FEBRUARY 2020
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 224 S. Military Highway Norfolk, VA 23502 Phone: 757-466-9392
“Celebrating and Proclaiming our Life in Jesus Christ!”
“THE CALL”
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church St. Peter’s Church was organized
in 1885 and the cornerstone was
dedicated September 5th, 1886.
This structure still stands on Brown
Avenue in Norfolk. The first
worship service at our present site
was in the parish hall on Christmas
Eve, 1959. All existing
construction was completed in
1965.
1st ………... Bishop-elect Susan Haynes Consecration,11AM
2nd ………. Staff meeting, 11:30AM
7th & 8th … Staff/Vestry Retreat at Chanco
10th ……… Ladies Lunch at Bahama Breeze, 12:30PM
16th ……… Vestry meeting, 11:30AM
17th ……… Presidents’ Day, Office & Day School closed
22nd ……... Acolyte Training, 10AM
23rd ……… School Board meeting, 11:30AM
25th ……… Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5-7PM
26th ……… Ash Wednesday, Imposition of Ashes at Noon
and 7:30PM
28th/29th … 128th Annual Council in Williamsburg
PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Men’s Bible Study – Tuesday mornings at 7:30AM. The men are studying the Book of Psalms. Bring your Bible and bring a friend!
The Intercessory Prayer Group Meet Sunday mornings at 9AM in the Diffenbaugh Library. If you are unable to attend any Sunday, you may request the group pray for you or your loved one by writing on a prayer card and placing it in the Prayer Box on the table in the parish hall or in the Narthex. All prayers are kept confidential within the group.
Please keep these people in your prayers
Co-ed Bible Study Group meet Wednesdays in the
Diffenbaugh Library at 7PM. They are studying
Genesis. Bring your Bibles and bring a friend!
Men’s & Women’s Cursillo Group meet
Wednesdays at 6:15pm in the Diffenbaugh Library.
Cursillo Grouping for Women they meet at the
Whitehorne’s home every Monday at 1pm.
THE PRAYER SHAWL GROUP The Prayer Shawl Group meet
on the first Tuesday of the month. They meet next on January 7th at 7PM in the
Diffenbaugh Library. The ladies make prayer shawls, that are given to our sick and
shut in members. Hats and scarves for the homeless, baby hats, and sweaters.
For more information contact Millie Coward at 455-5887.
If you have any yarn at home that you don’t need please consider donating it to the Prayer
Shawl Ministry. Thank you!
June Faye Joan Charlie
BJ Hazel Niko
Lois Sebastian Jess
Audrey Wayne Josephine
Patsi Vickie Penny
Bonnie Rick Joy
Xander & Family John Janet
Johnny & Nancy Debra Tim
Debbie & Kenny Christine Karen
The Benn Family Cheryl Henry
Al & Millie Jessica Lally
Clay & Wanda Daniel Billy
Maurice & Joyce Ruth Peggy E.
Bert & Ann Leslie Libby
Florence & Howard Corey Mary
Nancy & David Fidelma Marie
Jason Scott Kathy
128th ANNUAL DIOCESAN COUNCIL
In Williamsburg,
February 28th/29th, 2020
Please pray for our Delegates…
Bruce Comfort and Vel Shreve
and our Alternates…
Nancy Comfort and Charlie Pfeifer
FEBRUARY LADIES LUNCH
This month, the group will meet for lunch Monday,
February 10th, at 12:30PM.
They meet at Bahama Breeze in the Pembroke area
of Virginia Beach
Please sign the list in the parish hall if you plan on
attending or call Millie Coward at 455-5887.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
The youth have had a very eventful couple of months. We have seen our numbers
grow from an average of 3-4 on Sunday mornings in November and December, to
an average of 6 in January. We have seen visitors come in and some of our youth
return which has helped make our group a joyful experience.
The youth will be making Valentine cards for the “$ Kids” organization as well as
going to work in the “Good Mojo” thrift store. If you have anything you would like
to get rid of before your spring cleaning, please bring it to church and place in
the box in the Youth Room.
We would like to thank Jason Nowland and Linsey Shreve for allowing us to
show our talents during the Christmas season (monologues and pageant). The
youth will be cleaning up the church grounds, getting rid of trash and debris
once the ground is no longer wet. As always if there is anything you need from
the youth, please let me or my great partner, Carolyn King, know.
Please place your spare change in the jar on the table in the parish
hall. All donations are used to help the homeless in Norfolk.
Thank you!
Please encourage your children/grandchildren or neighborhood kids to come to
church and join our Youth Group! We always need more kids and we have a
great time!
We thank everyone in church for supporting us and for their generosity with
donations. Thank you all!
