October 2014 Aquia Episcopal Church Cross Section All of you are Christ’s Body, and each one is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 FROM THE RECTOR “New Year, New Beginnings” R CROSS SECTION is the Newsletter of Aquia Episcopal Church 2938 Jefferson Davis Hwy . P.O. Box 275 Stafford, VA 22555 Phone: (540) 659-4007 E-Mail: [email protected] www.aquiachurch.com Office Open: Monday - Friday Rector The Rev. Jay Morris Assistant Rector The Rev. Connor Newlun Music Director Linda Beville Senior Warden Bob Santmyer Junior Warden Tim Spaulding Treasurer Chris Arey Register: John Sondermann Dir. Christian Education: Kristen Morgan Parish Administrator: Dennise LaBarre Executive Assistant: Sue Selz 2 CROSS SECTION ight now, you are probably thinking more about leaves falling, autumnal colors, and Halloween than about the start of 2015, which remains several months away. But within our church framework, it’s not too early to look ahead for the new year and the new beginnings it offers. With the vestry’s consent, our 2015 parish-wide annual meeting will be held on Jan. 4, the first Sunday of that year, at 10 a.m. in the parish hall downstairs. (This should be the final annual meeting in our existing parish house, because we expect the new building for Christian formation and fellowship to be completed before the end of 2015 and be ready to host our 2016 annual meeting!) I asked for the vestry’s support on scheduling our annual meeting a bit earlier than usual so that we can elect new vestry members a bit earlier than usual and get the new vestry team organized a bit earlier than usual. In case of snow or ice on Jan. 4, we shall meet the very next Sunday. We are calling for nominations to serve on the vestry to be submitted no later than Monday, Dec. 8—again, a bit earlier than usual. Blue nomination forms will be available for pick-up at church and in the church office starting Oct.19, and then you will have nearly two months’ time to consider prayerfully offering to serve in this important ministry group. Nomination forms must be completed by the person offering to serve (rather than having one parishioner nominate another), and our bylaws do not allow nominations from the floor of the annual meeting; so it is important for those willing to serve on the vestry to return their forms to the church office on or by the deadline. Feel free to hand a nomination form to a parishioner whose ministry on the vestry you would like to support; doing so will surely boost that person’s confidence. October 2014 Nominees must be at least 16 years of age at time of election, baptized Christians, confirmed in the Church (or preparing for confirmation to take place soon after election), duly enrolled as members of Aquia Church, and known to the treasurer for making a pledge and contributing toward that pledge during the year prior to election. In 2015 we shall elect four adults to a three-year term, plus one teenager (who must meet the same criteria above) to serve as the youth representative for a one-year term beginning June 1. If you have any questions whether you are eligible to be nominated, then simply contact the church office. Current vestry members whose term expires in January have brought a variety of gifts to their ministry for such areas as administration, communications, financial stewardship, and buildings and grounds. We always have a need for people with talents in those same areas. Yet as we continue to take care of our eight buildings and three parcels of land (between our main campus, the rectory in Aquia Harbour, and Clifton Chapel) alongside the coming addition of our new building, next year we have particular need for those with particular interest and ability in maintaining the physical property of our buildings and grounds. Our parish-wide annual meeting will include the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (with this being the only Eucharist we offer that morning), some pastoral guidance for the months ahead, updates about new building construction and financing, reports from several key leaders, and alternative activities for our children and youth. Please plan now to attend this start of the new year with new beginnings. Jay Morris FROM THE ASSISTANT RECTOR Confirmation on the Horizon T he time has come again to start preparing some of the teenagers of Aquia Church for confirmation in the spring. Some adults will want to be confirmed in the spring as well and will also need to be prepared for this important rite in the Church. At a most basic level, being confirmed means just how it sounds: the confirmands are confirming their baptismal vows to a bishop, who represents the universal church. When we are confirmed, we are in a sense saying these are my baptismal vows and I claim them as my own. Confirmation is essential to the mature faith of a person baptized as an infant. Confirmation is no less important for someone who is old enough to answer the celebrant’s questions at their baptism. Even when people speak for themselves at their baptism, confirming those vows to a bishop reminds us we are part of a community that is larger than our parish. Christians are confirmed as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church and not as part of a particular parish or even a particular denomination. When we confirm our