Dr. Robert Pritchard of Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) preached and celebrated at today’s service as part of St. Peter’s 175th aniversary. (His sermon is here).
He spoke about St. Peter’s building being the third on its site. "They are- to use a phrase I first heard this past week – cured by prayer. They are soaked in prayer over time in the same way that a good Virginia ham is cured." He said they are sacred spaces (as noted in the bulletin), the home of numerous generations seeking God’s guidance. When St. Peter’s was formed, the Diocese of Va. was in a wave of expansion. In the 1830’s new town congregations were being formed to supplement the rural parishes and St. Peter’s was part of the expansion. VTS supplied 3 rectors – Rev. William Friend [VTS 1832], James Poindexter. [Middler 1861], Rev. Ware [VTS 1887]. They became centers of more than church on Sunday – they were a community of faith
We were also treated to a wonderful duet ("Loving Faith") by Helmut, Nancy Long accompanied by Brad Volland.
In Adult Ed, we studied the history of the British Book of Common Prayer (1662). Next week will be the American Book of Common Prayer (10am)