An Evening with Ashley Cleveland on December 14

Join us for a very special Evening with Ashley Cleveland on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Singer-songwriter Ashley Cleveland is the first woman and only artist to win three Grammy Awards for Best Rock Gospel. In addition, Cleveland has won two Dove Awards for outstanding performances in Contemporary Christian and garnered numerous other nominations. She is the author of a candid memoir entitled Little Black Sheep and the subject of an inspiring 2018 documentary film, Who's The Girl? Ashley Cleveland's personal and professional journey is inseparable from her struggle with alcoholism and addiction and from her commitment to the Recovery process.

At this event Ashley will introduce a private viewing of the documentary Who's The Girl? and discuss the film's making. Following the viewing, Ashley will perform a short set of songs in concert and lead a Q & A discussion about her Recovery experience as a woman, musician and person of faith. Admission is free but RSVP by calling the parish office, 757-428-6763.

Ashley will also be signing and selling copies of her memoir, Little Black Sheep, at the Parish Book Store following the 10:15 am service on Sunday, December 15.

ESC welcomed over 200 guests for Winter Shelter

By Scott Darnell

This years Winter Shelter at ESC was a success as we welcomed over 200 guests to spend the night over four evenings.  Four breakfasts and four dinners were cooked served by wonderful volunteers. The guests particularly liked the placemats lovingly decorated by the ESC and Parish Day School youth. Thanks to the generosity of the members of ESC and the families at Parish Day School, hundreds of socks, gloves, hats and other articles of clothing were distributed to those in need and were greatly appreciated. 

Winter Shelter was a perfect outreach to take on heading into the Thanksgiving holiday. It was truly a group effort. I would like to thank out partners, Galilee Episcopal Church and All Saints Episcopal Church, for being a part of this joint effort. Galilee provided and served two of the eight meals and the All Saints youth teamed up with the ESC youth to handle a meal.  This was a good example of how much we as the Episcopal Church can accomplish when we work together.

Thank you to the Altar Guild, Friday Men's Breakfast and the Kier/Darnell/Remick-Gentry/Shirley families for the meals they provided. Thank you to our wonderful sextons for the extra hours put in and the love for the shelter program they obviously have. Thank you to 99 for the 1 for providing the showers. Thank you to Roger Weeden and Mel Runzo for staying over night and watching over the facilities. Thank you to Marty Thumel, Hank Marriott and Brook Kirby for their dedication and help at 4:30 am with the breakfasts in the morning. 

We will be doing Shelter next year-- so there will be lots of opportunities to assist.

Fall Grounds Cleanup & Lynnhaven River NOW this Saturday

This year's annual Fall Grounds Cleanup will once again include a waterways cleanup with Lynnhaven River NOW. We will meet in front of the Parish Hall at 8:00 am on Saturday, December 7. The Care of Creation Team will lead those volunteers who wish to participate in the waterway cleanup while Buildings & Grounds will lead the grounds cleanup. We will have a limited number of rakes, shovels, leaf blowers, etc so if you have your own garden tools, please bring them. Coffee, tea and doughnuts will give us energy to start the day and pizza will be provided for lunch at the end of our cleanup. We plan to be done around midday.  

You're invited! Carrollyn & Les Cox host Supper Group Dec. 17

Supper groups have a long history at Eastern Shore Chapel, starting before 1972 when Les and I brought our children and ourselves to ESC! There were two groups at that time, the Third Tuesday being one of them. Although many of the same people come to almost every dinner, the invitation is open to all members of the church As a young couple with 4 children, Les and I enjoyed this special evening out. Good people, lots of good talk and great food, meeting at least one new individual each time, and all for the price of a covered dish and a baby sitter. 

 

As our “usuals” age and move to senior residences, we have fewer persons capable of hosting the group. Sometimes we eat on fine china, sometimes on paper plates. We drink wine and water and soft drinks, sometimes holding our plates on our laps and sometimes gathered around a group of small tables scattered throughout the house. Sometimes we spread out onto a porch or the back yard (not this time!) The dishes are varied and I can only remember one time in the last 40 some years that every other dish was a broccoli casserole!