baptism, we confirm our membership in the universal church, the communion of saints. Still, Christ has given particular parts of his Church particular gifts, not to be a source of division but in order that we might bless each other. One of the spiritual gifts or charisms of Anglicanism is an ability to hold together three sources of authority for the Church in proper balance and perspective. Those three sources may be familiar to you already: Scripture, tradition and reason. At its best, Anglicanism acknowledges Scripture to be the word of God and claims it contains all things necessary for salvation. Scripture is the primary source of authority for faith and morals; but at the same time, Anglicanism does not claim all truth that ever existed is contained within the covers of the Bible. Anglicanism also has the humility to say we need some help in interpreting Scripture correctly; and in order to do that, we look to our ancestors in the faith, which we typically call tradition. Tradition is a source of authority that does not stand alone but aids us in finding the will of God through our reading of Scripture and observations of the world around us. A final source of authority in Anglicanism is reason. We acknowledge that God has created an ordered universe and given humanity mental capacities for knowing God and understanding his creation. This is far different from rationalism; but instead, Anglicanism has classically understood that reason has the use of the human mind aided by the Holy Spirit. When these three sources are held in proper balance and with proper perspective, we are at our best. When one source of authority is emphasized to the detriment of others, we lose sight of the gift Christ has given us. In hope that confirmands will come to appreciate this special charism of our Church and see how it can be a gift to the universal Church in which they are confirming their baptismal vows, preparation for confirmation will focus on these three sources of authority: Scripture, tradition and reason. The classes for teenagers preparing for confirmation will begin in November and be held on Sundays before the evening meeting of the youth group. Classes to prepare adults for confirmation will begin after the first of the year. Please let me know if you are interested in either of these offerings and in being confirmed in the spring. Aquia Church Vestry Georgia Applegate Youth Representative Chris Arey Treasurer Charlie Bingay Jackie Chichester Rich Gannon Administration Committee Co-chair Adam Hawkins New Building Committee Co-chair Alicia Little Wendy Osborn Administration Committee Co-chair Rhonda Pinkerton Finance Committee Chairman Bob Santmyer Senior Warden John Sondermann Register Tim Spaulding Junior Warden Sylvia Walker Assistant Treasurer New Capital Campaign Committee Co-chair Connor Newlun CROSS SECTION October 2014 3 FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN Bob Santmyer 4 CROSS SECTION W hat would you do? On Saturday, Aug. 30, I found myself confronted with a familiar yet very different situation. My wife, Andrea, and I had decided to host fellowship following the 9 a.m. service the next day. Occasionally when we host fellowship, we go out of our way to make it special. Our menu this time was to include eggs Benedict casserole with Hollandaise sauce, bacon-wrapped pineapple and bell pepper skewers, cheesy grits, grapes, and two types of cookies for the kids. Normally, Giant is the local food store we go to, but for some reason I decided I would go to Shoppers Food Warehouse on this day. I started in the produce section. While looking at potatoes, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a slender young woman with a cart half-full of groceries talking to a man that I instantly assumed was a stranger to her. After a few minutes, the man had walked away. I proceeded to push my cart past the woman and she stopped me, holding a note neatly written on a 3x5 index card. She then tried to verbalize to me in broken English what was written on the card. She said she has two children at home and is pregnant but can’t pay for the groceries she has in her cart. With a quick glance, I could see that she had in her cart children’s cereal, milk, spare ribs, vegetables, and some diapers. There was much more than that in her cart, but those were the things that caught my eye. With a closer look at her, I could also see that she was likely pregnant – probably about three months. I hesitated for a moment, and then told her that I was sorry but didn’t have any cash on me. This was not completely true, as I had two $20 bills in my wallet – more than I typically give to someone asking for a handout. She said, “Okay. God bless you,” as I walked away. I then proceeded to fill my own grocery cart with the things Andrea and I would need to fix an elaborate meal for our fellow parishioners the next day during fellowship. Let’s see. Eggs, in the October 2014 cart; skewers, in the cart; bacon, in the cart; pineapple, already at home. And the list went on. I gathered up the things we would need to feed 20 people or more – our church family – families like ours that have the means to buy and prepare meals like this for themselves. As I put the last item in the cart, I was suddenly struck with the notion that I was led here at this moment – to