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The Grapevine Ware Episcopal Church Gloucester, Virginia May 2003 May - A Busy Month for Ware Church May 4 - The Ingathering of the United Thank Offering an offering which is received in honor of our Lord's many blessings and the answering of Prayer. It is also our last regular Sunday School class for this school year. Things are winding down, but there is so much more to learn and do. As always, parents are invited to participate in the classes and activities. May 11 - Mother's Day. We begin with a Mother's Day Breakfast for everyone in the parish beginning at 9 o'clock in the Parish Hall. The men of Ware Church are cooking! Call Ed James to volunteer. The Sunday School kids will be doing a special craft after breakfast. May 18 - Award Sunday. After the 9:30 Chapel Service, there is a Sunday School scavenger hunt! There are lots of things to find in our search. Even better, there will be lots of prizes, too. At the 10:30 service, awards will be presented to our students and to say "Thank You" to the wonderful volunteer teachers who make our program so successful. FROM THE RECTOR Dear Parishioners, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, remembers those who have died in our nation's service. After the War between the States many people decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Decoration Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 and was first observed officially May 30, 1868. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored. As in years past small American flags will be placed in Ware's Cemetery in honor of all those who have served our country. Thankfully, many of those honored returned home at the end of the conflicts while a few gave their lives in the defense of our country. Please continue to remember in your prayers the members of our Armed Forces and all that they do on our behalf. Also please remember those who have died in military service. May yours be a wonderful Memorial Day and may the Lord continue to bless you and yours. Faithfully yours, Peter Worthington EXPLORING EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY Education for Ministry (EFM) will offer several opportunities to explore this enriching program during May. You may make arrangements to visit a seminar on a Thursday evening or attend one of the "Exploring EFM" meetings in the Library at 7:00 p.m. next Sunday and or on Sunday, May 4 and 18. If you cannot fit either of these options into your schedule right now, please call for more information. Decisions about next year's group (or groups) will have to be made in early June. Contact Dr. Grace Cumming Long at 642-9361 or at gralong@visi.net as soon as possible if you plan to visit on a Thursday or attend one of the exploration meetings. CHURCH FABRIC COMMITTEE Recently the Vestry toured Ware Church to determine the current condition of the carpeting, pew pads, seasonal hangings and altar kneelers. The Vestry also received a presentation from the Liturgical Arts Committee which has been working on its recommendations since it was established in November, 2000. Following its examination, the Vestry voted for a total package concept to restore or replace all the fabrics in the church to include cushions, carpeting, kneelers, and chancel hangings. In making this commitment, the Vestry voted to establish a Church Fabric Committee to assist the Vestry in planning for the replacement or restoration of the church fabrics and to act as a liaison between the parishioners and the Vestry to communicate and display any proposed changes. Vestry members and others have recommended to the Senior Warden the names of fourteen parishioners for consideration for the committee. At the request of the Vestry, the Senior Warden is contacting them to determine their willingness to serve. Upon acceptance, the Vestry and Church Fabric Committee will meet to discuss the specific charge to the committee, which includes an objective consideration of what is best for Ware Church. Although the Vestry must make the final decision, it is committed to a process to make sure the parishioners have the opportunity to view any proposed changes and the means to voice their opinions. MUSIC NOTES Jr. Choristers Receive Awards Four Jr. Choir members have earned the right to wear a pearl on their Chorister's Guild pins by earning at least 500 points this year. They are Tristan O'Neil, Nick Hanson, Caroline Parker and Michelle Sjostrom. This is the first time that any Jr. Choir members have achieved this high level of accomplishment. They will receive their special pins on Sunday, May 18. Other Jr. Choir members receiving awards are Paul Crook, Kelsey Sipes, Brenna and Kayla Kepner and Sarah Bowden. Congratulations to these exceptionally dedicated young members of Ware Church! Remember Jr. Choir Camp When you make your summer plans, don't forget that Jr. Choir camp is August 18 - 22 and runs 1 - 5 p.m. each day. All children are welcome. Minimum age requirement: entering 1st grade in the fall. Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Thank You to Ware Musicians The end of May marks the official close of our regular choir season. Special thanks is extended to the many dedicated people, both young and not so young, who make up our three very important choirs. The Senior Choir, Junior Choir and Ware Church Ringers who have provided music throughout this season. Their music has enhanced the services at Ware. A sincere heartfelt "thank you" to each one for their many, many hours of dedication to Ware. Ware Ringers Picnic The Ware Ringers and their families will celebrate the completion of a very busy year of handbell ringing with a family picnic on Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at Beaverdam Park. May Choir Schedules Junior Choir, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Ware Ringers, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays,May 7 and 14 Senior Choir, 9 a.m., Sundays OFFICE CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY - Monday, May 26 JUNE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE - Tuesday, May 13 EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN May Luncheon The women of the parish are invited for fellowship, food, and flowers on Tuesday, May 