RECTOR’S LETTER The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

As someone who is a

creature of habit, I have

found that I can

sometimes get into ruts

when it comes to physical

fitness. I know what exercises and machines I like, and I

tend to use them in the same pattern each time. That is why

I have enjoyed taking barre class. Each day of the week has

a different teacher, and each teacher varies the routines from

week to week. So just when I think I have sufficiently

strengthened a muscle group, and perhaps am “mastering”

barre class, a teacher will do a new routine, or my schedule is

such that I visit a different teacher’s class, and all of a

sudden, I realize how woefully unmastered I am, feeling new

sore muscles for days.

I think our spiritual life can be the same way. We

get into patterns in our spiritual life – always going to the

same Sunday service, always using the same set of prayers or

method of prayer at home, or always addressing God in the

same way. For those of us who are creatures of habit

spiritually, Lent is a gift to us. Lent is the season where we

can really shake up our spiritual lives, exercising different

“muscles” we did not realize were out of shape. We do it on

a basic level by changing up the liturgy every Sunday. We

dive into different parts of the Prayer Book, we start the

services differently, and we hear different types of music.

But we also try to help parishioners exercise different

spiritual “muscles” through our programming. Whether it’s

our Lenten Kindness Challenge, a Rector-led Bible study,

our daily devotional, Monday night Compline, Supper@6,

ecumenical services, or our Sunday Forum offering, there

are lots of great opportunities to try new practices that might

help you grow in your relationship with Christ.

Whatever practice you choose – whether you take

something up or give something up – my invitation to you

this year is to try something different this year. Try to flex

some spiritual muscles that you have never tried before, or

have not tried in a long time. My guess is that by changing

up your spiritual life, you will find new encounters with

Christ and with fellow parishioners at Hickory Neck. And

the great news about Lent is that you can hang on to those

new experiences beyond Lent, or hear other invitations from

God as we move into Eastertide. I cannot wait to hear how

your spiritual muscles are getting challenged and

strengthened this Lent! I look forward to commiserating on

how “sore” we are on Sundays – leaning on each other for

support in this special season!

Christ’s Peace,

The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Newcomer Spotlight 2

Rector’s Receptions 2

Shrove Tuesday 3

Outreach Grants 3

Lenten Offerings 4 – 10

Guest Poetry Presenter 9

Deacon’s Desk 11

Chaplain’s Corner 12

Curate’s Letter 13

Hickory Neck History 14

Treasurer’s Report 15

High Fives 15

Warden’s Corner 16

Vestry Highlights 16

Retiree Lunches 17

Annual Council Recap 18

Search Committee Update 19

Fiber Festival 20

Hickory Neck Episcopal Church

The Nuggets Toano, VA March 2019

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 2

SPOTLIGHT ON NEWCOMERS: SUSAN & LEN CALABRESE

Susan and Len Calabrese came to Hickory Neck during the 2018/2019 holiday season. They have been "overwhelmed

by the warmth and kindness of everyone, especially Jennifer, Charlie and Bob in welcoming us into the Hickory Neck family."

They retired to Williamsburg in 2004 from the Rochester, New York area, where Susan taught adults English as a Second

Language, and Len worked at Eastman Kodak Company in a number of Process Engineering and Marketing positions.

They are longtime tennis players, and Susan has now fallen in love with pickleball, playing most mornings throughout

the year. She also is a volunteer with Colonial Williamsburg and at the Senior Living Foundation of Greater Williamsburg.

Len tutors mathematics to adults as a Literacy for Life Adult Learning Center volunteer and has served on and chaired various

committees over their 11 years in Colonial Heritage. They have a married son and a married daughter and two grandsons, ages

11 and 13.

INTRODUCING: RECTOR’S RECEPTIONS

In 2019, Mother Jennifer and Scott will be hosting

4-5 Rector’s Receptions for the entire parish.

Their hope is to welcome you into their home

for a time of fellowship and connection. Each

reception can handle up to 25 guests. The

receptions are available for RSVP on first-come,

first-serve basis until the maximum is hit.

Those who do not make the list in a particular month will

be able to attend the next reception. The hope is that

most parishioners will be able to attend one reception per

year. Guests are invited to bring a cheese plate

or dessert to share. The hosts will provide

beverages.

The first Rector’s Reception will be

Sunday, March 24, 5:00-7:00 pm. To RSVP,

sign up at http://bit.ly/RectorsReception.

Jennifer and Scott look forward to welcoming you soon!

Nuggets Staff

Editor: Beth Knight Brown

Interim Production: The Rev. Charlie Bauer

Contributors: Martha W. McCartney, Sarah Bland,

Don Seeterlin, Carolyn Gaylord, Fred Boelt, Julie Vaisvil.

Deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month,

except July. Items received after this date will be

considered for publication in a future issue.

Please send submissions to nuggets@hickoryneck.org.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 3

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER Jennie Corrales

Hickory Neck Church’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake

Supper and Mardi Gras Celebration will be held on Tuesday,

March 5, from 6 to 8 pm in the Narthex of the New Chapel.

Delicious pancakes and sausages, and other Mardi Gras

treats, will be served. There will be Mardi Gras fun with

music, kids’ activities, a live entertainment showcase, and an

opportunity for festive fellowship with other parishioners.

See you there!

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, or would

like to participate in the talent showcase, contact Jennie

Corrales, at (757)849-2305, or by email,

corralesjennie@yahoo.com.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

OUTREACH GRANTS AWARDED TO LOCAL CHARITIES Bill Teale

The Outreach Committee has awarded $9,200 to local charities from money raised at the 2018 Fall Festival, the Fiber Fest and

previous Fall Festival unused funds. $2,830 has been held back for additional grants in 2019 to the charities we currently

support or to new charities based on our Outreach Committee’s recommendations.

