Common Ground: New Pathways

The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector

Along with a late afternoon congregation of a couple of dozen canines (and one nonplussed feline) this past Sunday, we honored the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi by blessing our pets and ESC’s new labyrinth. The litany recited by humans in attendance included the following refrain:  “Bless this labyrinth and all who walk it.” This particular litany is derived from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, OH and the Weber Center in Adrian, MI.

 

Spoken verses in between the refrain emphasize the essential nature of our labyrinth as “a winding path that leads to a central space and then out again by the same path; a wondrous pathway that may become a mirror for our own lives and a metaphor for our spiritual journey; a circle and spiral, each a powerful and ancient symbol of unity, wholeness and transformation; a spiritual discipline of setting one foot in front of the other and following a path; a calling forth of our intuitive symbolic mind and creative, meandering spirit.”

 

As a child in western Kansas, I recall occasions when farmers at harvest time would create a living maze amid the combine-stripped fields of wheat, corn or maize. Exploring those confounding routes was great fun. A maze is often designed with a variety of entrances and exits and includes intentional dead ends. A labyrinth, on the other hand, features a single path leading to the center and then back out again. Most of us know what it feels like to experience both over the course of our spiritual lives. Sometimes we traverse spiritual terrain that seems inherently confusing or misdirecting. At other times, we benefit from an intentional and contemplative segment along the way. The important thing to remember is how healthy it is for us to keep moving, keep forging our way ahead, even when progress seems elusive.

 

In our upcoming Gospel reading from Luke 17 this Sunday, Jesus issues a directive to a grateful Samaritan (foreigner) leper: “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you whole.” We, too, are well-advised to appreciate the centrality of moving steadily along a path, even when the going seems slow and especially during those times when the end is not in sight. Forward motion and presence of mind are better companions than we may realize.

A new ministry in partnership with Seton House Youth Shelter

Eastern Shore Chapel has started a new ministry in partnership with Seton House Youth Shelter that we are calling "Foodie Fridays". Seton House is located in Virginia Beach, and their mission is to “provide a safe haven, counseling and outreach services, 24 hours per day without charge, to assist youth in crisis throughout Hampton Roads, with the goal of reuniting families.” Seton House provides temporary shelter to as many as 20 children at a time who are ages 13 to 17. 

We at Eastern Shore Chapel have committed to bring a joyful party to Seton House once a month, on a Friday, to spread joy and build community within the shelter. We choose a theme, decorate a party room, cook and serve a festive dinner, and give each of the kids goodie bags. We have been doing this for a few months and have found that the event has been a wonderful experience for the kids, the staff, and our own volunteers. 

If you enjoy throwing parties for children, we’d love your help. You can help plan, decorate, cook, clean-up, or just pass along ideas. The event itself usually runs for about 3 hours, but you're welcome to join for only a portion of it. And while some of the work involves cooking and cleaning, we are also blessed by folks who want to sit and talk with the children or staff. Therefore, please don't let any physical limitations hinder you from being interested. We would love to hear from you. If you are interested please reach out to Allison Johnson at 410-596-0143 or  [email protected]

Fall Fridays on the Patio welcomes Conor Alexander

Join us for our next Fall Fridays on the Patio at the Chapel Pantry this Friday, Oct. 11, 7 to 9 pm when we welcome Conor Alexander as our musical guest.

The Rev. Conor Alexander is a priest, family man, and music lover. He started playing guitar seriously at age 13 and has been writing and performing ever since, most recently with the band Almost Local. He appreciates the kind of music where the sacred and the ordinary bump into each other – often speaking to the deepest longings of the heart. In his priestly ministry he is the rector of St. Francis Church here in Virginia Beach. At home he shares his life with his wonderful wife the Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander, 3-year old son and percussionist extraordinaire Joshua Alexander, and the family dog Chance.

Join us as we gather around the fire pit for music, conversation, cider, popcorn and light snacks. Tours of the Chapel Pantry will be available. There is no admission fee, but we hope you’ll bring a box or two of cereal for the Pantry and a tip for the performer.

Thank You!

THANK YOU, Galilee! The Chapel Pantry received a HUGE donation of food this week from Galilee Episcopal Church's recent food drive.

October Youth Service Sunday: Sock drive

Please support the October Youth Service Sunday! We are collecting NEW SOCKS through October, which will be donated to our homeless neighbors during the Winter Shelter week in November. There will be a collection box in the narthex. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

This month's Historical Tour focuses on music

Join us for this month's Historical Tour of Eastern Shore Chapel on Sunday, Oct. 13, immediately following the 10:15 am service. For the first time, this month's feature will be music. Please join us in an overview of the history of music in the Episcopal Church. The highlight will be Dr. Martin Sunderland giving us the insider's tour of the organ loft. The tour begins in the narthex immediately following the 10:15 service.

