GOOD NEWS! We are ready to begin to “meet" in small groups in person and by Zoom! Please share this news with anyone you think might be interested, or anyone you might like to invite to a group! Feel free to choose a time and “location" that works best for you. And feel free to visit more than one small group! We plan to stay on track with the Episcopal Catechism, reviewing two points per month, so we can all be "on the same page". We will discuss "An Outline of the Faith" found in our Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 845. You may also find it online by clicking here.

The groups meeting by Zoom (for the present) are with Lee Davis, Worth Remick and Patti Frankenfield:

Two groups, one hosted by Ann and Rusty Onhaizer, with Prisiclla Jaffee, and one hosted by Dave and Allison Ward Johnson will be in-person meetings at the hosts’ homes. Group members wearing masks and observing physical distancing are welcome. Ann’s group will meet at 5708 Atlantic Avenue. Feel free to call her mobile ( 757-287-8547) with any questions. Allison can be reached at 410-596-0143 for her address and any questions about her group.

With 16 points for review in the catechism, we plan to meet twice a month for August thru November, and cover 8 points. We plan to take a break in December and continue in January thru April, 2021.

Here is a brief plan for the groups:

Meet by zoom until and unless a small group is comfortable hosting an in-person meeting outside at a private home, wearing masks and maintaining physical distance

We sincerely hope these groups will be of interest to you, and will provide some Parish Community connections, as we live and work through the gathering issues of the pandemic.

May God Bless our time together!

By The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector

It seems like a lifetime ago when we assembled in the parish hall on Sunday evenings to wrestle our way through Eric Elnes’ thought provoking book entitled Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings For Soulful Skeptics (And Other Wanderers ). In the 16 weeks since then, most of us have spent more time contending with aspects of the real life ‘Dark Wood’ than we could ever have imagined. The pandemic crisis brought our collective routines to a graceless halt. Our lives weren’t just interrupted; they were altered without our permission. As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Virginia Beach, the requisite uncertainty characteristic of our sobering new reality casts a brooding shadow over spiritual, mental and emotional landscapes.

It seems appropriate to reconvene our book study now that many of us are armchair experts on how to expect the unexpected. Beginning tonight, August 5, I will reinstitute a parish discussion of Elnes’ book. We’ll meet by Zoom video conference at 7 PM on the first three Wednesdays of each month. If the ESC parish office has your correct, current email address, you will receive an invitation and link to join us for the new online book study.

In Chapter 2 on The Gift of Uncertainty, Elnes explicates the context and meaning of the Biblical story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man at the pool of Beth-Zatha, also known as Bethsada. Elnes points out that the man has been begging for 38 years at the entrance to the healing waters and does not initiate a request for healing from or through Jesus. It is Jesus who asks the man whether or not he wants to be healed. Elnes writes that the man actually “… has no interest in being healed. After all, he’s making a good living. He’s got the respect of his peers. His social, religious, and economic world revolves around the pool. His life is defined by his limitations. To heal this man would be to disrupt everything he knows and has become accustomed to in this world. It would take away his certainty. But Jesus does heal him.”

 

Ever heard of a Mister? Well, take a look at the picture below. The Mister, demonstrated by sexton Matthew Improta, sanitizes, disinfects and leaves targeted areas clean and germ free.

We all miss our church services, and with this piece of equipment, our health should be better protected when we get back to church. Meanwhile, it will help with pre and post human interaction at Parish Day School, Chapel Pantry and 12-Step Recovery groups in the administrative wing of our campus.

It will be used in the administrative offices, narthex, bookstore, parish hall and on our pews, everywhere.

ESC’s Buildings & Grounds Committee reviewed all the spec sheets, and approved the equipment. A proposal was sent to Finance Committee, with a letter requesting discussion and it was approved through e-mail, then sent to Vestry. Vestry discussed the Mister and approved it in a recent Zoom video conference meeting.

The order was placed with Beach Chemical, a check was written, two signatures were affixed and the Mister was delivered to our church in a very short turnaround time.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the near future--the safest possible future.

We are reminded of the words in 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

By Kay O'Reilly, Chapel Pantry Director

Saints and themes will resume this week. Join Rev. Julia on Thursday at 10am for a new saint! Click here to join the discussion. Meeting ID: 820 1112 3045, Passcode: Saints.

