Ware Episcopal Church

It was a perfect day for planning for Ware Church! The Starbucks coffee was hot, it was in the forties outside and a bit of snow fell during the day. Seventy-three parishioners gathered on Saturday, March 12th and spent the day articulating three major priorities for our congregation. The turnout surprised and pleased the planning committee as anything above twenty-five in attendance would more than meet the day's needs. It was a fast-paced day with a dozen reports and comment sessions before lunch. Pizza was ordered to supplement the sixty lunches from Olivia's at the Point. In the afternoon the congregation began selecting the areas it wished to set as priorities. Most important was Specific Concrete Missional Objectives followed by Significant Relational Groups and Several Competent Programs and Activities. After discussion about these items, the consensus of the meeting was that there was a need to secure a Director of Christian Education, develop the land around the cottage and Parish House and focus on new members.

The day was built around Twelve Keys to an Effective Church by Ken Callahan. Since no planning method is perfect, Mr. Callahan's book provided a vehicle so the group could focus on the priorities of the parish. The Twelve Keys set the day's work.

Reactions to the day included "impressed by the structure," "lots of participation," "stayed away from trivia," "got people talking about what can be done," "impressed by the committee," "the day relied too much on Callahan's book and planning method," and "raised people's sensitivities."

A suggestion box was available for comments. Topics included the parish's outreach to Gloucester, worship, visitation, name tags, signs, new fabric colors, communication, foyer groups, dinners, church music, activities, Callahan's planning method, and a follow-up meeting in the fall. The written comments are posted on the parish house bulletin board.

What's next? On Monday March 14th the Vestry gathered and reflected on the day. After discussion it acknowledged that several projects should be quickly completed such as handicap parking, helpful signs, pictorial directory, parish house fix-up day, and reorganizing parish house space use. They will also meet April 30th with John Dutton to plan the process of organizing task forces for the three parish priorities.

Ware Church is indebted to Monty Haskell, Molly Hoffman, Marv Hohenberger, Mike Jenkins, Robert Johnson, Louisa Jones, Diane Joyce, Lew Lawrence, Steve Parker, Rip Radcliffe, Margie Teagle, Robert Teagle, Pat Zima and John Dutton for a most successful day.

Easter is the season of resurrection and new life not only for our relationship with the creator, redeemer, and sustainer but also for our congregation and community.

The Planning Day was a fabulous success with a wonderful turn out, great leadership and exciting hopes and dreams. Ware Church could not have done this much work in such a short time without the assistance of John Dutton as our facilitator.

Next on the schedule is the organizing of three task forces. To be part of one of these, please speak to a member of the Vestry. Our "planning less to do more" is off to a great start thanks to you!

Potato Bar Luncheon with Salad and Chili

Entertainment Parish Talent Show

Sunday, April 10th following the 10:30 service

Adults, $6.00 Children (5 and over), $4.00 Children (under 5), Free

Sign-up sheets for potato bar reservations and to perform in the Talent Show are in the Parish Hall. Call Judy Doyel-Fulk, 693-6135 for more information on the Talent Show. Call Nick Zullo, 693-3185 for reservations. The Talent Show is open to all parishioners. Your participation is needed to make this event a success.

The Vestry of Ware Church will meet Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are open to the congregation. The meeting minutes and monthly financial report are posted on the Parish Hall bulletin board. Should you have questions, please telephone or speak to any Vestry member.

The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for the Holy Eucharist and healing service at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish House Chapel on April 13th. The service is followed by the group's monthly meeting. The group prays for friends and members of Ware. New members are always welcome to join this important work of the church. For requests, please call Bruce Forsberg 776-7734, Anne Clark 693-4026 or Jane Van Leeuwen 693-3500.

Food items especially needed this month in the Food Pantry at the Salvation Army are soup, pasta and canned meats. Please bring your gifts on the first Sunday of April which is April 3rd.

