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.

Photos

Maundy Thursday

We had 31 tonight on April 5, 2012 focusing on the Last Supper, Judas betrayal and the descent into Gethsemane.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, 2012

We had about 30 at the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper (Feb. 21, 2012) and 23 at Ash Wednesday the next night in 2012. Thanks to Dave Fannon, Johnny Davis, Bill Wick, Nancy Long, Barbara Segar, Cookie Davis and many others for their help on Tuesday. Also, thanks to Helmut for his Red Lenten Cross that we have enjoyed for the second year in a row beginning on Ash Wed. Weather cooperated for some interesting photography.

Ladies Night Out, Feb 12, 2011

The Men cooked the meal (fish, beef, pizza, macoroni, asparagus, two types of salad, chees) with cupcakes for desert. We had a game afterward designed by Barabara Wisdom and Cindy Fields. Lots of laughts. Thanks to all

Ladies Night Out, May 12, 2012

About 30 people came to the 10th anniversary of this event on a beautiful May evening. We thank Tom Mahoney for coming up with the idea. Appropriately it was scheduled in 2012 on the day before Mother’s day. Highlights included Dave Fannon’s catfish, Dave Beck’s shrimp and Laura Carey’s poundcake. Afterwards there was the “newly wed game”, 5 couples participating and the Betchy’s as the winners

St. Peter’s July 4, 2012

Gallery focuses on St. Peter’s activities – food, music and history – as part of the overall Historic Port Royal celebration on July 4, 2012. St. Peter’s conducted church tours, provided music from Marilyn Newman on harp, Thom Guthrie on the organ and cooked lunch. It was also place of rest with the new air conditioner. Thanks to Marilyn Newman, Nancy Long, Thom Guthrie and the entire ECW, Evening/ECW, Vestry, Stanley Fields for helping with this event.

Tennebrae, April 20, 2011

TENEBRAE is the Latin word for darkness or shadows. This service introduces the events of Holy Week and provides an opportunity to meditate on those events through the words of the Psalms. The most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual distinguishing of candles until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains.

Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011

At this service, we focus on the institution of Holy Eucharist, given to us by Jesus at the Last Supper, the gift of love in the sacrament of Christs Body and Blood. We also focus on the law of love, the demonstration of self-giving which is symbolized in the washing of feet. This service is the beginning of the celebration of the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter Vigil, April 23, 2011

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER-This service ends our Holy Week services and begins the celebration of the Resurrection. Within this service is the story of our redemption throughout history, through scripture and through baptism. In this service, we celebrate our Passover, the passing over from death into life, from sin into grace, from darkness into light. At the beginning of the service, we will light the Paschal Fire,

Good Friday, April 22, 2011

This service is a time of prayer and reflection as we meditate on Christs passion and death. The service begins in silence and darkness because it is a continuation of the Maundy Thursday service. At this service, we will hear the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. A large cross will be brought into the church and we will have time to meditate on Christs passion and death during the Veneration of the Cross.

Gospel on the River, Sept. 13, 2015

Gospel on the River was moved to St. Peter’s in 2015 to provide a more ecumenical setting. The crowd was larger at 37, attracting some local Baptists. Helmut and Jim have led the music for the last few years but this year invited one of Helmut’s former violin students which added to the music. They also printed a new program with larger print. They added pieces (“Go Forward”) that Jim remembered from his mother’s hymnbook. The pieces used at the event are old time Gospel hymns which are beloved but have been eliminated from some hymn books or not sung as much. By the end of the service, weather was glorious as was the music.

Gospel on the River, Sept. 29, 2013

|We had 30 people at Gospel on the River at the Reynolds pavilion in Portabago Bay, slightly down from last year at 35. Social hour was the for the first 45 minutes. Beer and wines were standard fare along with Nancy’s wonderful fish, Andrea’s bread, mini casseroles, finger food, Cherry’s cookies and ham sandwiches. Helmut and Denise Symonds led us through the pieces.

Gospel on the River, Sept. 21

A photo gallery by Barbara Wisdom. A wonderful late afternoon of hospitality, conversation, music and the singing of traditional hymns along the beautiful Rappahannock River, Sept 21, 2014.

Gospel on the Rivah, 2011

A wonderful day of food, fellowship and song along the Rappahannock River at Portabago Bay (9/17/2011)