Advent Sunday is a special time for Ware Church! Gatherings of families and friends mark the Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of the Church year. Join us Advent Sunday, November 28th, for Family Corporate Communion Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30.

Between these services there is an Advent Breakfast beginning at 9 o'clock. in the Parish Hall for everyone. There's lots of fruit, coffee, juice and great breakfast foods. Afterwards, make your own Family Advent Wreath. Please bring lots of seasonal greens - holly, boxwood, cedar, etc. from your yard. You will also need a pair of shears and some garden gloves. There are plenty of candles and wreath forms.

This year the Sunday School is hosting the Advent Giving Tree. You are urged to bring new hats, gloves or mittens for school-age children each Sunday for the tree. These will be distributed to the Public Schools of Gloucester for use by children with cold hands and heads.

This Advent season ringers are needed for the Salvation Army at such places as WalMart. Ring the bell, see friends and neighbors and be part of an effort to raise over $25,000 for Gloucester's people in need. Just call Bobby Ray at 725-9108 to sign up for a two-hour slot at one of the red kettles. Two hours of your time can make a read difference for others.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Eve, December 24th
- 5 o'clock Lessons and Carols
with the Junior Choir and Ware Ringers

- 10 o'clock Festive Holy Eucharist
with the Senior Choir and Ware Ringers

Christmas Day
December 25th 10 o'clock Holy Eucharist

The Sunday After Christmas, December 26th
8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

The Rector's Notes

Dear Friends,

The Christmas season is almost upon us! The four Sundays of Advent seem to speed by with gatherings of friends, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, special goodies and meals. There's even a warmth in wishing people, "Merry Christmas."

If the gifts of the season are to extend into the new year, then there are some things that should be added to the Christmas spirit. These are the gifts of forgiveness and opportunities for new beginnings. Not only is Christmas the season of giving, it is also the season of letting go of old hurts, unkind words and issues that separate us.

Long ago in Bethlehem a child was born in a stable. Kings and shepherds gathered around to gaze upon God's promise to the world that a Saviour would be come for everyone. First as a child in the miracle of birth, then as a teacher, healer and friend, and finally as the giver of eternal life.

There are so many gifts at this time of the year. May forgiveness, joy, wonder and new life be among them for you and yours!

Faithfully yours,
Peter Worthington

Where are They? Have you seen Them?

Every so often we lose something, Where is it? Where could it be? We're looking for some inexpensive items that belong to Ware Church as they are used every week - kind of like Prayer Books and Hymnals. We know where to find them except when they are not there! By now you know what the subject is! You see them all the time - most times clean and sometimes dirty. Perhaps they are at your house buried in the laundry room or in the stack of things to return.

We need you to look in that safe place where you put things when you need them. Just look through everything and then please, pretty please bring back the tablecloths to Ware Church. The kitchen has only five of 'em right now and we need 'em back. Thanks for getting these wayward items back home before Christmas. After all, somebody is making a list of who's been naughty and who's been nice.

Gifts to Ware Church

In early December, Pete Roane, the Parish Treasurer will be mailing giving statements to the congregation sharing your gifts for the support of the mission, program, ministry and our operating needs for 2004. Please review your statement for accuracy as sometimes a correction may need to be made. Any questions you might have can be answered by either Becky Morris, Parish Administrator or the Treasurer. 2004 Final Giving Statements will be mailed in early January. Thank you for your continued support!

Office Closed During Christmas

The Church Office will close on the 23rd of December and reopen Monday, the 3rd of January, 2005. During Christmas week the staff will be in and out to care for deposits and bulletins.

January 3rd - Office Opens for 2005
January 5th - Choir Practices Resume
January 9th - Parish Breakfast and Epiphany Pageant
January 11th - Vestry Meeting
January 13th - Planning Group
January 16th - Sunday School begins Regular Classes
January 28th The Diocese of Virginia Annual Council

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

The Choirs Prepare

The Junior Choir Sings & Attends Ware Mart

The Junior Choir joins with the Senior Choir for a special Advent anthem, Hymn of Advent on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 12th.

Later that week the Junior Choir celebrates the season with their Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 15th beginning at 5 p.m. That is also the night that the much anticipated "Ware Mart" is open where the Junior Choir members can shop 'til they drop spending their hard-earned "Ware Dollars."

The Junior Choir will be singing at the Lessons and Carols Service on Christmas Eve. Members should plan to be at the church by 4:30 p.m.

Monday Night Vocals

The Monday Evening Vocals continue at Dee's home in West Point December 13th at 7:30 p.m. Come on over, gather around the piano and sing. If you plan on being there, please call her at 804-843-3447.

Music is the language of Angels

The Ware Ringers to provide Special Christmas Eve Music

The Ware Church Ringers will be playing special Christmas music for an extended prelude before the Christmas Eve Festive Holy Eucharist Service. The bells can be heard beginning at 9:30 p.m. The Ringers will also play the prelude during the Lessons and Carols Service. Be sure to hear these wonderful selections on Christmas Eve.