The Senior Choir serenaded Peter Worthington at his 20th anniversary celebration in January with "Peter's Train Song", written by Dee Johnston and Nancy and Ron James. By popular request they will perform it again at the Talent Show April 10th.

Junior Choir: Wednesdays, 5 - 6 p.m.
Handbells, Wednesdays, 7 - 8 p.m.
Senior Choir, Sundays, 9 a.m. on April 3rd, 17th, and 24th
Tuneful Tuesdays, April 12th and 26th, 7 p.m. at Dee's

The ECW's Book Circle will meet Thursday, May 5th at noon in the Parish Hall. The book the group has chosen for May is Light on Snow by Anita Shreve. This novel is about love and memory from the author of many acclaimed novels, including The Weight of Water, The Pilot's Wife and Sea Grass. This gathering is open to all. A light lunch will be provided. Please call Tracy Lanum at 693-3591 if you plan to come.

The ECW Region 2 Meeting is on Wednesday, April 6th at 9:00 a.m. Cople Parish ECW are the hostesses and extend a warm welcome to Yeocomico Churches Ameslee Hall. Daphne Burress will share her experiences working in prison ministry. Contact Constance McDearmon 804-453-3085 for more information.

The Ware Episcopal Youth Committee, open to all 7th - 12th graders, will meet Sunday, April 10th at 9:30 a.m.

Set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night, April 2nd. That way you won't be embarrassed by being late for church Sunday, April 3rd, the first day that Daylight Savings Time is in effect.

On Monday, March 14th by the invitation of the Junior Warden, Kerri Barile and Mike Carmody, two archaeologists from the Virginia Department of Transportation, investigated the Poplar Springs Church site. They were greeted by Tom Hay, Hugh Dischinger, and Nancy and Ron James. The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether the graveyard of the site was encroached upon by the highway right-of-way of Rt. 17. The testing, done by probes, was inconclusive due to paving and gravel debris from the highway. Kerri and Mike were very impressed by the church site and promised to file a report with Tom Hay. They recommended placing the site on the state and federal registry of historic sites. David Hazzard, archaeologist for the Department of Historic Resources and Nick Luccetti of the James River Institute of Archaeology plan a visit soon.

Plan on joining us on Saturday, April 9th for a Spring Clean-up Day. We will start at 9:00 a.m.

At the March 1st Vestry meeting, Lee Brown distributed a report about the prices of burial lots. After discussion, the Vestry voted to increase the cost of a burial lot to $800.00. This price applies to all sections of the cemetery. The cost breaks down to $150.00 for burial rights and $650.00 for perpetual care. (Perpetual care is tax-deductible to the purchaser.) The new price will be effective June 1, 2005.

The family of Glenn Edwards would like to thank the church for the cottage during the loss of our home to a fire. Everyone appreciated the comfort of the cottage until we were able to find a place to rent. May the Lord bless your church and members. God has been so good to us during this terrible time. Thank you.

The Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center is currently trying to expand its library. David Harman, Superintendent has elaborated on the needs of the library-mainly paperback non-fiction books and current magazines. Any and all donations will be accepted. If the Security Center cannot use the material, Ms. Beverley (the librarian) will pass it to the other jails for their use.

You are invited to donate paperback books and magazines to this cause during the month of April. Please remove all mailing labels or your name from all magazines or books (for individual security). Please send only items that are in good condition. Since the inmates have different reading levels, it would be nice to have material donated that is on different levels, also. Bring your donations to the Parish House. If you need help in getting paperbacks and magazines to the church, please call Lewie Lawrence at 694-0994.

Giving statements for the first quarter of 2005 are will be on the church porch soon. Pick yours up and check it for errors or needed corrections. Call the office if you have any questions about your statement.

Washington National Cathedral will hold a service of Evensong at Bruton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday April 19th. The Rev'd Canon Howard Anderson, new President and Warden of the Cathedral College will preach and the choir of Bruton Parish Church will sing the canticles of Evensong and additional anthems.

