour will be held following the service at the Heimbach’s lovely home RIVERVIEW next door to the church.  We thank them for their hospitality! 

            Bible Study will begin again this Wed. Jan. 8th at 10 am in the Parish House.  Cleo and Cookie will lead the discussion.  Join us for coffee and study as we learn more from our Bibles.

Larry and Jan Saylor are still on vacation but will return next Wed.  the 15th.

            Johnny and I will be out of town this Sunday because his brother-in-law Herbert Wilkerson will be buried at their home church in New Kent County.  We give thanks for his life, his wife Joanne and their family.

            Our friend, Laura Carey, has also lost a friend this week.  Her friend of 52 years in Chicago died on January 2nd.  She was 102 years old (just 3 months from 103).  An amazing woman,  and many of us loved her when she visited here. They had a special friendship and she will be missed by many.

            Next week on Sat. Jan. 11 at 1pm Rev. Catherine will be at St. Peters to lead a celebration of life service for Boyd Wisdom.  He and his wife Barbara lived at Portobago Bay after retiring from Dahlgren and later moved to Chancellor’s Village in Fredericksburg.  Her email is bwisdom8263@gmail.com  . In lieu of flowers Barbara asks that St. Peters or other charities be remembered. The ladies of the church will host a reception in the Parish House following the service. Please contact Elizabeth or Cookie if you can help.

            The next Vestry meeting will be Thursday Jan. 16th at 2pm at the Parish House.  Vestry elections will be held at the Annual Meeting on January 26 following the service.  Larry Saylor and Robin Monroe have agreed to serve. Talk to the Senior Warden if there are others you wish to nominate.

            THE FOOD BANK goods will arrive by truck on Jan. 21st…join in unloading and setting up about 9:15. Food is distributed to the needy the following day.

December, 2024 Parish Post

          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…………..                                 

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November, 2024 Newsletter

Looks like this will be another busy month…we already have a busy schedule planned for Nov. and Dec.

          October began with both laymen and guest priests speaking on Sundays at St. Peters.  There were Vestry & Search meetings, Weekly Bible Study, the usual first Sunday Coffee Hour following the service,  and behind the scene planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas special events!  Our Junior Warden Larry has planned a workday at the church (Gate repair and cleaning the portico ceiling are included in this.) Contact him or Ken Pogue if you can help!

          Johnny has been appointed treasurer by the Vestry.  He makes deposits & reports to our bookkeeper at Account. Inc. of deposits, etc.  At a recent meeting he reported that we have money in our Discretionary Fund to help needy in an emergency.  He has already helped several at this time. The Food Distribution once a month continues also with more volunteers helping Andrea pack & distribute the goods. 

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September, 2024 Newsletter

          It has been a busy month with Rev. Tom Hughes preaching on the first and second Sundays.  Rev. Shirley Graham returning on the 3rd Sunday and sharing many of the things she had learned about us on her initial visit in June. Then on the 4th Sunday our Senior Warden led us in Morning Prayer and shared a message. 

August Vestry Report

          Your Vestry met on the 4th Thursday in August with an update from the Senior Warden on the search for a new Treasurer for the church. It seems to be a very demanding job and no one has stepped forward to volunteer. As assistant treasurer, Johnny will continue to deposit the money and write the checks to pay our monthly bills. Accounts, Inc. in King George owned by Jamie Brissey has been hired to do our the record keeping.

          Junior Warden, Larry Saylor reported that he had sprayed and cleaned around the rear doors of the Sacristy. (Cookie, Johnny, BJ and Jim Anderson continue to weed and take care of the yards.  Travis Minter is paid to mow the lawns.)

          Andres Pogue, ECW president, announced that the ladies had met at Bravo Restaurant in Fredericksburg to discuss activities & fundraisers for the coming year.  All were excited about the pre-Thanksgiving dinner the ladies will cook and make available to the community. Also discussed were raffles, silent auctions & Bingo.

          Linda Upshaw agreed to be our representative to CERVE. (She attended her first meeting at Countyline Baptist Church this week.)

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August, 2024 Newsletter

I begin this month’s update with a wonderful letter received from Catherine’s mother addressed to us all:

Dear St. Peters Church Family,

Yesterday, June 29, 2024 will forever be a treasured memory for me!! From the warm welcome at the door, the entrance into your beautiful sanctuary, to the joyous prelude from the choir loft, I felt that I had already worshipped in God’s presence!!

After the inspiring service, I left your sacred place with a lifted spirit, warmer heart, enriched soul and multiple blessings and memories I will never forget. It was an extra blessing to personally meet many of you. Thank you for your gracious welcome, the friendly atmosphere, and delicious food.

I was honored to be a part of the lovely celebration you hosted for my daughter’s 14 year pastorate with you. Words cannot express my gratitude for the love, kindness & good deeds you have given to Catherine, her husband Ben and her family. Her father, my husband of 60 ½ years and deceased since January 2021, always enjoyed our visits with you in the Parish House and church.

I thought Catherine was dear to make 100 votives and to give one to each of us!!

It will be a lovely tangible reminder of my connection with you. Love, thanks and deepest prayers for your future, Lola S. Delbridge

I know we each received a letter of love and thanks from Catherine in July. The above letter was handwritten & mailed to us while Catherine’s was typed and emailed to everyone. Both show love and appreciation to the membership of St. Peters. We were truly blessed to have known these two women!

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