G r a c e E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h , Y o r k t o w n , V i r g i n i a

From the Rector

continued next page

Inside This Issue:

From Rector 1

From the Assoc. Rector 3

Day School News 4

Outreach 4

Parish Nurse 5

Stewardship 6

Book Store 8

Vestry 8

Parish News 9

Birthdays 10

Prayer List 11

November, 2017 Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Virginia

Dear People of Grace, At a recent Wednesday Holy Eucharist and Healing service the psalm appointed for the week was the 23rd. We read through the King James Version in unison and then I asked people to name the verse or phrase that most cut across their current life. One person said she didn't have a green pasture handy to lie down in. But she does have a couch and a cat that situates herself be-side her when she lies down on it. And right in that place God visits and reassures her. How about we modify things to read, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down on my couch. . ." (Probably isn't going to happen.) The phrase that jumped out at me comes in the very next verse: "He restoreth my soul." I said at the service that I am amazed at the number of ways God restores my soul. And that phrase has wormed its way into my mind and heart in the week since. I am looking for and noticing those ways. The context is of having one's soul restored is of course first hav-ing it beaten up a bit, discouraged or flagging. It happens! There are the age-old and infamous slings and arrows of normal day to day life -- a difficult co-worker, our child's health issues, a broken-down car, hav-ing a hard time sleeping or much, much worse. Then it seems like we live in especially trying times. Our souls constrict when afraid or anxious or angry. Plenty these days provokes fear and anxiety and anger. It arises in conversations, in social media threads and in every version of the news. It's in the air lately. It's hardly a secret that life is hard. Relentless. A very young child is in acute distress with the discomfort of teething. And an elder-ly person suffers the loss of both a spouse and their mobility at almost the same time. It never stops.   I scroll through the ways that He restores my soul and the list is long. There is dappled sunlight right now in the cemetery. A sweet fall chill was in last night's air. An unexpected financial gift to Grace comes into the office from someone who doesn't even go here -- out of sheer goodness and the spirit of sharing. In the midst of a visit in the convalescent home, Evie Twigg tells me I'm showing up to her "as the face of God." Today is our middle son Benj's birthday and we have a wonderful conversation. Giving $5 to a woman with a sign at a stop-light and receiving an unbelievable smile.

Sunday, November 5

-2-

Continued from previous page

I go to a simple drum circle over in Gloucester at the House of David synagogue and meet good people while enjoying the rhythms we create. Someone tells me the story of caretaking their debilitat-ed husband and I am moved by their courage and love. The day school children at Children's Chapel nearly jump out of their skin when I call out and show them a Styrofoam skull -- then they begin to laugh uproariously. (They still know how to play!) I come home in a snit, and Elsa gently talks me down. I marvel that we have one another. Over and over it seems like she restoreth my soul! I am barely getting started. You get the idea. And there's little use in me multiplying my own examples. You get to have your own experiences. It helps to name them. Noticing what really does "restore your soul" seems to increase the occasions. There are ways to make it happen more and more frequently -- and it's not a matter of just try-ing to feel better. Eating right and exercising and getting enough sleep are soul practices. Telling the truth -- even when it's hard -- helps restore relationship, and our souls thrive in the midst of good rela-tionships. Giving to causes beyond our little selves connects our souls with larger purposes -- which is what they were designed for anyway. "He restoreth my soul." Does He? How? Make your own list. Claim it and give thanks when it happens. It is a part of life to be afraid and anxious and occasionally angry. But we're made for so, so much more. Our living God wants to restore our souls. God wants us fresh and alive and maybe even a bit wild. (After all, it's been said that the soul is like a wild animal -- very, very strong but also very shy.) Let everything come as gift, as the energy and goodness of God in infinitely different packages. And let it restore your soul. In Christ,

Riverview Update At the Annual Meeting on September 10 I outlined that we are at a new place with our project to remodel the cottage between our parish hall and the York River that we call Riverview. We had a successful capital campaign two years ago and much of the money pledged toward this project has come in. (Well done, good and faithful parishioners!) Unfortunately, bid prices have come in at nearly double what was anticipated and access issues complicate the entire project. Rather than invest $750,000 in patch-ing up that existing structure, we have formed The Riverview Options Committee to re-visit what the best stewardship of this property might be. Members of this new com-mittee are: Dale Ludi (Chair), Sandy Armstrong, David Grimsley, Bill Jones, Karen Jackson, Kevin James, Jack Staton, Elizabeth Wash and myself. We've met twice al-ready and we're making good progress. Our aim is to put together as expediently as possible a list of options for our vestry -- with a recommendation for the one the Op-tions Committee thinks is best. I am grateful for the spirit of this congregation's vision for the extraordinary usefulness of the Riverview property (inside and out) and for the patience it's requiring to bring about a good solution in a financially appropriate way. We are staying the course!

