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St. Mary’s: where the road begins...
Phone: 804-453-6712
Fax804-453-7146
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web:
www.stmarysreedville.org
3020 Fleeton Road
PO Box 278
St. Mary’s Episcopal
Church-Fleeton
ST. MARY’S ST. MARY’S ST. MARY’S
FISHERMANFISHERMANFISHERMAN
December 2013December 2013December 2013
January 2014January 2014January 2014
ST. MARY’S MISSION STATEMENT
St. Mary’s Fleeton Episcopal Church is a community of faith and fellowship; an open and welcoming congregation that is nurturing and supporting of one another. We respect and embrace the various backgrounds and spiritual paths of our congregants and neighbors. We share our gifts and talents to minister to the needs of our surrounding community as a reflection of God’s grace and unconditional love.
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Newsletter Editor:
Joy Bolger
[email protected]
Publisher:
Christine Nagle
[email protected]
ST. MARY’S FISHERMAN Casting our Nets for Christ DECEMBER 2013 -
JANUARY 2014
INSIDE
2 Prayers for the People
3 Cookie Haynie
3 News of the Congregation
3 Museum Lecture Series
4 Vestry Meeting Highlights
4 New Vestry Members
5 ECW News
5 Meals on Wheels Dates
6 The Advent Candles
6 100th Anniversary Celebrations
6 Vestry Retreat
7 Tree Trimming
8 “In Memorium”
9 Lunch Bunch
9 Supply Priests
9 Epiphany
9 Birthdays and Anniversaries
10 December Movie Lineup
10 Upcoming Events
CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS
Great little One! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.
~Richard Crashaw
This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone. ~Taylor Caldwell
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith
Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
~Grace Noll Crowell
There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron
It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis
Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon
Only in souls the Christ is brought to birth,
And there He lives and dies.
~Alfred Noyes
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more
beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale
It is the Christmas time:
And up and down 'twixt heaven and earth,
In glorious grief and solemn mirth,
The shining angels climb.
~Dinah Maria Mulock
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!"... Then the
Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" ~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
St. Mary’s Leadership:
Interim Rector: Vacant
Vestry: Bud Bolger, Sr. Warden
(until 12/31/13)
Paul Sparks, Jr. Warden
Carol Cole (until 12/31/13)
Kristine Stables
(until 12/31/13)
Betty Mountjoy
Rose Rockson
Jeff Harrison
Marguerite Slaughter
JJan Boyd (as of 1/1/14)
Sarah Jones (as of 1/1/14)
Treasurer: Susan Tipton
Assistant Treasurers: Judith DeGroot
Betty Mountjoy
Registrar: Betty Mountjoy
Parish Administrator: Christine Nagle
Minister of Music: Carina Harrison
Council Delegate: Dennis Dalpino
Carol Cole (alternate)
ECW President: Marcia Adams
Thrift Shop Coordinator: Joy Bolger
** ECW CHRISTMAS PARTY — DECEMBER 19, 11:30 AM **
** CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE — DECEMBER 24, 9:00 PM **
MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE FEBRUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER IS FRIDAY, January
24, 2014. Please e-mail articles to Christine Nagle at [email protected] or to Joy Bolger at
[email protected] , call them in at 453-6712, or drop them off at the church office.
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Please ask God to grant comfort and strength to: Zachary Tucker, Vernon Brann, Vicky Smith, Arthur and Ellie
Roberts, Ann Pierce, Jean Hudnall, George Baudier, Fred Gilman, Ada Williams, Winifred Delano, George Freund,
Alene Robinson, John Collins, Ruth Levien, Tris Hyde, Fred Biddlecomb, and Elizabeth Warren.
.
Also, please remember in your prayers the following, whose conditions are not currently acute, but who are still in need
of our continued prayers: Ron Andrews, Sue Clark, Madelyn Davis, Al & Lee Dean, Rachel Elliot, Robert Hamilton,
Martha Henry, Patricia Hoppe, William B. Hudnall, Joan Oliver, Morty & Jeff Paulis, Grace Rice, and Carol Wiley.