Members of the committee evaluated what each organization does for our community and what their volunteer and financial

needs will be in the coming year. In addition to the funds they receive, many of the charities are supported by the time and

talent of Hickory Neck parishioners.

• Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic, a free clinic that provides compassionate quality health care to the uninsured

residents of the greater Williamsburg area, Charles City and New Kent Counties. This is the eighteenth year we

have supported the clinic.

• Avalon, an organization that provides a 24-Hour Help Line, and helps women and children who are victims of

abuse with emergency and transitional housing, counseling, life skills, legal advocacy, and other supportive services.

One of our members is their Executive Director. This is the ninth year we have supported Avalon.

• From His Hands provides meals to people in the Grove area. Hickory Neck parishioners prepare the meals at St.

Martins and then serve them at the Grove Christian Outreach Center. This is the twelfth year we have supported

From His Hands.

• The Salvation Army Transitional Housing Program is a program that provides housing, counseling and mentoring

to help families and individuals get back on their feet. This will be the tenth year we have supported this program.

• Williamsburg Faith in Action, an organization that helps people to continue living in their homes. We have

parishioners volunteering at WFIA. This is the thirteenth year we have supported WFIA financially.

Since 2002, Hickory Neck Church has raised $170,735 for local charities!

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 4

AN INVITATION TO A HOLY LENT

The season of Lent is a time set apart for spiritual growth,

reflection, and repentance. This year, Lent begins with

Ash Wednesday on March 6, and we will celebrate the

great feast of Easter on April 21.

In the pages that follow, read about how we invite you

into this season of Lent through worship, study, and

fellowship at Hickory Neck and beyond.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT – TWO OPTIONS The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

We are looking forward to two great offerings this Lent on

Wednesdays. As we have for the last four years, we will be

joining the Upper James City County Ministerium in

ecumenical worship on Wednesday nights. We will start

with simple suppers at 6:00 pm, and worship at 7:00 pm.

The location and preacher vary each week, so consult the

schedule in the Nuggets and ePistle each week. Go ahead

and mark your calendars for March 13, when our own

Mother Jennifer will be preaching at New Zion Baptist

Church.

In keeping with our commitment to experimentation, we

are also hosting Supper@6, an Evensong and potluck

supper at Hickory Neck on Wednesdays. The feedback

from many Hickory Neck parishioners was that they were

not able to go to the various churches, but longed for the

deep connections that happened through fellowship after

worship at Hickory Neck during Lent in years past.

Included in the feedback, we discovered that some

parishioners, particularly those in choir, were unable to

attend the ecumenical offering, as choir practice is always

at 7:30 on Wednesdays, and that some parishioners

preferred Evensong over Holy Eucharist. Therefore, the

clergy agreed to try concurrent offerings, with worship at

6:00 pm at Hickory Neck (March 13 – April 10), followed

by dinner at 7:00 pm.

Given the value of our ecumenical partnerships, the clergy

have agreed to split Wednesday nights: whomever is not

officiating at Hickory Neck will be at one of the

ecumenical offerings instead. We hope the Hickory Neck

community will also decide which offering is best for you

– with some of us representing Hickory Neck at the

ecumenical offerings and some of us staying closer to

home. After Lent, the clergy will reflect on how the

experiment worked to determine our plan for Lent 2020.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 5

2019 ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERIES The Upper James City County Ministerium

It’s that time again for everyone to get together for the Lenten Ecumenical worship series beginning on Wednesday, March 13,

and running continuously for six weeks in Lent to April 17. All are welcome to gather at 6pm for a simple supper followed by

worship at 7pm every week at different churches throughout upper James City County. Each gathering features a different

preacher who will reflect on a portion of the traditional Seven Last Words of Christ. An offering will be designated to help

specific community organizations. Join us for this Lenten tradition, and enjoy the fellowship of gathering with fellow

Christians of many denominations as we share in worshipping Jesus Christ.

March 13, 2019: New Zion Baptist Church, 3991 Longhill Road, Williamsburg Offering-Williamsburg Hospice House Speaker – Rev. Jennifer Andrews Weckerly March 20, 2019: Olive Branch Christian Church, 7643 Richmond Road, Williamsburg Offering-Child Development Resources Speaker – Rev. David Lehman, Williamsburg Mennonite Church March 27, 2019: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg Offering-Avalon Speaker – Rev. Lori Beach, Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church April 3, 2019: Williamsburg Mennonite Church, 7800 Croaker Road, Williamsburg Offering-Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center Speaker – Rev. Alex Creager, Stone House Presbyterian Church April 10, 2019: Stone House Presbyterian Church, 9401 Fieldstone Parkway, Toano Offering-Proclaiming Grace Outreach Speaker – Rev. Alex Witt, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church April 17, 2019 (Holy Wednesday): Hickory Neck Episcopal Church Offering-Angels of Mercy Clinic Speaker – Rev. Robert Whitehead, Sr., New Zion Baptist Church

This Ash Wednesday, we are trying something new at Hickory Neck: Ashes to Go.

