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Bruton Parish Episcopal Church www.brutonparish.org February 2016
CHRONICLEThe
Let’s face it. The constant reminders thatour Twenty-fi rst Century l ives areincreasingly hectic and chaotic are not newsto us. The continued trite admonitions thatthe truly valuable aspects of our lives arecrowded out by our busy-ness and frenziedpace do not serve to help us. As revealedby the quote below from about 200 yearsago, it is also not at all just our time inwhich this has been a concern.
Nevertheless, the tiresome nature ofthe warnings does not diminish that we arebetter when nourished in our spirits andstrong in our faith. Like any developmentand conditioning, this only comes throughdeliberate action and discipline.
Starting on February 17 and for thesubsequent Wednesday evenings of Lent,we will explore the aspects of prayerfuldiscipline in the practice of a rule of life.
Lenten Program: Rule of Life for Real LifeBy The Rev’d Charles Robinson
In the series entitled, Rule of Life forReal Life, we will explore topics suchas:
The history of various rules of lifewithin religious communities
The parts, functions, and flow of arule of life
Disciplined prayer methods
The value of a Sacramental Day
The development of a personal ruleof life in the midst of a busy life
We wi l l gather at 6:30pm for ourtraditional Lenten Soup Supper andthen begin our program at 7:15pm.
Come join us and make this a partof your Lenten practice.
Wednesdays
February 17, 24
& March 2, 9, 16
“I am disturbed when I see the majorityof so-called Christians having such little
understanding of the real nature of the faiththey profess. Faith is a subject of suchimportance that we should not ignore itbecause of the distractions or the hectic
pace of our lives.”
William Wilberforce (1759-1833)
You’re invited!
TAKING STOCK &LOOKING AHEAD
A Parish-WideSunday Gathering
See page 3 for details!
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Inside ...
Newcomers’ Corner
A Parish-WideSunday Gathering:
Taking Stock &Looking Ahead
Winter Shelterat Bruton
Lenten Devotionals
Shrove TuesdayPancake Supper
Ash Wednesday,Holy Eucharist &
Imposition of Ashes
Morning Prayer
A New Path Forward
Resolutions &Reading
Bruton Singles
Wednesday’s BrownBag Bible Study
Living the GospelBible Study
Inquirer’s Series
Women’s TheologicalBook Group
Women’s Potluck &Round Table
DOK IntercessoryPrayers
What Exactly is aStephen Minister?
ECW Lenten Lunch
Rumors, Rumors,Rumors
Toward Our NewHeritage Center
& Shop
Canterbury Gala &Silent Auction
UnanimousCommitment To
Walk Together
Race & The Church
Children & YouthFormation
2016 Children’sLenten Calendar
The Rev’d StuartHoke to Speak at
Friends Day
Travel With Friends
Candlelight Concerts
Historic OrganRecitals
Special MusicPrograms
Birthdays &Membership
First FridayRecovery Eucharist
FISH Food forFebruary
New VestryWardens
Fellowship & FormationBrown-Bag Bible Study
Wednesdays @ noon
Bruton Singles (page 5)
First Friday Recovery EucharistFriday, February 5 @ 6:30 pm
124th Annual Diocesan CouncilFebruary 5 & 6
Newcomers’ CornerSunday, February 7 @ 10:30 am
Shrove Tuesday Pancake SupperTuesday, February 9 @ 6:30 pm
Ash Wednesday ServicesFebruary 10
Living the Gospel Bible StudySunday, February 14 & 28 @ 11 am
Lenten Program **Rule of Life for Real Life
Soup Supper @ 6:30pmProgram @ 7:15pm
Wednesdays, February 17 & 24March 2, 9, 16
ECW Lenten Luncheon **Thursday, February 18 @ Noon
Kanuga ConferenceFebruary 19 - 21
Inquirer’s SeriesSundays @ 1:30pm
February 21 & 28, March 6, 13, & 20April 3 & 10
Youth Group Bowling NightSunday, February 21, 4-6pm
Choral EvensongMusic by American Composers Jackson Hill,
Bruce Neswick & Morton LauridsenSunday, February 21 @ 5:30pm
Women’s Theological Book Group **Monday, February 22 @ noon
A New Path ForwardBeginning Thursday, February 25 @ 4pm
Parish-Wide Sunday GatheringSunday, February 28 @ 12:30pm
Women’s Potluck & Round TableMonday, February 29 @ 6:30pm
Friends DaySaturday, April 23
** Child care is available for babies throughelementary-aged children by reservation
only. Contact Meghan Brewer(please call 757-345-6489 or email
Worship ScheduleSunday, February 7
Holy Eucharist @ 7:30, 9:15,11:15am & 5:30pm
No Children’s Church becausethe children’s choirs are singingin the “big” church at 9:15am.
