JANUARY 9TH PARISH EVENTS CELEBRATE EPIPHANY

The first day after the twelve days of Christmas is January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany which celebrates our Lord being made manifest to the world. The central Biblical story for this feast is the arrival of the Magi and their three gifts. Ware Church will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with a family breakfast at 9 a.m. on Sunday, January 9th. Regular Sunday School classes for preschool through adult also begin the winter session at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 16th.

The presentation of Mark Patterson's "Light of the World" takes place Sunday, January 9th during the 10:30 service. The music will be led by members of the Junior and Senior Choirs. The cast of actors will consist of both children and adults. This pageant is a wonderful way to begin the new year celebrating the joy of the gift of Jesus as the "Light of the World."

FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Friends,

On January 1st, I will have had the privilege of serving as Rector of Ware Parish for twenty years. I remember being welcomed by Sandy Hinman, the Parish Secretary, as I carried in boxes of books, files and odds and ends. Herb Field, Senior Warden, asked about the time of Sunday services to which I responded "same as last week." It was going to be a great experience as Rector until I got "lost" in my first service.

Since then my family and I have become part of Gloucester. Anne started in play school and Dan in kindergarten; now both of them have finished college and are working away from Gloucester. Jane continues teaching in the Gloucester School system. You, the congregation of Ware Church, have become our family. We have laughed, joked, celebrated, learned, and grieved with one another.

I have always been proud to be the Rector of this parish as this could not be a better place to live, work and play. Thank you for being a great congregation filled with wonderful people!

May you and yours have a blessed new year. May there be joy and happiness for all of 2005.

Faithfully yours,
Peter Worthington

DENDROCHRONOLOGY STUDY

The exact construction date of our present church building has been much debated over the years. 1690, 1713, 1724, or 1725 have all been suggested as possible dates. But until recently there was no way to be sure. The recent development of the science of dendrochronology may provide a definitive answer. Dendrochronology is the study of wood samples in order to date a building by examination of the original tree growth rings. On Friday, December 10th, Ware Church was visited by Dan Miles and Mike Worthington (no known relation to a certain rector). They are from the Oxford Institute of Dendrochronology in Great Britain. They took ten coring samples that will be part of an intensive study back in their labs. Since the roof frame of the church is constructed out of poplar the chances of a definitive date are not as good as if the frame was constructed out of oak. Still, the chances are very good that we will get not only the year but the season that the trees the roof frame were made from were felled. As the frames were most likely in place within a year of the trees being felled, that should give us the year the Church was finished. Sometime in the summer of 2005, the study should be done and the report sent to us.

This study was done in conjunction with Architectural Historians from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation who visited the church twice before the study. The two gentlemen, Carl Lounsbury and Willie Graham were very impressed with the condition of the roof frames. They said that the only roof frames that are as impressive are the ones at Shirley Plantation in Charles City County and Christchurch in Lancaster County. They were so impressed with the roof framing that they brought the Historic Trades Carpenters from Colonial Williamsburg to see it. Carl Lounsbury said that Ware Church is the epitome of rectangular colonial churches in Virginia. All of the experts from Colonial Williamsburg were very appreciative of the chance to study the Church. We will receive copies of the plans and photographs that result from their study. Maynard Nichols took photographs and wrote a study for the Church files on the condition of the structure. Hugh Dischinger and Robert Teagle also took pictures during the process. The cost of the Dendrochronology study was paid for by a very generous member of our congregation.

Thank you to Tom Hay for being actively involved in this undertaking. If you would like more information on this fascinating subject, you may contact him. His telephone number is 693-2200.

WILL YOU BE A PLANNER FOR THE FUTURE OF WARE CHURCH?

The Vestry has formed a committee of Ware members to lead the congregation in developing a long range plan for the congregation. This committee has meet on two occasions and will be meeting again on Thursday, January 13th at 7:30 p.m.

The process being used by the committee was developed in the 1980s by Kennon L. Callahan after decades of working with churches developing strategic long range plans. The process is outlined in Callahan's book Twelve Keys to an Effective Church. It emphasizes the church characteristics which increase members satisfaction and enhance the church's standing within the community served. The committee has read this book and accompanying workbook as well as "Beyond the Walls", a statistical evaluation of Ware Church and Gloucester County developed by Peter Worthington as part of his doctoral thesis. The committee has been divided into separate teams to do additional research into each of the12 keys identified by Callahan.

One of the key elements of Callahan's process is the involvement of interested parishioners who help identify future activities of the church. In order to achieve the widest possible participation, there will be a summit in March. Information from the committee will be presented and parishioners will decide the direction of Ware Church. All parishioners are invited to be a part of this summit.

