Our second dinner was smaller than the first, possibly due to the scheduling on Labor Day weekend. Nevertheless we had 16 guests and gave out 14 bookbags and other supplies.
Outreach
Community Dinner for Port Royal, June 4, 2011
The first Community Dinner sponsored by the ECW and ECM on was held June 4 besides the fire house. The weather was perfect – mid 80’s under blue skies. We had 25 people outside the Church attend and the consensus was it was a good start for these dinners.
Congregational Meeting, 2025
JANUARY 26, 2025
Sunday a large congregation met at 11am for the Annual Meeting of St. Peters which held during the church service led by Rev. Tom Hughes. Speakers included John Davis ( Sr. Warden), Larry Saylor (Jr. Warden), Ken Pogue (ECM) & Andrea Pogue (ECW).
A Valentine Social Honoring the Ladies of St. Peters -by ECM
The Episcopal Church Men (ECM) would like to cordially invite you to help coordinate, host and pay tribute to the wonderful, hard-working and gracious ladies of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as well as the blessed ladies in Port Royal and beyond that contribute their time and efforts in support the mission of the church.
Cuisine – Our mission is to provide a heartfelt and joyful experience for our wives and lady attendees that will include a light, picnic style meal of fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, mixed green salad, green beans, baked beans, dinner rolls and dessert; consisting of cherry cheesecake.
Entertainment – Entertainment will consist of a series of randomly, self-selected melodies, popular standards and seasonal favorites; all sung together in “sing-along” fashion, lead and accompanied by the talented Meistro, Lawrence (Larry) Saylor and his guitar (Bessie). It promises to be wildly entertaining, and yes, the words to every song will be readily available for the divas in all of us. Of course there will be beverages; coffee, tea, soda, and wine sufficient enough to loosen the vocal cords of even the most inhibited among us. So let’s sing together and celebrate the ladies in our lives to the glory of His name.
Attire – The preferred attire for gentlemen is Blazer/Sportscoat (No Tie); Ladies – Go for it. We love it when you Show Out!
Gentlemen – Please help us demonstrate our love (your love) and appreciation for the ladies in our lives by donating whatever time you can spare towards the coordination, set-up, errands and the anticipated cleanup duties. Also donations in the amount of $30 are requested to cover the costs for this illustrious event. Please make your contributions payable to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and write “ECM” on the memo line.
“A Case for Love” movie is online
A Case for Love”, the movie is now available for home viewing on satellite, cable and digital rental outlets
Here is the link for Amazon and a list of the other outlets:
• Amazon Video Direct
• iTunes
• DIRECTV
• U-verse
• Sling TV
• Vudu (Fandango At Home)
• Dish Network
• Verizon Fios
• Microsoft
• Google Play
Seven people from St Peter’s went to the Paragon Theater in Fredericksburg on Jan 23, 2024 to see “A Case for Love” movie. It was 3+ years in the making by an Episcopalian filmmaker and is based on Bishop Curry’s “Way of Love” concept.
The movie spotlighted 13 stories involving unselfish love plus many more “man on the street” questions about Love. “What is love? Is love dead?” A number of prominent individuals were spotlighted including Episcopalians, Bishop Curry, Senator Danforth, and Al Roker.
As Bishop Curry writes in his book Love is the Way “Love as an action is the only thing that has ever changed the world for the better..” “Love is a commitment to seek the good and to work for the good and welfare of others.”
“A CASE FOR LOVE reminds us that no matter who you are or where you are from, love and kindness is a thread that connects us all. We just have to be willing to choose it. Through wide-ranging interviews, the audience realizes that each of us is unique and has our own story to share. But it is the power of love and kindness which helps us overcome challenges, differences, and division.”
Jaclyn Lindsey, Co-Founder & CEO, KINDNESS.ORG
Three links including the trailer, our promotion and Brian Ide one of the organizers:
TrailerOur promotion
Interview from Brian Ide, one of the organizers
School Dressing Days Coming in July – Fredericksburg
Benefits – Every child who attends Dressing Days will get a new outfit — shirt, pants, underwear and socks — as well as toiletries and personal hygiene items, a backpack with school supplies and their pick of “gently used” coats, hoodies and shoes
When – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 26-27, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, 1710 Bragg Road in Fredericksburg.
Coverage – City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.
ID required- On the day of event Adults must bring proof of residence such as a driver’s license or a letter from social services. Head Start students need proof of acceptance into the program.
Preregistation required by July 13. All families who plan to attend must pre-register by July 13. They can do so online at interfaithcommunitycouncil.org/home. In-person registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints.
Signup! – 200 volunteers needed for setup and working the event
1. Setup July 25
2. Work the event – July 26-27
Virginia SunBucks program
1 What is it? $120 grocery benefit for each eligible school-aged child this summer. Program active as July 1 with benefits to be distributed in August on a rolling basis. Benefits will be issued either on your family’s SNAP EBT card or a pre-loaded Virginia Summer EBT card that looks just like a debit or credit card and can be used to purchase groceries.
