Dear friends,

“Lord, make us instruments of your peace.” (BCP p. 833, A Prayer attributed to St. Francis)

This week I attended Clergy Conference at Chanco where Br. James Dowd, Monk in Residence in the Diocese of Nebraska and Founding Prior of The Benedictine Way, spoke to us about centering prayer. I have practiced centering prayer for over twenty years, sometimes better than others. One thing that resonated with me during this conference was the realization that when I focus on my centering prayer life, I don’t just feel peace, I am at peace. I had not distinguished the difference before.

My prayer life of late has become what I have shared with you on Sundays, a laundry list of requests for God. The petitions and intercessions have become long. Of course, I pray the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer but on some days, I just check it off as done. I have not been dwelling in Christ and inviting him to dwell in me.

In centering prayer, I leave the words alone. My hope is to just be with God giving him the time and presence that I yearn from him. If we strive to be Christ in the world then we need to take the time to be with the one who will show us how.

I find comfort in the words of Parker Palmer: “It takes no special talent to look around our world and point out things that are numbing, depressing or death-dealing. But becoming aware of what’s good, true and beautiful demands that we open our eyes, minds and hearts and keep them open.

Then we’ll begin to see the beauty everywhere, not only in nature but in human nature. Then we’ll have the inspiration, strength and courage to resist what’s wrong and work for what’s right.”

May I suggest that we cut back on worldly influences and focus on the Good News. Let us look and see how Christ is working in the world and through us. Let us set our goal for each day to be a blessing to someone in need and in the words of St. Francis may we be an instrument of God’s peace.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear friends,
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Fall is finally arriving and with it many exciting activities in our church. As we continue to grow in this liturgical season of Pentecost, I pray that we will hear and follow our “purpose under heaven” as individuals and as a community.

As part of our 325th Anniversary events, Homecoming will take place on October 5. We look forward to seeing friends and family from near and far. Interestingly, as I was reading the story of The Monacan Indians, I noticed that Homecomings are one of the two annual festivals that are currently held by their ancestors to bring the community together to feast, dance, exchange news and engage in various games. To that end, we have extended an invitation to the Monacan Indian Nation and I truly hope someone will attend. Music will be provided by our very own Michael DeHart. Please join us for this festival gathering.

The Manakin Stew prepared by the Men of the Church with Tom Hillsman as our stew master will be offered on Friday, October 10. New this year is the opportunity to pick it up hot from the pot and enjoy it for dinner on Friday. This pick-up will be done at the cooking location in Midlothian.

Our Family Forums have resumed with two opportunities each month to participate. We meet at 9 AM in Denny Hall to enjoy a presentation and fellowship time. This is a great opportunity for our 8 AM and 10 AM worship communities to come together.

I am excited about our EYC (Episcopal Youth Commission) activities that are lining up for the year. Each will have a component of out/in reach, fun and Biblical basis. I am thankful for Katie Harrison’s leadership and the gifts that she is sharing with us. They will be leading our Family Forum on October 26th. Come and hear what they want to share with us.

Beautification efforts continue to be made to the grounds and we give thanks to Jean Hillsman and the Salisbury Garden Club for their work on our entrance beds and planted pots. The Memorial Garden will be taking on a bit of a new look as the overgrown bushes will be trimmed and some removed to open spaces for additional plots. Halsey Dillard continues to keep good care of this area and we are appreciative of her gifts.

Outreach activities continue to be a core mission for us. We will start our Thanksgiving meal collections in October for the Powhatan Food Pantry and will have the shelter feeding program at the end of the month. These are terrific opportunities for community participation and support.

These are just a few of our exciting offerings this fall. I hope that you will keep apprised of these through the Messenger newsletter, weekly eBlasts and bulletin notices. If you are not receiving all of these forms of communication, please let us know. This is our time and season!

Blessings,
Gini+

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Phil and I live between three schools, and this time of year brings lots of energy and excitement to the neighborhood. Other than the increased traffic, we look forward to when the students return to school. Likewise, I look forward to the renewed energy at Manakin as folks return from summer travels.

“Time flies when you are having fun!” Truer words could not be spoken from my point of view. This summer has been filled with fun and rest and has absolutely flown by for me. As this season is coming to a close and we are ready to rally back into our fall schedule, I hope that we can look forward with anticipation to all that we have ahead.

We have several exciting activities relating to our 325th anniversary. I hope that Homecoming on October 5 brings family and friends from over the years back together again. Please help us to reach out to individuals who are no longer here, but that you contact with to include them in this event.

As we look to the future, let us plan and set aside special time for worship, study, fellowship and service. We have exciting offerings at church in the next few months and certainly we will have something for everyone. As students return to school we have the feeling of new beginnings. May we re-energize our focus on church, family and fellowship.

Before you know it we will be ringing in the new year together because time does fly when you are having fun!

Blessings,

Gini+