New shelves in the pantry are awaiting donations of the much-needed food items. Please bring your donations to the Parish Hall or church porch at anytime.

If you wish for your birthday to appear in the monthly list, please call the Church Office.

GIVING STATEMENTS

The giving statements for the first quarter of 2003 will be mailed this month. Please check yours for errors or needed corrections. Call the church office if you have any questions about your statement.

PRAYER GROUP MEETS APRIL 9TH

The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer and the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. April 9th in the Parish House Chapel. After the Holy Eucharist (which is open to everyone), the Prayer Group gathers in the Parish Library to pray for friends and church members. For prayer requests, please call Anne Clark at 693-4026, Bruce Forsberg at 776-7734 or Jane Van Leeuwen at 693-3500. In addition to offering prayer for the joys and concerns of the church, the Prayer Group begins with less formal celebrations of the Holy Eucharist with various members writing prayers more suitable for the group's worship. New members are always welcome to join this important work of the church.

EPISCOPAL YOUTH

The Ware Episcopal Youth Committee, open to all members, 7th - 12th grades, meets the 2nd Sunday of each month. Join us April 13th at 9:40 a.m.

LENTEN GIFT - The Mite Box

This year's offering from the Mite Boxes will assist the new congregation at Atlee, Virginia which is just north of Richmond. In the coming months this new Episcopal congregation will begin worshiping in an elementary school and, in time, move to nearby property which the Diocese of Virginia is in the process of purchasing. Remember to bring your mite box on Easter Sunday.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at St. Therese, Monday, April 28th, noon to 6 p.m. Donated blood is needed both at home and for our military personnel.

OFFICE CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY

The office will be closed Good Friday, April 18th.

CONFIRMATION AND RECEPTION

The Right Reverend David Colin Jones, Suffragan Bishop of Virginia will be at Ware Church Sunday, September 7th for his regular visitation. Classes for those wishing to be confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church continue to meet on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Topics include:

• April 2: History of the Episcopal Church
• April 9: Holy Baptism - entrance into faith and church membership
• April 16: Holy Eucharist - the gift of the Last Supper to the Church
• April 23: Mission and Ministry - a life of faith

This class is open to everyone.

Ware Church always rejoices when one becomes part of this congregation. If you wish to join, call the church office at 693-3821 to transfer your membership or make arrangements for a baptism.

Membership in the Episcopal Church begins at Baptism. When one is baptized, one is a member of the church. This is done either by being baptized in Ware Church (as an infant or an adult) or by having one's baptismal record or membership transferred from another congregation - this need not be an Episcopal Church.

Baptized Members of this Church are full members. For example, one may purchase burial rights in the cemetery, be married in the church and/or be part of the many church groups and committees. The Holy Eucharist is open to all Baptized persons regardless of where they are members.

In Confirmation, the bishop acknowledges one's faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and one's desire to follow and obey Him. One is usually twelve or older when they are confirmed.

Many people joining Ware Church have come from other denominations. The bishop recognizes the faith journey that was begun in another tradition and then receives them into the Episcopal Church.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH

Set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night, April 5th. That way you won't be embarrassed by being late for church on Sunday, April 6th, the first day that Daylight Savings Time is in effect.

VESTRY NEWS

The Vestry of Ware Church met on Sunday, March 9th at noon in the Parish Library. The Treasurer reported pledges for 2003 of $159,040 and that the invested funds of the parish totaled $999,750 at the close of 2002. The General Fund had $67,629 with $43,965 available for operating expenses.

The Vestry was again apprized of Jeremy Kepner's Eagle project to create a walking trail between the Parish House and Ware Cottage. The work will be completed by the end of March.

The Junior Warden reported that the clearing of the underbrush had been completed and two buildings had been removed. The rewiring of Ware Cottage is almost complete. The work includes upgrading from a 60 amp to a 200 amp service and the installation of outdoor security lighting. New fire extinguishers have been placed in the buildings and a clean up day is set for March 22nd.

Kirby Smith, Senior Warden, had a number of suggestions for the Liturgical Arts Committee in terms of new members and the wishes of the Vestry.

Also noted were the concerns that the Grounds mowing Contract needed to be renewed and there were just over fifty copies of The World of Ware Parish still available for purchase.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Spring is popping out all over and we give thanks for the renewal that this season brings. To celebrate, we have several activities planned for April. Please make plans to join in the fun.

Plant a Tree Day, Sunday, April 6th

We will be planting a tree on the grounds as part of the Sunday School Stewardship project for Lent. There have been several suggestions for what type of tree to plant as well as requests for tulips and other flowers. We always have a great time planting things at Ware Church. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring some work gloves, as we do tend to get a little dirty. Gentlemen may prefer not to wear a tie.

Folding Palms, Sunday, April 13th

Learn how to fold a palm into a cross and keep it until next year. This is a fun quick activity that we will be doing immediately following Children's Chapel at 9:30 a.m.

Parish Easter Egg Hunt at Toddsbury, Saturday, April 19th

The Parish Easter Egg Hunt will held be at Toddsbury which is east of Ware on Rt. 14. Turn on Toddsbury Lane and go to the road's end. Activities include prizes, an Easter Bonnet Parade and a special guest! Many thanks to the Youth Group, Sunday School and the Montagues for a wonderful event.

Easter Pictures, Sunday, April 20th

A photographer will be available to take family pictures outside after the 8:30 and 10:30 services. Pictures will be mailed to your home; so, please be sure the office has your correct address.

If you have any questions about these or other Sunday School activities, please telephone Louisa Jones. She can be reached at 642-1471. As always, we welcome parents and friends to join us for classes and activities.

MAY GRAPEVINE DEADLINE

Please have all materials in the office by Monday, April 14th, for the May issue!