20 in the Parish Hall. This will be a less formal version of the spring luncheon and will begin at 12:30 p.m. Barbara Roane has agreed to share her skills in flower arranging with us. The menu will include seafood salad, fresh fruit, and dessert; a donation of $5 is suggested. For reservations, please call Wanda Eberle, 693-5831 and leave a message. Book Circle The Book Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 13 at the home of Cecil Cary Cunningham at noon. The May book is The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander. The novel is based on the last days of Tsar Nicholas II and his family in 1918 during the Russian Revolution. Study Group The Study Group will meet Wednesday, May 7 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Library. Peter Worthington will present an explanation about the accord with the Lutheran Church. MAY BIRTHDAYS 5 Barbara Feild 6 Amy Gilberti 9 Clay Hogge 10 Billy Mitchell 10 Sara Delo 11 Vitaliy Kiku 12 Regina Adams 13 Blair Farinholt 14 Patrick White 14 Tex Cathey 14 Todd Mooradian 15 Trevilian Kerns 16 Mary Lou Boone 16 Bob Blymyer 17 Dorothy Craft 17 Anne Orrell 19 Katherine Richardson 19 Rusty West 20 Tyler Windley 21 Murray Clements 26 Franklin Kerns 27 Kaitlyn Masiak 28 Lloyd Ward 29 Mary Van der Kaay 29 Todd Kepner 29 Ruth Padula 30 Warren Haskell 30 Paul Joyce 31 Steve Parker If you wish for your birthday to appear in the monthly list, please call the Church Office. REGION II ANNUAL EVENSONG AND SUPPER Region II will host an Evensong Service at Grace Church, Kilmarnock on Wednesday, May 28 with all senior choirs invited to send singers to form a Region II Choir for the evening. The Service begins at 6 p.m. and is followed by a summer country supper on the church grounds. The meal is $15 per person with reservations made in advance. Call the Church Office for reservations. UNITED THANK OFFERING SUNDAY The Spring Ingathering of the United Thank Offering will be received on Sunday, May 4 at both services. The United Thank Offering is the only offering that is our response to the blessings that God has given us. We have so many blessings. What a joy it is for us to share that with others. For over a century, coins and folding money have been placed in the familiar "blue boxes" in appreciation for these blessings and to deepen our faith through prayer and daily giving. The money from your gifts is used with the gifts of Episcopalians around the world as an important outreach locally, nationally and internationally. Please use the enclosed blue envelope for your gift. GOOD BUYS ABOUND AT YARD SALE Everyone who has ever looked for a bargain, especially in children's items knows that fact. Ware Church's yard sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 7. Come to the sale ready to "shop". Proceeds will benefit The Family Room of Ware Church. (The Family Room meets Tuesday - Thursday mornings and provides a safe playgroup for children and their parents.) Items may be brought to the Parish Hall beginning Sunday, June 1. Please do not bring adult clothing this year. Volunteers are needed for this event. If you can donate a few hours, please call the church office. Items Needed: Household items: pictures, vases, nick knacks, dishes, lamps, decorations, tools etc. Please make sure all items are complete and have all parts and pieces. Appliances: in working order with all parts and instructions. Furniture: items that can be readily moved and are in reasonable repair. If you need assistance to move an item, call the office. Children's Clothing: clean, untorn, no buttons missing. Hanging items should be on a hanger with a tag indicating the size. Sweaters, shorts, and shirts should be folded and sized. Children's clothes are always a good seller. Please - no shoes. Toys and Baby Items: always in demand. Clean, unbroken, complete items only. ACOLYTES Training Although summer is upon us, there is still a need to hold training. The date has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 4 after the 10:30 service. All acolytes and aspiring acolytes should attend. We will have a training session in the church followed by lunch in the parish hall. "Seasoned" acolytes can help new acolytes. Please let Pete and Lorraine Hanson know today if you are coming. You can reach them at pelorcreek@villagepop.com or 694-0373. Training plus lunch will last about 2 hours. Busch Gardens Trip An end-of-year trip to Busch Gardens is planned for Sunday, May 25 following the 10:30 service. Interested? Let the Hansons know by the day of the training so they may make arrangements. RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at Abingdon Episcopal Church, Monday, May 19, 1 - 7 p.m. Donated blood is needed both at home and for our military personnel. COFFEE HOUR A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board at the entrance of the Parish Hall for summer Coffee Hour hosts and hostesses. Sign up early so that you may choose the Sunday that best fits your schedule. You provide cookies and lemonade and clean up afterward. During the summer Coffee Hour is held outside near the church porch. One or two people are needed each week. PRAYER GROUP MEETS MAY 14TH The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer and the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. May 14 in the 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 members writing prayers for the group's worship. New members are always welcome to join this work. VESTRY MEETING - APRIL 1 At the April Meeting the treasurer reported a balance of $35,677 in the general fund. The Junior Warden noted several buildings and grounds projects. Eagle Construction is painting the exterior of the church and repairing the window glazing. The large leaf and limb pile near the mower shed is to be removed. Alternative sites for leaves and limbs are being investigated. The Grounds Maintenance contract was renewed at the current rate of $1,300 per month. Ware Church entered into a contract with Phillips Oil for heating and cooling maintenance contract. The Vestry discussed the fabrics in the church (See separate article). It was also noted that Jeremy Kepner's Eagle project has been completed. CHURCH DIRECTORY The 2003 Church Directory will be available on the church porch on Sunday, May 4.