this store I don’t usually go to – to be confronted with this situation. Not that God was testing me, but more of a sense that he knew I would do the right thing. I then went back to the produce area to look for the young woman with the half-full grocery cart. There she was. She was just walking away from a middle-aged woman who I could see was shaking her head “no” as she walked away. I went up to the young woman and said, “Are you ready to check out?” She nodded, ”Yes.” I went with her to the checkout line and paid for her groceries with my debit card. After bagging her own items, the young woman looked back at me and mouthed a “Thank you” and then pushed her cart to the front of the store and out the doors. When I got home, I recounted the events of my shopping trip to Andrea. She then told me that there was a story circulating around North Stafford to beware of a young gypsy family with children who were hanging out in parking lots and stores and taking advantage of the kindness of strangers. Was this young woman one of them? I don’t know, but it’s not up to me to judge even if she is. I may have been taken advantage of, but then again, perhaps I was feeding Jesus; read Matthew 25:35 to understand what I mean by that. So, again, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Christian Education Building Update: As of this writing, we continue to work with the county to get the necessary permits in place for our official groundbreaking. Hopefully, by the time you read this in the October Newsletter ground has been broken . SAINTS MARY AND MARTHA GUILD Worship, Service and Fellowship S ts. Mary and Martha Guild is looking forward to seeing all our parish family at the Fall Fest on Oct. 4. Be sure to come to the Craft Room; we have lots of delightful items to show you! In the meantime, we will be spending Oct. 2 and 3 pricing the crafts and setting up the room. Calling all guild members – past, present and potential – your help would be most welcome. And then come back for the de-brief at the Oct. 16 meeting so we can do an even better job next year. We still need lots and lots of costume jewelry for the very popular Fall Fest jewelry table. Any donation is gratefully received! All ladies of the Parish are invited to join us at any of our meetings. With October we return to our regular schedule of meeting on the first, third and fifth Thursdays of each month. We begin our meetings with a member of the clergy leading us in Morning Prayer at 9:30. And we finish by noon. This fall we are continuing to review our inquirer’s study. Please come and enjoy a Thursday morning with the ladies of Sts. Mary and Martha Guild. Come and see. Mary Jane Cole Jan Van Metre, President AQUIA CHAPTER Fourth Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Jan Van Metre, Chairman SAINTS MARY & Aquia Episcopal Church It was such a blessing to receive your letter with so many blessings and prayers coming my way. It meant so much to me at this time and I thank you. We are all so blessed to have God in our lives – and you --members of this Church. I am so glad my dear Bill and Nancy are part of this very caring Church. Thank you to all of the members of Aquia who kept me in their prayers, and sent words and thoughts of encouragement during my recovery from recent surgery. Special thanks to the Flower Guild and the Prayer Shaw Ministry for their unique and thoughtful gifts. It is a blessing to be a member of such a caring Christian Parish Family as Aquia Episcopal Church. MARTHA GUILD First, Third and Fifth Thursdays in the Parish Hall. Mary Jane Cole Chairman Joe Howard Mary Lou Hoffman [mother of Bill Hoffman] CROSS SECTION October 2014 5 AUCTION ACTION Mary Jane Cole O ur list of donations for the Fall Fest Auction is absolutely fabulous! Your auction team has started to group the gifts and donations into appropriate groups for bidding. The final ingredient for the perfect auction is BIDDERS. Please mark your calendars: the date and time are Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. Our professional auctioneer Shields Jones will keep us laughing and on the edge of our seats. If you have not been to one of Shields’ auctions before, you are in for a treat. Bring your friends and neighbors. Help us make this the best Fall Fest yet. Beautiful Needlepoint Pillow handcrafted by Joy Johnson A Special Tour of the Washington National Cathedral for 3 or 4 people, with lunch or dinner included, offered by Rev. Jay Morris “Julia-Stonewall Jackson and Family, Guinea Station April 20, 1863” framed, signed and numbered print by Mort Kunstler “Annabella” by Linda Le Kinff: signed seriolithograph offered by Maureen and Michael Maggiano “CLABBER GIRL The Healthy Baking Powder” Print by Jim Harrison: Signed and Numbered Lithograph offered by Tracie and John Newman CAPS-2 tickets to a Washington Capitals 6 CROSS SECTION Behold our awesome list! game in the 100 level offered by David & Mouth Watering Pies: a pie a month for 4 Kristen Morgan months baked by Pat Moncure, pastry chef Another Set of CAPS tickets: 2 tickets to a of The Happy Clam restaurant Washington Capitals game offered by Awesome Segmented Wood Turning hand- Margaret and Steve Hedger crafted by John Morris: a 9" sphere-shaped Redskins Tickets: 2 tickets vs. Tampa Bay open-segmented turning consisting of 182 