The summit is March will be a very significant day for Ware Church. Key information will be shared and critical decisions made. It will be an exciting and dynamic gather of people who share your love of Ware Church and its role in Gloucester County. Please mark Saturday, March 12th, 9 am - 2 pm on your calendar. We will meet in the Parish House. Lunch will be provided. This is a very important day because Ware members will be working together to make important decisions for the future direction of our church.

The committee is be facilitated by Ware member, John Dutton, a specialist in organizational change. He has used this process in churches, school systems, national organizations, the Ford Foundation, and the President's Summit for America's Future. The other committee members are Anne Dyal, Monty Haskell, Molly Hoffman, Marv Hohenberger, Mike Jenkins, Robert Johnson, Louisa Jones, Diana Joyce, Lewis Lawrence, Jr., Steve Parker, Rip Radcliffe, Margi Teagle, Robert Teagle, and Pat Zima.

Remember, the success of the planning process will be dependent upon your participation at the church summit.

PARISH LASAGNA LUNCHEON SET FOR JANUARY 16TH

On Sunday, January 16th the Youth Group is serving a Lasagna Luncheon after the late service. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children over 5 years and free for children under 5. The menu includes lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and homemade desserts. If you can not stay and eat at the Parish Hall, the youth will box up your meal to take home for later.

MUSIC NOTES

Epiphany Pageant Rehearsals

There is a required dress rehearsal for everyone in the pageant Saturday, January 8th at 10 a.m. All participants should meet in the Parish House for costume assignments. Lots of help is needed and parents and grandparents are invited to share in this event.

Weather Alert

What does the Junior Choir do in the winter if the weather is nasty? If the Gloucester County schools are cancelled or dismissed early on a Wednesday due to bad weather, there will be no practice. Listen to your radio or television for news about the Gloucester schools.

Bravo, Paul
Congratulations to Paul Crook for a super performance in the Courthouse Players' production of "Peter Pan".

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Don't see your name listed on your birthday? Please call the office so it can be added to the list.

GIVING STATEMENTS

The 2004 giving statements are being prepared the first week in January to be distributed to the congregation. Please take time and examine it not only for total giving but also that the correct amounts are reported under pledges and tithes, flowers, annual giving, school clothing, etc. Should you discover a mistake or have a question, please call Becky Morris, Parish Administrator or Pete Roane, Treasurer.

The Vestry wishes to thank everyone for their gifts to the church during 2004 and especially to those who helped cover the shortfall.

PRAYER GROUP MEETS THE 12TH

The Ware Church Prayer Group gathers for fellowship, prayer and the Holy Eucharist. They pray for parishioners and friends of Ware. The group's next meeting is Wednesday, January 12th at 10 o'clock. For prayer requests, please call Jane Van Leeuwen at 693-3500.

BOOK STUDY SET FOR JANUARY

The Book Study Circle will meet Thursday, January 13th at 12:30 p.m. at the Parish House. Monica Blackston, the hostess, has chosen The Christmas Train by David Balducci. It is a heartwarming holiday story of a former war reporter who takes a cross-country trip on a train to spend Christmas with his girlfriend. Please call Monica at 693-4589 if you are attending.

VESTRY NEWS

The 2005 Vestry will be installed on Sunday, January 2nd at the10:30 service. At the December Vestry meeting, Rip Radcliffe was elected Senior Warden; Tom Hay, Junior Warden; Nancy Wilson, Register; and Pete Roane, Treasurer and Hugh Dischinger and Monty Haskell, Assistant Treasurers.

At the meeting newly elected members Louie Lawrence, Steve Parker, Jane Smith, Debby Wiggins and Nancy James were given seat and voice.

The Vestry authorized an Eagle Scout project to place railroad cross ties around the parking area to replace the rotted utility poles. Also approved was a contract of $2,500 to grade the parking area.

The Vestry approved the 2005 Budget totaling $267,162. Income from pledges is projected at $183,510, other giving at $30,571, investment income at $38,600 and other income at $14,481. The budget granted $27,800 for mission, $17,650 - parish programs,

The Vestry will hold its meetings on the first Tuesday of the month for the coming year. All meetings are open to the congregation.

SUPPORT FOR OCCASIONAL SERVICES CHANGES FOR 2005

In September the Vestry of Ware Church authorized a change in the compensation of Dee Johnston, Parish Music Director. Beginning January 1, a fee of $150.00 will be charged for all weddings and funerals as these services represent additional preparation and worship time.

Couples being married at Ware are currently asked to make their payment directly to the church. For funerals, the family can either request the funeral home to pay Ware $150.00 for music services or make a donation to the Church for $150.00.