“THE CALL” · Bishop The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV Rector The Rev. John M. Eidam Secretary Vel Shreve Music Director Joyce Baker Treasurer Carolyn King Sexton Kevin Bates

FEBRUARY 2017

St. Peter’s Episcopal

Church 224 S. Military Highway

Norfolk, VA 23502

Phone: 757-466-9392

“Celebrating and Proclaiming our Life in Jesus Christ!”

“THE CALL”

St. Peter’s Episcopal

Church

St. Peter’s Church was organized

in 1885 and the cornerstone was

dedicated September 5th, 1886.

This structure still stands on Brown

Avenue in Norfolk. The first

worship service at our present site

was in the parish hall on Christmas

Eve, 1959. All existing

construction was completed in

1965.

5th…………….Staff meeting, 11:30AM

7th…………….Prayer Shawl meeting, 7PM

9th...…………..Finance meeting, 7PM

10th,11th……..Annual Council in Williamsburg

12th…………..Vestry meeting, 11:30AM

16th…………..Day School Board meeting, 7PM

18th…………..Women’s Conference,

“For Such A Time as This”, 9AM

20th…………...President’s Day. Office & School closed

25th……………Acolyte meeting, 10AM

28th…………Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper , 5-7PM

ST.PETER’S CHURCH STAFF

Bishop The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV

Rector The Rev. John M. Eidam

Secretary Vel Shreve

Music Director Joyce Baker

Treasurer Carolyn King

Sexton Kevin Bates

Happy Birthday

Join us for Birthday and Anniversary Blessings on the first Sunday of the month

FEBRUARY 2017

VESTRY MEMBERS

Ana Nowland - Sr. Warden (’17)

Bruce Comfort - Jr. Warden (‘18)

Nancy Comfort (’18) Bonnie Rennick (’19)

Isaac Weisiger (’18)

The “Feed The Hungry” Ministry“ We work with Blan-

kets for the Homeless” supplying lunches, sweets, water, fruit

and drinks. If you would like to join our ministry, or make a

meal or monetary donation, please

contact Ricki Wright at (757)724-

0594 or email [email protected].

Now that the colder weather is

here the homeless are in need of

hats, scarves, and gloves.

Thank you!

Please bring your donated items to church and place in the

container provided in the parish hall. Thank you.!

THE PRAYER SHAWL

GROUP

The group meets on the first Tuesday of

the month. This month they meet on the

1st. They knit, crochet and loom. All are

welcome to join them. Bring your needles,

hooks and looms. There are needles and

yarn for you to practice with if you need to.

They make prayer shawls, that are given to

our sick and shut in members, hats and

scarves for the homeless, baby hats, and

sweaters for World Vision.

For more information contact

Millie Coward at 455-5887.

If you have not yet completed a

Commitment Card for 2017 it’s not too

late. Cards are found in the narthex and

the parish hall. Or call the office

466-9392 and a card will be

mailed to you Please return your

completed card to the office as

soon as possible. Thank you!

Andrew Midgette 3rd

Andy Diffenbaugh 14th

Matthew Shreve 14th

Carolyn King 15th

Allison Truxell 16th

Ashley Williams 18th

Jodi McGinty 21st

Lauren DeLoatche 22nd

Yvonne Authement 23rd

At the Annual Parish Meeting held Sunday, January 15th, John said

thank you to our outgoing vestry members:

Charlie Pfeifer, Judy Eller, Cathy Midgette, and Coach Sigler,

and welcomed our newest member, Bonnie Rennick.

At the vestry meeting on Sunday, January 22nd, the vestry voted on

the Senior and Junior Wardens.

Congratulations Ana and Bruce

Peggy Pfeifer continues as Vestry Register. Thank you Peggy!

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Men’s Bible Study– Tuesday mornings at 7:30AM. The men

are studying the Book of John. They meet in the meeting room

beside Children’s Chapel. Bring your Bible and bring a friend!

The Intercessory Prayer Group Meet Sunday mornings

at 9AM in the Diffenbaugh Library. If you are unable to

attend any Sunday, you may request the group pray for you

or your loved one by writing on a prayer card and placing it in the Prayer Box on the table in the parish hall or in the

Narthex. All prayers are kept confidential within the

group.

