March 25, 2020
From the Rector: Parishwide Check-In to Begin

As restricted activities and physical distancing continue to change the landscape of our personal and parish lives, leadership at Eastern Shore Chapel has begun an initiative to look in to the current welfare and concerns of our membership. This weekend, phone calls will be forthcoming, in which members of the vestry, staff, pastoral care, clergy and lay volunteers will reach out to our ESC family for a general update on health and well-being.
 
A casual ‘needs assessment’ will also be offered. We are hoping to identify areas of need, concern or anxiety where an extra hand, ear or heart could make a difference. At the same time, we are hoping to help bring some parishioners in to a more effective communication zone. For example, many of our members are not subscribing to The Chimes newsletter online. Others are unaware of our online Sunday service of Holy Eucharist via YouTube..
 
This collective effort is meant to remind folks that ESC is a compassionate and proactive faith community, even, and especially, in these unprecedented times. If you are available and willing to make a couple of calls to ‘take a pulse’ and/or offer help with any practical needs that may be going unmet, please contact our Parish Secretary, Laurie Fox at lfox@easternshorechapel.org or give a call to the Parish Office at 757-428-6763.
 
Our Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent references “the swift and varied changes of the world.” How’s that for an understatement?! In the days ahead, we will continue to be the church, most likely in new and unimagined ways. We will continue to offer prayers and praise, despite separation from our accustomed physical proximity. We will remember those in particular need and offer thanks for our common journeys.
 
Rest assured that Eastern Shore Chapel is in stellar hands—those of the Divine. Our church home is also being looked after by some of the most dedicated and talented colleagues one could imagine. From clergy to vestry, volunteers, staff and (especially) sextons, the campus at 2020 Laskin Road is only temporarily scaled-down. Even now, we’re adapting, preparing, and planning to carry out our commission to love and serve others in Christ’s name, regardless of the world’s impediments and uncertainty.
 
Stay the course. Remain rooted in love and faith. Resolve to look after each other and minister to the least among us.
 
Peace & blessings,
Cameron
 
The Rev. Cameron Randle
Rector   
ESC gathers in virtual space: Young parishioners watch Sunday worship; our online worship team; the Vestry meets on Zoom.
Join us on Zoom for daily Morning Prayer

A reoccurring ZOOM meeting had been set up at 7:30 each morning for Daily Morning Prayer. The service will be visible on screen, you don't need to bring a thing. Just click the link, sit back, and relax. It is hoped that we can maintain this until more normal routines prevail. Comments, questions, or suggestions contact cleedavis3@gmail.com
Use this link to join us: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/338453644
Lent is still on! Get your Healthy Lent report card

Click here to download a Healthy Lent Report Card you can use to turn in your Healthy Lent steps. To turn in your steps please email Lee Davis at cleedavis3@gmail.com
Parish Day School closes, maintaining connections with students and families online

Our hearts are heavy and sad as we inform you that Parish Day School will be closed through the rest of our preschool year (through May 22). Even though we will not be meeting at school and in person we know that keeping these preschool connections are important to our children's development. As we move forward, we are excited to continue connecting with children and families through Bloomz, email and virtual connections. 

While we are not collecting tuition payments, our teachers and resource staff will be providing online resources and connections through virtual communications. It is our hope that families will fully take advantage of these resources and opportunities with their class/teacher to keep a sense of normalcy and emotional stability for children. 

We are making future "virtual plans" for our CHKD Trike-a-Thon, Spirit Days and our Pre-K Fours Evening Prayer Service. Look for more information to come as we get closer to these dates. 

We will notify families to pick up classroom items, medications, extra clothes and return any library books once approved to re-open. 

We are hopeful to open Camp Turtle Trap starting Session 2. Chris Crocker, Camp Turtle Trap Director, will be sending out information to all registered families once we have updated information. 

We certainly didn't imagine ending our preschool year this way and will continue to lift our children and families in prayer as we navigate these uncertain times. We know that keeping in touch with classes and teachers will bring you joy and peace throughout the closure. Please give your children extra hugs from us as we miss them terribly. Together we will get through this and are looking forward to summer!

 Blessings,
 Kristen and Jeanie
Be a part of the Foodbank's COVID-19 response

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore needs your help more than ever. Please think about making a donation their COVID-19 Response page. The Foodbank will use your donations to deliver targeted support to the neediest of our neighbors. Donating is an easy and effective way to support the Foodbank from the convenience of your home. Donate here.
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