Tuesday, April 19th is Williamsburg Day during Historic Garden Week in Virginia. On that day the "Jamestown Silver" will be on display in the chapel of Bruton's parish house. The Rev'd Robert Hunt used this silver when he presided over the first service of Holy Communion when the English settlers landed at Jamestown in 1607.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in words alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
Martin Luther

Who: Fran McKendree
What: An Evening with Fran
When: Saturday, April 23rd
Where: Grace Church, Kilmarnock
For: Young and Young at Heart
Cost: Free
A family event not to be missed!

Fran McKendree is a virtuoso musician and composer. His theological insight, poetic gifts and musical originality are enhanced by a luminosity of soul. He will make your heart sing, your feet move, and your soul open. The spirituality of his music is profound-and he sings not of cheap grace or simple praise, but about a deep and abiding sense of awe, about God's mercy and about love in Jesus Christ. The best part is his ability to do all of this and have a great time with a great sense of humor about himself and our humanity.

Richmond, Virginia Conference,
April 15th -16th
at
Christ Episcopal Church
5000 Pouncy Tract Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
Cost: $40 per person (scholarships available)

The Magnetic Church Conference is non-confrontational, practical evangelism to help our churches attract and retain new members. The Diocese of Virginia Commission on Congregational development is sponsoring this event and notes that this conference will be the 101st presentation to Episcopal groups by the speaker Andy Weeks. To learn more about Andy's ministry, log on to www.magnetic-church.com

Southside Church of the Nazarene
6851 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, Virginia
April 23, 2005
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Over 55 workshops
Innovative ideas for your ministry
Wide choice of topics for all teachers and church leaders

The convention program begins with a general session and then continues with five forty-minute workshops during the day. Each session has a variety of workshops. A sample of topics is included below.

Session I: Teaching in 3-D to Avoid Boring
Peppy Puppet Moves and Grooves
Scripture Memory with Music
Session II: Leading Children (Ages 5 -12) in Praise and Worship
11 Things You Gotta Know about Teaching Adults
Teaching Children from the Word
Session III: Teaching Children to Pray
Balloon Twisting: A "Bubbling Outreach"
Writing Stories for Children
Session IV: Visual Storytelling Ideas
Why Johnny Won't Sit Still and Listen
"Makin' Magic" Gospel Illusions
Session V: Hearts, Brains and Growing Pains
Use of Object Lessons to Teach God's Word to Children
All Grown-up and Nowhere to Go

Cost before April 15th is $22; after April 15th it is $28. For more information, check the bulletin board upstairs or call the church office. Tsunami Update a release by Episcopal Relief and Development

Since the South Asia earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, there have been many individual stories of hope and survival. Episcopal Relief and Development's staff members have been there to see and hear many of them. They have seen first-hand the devastation. One ERD Program Associate, Daniel Conway said the pictures seemed to equate this catastrophe with the same power and horror as an atomic bomb. The tsunami totally wiped out everything without discrimination, just like an atomic wave. The survivors have been dealt a difficult hand. Some of the statistics are quoted below.

Indonesia: 120,500 dead; 114,00 missing; 403,000 displaced
ERD worked with ecumenical organizations and local groups to prove food, clean water, medical care and shelter kits in the first days after the disaster.

India: 10,700 dead; 5,600 missing; 112,000 displaced
ERD worked with the Churches of North and South India to send critical supplies such as food, clean water, medical care and shelter kits in the first days after the disaster.

Sri Lanka: 31,000 dead; 4,700 missing; 553,000 displaced
Two-thirds of Sri Lanka's coastal region was destroyed along with hundreds of thousands of homes. Through Anglical and ecumenical partners, ERD supplied single-family shelters, food and health supplies. ERD is now working on a long-term recovery plan to help Sri Lanka rebuild.

Thailand: 5,400 dead; 3,000 missing
Episcopal Churches in the U. S. and Christ Church in Bangkok partnered to supply food, clean water, medical care and shelter kits. ERD will work through a long-term development program to rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.