Though not a replacement to a traditional Ash Wednesday liturgy, we acknowledge

that not all are able to make it for one of our services (at 7am, noon, and 7pm in

the Historic Chapel). So, as an attempt to take Ash Wednesday to those who

would not otherwise experience the day, clergy will be stationed at the circle

outside the Historic Chapel from 8am to 9am and 4:30pm to 6pm on March 6,

Ash Wednesday. There, we will offer a brief prayer and imposition of ashes to all

those who stop by, with a particular intention to reach out to our Kensington

families. In doing so, we are living out our calling to serve the Church and the

World. Please join us if you aren’t able to make one of our full liturgies on Ash

Wednesday. Learn more: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/video/ashes-go-2016

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 6

LENTEN LITURGICAL STUDY SERIES The Rev. Charlie Bauer

Our Liturgical tradition is especially strong in the holy season of Lent – from Ash

Wednesday, to the sacred three days that end our season of penitence and devotion: the

Triduum, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. This Lent, we will gather to

discuss these liturgies from both a historical and practical perspective. We will learn how

these liturgies developed, from the earliest Christians to our own modern tradition in the

Episcopal Church. Finally, we will engage with our own faith and spirituality to examine how our own lives as faithful

Christians are enhanced through these holy days.

Gatherings will be weekly at a mutually agreeable time. To sign up, contact the Rev. Charlie Bauer (cbauer@hickoryneck.org)

by March 10.

DIGITAL COMPLINE

IN LENT

On Mondays at 7pm, join us on Facebook Live

for Digital Compline. This is a return of our

Compline offering last summer and the past two

Lenten seasons. We will again this year offer a place

on our Facebook page for prayer requests to be

included in our worship. Grab your Prayer Book

(physical or online at bcponline.org), find a quiet

space with your digital device (laptop, phone, iPad,

or computer), gather anyone at home or invite a

friend to our Facebook page, and know that a

community of people is gathering with you.

Compline is a short prayer service, making it

accessible for all ages! Speak with the clergy if you

have questions about accessing this service.

https://www.facebook.com/Hickory.Neck

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

Wednesday, March 6

Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist

7:00 a.m.

12:00 noon

7:00 p.m.

All services will be held in the Historic Chapel

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 7

THE LENTEN SERVICE: REFLECTIVE CHANGES

Sarah Ford Bland, Minister of Music

“Come Now, O Prince of Peace…reconcile your people.”

– From Wonder, Love and Praise, Hymn 795

Our spiritual practices during Lent take us on paths

to deepen our faith and draw us closer to God. Worship

becomes less exuberant in praise and more contemplative,

the music more reflective. There are no Alleluias, spoken or

sung. Services begin quietly, without a processional hymn,

although the concluding recessional hymn remains joyful,

sending us out “to love and serve the Lord”. We change the

service music to settings that are gentler. At 9:00 we will

sing new service music based on the hymn, “What

Wondrous Love Is This”. The 11:15 congregation will sing

the simple, elegant settings by Franz Schubert that are in our

hymnal. At this service the psalm will be sung in plainchant.

As in the past two seasons of Lent the sequence

hymn will be the same each week. This allows us to respond

to the readings with what will become very familiar words

and music that will take on new meaning in each context.

This year I’ve chosen a hymn of reconciliation, “Come Now,

O Prince of Peace”, from the Episcopal Church’s hymnal

supplement, Wonder, Love and Praise (Hymn 795).

The text and tune for “Come Now, O Prince of

Peace” are by Korean composer Geon-yong Lee. Mr. Lee

was born in what is now North Korea in 1947. His father

was a minister. Following the Korean War, his family

moved to Seoul, South Korea. He studied composition at

Seoul National University as well as in Germany at the

renowned Frankfurter Musikhochschule. He has been

teaching at the Korea National University of the Arts since

1993, is head of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, has been the

choirmaster at the Anglican Cathedral in Seoul, and also

served as editor of the Korean Anglican Hymnal. In

addition to composing sacred music, he also composes for a

wide variety of performing media including orchestra and

chorus, and for solo instruments such as piano, violin and

oboe, always giving special attention to Korean styles and

forms.

Mr. Lee has worked for many years for the

reunification of the Korean peninsula. This is an underlying

theme in many of his compositions. “Come Now, O Prince

of Peace” was written in 1988 while attending the World

Council of Churches in Geneva. The English paraphrase

was written by Marion Pope, a missionary from the United

States.

To listen to the Hymn “Come Now, O Prince of Peace,”

visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ikqywwOJZI

Geon-yong Lee, composer

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 8

CLAIMING KINDNESS IN LENT The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

This Lent, Hickory Neck is

joining the broader faith community in

Williamsburg in focusing on kindness.

Our rector is a part of the LEAD Greater

Williamsburg Class of 2019, whose class

project is to help Williamsburg become

the next Community of Kindness.

Businesses, schools, nonprofits, faith

communities, and individuals are taking

up the charge to become “Williamsburg

Kind” or #WMBGkind.

At Hickory Neck we have several

options to help you enter into the practice

of kindness. The first is our Lenten

Kindness Challenge. You will be able to

pick up copies of the challenge at church.

There are forty specific acts of kindness for you to

accomplish during Lent. This is a great practice for people

of all ages, and we hope the challenge will spur some great

conversation at church.

We are also offering a devotional

book for Lent called A Case for Kindness:

40 Ways to Love and Inspire Others, by Lisa

Barrickman. Copies are available for

purchase at Hickory Neck for $14, or can

be found at your favorite book outlet.

Each day of Lent has a 2-3 page reflection,

with guiding scripture. This is a great at-

home devotional item.

We will also be converting one of

the sides of our kiosk in the New Chapel

to a kindness board. We invite all

parishioners to call out kindness among

each other. There will be index cards

where you can write out acts of kindness

you see follow parishioners doing, and

then pin them to the board. This is a great way to honor

one another and build up our community through mutual

thanksgiving.