Buccaneers on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. pieces of a combination of black walnut and “Made in Virginia” Basket from Jean and cherry woods, finished in a natural color, with Michael Golas and Briget and Tom Kane 2-1/8 opening at the top “Made in Poland” Basket from Michael and Guided Fishing Trip by Bill Hoffman: an Jean Golas eight-hour fishing trip on the Potomac River “Historical Tea” Basket from Brenda and A Sumptuous Dinner Party with the theme: Becky Monger and Jean Bittner featuring a Seafood Spectacular for you and 7 Guests tea service for four, specialty teas, tea cozy, at his home offered by Rev. Jay Morris mesh infuser and a silver measuring spoon Potomac Point Winery: food and wine bas- “Chocolate Lover’s” Basket from the Altar ket with dinner for four in the wine library Guild room offered by Cindi and Skip Causey “Bloody Mary” Basket offered by Jean and A Wine and Cheese Party offered by Rev. Michael Golas Jay Morris for you and seven guests at his Handsome Cherry-stained Wood Buffet: home given by Maureen and Michael Maggiano An Antique Mirror from the late 1800s, with Vintage White Brass Money Box from India papers to document its history given by Faye Curved Wooden Hoisting Singletree, com- Andrews monly called a whippletree, dated 1895 Custom-made Mail Box designed in your Print of Aquia Church by Julia Barth favorite sport’s team logo given by VaCora The Red Fox Inn in Middleburg, Va.: one and Zol Rainey night’s stay (www.redfox.com) Beautiful Quilt praising Our Lord in glorious KD'z KiDz World a 10-kid birthday party at Fall colors sewn by Anita Simpson (Patricia their bounce house (value $185) Springer’s sister) A Feast: Pork Shoulder from Fall Fest Hog Natural-Light Photo Session offered by Roast offered by Joe Vinso and Adam Nikki Piner of Chasing Now Photography Hawkins, Giant - $25 gift card, Panaderia October 2014 Emanuel Bakery and Café – 6” X 9” cake for one bowling game and $25 coupon; Another Feast: Pork Shoulder from Fall Liberty Lanes at Massaponax – Family Fun Fest Hog Roast from Joe Vinso and Adam Package bowling and shoes for 8, pizza, Hawkins, Wegmans - $25 gift card drinks, popcorn (value $90) Exploring Fredericksburg: The George Local Wineries: Ingleside Vineyards – pri- Washington Foundation – Admission vate wine tasting for six; Hartwood Winery – Passes to Historic Kenmore and George four Event tickets plus wine gift bag from Washington’s Ferry Farm; Gari Melchers Bonny’s Sewing and Fabric Home and Studio – 2 guidebooks and Home Decorating – Bald Eagle Flag Store passes; Brock's Riverside Grill – $20, - decorative garden flag with a lion and lamb; Words for Wise Bookstore – $20 Gift Fast Frame – framed mirror; Crown Certificate Jewelers – Lenox woodland vase, Walmart – Children’s Basket: Wacky Bear – two $25 card stuffed animals, games, DVD of Bible songs, Love My Dog: Calypso Boarding Kennels Chick-Fil-A, Jabberwocky Children's Spa gift certificate and Pets Plus – $50 gift Books and Toys – $10 Certificate, card sweetFrog – 2 coupons and shirt, New Beginnings: Curves – two one-month matching aprons for mother, daughter, and memberships, Yoga sessions at Healing Arts doll from Bonny’s Sewing and Fabrics Yoga Center donated by Ren Fields, NIV It’s A Guy Thing: Victory Lane Auto gift Bible donated by Lifeway Christian Service – two oil changes, 610 Car Wash – Bookstore 5 deluxe wash tickets, Buffalo Wild Wings – Pamper Yourself: – Stress Free - 90 minute 5 coupons, Corky's – $15 gift certificate, massage, Anita’s Petite Fleur – $50 Gift Angel Hallmark – book, Wawa Coffee Lover’s Card Gift Basket for Two Creative You: Pots & Palettes, Inc. – $25 Golfer’s Delight: Augustine Golf Club gift certificate; Lord & Lilly's Inc. – two free (Raspberry Golf Management) greens fee for scrapbooking or card-making classes plus four, Forest Greens Golf Club: four tickets $25 gift card, Old Town Yarnery $50 gift cer- for 18 holes of golf with cart plus tificate, large, fully loaded Sewing Basket Aquia Harbour Golf Club – two 18 hole Let’s Eat Out Again: The Globe and Laurel rounds of golf with cart Restaurant – dinner for two, The Bavarian Let’s Eat Out: Zibibbo 73 – $50 gift card, Chef – $50 certificate, Carlos O’Kelly’s $30 Five Guys Burgers and Fries – $25 gift certificate, Sake Thai Sushi Bar – $25, card, The Melting Pot – three $20 off on four Chili’s –$40, Bob Evans – $20 gift card, course dinner for two on the dinner menu, Outback Steakhouse – 5 Bloomin’ Onion Honey Baked Ham – four tickets for a gift cards Signature Ham Classic Sandwich, CiCi’s Pizza – 12 BOGO. Pinkadilly Tea – a $15 Gift Certificate, Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria – $25 gift certificate, Formosa Restaurant – $25 gift certificate Just for Her: Victoria’s Secret – $60 gift card, Ladyburg, LLC – $15 gift card and an This list is subject to more regrouping and is not yet in current bidding order because our list is still growing! Mary Jane Cole Auction Co-chair [email protected] elegant gift basket, Massage Envy – 0ne hour massage, and Fast Frame- framed doily Family Fun: Cavalier Family Skating – 12 tickets for free skate, Splitsville – six tickets CROSS SECTION October 2014 7 OUTREACH Johanna Jones T he September Outreach Committee meeting was held on Sept. 2, and once again we found ourselves meeting in