Worship, Outreach and Fellowship

Dear friends,

A number of weeks ago, St. Andrew’s own Courtney Robinson Hastings posted on social media about a new practice she and her husband Todd have been following: getting up very early in the morning in order to attend to important but often neglected practices like exercise, prayer, or learning a new skill. Inspired by the Hastings, I too have started arising earlier in the morning.

Suddenly having “extra” time has been a blessing. I have begun working with a book that’s been on my shelf for nearly 30 years: The Artist’s Way, described on its cover as “a course in discovering and recovering your creative self.” The author, Julia Cameron, insists that all human beings are creative, and that using our creativity is a gift we give back to God. The two basic tools to develop creativity that she insists on are morning pages (three pages of free-flowing writing to be done first thing in the morning); and a weekly “artist date.” Cameron explains that the artist date is for our inner artist, the child within us who wants to create. Artist dates are to be done alone, with the sole focus on letting the child within explore and play—by taking a leisurely walk through a garden; exploring a museum; finger painting; or anything else that allows for creativity and enjoyment.

It has been fascinating—and helpful!—for me to be introduced to artist dates in the midst of this pandemic. I started the book only a few weeks ago, so thus far I’ve only had two artist dates. Both of them involved reclining on our living room couch for an hour or more, Diet Coke in hand, poring over a book of Biblical art through the ages, a volume John and I recently received from a favorite relative. I am 54, and I have never before in my life made time simply to sit with a book of artwork and enjoy its contents. I liked it. We have a number of other art books in our condo, and I am looking forward to upcoming artist dates exploring those as well as I wait for cooler weather and lower infection rates before venturing outside home for an artist date.

How is your inner child? What kind of care and attention might that child need right now—especially in the midst of the pandemic? How might you spend some quiet time alone this week, nurturing your creative side and remembering that you yourself are a beloved and creative child of our loving Creator God?

My prayers are with you as you do so. Blessings.  -Anne

THRIVE Peninsula is seeking individuals and groups to help in the next couple weeks with a large scanning project. We are digitizing our entire client library and need volunteers to scan and save files between now and August 18. You can help during the day in 2 or 3 hour shifts between 9am - 5pm or in the evenings. We are also seeking groups of volunteers who could come in on an evening or weekend to help and we can work with your availability. Call Angela for scheduling and more info: 757-877-6211x3.

Mini Delcuze, a former employee of our diocese, whose husband was once a rector in the diocese, is making Episcopal shield masks to not only keep people safe, but to provide food for growing kids in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. CCPKI has been a leader in the Queen Anne’s County Backpack Meals for Kids Initiative providing weekend food for kids at risk of not having enough to eat when school is not in session. With schools being closed due to COVID-19, the program grew from 88 bags of weekend food every Friday to over 300+ bags. During the summer, CCPKI has also added a local migrant program.

Masks are made from 100% cotton fabric with the Episcopal shield. The finished size is 8 inches by 8 inches (expanded). The masks have elastic for easy use; fully cover your nose, mouth, and chin; and have a small pocket for optional nose-wire. The masks are machine washable in warm or cold water, hanging to dry to extend the useful life of the elastic.

For price and delivery information and/or to place an order, go to http://www.ccpki.org/episcopal-shield-mask/.

Many thanks to those who are using our outside mail box to leave your pledge envelopes, memorial gifts, and other means of communication. It is important that you do not put anything on the “top” shelf as that is for outgoing mail only. Please follow the written instructions that have now been placed on various parts of the mail box, especially the one that says “Place Item Here and Close Door.”

Becoming Beloved Community

The Episcopal Church's commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice.

As part of our ongoing conversation about race relations and our response to systemic injustices in our society, last Sunday we began the first of a four-week online forum, Becomg Beloved Community. Please plan on joining us on Zoom this Sunday morning at 9:15 and through the remaining Sundays of August. The link to join will be in the Sunday email.

Do you have a desire to spend a bit of quiet time in the church? We can make that possible. Sign up by contacting Bill Wilds, [email protected], to reserve an hour time slot (you don’t have to remain the whole time). The times are:

Tuesdays 10:00 AM and noon

Wednesdays 1:00 PM

Thursdays 9:00 and 11:00 AM

Come to the Main Street doors and ring for us. We’ll let you in. Put on a face mask, sanitize your hands, and we’ll give you a card. Find a favorite spot to sit in the church, and leave the card where you sat so we will know which pew to sanitize when you depart.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Reservations are required by Sunday, August 16!

RSVP to Mary Gibson Waddill: [email protected] or 870-1182

Menu: Company Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken

Tomato Peach Salad

Muffin

Delicious Dessert

Lunches can be picked up between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19. Drive up to the apron in front of the Parish Hall and we will deliver your lunch(es) to your car. The cost is $5.00 per lunch. Please be ready to hand your check or money to whomever brings your lunch to your car.

Many thanks to those of you who brought in shoes for THRIVE in July. With the help of First Methodist and Hilton Presbyterian, we received over 500 pairs of shoes.

As Anne wrote above, we all need time for artist dates and quiet time for our inner child. Below, are some resources to use when you need time to reflect on things that might be influencing your day to day experiences.

When you are sorrowful - read John 14

When someone fails you - read Psalm 27

When you are worried - read Matthew 6:19-34

When you enter the church - read Psalm 85

When you are in danger - read Psalm 91

When God seems far away - read Psalm 139

When you are discouraged - read Isaiah 40

When doubts overtake you - read John 7:17

When you are lonely or fearful - read Psalm 33

When you forget your blessings - read Psalm 103

When your faith needs stirring - read Hebrews 11

When you feel down and out - read Romans 8:31-39

When you lack courage to proceed - read Joshua 1

When you need Christian assurance - read Romans 8:1-30

When you leave for labor or travel - read Psalm 121

When you feel bitter or critical - read 1 Corinthians 13

When you want to know Jesus’ idea of a Christian - read Matthew 5

A number of years ago we included this “Find the Books of the Bible” within the story. We thought it might be fun at this time to give you another chance to “go looking” for these 29 books of the Bible. Some answers may begin at the end of a line and continue to the next line. An answer key will be provided next week.

Acts Chronicles Daniel Esther Exodus Genesis Hebrews Hosea James Job Joel John Judges Kings Lamentations Luke Malachi Mark Matthew Nahum Numbers Peter Philemon Revelation Romans Ruth Samuel Timothy Titus

There are 29 books of the Bible in this story. Can you find them? This is the most remarkable puzzle story. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends.

One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing the banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving the puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.

Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in the paragraph. During a recent fund-raising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hummana humbly puts it, the books are right there in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find them all will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown.

One revelation that may help is the books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know all the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there are really 29 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

You can reach us by email, even if we are working from home.

Anne: [email protected]

Marc: [email protected]

Rachel: [email protected]

Bill W.: [email protected] 

Call or text Anne directly at 804-687-5396.