January 13, 2019
The Sunday after the Epiphany
Offerings for Children at St. Andrew’s

A new year, 2019, has started, and great things continue to happen at St. Andrew’s for children!

The Church Nursery is open on Sundays starting at 9 a.m. Children aged 3 and under are welcome, and are cared for by an experienced staff. On Sundays during the 10:30 a.m. service, we offer Children’s Chapel, a child-centered experience based on the day’s Scripture lessons that includes music, prayer, activities and snacks. Children leave the main service for Children’s Chapel right after the Gospel is read and return in time for Holy Communion.

In summertime, our community Vacation Bible School (VBS) draws more than 100 children from St. Andrew’s, neighboring churches and the surrounding community for Bible-based learning, music, crafts, games and snacks.

Other special events for children take place throughout the year, including Saturday retreats designed especially for children, with plenty of time for prayer, play, and learning about Jesus.

We love having children in our midst at St. Andrew’s, and we believe that they are signs of the presence of God!
The Rev. Lorna H. Williams
Sunday Morning January 13, 2019

8:00 Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:00 - 11:45 Nursery open

9:15 Adult Forum
Youth Confirmation
9:45 Congregational Development Team meeting

10:30 Holy Eucharist, Rite II and Healing
Children's Chapel

Noon: EYC


Sunday Morning Adult Formation
Good Book Club: Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Sunday mornings at 9:15, January 6 through March 3

Last year, the Good Book Club dove into the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. We began last Sunday to read Paul’s Letter to the Romans. As Paul writes to the new community of Christians in Rome, he explores the concepts of salvation, the power of God, and grace. Many biblical scholars consider Romans to be Paul’s most important theological treatise. 

The Good Book Club has divided Romans into 50 daily readings. Each day, participants are invited to read, reflect, and pray upon a few verses of Romans. During the Sunday morning Adult Forum January 6 through March 3, we’ll take a look at the readings for the week ahead and talk about what Paul’s letter has to say to us today about being a disciple of Christ. You can download the list of daily readings and access lots of helpful resources at www.goodbookclub.org
Our love and sympathy are extended to the family and friends of

Edward Coppedge
brother of our former Sexton, Vernon Coppedge,
who died on December 13

Bob Deans
who died on January 6

Mason Brown
son of Robert "Buster" and Anne Brown
who died on January 7

Linwood Gatlin
brother-in-law of Matthew Williamson
who died January 8

The Rev. Dr. Edward deBary
brother of Rite Rountree
who died January 8  

Let light perpetual shine on them, O Lord.
Purse for Kathy Gray
Don’t forget to make your contribution to our parish gift of thanks to Kathy Gray. Checks should be made out to St. Andrew’s with “Kathy Gray” in the memo line and need to be received by February 1st.
gourmet-forks-plate.jpg
Fellowship Luncheon
The Fellowship Luncheon is Wednesday, January 16 at noon in the Parish Hall. Please call 595-0371 or reply to this email to reserve your spot by Monday, January 14.
Anne away January 12-20
Anne and John will be away January 12 through 20, vacationing with friends in Puerto Vallarta. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel; and know that you will be in theirs.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
The Thursday Morning Bible Study has resumed their weekly study at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Library. Everyone is invited to come whenever possible to their time of fellowship and study.
Women of the Word Bible Study
Women of the Word Bible Study will begin again Wednesday evening January 16 at 6:30 in the library. For our study we will use the Disciple Bible Study Fast Track: Into the Word, and Into the World, Luke and Acts. This series features videos and study guides to enhance our learning experience. Class discussions will be led by Daryl Knudeson who brings a wealth of knowledge and faith experience to share with the WOW ladies. This is a 12-week study and will run through the Spring taking a break for Lent. Participation books are available in the church office. We do have some class preparation which is easy and optional. Please join us.  For more information contact: Peggy Woodall pwoodall1@verizon.net, 757-880-8908, or Gloria Brooks, or Daryl Knudeson.
Coffee Connect for Newcomers on Sunday January 20 after the 10:30 Service
There will be a Coffee Connect for newcomers, visitors, and anyone else to meet with the Congregational Development Team on Sunday, January 20 immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service. Please join us in the Parish Library for 30 minutes to share a cup of coffee and to hear about opportunities in our church. We look forward to getting to know each of our visitors and newcomers and to welcome you into our community of faith.
Blood Drive at St. Andrew's
There will be a Hilton Area Churches Blood Drive, sponsored by our Daughters of the King, on Monday, January 21 from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Parish Discernment Next Steps
Mark your calendars now for our next Parish Discernment meeting:  7 PM, Thursday, January 24 in the Parish Hall. The evening’s activities will include a discussion of what we heard and learned at the November Community Forum and a guided tour of our school facilities so that everyone can see our space. We are once again inviting our neighbors to join us for this important conversation.  