BIBLE STUDY ON KINDNESS

Mother Jennifer has been invited by the Wednesday Bible

Study group to lead a Bible Study on kindness. Join her at

11:00 am on Wednesdays (March 13-April 10) in the

Wilkinson Center to delve into scriptural examples of

kindness, as we discuss what those examples can teach us

about our modern, everyday experiences. All are welcome!

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 9

FEATURED PRESENTER: MARCH 17

SOFIA M. STARNES

Sofia M. Starnes is a writer of Philippine-Spanish heritage who has

been an American citizen since 1989; she served as Virginia Poet

Laureate from 2012 to 2014.

Sofia was born in Manila, where she was educated in the Institución

Teresiana (Saint Pedro Poveda College), and subsequently moved to

Spain, where she received an advanced degree in English Philology

from the University of Madrid. She holds a degree in English

Pedagogy from the Instituto de Idiomas in Madrid as well. In 2013,

she received a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) degree from Union

College (Ky.).

Sofia, who is a resident of Williamsburg, is the author of six poetry collections, and serves as the Poetry Editor for the journal Anglican Theological Review.

LENTEN SUNDAY FORUM: CHRISTIANITY AND THE ARTS

The Rev. Charlie Bauer

Our Christian tradition is rich in its engagement with the Arts. From music to poetry and literature to illustrated depictions of

our faith, we are blessed with a long tradition of artistic expression. For our next round of Sunday Forums, we will explore

aspects of our creative tradition throughout Lent,

beginning with the earliest uses of the arts in our

Christian tradition, through the wealth of

modern resources.

Beginning March 10, our own Sarah Bland will

discuss our Christian choral tradition, including

the Anglican development of Choral Evensong.

On March 17, we welcome a special guest

presenter, Sofia Starnes, who will offer a

reflection on characteristics typical of Christian

poetry, and read from contemporary poems,

including from her own recent collection. You

won’t want to miss this – invite a friend, too!

We will continue our series with presentations

on visual arts, literature, and a broad overview of

Christian music. Join us on Sundays from

March 10 to April 7 at 10:15am in the Nave

for our Sunday Forum on Christianity and

the Arts!

LENTEN QUIET DAY The Rev. Charlie Bauer

On April 6, we will gather at 10am to explore our own story as Christians. In the

morning, we will engage in a variety of exercises to express our belief-from

writing our own creed to reflecting on our spiritual journey. This is a more active

day than the Advent Quiet Day, and will include (but not require) opportunities

for group discussion. An optional lunch is provided for a small fee at 1pm. Also

optional will be time offered for quiet reflection until 3pm. Visit

http://bit.ly/HNCLentQD to sign up, or contact the Rev. Charlie Bauer

(cbauer@hickoryneck.org) by March 31.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 10

THE FLOWER GUILD: PREPARING FOR LENT

Kathryn Bridewell

Lent Altar Table Preparations

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent on March 6th. During the Lenten

season, there are no flowers on the altar tables in either chapel. During Lent,

the flower guild prepares a progressive altar table arrangement starting with

large rocks, then adding another symbolic item each week until the last

Sunday of Lent, April 7th, when the altar tables are covered with a symbolic

arrangement similar to the picture. The flower guild could use your help

with the set-up of the altar tables in both chapels. There will be a sign-up

sheet with the dates and the item that will need to be added located on the

kiosk in the New Chapel. The “design” is up to you to add your personal

touch. The items will be set up in the sacristy area of both chapels so it will

be easy to find the them. The only commitment on your part is to ensure the

items are set up before the 9:00 service in the New Chapel and before the

8:00 am service in the Historic Chapel on the Sunday the item is to be added

to the arrangement. This is something you can do when it is convenient for

you. If you can help, please choose a date that works for you, and sign up for

that date on the kiosk, or contact Kathryn Bridewell, call or text 757-719-0918

or email k.bridewell73@aol.com.

Flower Donation Calendar

The flower donation calendar is now available for your convenience and is located on the kiosk in the new chapel narthex.

Forms will be available at the kiosk, in the Historic chapel, and in the Wilkinson Center. Thank you for your donations.

Easter Festival of Flowers

Easter is April 21st this year. The flower guild is asking for your help with filling the chapels with flowers to celebrate our

Risen Lord. We will be decorating the churches on Saturday, April 20th and can use your help. Just as we did during

the greening of the church before Christmas, we will need all types of help, many requiring no special skills. It is a great time

for fellowship, and lunch will be served.

Come join us to brighten the church with flowers. We will start at 9:00 am and go until 2:00 pm or later. Come when you can

and stay as long as you can. Contact Kathryn Bridewell, call or text 757-719-918 or email k.bridewell73@aol.com.

Easter Lily Donations

Easter lily donations will be March 10 – April 14, 2019. The donation will be $12.00 for each lily you

wish to donate as an honorarium or in memory of someone. Forms will be available in both churches

and in the Wilkinson Center. The lilies will be used to adorn both chapels for Easter Sunday’s Festival of

Flowers. Be sure to indicate whether you want to claim your lily after Easter Sunday or wish to donate it.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 11

FROM THE DEACON’S DESK The Rev. Bob Gay

We have spent the last four months tracing the history of

the diaconate through the first five centuries or so of church

history. The diaconate served many purposes during this

time. It was an order that changed and responded to the

needs of the church. With the onset of the middle ages, the

diaconate became largely a stepping stone to the priesthood.

This pattern was broken in the nineteenth century. Since

that time, the Episcopal Church has seen four different

types of deacons—missionary deacons, deaconesses,

perpetual deacons, and the deacons we have today.

Throughout this period, the practice of ordination to the

diaconate as part of the preparation for priesthood

continued and remains the practice today.

