Common Grounds: Turning the Pages of Time

By The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector

At the home of my late professor and dear friend, William Epperson, the entryway features a garden statue of a boy reading a book. The silent stone figure is a tangible testament to the centrality of books in his life. For nearly sixty years, Bill Epperson taught American literature, Milton, Shakespeare and a series of wildly popular (among undergraduates) seminars on various authors and works of poetry, fiction and literary criticism at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. In the mid-70s, Bill often taught classes while perched cross-legged on top his desk, with his trademark earth shoes somehow tucked beneath him. From Nathaniel Hawthorne to Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson to William Faulkner, John Cheever to Saul Bellow, the pulse of literary America was vital and resilient in the custody and care of Dr. Epperson.

For many Episcopalians, autumn is marked by the meaningful observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1. A liturgical Feast Day commemorating all the saints of the church, known and unknown, All Saints’ Day gives us the opportunity to reflect upon those who have gone before us in their faith journeys. One of the more sobering mathematical realities in our lives guarantees that as we age, the number of deceased folks who influenced or impacted us is steadily increasing. It is healthy, appropriate and often cathartic to acknowledge the fragility and fluidity of our lives. To do so during All Saints’ can add a dimension of gratitude and awareness of the divine to this process.

At the same time, All Saints’ Day nudges us toward the realization that others will follow us. Our own mortality becomes somehow more evident when viewed as a part of history’s sweep. The inevitability of our predeceasing others (many yet to be born) introduces a bittersweet truth that flavors this season with ambiguity and a tinge of wistfulness. Hebrews 12:1 references all those preceding and following us, with unforgettable imagery. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”  (New Revised Standard Version)

William Epperson died unexpectedly after a brief illness this past May. He entered the hospital just after teaching his last class of the semester and commencing the familiar ritual of grading final exams. When word of his death reached me, I knew I’d lost forever the companionship of one whose love and wisdom had helped form me as a reader, thinker and person of faith.Many of us have suffered the loss of someone special in recent months or years. In some respect or another, their absence from our lives will alter us forever. As we enjoy the beautiful days and crisp, cool evenings of this changing season, may we be ever mindful of our own mortality. May we remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return.

Misa en Espanol for Day of the Dead celebration

Join us for a unique and festive celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Friday, November 1. 

We begin with a Misa en Espanol (Spanish Eucharist for English speakers, with full English translation) at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please bring framed or unframed photos of departed loved ones for display on the altar.

At 6:45 p.m., we'll move outdoors to the Chapel Pantry patio for a concert by Spacebomb/Glassnote recording artist Angelica Garcia. Mexican hot chocolate, pan dulce and other goodies will be served. This event is free and a great night out for the whole family!

Flower Guild demonstration on Nov. 2

Please join the Flower Guild on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. and learn tips on how to arrange altar flowers for Eastern Shore Chapel. We welcome both men and women who see a demonstration and learn more about serving in the Flower Guild. Meet in the Flower Room. We appreciate your interest in continuing this beautiful flower tradition for our church. Please RSVP to: Charlotte Marriott, 757-481-3756 or [email protected] ; or Boyd MacIver, 757-481-9234 or [email protected].

Historical Tour of ESC: The Cemetery

The next Historical Tour of ESC will be Sunday, Nov. 3, and the debut of The Cemetery Tour. Please join us in the narthex, immediately following the 10:15 service for the history of the cemetery, with Mike Brown's interesting collection of images and maps. We will then take a walking tour through the cemetery, highlighting some of the interesting tombstones and the people they memorialize. 

ESC and Christ & St. Luke's choirs combine for Rutter's Requiem

On Sunday, Nov 3, at 5:30 p.m., the Choirs of Christ & St. Luke's and Eastern Shore Chapel, together with chamber orchestra, will present John Rutter's sublime Requiem, his first composition written without being commissioned. Taking his model after Fauré and Duruflé, he has crafted together texts that are comforting and uplifting, like his setting of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd." The performance will be held at Christ and St. Luke's, 560 West Olney Road, Norfolk.