Automatic enrollment
Or,
Enrollment by Application
2. You can use SUN Bucks to pay
- fruits and vegetables
- meat, poultry, and fish
- dairy products
- breads and cereals
- snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks
You cannot use SUN Bucks to purchase:
- hot foods
- pet foods
- cleaning or household supplies
- personal hygiene items
- medicine
3. Where buy ? Examples – Many grocery stores, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and online retailers accept SUN Bucks. Often, these are the same places that accept SNAP and WIC. Use the SNAP retail locator to find stores near you.
4. More information:
A. Main site
B. FAQs
C. Apply or opt out
D. Eligibility
E. Resources
Jamaican Scholarship winners
St. Peter’s John Whitfield and Andrea Pogue Educational fund was used to award money for the top three students who will be graduating this year at Victoria Primary School in Jamaica. The certificate is been presented by Rogel Reid on behalf of Laura Carey.
The awards are in Jamaican dollars and together total about $500. From left to right, top to bottom:
1st place, Teshan Duncan $25,000
2nd place, Deshenae Alveranga $20,000
3rd place, Kris-Annie Stanigar $15,000
Congratulations to all winners!
World Refugee Day, June 20
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 to celebrate the strength and courage of those around the world who have been forced to flee their home country to escape prosecution or conflict. World Refugee Day helps to raise awareness about the growing refugee crisis in places like Syria and Central Africa and to focus on ways to improve the lives of refugees.
“ Refugee” is a legal term used to define an individual who:
“…owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.” (1951 Geneva Refugee Convention.)
The Connection – Juneteenth (June 19) and World Refugee Day (June 20)
Juneteenth is related to World Refugee Day.
Juneteenth and World Refugee Day are times to celebrate what has been done to make our world better for all and reminds us to recommit ourselves to the healing work we need to do before we can all truly be free. It also reminds us to attend to the systemic forces that prevent change, keep oppression in place, and distract us with the falsehood that one person’s freedom must be another person’s loss. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”—Ruth Frey
Jesus disturbed the comforted and comforted the disturbed – Ryan W. Clayton
Junetenth is about personal freedom. World Refugee Day also proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commit ourselves to the healing and wholeness of all persons.
There is a community element as well. As the Bishop of Atlanta writes “God rejoices when we celebrate the truth-that we were made for each other and for God’s glory. “How good and how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters and siblings to dwell together in unity.”
Juneteenth also preserved the integrity of the family by allowing families to stick together without the possibility of being sold. World Refugee Day remembers and honors the families and individuals made homeless by disasters, wars, poverty, and intolerance around the world.
Recent Articles, June 9, 2024, The Third Sunday after the Pentecost
Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 9
Photos
Videos
Bulletin
Lectionary, June 9, 11am service
Commentary
Sermon
Commentary, Corinthians
Lincoln’s House Divided Speech
The Gospel in June
Visual lectionary from Vanderbilt
So, What is an Epistle?
Shred-it, June 12, 2024
Remembering St. Barnabas
Anything but Ordinary! Ordinary Time
St. Peter’s Wildflowers
Celebrating the Rappahannock River
Last Sunday, June 2, 2024
The Way We Were
Lectionary, June 2, 11am service
Photos
Videos
Bulletin
Sermon
Commentary
Ministries
Thy Kingdom Come
St. Peter’s Anniversary
Chancellor Village Photos and sermon, May 14
Chancellor’s Village Sermon, April 23
Foundations of an African-American Community
Sacred Ground, May, 2024
Sacred Ground, Feb., 2024
Sacred Ground, Jan., 2024
St. Peter’s and the Earth
Team Up to clean up event, April 20
ECM Maintenance, May 11
June newsletter
May newsletter
ECW Chair change
ECW Spring meeting, April 9
Breakfast program in Jamaica
Portland Guitar Duo at St. Peter’s, April 19, 2024
Summer meals
Village Harvest, May 2024
Village Harvest, April, 2024
Village Harvest, March, 2024
Village Harvest, Feb., 2024
Creeds class notes 5 sessions- Conclusion
God’s Garden collection
Photos
Videos
Bulletin
Lectionary, June 9, 11am service
Commentary
Sermon
Commentary, Corinthians
Lincoln’s House Divided Speech
The Gospel in June
Visual lectionary from Vanderbilt
So, What is an Epistle?