LENT & EASTER AT A GLANCE
February 25th………… Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
February 26th………… Ash Wednesday, Imposition of Ashes at Noon & 7:30PM
March 4,11,18,25…… Wednesdays in Lent Supper 6PM, Worship 7PM, Study 7:30PM
April 1…………………… Last Wednesday in Lent
April 5…………………… Palm Sunday and beginning of Holy Week
April 9…………………… Maundy Thursday, Seder and Tenebrae All Night Prayer Vigil, 8PM—8AM
April 10………………… Good Friday, Worship at Noon, Way of the Cross at 7PM
April 12………………… Easter, Worship at 8 and 10AM, Flowering of the Cross, Egg Hunt at Noon
ST. PETER’S CHURCH STAFF
Bishop The Rt. Rev. Jay Magness
Rector The Rev. John M. Eidam
Secretary Vel Shreve
Organist Elizabeth Miller
Treasurer Carolyn King
Sexton Kevin Bates
Happy Birthday
Join us for Birthday and Anniversary Blessings on the 1st Sunday of the month
VESTRY MEMBERS
Sr. Warden: Bruce Comfort (‘22)
Jr. Warden: Linsey Shreve (’20)
Jim Jimeno (‘19) James Benn (’22)
Robert Olliges (’20) Nancy Comfort (’22)
Charlie Pfeifer (’20) Charlotte Corbett (’22
Howard Belote (’21) Ana Nowland (’22)
Susan Sigler (‘21) Jason Nowland (‘22)
FEBRUARY 2020
The deadline for articles for the
March issue of The Call is:
February 15th, 2020
Send articles to :
or call the church office at 466-9392
Ed Klaus 2nd
Andy Midgette 3rd
Andy Diffenbaugh 14th
Matthew Shreve 14th
Carolyn King 15th
Allison Truxell 16th
Ashley Williams 18th
Jodi McGinty 21st
Lauren DeLoatche 22nd
Yvonne Authement 23rd
Steve Kakol 23rd
A REMINDER… St. Peter’s Youth
Group is collecting spare change to help support the homeless in Norfolk. Please use the jar on the information table in the par-ish hall to make your donations.
ALTAR FLOWERS If you would like
to give altar flowers any Sunday through
the year, sign the flower chart in the
vestibule, beside the Sunday you wish to
give.
The flowers are $60, or $30
when two people give on the
same Sunday.
CONSECRATION OF THE 11th BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
Bishop-Elect Susan Haynes will be Consecrated Saturday, February 1st ,2020, at Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Hwy. in Williamsburg. The Most Rev. Michael Curry will preside. A reception will follow.
A carpool will leave the church parking lot at 8:30AM. Please call the church office if you will be car pooling 466-9392 or sign the list in the parish hall.
SUPPORT OUR VETERANS The Veteran’s Administration in Hampton is accepting the
following items for the veterans: Toiletries, clothing, candy, games, etc. Please bring your
donations to church and Bill Weissner will deliver them to the hospital. Toiletries are
needed the most. Donated items may be placed in the container in the parish hall. Thank you!
GOD BLESS OUR SERVICE MEN
AND WOMEN “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you
can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
Joey Bucky Jarod
David Bob Mario
Kyle Mike Allan
Christopher Jennifer Frank
Jared Courtney Jonathan
Chloe Michael Aaron
All types of clothing is needed at the Veteran’s Hospital Please donate your gently used clothing to the VET’s.
Bring them to church and place them in the container provided in the parish hall. Thank you!
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Our Day School is still collecting Box Tops for Education until they expire. You will be able to
use your cell phone now when collecting box tops by using the app on your phone. Thank
you for your continued support.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER
Tuesday, February 25th from 5-7PM
ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES, SAUSAGE & AP-
PLES!
Adult tickets $7
Children $4
Children under 4 Free
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St. Peter’s Children’s Ministry February 2020
Matthew 5:13-20 (Salt and Light) Do you like pickles? Part of what makes a pickle
taste so good is salt. You may also like a little salt
sprinkled on your breakfast eggs or on popcorn. Salt
brings out the flavors of food like no other ingredient
can.
Salt is also important to our health. We need it so that
our bodies will keep the right balance of water in our
tissues. It helps our heart beat correctly and is
necessary for our nerves to send messages to and
from our brain. Salt even helps our muscles function
properly so that we don’t get leg cramps. There is salt
in every cell in our body!
Salt is inexpensive and is something we don’t think
much about, but it is very important and is something
everyone must have. Years ago, in certain parts of the
world, where salt was scarce, it was as valuable as
gold.
Now think about this: Jesus said, “You are the salt of
the earth”. How exciting to think that we can bring
out the flavors of life. When we accept God’s love it
is as if His Love is in every cell of our body! We
share that love with others because it is something
every one needs. “You are the salt of the earth.” You
are important and much more valuable than gold.