a parking lot. This is getting to be a habit. Fortunately, we had two pick-up trucks for tailgating, two camp chairs, chocolate chip cookies, and a delightful breeze. We had two emergency requests for assistance from S.E.R.V.E. and Micah Ministries, and we voted to send $1,000 to S.E.R.V.E. and $1,000 to Micah. The school supply campaign was successful and our congregation donated 10 backpacks, 70 composition notebooks, 26 packs of pencils, 19 packs of pens, 20 packs of glue sticks, 20 boxes of crayons, 22 packs of index cards, 13 boxes of color pencils, 23 folders, 21 packs of notebook paper, 14 boxes of tissues, 31 spiral notebooks, 14 notebooks, and various other items on the list. Thanks for your generosity and thanks to Becky Monger and Brenda Monger for delivering the items to the Department of Social Services. We discussed our proposed budget for 2015 and made a few changes in the proposal based on anticipated projects. We will be participating in the 10th annual Wings & Wheels Festival at Stafford Airport on October 18th. This event is sponsored by the Stafford Rotary Club. It will be a celebration of Stafford’s 350th anniversary and will honor the county’s proud military her- itage. We will be handing out water, candy, paper airplanes (with the imprinted message “Fly with the Lord”) and information about the Church. Please sign-up and join us for a great day of community fun. Come join us and spread the word about the wonderful things happening at Aquia Episcopal Church. The shoebox campaign for Operation Christmas Child will kick-off at Fall Fest and will run through Nov. 16. We set aside an amount to cover the cost of shipping the shoeboxes. We discussed our Thanksgiving and Christmas projects. For the Dove project, we will be asking for donations for 50 people. For the Department of Social Services we will be providing opportunities to donate gifts and food for 10 families and five senior citizens. Look for the Christmas trees on the picnic table in front of the church when these campaigns begin. Our next meeting will be on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. This time it really will be in the Wirman Room. We, as Aquia Church, joyfully respond to the grace, love, and fellowship of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work in our midst by celebrating His presence, sharing His abundance, and proclaiming His word throughout the world. 8 CROSS SECTION October 2014 I n the gallery is a panel which contains the names of the Minister and Vestry of Aquia Church from 1757 (when the Church was built). In the September issue, I reported on Mott Doniphan. In this issue, I continue with Captain Henry Tyler. All information is quoted from The Register of Overwharton Parish Stafford County, Virginia 1723 – 1758. “Captain Henry Tyler (circa 1710-1777) was descended from the prominent family of that name in York County, Virginia. In 1736 he succeeded Thomas Claiborne, Esq. (January 9, 1704-December 1, 1735) as clerk of Stafford County; he had served from 1731 until the time of his death. As the office of county clerk was then an appointive position and residence in the county not necessary, Henry Tyler probably came to Stafford County from the vicinity of Williamsburg, Virginia, bringing his commission. He served as clerk of the court until his death; for forty-one years his distinctive and beautiful handwriting adorn such of the records of that period which have been preserved. He married circa 1738 Alice Strother (circa 1719-circa 1792), daughter of William Strother, Gentleman, (circa 1696-1733) and Margaret Watts, his wife. Margaret (Watts) Strother, widow, married secondly Captain John Grant, widower of Hester Foote who he married on August 17, 1727 in Saint Paul’s Parish, and with him in 1738 sold Ferry Farm, the plantation of her first husband, to Captain Augustine Washington (1694-1743) who died there. Captain John Grant left issue by both wives and died testate in Prince William County about 1747/8; he must not be confused (tho he has been!) with Captain John Grant (circa 1704-1762) of King George County who is mentioned on page 135. The will of Captain Henry Tyler was recorded in now lost Stafford County Will Book “N” (17671783), page 357. Henry and Alice (Strother) Tyler had issue, viz: (1) Betty Tyler. Susanna Fitzhugh, daughter of John Fitzhugh of Bellaire, was born February 5, 1756 and was baptized “by the Rev.d. Mr. Moncure and had for surities Mr. and Mrs. Moncure, Mr. Henry Tyler and Miss Betty his daughter,” says the Fitzhugh family register. (2) Thomas Gowry Strother Tyler (circa 1740-1816) succeeded his father as clerk of Stafford County court and acted in that capacity for many years. Like his father his penmanship is distinctive and beautiful. He married Ann Fisher Adie (1756-18 ), daughter of William Adie (17311797); they were separated after having a large family of children, viz: (a) George Rodney Tyler who died without issue in 1809; (b) Thomas Tyler; (c) William Henry Tyler; (d) Elizabeth Adie Tyler; (e) John Cooke Tyler; (f) Alice P. Tyler (who was living in Stafford County in 1855); and (g) Mary Ann Tyler who married Thomas E. Baird of Alexandria, Virginia. (3) John Tyler, born April 17, 1743; he is said to have been insane and was taken by his sister, Mrs. Maze to Georgia. (4) Henry Tyler, baptized