-3-

From the Associate Rector

November 1, the Feast of All Saints

Dear People of Grace,

I think I’ve walked through Grace Church’s cemetery so many times that I not only remember where many of the people I’ve known at Grace are buried, but I almost know the trees by their first names. Sometimes my mind wanders a little bit, and I imagine ladies and gentlemen of the 18th century in their Sunday garb arriving for services, the clergy wearing all-black robes with those funny white preaching tabs hang-ing down from their necks. Did the graveyard witness any long-ago courtships between young church-goers? Any political discussions that might have affected our nation’s history? Any mischief it would be better for us not to know about?

I wonder how many prayers have been said in the cemetery? I’ve stood beside many graves for com-mittal prayers over the last eleven years, but I also think of all the burials stretching back for well over 300 years. Surely he mourners grieved just like us, as they used virtually the same words of as-surance of eternal life as we do.

Every year on All Saints Day we remember those who, as one prayer in The Book of Common Prayer nicely puts it, “we love but see no longer.” This coming Sunday during Communion, we will hear their names read, one after another – people who were a real, substantial part of our own lives -- people whose existence we some days took for granted, as if they’d always existed, and always would. But it was not to be.

Sometimes I wonder, especially at All Saints, just where my husband Bill is. He was so important in my life for 39 years that when he died, I barely could remember who I was before I met him. I do be-lieve he is in heaven, and that for him, heaven must be filled with music.

I’m not too keen on the books that offer you a precise map of where heaven is, and what exactly it is like. But I do know this: whenever I am the Grace Church cemetery, I can almost physically feel the presence of the people buried there. And in a very mysterious way too, my husband Bill is still present in my life – in a way that cannot be annulled by his having died.

Barbara Crafton’s book The Alsolife has had a profound effect on me. She insists that the eternity that encompasses everybody and everything, the eternity that is held in existence by the sheer love and energy of God, is not a then prospect. It is even now, while we still walk this earth.

I think it is the “alsolife” that I feel in the cemetery. Often in my dreams, I believe, I walk its hallways and am part of its stories. The alsolife is, I am certain, filled with people, filled with surprises of grace, filled with the pure love of God. And death has no part in it any more.

A blessed celebration of All Saints to you and those you love, including the ones you see no longer.

Love in Christ,

-4-

The first week of October arrived and gifted our preschool with a pleas-ant treat! Warm weather to get outside and have fun with our new friends. The second week tricked us with lots of rain and the postpone-ment, once again, of our school pictures. However, around the 3rd week we had perfect fall weather to finally take some sweet portraits and class pictures on the playground. We also had a visit from the

York County Fire Department. This is always a highly anticipated and exciting day, and our won-derful York firefighters did another excellent job this year. Students were able to learn how firemen put on all their special gear, and general age-appropriate fire safety rules. The highlight of our morning was visiting the firetruck and being able to sit in the cab! A special thanks to Courtney for capturing the action and posting it on Facebook.

We attend chapel every week with the four-year-old classes. In January the three-year-olds will begin attending. Our children’s chapel leaders rotate. Usually its Father Bakkum, Ms. Connie, or Miss Cornelia, but this month we had a special guest: Shoeperman! The children really enjoyed learning about “real clowns” and I think Shoeperman’s special clown prayer captures and reflects the heart of our preschool days. Thanks to parishioner Tom Bailes for visiting the kids!.

My Prayer Lord, give me the courage and strength as I go out and make a fool of myself – a fool for Your Glory. Let me bring smiles, laughter, and even tears of happiness to all I encounter today. May all I meet today feel your love, Amen.

Thank you to everyone for clipping those Box Tops! This month we submitted $58.80 to the pro-gram. 100% of Box Top funds help offset our everyday expenses. Keep on clipping!