Ash Wednesday - February 10
Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes@ 7:30, 11am & 6pm
Imposition of Ashes Only in the ChurchNoon to 4pm
Sunday, February 14
Holy Eucharist @ 7:30, 9:15,11:15am & 5:30pm
Children’s Church @ 9:15am *
Sunday, February 21
Holy Eucharist @ 7:30, 9:15, 11:15am
Children’s Church @ 9:15am *
Choral Evensong @ 5:30pm
Sunday, February 28
Holy Eucharist @ 7:30, 9:15,11:15am & 5:30pm
Children’s Church @ 9:15am *
Noonday Prayer @ ChurchMonday - Saturday
Holy Eucharist - St. Mary’s ChapelTuesdays @ 7:30 am
Holy Eucharist with Healing PrayersWednesdays @ 11 am (Church)
Canterbury Evening PrayerTuesdays @ 5:30 pm in Wren Chapel
when college is in session
* Held in St. Mary’s Chapelin the Parish House.
Newcomers’ CornerOn the first Sunday of each month, newmembers of Bruton Parish are invited tojoin clergy, vestry and NewcomersCommittee members for coffee in theCustis House at 10:30 am. This is a great oppor-tunity to become more acquainted with the parishand learn of the many ministries here at Bruton.Join us February 7.
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Mission & OutreachBy Stacey Grimsley
The inaugural Mission and Outreach Committee meetingfor the new year was held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.The committee welcomed three new committee members:Bill Butler, Kathleen Souder, and Lillian Woolfolk. As thecommittee plans its activities for the new year, it reflectedon the resources allocated in 2015. Grants ranging from$1,500 to $5,000 were awarded to the followingorganizations:
Angels of Mercy GWOMAvalon Heifer InternationalBacon Street Jackson-Feild HomesBoys Home of VA Latisha’s HouseChrist House Menchville HouseColonial CASA VA Peninsula Food BankFISH Faith in Action
In addition to the over $40,000 given to theseorganizations, another $15,000 was allocated to theEpiscopal Relief Fund to address the needs of thoseaffected by the mid-West tornadoes, the earthquake inNepal, and humanitarian needs in Syria.
For more details on the support to the congregation'smission and outreach efforts, please see the Mission &Outreach portion of the Bruton Parish annual report athttp://bit.ly/1RqTmiM.
The committee welcomes input from the congregationand looks forward to another year of collaboration.
Winter Shelter at BrutonThe time is upon us! From January 24th through the 31st,the congregation at Bruton Parish is hosting the COFMWinter Shelter. It is not too late to contribute to theprogram. Monetary donations continue to be acceptedfor bus tickets, laundry cards, hats, gloves, and scarvesour guests need, as well other operating expensesrequired to host our 25-30 guests for the week. Pleasevisit us on our website at www.brutonparish.org orgo directly to http://bit.ly/1g1NRpv to make yourdonation online. You may also place your check in theoffering plate at church or send to the Parish House with“COFM” written in the memo line.
Thank you to the more than 200 volunteers who havesigned up for the various roles to serve our guests andfor those who have also given money. All of these actionshelp to convey God’s grace and love by providing physicalwarmth and nourishment to those dealing with fear,uncertainty, and homelessness.
You are Invited!
A Parish-WideSunday
Gathering
February 28, 2016
12:30-2:00 p.m.
The Parish House
Light Lunch & Program
featuring
The Clergy and Senior Warden
Taking Stock &Looking Ahead
with
Campaign News & Presentation
Photo Slideshow & New Video
Cake and Prizes
RSVP after February 1
by calling
757-229-2891 or
Childcare by Reservation757-345-6489 or
Annual Giving 2016& Donating OnlineThank you to those who have pledged to Annual Giving2016 and also to those who’ve increased their pledge fromlast year. If you are making your donations online via acredit card on our website, please remember that you’llneed to log into your account to increase this recurringamount accordingly. Please contact Dudley Hoyle,Comptroller, if you have any questions.
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A New Path ForwardBy Sylvia Saba, Parish Nurse
After a loss, there comes a time of renewal foreach of us. A time to resume our lives (althoughthe direction may take a different course), atime to regain spiritual and physical well-being,a time to revive our purpose, replenish ourenergy, and look forward to and embrace thefuture.
Mark your calendar and join us beginningThursday, February 25, for this four-weekprogram that discusses: Understanding Grief,Maintaining Your Physical & Emotional Balance,Spiritual Questions & Needs, and LookingForward to the Future. We’ll be meeting at 4pmin the Coffee, Tea & Thee Room of the ParishHouse.
Lenten DevotionalsBy Donna Marshall
Thank you to the clergy and parishioners whohave written devotionals for the LentenDevotional booklet sponsored by The Order ofthe Daughters of the King. An electronic copywill be available on our website Sunday,February 7, and printed copies can beobtained at church on Sundays, February7, 14, & 21; at the Shrove Tuesday Supperon February 9; and during the AshWednesday services on February 10 .Printed copies will also be available at theParish House reception area and in the BrutonParish Shop. We are asking $1 donation foreach copy.
