Announcements: Week of Sunday, May 20th 2018
Mission Trip
The parish-wide mission trip led by the youth group will travel this summer to Erie, Pennsylvania, during the week of July 15-21, in order to help elderly, disabled, and low-income residents who need to have home repairs completed but cannot perform these repairs on their own. Teenagers who are going into 9th grade or above are eligible to participate, as are adults. Our adult leaders for this mission trip are mission trip veterans Linda Burghart and Tim Spaulding; there is still room for other adults and teenagers to join us, but we need to know soon about your definite participation. The standard cost per participant (to defray the costs for materials, transportation, and meals, whether teenager or adult) is $250/person, and scholarships are available. If you are interested in going or need more information, please contact Father Morris (morris@aquiachurch.org or 540-659-4007). More perspective about the trip is available in the May issue of our Cross Section newsletter.
Morning Call
Morning Call will not be held on May 20 nor on May 27 because of other activities on those dates, but will resume on June 3 and June 10 with discussion about some possibilities for changing the basic schedule of our worship services, and we hope to hear from you on those occasions. Rest assured that additional opportunities for sharing your perspectives about the days, times, and styles of our worship services will be made available during the months of June and July—in person, in print, and in electronic survey.
Wednesday Bible Study
On this Wednesday morning (10:30am--12:00noon), both of our clergy will lead together our new Wednesday morning series on “The Ten Commandments for Today.” On this Wednesday evening (7:00pm--8:30pm), Father Rickenbaker will continue his new Wednesday evening series on the Book of Revelation. Both of these Bible study series will meet in the downstairs conference room of the new building. In early June, Father Rickenbaker will begin a new Wednesday morning series on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, so stay tuned for more information.
Heritage Sunday: Heritage Sunday: May 20, the ECW will host the Annual Heritage Sunday immediately following the 11:15 am service in the Great Hall. It is always good to see members of the Parish in traditional clothing, others sharing the history of Aquia and everyone enjoying the communion of day. Come share a dish and time with family on Heritage Sunday.
Youth Group: The youth group for students in grades 6-12 is scheduled to have its next evening meeting on May 20 (typically from 4pm till 6pm). Since no parents have signed up to provide any of the evening meeting meals for the rest of this semester on our every-other-week schedule, it is important for parents who have not yet signed up to provide a meal during this semester to contact Father Morris right away (morris@aquiachurch.org or 540-659-4007) in order to schedule their turn.
What Would Jesus Brew: On Tuesday, May 22nd, we will have our next installment of What Would Jesus Brew (our young adult ministry). Come to El Gran Charro Mexican Restaurant at 7pm for some good food, good fellowship, and good discussion. If you have questions about WWJB, get in touch with Fr. Rickenbaker at rickenbaker@aquiachurch.org.
Parish Picnic - Sunday, 27 May: Our annual parish picnic will be held on Sunday 27 May (the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend) at Patawomeck Park (25 Chopawamsic Pkwy, Stafford, in the Widewater region), with the worship service beginning at 10:00am and the potluck meal following immediately afterward. The vestry is providing fresh-grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks; parishioners are asked to bring some side dishes and desserts to share. We can enjoy the covered shelter, regular restrooms, playground equipment, and playing field for the entire day, so please bring some Frisbees or other game equipment. On that Sunday, the 7:30am and 6:00pm worship services will be held at the usual times and places.
VBS: We are very busy planning this year's Vacation Bible School program, Shipwrecked...Rescued by Jesus! VBS will take place June 18-22 from 9 am - noon. Ages 3 (potty trained) through children entering 5th grade in September. Registration forms are on the website and can be emailed to me at christianed@aquiachurch.org or dropped off in the church office. The deadline for registration is June 15th. Registration forms must be filled out clearly and completely.
Baby Shower: We will a hold a celebration of joy for Rachel and James on Saturday, June 2nd from 12 PM to 2 PM in the great hall -- you are invited!
All You Can Eat Crab Feast: Saturday, August 25th - 4pm - 7pm - Live Bluegrass “Reckless Brigade Bluegrass” - Adults $35.00 - Ages 6 - 16 = $10.00 All you can eat crabs, steamed shrimp, fried cod, corn on the cob, coleslaw and hushpuppies. Lemonade, iced tea will be provided, BYOC (bring your own cooler or BYOB). Come to a great fun filled event, enjoy great music, great food and enjoy fellowship with your family and friends.
Historic Church Renovation: As you may have noticed already, the Vestry has recently voted to contract with Habalis Construction of Fredericksburg, a highly regarded firm with impressive credentials and extensive experience for work with historic properties, to begin a major renovation project in our historic church building. The box pews, pulpit, sounding board above the pulpit, and most other woodwork that you see will be repaired as needed and repainted. They plan to work with as little disruption to our worship as possible; but on occasion, you may find that your favorite area is not available for sitting. Please pardon that temporary inconvenience. The total project, which began on Monday, April 9, is expected to take around six weeks for completion.
Cash for Cows & Change for Chickens: The collection to purchase animals to help a family or community in a struggling country was so well-received last year, Outreach will be doing the same collection this year. Each Sunday, starting with Mother's Day and ending on Father's Day, cow, elephant, and piggy banks will be on the picnic table in front of the Church (or in case of rain, in the Great Hall). We are asking for donations of your extra pocket change (cash accepted, too) to fill the banks. Last year we purchased a cow, a water buffalo, and chickens, geese, and ducks. Our thought for this campaign is to purchase another cow, a goat or donkey (or maybe both), and more poultry. We will make the purchases through Episcopal Relief and Development and Heifer International.
Graduates!! We will be recognizing our 2018 high school/college graduates on Sunday, June 10th. We would like each graduate to submit a photo and the following information to the office or email to office@aquiachurch.org
1) Name of Graduate:
2) Graduating from High School/College: (Name of school)
3) Future Plans ______work? _______college?
a. What job do you have or hope to get or what school are you going to attend next?
4) Briefly name your interests/activities or organizations in which graduate participates (please limit this to 3 activities).
The deadline for submission is Tuesday, June 5th