-5-

Health Traveling Tips Prepare – Make sure that in addition to your insurance card that you have you a current list of your medications with you. If you have health issues, make sure that you are healthy before you travel. Have enough of your regular medi-cations with you (or in your carry-on – not checked baggage) and that you have extra in case your trip is extended. Pack a medical kit for yourself and any chil-

dren travelling with you. And pack a spare pair of glasses. Make sure that someone in your traveling party is aware if you have any significant health history or any specific health condi-tions or needs like being anticoagulated on Coumadin or being diabetic. Find out about the medi-cal facilities in the areas you will be visiting ahead of time and wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant if appropriate. If you are travelling internationally, make sure that no vaccinations or medications are needed prior to travel as some vaccinations must be given weeks or months be-fore travel.

While traveling – Stay hydrated, but be aware of recommendations regarding water – for example, using bottled water only or avoiding ice. The most common travel-related illnesses are gastroin-testinal diseases usually picked up from poorly prepared foods or untreated water. Do some re-search before you travel so that you are aware of any foods to avoid. Also, avoid insect bites when travelling. Some serious infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fe-ver, are transmitted by insect bites. While there are vaccines and drugs available to help protect against some of these diseases, travelers are advised to always protect against mosquito bites. And MOVE to prevent blood clots. Try to stand and walk at least every 2 hours. While seated when traveling, flex your ankles, write the ABC’s with your feet, and tighten your buttocks. All of these activities help to promote good blood flow.

Accept Assistance if needed – Make arrangements for wheelchairs and seating needs well in ad-vance. Take advantage of organizations who specialize in providing travel assistance to older adults – especially if there are health issues.

For more information, contact Nancy Sullivan.

Dear Carleton, Connie and Grace Congregation,

Thank you for your nice card. I am settled in Dallas and coming along on getting my mobility back. I am using a walker now and not just the wheelchair. My e-mail is still the same so I get the Grace missives just fine. All the best to all. My new address is:

304 W. Fm 544, Apart 148, Murphy, Tx 75094

God bless. I keep you all in my thoughts and pray-ers. ~ Ray Miller

My phone number is 757/870-2592

Grace Church,

Thank you for the kindness you showered me with. The picture signed by everyone is so nice. Thanks for letting me be part of Grace Church!

Diane Garrison

Red Ornaments Needed for Grace’s Christmas Tree

Red Christmas ornaments, larger rather than smaller, are needed for the Christmas Tree in the Parish Hall. If you would love to see your ornaments on the tree, we need them. Any round or character ornaments would also be welcome. Contact Kathleen Manley (kyorktownva@aol.com) for more info.

From the Stewardship Commission

-6-

INSPIRATION CORNER ~ submitted by Roselyn Washburn

Dear Parents,

Starting November (continuing until the end of May) Grace Church will again begin its Children’s Stewardship Program. Donations will be taken up during Children’s Chapel and Sunday School. Do-nations will go into a single envelope that has been decorated by a youth. The donations from each class will go into the thanksgiving basket, and the thankful thoughts from each class can be ex-pressed.

Any amount of donation is perfect. The joyful act of giving is the habit that we are seeking to build. The giving of time and talents is also part of the act of giving back to God, and that will not be forgot-ten as our program continues to grow.

This program is a way to invite the young people of Grace to cultivate their own feelings of thankful-ness for God’s gifts to them and their families. It will also help to begin building that incredible sense of community that Grace Church embodies so well.

Peace and Blessings,

Sandy Armstrong and Ed Everett Stewardship Commissioners

Prayer of Thanksgiving By Marcia A. Redd, Province V, Diocese of Springfield

Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have freely given to us.

Hearts enabling us to love and forgive one another and hands to do your work.

Abba Father, the Savior and Redeemer of the world who

Nurtures us continually on this earthly pilgrimage towards your heavenly

Kingdom -- the holy sanctuary where peace and love abide to those

Seeking forgiveness for things said, done, or left undone.

Guard, protect, forgive and refresh our souls, renewing and

Invigorating in us unconditional love that empowers us, by the Holy Spirit, who

Vindicates us from eternal damnation when we bend the knee in humble prayer.

