St. Mary’s Episcopal Church203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, Virginia

The MessengerVolume 38, Issue 3 MAY 2016

Interim RectorThe Rev.

Thomas R. Hughes, Jr.

Deacon

The Rev. Deacon

Edward W. Jones

MusicDirector: Bonnie Trahan

Organist: James Edwards

Vestry & Commissions

Mary C. Parker - Sr. Warden

Erin Bartley - Jr. Warden

Mary Barber

Donna Derry

Lewis Ray

Mary Coombes

Gladys Johnson

Janet Markwith

Jack Gaines

Treasurer; Register

Julie Irving Chuhta

Assistant Treasurer

ECW Officers

President: Ella Johnson

Vice President: Mary Barber

Secretary:

Donna Derry

Treasurer: Mickey Moore;

Bonnie Trahan

Altar Guild

Karna Sparks

Sunday School

Point of Contact

Ann Swope

Newsletter Editor

Barbara Anthony

Webmaster

Mickey Beard

From the Rector’s Desk

Pentecost

Maundy Thursday, March 24, found parishioners

and Mary Barber’s granddaughter, Cali, praying the

prayers of a Seder, learning of the connection of the

Jewish Feast and Christian tradition and enjoying

camaraderie and delicious food as prepared by our

resident chef, Bill Hall.

On April 10, congregants gathered to grab their

partners and learn some steps to circle right, and

circle left at St. Mary’s second annual square dance.

After the dancing, participants stayed put in the

Parish Hall to partake of the baked potato bar.

Although the attendance was small, the fun was

large.

Prayer, Learning and Fellowship

At one time or another, most all sincere Christians ask the "What can I do?"

question. Usually what we have in mind is some unrevealed purpose or

direction for life the knowing of which would give a meaning and fulfillment

which I feel I now lack. It is good to seek after that which is God's will for my personal

existence, but the starting point lies somewhere beneath the surface of what we might do

and has more to do with what we might be.

As the spiritual consciousness of the disciples increased, so did the power of their

words in the ears of others. Not their (or our) ordinary words about the weather or politics,

but the living Word of God which resides in the human heart. It is the enlightened spirit and

mind of others which changes us and raises all consciousness, i.e., self-awareness. Not

actions as such, but actions which proceed from our own spiritual center. So, if it is the

doing of meaningful life that we seek, the finding of it begins with our own spiritual growth.

It is the living Word inside of us which animates the world around us.

Want to do more for Christ, for others, for the world? Don't begin with a certain objective

or goal or manifestation in mind, but by seeking your own spiritual becoming through Bible

study, prayer, reflection, and silence with God. As the living Word comes out into the world

through you, both you and the world around you begin to change. So within, so without.

This is what we each can do and it is our highest calling.

Blessed Pentecost,

Tom+

So, What Can I Do?

St. Mary’s parishioners

‘circling left’

Mary Barber is joined by her granddaughter

at the Seder dinner on Maundy Thursday

The MessengerPAGE 2203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443

The Messenger is issued

approximately seven times during the church

calendar year.

Jan-Feb (Epiphany-Lent)

Mar-April (Holy Week & Easter)

May-June (Pentecost)

Jul-Aug (Mid-Pentecost)

Sep and Oct (More Pentecost)

Nov (Thanksgiving-Advent)

Dec (Christmas-New Year)

The MessengerSt. Mary’s Episcopal Church

203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443

(804) 224-7186 / Fax-(804)224-4059

Email: stmarys_church@verizon.net

or visit us on the web:

http://stmaryscolonialbeach.org

Also click the “Like”

button

to follow us on

http://www.facebook.com/stmaryscbva

We welcome submissions concerning

family, community and church news.

The Vestry is excited to start the new year. Junior Warden, Erin Bartley, is leading the discussion on forming our 2016

goals. Members have selected their point of ministry contact: Christian Formation, Janet Markwith; Church and Worship,

Mary Parker; Outreach, Gladys Clark Johnson; Pastoral Care, Mary Barber and Mary Coombes; Fellowship, Erin Bartley

and Donna Derry; Stewardship, Lewis Ray. One goal of the Vestry is to identify parishioners who can step up not only as

volunteers but also as leaders. Vestry member, Mary Barber, put this aspiration into practice. She recognized the talent

and willingness of parishioner Sue Coulson and commissioned her as lead of the prayer shawl ministry. Sue accepted and

has already designed and ordered labels that can be affixed to the shawls informing all recipients that the shawls were

prayerfully made by St. Mary’s parishioners. Thank you, Sue.