August 18, 1746; he died testate in Prince William County in 1820. He served as a midshipman in the Navy during the Revolutionary War and also in Lee’s Legion at the siege of Yorktown. He was unmarried. (5) Anna Tyler, baptized January 30, 1749; she married Robert Maze and moved to Georgia about 1800 taking with her an insane brother and a spinster sister, but if Betty or Mary Tyler the chancery papers do not say. (6) Mary Tyler, baptized March 20, 1751 (7) Sally Tyler married George Steptoe Blackwell of Fauquier County, Virginia. In 1787 Alice (Strother) Tyler and her son John Tyler appear on the Personal Tax lists of Stafford County; in 1791 she last appears paying tax on seven slaves. In 1792 the Estate of Henry Tyler was taxed on six slaves, indicating his widow was deceased. The 300 acre plantation of Captain Henry Tyler was sold to Henry Fitzhugh of Bellaire in 1798.” HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS Dennise LaBarre In the next issue, I will report on Captain William Mountjoy. CROSS SECTION October 2014 9 TIME TO ORDER www.aquiachurch.com It is that time once again, time to add to our service books here in the church. We are in need of Lift Every Voice and Sing II hymnals. If you would like to purchase one for the church, fill out the order form below. The cost of each hymnal is $18. If you would like to give a book in memory of or in thanksgiving for someone, fill out their names below. A book plate will be placed in the hymnal with their names on it. 540-659-4007 LEVAS II Order Form Purchaser’s Name: FROM THE PARISH REGISTER Phone Number: Burials: “Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; and let the light perpetual shine upon them.” Mildred D. Moncure, 1921-2014. Email: Circle One: NEWCOMERS “Do not neglect to show hos pitality to strangers, for thereby some have enter tained angels unawares.“ Hebrews 13:2 The following families have recently turned in visitor cards: Bryan and Devri Schumacher, Tom and Stephanie Formby, Martin and Sue Hinson, Ruth Holden. BAPTISMS The next scheduled date for a baptism is Nov. 2. If you would like to have a baptism on this date, or if this date doesn’t work for you and you would like to request another date, please contact the church office so that counseling with the clergy can be scheduled. 10 CROSS SECTION In Thanksgiving for In Memory of Name(s) for book plate: Please make checks out to: Aquia Episcopal Church In the memo line, write: LEVAS II Aquia Church Prayer List – October 2014 Marilyn Anderson, Dan & Mary Basinger, Eloine Bolton, Sue Claerbout, Elizabeth Cook, Nora David, Jeff Davis & Family, Hazel Eby, Liz Edwards, Jack Elkins, Robert & JoAnn Feldman & Family, Michael Golas, K., Mary Lou Hoffman, Sarah Knicely, Zoe Krause, Debbie La Pierre, Suzanne Lanterman, Ken Lempka, Nancy McKnight, Janet Mikionis, Charles Paul Mooshian, Joan Nebel, John & Jacklyn Petty, Una Patton, Eleanor Perry, John & Jacklyn Petty, Rosalia Pribble, Joan Santmyer, George Selz, Robin Singh, Stefan Somlai, Jean Sullivan, Keith & Sylvia Tinkler, Jessica Tompkins, John & Pam Tompkins, Lucille Way, Lexi Wesloski. October 2014 "Our mission is to gather for fellowship in order to produce hand crafted gifts to provide comfort for those in need in the greater Parish community. These gifts are prayerfully produced and blessed at the altar." We have been busy quietly knitting and crocheting away and in just the last few weeks have been able provide a lap blanket or a prayer shawl or a pocket prayer purse to fifteen people in need of comfort and reassurance. Also in the last month we have been blessed by the addition of three new members who felt called to join us. We are thrilled to welcome them to our fold! We now have ten active members and would love to share our ministry with you. Our goal is to be able extend comfort and the reassurance of God's love to as many people as possible. We would love to be able eventually to provide preemie hats for the local hospitals and hats for the homeless and other special projects. With your help this just might be possible! We even have supplies of yarn on hand to get you started. Please don't be shy about joining us; we have folks who learned to knit with us as well as seasoned knitters and crocheters ready to give you a hand. We would love to share our craft and the peace and com- fort we feel as we put our hands and hearts to good use in His name. Our Monday meetings, or we like to call them gatherings, now start earlier at 5 p.m. to provide more flexibility and to allow people to safely drive home before dark if that is a concern, at least for the time being! We have a "swinging door" policy: you are never late, just come when you're able and stay for as long as you wish. If need be, someone will stay until 9 p.m. We meet in Trailer #1 and have access to the restrooms in the Parish Hall. If you need to come straight from work, you are welcome to bring a takeaway or bagged meal; we don't want anyone fainting with hunger! We do occasionally have field trips going to Sheep and Wool Festivals. There happens to be an upcoming Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival in Berryville on Sept. 26th - 28th. Anyone interested in attending might like to contact us as we have a group going, probably on Saturday 27th. If you would like more information, please leave a message for me with the office. