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

Late fall afternoon at St. Peter’s, Oct. 17, 2018

The best time to view St. Peter’s is late afternoon on a clear day. This is apparent when we have evening services during Holy Week and at other times. The golden hour is from about 4pm to 7pm.

Fall adds an additional dimension with vibrant sunshine, changing colors and a spirited wind. By 5pm the front of the church is glowing. Catherine took these pictures during the Village Harvest distribution Oct 17, 2018. What is stunning is that the windows were reflecting the change of seasons. The great sycamore was in fine form with a deep color of green.

Inside the church the light swirls and moves across the chancel, highlighting the door cross and/or altarpiece.

Season of Creation 2018 – A Look Back

The Season of Creation year B encompassed all 5 Sundays in September, 2018 and through St. Francis Day, Oct. 4

Key ideas

1. The Season of Creation as with last year focuses on God the Creator. God Creates the world God’s sustains the earth, promotes renewal for the entire creation, gives us the ability to take action where needed in the world.

2. The final creation was not at the beginning of Genesis and left as it was. The world is in constant creation.

3. As the Pope has said many times, “We are the guardians of Creation” and “everything is connected.” We must be the stewards of our earth and be on guard for its exploitation.

4. When we choose to live in God’s new creation, we grow, and contribute to the good of the world around us, loving one another.

5. The Season of creation is about images and symbols to depict creation and our roles through scripture and the sermon. We used the sower, miracles, butterflies seeds, gardens, and mandalas to convey the meaning this year.

St. Francis- Blessing of the Pets, 2018

Under clear, but warm skies for an early October Thursday, Catherine blessed six dogs – Max, Opie, Bo, Rosie, Charlie, Koda, and one kitten–Cricket. It was a heated contest but Max and his owner came out with the $25 Pet Smart gift certificate. Elizabeth Heimbach’s mouse treats were delicious as usual and Catherine added “munchies” for all. Including Catherine there were 17 people.

Gospel on the River, Sept. 29, 2018

The location has varied over the years but the format is similar – singing favorite gospel hymns on various instruments with food either before or after. It has always been sometime in September just before the fall coolness arrives.

This year 17 participated with Jim Heimbach on the piano and Helmut on the violin with some vocals from Nancy. It has been in the church, besides the Parish House, in Portobago Bay but this year was the first time in a private home, the Heimbach home.

The history of the event is here and it goes back to 2007. As Helmut describes, “From our residence, we see the river front improvement here at Portobago. The Lord has created this beautiful spot for us. So, why not thank him and praise him right there in the midst of his beautiful creation.”

Village Harvest, Aug. 15, 2018

After reaching a high number served of 153 in April and dropping in May to 112, we have been steadily increasing the numbers served over the last quarter.  June fed 100, July 119 and this month in August rose to 140. We have served 860 people this year which is below 2017 (1,039) but above 2016 (763). See the entire article

Village Harvest, July 18, 2018

The weather was temperate with temperatures in the mid 80’s under brilliant sunshine. We had a variety of help transporting and organizing the food including visiting priest Luis Garcia and his family from the Dominican Republic. He is our celebrant this Sunday

1,490 pounds of food were distributed which included a wide variety – 588 pounds of fresh produce, 463 pound of grocery items, 322 pounds of meat and 40 pounds of bakery items. While a significant number, it is under average this year’s average of 1,617 pounds. Still it is 121% greater than the same period a year ago. Parishioners are contributing school supplies this month and next.

Food went to 119 families, the largest number since April. The average food received was 12.52 pounds of food with a value of $75

Thanks to Andrea Pogue for the photos.

Youth outing to Maymont, July 10, 2018

We had 14 youth and adults come along to the nature section of Maymont estate in Richmond on July 10, 2018. A midsummer treat!

Everyone enjoyed running and playing on the well tended grounds. In the outdoor nature exhibit, we met owls, hawks, vultures, and two bald eagles. A small stream, the waterfall, the stepping stones were endlessly entertaining.

Everyone enjoyed the farm, with its goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and a donkey. The goats and sheep licked food right out of our hands. Back at the nature exhibit, we learned about the many creatures that inhabit the James River and other Virginia waterways.

July 4, 2018 at St. Peter’s

St. Peter’s was the scene of the Historic Port Royal July 4, observation.

Many parishioners were involved. Cookie Davis, the President of Historic Port Royal opened the event and talked of her family roots. Nancy Long, Chair of the Caroline County Board, stressed the importance of participation and service in the collective role of government – we are the government.

The men led by Johnny Davis served lunch and netted $600. Helping him were Helmut Linne von Berg, Charles McGuire, Ken and Andrea Pogue, Bill Wick, and Laura Carey.
Mike Newman as the town crier gave an impassioned reading of the Declaration of Independence. The afternoon event included Marlyn Newman’s harp competition winners performing a mini-concert.

Cleo Coleman (a good Baptist, though she occasionally visits us and participates in weekly ecumenical Bible study) provided an amazing historic recreation of Harriet Tubman in her later years in a nursing home recalling her life on a Maryland plantation and her role in the Underground Railroad.

Nancy Long, Mike Newman, Thom Guthrie, pianist and Bill McCoy, organist (OK he is a Methodist) led the crowd in a patriot hymn fest.

The Nature Hike, June 19, 2018

On a steamy hot day, Tuesday, June 19th, the St Peter’s kids, their parents, Odessa Davis, Dave Duke and Becky Fisher, along with Catherine Hicks and Andrea Pogue gathered to hike around Portobago Bay, to worship out in the beauty of God’s beautiful world, to greet the neighbors and to enjoy creation.