Shrove TuesdayPancake SupperBy The Rev’d Tyler Montgomery
It is traditional to prepare and eatpancakes for supper on the nightbefore Ash Wednesday, which is knownby many names, including Mardi Gras,Fat Tuesday, and Shrove Tuesday. Thetradition is tied to the practice of usingup stores of milk, butter, and eggs
before Lenten fasting begins.This year’s pancake supper willbe hosted by the CanterburyAssociation. The cost is $5/person or$10/family (children under fiveeat free). Mark your calendarfor 6:30pm on Tuesday,February 9, and be sure tocontact the parish office torsvp by Wednesday, February
3 (email [email protected] or call757-229-2891).
Ash Wednesday,Holy Eucharist &Imposition of AshesAsh Wednesday marks the first day, orthe start of the season of Lent, whichbegins 40 days prior to Easter. Sundaysare not included in the count. Join usas we prepare for Easter by observinga period of fasting, repentance, moder-ation and spiritual discipline. HolyEucharist with Imposition of Ashes willbe held on Wednesday, February10, in the chapel at 7:30am and in thechurch at 11am and 6pm. If you’d likeonly the Imposition of Ashes, visit thechurch between noon and 4pm.
Morning PrayerAll are welcome to join our clergy inSt. Mary’s Chapel at 9am, Mondaythrough Thursday, when MorningPrayer is said.
Resolutions & ReadingBy Russ Sheldon
As each New Year begins, we often makeresolutions which range in scope and hope fromthe transformative to the incremental. While theformer is often lauded for its combination ofconfidence and daring, the latter is the easier toachieve and, over a period years, its cumulativeeffect can be transformational.
Some may have resolved to make an effortduring 2016 to study the major religious beliefsin a comparative context. Others may havechosen to engage their own faith in greater depthin the expectation of coming to a greater personalunderstanding of that faith.
If this latter course was the path you havechosen or if you have always been fascinated/intrigued by St. Benedict, you will want to attendthe upcoming Lenten program based upon therules of St. Benedict. There are three books whichare recommended as being of special interest onthis topic. These three books are in the HennageLibrary for your use in preparing for thissuperlative Lenten series. Following are the titlesand authors of these three works: St Benedict onthe Freeway: Rules of Life for the 21st Centuryby Corrine Ware, Wisdom Distilled from the Dailyby Joan Chittister, and The Rules of St. Benedictin English.
You may choose to take out and readone, two, or all three of these works and thenattend the Lenten program.If you do so, it cannot bepredicted with any degree ofcertitude whether the resultwill be trans-formative orincremental; but it is likelythat change will occur andthat change may well betterenable you to cope with thechallenges that 2016 is likelyto bring your way.
Happy reading!
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Wednesday’s Brown-BagBible StudyBring your lunch each Wednesday to the Coffee,Tea & Thee room upstairs in the Parish Houseat noon. This Lectionary-based Bible study iscentered upon the Gospel for the comingSunday. The preacher for the week will facilitatethese sessions where those in attendance willbe able to reflect upon the scriptures that willbe the focus of the Sunday sermon. The studiesmay provide increased insight into the sermonor explore aspects of the passages beyond thescope of the sermon, or both. Take time out ofyour day and try this exploration!
Living the GospelBible StudyThis Lectionary-based Bible study is held at 11amevery second and fourth Sunday in the CustisHouse and examines the impact of the Gospelmessage on our everyday lives. Join us onSundays, February 14 & 28.
Bruton SinglesBy Heidi Elam, Eda Martin and Ruth Mullaney
Bruton Singles is a fellowship ministry tailoredtowards parishioners and members of the widercommunity who are single. We typically gettogether once each week toattend various events inthe parish and the largercommunity. Each eventis accompanied by ameal and/or dessert (paidseparately) at which we enjoyfellowship and discussion. To participate in anyevent, please procure tickets to the function andcall the listed coordinator.
Saturday, February 6, 2pm“A Romantic Comedy”Meet us at 2pm at Williamsburg Players for theperformance of “A Romantic Comedy,” a play byBernard Slade. The plot focuses on PhoebeCraddock and Jason Carmichael, playwrights whomeet and decide to collaborate just as he is gettingmarried. Their relationship produces first a failureand then a string of successes, and their reparteeremains sharp and witty as their unrequitedinterest in each other gathers energy over a nine-year period, until some resolution finally is in sight.Those who prefer to join us just for the dinnerare welcome to meet us after the play at SecondStreet Restaurant at 5pm ($20 ticket + meal).Call Ruth Mullaney (757-229-6961) to rsvp.
Saturday, February 13, 6pmDinner @ The Hounds TaleJoin us at 6pm for dinner at this newly openedrestaurant at 515 Prince George Street (cost ofmeal only). Call Heidi Elam (757-897-5012) torsvp.
Saturday, February 27, 5pmDinner & Movie @ Regal CinemaMeet us at 5pm for dinner at Ichiban, an AsianRestaurant at 4805 Courthouse Street in NewTown. We’ll then pick a movie at Regal Cinema($7 ticket plus meal). Call Eda Martin (757-253-1477) to let her know you’ll join them.
