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The GrapevineWare Episcopal Church Gloucester, Virginia October 2002 Ware Church Celebrates 350th Anniversary of Its Founding Some fifty years ago, The Rt. Rev'd Henry St. George Tucker, Bishop of Virginia from 1927 to 1944 and later Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, joined the Rev'ds Reginald Eastman, James Lincoln and Marshall Milton for the 300th anniversary celebration of the Parish on an October Sunday afternoon. Bishop Tucker preached and Mrs. H. O. Sanders read a brief historical sketch of the parish at the 4 o'clock service. The Parish Choir was directed by Miss Waller Scott and John DeHardit was at his usual place - on the bench at the organ. The parish was poised to begin a major project - the building of the Parish House which some $11,000 had been raised for its construction. On Wednesday, October 23rd, The Right Rev'd Peter James Lee, Bishop of Virginia, joins us for the 350th anniversary as celebrant and preacher for a festive service of Holy Eucharist beginning at 7 o'clock in the evening. In the past fifty years the Parish House was built with a new Chapel, Office and Library being added in 1979 while the Rev'd Michael Murray was Rector. Since then, ten acres of land have been procured for another church in Petsworth Parish (across the road from Petsworth Elementary School), a 17 rank Cassavant Pipe Organ has been installed in the church, and Ware Cottage and twenty acres of land have been purchased for parish growth. FROM THE RECTOR Dear Parishioners, This month Ware Parish remembers its history of some 350 years. Generations of people have worshiped and celebrated life's turning points not only here, but first at the old church site on Ware Neck. The events planned in the coming weeks honor the vision and missionary zeal of those who planted and continued this Christian congregation in the newly established County of Gloucester. That Ware Parish has continued by providing regular worship services over the years is a testament to the faith and commitment of the congregation. The anniversary's theme is: "A celebration of the covenant between those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who will come after us." A covenant is a relationship born in trust that is best described as "a bond entered into voluntarily in which each promises to do something for the other." As keepers of the covenant we are called to celebrate the love of God and share this wonderful gift with our friends and family. In the days to come, please give thanks for the gift of faith and pray for the strength to continue the covenant for those who will come after us. Faithfully yours, MUSIC NOTES Junior Choir Junior Choir, first grade and older, rehearses 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. each Wednesday. Newcomers are welcome. Ware Ringers Ware Ringers rehearse 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Currently they are working on music for the 350th celebration and practicing for a Christmas concert to be performed with Newington Baptist Church Ringers on December 8th. It's not too late to join this energetic group. Ringers, please remember the rehearsal at Newington Baptist Church on Friday, October 25th at 7 p.m. Senior Choir Senior Choir has moved weekly rehearsals to Sundays at 9 a.m. in the Parish House to allow more people to join the Senior Choir. They are working on music for the 350th celebration and music for Advent and Christmas. New singers are welcome. NEWS Recent church repairs have included new faucets and sprayer in the Church and new faucets in the Women's Restroom. The thermostats have been replaced in the Parish Hall in order to make that area more energy efficient. Remember to turn in your nominations for next year's Vestry by Sunday, October 6th. Giving statements for the 3rd quarter will be mailed the first week of October. If you have questions about your statement, call Pete Roane, 725-9250. NOTES Handel's Messiah will be performed on Friday, December 6th at Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. Peter and Lorraine Hanson have a group of persons interested in going and may be able to get group rates. For more information, call the Hansons at 694-0373. Ware Pastoral Care Committee continues to send get well, sympathy, and thinking- of-you cards to our members who are under the weather. These members also receive a church bulletin. Each bulletin or card is accompanied by a short handwritten note. ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE REQUEST Every All Saints' Day during the Prayers of the People, the names of the loved ones of our parish family are read. To have your loved ones included with "those who have gone ahead of us in faith", please list their names and return this request to the Church Office either in person or by U. S. Mail no later than Wednesday, October 30th. I wish the following people remembered on All Saints' Day. Please list first and last names:
