St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Port Royal, VA
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.
The Little Falls Bluegrass Band from Stafford returns this Pentecost to entertain us as they did in 2023.
The gentlemen have played bluegrass music for many years in many bands, including this one. They have played for weddings, social and church services. They are tight both in music and friendship – and it shows! Several attend Community Baptist Church in Stafford.
Since Bishop Harris will be here May 19, it is a good chance to look at how we got bishops in the first place. Without distinctive “gear” we wouldn’t know them from regular priests.
Our church name, Episcopal is taken from the collective group of bishops in a church.
The concept of a bishop developed gradually in the early church as an overseer but by the 1st century became established as the head of the house churches in a city. The bishop became less associated with a particular church. A single bishop was expected to lead the church in each center of Christian mission, supported by a council of presbyters (a distinct and subordinate position) with a pool of deacons
Faith Magazine provides a good run down of the bishop adornments:
Crosier: The bishop carries a tall hooked staff called a crosier. In the Western church, it is shaped like a shepherd’s crook to symbolize the bishop’s role as the shepherd of his flock. Its roots go back to the walking staffs of travelers at the time of Christ, and crosiers dating from as early as the fourth century have been found in the catacombs. By the Council of Toledo in 633, the crosier was mentioned as a liturgical implement.
Miter: The miter is the tall peaked hat that bishops wear. It has its origin in the cap with headbands worn by athletes of ancient Greece. It took its current form in the 12th century. The miter/s two shield-shaped halves are said to represent the Old and New Testaments. Two strips of fabric called lappets hang down the back. The lappets were originally designed to be tied around the chin to prevent the miter from falling off while the bishop rode on horseback. The miter is laid aside when the bishop prays, and underneath it he wears a zuchetto, a skullcap originally designed to keep hair oil off the miter.
Pectoral Cross: The bishop wears a cross called a pectoral cross. Its name derives from the Latin word pectus or “breast.” It is worn differently, depending on the bishop’s garments. For example, if he is in a suit and collar, the pectoral cross is usually placed in the vest pocket, with the chain showing. That’s why you’ll often see the bishop with a gold chain across his chest. The cross can hang from either a chain or silk cord, and many of them held relics of the True Cross. The stone assigned to bishops and archbishops is the amethyst, and many pectoral crosses are adorned with one or more.
Episcopal Ring: Bishops wear a ring that has multiple layers of meaning. It has been a symbol of authority and jurisdiction since the third century. The ring also symbolizes the bishop’s marriage to the church, his spiritual parentage and the inviolable faithfulness with which he will teach and protect his flock. This onyx ring was used by Bishop Povish.
On Sunday, May 19th, The Day of Pentecost, The Rt Rev Gayle Harris, Assisting Bishop in The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, will join us at St Peter’s for a joyful time of worship and celebration and for Confirmation and Reception.
Jennifer Gamber explains that “Confirmation is one of the Church’s seven sacraments. Sacraments are “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” In the sacraments we recognize God’s active presence in our lives.
The Episcopal Church recognizes the two great sacraments of the Bible, which are baptism and Eucharist, and five sacramental rights, which include Confirmation. For Confirmation, the outward visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace is the laying on of hands by the bishop, and the inward spiritual grace is the strengthening of the Holy Spirit.” (see Jennifer Gamber’s book, Your Faith, Your Life, An Invitation to the Episcopal Church for more details.)
The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that “in the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age, are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”
“Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.”
For those who have been confirmed in another denomination, the Book of Common Prayer provides for the formal reception into the Episcopal Church, which honors the commitment already having been made in the person’s previous denomination.
Prayer Walking – The God who walks with us. By Sammy Jordan
Prayer Walks. It’s a great way of connecting with our communities and connecting with God for them on a whole new level.
Prayer walking is not for the super spiritual. Prayer walking is for everybody. Prayer walking is very simple you don’t have to say or do anything other than invite God to go on a walk with you.
Scriptural basis
1 In Genesis it says Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden and when we
walk and pray we need to remember that God walks with us for me being
physically present amplifies my sense of connection to both God and the people
and place I’m praying for I love.
2 Jeremiah 29:7 seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into Exile and pray to
the Lord on its behalf for and, this is the bit I love, in its welfare you will
find your welfare. It inspires and encourages me to pray for bless and serve my community because my well-being and flourishing is connected with it.
Remember when you’re putting on your shoes you are putting on shoes of peace!
How can you pray for peace and blessing for your community as you walk? Notice where God pro prompts you to pause and pray stop outside neighbors doors maybe use their their names as you pray for peace to enter their home. Do the same thing for
shops schools and businesses in your area. I often use road signs and markings to help me pray.
Crossroads remind me to pray for people with decisions to make, stop signs or red traffic lights for people who feel stuck, amber lights and also bus stops for people who are waiting, and green lights for people who are going people who are responding and doing something new.
I also love to use nature it reminds me of growth what is God growing in our communities.