Inquirer’s SeriesBy The Rev’d Tyler Montgomery
This course will begin on Sunday,February 21, at 1:30pm in the ParishHouse and will continue for sevenweeks through Sunday, April 10 (noton Easter Sunday, though). There willbe an additional meeting scheduled forthose wishing to be confirmed or baptized.This course is designed for those seekingto understand the Christian faith andits expression through theEpiscopal Church and theAnglican Communion. Thisclass is required for adultswho desire to be baptized,or confirmed by the Bishop,or received into the EpiscopalChurch. It is also appropriate forthose who would like to know moreabout the Episcopal Church.
Everyone in the parish family isinvited to join us on this journey. Topicswill include: Introduction & Overview, TheHistory of Anglicanism and the EpiscopalChurch, The Book of Common Prayer,and the Sacraments.
If you have any questions about theseries, please contact The Rev’d TylerMontgomery by either calling 757-229-2891 or sending an email directly [email protected]. If youhave any questions regarding membershipat Bruton, please contact T. J. Cardwell,Volunteer Membership Coordinator, bycalling 757-345-2256 or sending an emailto [email protected].
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What exactly is aStephen Minister?By Laurie Krebs
People often ask, "What exactly is a StephenMinister?" One way to put it is that StephenMinisters are the “After People.”
Stephen Ministers are there:
after the phone call you hoped you'd neverget.
after the divorce papers are served and thebottom falls out of your life.
after the funeral, when everyone has leftand the emotions you've held at bay comecrashing in on you.
after the doctor says, "I'm sorry but there'snothing more we can do."
after the nursing home director shakes yourhand and says, "Welcome to your new home."
after the last child honks the horn, waves,and drives away - and the house suddenlyseems empty.
after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs goon, and your loved one is led away.
after the baby arrives, demanding more ofyou than you ever dreamed possible.
after you find a pink slip with your finalpaycheck.
after your family and friends have heardyour story one too many times, but youstill need to talk it out.
Stephen Ministers are the "After People."They are ready to walk alongside you - or yourfriends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives - andprovide comfort and support for as long after asneeded.
If you know of someone who could benefitfrom a Stephen Minister, please contact ourStephen Leaders, Charlie Clapper at 757-564-6191 or Mary Jean Hurst at 757-810-5112. Yourcall will be kept strictly confidential.
Women’s TheologicalBook Group &Potluck & Round TableThe Women’s Potluck & Round Table willmeet on Monday, February 29, at 6:30pm atJudy Lovegren’s home. Please rsvp to Judy andget directions or additional info (757-229-1794or [email protected])and bring a dish to share!
Are you interested in joining other womento discuss works of fiction and non-fictionthrough a theological lens? If so, please join usfor the Women’s Theological Book Groupon Monday, February 22, to discuss Book ofForgiving by Desmond & Mpho Tutu. Bring yourlunch and enjoy the program from noon through1:30 pm in the Coffee, Tea & Thee room in theParish House. Child care is available byreservation only (contact Meghan Brewerdirectly at [email protected]).
DOK IntercessoryPrayersPart of our rule of life as The Order of theDaughters of the King® is consistentintercessory prayer. Prayers are said for fourweeks and may be repeated. Anyone whowishes to have prayers said for them or forothers should fill out a blue request card at thechurch tower and drop it in the DOK prayer box.The following prayer written by Mary LouRedding is offered this month by DonnaMarshall:
O God, here is my sister -overwhelmed with grief and pain,tearfully seeking your healing love.
Here is my brother -anxious, lonely, and frightened -uncertain even how to pray.Do not pass them by, Lord Jesus.Shine the light of your redeeming grace upon them.Help them to feel your loving embrace.Comfort them in their grief and heal their infirmities;lead them in your way of love.By the power of your Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
Rumors, Rumors, RumorsBy Leith Merrow Mullaly
Do you remember the old game called "Gossip"?Remember how one person whispers a messageto the person next to them and on and on aroundthe circle and the last person then shares whatthey heard? The message is NEVER the originalmessage! Everyone laughs to see how easily asimple message can quickly become "garbled".
Well, that seems to be how the messageabout the Bruton ParishShop is being passed -- fromperson to person. Here andnow, the correct message isthat THE SHOP IS NOTCLOSING!
So what is reallyhappening and why? TheShop has been a vital partof our heritage for severaldecades and has con-tributed significant financialsupport to our outreachprojects. We have also beenblessed with wonderful,gifted and loyal volunteersover the years. Unfor-tunately, due to manyfactors beyond our controlsuch as a decrease in CWtourism, a change inconsumer spending habits,especially by "generation X"folks, your Shop has facedvery real challenges. If you have not done soalready, please read all the details aboutpast and future directions of the Shop inthe full Shop Committee Proposal Reportavailable on line at http://bit.ly/1YfkDFzand in the parish library and in the Shop.