 

Please join us on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 pm. There’s always a seat for everyone and the door is open! 600 Queensgrove Crescent, Virginia Beach. (Carrollyn 285-6607; Les 285-6611) 

Register now for Ireland & Scotland pilgrimage

Join Rev. Julia on an Adult Pilgrimage of Social Justice through Ireland and Scotland June 25 through July 7, 2020. More information is available in the narthex and parish office. The first deposit is due January 1, 2020 to reserve your spot. Questions? Contact Rev. Julia.

KAIROS Prison Ministry: You can do it!

By Lee Davis

“Prison Ministry – are you kidding me? I couldn’t do that!”

That’s a response we hear often in our recruiting efforts for Kairos. “No way – I’m glad you do it but I never could.” That, I fear, is a very common misconception. You don’t have to be a bible scholar or a pious mystic to visit Gods forgotten incarcerated children. You don’t have to be a squeaky-clean, goody two shoes to sit and listen to the prisoner. You don’t have to be holier-than-thou to love the prisoner, only able to see that you too have fallen short.

In Kairos, our motto is simply “Listen, listen, love, love”. To do what Jesus called us to do in Matthew 25:31-45 all you need to know is that God created you – and them - in His image, He loves you – and He love them - and He forgives you and them – and yes, even you. And once you know that, really know that in your heart, you can’t wait to share it.

Prison is a great place to start.

There are lots of ways to be involved. We have a team forming now for our spring trip inside. See any member of our prison ministry team for information on how you may be able to serve.

Parish Day School at the Chapel Pantry

During the month of November, our students and teachers learned about kindness and how to share with others. Putting this fruit of the spirit into action, each classroom participated in a food collection for the Parish Pantry. The classes took a field trip to the Chapel Pantry and were able to drop off food before Thanksgiving to provide for families in need. It is through these conversations and building our students awareness of other in need that we are able to model the way with the importance of sharing and helping those around us. We are hopeful this will continue for our families all year long.

 

Discovery Toys Fundraiser

This week Parish Day School is partnering with Discovery Toys for a school wide fundraiser. We have sample items set up in the hallway. If you are interested in ordering online, log on here and Parish Day School will get credit for your order. Be sure to get your order in by December 13. For more information please contact Jayne Sullivan at 757-716-3170.

 

Christmas Concerts

Our annual Christmas Concerts will be held in the sanctuary on December 11 and December 12. All are welcome to attend. Concerts start at 9:30 am. We hope to see you there!

Parish Book Store: Over 100 books donated to Mission of the Holy Spirit!

Thanks to your generosity, the Parish Book Store book drive for the children of the Mission of the Holy Spirit was a huge success! Over 100 books were sold and will be distributed at the Mission. Thank you!

Get your Advent supplies at PBS!

Your Advent supplies are available at the Parish Book Store! Wreaths, candles, calendars (some with chocolate) and books to guide you through the season. We are open on Saturdays for your convenience, so come see what other items we have.

Pray for Our Military

The life of a drill instructor is demanding. It is their duty to instruct and instill discipline to their recruits. Each day is mentally, physically and emotionally taxing. PRAY for drill instructors to be empowered by the Holy Spirit; for encouragement and motivation as they train their recruits; for protection over their marriages and families, and that they will enjoy the fruit of their labor through the development of their recruits

Prayers & Prayer Cards for deployed military

If you would like a prayer card sent to your deployed service member please contact Bill Hunter at [email protected] or 757-402-6384. I would also be happy to place the service member on the prayer list at church for inclusion in the weekly Prayers of the People.

Bill Hunter, ESC Military Liaison

Wednesday Dinner menus

Made with love and from scratch, join us for Wednesday Dinner 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday in the parish hall. You’ll enjoy an entrée, sides, soup, salad, bread, and fruit, all for only $6.00, or $3 for children. No reservations needed.

Christian Formation Schedule

Adult Forum

Sunday School

Join the cast of the Christmas Eve Pageant!

Attention all Angels, Shepherds, Sheep and Readers! We would LOVE to have you in the  4 pm  Christmas Eve Pageant! If you are interested, please email Molly Vaughn at  [email protected] . Entire Cast practice will be  December 22nd at 9:15  in the Church.