Speaking of lay leadership, we are grateful to Kathy Waltermire for sharing her knowledge of and love for the Episcopal

Church with the many participants ready to be confirmed, received or reaffirmed.

Our lay led Christian book club has demonstrated great value as the number of those participating has increased from

session one to session two. A new book will be announced in June for the next start-up in July.

Because of the Confirmation classes, we have postponed our Ministry Fair until the fall. At that time, we hope to pique the

interest of parishioners to become members of the worship team as greeters, readers, acolytes, LEMs, LEVs, and altar

guild experts.

I recently had lunch with our eldest parishioner, Alberta Parkinson. We were laughing about the over eighty clique. Alberta

reminded me that St. Mary’s might not have the youngest membership directory, but we still get a lot of things

accomplished. Amen to that.

Whatever our background or training, and whatever our position in life—God has gifted us and called

us to use our gifts as servants. If we’re willing to serve, He can use us in a mighty way.

Sincerely,

Mary C. Parker

Senior Warden

From the Senior Warden

The Episcopal shield and the corresponding flag were officially adopted by General Convention

in 1940. The shield is usually presented in red, white, and blue. The red cross on a white field is

an ancient Christian symbol, white representing the purity of Jesus and red representing his sacrifice

on the cross and the blood of Christian martyrs. The red cross is known as the cross of St. George,

patron saint of England, and indicates the Episcopal Church’s descent from the Church of England.

The blue field in the upper left is the color traditionally associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary and is symbolic of Jesus’

human nature, which he received from his mother. The X-shaped cross is the cross of St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland,

and recalls the Episcopal Church’s indebtedness to Scottish bishops for the consecration of the first American bishop, Samuel

Seabury, in 1784. The St. Andrew’s cross is made up of nine smaller cross-crosslets that stand for the representatives of the

Church in the nine states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina,

Virginia, and Delaware) who met in Philadelphia in 1789 to adopt the constitution of the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Handbook

The Episcopal Church Shield

324 Beth Peed25

PAGE 3203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443 The Messenger

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

St. Mary’s Church Mission

We at St. Mary’s are called to be a visible sign of Christ’s presence in our community. We are a family of God’s people committed

to nurturing spiritual growth in ourselves, our families, this community and the world in which we live and serve.

JULY

Please Note: There is a list of birthdays

and anniversaries in the church. Check

to make sure your special day is on the

list and make corrections as necessary.

Story Telling

Our Story Telling will take on a different look on June 12 at 9:15am. Val

Bowman will be a guest of St. Mary’s and share her experiences among the

unreached of eastern Turkey. With all the tragic headlines, do you wonder what

is on God’s heart? How is our amazing God making himself known in the midst of

such crisis in the world? Anglican Frontier Missions’ heart is near to God’s heart

as they reach out to the unreached nations. Come hear how many are coming to

faith in Jesus Christ as the persecuted church emerges strong.

Erin Bartley will share some of her story on the second Sunday in July. She

was raised in Colonial Beach and baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mary’s.

She has a deep love for her church and is quite a believer in the benefits of

Vacation Bible School. Erin has a profound relationship with the Lord, but it is a

bond that has not been smooth sailing.

The artistic work of parishioners Kathy Waltermire and Doris Barbee will be

displayed at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts studio. Stop by to view, enjoy and support their

work on May 13th through June 5th, 2016.

Beginning May 5 and lasting until late September, the grounds of St. Mary’s will

be host to a Farmer’s Market. The hours of operation are 4:00pm through 7:00pm.

Various produce and other goods will be available.

ladys Clark Johnson was the story

teller on April 10, 2016. As a young

black woman in the early 50s, she left

her small Pennsylvania town to embark

on higher education at Howard

University. She began first as a Special

Education teacher before moving on to

administration. It was under Gladys’

leadership that a Mobile Diagnostic

Team was developed in order to reach

more Special Education students in the

District of Columbia’s Public Schools.

She has traveled extensively and had

the good fortune of being a part of the

March on Washington, an experience

that Gladys remembers as a day filled

with excitement about and hope for

equal rights among all people.

Gn May 15, between services, we will

hear from our oldest parishioner,

Alberta Parkinson. She was baptized,

confirmed and married at Our Savior

Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.