BETTE “COOKIE” HAYNIE
1946 – 2013
A graveside funeral service was held at Roseland Cemetery on November 29th for long-time St. Mary’s Church
member Cookie Haynie. She left this life on November 24th after a brave battle with cancer.
Cookie is survived by her husband John “Pete” W. Haynie; her daughter, Lesly Haynie Hall and her husband, Jeffrey; a
son, John W. Haynie, Jr.; five grandchildren; her brother, Edward Rittenhouse; devoted sister-in-laws; numerous nieces
and nephews; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Frances Rittenhouse Bowen; and her
brothers, Harold Cameron Rittenhouse and Alfred Taylor Rittenhouse.
There’s More
We only see a little of the ocean, A few miles distance from the rocky shore;
But oh! Out there beyond – beyond the eyes’ horizon There’s more – there’s more.
We only see a little of God’s loving,
A few rich treasures from his mightily store; But oh! Out there beyond – beyond our life’s horizon
There’s more – there’s more.
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NEWS OF THE CONGREGATION
Published!
Rose Rockson’s son-in-law, Steve Weddell, has had his first book published. Steve has already had two well-attended
book signings – one in Richmond and one in New York (!) – for the book, entitled Country Hardball. It is now available
from Amazon, where it has received rave reviews, such as the following:
After more than a decade spent in and out of juvenile detention, halfway houses, and jail, Roy Alison
returns to his rural hometown determined to do better, to be better. But what he finds is a working-
class community devastated by the economic downturn--a town without anything to hold onto but the
past.
Staying with his grandmother, Roy discovers a family history of good intentions and bad choices, of
making do without much chance of doing better. Around him, families lose their sons to war, hunting
accidents, drugs. And Roy, along with the town, falls into old patterns established generations ago.
A novel-in-stories in the tradition of Bonnie Jo Campbell, Donald Ray Pollock, Denis Johnson, and
Alan Heathcock, Country Hardball is a powerfully observed and devastatingly understated portrait of
the American working class.
"Steve Weddle's Country Hardball is a perfect combination of the brokenhearted and the just flat
broke... Here's hoping Weddle never stops writing..." --Benjamin Whitmer, author of Pike
Steve, his wife Helen and their two children, Emily and Jack, were members of St. Mary’s until they moved out of the area
several years ago. You may remember that they were all here for our Christmas tree trimming party last year and for
Oktoberfest two months ago.
Reunion in Cozumel.
Last month Judith and Michael DeGroot, along with Susan Tipton, traveled to Cozumel, Mexico where they were reunited
with our old friend and former St. Mary’s member, Jane Courtless. While Michael and Susan went scuba diving, Judith and
Jane spent hours together catching up, shopping, and taking a submarine ride aboard the Atlantis.
By all accounts, Jane, who moved to Houston, Texas in March 2013, is enjoying her life there, where she has made new
friends, purchased a new home and found a new church.
MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES BEGINS FEBRUARY 3RD
Please join us for the beginning of the Reedville Fishermen's Museum 2014 Lecture series on Monday, February 3rd. with
Stephanie Deutch's intimate depiction of Julius Rosenwald and Booker T Washington's relationship in the establishment of the
Rosenwald schools -- one of which still stands locally. The lecture will be held in Festival Halle at 7:00 following the chicken
dinner at the American Legion that evening.
~ Betty Mountjoy
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VESTRY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
November 5th
Senior Warden Bud Bolger presented the Treasurers Report as prepared by Susan Tipton who was not in attendance. He
reported that total revenues are down 6.4%, but expenses are also down, and that our investment accounts are doing well.
Bud reported that the DuPont Fund approved our request for a $10,000 PIN money grant for 2014
Delegate Dennis Dalpino reported that the St. Mary’s website is in need of updating. New photos from recent events need to be
added. Kristine Gibson offered to review the website to identify needed updates.
