Re-imagining a Return to Group Worship

by The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector

 

With yesterday’s announcement that Bishop Susan Haynes will begin authorizing Episcopal churches in Southern Virginia to re-gather, parish leaders are now tasked with crafting and submitting written plans detailing what the process will look like on a parish-by-parish basis across our diocese. At Eastern Shore Chapel, vestry persons are presently spending time in individual discernment with the 11-page guidelines previously issued by diocesan authorities. On Tuesday, June 23, the vestry will meet via Zoom video conference for its initial foray into group discernment about ESC’s plan for re-gathering. Please know that the rector of this parish is committed to a very gradual, intentional and incremental approach to reconvening group worship. I believe it is in our best interest to err on the side of caution. This is especially true, given the composition of our parish and the uncertainty that remains with respect to the status of the Covid-19 virus in Virginia Beach.

Bishop Haynes’ announcement reminds us that “ re-gathering for worship is dependent on the clergy’s and vestry’s readiness to proceed with worship. Episcopalians in Southern Virginia are also advised to attend worship only if they feel they can do so safely.” At ESC, the detailed plan for re-gathering will reflect the combined efforts of clergy and vestry with input from an advisory group appointed by the rector. Together, we are moving thoughtfully toward a new understanding of corporate worship. In the meantime, our online worship services will continue to be recorded and uploaded to YouTube and distributed parish wide via email.

Are you familiar with the term ‘social media envy’? Rhett Power, writing in Inc. magazine, says “Social media envy happens when a person becomes envious of the lifestyle or aspects of someone else’s life as seen through the eyes of social media.” People get depressed or dissatisfied when they think someone else’s life is more interesting or glamorous or fulfilling, as presented on Facebook or Instagram or other social media platforms. I hope we’ll not experience the church equivalent of social media envy; becoming negatively affected by an infatuation with the re-gathering plans of another parish. At ESC, we are called to safeguard the health and welfare of everyone in this specific parish flock. In so doing, the comfort and convenience of some will no doubt be encroached upon. Patience may be at a premium. Nevertheless, we’ll get to the other side of this challenge.

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18 & Luke 15), Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his remaining flock of 99 sheep in order to find and rescue one who is missing. As we prepare to construct a pathway to safe collective worship on Laskin Road, we are no less dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our entire congregation. Please pray for our best way forward. Please give thanks in advance for the privilege of worshipping together in physical proximity, eventually to be ours once again.

The Chapel Pantry served 2,266 households in just 10 weeks!

 

In 10 weeks of Saturday food distributions, the Chapel Pantry has served 2,266 households! We are averaging 227 households per week. Everyone has been deeply grateful for the abundant food. Two volunteers, Police Chaplain Debbie Quam and Deacon Marguerite Alley visit with guests in the car line each week. They have fostered relationships and community with our guests and they help them feel at ease during the wait.

 

HD Oliver Funeral Home has been very gracious in allowing us to use their parking lot which connects to the ESC lot. Many weeks we will have 130 cars in line at one time, so their parking lot has been invaluable for us!

 

On a typical Saturday every household will receive: one large bag of non-perishable food, milk or juice, eggs, frozen meat, a bag of miscellaneous perishable food (yogurt, cheese, salads, sandwiches, cut fruit, etc.), a bag of fruit, a large bag of vegetables, a bag of onions, a five pound bag of potatoes, and a bag of bread and sweets. All of this is put in car trunks by volunteers using physical distancing, and wearing masks and gloves.

 

The food comes from various sources, including:

 

We have been blessed with abundant volunteers from everywhere! Galilee, ESC and many friends of our regular volunteers have come to help. A typical Saturday needs at least 20 volunteers to work the shift. We also need many hands on Thursdays and Fridays to bag food. It has been the most marvelous team effort; a true ministry in every way imaginable.

 

Our current needs:

 

Volunteers are needed on Thursdays from 11 AM to 3 PM and Fridays from 2 to 5 PM to pack fruit, vegetable and bread bags. Contact Kay O’Reilly at [email protected].