Instill in our hearts your commandment to love one another which brings

Newness of life. May we continually praise you, thank you and always glorify you --

God and Savior of the world, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

-7-

AN INVITATION FROM LIZ LANDGRAF I want to encourage all the women of Grace Church to consider attending the Women's Re-treat Day in Advent at Camp Chanco on December 2. The theme is “Living the Magnificat.” I attended the Lenten Retreat and it was a wonderful experience. I hope many others will attend this offering. The one-day retreat begins at 8:30 (check-in) and closes with a delight-ful and delicious afternoon tea from 3:30-4:00. There is an optional overnight retreat begin-ning at 6:00 Friday evening and includes breakfast on Saturday morning before the day guests arrive. I have registered and will be happy to arrange car-pooling if there are others interested. Cost for the one-day retreat is $35.00 and overnight is $75.00. To register and get more information e-mail hospitality@chanco.org or visit www.chanco.org. Please call or email me for more information. Liz Landgraf 898-5051 or jerry-liz1@cox.net

THANKSGIVING DINNER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24 AT ST PAULS

Grace Church will bring a Thanksgiving dinner again this year to the guests of St. Paul's, Newport News. Dinner is at 3:00. Set-up 1:00 with cleanup over by 5:00. We will need food-preparers and people to set up, clean up, and greet and eat with the guests. Nancy Pendleton is in charge. There will soon be a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall, and a link on the church’s Facebook pages for sign-up as well.

From Evangelism and Communications

Trying New Ways of Communicating at Grace

We are trying to make communication more timely and relevant at Grace.

You may have noticed if you are on the Grace list to get messages via email that we have been sending out a regular email on Fridays to highlight “This Week at Grace.” The goal is to make parishioners aware of things that are upcoming which may have been on the monthly calendar, or may have come up since the calendar was issued, and as a “reminder.” We also include upcoming opportunities that may require sign ups. Finally we highlight the weekly birthdays so we all have an opportunity to wish oth-ers well on their special occasions. Some of this information can also be found in the weekly church ser-vice bulletin.

The next phase of this new communication strategy is to introduce a quarterly Newsletter in place of the monthly publication we now send out. This will be in addition to the weekly updates. You may wonder about how fewer newsletters will increase communication. Our hope is that the weekly update will give current, real time information that keep people engaged in the here and now. The goal of the quarterly publication will be to explore some topics in more depth than is done in the monthly newsletter and to give a longer view of what is relevant in the coming months at Grace.

The plan is to begin with the first quarterly newsletter in January 2018 and to continue to send out weekly updates via email. We plan to put out 2 or 3 quarterly newsletters in the 2018 to get a feel for how parishioners, clergy, vestry and staff like the new approach and whether our goal of improved com-munication is being achieved. If not, we may go back to the monthly newsletter or try something else depending on feedback we get.

We recognize two competing forces at work in the world of communication these days. More and more information is being shared electronically and Grace is no exception! However, there are those who do not have the access or desire to communicate electronically. We are going to be looking at ways that those parishioners can be kept in the loop with the new approach.

Here are some things that you can do:

If you would like to receive the weekly updates and have not been, please call Courtney at the office and she will gladly add you to the list of those receiving the weekly updates. 757/898-3261

If you are open to receiving an electronic copy of the newsletter instead of the paper copy, please con-tact the Grace office and let them know and we will take you off the paper distribution list and add you to the electronic list.

If you are not connected to the church electronically but would like to be, call the church office to see if we can help.

If you are unable to use electronic communication for whatever reason, please let us know so we can figure out how to keep you updated and informed

If you have changed your email, please let the church know.

Thank you in advance for being open to trying a new approach to communication and we look forward to your feedback once the quarterly newsletters are published.

Elizabeth Wash and Sally Lopez, Commissioners

Check our the Grace Church Website!

Have you explored the Grace website lately? There is quite a bit of good information there!

The up-to-date calendar is there that is often more current than the newsletter because new things are always being added

The text of Connie's sermons are posted

Sometimes the audio of Carleton's sermons are there

Links to the Grace Day School.

If you miss a service and want to check out the sermon, it may be there. If there was a sermon that inspired you, you can share it with a friend of fellow parishioner who may have missed the service. If you know someone who is looking around for a church, you can send them the link to our website so they can “explore” what Grace has to offer. www.gracechurchyorktown.org.

Opportunities Upcoming for Angel Tree Help

Angel Tree helps families maintain a close relationship and know the love of God despite the rigors associated with prison life. Through Angel Tree, we help incarcerated persons send Christmas presents to their children. To accomplish the program

this year we will again rely on volunteers to write tags, buy presents, sort and group gifts and deliver gifts to families. The Angel Tree schedule this year will be:

Nov 12: Write out gift tags in the Parish Hall between the 9:00 and 11:20 services.