June Faye Laurie Sandy

B.J. Sebastian Shirley

Nikko & Family Paul Christine

Lois Fred Chelsea

Joe Christian Patsi

Maria Mary Lou Carole

Melissa Hannah Brian

Tom & Family Connie Hazel

Xander & Family Kevin Joan

Johnny & Nancy Al & Millie Kamika

Debbie & Kenny Chris David

Angie & Peter Stephen Cheryl

Alison Kathy Scott

Rod Brenda Amy

Susie Lynette Jillian

Jeannie Stephen John

Alice Gary Sand

Jackie & Dave Thomas Heidie

The Baird Family Jessica Eva

Joyce

Women’s Bible Study—The Women’s Bible Study group

meet each Wednesday at 1PM, in the Diffenbaugh Library.

They are studying the Book of John. The Rector leads the

study.

ALTAR FLOWERS

If you would like to give altar flowers any Sunday through

2017, please sign the new flower chart in the vestibule. Sign your name beside the Sunday you wish to give. You may also call the church office

at 466-9392. The altar flowers are $70 week-

ly or $35 when two families give on the same

Sunday. The flower chart is on the wall in the vestibule, between the parish hall and the church. Sign up for the Sunday you would like to give flowers.

Men’s & Women’s Cursillo Group The women’s grouping

begins at 6:15PM and the men meet at 6:30PM every

Wednesday.

Co-ed Bible Study Group meet Wednesdays, at 7:30PM.

They are studying the Book of John .Everyone is invited.

They meet in the Diffenbaugh Library. Bring your Bible and

bring a friend!

Please keep these people in your prayers

ATTENTION ACOLYTES! We praise God for

the successful acolyte meeting in December and

appreciate the parents as they waited patiently for

us during the meeting. We are exited for each new

and returning acolyte, both youth and adult. We will

journey together with our goal to always glorify God

while serving in this wonderful ministry. We have

another meeting in February to discuss the upcoming

Lenten season. The meeting will be held Saturday,

February 25, at 10AM. Acolytes are asked to vest at

this meeting for a group photo.

A REMINDER… St. Peter’s Youth Group is collecting

spare change to help support the Homeless in Norfolk.

.Please use the jar located in the parish hall to make your

donations. Thank you for being faithful and generous.

Our Day School is collecting Box Tops for Education and

Campbell’s Labels for Education. Please bring your box tops

and labels to church and place them in the box provided in

the parish hall. A reminder to pick up a 1.2.3.4 Community

Farm Fresh key tag. Every time you use your key tag our

school receives points which enable us to buy educational

equipment for the school.

Thank you for your support!

SUPPORT OUR VETERANS

MILITARY PRAYER BOARD

Scott Darian Bill Kyle Jason Eddie Mike & Mark

Andy Robbie Bryan John Rick Justin Steven

Matt Todd Andrew Hugo Nick Charles Wesley

Daniel Justin Chris Kambiz Dwayne Greg Bryan

Carl Jr. Dave Charles Francisco Will Grant Bianca

Shannon Christopher

All types of clothing is needed at the

Veteran’s Hospital

Please donate your gently used clothing to the

VET’s. Bring them to church and place in the

container provided in the parish hall. Thank you!

GOD BLESS ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AT HOME AND AWAY Below is a list of

men and women serving in the Armed Forces of our country. Our intention is to pray for them each week during Intercessory

Prayer. We also encourage you to place this list in your home so that you can pray for these people daily. If you would like to

have the name of a loved one added to the list (or deleted ) please call the office at 466-9392

NORFOLK ADMIRALS HOCKEY GAME

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! St. Peter’s

will attend a hockey game at Scope on Saturday,

March 4th. Game time is 7:15PM. Tickets are

$16.50 and must be purchased prior to the

game.. Please sign the sheet

on the bulletin board in the

parish hall if you plan on

attending. Any questions?

Contact Nancy Comfort at

480-0316.

The deadline for articles for

the March

issue of The Call is:

February 15th

SHROVE TUESDAY—February 28th Pancake Supper 5-7PM

All you can eat!

Tickets:

Adults ……..……..…….$7

Children 4-10 ………..$4

Children under 4 years free

Tickets are available now

February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28

8am Holy Eucharist Rite I

9am Intercessory Prayer

10am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Children’s Chapel/Christian Ed.