Almost immediately after moving to

Colonial Beach, she became the

custodian of the Beach House and

preparer of snow cones and frozen

custard. That job followed by being

named First Mate on her husband’s

boat, a story to behold since she

never fished before.

Farmer’s Market on St. Mary’s Grounds

Paints and Pastels

2 Mary Coombes

3 Dee & Gary Seeber (A)

7 Martha Okrasinski

8 Ella Johnson

9 Susan and Bryon (Tree) Mack (A)

10 Becky Hunt

11 Debbie & Robert Harrison (A)

Dianne McKee

13 Michael Camlin

Kristine Guido

15 Vicki Roberson

21 Beth & Joe Powell (A)

22 June Gaines

Robin Menefee

25 Erin & Glen Bartley (A)

Alice Hopkins

26 Janet & Chris Markwith (A)

27 Lynn & Bill Speight (A)

28 Sherri Allwine

29 Mary & John Barber (A)

30 Kathy & P.D. Greenlaw (A)

Janet Markwith

JUNE

O

1 Ann Flaim

Edward Menefee

3 Frances Cook

4 Claudette Okrasinski

6 Tommy Robinette

7 Linda Bolton

Gloria Isaksen

Mary Jeter

11 Cindy & Donny Law (A)

12 Frances & Ralph Cook (A)

Natalie Kelly

Father Ron Okrasinski

James Peed

13 Skip Harris

16 Kendra McDougal

17 Emily Camlin

Frank Coates

21 Laura Jo Darcy

24 Clyde Hunt

Norman Trivett

25 Joseph Powell

28 Nick Danfora

30 Bert Craun

31 Natalie & Joe Kelly (A)

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PAGE 4203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443The Messenger

Announcements Parish Hall Use - Remember to schedule your event for the

Parish Hall by calling the church office at 224-7186

Centering Prayer – Every Tuesday, 10:00 a.m., Hart Hall

Adult Sunday School – 9:15, Parish Hall

Aerobics every Monday and Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Parish

Hall

Wednesday Eucharist at 10:30 am

Alcoholic Anonymous meets every Tuesday and Saturday –

8 p.m., Parish Hall

Food Pantry – Monday, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon; Thursday

evening, 6:00-7:00 pm, 1st Saturday, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Parish Hall

Mark Your Calendar

Food Pantry

Would you like to receive a copy of our newsletter,

The Messenger, via email instead of snail mail?

Alternately, is your reaction: “Heck no,” because you

enjoy receiving a hard copy in your mailbox? St. Mary’s

vestry is offering you an option of preference. Please

take a minute to complete the enclosed postcard and

send it back to the church office. You will receive the

July issue as a result of your choice.

Have you noticed shingles strewing the lawn rather

than protecting the roofs of our church and parish hall?

The Vestry did and consequently applied to the Diocese

for the Bishop Peter Lee Grant in the amount of $21,000.

Each year the Diocese awards to parishes half of the

amount requested with the understanding that the church

will match the funds. This year, due to an overflow of

requests, St. Mary’s only received one-fourth of the money

applied for rather than the anticipated half. However, the

roofs still need to be replaced. Just recently, it was

observed that the wooden boards between the church and

the roof are no longer preventing rain water from entering

between the shingles. Because we are still without a full

time rector, this task can be accomplished but not without

sacrifice. If anyone would like to give something extra

towards the completion of this project, please remit your

contribution to the church marked “roofs.”

3 Community lunch in the Parish Hall from 12:00pm to

2:00pm

On behalf of the parishioners and the children whose

lives were touched; the Vestry would like to extend a hearty

thank you to Ann Swope. Her dedication to the Sunday

school children went beyond the call of simply volunteering.

It required so much of her time. It was not unusual for Ann

and Steve to drive down to Blacksburg for a VA Tech

game, only to turn around to be back in time for Sunday

school. Even when numbers declined or disappeared

completely, and it appeared a fruitless endeavor, Ann

remained committed to the ideal of imparting knowledge of

God and instilling a desire for a personal relationship with

Him.

Ann is taking a break from this ministry. We are all so

appreciative of all she has contributed through the years.

She has made an invaluable difference in the lives of so

many of our children, both members and visitors alike. She

is a notable parishioner!