While honoring our past, your ShopCommittee is also having to respond to thechallenges we face. To take us into the future,a new model for our Shop is being created. Ourgoal is to move the Shop into a healthy positionto adapt to changing times. The Shop space willbe repainted, re-carpeted, redesigned to be moreopen, and will be totally refurbished. We hope toexpand the front to make it more appealing andmore accessible to potential shoppers on theDuke of Gloucester Street. Lastly, the new BrutonHeritage Center will offer interesting services forour many visitors, such as genealogicalinformation about their relatives who werebaptized, married or buried at Bruton. We believethat making these services available will helpcement the connection between Bruton Parish,the Shop, and our mutual ministries to touristsand community visitors.
So, the RUMOR has been corrected ...the Bruton Parish Shop is NOT closing!
However, the Shop will be closed on Sundaysduring January and February, except for the twoholiday weekends. This reflects the closure ofmuch of Colonial Williamsburg during this timeframe.
Toward our new HeritageCenter and ShopBy Bryant Cureton
The plan proposed by the Shop Committee andapproved by the Vestry to build on the Shop's20-year history and integrate it into a largerframework of service to vis i tors andparishioners is now in its implementation phase.Al Louer and I are assembling a small task forceto work with the Shop Committee to oversee
the development of theconcept, work through thedetails of putting it in place,and plan for its longer-termdevelopment. (The originalproposal from the ShopCommittee can be foundonline at http://bit.ly/1YfkDFz.)
There will be physicalchanges, as the Shop isrefreshed and updated witha more efficient layout,space is created for theHeritage Center's inter-pret ive disp lays andresources, and the entrymade more invit ing.Meanwhile, the ShopCommittee will be workingon strengthening theinventory that will supportthe larger sense of i tsmission and on supportingour dedicated team of
volunteers who will continue to be at the heartof this venture.
There is much to be done and the time-frame is still not completely clear, but theprocess is in motion and we can look forwardto an exciting future for our continuing Shopand our new Bruton Heritage Center.
During these cold winter days, you can shop from your armchair nextto the warmth of your fireplace by visiting brutonparishshop.com.All proceeds from your purchases benefit mission and outreach!
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Childcare is available by appointment only,please email [email protected].
Canterbury Gala & Silent Auction
April 2, 2016 at 7pm
Historic Christopher Wren Building at William & Mary
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres,
an organ concert in Wren Chapel, live entertainment,and tours of the Wren Building
Cash bar
Tickets are $50/person or $80/couple.
Buy your tickets online now through Bruton’s websiteat http://bit.ly/canterburygala
Please consider donating a gift basket to the Canterbury Association for the silentauction. We welcome collaborative gift baskets from committees or groups of people.Please contact Jon Rigby at [email protected] if you are interested in compilinga gift basket.
All proceeds go to the Canterbury Missions Fund, which provides grants to various charitiesand scholarships to William & Mary students for international trips. This year, theCanterbury Missions Fund is helping 18 students go to England on Pilgrimage and fundingvarious scholarship for primary school students in San Pedro, Belize.
If you cannot make the event but wish to contribute, you may donate online or write acheck payable to Bruton Parish Church with “Canterbury Missions Fund” in the memo andeither: 1) place it in the offering plate on Sunday, 2) mail it to the Church Office at P.O.Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3520, or 3) drop it by the Parish House.
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Unanimous Commitment ToWalk TogetherThe Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV
As you may already know, the Anglican Primates,meeting in Canterbury, England, voted to suspendThe Episcopal Church from decision-making andinterfaith bodies of the Anglican Communion for threeyears. The suspension is a direct response to TheEpiscopal Church's decision at General Conventionlast year to authorize marriage of same-sex couples.
My initial reaction to the agreement was one ofsurprise, followed by disappointment. I'm particularlydisappointed that our new Presiding Bishop, who waspresent at the meeting, was forced to endure whatwas most certainly a difficult and painful experience.I ask that you keep Michael in your prayers.
Despite what you are hearing from the media,The Episcopal Church has not been removed fromthe Anglican Communion. While we have beencensured, the primate's recent decision also confirmsthe Communion's "unanimous commitment to walktogether".
From my perspective, this recent decision shouldnot in any way seriously impact the mission andministry of the greater Episcopal Church. It certainlyshould not affect our ministry here in SouthernVirginia.
In closing, let me say that I find myself agreeingwith Bishop Curry's hopeful statement that this recentturn of events is perhaps part of our calling to leadthe Communion in its becoming a church where allGod's children are fully welcomed. Please pray forThe Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion aswe continue to walk together in spite of ourdifferences.
Faithfully, +Holly
Full Text & ResponsesThe following responses to the Primates’ decision andthe full text of their statements can be found at the BrutonLink Library.
The Episcopal News Service report on the recentmeeting of the Primates (chief bishops or archbishops)of the member churches of the Anglican Communion. The final communique from the Primates' Meeting. The full text of the statement released on Jan. 14. A statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. A letter from the President of the House of Delegates. A statement from Bishop Hollerith. A message from Archbishop FredHiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church ofCanada. Remarks from Archbishop ofCanterbury Justin Welby in a pressconference after the meeting.
Visit http://bit.ly/1xZinVL to readmore about the Primates’ Meeting (or stopby the Parish House and we can print acopy for you).
