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.

Outreach

Update on Snacks for Caroline County Public Schools

Based on information discussed at the February CERVE meeting regarding the need for snacks at the elementary schools in Caroline County, St Peter’s Vestry made a donation, along with many other churches, to raise $1268 to be spent on snacks for the three schools. Teachers at these schools have been individually providing snacks for their classrooms since many of the children cannot afford to bring a daily snack to school.  

One of the CERVE members coordinated with personnel at the three county elementary schools, getting input about what snacks would be wanted.  She then purchased juice boxes, fruit cups, apple sought and other healthy snacks and delivered snacks to the three schools.  With the donations received, the schools will receive snacks through the rest of this school year.  Needless to say, everyone is extremely grateful for this direct help for our Caroline County children. 

CERVE connects us with emergency outreach in Caroline County

St Peter’s has been a long-time participant in CERVE, which stands for Caroline Emergency Relief through Volunteer efforts.  Fred Pannell served as the Treasurer of CERVE for many years.  Boyd Wisdom served as our representative until Elizabeth Heimbach took that job.  St Peter’s representation will continue as various people attend the upcoming meetings.  Deputy Trey Clifton represented us in March.  Catherine Hicks attended in April.  The following people have signed up for the next several months.  

May 28—Johnny Davis
June 25—Elizabeth Heimbach
July 23—Linda Upshaw
September 14—Andrea Pogue
October 22—Larry Saylor

Consider representing St Peter’s and signing up for a meeting.  This is a great place to find out how St Peter’s, with other churches, can help to meet various needs in the county.   Find out about how the Department of Social Services, the Sheriff’s Department, the churches and other organizations in the county come together to meet emergency needs by providing emergency lodging and fuel assistance, and also help with utilities, rent, and prescription medicine

Anyone can join!  Please consider donating to CERVE and make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. Here is our Givelify link

“Team Up to Clean Up” in Caroline County, April 20

Thanks to the 7 people who picked up trash on Aug. 20 in support of Earth Day and to improve the beauty of Caroline County. We collected 9 orange bags.

Our territory was the trailer court at the edge of the nature perserve. The front was littered with plastic and paper in all stages of deterioration. We ventured in to the woods with thick brush that hindered our way. All sorts of things were found including a plastic bucket.

Thanks to the Solid Waste Department of Caroline County for sponsoring this trash pickup for a second year. They supplied the bright orange bags for pickup as well as the grabbers and vests for identification.

Here is a photo gallery of the event.


(full size gallery)

Bingo Night, Feb 26, 6pm-7:30pm, Port Royal Fire house

Mon., Feb. 26th, Bingo Night 6-7:30PM at Port Royal Fire Department St Peter’s is serving as a Partner in Education with the Caroline County Public Schools.

We will be providing snacks for the Caroline County. If you would like to help, please bring granola bars, individually wrapped bags of trail mix, or small bottles of water and place them in the back pew by Sunday, Feb. 25.

Souper Bowl Sunday – Food and card donations

1. Prayer at Announcements

We collected food cans from parishioners today plus cards addressed to the recipients to provide additional connections to our Village Harvest food distribution, happening Wed Feb. 21, 3pm-5pm.

2. Results. We collected 41 cans of food and 33 cards donated plus $75 in monetary donations.

The goal was thirty cans and thirty cards for those who come to the distribution so we exceeded our goal. It was also above last year with 25 cans Thanks to all!

It was not just the donation that was important but also the symbolic bringing of the donation to the altar which we did today. This practice goes back to at least Exodus in the Old Testament when Moses encourages bringing donations forward to the Lord.

Discretionary fund donations, Feb. 11

Thank you for your discretionary fund donations. A total of $270 was collected Feb 11, 2024.

The bulletin of the same day announced recent funding. “In January, $850 of our discretionary fund helped 9 families with internet access, rent, and electricity. Thank you for your ongoing generosity for this ministry.”

SouperBowl! Feb 11, 2024

Bring a can, or cans, of soup to church on the 11th, along with a Valentine’s Day card wishing the recipient love from St Peter’s to be included in a Village Harvest bag on Wed, February 21st. The goal—thirty cans of soup and thirty cards for those who come to the distribution. Monetary donations to the Village Harvest are always welcome. Write a check to St Peter’s with Village Harvest in the memo line if you wish to donate.

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