Our discussion will trace the history of

deacons who were and still are ordained

solely to the diaconate.

The first type of deacons, the missionary

deacons, was unknown in the settled,

Eastern parts of the United States. They

ministered in frontier areas and among

indigenous people where few, if any, clergy

were assigned. The first deacon we have

real documentation about is William West

Skiles. In 1842, Bishop Levi S. Ives bought

a large tract of land in a wild part of

Western North Carolina to begin missionary work in that

area. Ives established a monastic community called the

Society of the Holy Cross on the site in 1844. The first

monk to be professed and to start to build the community

was Skiles. In 1847 Skiles was ordained as a deacon and was

the leader of the community.

Probably the most famous of the missionary deacons is

David Pendleton Oakerhater. He was a Cheyenne warrior

from Oklahoma who was captured and sent east as a

prisoner. He became known to Senator George Hunt

Pendleton of Ohio. He was sent to upstate New York to be

educated and was baptized there on October 6, 1878.

Oakerhater was ordained a deacon in June of 1881 and

spent the rest of his life in Oklahoma. He officially retired

in 1917, but continued his ministry until his death in 1931.

For twelve years, Oakerhater was the only Episcopal clergy

person in the entire Oklahoma territory. As a result of his

work, the entire Cheyenne nation became Christian. He

preached, baptized the young and old, married and buried

people, tended to the sick, and helped feed the hungry.

Today, the church commemorates his feast day on

September first.

At first, these missionary deacons were ordained on an ad

hoc basis. In 1871, the General Convention made canonical

provision for the missionary deacons. From 1871 until 1904,

men were ordained under this canon.

Although the number of these missionary

deacons was small, they served a vital need

of the church for many decades. They

represented the first use of the diaconate in

a role other than training for the priesthood.

Next month, we will follow the story of

next type of deacon—the deaconesses.

For more information on David Pendleton

Oakerhater:

https://library.okstate.edu/search-and-

find/collections/digital-

collections/david-pendleton-oakerhater

From Warrior to Saint: The Journey of David Pendleton Oakerhater,

a National Endowment for the Humanities We the People

project, tells the story of Making Medicine, a Cheyenne

warrior who became the first Oklahoman to be added to the

Episcopal Church's calendar of saints.

William West Skiles Founded the Episcopalian community

in North Carolina in Valle Crusis in 1842. For more

information

www.satucket.com/lectionary/william_skiles.html

Next month, look for the growth of the modern diaconate.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 12

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER: WELCOMING STRANGERS AND FINDING GOD

Don Seeterlin

The story of Abraham being visited by the Lord

(Genesis 18:1-15) in the guise of three men is an interesting

example of service and hospitality to a stranger. In the story

we are let in early in the secret that this was the Lord Himself

who was visiting Abraham. But we know that because we are

experiencing the story after it has already happened.

Abraham wasn’t blessed with that luxury. For him, each

event was happening in “real time”, and all he was able to do

was to live into the moment. In the story we are told that it

was the hottest part of the day; the time of day when the sun

was directly overhead, and beats down on you so much, that

it can take all of your strength just to breathe. And Abraham,

being very advanced in age as the text describes him, was

surely feeling the stress of the heat. However we are told that

when he noticed the three strangers standing near him he

jumped right up, left the shade of his tent, and went to greet

them. He even bowed low to the ground, in an act of

humble welcome. Water and shade was immediately offered

to his guests. Abraham then ran, not walked, but ran to the

herd and picked out a choice tender calf for slaughter. He

also asked Sarah to join with him in welcoming these

nomads, by making a large meal. This is truly a rich example

of welcoming strangers.

Of course, we are privy to another interesting point

of this story as well. While the strangers were enjoying the

hospitality and welcome, they asked Abraham where his wife

was. They seemed to know of her advanced age, yet they also

shared a message that despite this advance age and lessening

of energy, the couple was soon to be the parents of a new

born child! Sarah, we are told laughed at the incredulity of

this notion. She in essence said, “This is preposterous! This

is not the way it’s done around here! We’ve never heard of

doing something this way!” Still, even in the face of her

mocking, the Lord kept His promise, and the rest is history.

What I find so interesting in this story is the way

Abraham was so exuberant in welcoming these strangers. He

seemed excited to be of service, and he was anxious to make

them “feel at home”. His demeanor reflected no sign of

cautious scrutiny of their station in life, or of whether they

were deserving of his hospitality. He also offered his place of

rest, and didn’t try to tell them how they should act in his

home.

I wonder about how we as Christians welcome

newcomers in our midst. We, the community of faith which

claims Abraham as our father in faith, are we willing to go

the extra mile in service to unknown strangers? Are we

anxious to serve the newcomer who comes to our doors?

Are we willing to share our favorite seat with a visitor so that

they may feel comfortable and welcome? Do we go out of

our way to ensure that the newcomer has a place in the front

of the line, so that they can experience the choicest of the

offerings? Do we welcome them as they are, or do we try

through innuendo and subtle remarks to change them into

believing and acting as we do?

God’s love is beyond our ability to begin to fathom,

so too is His ability to express that love in myriads of

personalities and peoples. Each one of us is a beautiful,

unique, irreplaceable example of the love of God incarnate in

this world. Each of us reveals a slightly different facet of this

love, but that does not make one any less than or greater

than the other. We as Christians are called to celebrate the

diversity of this creation, while also celebrating our common

humanity. We are called to welcome the strangers, as

Abraham did, whoever they may be, and whenever they may

arrive.

Abraham welcomed strangers and found God. Are you ready to follow his example?