 

Thank you!

Saints and Themes: Saints and their angels

Join Rev. Julia for this week's Saints & Themes tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) at 10 AM when we take a look at saints and their angels.

We will record the session and post it to YouTube and Facebook later. Join us live so you can ask questions and share your thoughts.

Click here to join us OR go to www.zoom.us and enter Meeting ID: 820 1112 3045 and password: Saints

Music for the Third Sunday After Pentecost

By Martin Sunderland, Organist & Choir Master

One of my favorite hymns is Hymn # 661, “ They cast their nets in Galilee .” The text is simple but in stanza 4 we hear a striking realization of “the peace of God.” This Sunday, we will sing this hymn at the offertory before the communion.

They cast their nets in Galilee

Just off the hills of brown;

Such happy, simple fisher-folk,

Before the Lord came down.

Contented, peaceful fishermen,

Before they ever knew

The peace of God that filled their hearts

Brimful, and broke them too.

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,

Homeless, in Patmos died.

Peter, who hauled the teeming net,

Head down was crucified.

The peace of God, it is no peace,

But strife closed in the sod.

Yet, brothers, pray for but one thing--

The marvelous peace of God.

For an anthem this Sunday, I highlight “ O Vos Omnes ” by composer and cellist Pablo Casals.   The anthem is sung by Gondwana Chorale, an Australian choir consisting of singers from around the country aged 17 to 25. This piece is conducted by Paul Holley. See and listen to the intensity of the music and singers. The text for this composition is:



O all you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see:

if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.

Pay attention, all people, and look at my sorrow:

if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.

Also, listen to the organ voluntary titled “ We all believe in One God ” by J. S. Bach. This composition is based on a Martin Luther chorale tune utilizing the text of the creed.

The EYC enjoyed catching up and enjoying playing games this past Sunday! EYC (grades 6-12) continues to meet via Zoom at 1pm on Sundays. Younger students are mailed coloring sheets to go with one of the lectionary readings. Please email Molly Vaughn, [email protected], if you are interested in receiving a weekly sheet or if your child is interested in joining the EYC Zoom.

Camp Turtle Trap's virtual camp has launched!

Camp Turtle Trap launched v irtual camp on Monday, June 15. Campers are spending the week exploring the United States of America—starting off with a plane ride to California. The first activities were to create an American Flag, create a family flag, and begin assignments in campers Travel Journals. Supply packets for our camp were picked up (or mailed) to families last week. Our camp counselors were featured in several videos that kicked off the fun! We love that we are able to continue camp with Travel the World: Stay At Home. We also love seeing these smiling faces!!

Our traditional Camp Turtle Trap tee-shirts will go on sale this week along with our Camp Turtle Trap plates. If you are interested in purchasing either of these, or sponsoring/registering a child to attend our Virtual camp, please contact   Camp Turtle Trap Director, Chris Crocker at [email protected] . For more information about Camp Turtle Trap log into our website at  www.parishdayschool.org/camp-turtle-trap .

Thank you to our Parish Day School and Eastern Shore Chapel families for continuing the summer fun this year. This year we celebrate our 36th summer of Camp Turtle Trap!

Vacation plans foiled by COVID-19?

Chanco has the answer for you!

Chanco is now open for families! Join us at Chanco for a waterfront respite with your household. Contact our Administrative Coordinator Marjorie to reserve your family camping experience: (888) 724-2626 or [email protected]. Visit www.chanco.org for a family camping reservation request form and for more details about family camping at Chanco this summer!

Join us on ZOOM for daily Morning Prayer

Join us for Daily Morning Prayer, the first of the daily offices each day (except Sunday). Everything you need is provided, simply join us on ZOOM each morning at 7:30 AM. It takes about thirty minutes and is a very good way indeed to start the day. Go to zoom.us . Meeting ID:  562 715 368. Password:  John1513. Questions? Contact Lee Davis  [email protected].

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.