Notable Parishioner Email Newsletter or

Roofs’ Replacement Required

MAY

JUNE

JULY

15 Story telling in the Parish Hall at 9:15am

28 Yard Sale at 7:30am through 12:30pm

4 Community lunch in the Parish Hall from 12:00pm to

2:00pm.

12 Guest Speaker in the Parish Hall at 9:15am

13 ECW meeting in the Parish Hall at 10:30am

21 Vestry meeting in Hart Hall at 6:15pm

August Art WalkSt. Mary’s participated in the town’s February

art walk. The Parish Hall was aglow with candles,

the art of high-school students, and music performed

by Christian guitarist David Croson. Father Tom and

the Vestry would like to repeat something similar for the August

12th art walk and would love to feature the artists of St. Mary’s be

it with drawings, paintings, photography, woodworking, knitting

etc.. Please call Mary Parker at 804-224-8055 by the end of

May if you are interested in sharing your gift with your fellow

parishioners and the town. We will follow up with information

regarding the format, display and procedures. Nothing elaborate

is expected of you. We want only to share the talents of St.

Mary’s in-church artists. And, we are proud to do so.

324 Beth Peed25

PAGE 5203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443 The Messenger

On May 28, at 7:30 am, St. Mary’s will host a yard sale

but on a smaller scale than in previous years. The St. Mary’s

section will display its wares along with area residents who

are interested in hosting their own yard sale but lack the

room to do so. For a set price, interested townsfolk will rent a

space and/or tables from St. Mary’s and sell their wares

using our property. If you would like to rent an area and use

this opportunity to sell your own goods, please contact Erin

Bartley at 540-850-3166 (ebartley911@gmail.com). If you

have items to donate to the St. Mary's tables, please call the

church office at 804-224-7186 or drop the items off at the

office. A sign-up sheet is available on the piano for

parishioners interested in preparing baked goods to be sold

and to help with set up and take down. In case of rain, the

yard sale will be postponed to a later date.

The Disco Fever Fundraiser for St. Mary’s Community

Lunch was a huge success. Disco queens in go go boots

and guys with a swagger hit the dance floor with tunes

spun by DJ, Dr. evrocem@verizon.net,

sipped libations and ate delicious food prepared

by Bill Hall. A real community effort showed

with those who volunteered time, money, and

ideas in order to help our church continue its

mission to provide free lunch to the community

on the first Saturday of the month. Special appreciation is

expressed to Gitie’s and the Colonial Beach Car Club for their

generous donations, which provides this month’s lunch. If you

haven’t yet attended one of these community lunch events,

please consider doing so. Bring a friend or meet a friend.

Community Lunch Fundraiser

When we gathered at our annual meeting in February, Bonnie Trahan, Chairperson of the Search Committee, shared that

we were looking at a strong candidate. That person and the Search Committee mutually agreed that the fit was not perceptible.

Since then, the Search Committee reworked our profile and placed it anew on the national website immediately after Easter, the

time that appears best for priests looking for new positions. As a result, we anticipate hearing from new candidates and already

have two prospects.

The Search Committee has been diligently and prayerfully looking to call our new rector. At first glance, one might wonder,

“Why the delay? What’s the drawback?’’

There are two things at work in the search. First, are the facts. Ordinations to the priesthood have fallen by 31 percent and

permanent deacons now make up 30 percent of all ordinations. Retirements are outpacing ordinations by 43 percent. When

clergy change parishes, they tend to find employment in areas that are relatively close to their previous cure. Fully 20 percent of

clergy moves are within 16 miles of a cleric’s previous job; 40 percent of moves are within 53 miles.

Second, could possibly be the hand of God. Has it been the Lord guiding us all along? As a parish, we needed the time,

although we did not know that at first. We have spent this time in waiting, sometimes in disappointment that a promising

candidate did not work out as we had hoped, or in uncertainty about the Lord’s will for us, but we were always growing. St.

Mary’s has been in its own Advent: a time of expectant preparation and waiting for our new rector. During this time, our spir it is

being revitalized, and the parish has been empowered to own the responsibility of St. Mary’s mission. We are now ready to share

our church with the person that the Lord is calling to St. Mary’s.

Please continue to keep the Search Committee in your prayers. One might think that the Committee is tired and frustrated.

Quite the contrary, we are ready to continue the search and to do so with vigor and trust that the candidate who will lead our

parish in faith, collaboration, fellowship and charity is ours to call.