Nov 19 and 26: Distribute tags at all services

Nov 20 through Dec 2: Purchase and wrap gifts on behalf of the incarcerated parents.

Note: Please buy only the item on the tag. Do not buy additional items, add a gift card/cash, or embellish the wrapping with notes, candy canes or toys. We know everyone has loving inten-tions but this will ensure multiple children of the same parent are treated equally and there are no hurt feelings.

Dec 3: All gifts due back at church.

Dec 10: Sorting and grouping of presents during Sunday School hour. Gifts distributed to delivery teams.

Dec 11 - 23: Gifts delivered to children.

If you would like to help, please come to the Parish Hall Nov 12 to write tags or talk to Jim and Chris Giesken (766-8147) about sorting and delivery. Thanks!

-8-

Vestry Meeting Summary for October 2017 (A full version of the minutes is located on the Parish Hall bulletin board)

At its October 9 meeting the Vestry welcomed Lois Winter, who invited Grace to participate actively in upcoming Park Service events in Yorktown, along with the Evangelism and Communication Commission and the Preservation Committee. The Vestry agreed. Carleton reported on an Inquirers' and EiM groups and a celebration of Nursery Supervisor Diane Garrison's 30 years of service to Grace. The EfM national task force again was hosted by Grace. The new Riverview Options Committee consists of Sandy Armstrong, David Grimsley, Dale Ludi, Karen Jackson, Elizabeth Wash, Kevin James, Bill Jones, Jack Staton, and Carleton Bakkum. Bob Frady reported the annual audit is showing no concerns. The Vestry approved minor repairs and refreshing of Riverview. Beginning in 2018 the regular newsletter will become a quarterly, Friday email notices of news of the week will continue. Social Media Sunday was celebrated on September 24th. The Vestry made a small change to the parish alcohol policy. Grace has made an agreement with The Pub to maintain the bank between the Riverview and Pub properties. The meeting began and closed with prayer.

NOVEMBER AT THE PARISH BOOK AND GIFT SHOP

New reading which could be a terrific Christmas gift: Cooking with Grace II cookbook at only $15 would be a gift that keeps on giving forever. Give one to yourself and to a friend. Autumn items are ready for your Thanksgiving décor: Adorable Thanksgiving wooden turkeys, cute ceramic votives, resin Autumn owls, decorative pump-kins with inspirational words, gorgeous cloth pumpkins, lovely leaf dishes in two sizes and much more. Advent Devotional Booklets will be available in the shop in the middle of the month. Also by the middle of the month the Shop will have an area of Christmas decorations: Some light-up ceramic angels, two types of Nativity ornaments, stuffed squirrel ornaments, two types of Grace ornaments, snowflake ornaments, stuffed Santas, light-up ornaments, adorable snow-men, unusual wreath hangers, and much more, etc. More Sterling Silver Jewelry has arrived. These are a must see. Best price in the area for sterling. There are earrings, crosses, chain necklaces, and lots more.

Cone visit and see the variety of cards, books, and gifts we have especially for you!

-9-

YORK COUNTY FOOD CLOSET: The Food Closet continues to serve our neighbors by providing nutritious food to families in need. Food placed in the “Red Ball Express” wagon in the parish hall will be delivered each week to the Food Closet. Your continued support for this ministry is greatly appreciated.

SAINT FRANCIS PROJECT: Your generosity has recently sent 14 bags and 28 cans of food, 14 bags/boxes of treats, three leashes/collars, one bed, two coats, and one bag of towels to animals through the Pet Pantry. Thank you and please continue to remember pets and their caretakers in need. Liz Bush 757-504-7395.

ANNUAL VETERANS’ DAY CEREMONY: The Annual Veterans’ Day ceremony and flag placement will take place at Grace Church on Saturday, November 11, from 10 AM-11 AM rain or shine. Eighty-eight known veterans are buried in the church cemetery. After brief remarks, prayers, and playing of "Taps,” we will process to the cemetery to place US flags on the graves of the Veterans with "Honors." A commemorative program, which lists the names and brief biography of each known veteran buried in the graveyard, will be provided to each attendee. Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Scout leaders, JROTC cadets, or parishioners who are interested in helping with and participating in this Veterans’ Day ceremony should contact Al Crane at 867-8643.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)/Naomi Dozier Circle Fall Business

Meeting and Potluck Luncheon The ECW Fall Business Meeting and Luncheon will be held on Monday November 13 from 10:30 AM -1:00 PM in the Parish Hall. We invite you to come out and hear what the ECW is all about and how they benefit the Church and our community. The guest speaker will be Katie Barney from Easton, MD, nationally known cookbook and guidebook author and lecturer on foods of the world. She will present her inspira-tional lecture "Living a Healthy, Holy Life with Biblical Foods, Herbs and Spices" along with a demonstration on preparing these foods, and sampling selected dishes. Her signed books will be available for purchase. Please come out, enjoy her presentation, and give Katie a warm Grace Church welcome.