Parish Book Store kicks off Christmas book drive for Mission of the Holy Spirit

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. This is one of our two outreach ministries that the book store organizes. 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.

Parish Day School: Thanks, Mystery Readers!

Parish Day School has been enjoying our Mystery Readers from the Vestry. Thank you, Dan McCready and Joan Berlin, for coming to read to our children. We love having you in our school to see our teachers and students in action.

PDS Fall Festival & Spirit Night is this Sunday!

Join us this Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm for PDS Fall Festival and Spirit Night at New Realm Restaurant and Brewing Company. Come join us for an afternoon of Fall fun with activities for the children and live music. Tickets for the children activities are $10 for one child and $5 for each additional children. PDS is also raffling off gift baskets. Come by the school to purchase raffle tickets if you are interested. Proceeds from the restaurant will go to Parish Day School. Hope to see you there!

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

Last chance for Sock Drive!

There is still time to get your donation of NEW socks turned in and support our Youth Service Sunday Project. This Sunday, Oct. 27, grades 2-12 will be making sock gift bags to give to our Winter Shelter guests next month. There is a collection box in the narthex. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Pray for Our Military

Thank you for praying last month for ministry trip to Paraguay! God did an amazing thing by opening many doors and a military ministry was begun! More than 1,000 in uniform, from cadets to generals, heard the gospel and about 700 put their faith in Jesus! PRAY for the Cru Paraguay staff who are leading the ongoing follow-up and for spiritual multiplication movements among the military in Paraguay. PRAY for these new believers to grow in the knowledge of how to live a life dedicated to the Lord’s service.

For more information, contact ESC's military ministry liaison Bill Hunter, [email protected] .

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

Parish Day School Fall Festival & Spirit Night - Oct. 27, 3:30 to 6:30 pm at New Realm Restaurant and Brewing Company. Come join us for an afternoon of Fall fun with activities for the children and live music. Tickets for the children activities are $10 for one child and $5 for each additional children. Proceeds from the restaurant will go to Parish Day School. Hope to see you there!

Day of the Dead Celebration - Nov. 1. Come out for a unique and festive celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Friday, November 1. We begin with a Misa en Espanol (Spanish Eucharist for English speakers, with full English translation) at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please bring framed or unframed photos of departed loved ones for display on the altar. At 6:45 p.m., we'll move outdoors to the Chapel Pantry patio for a concert by Spacebomb/Glassnote recording artist Angelica Garcia. Mexican hot chocolate, pan dulce and other goodies will be served.

Flower Guild Demonstration - Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m. in the Flower Room. Please join us and learn tips on how to arrange altar flowers for Eastern Shore Chapel. We welcome both men and women who see a demonstration and learn more about serving in the Flower Guild. We appreciate your interest in continuing this beautiful flower tradition for our church. Please RSVP to: Charlotte Marriott, 757-481-3756 or [email protected] ; or Boyd MacIver, 757-481-9234 or [email protected].

Historical Tour of Eastern Shore Chapel - Nov. 3, immediately following the 10:15 am service. This will be the debut of The Cemetery Tour. Please join us in the Narthex, immediately following the 10:15 service for the history of the cemetery, with Mike Brown's interesting collection of images and maps. We will then take a walking tour through the cemetery, highlighting some of the interesting tombstones and the people they memorialize.  

Rutter's Requiem - Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m., at Christ & St. Luke's in Norfolk. The Choirs of Christ & St. Luke's and Eastern Shore Chapel, together with chamber orchestra, will present John Rutter's sublime Requiem, his first composition written without being commissioned. Taking his model after Fauré and Duruflé, he has crafted together texts that are comforting and uplifting, like his setting of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd." The performance will be held at Christ and St. Luke's, 560 West Olney Road, Norfolk.

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.

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.