Shred-it, June 12, 2024
Remembering St. Barnabas
Anything but Ordinary! Ordinary Time
St. Peter’s Wildflowers
Celebrating the Rappahannock River
Last Sunday, June 2, 2024
The Way We Were
Lectionary, June 2, 11am service
Photos
Videos
Bulletin
Sermon
Commentary
Ministries
Special – May
Thy Kingdom Come
St. Peter’s Anniversary
Chancellor’s Village
Chancellor Village Photos and sermon, May 14
Chancellor’s Village Sermon, April 23
Sacred Ground
Foundations of an African-American Community
Sacred Ground, May, 2024
Sacred Ground, Feb., 2024
Sacred Ground, Jan., 2024
Season of Creation
St. Peter’s and the Earth
Team Up to clean up event, April 20
Episcopal Church Men
ECM Maintenance, May 11
Newsletters
June newsletter
May newsletter
Episcopal Church Women
ECW Chair change
ECW Spring meeting, April 9
Jamaica
Breakfast program in Jamaica
Performance
Portland Guitar Duo at St. Peter’s, April 19, 2024
Village Harvest
Summer meals
Village Harvest, May 2024
Village Harvest, April, 2024
Village Harvest, March, 2024
Village Harvest, Feb., 2024
Education
Creeds class notes 5 sessions- Conclusion
God’s Garden collection
Shred-It, June 12, 2024, 1:30pm
Above – From Left to right, top to bottom – 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022
Shred-it is an essential ministry because it involves a number of people around a common necessary task that is best accomplished by professionals.
Why support Shred-It?
1. For you. Shred-it’s goal is to safely dispose of records no longer needed. It may be old Tax returns, bank statements, investment records, any expired document etc. They lie around gathering dust and may contain personal information that needs to be kept secured even if the records are no longer pertinent or useful. For obvious reasons we don’t want to put them in the regular trash or even recycling bin. Dispose of sensitive documents safely and securely, and free up needed space at home or work.
2. There is also the environmental benefit for having these documents shred rather than lying in some landfill. A majority of people in the US still sends their trash to the dump. Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste.
3. Fellowship Shred-it is a fellowship event as well that goes beyond the church. It is a community event We get to see people who come around once a year from the community. We might ask “What’s new ? How has your life changed over the year ? Have you seen so and so from the neighborhood” and then .”Thanks for contributing to St. Peter’s ministries.” Andrea usually had food to encourage the fellowship.
It is also a time to remember those no longer part of our lives whether due to relocation, sickness, death or some other reason. It is another event that is part of the scrapbook of our lives.
4. For the church. It is also a fundraiser for our outreach ministries. The funds we earn less the cost of the Shred-it truck helps our outreach ministries, such as the Village Harvest food distribution, which plows funds back into the Port Royal community. We have netted $2,875 over the last 11 years for outreach ministries.
5. Finally, Shred-it is another opportunity to thank Andrea Pogue who came up with the idea and has organized it since. For all these reasons here it is a great ministry!
So I am encouraging you to check your valuable records, stuff that needs to go that you don’t want to entrust with your regular garbage or recycling services and plan to bring it to St. Peter’s on June 12 to let the professionals dispose of it securely. Publicize it to your friends!
Sunday’s Thoughts, June 2, 2024
A lovely collect this Sunday was a good start – “On this day of rest and gladness, we praise you, God of creation, for the dignity of work and the joy of play, for the challenge of witness and the invitation to delight at your table. Renew our hearts through your sabbath rest, that we might be refreshed to continue in your work of restoring the world to wholeness. Amen”
It is all about energy – work, play, witness, renewal and restoration.
This sense of energy carried through to the blessing-
“May the light of God illumine the heart of our souls.
May the flame of Christ kindle us to love.
May the fire of the Spirit free us to live.
This day, and forever more.”
We had the Rev. Shirley Smith Graham to talk to the congregation about the transition, planning and next steps. Johnny and the Vestry are handling this.
The sermon use the clay pots metaphor to illustrate Paul’s reading from Corinthians – “We have this treasure in clay jars.” In one case light can shine through and another it cannot. This was acted out by three children helpers. It provided examples of how St. Peter’s lets light shine through – the Village Harvest distributing food, the Jamaica project providing educational materials, the work with other organizations in the area including the schools, Sacred Ground providing scholarships.
We had another one coming up this month in June. Some of the best ministries are home grown and we have Shred-It that is a combination of fellowship, ecological goodness and outreach. On June 12, 1:30pm bring your documents to the church to be securely shred. Enjoy the fellowship with neighbors. Make a monetary contribution to St. Peter’s outreach for keeping your documents safe, secure and out of the landfill.
“Only God could give this small church the power to accomplish these things. God’s power works in us so that God’s glory can shine out through us.”
A nod to the transition – We are going to get broken in this life and suffer “big and and little deaths”. But these can be beneficial ” Change cracks us open so that new light and life can flow in and then back out into the world. Churches in transition are in the process of dying to what has been so that they can be open to the new life that will be, new life and light that they can then pour out into the world.”
Paul had the last word in the sermon – “Paul was right. We do have this treasure of God’s light in clay jars. So may we welcome the breaking, the spilling, the hardships, and the changes that life brings to each one of us and to our church. For through us, Jesus is already coming again in glory every time we get broken apart and his light shines and pours out through our brokenness into the world”