Dennis also reported that there have been 2 requests for information - one from Diocese and the other from Region II. Region II
is looking for examples of how the diocesan priorities are being supported, collaborative efforts with other churches, and how we
are supporting 2013 Council resolutions. The Diocese asked for information regarding the most creative ways we used our prop-
erty last year; which were for the Oktoberfest celebration and the Friday night movies. Information for an upcoming article in the
Virginia Episcopalian was submitted to the Diocese on November 6th.
Bud reported the 2014 Stewardship results as prepared by Susan. Twenty-three pledges totaling $49,880 have been received and
more may be submitted.
Carol Cole reported that the net profit from Oktoberfest was $2,126.
It was reported that we have a good list of potential supply priests that Jan Boyd and Bud are working with. The list includes
Scott Krejci, Karen Woodruff, Kathryn Swann, Hal White, Jim Godwin, and Howard Hanchey
The members approved a motion to send a 2014 pledge of $2,000 to the Diocese.
(See page 7 for December meeting highlights.)
NEW VESTRY MEMBERS ELECTED
At the annual congregational meeting on November 17th, two new vestry members were elected by acclamation. The new
members – Jan Boyd and Sarah Jones – will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2014.
Three members - Bud Bolger, Carol Cole and Kristine Stables – will be leaving the vestry as of December 31, 2013. At that
time the vestry will be reduced to a total of 7 members, a reduction that was approved earlier this year.
Congratulations, Jan and Sarah; and thank you for your willingness to serve! Thank you, Bud, Carol and Kristine, for your
dedicated service over the last three years!
Pictured are new members Sarah and Jan
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ECW NEWS
At the meeting of the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Women on November 21, 2013, the members developed and approved a budget
for 2014, and elected officers for 2014.
The budget, totaling $55,620, includes a pledge of $20,000 to St. Mary’s and a donation of $6,000 to the Northern Neck Free
Health Clinic. Among other charitable causes to be supported are Hospice; The Haven; Northumberland Rescue Squad and
Volunteer Fire Department; Northumberland Public Library; and the Interfaith Services Council. In addition, $3,000 is budgeted
for the award of two scholarships to graduating Northumberland High School students.
Officers elected for 2014 are: Marcia Adams, President; Joan Parasine, Secretary; and Chris Nagle, Treasurer.
Again this year, the ECW will sponsor the delivery of cookies to home-bound members of the community. Judith DeGroot, who is
coordinating this activity, invites all parishioners to participate by baking cookies and helping to package them in the church
kitchen at 10a.m. on Monday, December 16th.
The ECW Christmas party will be held on December 19th in the parish hall. We will enjoy a pot-luck lunch at 11:30a.m.,
followed by a gift exchange. Party-goers are asked to bring a gift purchased from the thrift shop for $5.00 less. Again this year,
Gus Bunting acting as Santa Clause, will coordinate the random gift exchange. It’s sure to be as much fun this year as it has been in
the past; and all the women of the church are encouraged to come!
The ECW would like to thank all the parishioners whose generosity enabled us to collect a very respectable total of $363 during the
United Thank Offering (UTO) fall in-gathering last month. This money has been sent to the National UTO office, where it will
be used to fund much-needed grants throughout the USA and around the world.
A very big THANK YOU to all the thrift shop volunteers and substitute volunteers whose contributions of time, energy and
talent kept the shop operating smoothly and earning money for the church and our other charitable beneficiaries throughout 2013!.
The thrift shop will be closed for the holidays from December 22nd through January 6, 2014.
~ Joy Bolger
MEALS ON WHEELS DATES
St. Mary’s is responsible for delivering Meals on Wheels on the following dates in December:
Monday, December 16:
Wednesday, December 18:
Friday, December 20:
PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS NAGLE IF YOU CAN DELIVER MEALS ON ANY OF THE
ABOVE DATES.
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THE MEANING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity Set on the branches of the
wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white
candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy
Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle
represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle
typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.