I am happy to report that the Spring Fling was a success.

We tried some new things this year. The continental

breakfast and the selling of bedding plants seemed to be very

popular. I want to thank everyone who helped to make this

event a success.

We had a repast for the family and friends of Donald

Markwith. The family was very grateful and extends

appreciation to everyone who helped.

The ECW takes a vacation during the months of July and

August, but we will have our regularly scheduled June

meeting on the 13th. We will return in September to make the

next year a success.

Thanks to everyone and may Our Lord bestow His

blessings on each and everyone.

Yours in Christ,

Ella Johnson, President

Search Committee Update

Yard Sale

From the Desk of the ECW

Susan and Tree

After Funeral ReceptionsSt. Mary’s parishioners are always generous with their

time, if and when they are asked to step up to the plate. Such

is the case with this request. However, nothing will be asked of

you until the need arises. The ECW has as one of its key

ministries, preparing a reception following a funeral. In order

not to rely on the same small group of ‘go-to’ people, the ECW

would like to expand its list of volunteers who would be willing

to make finger sandwiches, dessert, salad and others items as

needed. This demonstration of kindness for grieving families

and friends is possible whether you are working or retired. In

addition to the sign-up sheet that will be located on the piano,

you may also call the church office, 804-224-7186 to leave your

name with the church secretary. Thank you in advance for

your help with this compilation of parishioners who are willing to

share in this ECW ministry.

If you are unable to participate as assigned, please attempt to find a substitute. If you are unsuccessful, please call the church office (224-7186) without delay. Thank you for your service to St. Mary’s and your contribution to this ministry.

PAGE 6203 Dennison St.

Colonial Beach, VA 22443The Messenger

May 15 May 22 May 29 June 5 June 12

L.E.M.

8:00 Tim Burgess Mary Barber Deacon Jones Tim Burgess Deacon Jones

10:30 Bill Hall Jack Gaines Beth Peed Deacon Jones Deacon Jones

Greeter

8:00 Mickey Moore Ella Johnson Kathy Greenlaw Phyllis Gallahan J. & N. Kelly

10:30 Karna Sparks C. Birmingham Barbara Megee Karna Sparks C. Birmingham

Gifts Greeters Choose Volunteers Before the Service

Crucifier Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy

Lector

8:00 Tim Burgess Mary Barber Kathy Greenlaw Erin Bartley Natalie Kelly

10:30 Kristine Guido Bill Hall Kyle Allwine Kathy Waltermire John L Johnson

Intercessions

8:00 Mickey Moore Ella Johnson Lynn Speight Mary Barber Mary Parker

10:30 Peggy Johnston C. Birmingham Barbara Megee Mary Jeter Gladys Johnson

Coffee Hour Trahans Rays Parkers

Altar Flowers Ella Johnson Pat FitzGerald Peggy Johnston Peeds Macks

Altar Guild Mary Barber Lynn Speight Mary Parker Pat FitzGerald

June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17

L.E.M.

8:00 Mary Barber Deacon Jones Tim Burgess Deacon Jones Mary Barber

10:30 Deacon Jones Bill Hall Deacon Jones Kristine Guido Deacon Jones

Greeter

8:00 Mickey Moore Mary Barber Phyllis Gallahan Ella Johnson Kathy Greenlaw

10:30 Barbara Megee Steve Cannady Karna Sparks C. Birmingham Barbara Megee

Gifts Greeters Choose Volunteers Before the Service

Crucifier Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy Graham Darcy

Lector

8:00 Mary Barber Erin Bartley Tim Burgess Mary Parker Kathy Greenlaw

10:30 James Peed Jack Gaines Heather Trivett Beth Peed Bill Hall

Intercessions

8:00 Mickey Moore Lynn Speight Mary Barber Ella Johnson Erin Bartley

10:30 Bonnie Trahan Steve Cannady Ann Flaim June Gaines James Peed

Coffee Hour Father’s Day

Social

Trahans

Altar Flowers Karna Sparks Lynn Speight Ann Flaim Phyllis Gallahan Kris Guido

Altar Guild Mary Barber Mary Barber Lynn Speight

If you are unable to participate as assigned, please attempt to find a substitute. If you are

unsuccessful, please call the church office (224-7186) without delay. Thank you for your service to

St. Mary’s and your contribution to this ministry.

Schedule of Servers, May 15 through July 17