Forging Ahead in Faith

by The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector

 

Recently, including today, a couple of torrential summer downpours have taken momentary tolls on our Field of Flags. In the aftermath of brief but voluminous rains, a few of the miniature symbols have been forcibly realigned or even uprooted from the main lawn of ESC’s campus. But the damage doesn’t last long. Staff or parishioners are quick to attend to reparations. The memorial display is restored and returned to its intended formation.

 

On a much broader level, our nation has taken a pummeling of sorts. The pandemic and its myriad repercussions, coupled with racial unrest and political polarity, have all contributed to a heightened sense of vulnerability and volatility. We find ourselves asking twin questions: What exactly is happening and How best are we to respond ?

 

Our Collect for Sunday, July 5 offers a concise standard applicable to the second question. It says, in part, “Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection.” A two-pronged approach to fulfilling God’s expectations is outlined for us; we are to commit ourselves completely to reflecting the Divine in all we think, say and do. At the same time, we are commissioned to be united with others in a way that is equally reflective of our commitment to God.

 

Exactly how do we accomplish that in our individual lives? In the administration of our faith communities? As a nation?

 

The Western Buddhist scholar Lama Surya Das offers a perspective from outside the Christian tradition. In his essay “Things Are Not What They Seem to Be—Nor Are They Otherwise” from a 2003 book entitled Spiritual Perspectives on America’s Role As Superpower, he writes, “The Dalai Lama told President Clinton, in a private meeting at the White House in the early 1990s: ‘You are the most powerful man in the world. Every decision you make should be motivated by compassion.’ In reality, each of us is the most powerful person in our own world. We, too, would do well to follow this audacious advice.”

 

This year’s Independence Day celebration, and the worship service closest to it on the liturgical calendar, will be distinctly different from past occasions. It will be admittedly muted, contained and confined. We will feel the difference at Eastern Shore Chapel, where July 4 often seems like a High Holy Day. Yet, we are a people meant to make a difference in the world. Although our group worship has changed dramatically from previous years, our mission is as urgent and clear as ever: to devote ourselves to God with our whole hearts and to create ways to be united with others via love and compassion.

 

This week, we celebrate and rejoice in our great nation, even as we pray for its path to be made straight and its wounds to heal. Happy Fourth of July! 

A Special First Friday Men's Breakfast on July 3

Following Rev. Julia's lead, let's talk about  HOSPITALITY ! For this month's men's breakfast why not invite a stranger to join us? Just pass along this message with a personal invitation and see who shows up? Could be lot's of fun so let's be hospitable, let's love the stranger and invite a friend!

Our First Friday Men's breakfast will be Friday, July 3. This is an early notice so you can clear your busy calendar and reserve time to attend!

Make your own special breakfast, get a cup of your morning beverage of choice and settle down at your computer or smartphone. We will gather, virtually, on Friday July 3 at 7:30 am. Just  click here  and you will be ZOOMed (so to speak) into our group. (Or go to  zoom.us  and use meeting number 562 715 368 and Meeting Password John1513). We would all be made richer by your presence!

We will do morning prayer, catch-up on goings on in and around Eastern Shore Chapel and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. You can study up by simply  clicking here .  Remember we are following Track 2.

Hard to imagine this is our forth ZOOM breakfast. No one would have ever imagined such a thing. The good news is that each passing day brings us one day closer to some kind of gathering. 

L to R: Fresh fruit ready for distribution; one of the paintings given to volunteers by

a child in line for food; volunteers sort food for distribution.

Chapel Pantry News

By Kay O'Reilly, Chapel Pantry Coordinator

Since our first Saturday distribution on April 11, the Chapel Pantry has served 2,664 households, or nearly 10,000 individuals! Last Saturday, 208 families were given an abundance of nutritious food. Your generosity has made this possible. Thank you!

Our efforts have been noticed by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Eastern Shore Chapel is featured in the latest edition of The Teller, the Foodbank’s quarterly donor newsletter. If you haven’t seen it yet, check your mail or click here.

We are now receiving abundant and mostly free food from the Foodbank, where we are a partner agency! This means that our needs from parishioners have lessened for the time being. The only consistent need we have at this time is eggs. They are a good source of protein and are very popular with our guests. Please continue to bring fresh eggs, in cartons or bulk packaging (we will repack into dozens) anytime between 10 am and 2 pm, Monday through Friday. For now, we have enough plastic grocery bags, but paper bags are welcome.