On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle"
and it represents joy. The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the
fourth Sunday of Advent.
On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of
Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who
receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
VESTRY RETREAT SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 11TH
The annual St. Mary’s Vestry Retreat will be held on January 11, 2014, from 9AM to 3PM, at Bethany Methodist Church in
Reedville. The Rev. Hal White has agreed to lead the retreat. Betty Mountjoy will develop the agenda, with assistance from Bud
Bolger and Susan Tipton
At the vestry meeting on December 3rd, the members developed a list of objectives for the retreat, which include:
(continued on next page)
PLANNING FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINS
Initial planning has begun for a celebration to recognize the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church. A steering committee, made
up of Susan Tipton, Janet Lewis, Marguerite Slaughter, and Bud Bolger, met recently to outline the activities that will occur during
the celebration.
The committee has tentatively set the date of Sunday May 25, 2014, for the celebration. One of the activities discussed was a
special display of early photos, artifacts, and documents connected to the church. Invitations to former church members and
priests will be sent, and there will be a program to honor old time members. In addition, the choir will be asked to sing hymns
from our old hymnal book and the Sunday service will be from our old prayer book. There will also be an extended meal
following the Sunday service.
The committee is looking into purchasing a time capsule to be buried at the church for a future generation to unearth. The capsule
would contain the names of current church members and perhaps some church documents. Also, the committee is exploring the
possibility of a dinner cruise on the Saturday evening prior to the Sunday celebration.
While the plans are in the early development stage, the committee will be asking parishioners and others for assistance and input to
the celebration. Old church documents, photographs, newspaper articles, and such, would be great additions to the celebration.
Church members will also be needed to construct displays, prepare invitation lists, prepare for the Sunday service and reception,
develop the history of the church, and publicize the event. We hope you will be willing to participate if asked. Please contact one
of the committee members for additional information.
~ Bud Bolger
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Vestry Retreat, (continued)
The development of goals for 2014
Planning the 2014 church calendar
Development of a Communication Plan for 2014
Identification of vestry member responsibilities and assignments
New member vestry Training
Review of 2013 positives and negatives
Election of Senior and Junior Wardens
Approval of the 2014 budget
Development of a process for handling conflicts
Planning for the 100th Anniversary Celebration
The results of the retreat will be published in the February issue of the Fisherman.
Vestry Meeting Highlights (continued)
December 3, 2013
Treasurer Susan Tipton reported that a letter from the Diocese was received requesting a donation for Mustard Seed
Grants for new churches and outreach programs. A motion to contribute $50 for Mustard Seed grants was made,
seconded and unanimously approved. Susan also reported that the current return on our investment account is
13.7%.
ECW President Marcia Adams reported that she and Chris Nagle attended a forum that LINK put together, and they
learned more about all the organizations involved with it, including Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, who sends
representatives into homes who recommend ways to save energy and money. A motion to donate $300 to LINK to
help cover operating expenses was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Delegate Dennis Dalpino reported that he and Carol Cole will attend the Regional II meeting which to be held the
last week of January. It was decided that St. Mary’s will pay their registration fees.
Senior Warden Bud Bolger reported that Richard Slaughter was paid his annual fee for mowing, trimming and
raking; and that he had asked if we wanted him to continue next year. The members agreed to have Richard continue
his service in 2014.
It was reported that Jan Boyd will continue to find and schedule supply priests, until a permanent priest is hired.
The Rev. Hal White, who was in attendance at the meeting, has agreed to lead and help prepare for the Vestry
Retreat to be held in January. (Editor’s Note: See article on page 6 of this issue.)
It was reported that Bud will serve as the coordinator of the Lunch Bunch, and that Carol Cole will be the Chair of
the Pastoral Care Committee.
TREE-TRIMMING DURING COFFEE HOUR ON DECEMBER 8TH
In lieu of a pot-luck supper and tree-trimming party this year, we will decorate the St. Mary’s
Christmas tree during coffee hour on Sunday, December 8th. We will use all the wonderful
ornaments that parishioners have created in previous years (of which there are many).