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 13

CALLED TO HOLY RELATIONSHIP The Rev. Charlie Bauer

Last month, I had the honor to experience two

speakers over a four-day period. Both speakers, with vastly

different approaches, reflected on a similar topic: who are

we as a church, and what is God calling us to be? Yet these

two speakers came from vastly different corners of the

church.

The first speaker offered a keynote address at our

Annual Diocesan Council (see page 18 of these Nuggets for

a recap). The Rev. Bobbe Fitzhugh is a priest in the

Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, and, besides serving a small

church, she coordinates a new way of thinking of what

church might look like in Wyoming. The old model of

church planting, where we show up in a community, invite

people to show up, and expect a community to grow into a

traditional church – that model fails far more often than it

succeeds.

But that failure is not because we lack people who

do not have a church home, or are otherwise seeking –

something. Quite the opposite: study after study shows that

fewer people are affiliating

with formal religion, and more

people are “spiritual but not

religious” or simply have no

faith identity at all. What Mo.

Fitzhugh shared with us at

Council is a model of rethinking what “church” can be.

Fresh Expressions grew out of an experiment in the Church

of England, our Anglican sisters and brothers. Rather than

inviting people to join a formal church community, Fresh

Expressions encourages Christian pioneers to enter into the

world and meet people where they are, building community

along the way. What those communities look like can have

any number of forms, from new moms to meeting in tattoo

parlors. I suspect we will be hearing much more about Fresh

Expressions in the coming months, and hopefully this sort

of pioneering work excites some of you. I encourage you to

read more at: https://freshexpressionsus.org/.

A day after Annual Council, I boarded a train for

New York City. I was returning to my seminary, which

hosted Rowan Williams, the

former Archbishop of

Canterbury, for a lecture.

Broadly speaking, he offered a

reflection on how theology has

developed and shifted over his

roughly 50-year academic career.

While his talk defies mere summarization, much of

what he spoke to relates to how we as Christians relate the

church and the culture around us. Based on a premise of

what Archbishop Williams termed “constructive diversity”

in the world around us, he suggests that we as a church are

strongest when, rather than fighting the world around us, we

embrace the diversity of culture around us. And, just as

critically, the church has an important role to play, too. In

what Archbishop Williams calls “Radical Orthodoxy,” we as

a church have something critical to say to a fragmenting

world.

Mo. Bobbe Fitzhugh looked forwards at what the

church might become, and Archbishop Rowan Williams

looked backwards at where we’ve come in the church. But

both spoke fundamentally about the same thing: relationship.

Just as Archbishop Williams reflected on the relationship

between one another and in the church, Mo. Fitzhugh called

us to consider new ways of living as God’s people, new ways

of inviting people into relationship with Jesus Christ while

remaining radically open to listening to the needs and stories

of others

Ultimately, it is relationship with Jesus that matters.

My trip to New York ended with a sermon delivered by our

Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry. In it, he focused these

words from a gospel tune: “I got my hand on the gospel

plow ... keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.” However it is

we live, however it is we do church, however it is we live

with one another, loving our neighbor as ourselves – our

focus is ever on Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the Christ.

Come, let us share that loving relationship with the

world around us.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 14

HICKORY NECK HISTORY: REPURPOSING AND CHANGE

Martha McCartney

In October 1784 Virginia’s General Assembly passed an

act “for incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church.”

Thereafter, the Church of England, which had been

Virginia’s state church since the colony’s founding in 1607,

had no official status. The 1784 legislation set the ground

rules for the new denomination. Twelve member all-male

vestries were to be elected in each parish every three years

in elections held on Easter Monday. Parish vestries were

responsible for electing two of their members as

churchwardens. Vestries of the Protestant Episcopal

Church, unlike their colonial counterparts, had the right to

hold, maintain, and dispose of all parish property.

It is perhaps significant that there is no mention

of Hickory Neck’s use as a church after

December 1780 and that the parish’s last

vestry meeting was held on October 15,

1782. This suggests that the church ceased

being used as a house-of-worship around

the close of the American Revolution. It is

likely that the building’s use as a military

hospital during 1781 had inflicted a

considerable amount of damage. Afterward,

the vacant, seemingly abandoned sacred

structure was allowed to deteriorate.

In 1824 a Connecticut man, who

passed by Hickory Neck, remarked that “the

roof has fallen in and some of the walls of the

building have also fallen down. It is enclosed with a

brick wall and has a few graves in the yard, one of

which is marked 1744 or 1748.” He described

the church as “a perfect ruin” and said that

the remains of the building lay just as they

fell, “roof and walls together.”

Fortunately, a year later, the state

legislature authorized the Hickory Neck

School Society, a group of local citizens, to

spend up to $350 to repair “a part of the

building formerly called Hickory Neck Church” and

convert it into a primary school. It was then that what

remained of the 1734 church’s nave and chancel were

demolished and the south end of Hickory Neck’s north

transept, built in 1774, was extended approximately 10 feet.

A new window was added to each side of the lengthened

transept and the building’s original windows were

extended one foot. When the south end of the modified

transept was bricked up, an entrance door and fireplace

were built. As soon as the building was restored to usable

condition, it was opened as a public primary school. By

the 1840s, Hickory Neck had become an institution for

secondary education: an academy.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 15

TREASURER’S REPORT Fred Boelt

01/31/2019

Budget Income $38,554.50

YTD Actual Income $50,903.44

Budget Expense $39,723.00

YTD Actual Expense $41,288.94

Wow! We are off to a good start financially. January

income was over budget by $12,349. This was largely due to

several prepaid pledges in December totaling over $21,000.

These payments were transferred to 2019 income. But we

should proceed with caution, for without this boost, income

would have been under budget by more than $8,000.

