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49 enjoyed music from the choir, soloists (harp, violin, organ, vocal), scripture, hymns and a sermon about Joseph. While chilly, we were treated to a spectacular sunset and evening before the service. Links 1. 2.

Last year the focus was on the Angel Gabriel. This year it was Mary. The church windows were decorated with art concerning Mary from all over the world. The play, written by Catherine, featured an older Mary reflecting on her life which included the birth of Jesus.

We had 10 people for a simple supper and a study of John A. Swanson’s 6 Advent paintings on Dec. 17, 2013. These paintings are closer to folk art with an emphasis on placing the nativity story with in the community. Mary is integrated within the life of Nazareth and Bethlehem which is turn give you a unique feel of everyday life then. Links 1. 2. 3.

“What’s the use of displaying all of these Christmas items if no one sees it!” That sums up the reason why Cherry and Woody Everett have thrown their magnificent Christmas party.||Pictures don’t do the Everett’s Christmas justice. The centerpiece is the Christmas village of 19th century buildings – hotels, a bank, a church, a ski facility and various commercial enterprises – even some modern additions like Krispy Kreme. It fills an entire room. There is the sound of a hundred moving items. And Cherry can tell where they purchased ever one.

We partnered again with Caroline’s Promise, Parks and Recreation, Town of Port Royal, Memorial Baptist to provide a Christmas experience on Dec. 13, 2013 for the children and families. We probably had 150+ people, larger than 2012. St. Peter’s provided the food – two kinds of soup, bread and vegetables. The Fishers did the face and hand painting. Numerous crafts and games were setup. After 6pm, we moved outside for caroling led by Nancy, culminating in the lighting of the tree and the arrival of Santa Claus. The line was long for Santa. After sitting on Santa’s lap, each child received a gift. St. Peter’s also donated the $50 Sheetz gas card for the raffle. Barbara Wisdom and the Evening ECW did an excellent job in organizing this wonderful evening

It was all here:1. A visit from St. Nicholas at a breakfast in his name 2. A sermon about the The Circle of the Church Year 3. The children lighting the Advent Candle 4. The Giving tree 5. The collection of the UTO offering 6. New music, a change in the altar

This was a celebration and honoring of a charter 269 years old and a town the oldest in Caroline County. St. Peter’s with help of Salem Baptist in Bowling provided the moon bounce and slide for children. Many parishioners contributed their time and talent for the day. Besides the mayor and town council, Cookie handled the moon bounce/slide; Mike Newman put on his colonial garb; Peggy Roberts, Nancy Wick, and Elizabeth took over the water and soda sales; Bill Wick and Helmut handled the beer sales; Becky Fisher was involved in a booth along with Kimberly. Phyllis Sue was involved in the cooking.

The Thirteen, twelve singers with conductor Matthew Robertson, brought the Renaissance to life for 100 concert goers on Oct. 22. It was a young group that tackled an ambitious program of two key Renaissance composers – Tallis and Palestrina, both 16th century /composers of sacred music in England and Italy, respectively. We thank Cookie, Catherine, the Pogues, the Carpenters, and the Heimbachs in particular for their help with the concert.

We had 8 dogs with 17 people – the same number of animals as in 2012 but this blessing was characterized by the number of children which contrasted nicely with last year’s more subdued gathering. It was definitely livelier on an unseasonably warm day for this year However, one thing is constant – Elizabeth Heimbach’s mouse treats. They’re worth coming out for even without an animal.

|We had 30 people at Gospel on the River at the Reynolds pavilion in Portabago Bay, slightly down from last year at 35. Social hour was the for the first 45 minutes. Beer and wines were standard fare along with Nancy’s wonderful fish, Andrea’s bread, mini casseroles, finger food, Cherry’s cookies and ham sandwiches. Helmut and Denise Symonds led us through the pieces.

We had 6 people on Sept. 28, 2013 to make bread (Catherine, Barbara, Andrea, Elizabeth, Wendy and Mary Ann) and four others to watch (Crystal, Nancy, Cherry and Cookie). Five made Catherine’s braided bread and Mary Ann made a Mediterranean bread. Catherine learned this technique from her dorm mother in college and was “paying it foward.” We had food to go along including Barbara’s Cranberry-Orange Nut Bread.

Feasting on Jesus usually focuses on a scripture that illustrates the role of food in Jesus life. Picnic on the Beach is one of the more exotic entries based on around the end of Johns Gospel. John 21 9-14, the disciples meeting Jesus on the beach for a fish breakfast. The session concentrated on the fishing industry. 10 people enjoyed a wide variety of seafood, bread and a display of pictures, maps and shells from Catherine’s previous trip to the Sea of Galilee. Thanks to both Jim Heimbach and Catherine for capturing these pictures.

Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language – parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action – helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of Gods presence in their lives. When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. This approach is quite different from the traditional model in which the teacher tells the children what they need to know. Godly Play is not about things that are that simple

We had several surprises from on the third night of Vacation Bible School. A new family, friends of the Wisdoms, came – they had a 5 year old child. The Rev. Amy P. Turner came along with Catherine from Fredericksburg to meet the children. She will be the children’s coordinator using the Godly Play curriculum in September. We also had some of the Long family to show up. A big surprise was the low humidity and plentiful sun in the middle of August! Wow! The younger children learned about friendship through friends that helped Paul (Aninias at Paul’s conversion, escape through a basket in Damascus) and then attached their names on a purple roller to a Biblical saying. They indicated how they sacrificed for their siblings. The older children continued with the travels of Paul. The adults completed their study of Galatians in chapter five. The younger children then had a crafts activity making colorful firecrackers

Vacation Bible school continued in night #2 . The organization under Becky is superb. Elizabeth provided the meal – two varieties of macaroni, “aggressive”oatmeal cookies plus barbecue, slaw and pototo salad from night #1. It was amazing to see the Apostle Paul taught on three levels. Barbara led the younger children talking about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus , Becky the older children (Paul’s travels) and Catherine the adults (chapters 2-5 of Galatians, Paul’s justification by faith). While the children provide the spirit for the evening, the adults should be saluted for making it all happen. In addition, we have received a letter from Michael thanking St. Peter’s for funds donated to his school for the playground fund.