Stewardship has been described as the investment of everyone's time, talent and treasure in the Church to support its mission, its programs and its ability to provide for the spiritual and social needs of the Congregation and the community.

At its April meeting, the Vestry had a lengthy discussion about stewardship in Ware Church. This time our special interest was in contributions made through pledged and non-pledged giving by members of the Congregation in support of the annual budget. Although the numbers vary somewhat from year to year, the Treasurer noted that records indicate about one-half of the family units pledge, one-fourth make regular non-pledged contributions, and one-fourth have no recorded contributions. (Although the latter, as may all members, might be making separate donations in non-budget areas such as the Children's Clothing drive, or unrecorded cash contributions in the weekly loose plate collection.) He also noted that those who pledge average almost four times as much per family unit as those who make non-pledged donations.

The result was a resolve by Vestry members to seek ways to increase the numbers of those who pledge in order to better plan and carry out a budget which adequately supports the missions and programs of Ware Church. As noted above, stewardship is a role and responsibility of all Church members, and the Vestry is seeking from the Congregation thoughtful ways in which to achieve this goal. We understand that we, being a group vested with the duty to encourage all members to tithe, may not understand everyone's concerns and interests.

NOTEWORTHY DATES FROM THE OFFICE

Newsletter Deadline - Friday, May 14th for June Issue
Office Closed - Monday, May 30th for Memorial Day

May - A Busy Month for Ware Church

May 2 - The Ingathering of the United Thank Offering (UTO). The UTO offering is received in honor of our Lord's many blessings and the answering of Prayer. This 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. 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.

May 9 - Mother's Day. We begin with a Mother's Day Breakfast for everyone in the parish starting at 9 o'clock in the Parish Hall. The men of Ware Church are cooking! The Sunday School kids will be doing a special craft after breakfast.

May 23 - 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.

May 30 - The Day of Pentecost. Pentecost is the day that the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. We will celebrate after the 10:30 service with strawberries and ice cream. The red of the strawberries reminds us of Christ's blood shed for us and the white of the ice cream reminds us of the purity of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Parishioners,

Each year the Church's program gets going in September and winds down by May. All of you give of your time and talent to make this parish a very special place. You serve on the Vestry, teach Sunday School, lead the Education for Ministry program, teach adults, sing in the choirs, ring handbells, serve as lectors, acolytes, ushers and greeters. You arrange flowers and prepare the Altar. You play the organ, piano and flute and lead the choirs. You serve coffee and goodies, fill the dishwashers and wash tablecloths. You change hangings and press the linen. Your serve breakfast and lunch and dinner. You cook and clean up after others. You lead the ECW and the Youth Group and take kids on trips. You come with rakes, shears and chain saws and keep the grounds in order. You ask others to share of their treasure to provide for mission and ministry. You worship on Sundays and during the week. You pray for the sick, the dying, and for the gift of healing. You are God's people doing his work day by day.

I am thankful for all you do, your ministry and your love.

Faithfully yours,
Peter Worthington

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

The women are invited to a spring luncheon Thursday, May 27th at 12:30 p.m. Our speaker will be Victoria Pavlova, a young woman who grew up in Russia. She came to Williamsburg for her senior year of high school and has stayed to attend the College of William and Mary. She will give an inspirational talk about life in this country compared to Russia and what being a Christian has meant to her.

Book Circle

The Book Circle will meet on Thursday, May 6th at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Nell Jones. We will discuss "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. Call Nell at 693-5632 if you plan to attend.

Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic

Wanda Eberle took supper to the staff at the Free Clinic in February and Shot Tabb provided it in April.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

The 2004 Church Directory is on the church porch. Please, one copy per family.