Expenses for the month were over budget by

$1,566. This was partially due to having to pay 30% ($3,525)

of our annual property insurance premium up front.

Additionally, we paid the one-time Council registration fee

($875) in January. The month of January finished in the

black by $9,615. This looks great, but we should not become

complacent. We continue to operate with a deficit budget

that could catch up with us at any time.

As you read this, Shrove Tuesday approaches

followed by Ash Wednesday signaling the beginning of a

Solemn Lent. As we consider why we are BLESSED TO

BELONG to Hickory Neck, let this be a time of reflection

and personal spiritual development. Your increased offering

of the three “T”s is a testament to your own spiritual growth,

without which the beacon on our Holy Hill would grow dim.

Working together, our light will shine even brighter, casting

its beams far and wide.

HIGH FIVES The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

This month, I would like to give a big high

five to the leadership team for our Winter Shelter

Week: Gerry Hassig, Lucy Rothnie, Scott

Andrews-Weckerly, and Bob Gay. This team has

worked tirelessly to prepare us to be outstanding

hosts to our homeless guests. They prepared two

well-attended trainings, have been encouraging us

weekly to participate, have created systems of

organization to keep us on track, and have established new

faith partners to help us meet our goals of our first self-

sustained week. Please be sure to give a big high five to our

leaders!

I would also like to give a high five to everyone who

volunteered or contributed financially to our Winter Shelter.

Our second Sunday collection for the shelter was $855 – a

record for a second Sunday collection! That does not

include other donations made by you. There were also

countless hours of time committed to serving our homeless

brothers and sisters – cooking and packaging meals,

checking in guests, serving food, staying overnight, handling

personal belongings, and generally handling all sorts

of surprises during the week. I could not be

prouder of our community and our faith partners

for such an outstanding week. A big high five!!

I would also like to give a high five to our

Parish Choir, who offered a beautiful Choral

Evensong in February. Evensong is an offering in

addition to their regular Sunday offerings and the

preparation they are doing for Lent. We are blessed by three

musical groups as Hickory Neck, reminding us of the joy

that music can bring us, and the different ways we can

honor God in worship. Please give a big high five to our

Parish Choir members the next time you see them!

Hickory Neck High Fives have inspired us to show our

thanksgiving even more broadly. We will be honoring “Thanksgiving

Thursdays” on Facebook each week, featuring members of our

community for the various ways they contribute to the life and ministry

of Hickory Neck. Your nominations for High Fives and

Thanksgiving Thursdays are always welcome!

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 16

WARDEN’S CORNER Dave Hartsough & Jennie Corrales

Did you know that

James City County

picks up residential

recycling, but not for

businesses? And yet,

you may have noticed

the recycling bins in

the Narthex, outside

of the men’s

restroom. They fill up

quickly, and then

magically, get emptied

every week! That “magic” mission is the work of our own

parishioner, John Greenman, and his helpers Curtis Johnson

and Buddy Mathews. Every week following Morning Prayer,

John faithfully sorts and bags the recyclables, loads them

into his truck, and drives them to the Toano Convenience

Center, where he puts each item into its respective collection

receptacle. John continues this service lovingly, and never

has a complaint about the trash or the non-recyclable items

James City County does not accept, which end up in our

bins. Let’s help support John in his ministry by being aware

of what we throw into the bins, and by paying attention to

the signage on the bins. Thank you, John, for helping

Hickory Neck go green!

Accepted items: paper bags, clean mixed paper, newspaper,

clean cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles (caps

removed), glass bottles and jars (lids removed) aluminum

foil and pans.

VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS Julie Vaisvil, Register

The regular monthly meeting of the Hickory Neck Church

Vestry Meeting was held Thursday, February 21, 2019, at

7:00 PM in the Wilkinson Center.

Bill Teale, Stewardship Chairman,

presented reports on the

Endowment Board, Financial

Grants for 2019 and Fall Festival

Revenue, and Time & Talent forms.

Rev. Jennifer reported the staff has begun planning for Lent

and Holy Week. She noted she and Charlie continue to

offer monthly Eucharists at Patriots Colony and that the

past month had been heavy with pastoral care. Retiree

Lunches with the Rector are scheduled through May.

Feedback has been “overwhelmingly” positive.

Rev. Charlie also reported an increase in pastoral care calls

and expressed gratitude to Carolyn Gaylord and Bob Gay

for their assistance. He noted the Epiphanytide Sunday

Forum series on Paul’s Letter to the Romans, facilitated by

lay leaders, has been quite well attended.

Christian Formation Liaison Denise Pearsall presented a

report of the various programs at HNC, noting there are

always two adults in children’s programs and that all those

who work with these programs have completed Safe Church

Training.

Delegates and clergy who attended Annual

Diocesan Council gave a brief overview.

Recommended Safety Policies and

Procedures were presented by the Sub-

Committee on Safety and Rev. Jennifer

announced the Parochial Report reflects an increase in

growth and level attendance.

The Vestry accepted the reports of the Stewardship

Chairman and Christian Formation Liaison. The report of

the Safety Sub Committee was approved as amended and

the Parochial Report was approved for signatures and

submission to the Diocese.

Lauris Zeni was recognized and thanked for her two years of

service as Register to the Vestry.

The next regular meeting of the HNC Vestry is scheduled

on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 7:00 PM in the Wilkinson

Center.