October is all about kindness at Parish Day School

In our classrooms for the month of October, our students are focusing on Kindness. This is the fruit of the spirit that is taught in chapel this month. We love how our teachers keep the kindness continuing through our day in our circle time, in our centers and out of the playground. We will be teaching the students a Kindness pledge that will help remind them how to be kind at school and at home. It is so much fun to be a preschooler!

PDS Fall Festival & Spirit Night

Join us on Sunday, October 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. Proceeds from the restaurant will go to Parish Day School. Hope to see you there!

Parish Book Store has resources to help you better understand the Bible

If the Bible is not a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? How can we better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read? The Parish Book Store has resources for you as you search for the answers, beginning with Rachel Held Evans’ book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again. Evans tackles these questions, discovering that the Bible is not a static work, “but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemptive work in the world.” Come see what other titles we have to guide you through your quest.

Holy Smokin' BBQ & Oysters

Saturday, October 19, 4 to 8 p.m.

If fall is in the air, so, too, is the aroma of pulled pork, oysters and other great eats. This year’s celebration of parish life will feature original music by country & Americana artist Radney Foster, one of Nashville’s most successful and respected authors, singer-songwriters and record producers. Radney is a cradle Episcopalian and will be staying over to join us for the Sermon in Words & Music during our special combined worship service and Stewardship Ingathering (also in the tent) at 9:30 AM on Sunday, October 20.

Get your tickets now and join us on Saturday, October 19, 4 to 8 PM. This will be a great evening out for the whole family, including the kids - there will be a bounce house, face painting, games, and a kid's menu. Tickets are on sale now - $15, children under 6 free. Your ticket gets you concert admission, plus one plate of BBQ, with two sides, dessert, and ice tea, soda or lemonade (adult beverages and oysters sold separately).

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 for October

Adult Forum

Sunday School

Upcoming at ESC

For the full calendar of events, visit our website .

Care of Creation meeting - Oct. 9, 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. There will be a care of creation committee meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the parish hall after the dinner and when the choir leaves for practice, approximately 7 pm

Fall Fridays on the Patio at the Chapel Pantry - Oct. 11, 7 to 9 pm. Gather around the fire pit for four relaxed Friday evenings of live music and conversation on the patio at the Chapel Pantry. Cider, popcorn and light snacks provided. Tours of the Chapel Pantry will be available. There is no admission fee, but we hope you’ll bring a box or two of cereal for the Pantry and a tip for the performer. Mark your calendar for upcoming Fall Fridays—November 1, and November 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. A different musical artist will perform each evening. Join us!

Historical Tour of Eastern Shore Chapel - Oct. 13, immediately following the 10:15 am service. For the first time, this month's feature will be music. Please join us in an overview of the history of music in the Episcopal Church. The highlight will be Dr. Martin Sunderland giving us the insider's tour of the organ loft. The tour begins in the narthex immediately following the 10:15 service.

Holy Smokin' BBQ & Oysters - Oct. 19, 4 to 8 pm. If Fall is in the air, so, too, is the aroma of pulled pork, oysters and other great eats. This year’s celebration of parish life will feature original music by country & Americana artist Radney Foster, one of Nashville’s most successful and respected authors, singer-songwriters and record producers. Radney is a cradle Episcopalian and will be staying over to join us for the Sermon in Words & Music during our special combined worship service and Stewardship Ingathering (also in the tent) at 9:30 AM on Sunday, October 20. Tickets to the Saturday event are $15 per person, kids under 6 free, and on sale now.

KAIROS Cookies Due - Oct. 20. It’s that time again! For KAIROS 17 we have five men from ESC going in (Bob Balcom, Craig Fenton, Roger Weeden, Harold Williams and Lee Davis). We will need 500 dozen homemade cookies. Our goal this year is to have all 500 dozen prepared by you, the Body of Christ that is Eastern Shore Chapel. No big cookie day in the church kitchen as in the past. Ziploc bags can be found in the narthex; each with the new recipe sheet enclosed with four additional bags (one dozen cookies per bag). The cookies can be easily frozen so you can start baking as soon as you want. Please bring your prayed over cookies to church on Sunday, October 20.

Vestry Meeting - Oct. 22, 6 p.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!

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].

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