Thank you again for your generous support. Our guests in the car line thank us every week, and we are passing that thanks on to everyone who has helped, whether through prayers, volunteering, or donating food and funds.

Volunteers needed to take down the Field of Flags

Volunteers are needed to help remove and store the flags from our Field of Flags. Please call Marty Thumel at 757-620-8030 if you would like to help. Flags will be removed on Sunday, July 5 at 9 AM.

Are you called to Pastoral Care?

The Pastoral Care Committee, which currently involves many, many ministries here at ESC is experiencing several vacancies within the individual groups. If you feel the call to be a part of this most rewarding ministry please email Amanda McGinty at [email protected] to discuss the various options available to you. 

Summer formation for children and youth

Middle schoolers have been challenged to respond to the Gospel for June 28 with a “building” that depicts what we learn from the Gospel. Maeve and Will Foster sent a picture of their creation, saying that the Gospel was “about giving people things and taking care of vulnerable people.” It is not too late for your middle schooler to respond by sending a picture with explanation to Susan Buchanan at [email protected]. The Gospel for July 12 will be sent to middle schoolers the week of July 6. (Hint: It is about sowing seeds)

The kids had a great time listening to a story from Mrs. Fiona this week! Join us for our next Story Time July 12 at 9:10! Email [email protected] if you want the zoom invite!

Music for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

By Martin Sunderland, Organist & Choir Master

For today’s hymn, we hear, “ Lord of all hopefulness ,” sung to the tune, Slane, an Irish ballad melody. The text scrolls as the choir sings with an oboe obligato. 

Our anthem today is “ Come unto Him ,” from Messiah by G. F. Handel. The solo is sung by boy soprano Aksel Rykkvin (12 years old) with Vegar Sandholt at the organ. The text is taken from Matthew 11:28.

For a postlude this Sunday and in recognition of Independence Day, I will play an arrangement of “ The Stars and Stripes ” by John Phillip Souza. In this playing it is played as an organ duet.

Summer Music Camp canceled - plan to return in 2021

This year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Eastern Shore Chapel is sad to announce that our Summer Music Camp will not happen. It is our hope that we will offer this program next year in August 2021.

Join us on ZOOM for daily Morning Prayer

Join us for Daily Morning Prayer, the first of the daily offices each day (except Sunday). Everything you need is provided, simply join us on ZOOM each morning at 7:30 AM. It takes about thirty minutes and is a very good way indeed to start the day. Go to zoom.us . Meeting ID:  562 715 368. Password:  John1513. Questions? Contact Lee Davis  [email protected].

Evening Prayer via ZOOM

Join us each evening for Evening Prayer every Monday through Friday at 7:30 PM via ZOOM. Just go to www.zoom.us and enter meeting number 869 9363 5805, and password: Ex1414. Hosted by David Wynne.

Camp Turtle Trap: Still time to join the fun!

Camp Turtle Trap and Parish Day School would like to wish everyone at very Happy July Fourth! Last week campers created a US flag, stood tall like the Statue of Liberty and wrapped up their virtual exploration of the Amazing States of America.

Session 3 will begin on July 3, 2020. If you have any campers are interested in joining please email [email protected] .

Be a superhero - give blood on July 23!

Our next blood drive at ESC is Thursday, July 23, 2 to 6 p.m. All Red Cross blood drives are now by appointment only. All donors must schedule an appointment to donate by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Right now, blood donors are urgently needed. The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies . Antibody test results will be available within 7 to 10 days.

The American Red Cross has teamed up with WONDER WOMAN 1984 to work together to encourage people across the country to make a lifesaving blood donation. To celebrate blood donors' extraordinary bravery and superhuman generosity, when they come to give blood, they will automatically be entered for a chance to win a movie prop replica prize set, featuring The Golden Lasso and a pair of Gauntlets, identical to the ones worn by WONDER WOMAN.

The following hospitals received the majority of blood products collected from our last blood drive:

The Chapel Chimes is distributed every Wednesday.

If you would like to submit an article to the Chapel Chimes email

please send an email to Ann Turner, [email protected],

with "CHIMES SUBMISSION" in the subject line.

Deadline is every Tuesday at 5 pm.