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 17

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

On February 17, Hickory Neck marked the Virginia Random Acts of Kindness Week. Parishioners were invited to perform

three (or more!) acts of kindness the previous week and write each act on a separate slip of paper. That Sunday, we processed

our kind deeds forward for a blessing at all services. Together, we recorded over 100 random acts of kindness – and

certainly did many more. The next time you’re in the New Chapel, see the display on our kiosk for what’s coming next in

our kindness efforts. For more information on the wider Kindness initiative, check out #WMBGkind or

https://wmbgkind.org/, and see page 8 of these Nuggets for more ways to explore kindness in the world around.

RETIREE LUNCH WITH THE RECTOR- MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Lunch with the Rector is a fellowship opportunity

for our retired parishioners, as well as anyone who is

able to get away from weekday obligations for lunch.

There is no agenda or program—just a time to enjoy

each other’s company and catch up on life’s

adventures. This is a potluck lunch, so bring your

favorite entrée, salad, or dessert to share. This month,

our lunch will be Wednesday, March 13, at Noon, in

the New Chapel. Come join your fellow retired

parishioners and enjoy some time set apart with your Rector. All are welcome!

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 18

NURSERY HELPERS NEEDED

The church nursery is currently a bustling and precious part of the church community.

On any given Sunday, you will find several babies, toddlers, and preschoolers playing

in the nursery under the guidance of our paid nursery worker and another volunteer

helper. If you enjoy being with our babies and youngest members, then the nursery

needs your help. The only age restriction we have for a nursery helper is to be at least

12 years young. Are your kids all grown-up or do your grandkids live too far away for

you to get to see them often enough? Then sign-up to volunteer in the nursery to

help you get your “baby fix” for an hour or so while providing a nurturing

environment for our youngsters. Contact Kathryn Bridewell, call/text 757-719-918 or

email k.bridewell73@aol.com.

HICKORY NECK AT ANNUAL COUNCIL

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia held its Annual Council – the gathering of clergy and lay delegates from

all churches throughout Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, and west to Danville – on February 8 and 9. Representing

Hickory Neck were lay delegates Pete Devlin, Gay Forloine, Dave Hartsough, and Aaron Small, alternate Denise Pearsall, and

clergy representatives the Revs. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly, Charlie Bauer, and Bob Gay. Many thanks also to Sue Edwards

and De Fehrenbach, who also agreed to serve as alternates.

As part of its regular business, Council voted to appoint the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness as Bishop Diocesan Pro Tempore,

who will serve the diocese while we continue our search for the next bishop of Southern Virginia. We also passed the annual

budget, balanced with expenses and income of $2,549,510, and passed the first reading of a proposed change to the diocesan

Constitution – co-sponsored by your curate – to adopt more inclusive language in our governing documents. Also discussed

was a proposal to codify the proportion of giving from parishes to the diocese; after great debate, this proposal was tabled

until 2020. Positions appointed and elected include our own Lucy Rothnie, appointed to the Commission on Status of Parishes

and Missions, and the Rev. Charlie Bauer, elected to the Disciplinary Board. Retired Bishop Holly Hollerith was also honored

and thanked for his nearly ten years of service as our bishop.

Bishop Magness presented this challenge to

assembled delegates and clergy in his opening address:

“Instead of bringing people to church so that we can

then bring them to Christ, let’s bring Christ to people

where they live.” To begin supporting such a shift, two

keynote speakers, Gannon Sims and the Rev. Bobbe

Fitzhugh, representing Fresh Expressions US, offered

a taste at how such a model of emerging church might

look in Southern Virginia. Our diocese will continue

working with Fresh Expressions, including training

opportunities for Hickory Neck parishioners in the

coming months – stay tuned for more!

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 19

UPDATE ON OUR BISHOP SEARCH

The Diocesan Search and Transition Committees are hard at work searching for our next bishop. The Diocesan Profile,

which tells our story and reflects on who we seek as a bishop, is now live, and applications are being sought through

March 15: http://svabishopsearch.org/ Anyone may submit a nomination on the profile website.

After a period of interviews, a slate of candidates will be announced on June 21, with walkabouts to meet candidates in

early September. The Electing Convention will be held on September 21, and the Ordination and Consecration of the

11th Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia will occur on February 1, 2020. Please keep members of the Search

and Transition Committees, as well as candidates as they discern their calling to serve as our next bishop, in your

prayers:

Almighty and most gracious God, source of all wisdom and guidance, send your Holy Spirit

to guide us as we seek and discern a shepherd for the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Inspire us

with hope, hearts to love you and a desire to serve one another. Grant us grace to entrust you

with the future of your Church and all things. We ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ

Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

March

Anniversaries

2 Gay & Bill Forloine

9 Kathryn & George Bridewell

14 Joy & Randy Tanner

17 Ann & Bill Burnett

24 Ann & Coleman Ragsdale

Birthdays

1 Carolyn Gaylord

1 Benjamin Greene

2 Jessica Hughes

3 Nancy Byrd

3 Shannon Hunter

4 Esther Gay

6 Eleanor Hunter

12 Gwynneth Ross

13 Nancy Aschiero

13 Brian Dow

18 Cleve Corlett

19 Emily Roberson

20 Betty Harrison

20 Ken Parsons

21 Phyllis Faas

22 Cana Andrews-Weckerly

22 Donald McConaughy

23 Robert Brown

23 Daniel Morris

23 Tom Murphy

24 Jim Day

24 Bill Teale

25 Lena Poitier

27 Terry Day

27 Levi Schrack

27 Jennie Seiler

31 Kelly Bauer

M a r c h 2 0 1 9 P a g e | 20

Save the Date!

Fiber Festival

May 18, 2019

10am – 3pm

Hickory Neck Episcopal Church

8300 Richmond Road

Toano, VA

Proceeds and donations benefit local charities

Vendors Welcome

info@highfiberfestival.com

www.highfiberfestival.com