11:30am Staff Meeting





11:30am Vestry Meeting









PRESDENT’S

DAY

Office & Day

School closed

7:30AM Men’s

Bible Study

Prayer Shawl

meeting 7PM

8PM AA meeting

7:30AM Men’s

Bible Study

8PM AA meeting

7:30AM Men’s

Bible Study

8PM AA meeting

1PM Women’s

Bible Study

6:15PM Womens

Cursillo

6:30PM Men’s Cursillo

7:15 CoEd Bible Study

1PM Women’s

Bible Study

6:15PM Womens

Cursillo



1PM Women’s

Bible Study

6:15PM Womens

Cursillo



1PM Women’s

Bible Study

6:15PM Womens

Cursillo



Finance

Committee

Meeting 7PM

Day School

Board Meeting,

7PM

ANNUAL COUNCIL

WOMEN’S

CONFERENCE

9AM

SHROVE

TUESDAY

Pancake Supper

5-7PM

ACOLYTE

MEETING

10AM

ASSIGNMENTS February 5th— 5th Sunday after Epiphany

Acolytes Bronwyn Shreve, Bonnie Rennick

Ushers Larry Shreve, Steve Galford

Lector at 8AM Tony Antonik

LEM at 8AM Ed Klaus

Lector at 10AM Jeffrey Pfeifer

LEMS at 10AM Howard Belote, Bruce Comfort

Altar Guild Duty Bobbi Bowery, Millie Coward

Nursery Attendants Wendy Glaeser, Amanda Weisiger

February 12th—6th Sunday after Epiphany

Acolytes Gabi McGinty, Christine Truxell

Ushers Sean McGinty, Jim Jimeno

Lector at 8AM Drew Midgette

LEM at 8AM Charlie Pfeifer

Lector at 10AM Larry Shreve

LEMS at 10AM Nancy Comfort, Bruce Comfort

Altar Guild Duty Vel Shreve, Dot Pierce

Nursery Attendants Ana Nowland, Karen Kakol


Acolytes Danny Nowland, Corrin King, Ed Klaus, Nancy Comfort

Ushers Isaac Weisiger, Larry Shreve

Lector at 8AM Vivien Valentine

LEMS at 8AM Ed Klaus

Lector at 10AM Judy Eller

LEMS at 109AM Kimberly Truxell, Roger Rennick

Altar Guild Duty Nancy Comfort, Mary Laine

Nursery Attendants Amanda Keller, Wendy Glaeser


Acolytes Olivia McGinty, Nancy Comfort

Ushers Vicky Martin, Steve Kakol

Lector at 8AM Tony Antonik

LEM at 8AM Maurice Caldwell

Lector at 10AM Bonnie Rennick

LEMS at 10AM Jason Nowland, Charlie Pfeifer

Altar Guild Duty Judy Eller, Bonnie Rennick

Nursery Attendants Yvonne Authement, Jodi McGinty

HAPPY FEBRUARY

This Month our Youth will be setting Goals for the New Year.

We will be looking at different characters throughout the

bible and seeing how God used broken people just like us to

fulfill his purposes

Continue to pray that our Youth would fall more in love with

Jesus and follow him on the path he has for their lives.

Thank you

St. Peter’s Children’s Ministry February 2017

Did You Know? February 14

th is Valentine’s Day. Although it is

celebrated as a lover’s holiday with the giving of

candy, flowers or other gifts between couples in

love; it originated in the 5th Century Rome as

tribute to St. Valentine, a Catholic bishop.

In AD 270, Emperor Claudise had determined that

married men made poor soldiers. So he banned

marriage from his empire. But Valentine would

secretly marry young men that came to him. When

Claudius found out about Valentine, he first tried to

convert him to paganism. But Valentine refused to

give up his belief in Jesus and was imprisoned.

During the days that Valentine was imprisoned, he

fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer. His

love for her, and his great faith, managed to

miraculously heal her from her blindness before his

death. Before he was taken to his death, he signed a

farewell message to her, “From your Valentine.”

The phrase has been used on this day ever since.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

**************************** Corny Humor

Why do fluorescent lights always hum?

Because they don’t know the words…

Inside a bowling alley:

“Please be quiet, we need to hear a pin drop”

What did one fish say to the other?

Keep your mouth shut, and we won’t get caught.

Dates to Remember Feb 5

th – Epiphany 5 – Birthday Blessings in

Church at 10:00 am service

Feb 12th

– Epiphany 6 – Making Valentine

Cards and goodie bags for Leigh Hall Memory

Care Center

Feb 19th

– Epiphany 7

Feb 26th

– Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Chapel Children sing at 10:00 am service

Feb 28th – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

(5:00 – 7:00 pm)

March 1st – Ash Wednesday

Beginning of Lent Season

Special activity for children to do at home with

family.