Race & The ChurchBy The Rev’d Chris Epperson
For those who were part of the weekendof programming with Katrina Browne(pictured to the right), I know youshare a sense of gratitude for theworthwhile presentation and conver-sation. Katrina's telling of her story ofcoming to terms with her family historyin the slave trade and the EpiscopalChurch's involvement was deeplymoving. There were many momentswhen I experienced new insight into thecomplexity and deeply-rooted natureof slavery and racial conflict in thiscountry. The documentary and presentation, forme, were like reading the footnotes in a book,discovering source material beneath the broadbrushstrokes of the story I thought I knew.
The question is what do we do now?
Know that I am in conversation with Pastor Davisof First Baptist. We are looking to strengthen theties that bind us, and are hoping to create moreopportunities for our congregations to gather. Their"Let Freedom Ring" celebration of Black HistoryMonth in February may generate someopportunities. What would it mean for a groupfrom Bruton to ring the bell on behalf of our parish?
Do you have any interest in continuing theconversation? What would the development of astudy group look like? What shape would our worktake? What outcomes would we like to achieve?
I don't have all the answers. I don't even haveall the questions, but I have a desire andwillingness to engage with those who want tocontinue.
Please either send me an email directly [email protected] or give me a call at757-229-2891. Let's talk about what is next.
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(l to r): Anne Willis, Isabel Burch, Caroline Black,Veronica Fountain, Katrina Browne, Valarie Holmes,and the Rev’ds Charles Robinson and Chris Epperson.
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Children & Youth FormationBy Meghan Brewer
Nursery is available each Sunday from8:30am to 12:30pm for newbornsthrough 4-year-olds. The nursery is onthe first floor of the Parish House.
Children’s Church is age-appropriateworship held at 9:15 am in St. Mary’sChapel, tailored for children K-5thgrade. Drop off your child(ren) at 9 am,then head to the church. Save your childa seat, as they’ll join the congregationat the Peace. We will continue holdingan age-appropriate service for 3-4 yearolds in the room next to the nursery inthe Parish House during this timeframe.
Sunday School is held at 10:30am in the Parish House for childrenthrough 5th grade and in the Custis House for youth grades 6th -12th.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7Children’s Church will NOT be held this Sunday so that all cancome to enjoy our children’s and youth choirs singing during the9:15am service in the “big” church. Sunday School will NOT beheld either. Therefore, our Children’s & YouthChoirs will rehearse at 10:30am instead of 11am.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9Hosted this year by our Canterburians, join us forthe annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner heldin the Parish Hall at 6:30pm -- only $5/person or$10/family (children under five eat free), a greatway for all to come together for fellowship. Makesure you rsvp!
SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 14 & 28Children’s Church, Sunday School andChildren’s & Youth Choirs willall be held at their regularlyscheduled times (see above).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21Children’s Church, SundaySchool and Children’s & YouthChoirs will all be held at theirregularly scheduled times above.Youth Group will be held at theAMF Williamsburg Bowling Laneson Olde Town Road from 4-6pmfor middle and high school youth.
Photos 1-3: A wonderful time washad by everyone at our first FamilyThanksgiving Feast in November which included children,youth, Canterburians and families! A great night of foodand fellowship, with close to 150 people!
Photos 4 & 5: While feasting at our Thanksgiving get-together, our children enjoyed “It's a Great Thanksgiving,Charlie Brown" and previewed “The Wizard of Oz.”
Photos 6 & 7: Our children rehearsing in December forthe Children’s Christmas Pageant, which turned out tobe just wonderful on Christmas Eve.
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Photo 8: Just some of the 20+ children and youth (andmany of their parents) who braved the elements onJanuary 23 to help unload the Commission on Faith Ministry (COFM) truck for our guests at this year’s Winter Shelter.
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Candlelight ConcertsConcerts are held in the church at 8pmunless otherwise noted. Parking ispermitted on Duke of Gloucester Streetin front of the church during the recitals.
Saturday, February 6Organ Recital - Dr. JanEl Will, Organist
Saturday, February 13Choral Concert - Georgetown VisitationChoir from Washington, DCDavid Nastal, Director
Saturday, February 20Choral Concert - Naugatuck High SchoolMadrigal Choir from Naugatuk, ConnecticutMahlon Peterson, Director
Saturday, February 27Oboe & Organ Recital - Melinda McKenzie,Oboist & Rebecca Davy, Organist
Historic Organ RecitalsSaturdays in the Wren Chapel @ 10amat the College of William & Mary
February 6, 13 & 20Rebecca Davy
February 27 - Sarah Bland
Special MusicProgramsSunday, February 21@ 5:30pmChoral EvensongMusic by American ComposersJackson Hill, Bruce Neswick &Morton LauridsenBruton Parish Choirs, RebeccaDavy, Director & Dr. JanEl Will,Organist
Sunday, February 28 @ 1:30pmLet Freedom Ring March & ProgramBruton Parish Choirs will join First BaptistChurch Choir under a heated tent onNassau Street (watch for more details).