Upcoming at ESC

For the full calendar of events, visit our website .

Peanut Group - Meets every Monday at 8 a.m. in the Parish Hall



Centering Prayer - Thursdays, 5 to 6 p.m., beginning Dec. 5. A new Centering Prayer Group is forming. It will be an ongoing weekly meeting to practice and learn about centering prayer. The Rev. Gwynn Mudd will serve as clergy advisor to the group. Please join us! We'll begin with some of the teachings of Thomas Keating, Fr. Richard Rohr, and the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. These three use the ancient writing s of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux, who wrote of the “prayer of quiet,” and “prayer of the heart,” along with the anonymous 14th century author of The Cloud of Unknowing. We'll follow with a 20-minute period of quiet before closing with brief comments and prayer. All are welco me. Please contact Christina Wyman at [email protected] if you need further information.

Parish Book Store Christmas Book Drive - Going on now through Dec. 5. Once again The Parish Book Store is sponsoring a Christmas Book Drive for the children at Mission of the Holy Spirit in Norfolk. We have had the great pleasure to send over 100 age-related books to the Mission each December thanks to this parish and the community at large. Come by the Parish Book Store and purchase a book or two and match it with a gingerbread Christmas ornament that is age and gender appropriate. We encourage you to be a part of this outreach as many of the children receive very little this time of the year. The drive ends December 5.

Fall Grounds Cleanup & Lynnhaven River NOW - Dec. 7, 8 a.m. This year's annual Fall Grounds Cleanup will once again include a waterways cleanup with Lynnhaven River NOW. We will meet in front of the Parish Hall at 8:00 AM on Saturday, December 7. The Care of Creation Team will lead those volunteers who wish to participate in the waterway cleanup while Buildings & Grounds will lead the grounds cleanup. We will have a limited number of rakes, shovels, leaf blowers, etc so if you have your own garden tools, please bring them. Coffee, tea and doughnuts will give us energy to start the day and pizza will be provided for lunch at the end of our cleanup. We plan to be done around midday.

An Evening with Ashley Cleveland - Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Singer-songwriter Ashley Cleveland is the first woman and only artist to win three Grammy Awards for Best Rock Gospel. In addition, Cleveland has won two Dove Awards for outstanding performances in Contemporary Christian and garnered numerous other nominations. She is the author of a candid memoir entitled Little Black Sheep and the subject of an inspiring 2018 documentary film, Who's The Girl? Ashley Cleveland's personal and professional journey is inseparable from her struggle with alcoholism and addiction and from her commitment to the Recovery process. At this event, co-sponsored by the diocesan Addictions & Recovery Commission, Ashley will introduce a private viewing of the documentary Who's The Girl? and discuss the film's making. Following the viewing, Ashley will perform a short set of songs in concert and lead a Q & A discussion about her Recovery experience as a woman, musician and person of faith. Admission is free but RSVP by calling the parish office, 757-428-6763.

 

Advent Lessons and Carols Service - Dec.15, 5:00 PM. Featuring The Reading of Advent Lessons and Singing of Anthems, Hymns, and Solos by The Choirs, Soloists, and Readers of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church.

Third Tuesday Supper Group - Dec. 17, 6:30 PM. Hosted by Carrollyn & Les Cox. There’s always a seat for everyone and the door is open! 600 Queensgrove Crescent, Virginia Beach. (Carrollyn 285-6607; Les 285-6611)

 

Seasonal Music for Harp and Flute - Dec.19, 7:00 PM. Featuring Barbara Chapman, Harp, and Debra Wendells Cross, Flute.

 

American Red Cross Blood Drive - Dec. 19, 2 to 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Advent Music and More - Dec. 22, 5:00 PM. Featuring Martin, Holly, Larry, Melissa Sunderland Jones, Thomas, Lauren, and Stephen Sunderland.

Adult Pilgrimage to Ireland & Scotland - Join Rev. Julia on an Adult Pilgrimage of Social Justice through Ireland and Scotland June 25 through July 7, 2020. More information is available in the narthex and parish office. The first deposit is due January 1, 2020 to reserve your spot. Questions? Contact Rev. Julia.

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 4 pm.