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

St. Francis Celebration, Oct. 4, 2017

This was a different St. Francis Event, 4pm-6pm, Oct. 4, 2017. In the past we have had the service around the Blessing of the Pets. In other years at Charter Day we gave out treats and had some blessings. The link to the story is here.

This year we had a variety of activities – art, a scavenger hunt, the blessing and then following it the Village Dinner.
In attendance were 7 dogs, 3 hermit crabs, a wounded vulture and 2,000 bees. The people came at different times so the service was repeated several times. Usually the people gather for one service Catherine also had “treats to go” that she gave out at the Village Dinner

Thanks to all who participated in particular for Susan Tilt’s art project, Andrew Huffman for his wonderful explanation on our bees and for gathering the bees in a separate glassed container so all could see, Catherine for the scavenger hunt (for both children and adults), the helpers with the Village Dinner and of course those who brought their animals. There was much more diversity from just having dogs.

Magical Strings in concert, April 22, 2017

We had 40 for this spring concert of Magical Strings, a duo of Philip and Pam Boulding. This was our concert for 2017. The story is here.

Pam is the spokesperson for the group and plays hammered dulcimer and ocarina. Philip plays 2 different sized celtic harps, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulicmer, guitar, pennywhistles and Iris Accordian. Besides this he made the dulcimers, harps, and guitar used in the concert! You read it right! He was apprenticed to a guitar maker and with a love of Irish music this was extended into instruments for his Irish pieces.

The group has been playing almost 30 years. Since 1980 Magical Strings has recorded 18 albums on Flying Fish/Rounder, EarthBeat Records, and their own label, Magic Hill Music.

Shrine Mont 2017

Our Shrine Mont weekend with Christ Episcopal was May 5-7 with 10 going this year. (Not pictured, Barbara and Edge). This is the 4th year Christ Episcopal has invited to share in the wonder of Shrine Mont. The theme was Celtic Christianity which was presented by Catherine on a very rainy weekend. (They couldn’t worship in the Shrine but did manage to hike to the cross.

Here are 4 years of Shrine Mont retreat

Prayer Walk

This was a meaningful event on many levels, visiting 11 stops in Port Royal for about an hour, starting at 8:30am. Bishop Shannon had not done a prayer walk or “beating of the bounds” since he was a Parish Priest. The beauty of the early morning captivated all, especially the nature stops. We invited the Baptists at Shiloh and Memorial to pray with us . We had the fisherman on the river participate. We talked about the history of the places visited. It was an event of interest to all ages. We had all 3 orders present – Deacon, Priest and Bishop

Thanks to Catherine for writing the prayers, the Bishop for walking with us and all who participated, about 13. We want to do this again with parishioners and others writing prayers. It helps us see the larger picture in our community to work with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to share in the blessings we have. A great event!

Best of Easter 2017

We started out at the Sunrise Service at the Long’s House at 6:30am. It was a half an hour later than last year. The weather was both warmer and clearer with a gentle warm breeze in contrast to the overcast 40 degree weather of a year ago.

Easter is a time of new growth. Walking through Port Royal there were plenty of examples – cherry trees, forsythia, dogwood, and new leaves on trees. Bill Wick’s Viburnum was amazing for its growth

Easter is a time of celebration and that included music. The choir had worked hard on John Rutter’s “Glory to God” with trumpeter Andy Cortez playing the descant. Andy also had accompaniments written for the opening hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and the closing “The Day of Resurrection.

Celebration was apparent in the number of Easter bonnets that were worn. We had 70 in attendance, an overflow helped by several families. The service opened with the lighting of the Paschal fire outside and procession inside.

Link. to the news page.

All Saints 2016

We had 63 people in church for the celebration of All Saints and completion of 2016 projects, altarpiece and kitchen. Here is a
link to the news page. We were fortunate to have the Rev. Charles Sydnor to provide the sermon. Charles is involved in historic societies in his home county of Northumberland plus as Rector of St. George’s Episcopal 1976-2003 he was no stranger to renovations.

During the announcements, Catherine introduced and gave gifts to the Altarpiece team. She presented Cleo Mullins who acted as the central contact a copy of Ralph Fall’s Hidden Village. Cindy Helton was thanked for her work as UTO chair for the Diocese. Her communication was essential in getting the grant for the kitchen. The reception was a cover dish meal which filled the Parish House and provided plenty of use for the kitchen.

Best of VBS 2016

4 days in the Summer of 2016! An impossible task is to pick the “best” of anything. Everyone sees it differently. Nevertheless about 5 pictures were picked for each day. However, Day 4 was just too “good” and so a few more were picked. There is a title and ending slide – both appropriately on the sidewalk outside the church. The sidewalk is the gateway to the world we serve.
All this would be impossible except for photographers Elizabeth Long, Cookie Davis and Catherine Hicks. Thanks. This is a combination of their work. Many thanks.
Most of all thanks goes to Becky Fisher who taught the children during the week. That’s a lot of time of preparation and execution – and recovery from day to day. Also to the volunteers – Judy, Johnny, Cookie, Eunice, Andrea and to those who cooked lunch for the children – Elizabeth, Catherine, Johnny, Cookie, Betty.
Our main VBS2016 page has all the pictures and commentary of all 4 days.

Vacation Bible School, Day 2, July 7, 2015

Today’s verse was “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” In our opening worship time we sang our two songs–This is the Day and God is so Good. We listened to the ocean’s roar in a conch shell, and then we used a variety of noise makers to add sound to Psalm 98. In the Godly Play room we heard the story of Jesus and the disciples on the stormy sea and Jesus calming the sea. The children made kite suncatchers during craft time

Workday June 21, 2010

Workday began at 5:30pm on June 21, 2010, the first day of summer. Despite the heat there was an enthusiastic crew.