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Dates to Remember
❖ Feb 2nd – Epiphany 4 - Birthday Blessings at
10:00 am service
Luke 2:22-40 (The Presentation)
❖ Feb 9th – Epiphany 5
Matthew 5:13-20 (Salt and Light)
❖ Feb 16th – Epiphany 6
Matthew 5:21-37 (Murder)
❖ Feb 23th – The Last Sunday After Epiphany
Matthew 17:1-9 (The Transfiguration)
Why do we give chocolates on Valentine’s Day?
• Some say that chocolate increases energy levels
and a person’s desire. Scientists say that eating
chocolates releases endorphins. Endorphins are
receptors in your brain that can trigger a positive
and happy feeling.
• The first box of chocolates for made for
Valentine’s Day was made by Richard Cadbury in
the 1800’s. This helped start the tradition of
giving chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
• Chocolate comes from the theobroma cacao
tree. Theobroma comes from the Greek word
meaning “food of the gods”.
• Chocolate is the most popular gift for Valentine’s
Day. It is estimated that over 1 billion dollars is
spent on chocolates and candies for Valentine’s
Day.
• Millions of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are
bought every year for Valentine’s Day.
****************************
Corny Jokes What do you call a pig that does Karate?
A pork chop
Why did the bike fall over?
It was two tired
What lights up a soccer stadium?
A soccer match
Why don’t they play poker in the jungle?
Toom any cheetahs! How many tickles does it take to make an octopus
laugh?
Ten-tickles
February 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM Intercessory Prayer
10AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
Children’s Chapel
Christian Ed.
11:30AM Staff Meeting
Ladies Lunch
at Bahama Breeze
in the Pembroke
area of Va Beach
12:30PM
PRESIDENT’S DAY
Office and Day
School closed
SHROVE
TUESDASY PANCAKE
SUPPER 5-7PM
Cursillo Grouping
6:15PM
Co-Ed Bible Study
7PM
Cursillo Grouping
6:15PM
Co-Ed Bible Study
7PM
Cursillo Grouping
6:15PM
Co-Ed Bible Study
7PM
ASH WEDNESDAY
Imposition of Ashes
at Noon and
7:30PM
STAFF/VESTRY RETREAT AT CHANCO
128th ANNUAL COUNCIL in WILLIAMSBURG
ACOLYTE
TRAINING
BISHOP’s
CONSECRATION
in Williamsburg
11AM
8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM Intercessory Prayer
10AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
Children’s Chapel
Christian Ed.
8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM Intercessory Prayer
10AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
Children’s Chapel
Christian Ed.
11:30AM Vestry Meeting
8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM Intercessory Prayer
10AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
Children’s Chapel
Christian Ed.
Men’s Bible
Study 7:30am
AA meeting
8pm
Men’s Bible
Study 7:30am
AA meeting
8pm
Men’s Bible
Study 7:30am
AA meeting
8pm
ASSIGNMENTS Feb 2 —4th Sunday after Epiphany
Acolytes Corrin King, Bronwyn Shreve
Ushers Jim Jimeno, Vicky Martin
Lector at 8AM Tony Antonik
LEM at 8AM Debbie Whitehorne
Lector at 10AM Laura Kallestad
LEMS at 10AM Kimberly Truxell, Charlie Pfeifer
Altar Guild Duty Bonnie Rennick, Millie Coward
Nursery Attendants Wendy Glaeser, Yvonne Authement
Feb 23 –Last Sunday after Epiphany
Acolytes Christine Truxell, Judy Eller
Ushers Vicky Martin. Larry Shreve
Lector/LEM at 8AM James Benn
Lector at 10AM Jeffrey Pfeifer
LEMS at 10AM Charlie Pfeifer, Kimberly Truxell
Altar Guild Duty Dot Pierce, Nancy Comfort
Nursery Attendants Wendy Glaeser, Debbie Whitehorne
Feb 9—5th Sunday after Epiphany
Acolytes Olivia McGinty, Gabi McGinty
Ushers Susan Sigler, Coach Sigler
Lector at 8AM Vivien Valentine
LEM at 8AM Bob Vanderslice
Lector at 10AM Susan Sigler
LEMS at 10AM Bruce Comfort, Nancy Comfort
Altar Guild Duty Jessica Trochanowski, Vel Shreve
Nursery Attendants Debbie Whitehorne, Amanda Keller
Feb 16—6th Sunday after Epiphany
Acolytes Nancy Comfort, Magdalena Kress
Ushers Steve Kakol. Sean McGinty
Lector/LEM at 8AM Bruce Comfort
Lector at 10AM Judy Eller
LEMS at 10AM Bonnie Rennick, Jason Nowland
Altar Guild Duty Judy Eller, Bobbi Bowery
Nursery Attendants Yvonne Authement, Wendy Glaeser
Feb 26 –Ash Wednesday
Acolytes Nancy Comfort, Bruce Comfort
Ushers Larry Shreve, Susan Sigler
Lector/LEM at Noon Bob Vanderslice
Lector at 7:30PM Janet Chauncey
LEMS at 7:30PM Bruce Comfort, Nancy Comfort
Altar Guild Duty Millie Coward, Vel Shreve
FROM THE RECTOR Vestry Highlights: At their January 12th meeting, the Vestry:
* Approved the December, 2019 Financial Report which included-
In December, our income was $2,766 more than budgeted. In December, our expenses were $6,068 more than budgeted. We finished the year 2019 at $15,825 under budget
* Welcomed new Vestry Members- James Benn, Bruce & Nancy Comfort, Charlotte Cor-bett, and Jason & Ana Nowland
+ Elected to one year terms:
Senior Warden- Bruce Comfort Junior Warden- Linsey Shreve Treasurer- Carolyn King Register- Peggy Pfeifer
+ Made Commission Assignments for 2020
+ Reviewed Parish Contact Lists for 2020
+ Discussed upcoming Staff and Vestry Retreat (Feb. 7-8, 2020 at Chanco.)