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is pleased to provide an alpaca lace weight shawl to the Fall Fest auction in support of outreach. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Helen Meinhardt … continued from page 13 reported that Anthony Romarello, who is the County Administrator, was impressed by the ground breaking of the new building and had good things to say about our capital campaign. She also noted that children’s games would be held at the Fall Fest and that a raffle separate from the auction would be held with a large prize. Jackie asked for a parishioner to supervise the raffle. The next vestry meeting is on Tuesday, Oct. 21. As always, the meetings are open to members of the congrega- tion, with the exception of executive sessions for personnel and private matters. Please check with the church office, the calendar in the weekly service program, and the church website for upcoming events. Any questions, concerns, or suggestions for the Vestry are sincerely appreciated and can be directed to Vestry representative present at every service of Aquia Church. CROSS SECTION October 2014 11 VESTRY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS John Sondermann This a summary of Vestry Highlights from Aug. 16 to Sept. 15, 2014. Detailed minutes may be found on the Parish Hall bulletin board, in the church office, and on our website:aquiachurch.com. 12 CROSS SECTION T he vestry met in regular session on June 17, 2014. Our owner’s representative for the Christian Formation and Fellowship Building, Nevin Taylor, provided a briefing on the progress of the project during July. Nevin explained that the Commonwealth of Virginia was way behind on approving new VSMP applications for permits, but that Stafford County has agreed to accept out previous VSMP permit. He also reported that the boundaries of our site plan were now complete and that the Wack General Contracting has it subcontractors lined up to begin site clearance work. He said that Cardinal Bank had increased from 11 to 14.7 acres of the church property to be used as collateral for the new building loan. Nevin informed the vestry of an issue that will delay the start of construction. Our lawyer failed to note the requirement to provide a bond or a similar fund of money to restore the building site to an environmentally compliant condition in case we were unable to continue with construction of the new building. While this amount of money is normally secured through a bond, Nevin suggested that in order to save up to $5000.00 in sunk costs, we should increase the amount of money we would borrow for the new building by $200,000.00 creating a line of credit to cover the liability that Stafford County has determined that would be necessary to restore the building site. This must be completed so that the bank is satisfied that the loan is fully collateralized. Since we will be increasing the amount of indebtedness the parish will incur, we must get approval from the Diocesan Standing Committee for the line of credit approach. There will be a delay in obtaining this approval as the Standing Committee does not meet in August. It is hoped that this additional approval can be done by correspondence, but Father Jay, Chris Arey, and Nevin are standing by to appear before the committee at their next meeting. Nevin noted that the county had approved the building use plan without the installation of a sprinkler system. A discussion followed that without a sprinOctober 2014 kler system, the Stafford Tourism Office would not be able to rent the new building from us on occasion. Chris Arey suggested that a task group or a committee should work this issue as it really wasn’t an appropriate use of Nevin’s time. Nevin will attend a meeting with Stafford County on Aug. 21 to address remaining permitting issues and he anticipates getting the permits by Aug. 28. He believes he has saved about $10,000.00 in permitting fees. In response to a question raised by John Sondermann for a parishioner, Nevin reported that efforts to get the Board of Supervisors to waive any remaining permit fees have not been successful to date. Treasurer Chris Arey delivered the Treasurer’s Report, remarking that expenses seemed higher than normal due to recently paying in to the clergy pensions. Chris stated that our cash flow is not favorable; as we wrap up the first and look forward to the next capital campaign, we will need to reduce our expenditures by $30,000.00 next year. He noted that the first campaign is still $170,000.00 short of the pledged amount and that we are only averaging $7000.00 a month in pledge redemptions. He further pointed out that St Herman’s of Alaska had not paid the increase in rent anticipated in July. Fr. Jay reminded the vestry that he would pay the difference owed for four months since he had failed to tell them in time for the first payment. Fr. Jay said that in the spirit of Christian charity, the pastor of St. Herman’s would remit the full amount of the rent due as soon as possible. The following resolutions were approved since the last Vestry meeting: • R-2014-19: Payment for Installation of Historic Church Attic Insulation. Upon completion of the work described in the title of the resolution on July 21, 2014, an electronic vote on this resolution by the Executive Committee approving payment was promulgated by Father Jay and unanimously approved by the Committee. • R-2014-20: Revision of the 2014 Operating Budget. Upon completion of a mid-year review of the vestry’s allocation in the operating budget, the Finance Committee recommended that the budget be revised to increase four expense lines to reflect actual expenditures and that eight ministry expense lines be reduced to reflect actual expenditures. The vestry unanimously approved the resolution. • R-2014-21: Resolution to Approve the 2013 Audit. