Worship, Outreach and Fellowship

I have never been a good passenger. As a carsick child, I sat beside Dad in the front seat on long trips while Mom and Clarke were relegated to the back. Once I got my driver’s license, I insisted on being the driver. Partly that’s because driving usually prevents me from feeling motion sick. Partly, to be honest, it’s a control issue. My friend Fran, who has traveled with me for 30 years, recently pointed out to me that in all that time, she has never been the driver. So John Herbst has a lot to put up with when he serves as my chauffeur. We both feel ridiculously proud if we make it all the way from Windward Towers to the church without any driving comments from me.

But several weeks ago, Karen Waddill offered me great advice that has made my passenger days much easier: Look out the side window.

When I focus on the road ahead, I obsess: Does John see that car? Has he clicked the turn signal? Does he know we need to take a right? Why aren’t we in the other lane? But when I look out the side window, I notice the scenery. I see people and signs and buildings that I’ve never noticed before. The view out the side window invites me to wonder, rather than to worry.

When I meet with my spiritual director, he also encourages me to wonder rather than worry; to shift my thinking from the mindset of “I’m so worried about X” to “I wonder what’s going to happen next with X.” Worrying about a situation doesn’t make anything better and often makes us feel worse. Wondering, on the other hand, unclenches our hearts and opens our eyes. Wondering helps us to see God at work.

As we continue to navigate the pandemic and all of the other challenges facing us right now, I invite you to practice turning from worry to wonder. Try looking out the side window. You’ll be surprised at how much better it makes the journey.

Blessings. -Anne

Tuesday, March 2, 7 - 8 PM.

Anne and Marc invite you to join them on Zoom for the next open office hours tonight, March 2 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Open office hours are an informal time to be together for fellowship and conversation. All are welcome.

Zoom link:  http://us02web.zoom.us/86117268779

Meeting ID: 861 1726 8779

Jesus’ resurrection was an extraordinary, singular event, but through a life shaped by the resurrection, we, too, can experience extraordinary resurrection even within the realm of our ordinary lives on earth. This year’s Lenten study, A Resurrection Shaped Life, based on the book by the Rt. Rev. Jake Owensby, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, will be held on Zoom at 7:00 PM on Wednesday nights through March 31.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82083127548

Meeting ID: 820 8312 7548

A member of our healing prayer team will be available at the Main Street door from noon to 1:00 PM this Sunday, March 7 so that parishioners can receive communion and also healing prayer with one trip to the church. Because of the pandemic, the prayer team member will not be using oil for anointing and will maintain social distancing.

The Young Adult Ministry Team is looking for a volunteer this week to pack the CNU care package bags so that we can take them to CNU soon. If you'd be willing to spend an afternoon or morning to pack 28 bags with donated items, please contact Melissa Sale for the list of items to include. 

The Nicolais so appreciate the response of our parish to the request for a 90th birthday card shower for Debi Nicolai’s mom/Lindsey Nicolai’s grandmother “Rose.” Thanks to such a generous outpouring, we exceeded the 90-card goal by over 25 cards! Her mailbox literally “runneth over.” A thousand thanks to our St. Andrew’s family for helping us make a milestone birthday so much brighter! (We will provide a post-birthday update!)

I am Steve Howell, Junior Warden. My responsibilities include weekly meetings with the Rector and Senior Warden to discuss small and large concerns of the parish. Other responsibilities include property management and maintenance, working closely with our Sexton and contractors, and recruiting members of the congregation to take responsibility for maintenance work.

This particular area appeals to me because I enjoy working with other vestry members in addressing the administrative issues of the parish. I like the immediate positive feedback when a facility issue arises and is fixed.

My plan for the next 3 months is to continue to work with the Sexton and facilities liaison to address facility maintenance and coordinate a parish workday for spring clean-up.

I am Joel Duregger, the Assistant Junior Warden and member of the Facilities Team. As Assistant Junior Warden my area of responsibility regards the building, grounds, and maintenance of the facilities.

This ministry appeals to me as I enjoy helping with projects and maintaining the House of our Lord. The social aspect is appealing as well because it brings people together, whether it's moving furniture or cleaning out flower beds.

As the year changes with regard to the pandemic, I look forward to seeing new faces and building new relationships. We always need help when it comes to maintaining the church.

The family-only funeral for Carter Ficklen will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, March 5. The service will be live-streamed. To watch the service, go to www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video.

The Stations of the Cross symbolize the last hours in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our fourteen Stations are now hanging around the nave of the church. If you would like to come to the church for a time of prayer and reflection or to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross, please call Bill Wilds (880-5460) to reserve an hour of time between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Friday or noon to 1:00 PM on a Sunday. On Good Friday, the church will also be open and you can reserve a prayer hour that day.

We are looking for several parishioners who know how to make palm crosses and who would be willing to make some this year. Please contact Bill Wilds ([email protected] or 880-5460) if you would like to help with this project.

If you are in the Ib category (65+) and have not yet gotten your vaccine, be patient if you have already registered or be pro-active and register. My primary care doctor is not part of either the Riverside or Sentara system, so I was not expecting a call from either one of them. I registered online with the Peninsula Health District (PHD) three different times. Two weeks ago, I got a text from Riverside because my eye doctor is in the Riverside system. My appointment was scheduled for March 9. Tuesday night I got a text from PHD saying I could get the vaccine on Wednesday. I completed the form (just put Medicare in the insurance section and it simplifies the insurance section), selected the time, and got an immediate confirmation. Should this happen to you, be sure to cancel the other date! Depending on where your site location is and how busy they are, be prepared for the process from arrival (standing in line) to departure (after sitting for 15 minutes to ensure you don’t have a reaction) may take up to two hours.

Some folks may have specialists within either the Riverside or Sentara system. I’ve been told that if you haven’t seen the specialist within a year, you won’t be called.

For those who do get their vaccine scheduled and who need transportation to and from the site, we have two volunteer drives. Just call me (880-5460) and I will put you in touch with one of them.

- Bill Wilds

Men Being Real is a space where men can let everything out in a safe, structured, judgment-free space in order to work through our struggles as workers, husbands, fathers, and friends. We practice healthy conflict, accountability, and vulnerable dialogue. We do not hide or ignore our emotions but study them closely in order to understand ourselves better and interact more healthily with our friends and family. We are not afraid to discuss our differences, which we will do with curiosity and respect. Each participant will be empowered each week to set boundaries for the engagement he wishes to receive from others. Nobody will be called out or ganged up on or shamed; we will practice asking for what we need and listening before we speak. Each week, the roles we play with each other will shift according to our needs and capacities.

Eight consecutive Tuesday nights, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm beginning Tuesday, March 2. The registration cost is $20. Contact [email protected] for more information.

What a city!  Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. I’ve heard it’s not always a safe city since it is often besieged, captured, or attacked. People came and went all the time. Occasionally, I would hear people talk about the coming of a Messiah, someone who would lead the people. In the back of my mind, I often wondered if this was the same Messiah I had carried years ago.

And then one day, one of my grandchildren was taken from the farm and tied to a tree just outside a gate into Jerusalem. As you can imagine, there were all kinds of speculation as to why my grandchild was needed in such haste. When he returned, he had much to tell.

Bill Wilds © March 24, 2010

If you missed parts 1 and 2 of the story, click here.

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 804-6875396.