How to prepare for the meeting: Please read the notes from the Community Forum, available on our parish website:  http://www.standrews-episcopal.org. See you on January 24th!
Usher and Greeter Training and Review Saturday, January 26
Current and prospective ushers and greeters: please plan to join us on Saturday morning, January 26, to spend some time with Anne reflecting on the ministries we carry out on Sunday mornings; and also to review the specific tasks of ushers and of greeters to ensure that we are not duplicating each other’s efforts.  
Ushers will meet at 10 AM
Greeters will meet at 10:45 AM
Looking Ahead: Coffee and Conversation Begins Again in February
In late 2017 and early 2018, John and I hosted a series of informal gatherings called Coffee and Conversation at our home. The goal of Coffee and Conversation was and is for us to have an opportunity to get to know every member of St. Andrew's and also to allow each of you to spend time with other parishioners whom you might not yet know. We really enjoyed those gatherings and are planning to resume them beginning in February. We will take a break for Lent and pick up again in late April.

Rachel Roby will be in touch with parish families to invite folks, and we will hold as many gatherings as necessary in order to ensure that everyone receives an invitation. So please be patient.... You may not receive your invitation for several months, but you will hear from us.
 
John and I are looking forward to spending this time with each of you and to welcoming you into our home.           Blessings, Anne+
Budding Young Organists: Colton and Andrew Frey
Did you notice something special at the beginning of Communion on December 30? Colton (age 9) and Andrew (age 7) Frey, sons of Matthew and Jennifer and grandsons of Cathy, played a lovely duet of The Holly and the Ivy on the organ. Listen and watch by clicking on this link:
Lackey Grants Awarded
After a thoughtful process, whereby parishioners nominated charitable organizations for grants from the Carolyn Lackey Trust for Outreach, the following grants, totaling $22,000, were approved by the Steering Committee:

Link of Hampton Roads ($4000), Community Action Network at St. Paul’s ($2800), Menchville House Ministries ($3000), Newsome-Bailey Project ($1800), Holy Cross Education Foundation ($2,200), THRIVE Peninsula ($1,300), Soundscapes ($1200), Kairos of Virginia ($900), Smart Beginnings ($1200), Self-Protection Awareness ($900), Grace Inside ($900), Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings & Provisions, Inc., HELP ($1800)
Marriage Enrichment Workshop
Daryl and Jason Knudeson will be offering a Marriage Enrichment event at St. Andrew’s on Saturday February 2, 2019. It will begin at 10 am and conclude by 2 pm. Come join us as we laugh and learn how to strengthen our marriages. In order to reserve your spot, you must RSVP by January 24 to Rachel Roby. We are requesting a $5 per person donation for those able to pay. Lunch will be provided.
Search for the Eleventh Bishop of Southern Virginia
On February 16, 2018, at diocesan Annual Council, Bishop Hollerith announced that, after 10 years as bishop of Southern Virginia, he would retire effective December 31, 2018. Just a few weeks later, Bishop Todd Ousley, from the Presiding Bishop's Office of Pastoral Development who oversees the transition process for the Episcopal Church, met with the diocesan Standing Committee to outline the search and transition process. 

Until the next bishop of Southern Virginia is consecrated, the Rt. Rev. James B. Magness has accepted a call to serve as our Bishop Diocesan Pro Tempore, and he assumed that role on January 1, 2019. Bishop Jay is well known to most of us, having served in an administrative capacity in our diocese before his election as Suffragan Bishop of the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. Since his retirement from that position, he has served as our Assisting Bishop. 

The Standing Committee will oversee the search and transition process as Southern Virginia elects Bishop Hollerith's successor. In August 2018, the members of a Nomination/Search Committee and a Transition Committee were named. The Nomination/Search Committee interviews and selects candidates to present to Standing Committee for nomination as the next Bishop of Southern Virginia. The Transition Committee's key responsibilities include walkabouts, assisting in the election process, ordination and consecration, and pastoral care of those in the process. 
Prayer for the Search for a New Bishop
Almighty and most gracious God, source of all wisdom and guidance, send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we seek and discern a shepherd for the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Inspire us with hope, hearts to love you and a desire to serve one another. Grant us grace to entrust you with the future of your Church and all things. We ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Thanks to Brad Norris and the choir for the beautiful music during our 100th Anniversary service last week, and Joy Johnson and and her team for the lovely reception!
1993-2018: The Last 25 Years
A committee is hard at work putting together the history and thoughts of our parishioners for the past 25 years. Please don’t miss the opportunity to use this form to: name one or more notable events that happened at St. Andrew’s during the years 1993-2018 and to name one event involving you or your family at the church during the same period. The completed forms should be returned to the History Team box in the church office or to Melissa Sale by February 1, 2019.