DIOCESAN ANNUAL CONVENTION

DIOCESAN ANNUAL CONVENTION: The 231st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia will be held in Fredericksburg later this week during 6-8 November. Our lay delegates are Carolyn Hendrickson, Bill Hoffman, and Jennifer Stoltz. Both of our clergy will attend as well. Once again, Father Morris is a member of the convention's committee on the diocesan constitution and canons (the core governing documents of our diocese), as he has been appointed by Bishop Mark Stevenson to work with other leaders on a two-year-long comprehensive revision of the constitution and canons. In addition, parishioner Lilchy Huffman will attend in her capacity as the recording secretary of the diocesan ECW. Information about livestreaming the proceedings is available on the diocesan website (www.episcopalvirginia.org), and afterward some of the convention's discussion and results will be shared with the parish during the coming weeks. Please keep this important meeting in your prayers.

JUDY MORRIS MEMORIAL SERVICE

JUDY MORRIS MEMORIAL SERVICE:  Judy’s memorial service will be November 8 at 11 am in the historic church.  A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Aquia Church Endowment Fund.

MEN’S BREAKFAST AND B&G MEETING CHANGE

MEN’S BREAKFAST AND B&G MEETING CHANGE: Both the Men’s Breakfast and the B&G meeting for this Saturday have been moved to the following Saturday, November 15.

NUT/CANDY SALE

NUT/CANDY SALE: Back by popular demand, the Vestry is selling nuts/candy. You may purchase them in the great hall after the morning services.

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST: There are plenty of Sundays awaiting folks to serve as breakfast hosts, starting November 23. If you want to serve as a breakfast host for any Sunday, please use the signup sheet at the back of the church, or contact Sue Selz in the church office (sue.selz@aquiachurch.org or 540-659-4007). Please consider taking a turn in promoting fellowship within our parish through this weekly breakfast. The breakfast can be as simple or elaborate as you wish to provide.

ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN

ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN: On November 9 we will be turning in our pledge cards during the services. You should have received a packet in the mail with a pledge card and information about the campaign.  Blank pledge cards are available at the back of the church on the tall table.  If you have any concerns or questions about pledging, please speak confidentially with our treasurer, Chris Arey, (treasurer@aquiachurch.org).

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE: Will be having our annual Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 26 at 7 p.m.

VESTRY NOMINATION FORMS

VESTRY NOMINATION FORMS: Members who want to be considered as candidates for election to our vestry, or local governing board, will find the self-nomination forms on the tall table at the back of church office.  In order to be considered, applicants must be a confirmed member of Aquia Church (or must be in the process of being confirmed), must be receiving communion regularly, must be fulfilling a financial pledge to Aquia Church for 2025, and must make a financial pledge for 2026.  For more information about the responsibilities of being a vestry member, please consult Bill Hoffman, Senior Warden. Completed forms are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12.

ADULT CHOIR

ADULT CHOIR: The adult choir, which sings at our 10:30 worship service most Sundays throughout the year, has  rehearsals in the historic church on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

HIRING A BOOKKEEPER

HIRING A BOOKKEEPER: Aquia Church seeks to hire a part-time bookkeeper to manage our accounts payable and receivable, to prepare checks for payment, to accomplish reconciliation of bank statements, and to manage other financial records and procedures. Approximately 8 hrs/wk, with flexibility about days/times, with some telework possible, and with competitive compensation appropriate to experience. If you know someone who might be qualified, please encourage that person to contact Bill Hoffman, (Sr. Warden) for a job description and for an application.

YOUTH GROUP

YOUTH GROUP: We have weekly morning meetings for teens in grades 6-12 (9:30—10:15 a.m.), and our next every-other-week evening meeting will take place on Sunday, November 16 (5:00—6:00 p.m.).

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

CONFIRMATION CLASSES: Our Morning Call themes have now shifted to topics about Christian discipleship for all adults but geared especially for those who want to be confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church or to reaffirm their faith. Confirmation or the equivalent is something expected for all mature Christians (BCP 412). Those preparing for confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation should be high school students or adults. Most (but not all) of the instruction will take place during Morning Call from mid-August through mid-November, with Bishop Mark Stevenson arriving on Sunday, Nov. 16.

MORNING CALL

MORNING CALL: Morning Call is our Sunday morning forum for adult formation and discussion, held in the great hall (9:30—10:15 a.m.). On this coming Sunday, Father James Rickenbaker will continue a series on Christian discipleship that welcomes all adults but is geared especially toward those who are aged high school and above who are preparing to be confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church or who want to reaffirm their faith. This series will run through mid-November.

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY: Postponed until further notice.

THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY:  Father James Rickenbaker’s series on the Gospel according to James continues to meet. We hope you can join us in person (starting at 6:00 p.m.); if not, the broadcasts are available online at our Facebook page, which is <www.facebook.com/AquiaEpiscopalChurch>. Broadcasts of recent sessions are available there too.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30—10:15 a.m. on the lower level of the Christian Formation & Fellowship Building for students of all ages from pre-K through 12th grade. Simultaneously, adult Christian formation is available upstairs in the great hall. Here is the link for getting your child or grandchild registered <vbspro.events/p/abc294>.

ALTAR FLOWERS

ALTAR FLOWERS: Those who want to donate flowers in memory of someone or in thanksgiving for someone or something for most any Sunday of the year may contact parish administrator Sue Selz in the church office and select a particular Sunday; the signup sheet is also available at the back of the church along with the 2026 sign-up sheet. The cost is $50/week. Even if a given Sunday has already been claimed, you may add your name and dedication for that same Sunday. Traditionally, we do not have flower arrangements during Lent or Advent, but most other Sundays during the year remain available.

AQUIA'S PANTRY NOVEMBER UPDATE

AQUIA'S PANTRY NOVEMBER UPDATE: Aquia’s Pantry is looking for donations!  First, we are looking for donations of candy to give to our youngest guests.  If you have extra Halloween candy, the Pantry would be thankful to receive it to stuff the small candy bags that we give to the children. This tradition was begun by “Mr. Mike” several years ago and continues to bring lots of smiles.

Next, the Pantry is asking for donations of turkeys to hand out to our guests the week before Thanksgiving. Please consider donating a turkey or two to the Pantry between Sunday, November 16 and distribution day, Wednesday, November 19.

We are delighted to say that we had several new volunteers last Wednesday evening which helped immensely!  The Pantry gave groceries to 151 families on October 22nd and 162 families on October 29th.  We could still use more help on Tuesday mornings.  If you have the time to spare, contact Barb Bingay, Ron Korth or Mary Jane Cole (maryjane@cfsw.biz). Along with helpful parishioners, candy and turkeys, our current needs include cans of vegetables, boxes of pasta and cereal, and brown paper grocery bags.

NEWS FROM AQUIA’S TABLE

NEWS FROM AQUIA’S TABLE: Aquia’s Table serves meals on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. There are opportunities for folks to join in the work of this important ministry, whether as a new volunteer or whether returning to involvement—we welcome assistance with food preparation during the day on Wednesdays, with plating the meals on Wednesday evenings, and with baking desserts on your own

schedule at home or at church. For more information about how you might support Aquia’s Table, please contact Dina Stanford (jjanddina@comcast.net).

AQUIA’S TABLE GOLF TOURNAMENT 2026

AQUIA’S TABLE GOLF TOURNAMENT 2026: Monday, May 18, at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford. Mark your calendars, practice your driving and putting, and invite your fellow golfers to join in the fun.

FROM OUR FOOD MINISTRIES

FROM OUR FOOD MINISTRIES: The long lines of guests coming on Wednesdays for food from Aquia’s Pantry and Aquia’s Table likely reflect the ongoing financial need among so many neighbors around us. This level of outreach is possible because of the generosity of support from faithful volunteers and donations from many different people and groups—from among our parishioners and beyond our church membership. If you can offer some support to these ministries (especially with your time on Tuesday mornings and during the day and early evening on Wednesdays or with financial contributions), your help will be deeply appreciated. Aquia’s Table prepares a maximum total of 400 meals on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, and Aquia’s Pantry distributes groceries to a maximum of 140 households each week.

BUSY BAGS

BUSY BAGS: Busy bags are available in the historic church for our youngest members. A child’s Bible, activity pages, drawing paper, and crayons are available in canvas bags when you enter the church. Please take one bag per family and return it after the service ends.

NURSERY AVAILABLE

NURSERY AVAILABLE: Our nursery, located on the lower level of the Christian Formation and Fellowship Building (just across the hallway from the elevator), is available for the 10:30 a.m. worship service, with coverage provided by caring, trained, and experienced staff—plus lots of toys, diapers and wipes, a pack-and-play, and whatever else your child or grandchild might need.

ELECTRONIC BROADCASTS

ELECTRONIC BROADCASTS: We offer broadcasts of Sunday morning worship at 7:30 a.m., Morning Prayer on most weekdays at 8:00 a.m., and our midweek Bible studies as well. These broadcasts are particularly helpful for those who are unable to attend in person due to illness, travel, or work. The broadcasts are available online at our church’s Facebook page <www.facebook.com/AquiaEpiscopalChurch>. Even if you do not have a Facebook account, you can access the broadcasts simply by clicking on the given occasion. Also, you do not have to watch the event live; the videos are stored there for your viewing later on.

 

If you want to be added to our e-mail distribution list for weekly announcements and special updates or for the monthly Cross Section newsletter, simply notify Sue Selz in the church office (sue.selz@aquiachurch.org or 540-659-4007).