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.

2023 Sun Aug 13

Photos, Youth Pool Party, Aug 13, 2023

(full size gallery)

The Youth end of summer came to the Davis household on Aug 13 at 2pm. School begins this week. Instead of a blessing of back packs, the focus was on water – the waters of baptism and the waters for recreation. They first discussed baptism. Most could not remember their baptism so it was appropriate for Catherine to lead them in the renewal of their baptism vows. They discussed the differences between John the Baptism focus on repentence and Jesus baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Swimming was next on the agenda. Since it was a hot day, the water was refreshing, even for Jack, the Davis dog.

About 4pm there was an ice cream social – making your ice cream in a bowl and or cone. There were at least 5 flavors of ice cream. After this there were games – a bean bag game, in particular. The hummingbirds fluttering around were a visual treat. We learned how much sugar and water was needed to keep them happy.

The party concluded at 5pm. Time for school!

Annette Steele’s day at St. Peter’s, Sun Aug 13, 2023

Annette Steele, principal of Victoria Primary School, enjoyed a full day at St. Peter’s on Sun, Aug. 13. She addressed the church at announcements about our joint mission to help the students in her elementary school get ready for school in Sept, both in 2021 and 2023. She explained how much it meant to the students and her community.

After the service, she enjoyed St. Peter’s hospitality at a luncheon and met our parishioners and guests.

Then, she came to the youth pool party to sample many flavors of ice cream. The rest of the mission team this year – Andrea and Ken Pogue and Laure Carey were also there. The team depart on Wed Aug. 23 in preparation for the school distribution on Sat. Aug. 26 for over 300 students.

Addressing the church, having lunch with two of our guests and then a conversation with the Rev. Catherine Hicks.

Filling up on ice cream at the youth pool party in the afternoon! Image at right shows Annette and to her right St. Peter’s mission team members, Laura Carey, Andrea Pogue and Ken Pogue.

Thanks for all who have supported this mission and those who journey to Jamaica to help with the school distribution.

Videos, Pentecost 11, Aug. 13, 2023

Welcome!

Opening Hymn – “O God Our Help in Ages Past” – Portion – Congregation

Gospel and Sermon

Prayers of the People

Announcements, including address by Anneette Steele, Principal of Victoria School

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Ways to help those in need in Hawaii

Ways to help those in need in Hawaii

->Group Donation 

We at St Peter’s  can come together as a group to do our part to help with immediate relief efforts in Hawaii.  If you would like to donate through St Peter’s, as this part of the Body of Christ, make out a check to St Peter’s and put Hawaii in the memo line.  The St Peter’s collection will go to The Diocese of Hawaii to The Bishop’s Pastoral Fund with a note that this is from our church, St Peter’s,  here in The Diocese of Virginia.   The Diocese of Hawaii will put this money to work through A Cup of Cold Water,  the homeless assistance ministry run by the four Episcopal Churches on the island of Maui. 

If you would prefer to donate individually online to The Bishop’s Pastoral Fund, click this link.  online donations

->Individual Donations

If you would like to donate online through Episcopal Relief and Development, click on this link, https://support.episcopalrelief.org  and put US Disaster Fund in the memo line.  This group is also working with The Diocese of Hawaii. 

Charity Navigator, a website that rates charities in an effort to help people use their donations wisely, has a curated list of charities which are accepting donations to help the people of Hawaii.  Go to this link, https://www.charitynavigator.org .  Click on Hawaii Wildfires to find their list and ways to contribute to various groups online.  

Sunday Links, Aug. 13, 2023, Pentecost 11

Today is the famous story of Jesus walking on water. We receive a special visitor

  • Web site
  • YouTube St. Peter’s Page for viewing services
  • Facebook St. Peter’s Page
  • Location – 823 Water Street, P. O. Box 399, Port Royal, Virginia 22535

    • Before and After the July 29 storm

    “

  • Sun. Aug. 13, 2023, 11am Eucharist YouTube 823 Water St. Port Royal, VA 22535
  • Lectionary Aug. 13, Pentcost 11, Lectionary lnk
  • Aug 13. Welcome Annette Steele, Principal of the Victoria Primary School in Jamaica. We have supported the school since 2021.

  • There will be a lunch after the service in the Parish House. Following lunch, all are invited to come to the Davis residence from 2-5 PM for a time of renewal, recreation, and refreshments. During our time together, we will consider our baptisms and renew our baptismal vows, and those who would like to experience what baptism by John the Baptist might have been like will have that opportunity.