March 13 @ 5:30pmChoral Evensong sung by Youth Choirof St. James School in Hagerstown, MD
March 20 @ 5:30pmPassion Sunday Choral Evensongfeaturing Pergolesi's Stabat Mater,sung by the women of the Bruton Choirs
April 10: @ 5:30pmChoral Evensong sung by the William &Mary Christopher Wren Singers
April 12 @ 5:30pmJ.S. Bach Harpsichord Concerto Galafeaturing a solo, double, triple, andquadruple harpsichord concertos performedon four Robert Duffy harpsichords with stringquartet
4th AnnualFriends Day
at Bruton
Saturday,April 23
The Rev’d Stuart Hoketo speak at Friends DayBy Jim Morford
As plans for the FourthAnnual Friends Day takeform, the Friends of BrutonCommittee is pleased toannounce that the Rev'd Dr.Stuart Hoke will be ourluncheon speaker. FatherHoke has served parishes inseveral states includingTrinity Wall Street, where hewas on 9/11 when the WorldTrade Center was attacked.He has had a long association with GeneralTheological Seminary in New York City where hepioneered courses on the Church's role in thetreatment of alcoholism and addictive illnesses.
The Committee is alsovery pleased to announcethat William & MaryPresident, W. TaylorReveley III, will make apresentation on thehistoric relationshipbetween the College andBruton at 9am at thechurch on Friends Day.
An afternoon pro-gram is yet to be announced; Saturday, April 23rdis shaping up to be a very special day! The day'sevents will conclude with the John D.Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Concert at 8pmthat evening.
Friends of Bruton sponsorPilgrimageFather Chris will lead an 11-daypilgrimage/tour to Scotland and NorthernEngland departing on June 17, 2016. Thetour will begin in Edinburgh with visits to historicEdinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse (theQueen's home when on official business inScotland), followed by a pilgrimage to Iona Abbey,one of the oldest and most significant religiouscenters in Western Europe.
The tour will include visits to cathedrals andcastles in northern England important to ourChristian heritage. For trip details and completeitinerary, please contact Hilary Cooley (757-229-2891 or [email protected]).
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDWilliamsburg, VA
Permit No. 13
The Most Revd
Michael Bruce CurryPresiding Bishop & Primate
The Rt. Revd Herman Hollerith IVBishop, Diocese of Southern Virginia
The Revd Christopher L. EppersonRector, [email protected]
The Revd Charles A. Robinson, [email protected]
The Rev’d Tyler L. MontgomeryAssociate Rector & College Chaplain
Meghan BrewerCoordinator of Children’s & Youth
Formation, [email protected]
Rebecca Davy, Music Director & [email protected]
Dr. JanEl B. Will, [email protected]
James DarlingChoirmaster-Organist Emeritus
Hilary Cooley, Communications DirectorChronicle Editor/[email protected]
Christine Britton, Parish Life [email protected]
Dudley Hoyle, [email protected]
Alan MacDonald, Financial [email protected]
Mike Wanless, Facilities [email protected]
Ronald Cotman, Parish House Sexton
Ike Turner, Weekend Sexton
Roy St. Amour, Church Sexton
Carol Weaver, Shop [email protected]
Laura Paolicelli, Shop Assistant
Nancy Nelson, Shop Financial Assistant [email protected]
www.brutonparish.org
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
Pastoral Care CoordinatorsMonday through Friday, [email protected]
Stephen MinistryCharlie Clapper & Mary Jean Hurst757-220-2087 confidential
Parish NurseSylvia [email protected]
Pastoral Emergencies
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pmCall 757-345-2250 directlyor call the church office at757-229-2891
After 5pm, call the church officeand choose Option 6. If necessary,please leave your name, telephonenumber and brief message, and theclergy-on-call will return your callas soon as possible.
Article submissions are due the 10th of each month and may be edited for length and content.
Bruton Parish Church, P.O. Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3520 757-229-2891 Fax: 757-221-0290
First Friday Recovery EucharistSpiritWorks Foundation, a non-profit in Williamsburg that works with peoplein recovery from addiction, will host their next monthly Eucharist at Brutonon Friday, February 5, at 6:30pm. This service offers readings and prayersthat focus on recovery from addiction, mental illness, and trauma. Whetheryou are in recovery, have friends or family members in recovery, or simplyare curious about this type of worship, this service is open to everyone!
Manna BagsThe weather is getting colder, the nights longer, and the need greater. Pleasedo not forget to get a couple of manna bags to keep in your car. It is anotherway to show caring for each other andloving everyone just because God lovesthem is what really matters. It is a small,small step, but a step, nonetheless, tosay "No" to the violence, pain and needthat grab so much of our attentionnowadays.
Manna bags are available at thereception desk at the Parish House. Anydonation to help with the cost of themanna bags would be appreciated.