+ Reviewed an estimate submitted for installation of a new roof on church building
Rector’s Prayer List- Please join me in praying for:
+ Our new Diocesan Bishop- The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes
+ Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry
+ A successful Staff and Vestry Retreat (Feb. 7-8)
+ A successful Diocesan Council weekend (Feb.28-29
+ A Happy and Healthy New Year 2020 for all!
+ The work of our 2020 Vestry Members.
+ The people and clergy of our neighborhood churches.
+ Our friends at St. James Holiness Church.
+ The leaders of our nation, our state, and our local governments.
Answered Prayers- Please join me in giving thanks to God for:
+ Our new Diocesan Bishop- The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes
+ The ministry of our Interim Bishop- The Rt. Rev. Jay Magness
+ My incredibly talented Church Staff!
+ Our Drama Ministry members who presented Advent monologues
+ Our wonderful Christmas Pageant presented on Advent IV.
+ Our Beautiful Christmas Eve services.
+ Our wonderful Epiphany Sunday celebration!
+ A very successful New Year’s Eve service.
RECTOR’S LETTER THE YEAR OF CHANGE
(Note: the following is a portion of the report given by me on January 5th at the Annual Parish Meeting. I’m reprinting it here for the benefit of those who may have missed that meeting.)
There is an old adage that says the only two guarantees in life are death and taxes. I would readily add a third thing that is guaranteed in this life- change. If I were to label the coming year 2020 as the year of anything, it would be “The Year of Change.”
Of course, in any given year we all experience changes in our personal and/or family lives- the birth of children, marriage, health issues, job changes, moving into a new home, retirement, death, etc. All of these changes are inevitable and have the potential to impact our lives in significant ways- both in posi-tive ways and negative. And so how we deal with the changes we experience is very important. Some-one once said, “Living a balanced life is largely contingent upon how successfully we handle the transi-tions (the changes) in our lives.”
Some big changes are coming our way at St. Peter’s this coming year. As many of you know by now, I will be retiring from full time ministry in early July. This is due in part to the Episcopal Church’s policy of mandatory retirement at age 72 (that’s me in July) and health issues that impact my ability to func-tion as well as I’d like. My retirement will mean new temporary clergy leadership for St. Peter’s start-ing in July and St. Peter’s entering into a transition process that will be led by the diocese and, in time, result in the calling of a new rector. How significantly the different ministries of our church will be im-pacted is impossible to know at this time. But one thing is certain- all of you will have a part to play during this time of transition, whether it be as simple as filling out a questionnaire, or more challenging as in taking an active part in some ministry of the church. Lay leadership will be most important during this time of transition and introspection.
There are, I know, lots of questions and, for now, I have very few answers. The Rev. Roy Hoffman, from our Diocesan staff, will be attending this year’s Staff and Vestry Retreat in February to share the process for calling a new rector with the Staff and Vestry members.
He will also explain the new diocesan policies just released concerning retired rectors and the limits of their involvement with the churches from which they retired. Things should become a bit clearer after the retreat. If you have any questions for me in the meantime, please contact me, but be ready for the answer, “I don’t know, yet.”
My dear friends, remember one important truth…GOD IS IN CHARGE AND ALL WILL BE WELL!
(Upon hearing of her election as the next bishop of our diocese, The Rev. Susan Haynes promised to immerse herself in prayer and the Scriptures as both she and our diocese began a process of transition. That’s excellent advice! I have begun to do that. I hope you will, too.)
Peace and love,
John+