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Rhonda Pinkerton, reported on the work of the 2013 Audit Committee which completed their internal audit of the parish finances on July 20, 2014. The results of the audit and the Audit Committee recommendations were presented to the Senior Warden and discussed by the vestry and the vestry unanimously approved the resolution. Chris noted that an “agreed upon procedure” or AUP audit would be undertaken next year by an external auditor. Fr. Jay reviewed the pending contract with Robynn’s Nest Cleaning and a discussion followed about the need for employee background checks and work times to accommodate the worship and ministry schedules. Chris asked whether external groups using parish facilities should help cover the increased fees for cleaning and if a schedule of fees could be used to decide what the ministries should be charged. Fr. Jay agreed that the Administration and Finance Committees should consider the issue and a schedule of fees. Fr. Jay said he hoped that Robynn’s Nest Cleaning could start on Oct. 1, and that he would contact the current cleaning service to determine when the changeover could be executed. Fr. Jay noted that the Administration Committee has done superb work in revising the vestry bylaws. He proposed that the vestry vote on accepting the revisions by or at the Sept. 2014 vestry meeting and that the vestry could provide comments to Rich or Wendy prior to the vote. Vestry Committees: Rich Gannon and John Sondermann reviewed the highlights of the August Administration Committee meeting including the progress of the bylaw revisions, annual inventory of church prop- erty and the annual pledge campaign. Tim Spaulding reviewed the highlights of the Aug. 9 Building & Grounds committee meeting. Bill Hoffman and Dennise LaBarre attended the meeting and offered to serve on the committee. Tim discussed the need to have the HVAC ducts for the three buildings inspected and cleaned and distributed an estimate provided by Servpro of Fredericksburg. Tim voiced a concern that there was the potential for asbestos removal or mitigation if extensive repairs to the duct work are required for the historic church building. Finally, Tim discussed the necessity of a new roof for the Parish House and stated that he would seek estimates for the job. The Finance Committee meeting minutes were provided by Rhonda Pinkerton. She reported that the process for using credit card transactions continues to be a work in progress and the committee plans to have it in use prior to Fall Fest. Fr. Jay wants to have the vestry commit to a system employing card readers in time for the September vestry meeting. Rhonda also reported that there was an article in the newsletter about the ministry budget process. The Senior Warden and Rector reported as follows: • Senior Warden Bob Santmyer stated that he anticipates a successful Seafood Feast. • The Clergy Report was provided by Fr. Jay. Fr. Jay stated that he wanted to conduct the annual parish meeting a week earlier than usual in order to allow for an earlier organization of the vestry and to minimize disruption of Sunday School. A discussion of the possible impacts followed with provision of yearend financial documents identified as a challenge. Fr. Jay also reported he had been appointed to lead a task force for the Diocese to determine how much property the Diocese holds and what it might do with the property. The following was noted for the Good of the Order. Jackie Chichester VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS ... continued continued on page 11 … CROSS SECTION October 2014 13 Aquia Episcopal Church Post Office Box 275 Stafford, VA 22555 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED T he Christmas season brings to mind thoughts and memories of loved ones and special times when God has blessed our lives. The members of Aquia Church have always enjoyed contributing to the beauty of the sanctuary during this holy season by purchasing Christmas flowers and greenery in honor of people and events most near and dear to them. Once again, poinsettias, garlands, and other greenery will adorn the church sanctuary this Christmas season. For each poinsettia, a donation of $20 is requested, but the cost will also help the Flower Guild cover the costs of wreaths, garlands, Advent candles, and greenery during Advent. Order forms will be available in the church and online at www.aquiachurch.com. Please include the reasons for each honorarium, and all will be published in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service bulletins. Sheryl K. Colliver Non-Profit Organization U.S.Postage Paid Permit No. 2056 Stafford, VA
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