Dessert will be provided. Bring your favorite cas-serole or salad to share. Signup sheets will be available starting on Sunday October 22. Ques-tions? call Roselyn Washburn 898-7360.

UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO): The ECW will hold our UTO breakfast on Sunday, No-vember 5th, from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Please come and enjoy fellowship and good food from Jim Giesken, our chef that morning. All proceeds go toward helping other people in need all over the world. In 2016 UTO gave 48 grants totaling more than $100,000.

-10-

BIRTHDAYS Nov 1 David Landgraf

Nov 3 Eleanor Dunavant

Jack Tartala

Nov 4 Al Crane

Ferne Gapcynski

Roselyn Washburn

Ben Hines

Nov 5 Christine Dragoo

Nov 6 Judith Rheinstrom

Nov 7 Jerry Bollinger

JoAnna Taylor-Wilson

Nov 10 Julia Bowditch

Nov 11 Erin Irwin

Nov 13 Martha Maclay

Nov 17 Mary Ellen Wildman

Jeff Gouger

Nov 18 Clyde Adams

Nov 19 Julia Vogeley

Joe Mahan

Nov 22 Barry Smith

Nov 23 Joseph O’Brien

Katy Tartala

Nov 26 Joan Altman

Jared Fore

Gordie Fore

Nov 29 Lucinda Brackman

Jennifer Carver

Nov 30 Don Willis

Brian Wilson

ANNIVERSERIES Nov 6 Hal & Karin Herdey

Nov 10 Patricia & William Ball

Nov 12 Jen & Ben Holden

Nov 13 Steve & Susan Williams

Nov 24 Pam & Lance Jackson

Nov 30 Al & Linda Crane

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please pray especially for: Becky Ledford, Garrett Washburn, Marvin McCay, Jadyn Silver, Terry Randolph, Michael Eggert, Daisy Fletcher, Bill White, Betsy Taylor, Sandy Swift, Evie Twigg, Ramonia Hayes, Bob Gregorie, Virgie Twigg, Kathy Michaels, Lucinda Brackman, Sandy Holt, Andrew Colley, Ross, Fay Adam, Margaret Prantl, Steve Essman, Miles McCrimmon, Coley Newton, Deborah Kennedy.

Please continue to remember in your prayers: Bill King, Foster Ryan, Jerry Landgraf, Marti Hamel, Charlotte Brennan, Harry Brennan, Cornelius Taylor IV, Mike, Eleanor Moore, Ray Moore, Dorrie Welch, Susan Treadaway, Sue, Bruce Jackson, Eric Aucoin, Sharon Neyer, Tess Robins, Stork Hamel, Jim Henry, Calley Jackson, Alexa Crawley, Olean Hall, Martha Clift, Ferne Gapcynski, Sarah Farmer, Dorothy Fincannon, Louis Wagner, Martha Sim, and June Curtis.

We pray for others in the military and/or family and friends of parishioners serving away from home: especially Parker Sandford, PV2 Garrett Washburn, Lt. James Gouger, and

CPT Benjamin Jackson.

GRACE CHURCH ANNUAL AUCTION

Musical Entertainment, Silent and Live Auction

Food and beverages will be available!