  • Celebrating the Virgin Mary, Aug. 15
  • Ecumenical Bible Study, Wed., Aug. 16, 10am-12pm, Parish House

    Reading Lectionary for Aug. 20, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

  • Aug., 2023 Newsletter
  • All articles for Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023

    • A Full day of Church with Annette Steele’s visit to St. Peter’s and the Youth pool party all afternoon. We have photo galleries and some videos of both.

    We had 33 at service which was encouraging. Hightlights would have to be the announcements which centered on outreach for Jamaica and our mission trip. Annette Steele was here from the elementry school to underscore the need for mission. Mission trips are wonderful since both sides find benefits. Another area need support was Hawaii. We provided informatin in the bulletin and on this website how to provide assistance for Hawaii after the wild fire.

    We had numerous visitors in support of Jamaica and Annette Steele’s visit. The luncheon was provide by numerous parishioners.

    Summer Party for Youth and Children

    What’s better than a party before school reopens!! St Peter’s Episcopal Church women welcomed a group of youth and children from Port Royal for lunch and games on Wednesday, August 9th. School starts next week.

    This was the first summer event for Port Royal since the pandemic. In 2019, we had a program during June and part of July. Here is a link to an event in late July, 2019.

    This year focused on pure entertainment. The children had fun playing various games. The giant bubble maker was a huge hit. Also, everyone guessed how many M&Ms were in a large container (1984 M&Ms!). The winner gave everyone else some M&Ms to take home.

    Adults and children enjoyed eating pizza, watermelon, and grapes for lunch in the pavilion. All of the children got to take home a selection of books, thanks to Elizabeth and The Little Free Library program. Thanks to all who attended and all who worked to make this enjoyable time a success.

    Thanks to the work of the ECW and planning by Andrea Pogue and Elizabeth Heimbach. Thanks in addition to Dave and Jean for helping out.

    Welcome, Annette Steele!

    On Sunday Aug 13, 2023, Annette Steele, Principal of the Victoria Primary School in Jamaica, will be with us during the 11AM worship service. Two years ago we purchased enough school supplies for 350 children and sent 7 on a mission trip. We will return this month sending more school supplies and this time equipment.

    Annette was born in Jamaica and received her education at University of the West Indies, Jamaica with a Bachelors in Primary Education and a Masters in Education. She started as a 6th grade teacher and then moved toward administration, first as a vice principal and then a principal in 2010 at Victoria Primary School.

    Victoria Primary School has been in existence since 1932. They currently have 300-350 students in enrollment ages 6-12 years, 13 teachers, and one guidance counselor on staff. Annette is married and has two daughters

    What does she love about education? “Teaching and watching the kids excel is my ultimate goal, I am extremely passionate about my students.”

    “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Andrea, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the community for initiating this Back to School Drive. Thanks for their continued support. It is making a tremendous impact on the students, parents, teachers, and the community alike.”

    We will have lunch to honor Annette following worship in the Parish House.

    Following the lunch, all are invited to come to the Davis residence from 2-5 PM for a time of renewal, recreation, and refreshments. During our time together, we will consider our baptisms and renew our baptismal vows, and those who would like to experience what baptism by John the Baptist might have been like will have that opportunity. Thank you to Cookie and Johnny Davis for hosting this party.

    Here is how to Walk on Water

    Running, jumping and biking on 8,000 litres of non-newtonian fluid known as Oobleck. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    Oobleck is a suspension of cornstarch and water that can behave like a solid or a liquid depending on how much pressure you apply.

    The word “Oobleck” came from a Dr. Seuss book:

    Can you walk on water ?

    “And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:25-27

    Notes from https://www.scienceabc.com/pure-sciences/can-you-humans-walk-on-water-myth-buoyancy-density-viscosity.html

    “Miracles, like those we read about in Matthew 14 are similar to parables. Both miracles and parables prompt much wondering. In the case of miracles, many people often wonder “Could this really have happened?”

    “The principle that determines whether a body can sink or not is called Archimedes’ Principle. It states that, for a body to float, it needs to displace the exact same amount of water with a weight equal to the total weight of the floating body. The weight of the displaced water exerts a force on the body, causing it to float. This force is called buoyant force and we can change its value by changing certain characteristics of water.

    “The condition for floating is quite simple: the buoyant force should be greater than or equal to the weight of the body. If the value of buoyant force is large enough, then a body floats; otherwise, it sinks. The only thing we need to worry about is how we can increase this buoyant force.

    “So… How Can We Walk On Water?

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