On November 1st, Mrs. Suzie Proctor, senior member of the parish, celebrates her 100th Birthday! She has been a faithful member of the Chancel Guild and active in various parish activities. Birthday cards may be sent to her at Walter Reed Convalescence Center.

On All Saints' Day your loved ones will be remembered during in the Prayers of the People. And the Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering will be received. An offering envelope is included for your convenience. The Sale has African jewelry, books, and Ware Church memorabilia. The sale opens begins at 9 o'clock and concludes after coffee hour.

The Rt. Rev'd Francis Campbell Gray, Assistant Bishop of Virginia , will be the celebrant and preacher at the 10:30 a.m. service of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. A reception will follow the service in honor of the Bishop and those being confirmed and received.

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 21st with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The agenda includes the presentation of the proposed Budget, election of four Vestry members and other reports to the congregation. The following parishioners have been nominated to serve on the Vestry: Lewis Lawrence, III, Steve Parker, Jane Smith and Debby Wiggins. Others can be nominated at the meeting.

Come to Ware's Advent Breakfast at 9 o'clock in the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 28th. There's always lots to eat and then make your own Family Advent Wreath. Please bring lots of seasonal greens - holly, box, cedar, etc and from your yard. You will also need a pair of shears and some garden gloves.

FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Friends,

The new church year begins on Advent Sunday, the 28th of November. These four Sundays allow time for the preparation and expectation of the coming of our Lord at his birth in Bethlehem and also for his final coming at the close of this age. The season is marked with violet hangings on the Altar and the Advent wreath. As the candlelight of the wreath grows, so does the nearness of our Lord.

At the heart of this season is the theme of making ready for our Lord. Most of the time when we 'make ready' it involves cleaning, sorting, discarding, reorganizing and yes, changing. When Jesus began his ministry in Galilee he came saying, "The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." Repentance means to change one's ways, not just apologize. Belief gives us not only the hope of the resurrection, but also the knowledge that we are God's beloved children. These themes of repentance and belief are especially important this year.

In the past eighteen months the Episcopal Church has struggled to work through the election, approval and consecration of the bishop of New Hampshire. That election has been greeted with excitement, disappointment, consternation, and anger.

Last month, The Lambeth Commission on Communion issued the long awaited Windsor Report. (It may be viewed at www.thediocese.net - click on the report tab) At its heart, the report questions the process the Episcopal Church used to arrive at its decision about affirming the present bishop of New Hampshire and the authorizing of individual dioceses to bless same sex unions. The reports questions the unilateral action on these questions without substantive discussion, study and input by the larger Anglican Communion. The report goes on to say, "the Episcopal Church (USA) be invited to express its regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached in the events surrounding the election and consecration of a bishop for the See of New Hampshire. . ."(Section 134, pg. 53)

What's next? The report is advisory and is not binding on the Episcopal Church. It calls the Church and its bishops to study it with great care. It needs to be the subject of earnest prayer, reflection and thoughtful action by all of us. On November 15th, I will spend the day with the clergy of the diocese learning about it.

The Advent message of preparation and reflection seems most poignant this year for our Church. Please keep the church in your prayers as we continue to work with this issue.

Faithfully yours,
Peter Worthington

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

The No Child Left Behind Act has challenged our schools to meet every child's needs in order to acquire the basic skills needed to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in our global society. Unfortunately, children are not created with equal opportunities and it does seem to take a village to raise a child. Peasley Middle School is doing that. The Lion's Den Program is an after school academic support and enrichment program that is designed to give students the help that they need to succeed in school. On Tuesdays and Thursdays students who are deficient in reading and math will get help from teachers and volunteer community coaches. On Thursdays, the Lion's Den Program will also offer different enrichment activities that involve music, drama, visual arts, career awareness and other healthful acitivites. Do you have 1½ hours (2:30 - 4 p.m.) on Tuesday and/or Thursday to help with this program? More information is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall or contact Nancy Keenan, counselor at Peasley at 693-1493.

MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS

At Christmas, Ware Church is decorated with poinsettias and greens in the windows and around 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 indicate the number of poinsettias you want and send it by December 19th with your check of $8 per memorial name. Please print the names as you wish them to appear in the Christmas bulletins.

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

MUSIC NOTES

Junior Choir

Junior Choir will rehearse Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.; however, there will be no rehearsal Nov. 24th. The Junior Choir members and their parents will be attending the Courthouse Players' "Peter Pan" on Sunday, Nov. 21st at 3:00 p.m. at Mathews High School. This is especially exciting since Junior Choir member, Paul Crook, has the role of "Michael", one of "Wendy's" younger brothers. Paul will be acting, singing and flying in this production!

Senior Choir

Senior Choir meets at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. Sunday, November 7th, they will meet in the Chapel until 9:30 and then in Church until 10:15. They meet in the Parish House the other Sundays. Monday Night Vocals meets at Dee's home on Nov. 8 and Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Handbells

Handbells will rehearse on Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.; however there will be no rehearsal Nov. 24th.

VESTRY MEETING

The Ware Vestry will meet on Tuesday, November 9th in the Parish Library. Vestry members may pick up their packets on the church porch at church on Sunday, November 7th.

EPISCOPAL YOUTH

The Ware Episcopal Youth Committee, open to 7th - 12th graders, meets the 2nd Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Room on the lower level of the Parish House.

PRAYER GROUP MEETS

The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer and the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. November 10th in the Chapel. After the Holy Eucharist (which is open to everyone in the church), they gather in the Library to pray for friends and church members. For prayer requests, call Bruce Forsberg (776-7734), Anne Clark (693-4026), or Jane Van Leeuwen (693-3500).

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. This month items that are in demand are dry cereal, dried potatoes and stove top stuffing. Gifts for the Pantry can be left in the office or taken directly to the Salvation Army. Thank you for your continued contributions and donations.

DECEMBER GRAPEVINE DEADLINE - MONDAY, November 15th OFFICE CLOSED
The office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25th and 26th in observance of Thanksgiving.

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE

Twelve Gloucester families will have a bright and bountiful Christmas with help from Ware Church. Family names are being suggested by the Gloucester Salvation Army. The Christmas gift tree will be ready in the Parish House on Sunday, November 14th, decorated with the names and Christmas gift wishes of our twelve families. Take a name or two. Bring the wrapped gifts to the Parish House by Sunday, December 12th.

We are also collecting non-perishable foods and other basic items for these families. Bring items to the Parish House in November and December. Suggested items are as follows: hams, yams, Stove Top stuffing, canned soups, dried beans, peanut butter, jelly, dry cereals, macaroni and cheese (boxed), dried noodles, Jiffy cornbread mix, canned milk, canned coffee, tea, sugar, paper towels and napkins, and toilet paper.

The Mission Committee thanks all who help to make this project a huge success.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Ware Church still has a few of the Christmas ornaments commemorating the 350th anniversary. The ornament, a three-dimensional brass copy of the Church building, is $15.00.

TOYS FOR KIDS

NGA, Inc. is not selling Christmas trees this year. Instead, the NGA Toys for Kids will be taking donations to buy Christmas gifts of clothing, food and toys for needy families in our county. NGA members will be in the Christmas Parade Saturday, December 4th to remind everyone about the donations. For more information, call Anne Dyal, 693-3196.

BELL RINGERS NEEDED

The Samaritan Group of Gloucester needs bell-ringers for the 2004 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Fund-raiser. The kettles will be out Friday, November 26th until Christmas Eve. All donations support needy families in Gloucester and Mathews through our Salvation Army. Volunteer for 2 hours or more. Sign-up in the Parish Hall or call Bobby Ray, 725-9108 for more information.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

HOLY EUCHARIST TO BE OFFERED THANKSGIVING DAY

A service of Holy Eucharist will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the Church.

COFFEE HOUR

A sign-up sheet is on the church porch for 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. One or two people are needed each week. Thank you to all who have volunteered in the past.