FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Parishioners,

During the past several months the news media has been filled with reports of large numbers of our nation's military being reassigned to the Persian Gulf region for possible deployment. To say the least it is a complicated situation with a number of variables that may have a profound influence on what actions the United States undertakes.

As Christians I believe that we are called to the action of prayer. What and who should we pray for? I commend to your attention the Book of Common Prayer. Beginning on page 809 there are some 81 prayers that address our daily lives. Three sections are especially appropriate: Prayers for the World (pg. 814), Prayers for the National Life (pg. 820) and Thanksgivings for National Life (pg. 838). Deserving special attention are the prayers For Peace (pg. 815), For those in the Armed Forces of our Country (pg. 823) and For the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority (pg. 820).

In the days to come we need to be a nation in prayer seeking "wisdom and strength to know and do thy will."

Faithfully yours,

Peter Worthington

MUSIC NOTES

Summer Jr. Choir Camp

Mark your calendars now for this summer's Junior Choir Camp, which is scheduled for the week of August 18th. Camp will run from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. each day that week, with a musical production on Sunday, August 24th during the 10:30 a.m. service. Children must have completed kindergarten and be entering the first grade to be eligible. Older children are welcome and teenagers are encouraged to serve as camp counselors. For more information, please contact Dee Johnston at 804-843-3447 or deejnston@aol.com

PRACTICE SCHEDULES

Junior Choir, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., Wednesdays Ware Ringers, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays Senior Choir, 9 a.m., Sundays

Please notify the office of any address and telephone number changes so the next directory is as up to date as possible.

The Vestry will meet Tuesday, February 4th at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Library. Vestry packets will be available on the church porch on Sunday, February 2nd.

The Vestry will have its annual planning retreat on Saturday, February 8th beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The Episcopal Church Women will meet on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:30 p.m. for a fellowship dinner. There is a $5.00 charge for dinner. The Joyful Gracenotes will play a variety of acoustic instruments for a sing-a-long of Gospel favorites. Group members are Maryethel Miller, Regina Adams, Roberta Wiatt, Betsy Hoefer and Carol Patnode. Guests are welcome. Call Lenore Munger at 694-5415 by Friday, February 14th for reservations.

The ECW Women's Study Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5th with Rev. Leslie Goode at Singleton United Methodist Church, 5869 Ware Neck Road. Call Martha Morton at 693-5574 for more information.

Martha Morton is providing supper for the Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic on Tuesday, February 11th and Pearl Kuemmerle provided it in December.

The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer time and the Holy Eucharist. They pray for parishioners and friends of Ware. The next meeting is on Wednesday, February 12th at 10 a.m. For prayer needs, call Jane Van Leeuwen at 693-3500.

The Mission Committee extends a big THANK YOU to all the friends and members of Ware Church and to Family Room parents who helped make a wonderful Christmas for the twelve families we sponsored at Christmas. Parents, grandparents and children in these households were remembered with gifts from their personal wish lists and a Christmas ham with all the fixin's. A special thank you to the angels who took the extra ornaments from the tree to be sure that every wish came true!

Monday - February 17th

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Classes are back in full swing after the Christmas break. We have lots of fun things planned and interesting lessons every week. Please join us starting at 9:30 for chapel. Here's just a sampling of some of the activities we have planned this winter and spring:

• Make valentines and cards for the Pastoral Care Committee
• Mar 23 - Children's Stations of the Cross
• April 6 - Plant a Tree Day

There are always fun classes for ages 3 and up that are taught by capable, caring teachers. Parents are encouraged to drop in and stay a while anytime.

There will be a planning and training afternoon after the late service on Sunday, February 16th. There will be a pizza luncheon followed by planning for the year and training for new acolytes. We encourage all to attend! Remember, even if you already know how to acolyte, you can help teach those who are new and help plan for the year!

Start thinking about an end-of-the-year trip or party and bring your ideas to share with others. The acolytes are an important part of the church and we would like to represent this church again at the National Cathedral in October. Mark your calendars to join us February 16th so we can plans for the exciting year ahead!

R.S.V.P. by February 6th to Pete or Lorraine Hanson at 694-0373 or pelorcreek@villagepop.com   We look forward to seeing you.

There are flowers on the altar on all Sundays except during Lent and Advent. You may have flowers in honor or in memory of someone. Please call Betty Barr Ould at 693-3773 to see which Sundays are open.

SHROVE TUESDAY SUPPER

Shrove Tuesday is March 4th. At 6:00 p.m., the men of Ware Church are serving their famous Pancakes, Sausage and Baked Apples. Members of Boy Scout Troop 111 will be on hand to assist with your every need-perhaps it's a cup of coffee or the removal of your plate. All proceeds from the dinner will assist with camp scholarships and troop equipment.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES

Lent begins Ash Wednesday, March 5th with special services of Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel and at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.

LAITY SERVERS

Each month the Grapevine devotes a page solely to the lay persons who help on Sundays and throughout the month. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Please call the office if you want to help in any area. Training is provided in areas where needed.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY AT WARE CHURCH

Education for Ministry (EFM) is a four-year course of study in Bible, Church History, and Contemporary Christian Thought. Participants make a commitment to one year at a time. Since right after Labor Day, nine members have gathered in the library on Thursday evenings for weekly EFM seminars. Eight members have been engaged in intensive independent study of the Old Testament and one has been studying Church History. At the seminars we share important information and insights with one another and truly wrestle with the implications of the often challenging texts of our tradition.

In September, 2003, we hope to start a second EFM group that will meet on Sunday evenings plus we may want to expand the Thursday evening group as well. If you have any interest in--or even curiosity about--EFM, please get in touch with Dr. Grace Cumming Long at 642-9361 or gralong@visi.net Also, watch for periodic displays during coffee-time after the second service on Sundays. These displays include a video of EFM seminars, brochures and other information. Usually an EFM member will be available to answer questions.

YOUTH

The Youth Group will be leaving on Friday, February 7th for a ski trip to Massanutten Ski Resort and returning on Sunday, February 9th. Members must have participated in at lease one community service or fund-raising activity to be eligible for the trip. Permission skips will be handed out and must be returned in order to go. We will ski one day, tube, bowl or go to the movies on the other days. We will be staying at the Massanutta Springs in a cottage. You will need to bring either sheets or a sleeping bag plus the appropriate ski clothes, spending money, and snack food and drinks to share. Costs will include skiing all day, tubing, rentals, bowling and dinner Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information, please contact Susan Jenkins at 694-0640.

Many thanks to Nancy Wilson for setting up and maintaining the web page for Ware Church. Next time you're on line go to www.warechurch.org Not only are there great picturers but you can read up on newsletter articles and checkout interesting information in the History Section. Give it a click!