PRAYER GROUP MEETS Each month the Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer time and the Holy Eucharist in the Parish House. They pray for the needs of parishioners and friends of Ware. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 9th at 10 a.m. If you have a prayer need, call Jane Van Leeuwen at 693-3500 (during October). To be part of this important ministry, call Hally Baker at 693-2613. FIRST SUNDAY FOOD OFFERING On the first Sunday of every month Ware Church receives gifts of food and other personal items to restock the shelves at the Salvation Army Food Closet. Items always in demand include canned meat items, tuna fish, peanut butter and paper products. Gifts for the Pantry can be left in the office or taken directly to the Salvation Army. Thank you for your contributions. VESTRY MEETING The Ware Vestry meets will meet this month on Monday, October 7th in the Parish Library. Pick up your packets Sunday, October 6th. United Thank Offering Ingathering On Sunday, November 3rd, the Episcopal Church Women will receive the Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering. Blue Boxes for your gifts that fold and jingle in your pocket may be found on the church porch table. UTO envelopes will be included in next month's issue of the Grapevine. STANDARD TIME RETURNS Daylight Savings Time ends on the last Sunday of October. So, remember to set your clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday, October 26th or on Sunday, October 27th when you awake. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep before you attend church Sunday. HOLIDAY SALE Make plans to come to Ware's African Team Ministries Holiday Sale and do lots of Christmas shopping! There will be African jewelry, books, toys, knickknacks, and copies of Ware's history. The sale opens after the early service on Sunday, November 3rd and continues all morning. The Ware Youth will be wrapping gifts that day as well as selling Christmas wreaths. SPRUCE UP THE GROUNDS There will be a Parish Grounds Clean-up Day Saturday, October 12th, beginning at 8 a.m. Projects will include cutting down some dead trees, removing ivy from the church yard wall, yard work at the Ware Cottage, and pruning the bayberry at the church and parish house. Bring a good pair of work gloves, your saw, loppers, clippers and a pick- up truck to help with the clippings. Lunch is provided for everyone! CEMETARY AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING The Cemetery and Grounds Committee will meet Saturday, October 12th at 10 a.m. If you can not attend, please call Kenny Wiggins.
WARE CHURCH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT Ware Church has arranged for a Christmas ornament commemorating the 350th anniversary. The ornament, a three- dimensional brass copy of the Church building, sells for $15.00. It is suitable for hanging on a tree or having a place of distinction on a stand. Order yours early since a limited number of ornaments will be available. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. A prototype of the ornament will be on display in the Parish House after worship services. TIME CAPSULE An activity during our 350th celebration is to prepare a Time Capsule which will be a reflection of life in our Parish. Gather together those items you would like to include in the Time Capsule. We will assemble it on Sunday, November 17th and dedicate it on Sunday, November 24th.
Another special event brought to you by the Ware Church Youth Group SAINT FRANCIS' DAY CELEBRATION INCLUDES THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS Bring your dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses, fish, frogs and iguanas to Ware Church on Sunday, October 6th at 9:30 a.m. for the Annual Blessing of the Animals. This service will be held outside the Parish House Chapel due to larger numbers of animals and parishioners attending. In addition to a special worship service, each animal will receive its own blessing. Can't get your pet here? Then, please bring a picture and your pet will be included in the service. If you plan to stay for the 10:30 service, please remember to have plenty of water for your pet and to leave your car windows open at the top. The service also includes an ingathering of pet food for the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. On any given day the Society feeds cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, and even a horse or two. The gift of these food items helps this important group continue to feed stray pets and animals. This special day honors St. Francis of Assisi, a thirteenth century friar who was the founder of the Franciscan Order. This religious order is marked by a simple rule of life that forgoes most worldly comforts and identifies with the poverty and sufferings of our Lord. EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN The ECW Study Circle will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, October 18th in the Parish Hall. They will set up guidelines for the group and the study schedule for the coming year. For more information, call Martha Morton, 693-5574. EPISCOPAL YOUTH The Ware Episcopal Youth Committee, open to all members, 7th - 12th grades, meets the 2nd Sunday of each month. Join us October 13th at 9:30 a.m. On the calendar for this month is a trip to Busch Gardens and Hallow Scream on a Sunday to be announced. The Youth will be serving at the reception that follows the Flute and Organ Concert of Sacred Music on Sunday, October 20th. The Youth will also be wrapping gifts and selling wreaths at the annual Ware Holiday Sale on Sunday, November 3rd. For additional information, e-mail Susan Jenkins (susu@hudbon.com) or call her at 694-0640. NOVEMBER GRAPEVINE DEADLINE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 12th
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