FISH Food forFebruaryThe Food for FISH for February is pasta, pasta sauce and the like. Continuedthanks go out to all who donate non-perishable food items throughout the year.On another note, FISH is woefully short of blankets. With the advent of coldweather, blankets are in great demand and we simply cannot keep up with theneed. If you have a gently used blanket, you may place it in the FISH bins at theParish House from where it will be collected and taken to FISH. Many thanks!
2016 Vestry WardensDuring the first Vestry Meeting on Monday, January 11, Bill Brauer was votedSenior Warden and John Fogarty, Junior Warden. Marty Easton was electedRegister by the vestry on November 20 to complete the term of Lynn Blankman,and Steve Hibbitts continues as Treasurer.
CAMPAIGN NEWS
About the Campaign
The Campaign for the Fourth Century has been designed by and for thepeople of Bruton Parish, that we may each give as we are able, and effectivelysupport both the present and future church.
Three objectives form the Campaign for the Fourth Century:
1. Increase the annual operating budget significantly, to levels that can support greateroutreach to those in need and ongoing investment in the care and maintenance of thechurch and other buildings. This is a need identified eight or more years ago and now apriority of the Campaign. Added income will allow for 2016 budget additions of $114,000 forMission and Outreach and $100,000 in a newly-created maintenance reserve fund. Goal: $1,725,000 in 2016; $1,750,000 in 2017.
2. A new congregational organ. In response to increasing failures of our current organ andprofessional recommendations, Bruton Parish retained Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd. ofLake City, Iowa to design a new organ for our space, to perpetuate and enhance spiritual lifeand music for parishioners and our community. Goal: $1,880,000 for the organ and installation;$320,000 for associated church interior work.
3. Grow the assets of The Bruton Parish Church Foundation. By means of the Campaign wewish to promote and enhance our planned giving program. As the assets of the Foundationgrow, so too can annual disbursements supporting Bruton’s mission and ministry. This objectivelooks to the future, with the aim of building an internal endowment parallel to the Bruton ParishEndowment Fund. Goal: $2,200,000.
Additionally, a goal for Special Projects has been added to fulfill desires of members and incorporatethe needlepoint kneeler project begun in 2013. Goal: $125,000.
Beginnings
The mission and three objectives stated above came about from two years of self-study andprofessional advice from an independent consultant. From May-September 2015, the steeringcommittee called on its own members, the vestry and a cross-section of the parish to receivefeedback and ask for early commitments. At the service of Evensong for the 300th anniversary ofthe church building, we officially announced the Campaign:
From the steering committee, vestry and clergy, I have exciting news to add to this day ofcelebration. I’m delighted to announce that the goal of the Campaign will be $8,000,000, and weare 55% of the way there with $4,500,000 committed.
September 27, 2015
CAMPAIGN FOR THE FOURTH CENTURY
BRUTON PARISH CHURCHIssue 5, January, 2016
Campaign SteeringCommittee
Isabel Burch
Margaret Driscoll
Marty Easton, Chair
Chris Epperson, Rector
Stephanie King
Alison Lennarz
BRUTON PARISH
1674
Progress as of January 20, 2016
The figures below show the goal for each objective. Two years of Annual Giving are incorporated into theCampaign.
To date, the lead gift to the Campaign has been made by the Bruton Parish Church Endowment Fund. OnAugust 20, 2015 the Endowment committed $1,950,000, which is an additional $1,000,000 over andabove its usual and customary support during a two-year period. The amount of $1,000,000 is dedicatedto the new organ. This major gift by the Endowment trustees has set the pace for the Campaign andserves as motivation to the parish at large.
Current Efforts
As of this writing, we are in the Annual Giving phase of the Campaign — the first objective above — withfocus on receiving parishioner pledges for 2016. Annual Giving 2016 is projected to provide 85% of thechurch’s operating revenue. Our goal is to receive pledges from 600 parish individuals or couples; as ofJanuary 18, we have received pledges from 485. Please help make up the gap. This is how we provide forour parish church — its worship services, programs, ministries, salaries, utilities and operations. Everypledge makes a difference.
Regarding the pipe organ, we are close to entering into contract with Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd. tobuild and install the new instrument. The organ case of painted poplar and nearly all of the 2,577 pipeswill be centered over the east gallery. A new electric action, three-manual console will sit in the samelocation as the current one. It will be a smaller instrument, properly situated, voiced for our unique spaceand varied repetoire, and less expensive to maintain.
Next Steps
Soon our efforts will shift to commence broader solicitation of comprehensive Campaign participation,continuing until December 31, 2016. We are most grateful to all who have embraced the Campaign thusfar and to everyone who has expressed interest. For further reading, please visit our website atwww.brutonparish.org/campaign, and see printed copies of this and other materials outside thedoors of Lewis Hall in the Parish House. Thank you!
Cash Receivedor Pledged
$1,448,000580,000
1,647,000331,000
2,186,000111,000
$6,303,000
Goal
$1,725,0001,750,0001,880,000
320,0002,220,000
125,000
$8,000,000
Objective
Annual Giving 2016Annual Giving 2017New Organ, InstalledChurch Interior WorkGifts to FoundationSpecial Projects
Total