MUSIC NOTES

Congratulations to the Junior Choir members who will be receiving their 500-point awards on Sunday, May 23rd: Paul Crook, the pearl award; Nick Hanson, Michelle Sjostrom, Caroline Parker and Tristan O'Neil, the ruby award; Kayla and Brenna Kepner, the Chorister Guild pin; Anna Bowden, Tabytha Clayton, Molly Montague, Blair South and Olivia Ward, the treble cross and chain. Throughout the school year these Junior Choir members have received points for attending rehearsals, attending Sunday School, singing on the second Sunday of each month, singing for Christmas and Easter services, and participating in the Epiphany pageant. The Junior Choir members will also be awarded an end-of-the-year trip to a surprise location for an afternoon of fun. Congratulations on a job well done!

Senior Choir and Ware Ringers

Both the Senior Choir and the Ware Ringers will celebrate the end of the season with a "Party on the Porch" at Dee Johnston's home on Wednesday, May 26th at 7:30 p.m.

Ware Ringers

Frantic preparations and rehearsals for Easter derailed the Ware Ringers planned bell polishing and casual supper last month. The bells still need polishing; so we are rescheduling the polishing and the supper Wednesday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m.

Ringers are to meet in the Parish House kitchen for an informal supper. Please bring a sandwich and drink and some type of picnic/supper food to share, such as chips, veggies, dip, brownies, etc. After supper, we'll get to polishing those bells!

MAY BIRTHDAYS

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

GOOD BUYS ABOUND AT YARD SALE

Ware Church's Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 5th. Come ready to "shop". Proceeds 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, May 30th. Please do not bring adult clothing. Volunteers are needed. If you can donate a few hours, please call the church office.

• Household items: pictures, vases, 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.

PRAYER CHAIN MEETS MAY 12TH

The Ware Church Prayer Chain gathers for fellowship, prayer and the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. May 12th in the Chapel. After the Holy Eucharist (which is open to everyone), the Prayer Chain gathers in the Parish Library to pray for friends and church members. For prayer requests, 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 Chain 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.

COFFEE HOUR

A sign-up sheet is on the church porch 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. Thank you to all who have volunteered in the past.

VESTRY NEWS

The Vestry will meet Tuesday, May 11th at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Library. Vestry packets will be available on the church porch on Sunday, May 9th.

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.

REGION II ANNUAL EVENSONG AND SUPPER

Region II will host an Evensong Service at Grace Church, Kilmarnock on Wednesday, May 19th. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. this year to allow time for commuters. It is followed by a summer country supper on the church grounds. The caterer is The Oaks in Lively and the meal is $15 per person with reservations made in advance. Call the Church Office for reservations. Acolytes and choir members participating in the service are not charged for the meal.

YOUTH GROUP STUFF

The Episcopal Youth Committee, which is open to all 7th - 12th graders, will meet Sunday, May 9th at 9:30 a.m. For more information about youth activities or the Youth Group, please call Judy Doyel-Fulk at 693-6135.

LAITY SERVERS

Each month the Grapevine devotes a page solely to the people who help on Sunday mornings as ushers, readers and greeters. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Please call the office to sign up to help in any area.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Wish to give flowers for the Altar in Ware Church? There are flowers every Sunday except Lent and Advent. After the 10:30 services they are sent to friends and members who are ill. You may give flowers in honor or in memory of someone. Please call Barbara Roane, the Flower Chairperson at 725-9250 to select an open Sunday.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 14th - 18th
Monday - Friday
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Family Bible Adventure is the theme for Vacation Bible School this year. This is a joint venture by Abingdon Episcopal, Apostles Lutheran, St. Therese Roman Catholic and Ware Episcopal Churches. It is held at St. Therese.

Family Bible Adventure is an intergenerational and experiential gathering to explore Old and New Testament stories with your family. On our adventure, adults will be enriched as they share their faith with the younger generation. Families stay together for the entire program.

Families will gather Monday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. for opening exercises for about 30 minutes. Then Faith Family Groups of 8-10 people will be formed. You will join with others to share, snack, plan a skit, do art work and build community. Small group leaders will help the Faith Family with activities. There will be a 5-minute closing each night. On Friday each Family Faith Group will present a skit. A potluck supper will follow.

There is no age limit. Adults without children are encouraged to attend. All children must be accompanied by their own adults or guardians. This is not a drop-your-kid-off event. Please register by May 17th.