DATE: Saturday, December 9, 2017

TIME: 5:00 pm

WHERE: Grace Episcopal Church Parish Hall

111 Church Street, Yorktown 23690

TICKETS: Donations at the door

CONTACT: Cornelia Taylor (757)663-1188 or Church Office (757)898-3261

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE

2019 JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD PILGRIMAGE

Sunday, December 3rd there will be a Grace for Everyone between the 9:00 and 11:20 a.m. services. We will be making Advent wreaths. Christian Formation will supply the wreath forms and candles, but if you already have a form, please bring it for you or others to re-use. We also need a large variety and supply of greens to decorate the wreaths, so if you have a tree or bush or anything with nice foliage for winter please bring as much as you can for

Advent Wreath-Making

October 19, Yorktown Day, 2017 was a wonderful day for Grace Church. The weather was perfect and Yorktown was bursting with tourists eager to celebrate York-town history. In the morning, I put out a sign welcoming people to the historic church. Then Brenda Moore took over and explained our story to over 150 visitors. Later, Sharon Stack (in her official Women’s Club attire) and I continued to welcome people throughout the day. Sharon shared family memories with visitors who used to live in the area and remembered Sharon’s daughters riding their horses around their old neighborhood. She also found some SAR Revolutionary War soldiers who seemed de-lighted to find a woman. It turns out that there’s much to learn from those who come from all over the country to celebrate York-town’s history. Brenda had a conversation with one visi-tor who told her all about someone named Mary Gibbons who was supposed to be was buried in our churchyard. We had never heard of her. Sure enough, we found Mary Gibbons’ grave. Later I found an article from The Virginia Gazette of April 1774 reporting that Mary Gibbons operated the Yorktown ferry and kept the Swan Tavern in Yorktown. After googling her, I found this reference from visityorktown.org. Records indicate that regular ferry service began here as early as 1647 to cross the river between Yorktown and Gloucester Point. Ferries were licensed by the Virginia House of Burgesses and tolls, equipment, and services were regulated by colonial and later state government. Two women, Janet Mitchell and Mary Gibbons of York-town, managed the ferry business in 1774. They advised “Gentlemen who cross to pay their Ferriages at the Swan Tavern” and they also assured customers reading the April 1 issue of the Virginia Gazette that “the Ferry shall be kept inferiour to none in the Colony.”

It was a joy to share some of our amazing past with people from all over the country. And we were reminded again that there’s always so much more to learn.

Here lieth the Body of M. Mary Gibbons who departed this life the 22nd of Sept. 1792 Aged 75 Years With a character unblemished she passed this life a Tender and Affectionate Wife.

Yorktown Day 2017

by Lois Winter

Grace Historical Church Preservation Foundation

-11-

Please visit Grace Church’s Website for the most up-to-date calendar listings at www.gracechurchyorktown.org and click on “Upcoming Events” tab.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday

7:45 AM - Holy Eucharist Rite I

*10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday

10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist

& Healing Service

Diane Garrison, Nursery Supervisor Joanna Taylor-Wilson, Nursery Asst.

*Nursery Provided

Grace Episcopal Church 111 Church Street

P.O. Box 123 Yorktown, VA 23690

Yorktown, VA 23690 Office: (757) 898-3261

secretary@gracechurchyorktown.org

W e ’ r e o n t h e w e b : g r a c e c h u r c h y o r k t o w n . o r g a n d F a c e b o o k a t G r a c e E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h a n d D a y S c h o o l o f H i s t o r i c Y o r k t o w n

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID AT

YORKTOWN, VA 23690

PERMIT NUMBER 1672

THE VESTRY

Marilyn Staton, Senior Warden

Vance Field, Junior Warden & Properties/Administration

Ed Everett, Stewardship

Sandy Armstrong, Stewardship

Pam Mason, Outreach/Environ.

Merle Burgess, Parish Life

Melinda Reed, Parish Life

Jim Noel, Christian Formation

Debra Boyce, Christian Formation

Sally Lopez, Evangelism/Comm.

Elizabeth Wash, Evangelism/Comm.

Brenda Moore, Worship

 

ADDRESS

SERVICE

REQUESTED

A monthly publication of Grace Episcopal Church

Editor: Courtney Kelley

DAY SCHOOL

Jean Grinnell, Co-Director Paula Kempton, Co-Director

THE STAFF

The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith,

Bishop Diocese of Southern Virginia

The Rev. Carleton B. Bakkum, Rector

The Rev. Constance M. Jones,

Associate Rector

Courtney Kelley,

Parish Administrator

Cornelia Taylor, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries

Suzanne Daniel, Organist/Choir Dir.

Denise Wash, Secretary/Asst. Treasurer

Kevin James, Sexton

Bob Frady, Financial Director/Treasurer

Nancy Sullivan, CFNP, Parish Nurse

Brenda Moore, Archivist

Resident Spiritual Director

Mrs. Elsa Bakkum, M.Div.

Next Celtic Eucharist

TBD