2026 05

In the Beginning

Brian Whelan, 2003

Seventh Sunday of Easter

17 May 2026

Tomorrow is Ascension Day. After Jesus is carried up into heaven, the disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy. Not relief or with answers. Not certainty about what comes next. They have just watched their teacher disappear into the sky with no road map for what follows, and yet Luke tells us they were filled with great joy and were continually in the temple blessing God. I find that almost scandalous. And I find it exactly what we need to hear right now.


I want to name something honestly because you deserve transparency from your rector. We are seeing fewer people on Sunday mornings, and that affects our life together in real ways, from the energy in the room to the resources that fund our ministry. It is part of why I wrote the longer letter last week. I am not sounding an alarm. However, I am asking us, together, to pay attention and to dig deep, trusting that the One who sent us has not abandoned what he started here at Old Donation.


If you are looking for a place to begin, join us tomorrow at our Ascension Day service, Thursday 14 May 7:00pm. It is an intimate, often overlooked feast, and a beautiful place to show up for one another. Come as you are, and bring someone with you tomorrow and hopefully on Sunday too. The disciples returned with great joy not because everything was figured out, but because they learned they did not have to figure it out alone. Neither do we.


Nelson+

Daily

Thursday

10:00am Holy Eucharist with healing prayers

11:00am Bible Study - Canterbury

Bell Ringer Input

We need information of what the commissions are doing for June and July. Please submit your unformatted information to Gretchen now.

VB Chorale

THIS Saturday, 16 May 7:00pm, Sandler Center

Our own Janet and Jane Castro are members of the Chorale. Contact Janet to purchase tickets for this fine event.


Contact Janet

Worship
Easter Worship Slides 2024.png

Ushers Unite!

Be the first smile people see and the reason they feel at home. As an usher, it's not just about bulletins—you set the tone for every service, and help create a warm, welcoming space for all. Step into a role that makes a real difference each week. Join the usher team—you belong here.


Already trained and ready to usher? Sign up HERE.

Sunday Adult Formation

A look back at the 2024 report from the Reckoning with our History Task Force: What were the recommendations? What have we accomplished? Where do we go from here? With Dan Ries

Coming Soon...

Midday Munchers

Thursday 21 May, 12:30pm at Jade Villa Chinese Restaurant

Questions? Contact Gary Kline! 757-460-3233

Tidewater Ultreya

Friday, 22 May, 7:00pm - Great Hall

Bring a snack to share if you like, but never required. Join fellow Cursillistas for Fellowship, Worship, Singing and a Witness

On Pentecost we read the Gospel simultaneously in many different languages. Which foreign language can you read aloud? Click below for the language translation you desire. This is one of the highlights of our church year - not to be missed! Please be part of this special tradition for 10:30am next Sunday, 24 May.

Arabic

French

German

Greek

Hawai'ian

Hebrew

Hindi

Hungarian

Italian

Latin

Norwegian

Polish

Portuguese

Russian

Slovak

Spanish

Swedish

Tagalog

Urdu

Outreach in Action!

Click the graphic to participate.

Charity Event for St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children

Saturday, 16 May Bayside Presbyterian. Stop by if you're looking for treasures, while supporting a worthy cause. Questions? Contact Janette Crumley.

Graduates

Help! We want to know who is graduating this spring! Please email the office with the graduate's name & school (HS & College!).

Altar Flower Dedications

Would you like to dedicate flowers in loving memory of or thanksgiving for someone dear to you? Email Janet, and we will let the Flower Guild know. The dedication is included in the Sunday bulletin. The cost is $75.

REALM!

All active members have received an email to REALM, our new platform for parishioners. The email address from which it came is : and will look like the graphic below.



You will need to download the app and choose your preferences of what to show to others. At that point, you will be part of the directory. Exciting, but there are growing pains. Please be patient!

Click below to download the app to your phone:

Director of Administration: Gretchen Hood

Rector: The Rev. Nelson Mendoza

Parish Secretary: Janet Castro

Youth & Family Minister: Bethanny Sammons

Flickr Photos
Check out our Flickr page to see thousands of photos of happenings here at ODEC. You might even see yourself!

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57418

4449 N. Witchduck Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455

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