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.

Lectionary Season of Creation V

Collect – “Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure;”

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 takes us through the problems of leading a badly-informed, traumatised people, the virtues of delegation and the liberation of letting others get on with what we cannot manage!

These verses stand near the beginning of part II of Israel’s time of wandering in the wilderness,  having just departed from Mt. Sina. A lively exchange between God and Moses follows. God replies to Moses’ complaint in two respects:  (1) God will share the spirit given to Moses with others, who will help to bear the burden (see verses 16-17, 24-30); (2) God will provide the meat for which the people have asked (see verses 18-23, 31-35). God works in and through the natural world to provide for his people

The entire book of Numbers is set in a journey through the wilderness. For us is may be a wilderness due to climate change. We are taken from the securities of life to the unknowns

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Lectionary, Pentecost 19, Proper 21, Year B, Sept. 29, 2024

I. Theme –  Healing and protection involving our work and inspiration from God

“Jesus Welcomes the Children” – Maha (1973)

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea” – Mark 9:42

The lectionary readings are here  or individually: 

Old Testament – Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29
Psalm – Psalm 19:7-14 Page 606-607, BCP
Epistle – James 5:13-20
Gospel – Mark 9:38-50  

Today’s readings illustrate how God can choose unexpected people to do God’s work. The readings focus on healing and protection. Neither of these entirely comes from God, but involve our agency as well as divine creativity and care.

In Numbers Eldad and Medad, though not participating in Moses’ official “commissioning,” receive the same Spirit of prophecy as the seventy elders. James suggests practical guidelines for those who wish to do God’s work. Today’s gospel reading relates how Jesus, like Moses, endorses the work of those who, though not part of his “in-group,” still bring healing in God’s name.

Readers may squirm with embarrassment at the first words out of John’s mouth in today’s gospel. He brands himself a bigot with his snooty concern: those other guys are doing good! Translated to today’s terminology, it sounds all too familiar: someone of another age group/church/parish/gender/ethnic group/system of belief is threatening our monopoly on ministry. It is especially ironic in view of the fact that the disciples themselves had just failed at exorcism (Mark 9:14-19).

The passage has particular meaning as we enter an era when people are united more by common concerns than by religious labels. Could it mean more to be a committed Christian or a faithful human being than to be a good Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutheran ? If our brothers and sisters in synagogues or mosques make inroads on a social problem that plagues us all, we cheer for them, rather than jealously wishing we’d achieved that success.

As if we weren’t already squirming enough, Jesus directs a word to those who might consider themselves more educated or advanced in faith than others. He reserves his grimmest punishment for those who take advantage of the childlike. The next time we are tempted to poke fun at the simple beliefs of others, we might remember Gehenna: the smelly, smoldering garbage dump outside Jerusalem. Our little joke or ploy might buy us a one-way ticket to the place where maggots chew on offal. Is it really worth it?

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Sept 29 – Tough Words from Jesus – Mark 9:38-50

From the SALT Blog

Link to Mark’s Gospel reading

1) “Once again (it’s a common theme in Mark), the disciples just don’t get it. Jesus, holding a child in his arms, has just been teaching them about true greatness; about seeking humility, not superiority; about being “servant of all,” not “first of all.” And how do they respond? With a breathless report showcasing their religious arrogance! Someone else is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, “and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us” (Mark 9:38). Note the phrasing: “not following us.” In a perfect illustration of Christian hubris, the disciples equate “following Jesus” with “following us.” If they’re not with us, they must be against us.

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Recent Articles, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Sept 29, 2024


Ninetenth Sunday after Pentecost, Season of Creation 5, Sept. 29

Season of Creation 5, Sept. 29


Episcopal Lingo, Part 6, Baptism
Diocesan ECW 134th Fall Meeting, Oct. 12, 2024
Lectionary, Sept. 29
Lectionary Commentary, Sept 29, 2024
Tough Words from Jesus, Sept 29
Visual Lectionary, Sept 29, 2024
St. Michael and the Angels, Sept. 30
St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2024
Richard Rohr on St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2024

From Week 5, Sept. 29 – Deforestation
Deforestation introduction
Deforestation contributing to drought
Deforestation in the Amazon
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation – Deforestation this week

From Week 4, Sept. 22 – Food
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation – Food this week
Food waste introduction
Focus on Food Waste
Food Waste tackled by 9 states. Only Mass. was able to make reductions
Season of Creation Lectionary IV, Sept 22
Prayers for the Earth

From Week 3, Sept. 15 – Native Plants
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation
Native Plants on the Rappahannock
Boosting Pollinators during the Season of Creation

From Week 2, Sept 8 – Climate Change
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation
The tipping points of climate change — and where we stand
Summing end of 2023 progress on climate change
Assessing Climate – What’s NOT Working?

From Week 1, Sept 1 – Introduction
Why a Season of Creation ?
What is the Season of Creation ?
The Season of Creation, 2024
Connecting to the Season of Creation
Keys to the Season of Creation
Spritual Reflections on Nature and Humankind

Sunday Links, Sept. 29, 2024

19th Sunday After Pentecost Sept 29, 11am. Season of Creation 5

  • Web site
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  • Location – 823 Water Street, P. O. Box 399, Port Royal, Virginia 22535
  • Staff and Vestry
  • Wed., Sept 25, Ecumenical Bible 10am in the Parish House reading the lectionary for Sept. 29
  • Wed., Oct 3, Ecumenical Bible 10am in the Parish House reading the lectionary for Oct 3

  • Coming up!

  • Bill Wick’s Funeral, Sat Sept 28, 11am

  • Diocesan ECW 134th Fall Meeting, Oct. 12, 2024

  • All articles for Sunday, Sept 29, 2024