The Senior Choir Parties with The Ware Ringers

The Senior Choir and Ware Ringers gather to celebrate the holiday season on Wednesday, December 29th with a post-Christmas party beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the home of Mrs. Stephanie Hanson of Gloucester. Come lift a glass of cheer and celebrate a wonderful year of great music!

Choir Christmas Vacation

Many thanks for the great Christmas music! There are no practices for the Ware Church Choirs on Sunday, December 26th and on Wednesday, December 29th. See you next year!

November Vestry Highlights

After beginning its monthly meeting with prayer, the Vestry noted with sadness the loss of Barbara Hunt and extended its sympathy to her husband, Peter and their children.

Pete Roane, Treasurer, reported that operating expenses had exceeded income at the end of October by $7,486. Concern was expressed if the November and December income would be sufficient to meet the shortfall. Year to date church expenses are well within the 2004 Parish Budget.

Committee Reports: It was noted that Lee Brown is completing an updated list of the cemetery lots and the owners of the burial rights. The new carpeting, pew pads and kneelers will be installed beginning the 15th and will be completed by December 3rd. The Every Member Canvas sent 236 letters and has received 89 pledges totaling $146,459 or an average pledge of $1,646. Plans are underway to complete the canvas by the end of the month. The Planning Group continues its work with a planning summit set for early March 2005.

Concern was expressed about the giving to the church during this year. At the end of October, 118 pledging units had given the church $133,232 and 119 non-pledging (annual givers) units had given $13,100. Total pledges for 2004 are $159,900 and the budgeted amount for the annual givers is $38,635. The Vestry approved a request for funds be sent to the congregation during December to address the short fall. It was hoped that several members will make their gift to Ware Church during December.

The Vestry also received a letter of resignation from Kate Cole indicating that she was unable to complete her term due to her plans to spend more time in Hawaii where her husband Sam is stationed while working as an airline pilot. The Vestry accepted her resignation with deep regret and thanked her for her service to the congregation during 2004.

Eleven are Confirmed and Received by Bishop Frank Gray

With Ware's choirs providing special music in a festive service November 14th, Frank Gray, Asst. Bishop of Virginia confirmed Rebecca Cogdill, Heather Hall, Jason Meffley, Karen Swords, Joseph Taylor, Katherine Richardson and Grayson Wilt. He also received Carol Bottoms, Buzz and Sandy Geiger, and Roger Meffley in to this communion. Welcome to Ware Church and congratulations to all!

FIVE NEW VESTRY MEMBERS ELECTED BY CONGREGATION

The Annual Congregational Meeting was held on November 21st and elected Lewis Lawrence III, Steve Parker, Jane Smith and Debby Wiggins to serve three year terms on the Vestry. Nancy James was elected to fill the unexpired term of Kate Cole. Many thanks to Vestry members Marv Hohenberger, Ed James, Pete Roane and Peter Teagle for their years of service.

FAMILY ROOM CHRISTMAS BABYSITTING SERVICE

The Family Room invites Ware Church to use our Christmas Babysitting Service. It's scheduled from 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Friday, December 3rd and Saturday, the 11th. Moms and dads can do some holiday shopping without the children. The cost is $5/hr for one child and $6/hr for two children. For more information, telephone Kimberly Polley, at 694-5580.

WARE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

The Ware Church Christmas ornament is available in the Church Office for $15.00. They make great Christmas gifts!

PRAYER GROUP MEETS

The Prayer Group meets Wednesday the 8th of December at 10 o'clock in the Chapel for worship and prayer time.

MOMMY AND DADDY ELF DAY

Our Youth are having "Mommy and Daddy Elf Day" Sunday, December 5th, noon - 5:30 p.m. It's an opportunity for parents to holiday shop without children. The Youth are providing lunch, games and activities (nap time available). Sign-up deadline is Wednesday, December 1st. To sign up or for more information call Judy Doyel-Fulk at 693-6135.

FOOD NEEDED FOR GIVING TREE

Most of the Christmas Gift Ornaments have been selected by parishioners for our 12 Christmas Families. Please have your wrapped gifts (with the ornament taped to it) under the tree by December 12th. Canned and boxed food items along with cereals, soap, toothpaste, and paper products are needed by that same day. Bags of potatoes, sugar and flour are always appreciated. Oh yes, it's Christmas so don't forget to include fruit and candy.

POINSETTIAS FOR WARE AT CHRISTMAS

Ware Church is decorated with poinsettias and greens in the windows and at the Altar to celebrate the birth of our Lord. These plants and the garlands are placed in the Church at Christmas and remain into the Epiphany season. Each memorial is $8. To give a memorial for loved ones, please send your check by December 19th - $8 per memorial name.

Checks should be payable to Ware Episcopal Church, designated Poinsettias and mailed with your request to P. O. Box 616, Gloucester, Virginia 23061-0616