**************************** Happy Birthday- Matthew Chudacek!

(Feb 22nd

)

St. Peter’s Children’s Ministry February 2017

FROM THE RECTOR

Vestry Highlights: At its January 22nd meeting, the Vestry:

Approved the Financial Report:

Our income for December of 2016 was $3,456 more than budgeted

Our expenses for December of 2016 were $187 less than budgeted

We finished the year 2016 $15,460 over budget

Elected the following individuals to one year terms:

Senior Warden- Ana Nowland

Junior Warden- Bruce Comfort

Register- Peggy Pfeifer

Treasurer- Carolyn King

Discussed upcoming Staff and Vestry Retreat (March 24-25)

Decided to remove white fence bordering the church-maintenance issues

Decided to postpone plans to re-carpet the transcept area of the church

Rector’s Prayer List- Please join me in praying for:

Our Diocese and our Bishop,The Rt. Rev. Herman (Holly) Hollerith

+ Our Presiding Bishop,The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry

+ The people and clergy of our neighborhood churches.

+ Our friends at St. James Holiness Church.

+ The leaders of our nation, our state, and our local governments.

+ Wisdom and discernment for our 2017 Vestry members.

+ For our Staff and Vestry members as they “retreat” (Mar. 24-25)

+ Lots of Positive Change for our youth collection jars.

Answered Prayers- Please join me in giving thanks to God for:

+ Our newest church members.

+ My incredibly talented Church Staff!

+ Our 2017 Vestry members.

+ The ministries of our church and their leaders.

+ Our new water fountain (Day School)- Thanks Larry Shreve and Bruce Comfort! + Our Drama Ministry and those who performed Advent monolgues.

+ Our Acolytes and their ministry to us each Sunday.

+ The generous donations made to the Church Discretionary Account.

+ Those good deeds “known and unknown” to us and done by our church members.

+ Those who have made commitments of time, talent, and treasure to our church.

+ For Dot Pierce and all who decorated our church so beautifully for Christmas.

RECTOR’S LETTER

Being Christ’s Presence in the World

Christian author Charles Swindoll once wrote: “Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy institution.

We are alienated from each other. Although crowded, we are lonely and distant- together but uninvolved.

No longer do most neighbors visit across the backyard fence. The well-manicured front lawn is the modern

moat that keeps barbarians at bay. Hoarding and flaunting have replaced caring and sharing. It’s like we

are occupying common space but have no common interests, as if we’re on an elevator with rules like: ‘No

talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management.’ Painful though it may

be for us to admit it here in this great land of America, we’re losing touch with one another. The motivation

to help, to encourage, yes to serve our fellow-man is waning. People have observed a crime in progress but

refused to help so as not to be involved. Even our foundational values are getting lost in these confusing

days. And yet, it is these things that form the essentials of a happy and fulfilled life.” (From Improving

Your Serve p.17)

Charles Swindoll wrote those words in 1981, long before the advent of some of our most modern

technological advancements in communication. It’s not a stretch to say that the concerns expressed by

Swindoll have gotten worse. We are, more than ever, “losing touch with one another.” Today it’s possible

to “talk” (text) to someone, do your shopping and your banking, and just about everything else without ever

having to see the face of (or hear the voice of) another human being. You don’t even need to leave your

home!

I wonder if this is what God had in mind when He created mankind. I don’t believe so. While modern

technology may have its rightful place in our culture, I don’t believe God would have it replace our desire

for and our efforts to be caring, giving, and serving Christian disciples.

There are some things we are called to do as disciples that simply cannot (or should not) be done on a

computer screen or cannot be accomplished by shooting off an e-mail. These include things like visiting

someone in the hospital, or spending time talking with someone who is lonely, or feeding the homeless and

the hungry on a Saturday morning. Some things require our physical presence and eye to eye contact.

Sometimes voices need to be heard and facial expressions need to be seen.

The church should be a place where people can come to be with other people. Whether it be a worship

service on Sunday morning, or a Bible study on Wednesday night, or a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper,

God’s people should be present (in the flesh) to learn, to teach, to share, to give, and to receive. And we

should always be prepared to be physically present to the visitor and to the stranger in our midst. As the

church, we are to be Christ’s presence in the world- his hands and his feet. It’s difficult (at best) to do that

sitting in front of a computer or a television screen.

I want to challenge you in this new year-2017 to become involved in some kind of hands on, face to face

ministry in our church. Be Jesus’ hands and feet. Be His light in the world. It will change your life and bring

you great joy- I promise! If you want some ideas about how you can serve, come and see me. I’ll be happy

to help you get started.

Peace and love,

John+

Documents

“THE CALL” · Bishop The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV Rector The Rev. John M. Eidam Secretary Vel Shreve Music Director Joyce Baker Treasurer Carolyn King Sexton Kevin Bates