The vestry made the decision to do this, due to a lack of resources and time (between now and
Christmas) available for planning a party, in view of the very full calendars of many parishioners.
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IN MEMORIUM
By Alfred Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
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ST. MARY’S LUNCH BUNCH TO MEET
The St. Mary’s Lunch Bunch meets the second Wednesday of the month. The lunch group is open to all, and we hope that you
will attend for good food and good conversation.
The second Wednesday in December is December 11. We will meet at 12:00 noon, on the 11 th, at the Lottsburg Café. In
January, we will meet on the 8th.
Bud Bolger
DECEMBER - JANUARY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
December Birthdays December Anniversaries January Birthdays January Anniversaries
4 Olivia Williams 27 Olivia and Charles Williams 10 Kathy Corsa 11 Joy and Bud Bolger
4 Sarah Jones 10 Rose Rockson 11 Fred and Beverley Biddlecomb
6 David Haynie 11 Danica Jamison
7 Aubrey Henry 13 Grant Biddlecomb
10 Greg Corsa 16 Charlotte Haynie
13 Betty Mountjoy 21 Judith DeGroot
25 Jan Boyd 30 Will Slaughter
27 Susan Tipton 31 Laura Phelps
SUPPLY PRIESTS FOR DECEMBER
Our supply priests for the remainder of December are:
Dec 8 – The Rev. Charles Johnson
Dec 15 – The Rev. Howard Hanchey
Dec 22 – Service of Lessons and Carols — led by Kristine Gibson Stables
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve, 9 PM Service – The Rev. Katherine Swann
Dec 29 – The Rev. Karen Woodruff
We are most grateful for their support. Please remember to thank them on the days they are here.
Supply priests for January will be announced in the Sunday bulletins.
EPIPHANY
The people that in darkness sat
A glorious light have seen;
The light has shined on them who long
In shades of death have been.
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DECEMBER MOVIE LINEUP
Admission Free; Doors Open at 7:00 PM on Fridays; Movie Starts at 7:30; Popcorn and Soft Drinks at a Nominal Charge.
December 13 — The Red Violin - 1999 (R)
This is a superb film in which the star of the film is a violin known as "The Red Violin'. It is a story that begins in Italy in the late seventeenth
century and ends in the twentieth century. The violin is crafted by an Italian violin maker for his unborn child and is a work of sheer love. The
viewer sees this distinctive red violin travel in time, as it becomes an integral part of the life of a variety of owners, transcending culture, race,
class, and talent. It ultimately ends up as an offering at an auction house. In the end, all the elements come together beautifully, as the director,
Francois Girard, deftly and seamlessly, weaves the violin's past with its present. There is not one discordant note in this richly complex and bril-
liant film. It is simply a masterpiece.
December 20 — A Princess for Christmas - 2011 (NR)
Christmas is right around the corner and Jules Daly (Kate McGrath) is doing her best to create a loving home as new guardian to her mischie-
vous niece and nephew. But when she loses her job and an exasperated nanny on the same day, a mysterious invitation arrives - travel to Europe
and spend a royal Christmas with the children's distant grandfather - the Duke of Castlebury Hall (Roger Moore)! When Jules captures the heart
of the dashing Prince Ashton (Sam Heughan) both of their lives begin to change in unexpected ways! Featuring a faraway land, an enchanting
romance and the unbreakable bonds of family, this inspirational tale is sure to become a new holiday tradition!
December 27 - No movie due to Christmas holiday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MOVIE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 11 AM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 11 AM
VESTRY MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 7 PM
ECW CHRISTMAS PARTY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 11:30 AM
(See article on page 5)
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 9:00 PM
VESTRY RETREAT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 9 AM — 3 PM
BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH
(See article on page 6)
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Upcoming Events (continued)
REEDVILLE FESTIVAL CHORAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 2:30 PM
FESTIVAL HALL, REEDVILLE Admission Free. Donations of non-perishable food suggested