First Friday is this coming week, August 7! Please join us for our monthly First Friday Men's Breakfast this coming Friday. We will gather on ZOOM, click here at 7:30. (Meeting #:562 715 368 Password: John1513). Bring your own beverage of choice and morning meal.

Although it is not as good as meeting in the parish hall, it is an opportunity to reconnect and catch up with what is going on in our lives and the life of our beloved Eastern Shore Chapel. We will also discuss the readings for the following Sunday:

Please try to attend - It's been a long time ...... we will all be made richer by your presence!

By Martin Sunderland, Organist & Music Director

For our hymn this week, please listen to Hymn #390, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”, tune Lobe den Herren. At ESC, this is a favorite for the clergy, choir, and congregation. This recording was presented by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City. The words are slightly modified in stanza 4.

Our anthem this week is “How Can I Keep From Singing,” an arrangement by Robert Hobby that incorporates choir, organ and handbells. Our choir at ESC sang this composition in a Hymn Festival sponsored by the Tidewater chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and Virginia Wesleyan College.

I’ve also included a Virtual Choir presentation of “How Can I Keep from Singing.” With joyful adoration this rendition is individually sung, played, and recorded at each person’s home . We mourn for the day when we can lift our voices together in person.

For an organ voluntary this week, I have selected Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564 by J. S. Bach. This stunningly beautiful composition features a major pedal cadenza in the opening toccata. This selection was performed in the wonderful space at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, VA. Please enjoy.

Young Children: In addition to mailed coloring sheets to go with the Lectionary readings, join us every other Sunday for our Zoom Children’s Bible Story Time! The next story time is August 9 at 9:10.

Middle School: Students will use Legos or other materials they have in the house to build a response to “What is the Bible saying to you?" The next mailing will go out to coordinate with the August 9 readings.

High School: Students gather weekly on Zoom for fellowship and some spiritual gems along the way!

Confirmation Interest Meeting! Please join us on August 16 at 1pm for a Zoom interest meeting for all rising 9th-12th graders about confirmation. Fr. Cameron will be present to answer all of your questions!

If you are interested in any of these activities or need more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected]

Camp Turtle Trap is in the final Session, August 3-14. It has been an amazing virtual experience. Now that we have traveled the world, let’s celebrate with friendly athletic competition at the Olympics! Session 5 has begun with learning about athletic gear and the Olympic torches! We will continue the fun as we participate in track & field competitions and tennis events. The crafts are unique this session as many will allow the campers to play the various sports! Even though it’s been virtual, Camp Turtle Trap has been worthy of the gold medal!

Help the Parish Book Store add to our lists of recommended books on our website on bookshop.org by sending us your “best” read for the summer ([email protected]). The title does not have to be spiritual or religious (we have an “entertainment” list) or for adults only. Check out what we have already spotlighted by going to bookshop.org; click on “find a bookstore,” put in “Virginia Beach,” and click on our website. While you are browsing, remember that you can order a book from bookshop.org, and the Parish Book Store gets a portion of the sale.

The Parish Book Store Book Group is reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. The book is a “young adult” remix of Stamped from the Beginning: A Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, a National Book Award winner by Ibram X. Kendi. We will meet in late August probably by Zoom. If you would like to read the book, you can order it from bookshop.org through our website. We will send out a notice when we have decided our discussion date. 

At Eastern Shore Chapel, we have a “Prayer Chain”, a group of parishioners who have made a commitment to intentionally pray every day for others whose needs have been brought to the attention of our clergy and lay pastoral care volunteers. We have two primary lists, a short term prayer list where names are added for a thirty-day period and a long term prayer list where names are added for four months. Additionally, we pray for service members who are deployed, and we pray for couples expecting a baby.

We are presently updating the current list. If you are in need of prayer, or if you know of someone you would like to have lifted up in prayer, please provide their name(s) to Amanda McGinty, our Pastoral Care Assistant, or to Laurie Fox, our Parish Administrator or to the Clergy. Let them know which list you request along with your contact information, so we can follow-up at a later date.

We are humbled at the opportunity to offer intercessory prayers to our Creator on behalf of others. We thank you in advance for your prayers for us.

Join us on ZOOM for the Daily Office every day at 7:30 AM (except Sunday). ZOOM meeting number 562 715 368, password: John1513 (You can also join us live in-person in the outdoor chapel at ESC on Thursdays). Everything you need is provided!

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.

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.