February 2017 From the

One of the disadvantages of modern society is Shelter for a week, we nervously said yes. A year that we do not often get time to pause and later, we know that holy encounters happen with reflect. Our pace of life is such that we are our brothers and sisters in need during Winter usually in reaction mode, and rarely given Shelter week. We know that hands-on service enough time to stop, spend time in prayer and brings us closer to God and one another. We discernment, and then follow through with an know that when we serve the least of these, we action or thoughtful response. serve Christ.

Fortunately, February is giving the gift of both to I suspect our other work will lead to action, too. Hickory Neck. We have set aside times for The Tuesday night Seekers are not only talking thoughtful reflection. Our Tuesday night Seekers about prayer; they are also trying new forms of are exploring their prayer lives and our Sunday prayer. Our Adult Forum participants will be Adult Forum participants are reflecting on talking about what we can do in response to our history as it relates to race. Our Vestry will time of study and reflection. Our Vestry will likely gather February 3-4 for our Annual Retreat—a leave the retreat with action items. And I am sure time set apart to plan and dream, and not just our delegates to Council will come back with focus on the monthly work of Vestry. Our renewed energy for our work. will gather February 10-11 for our Annual This month, I invite you to make space for both Diocesan Council—a time set apart to look at our reflection and action. Perhaps you will engage in work as a Diocese and discern the best path one of the opportunities I have mentioned here. forward. This year has planned time set aside to Perhaps you will find other ways to make room prayerfully consider our models of stewardship. for how God is speaking to you and calling you Meanwhile, there are opportunities for action. At out into the world. Our faith is a both a faith of the end of the month, we will transform our the mind and a faith of the body. I look forward house of worship into a temporary home for our to hearing how you are putting both to use this neighbors. Over a year ago, our Outreach month! Committee spent time in discernment about how Christ’s Peace, we could tangibly serve our neighbors in need. Given the challenge of taking on the Winter The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly

Shrove Tuesday 2 From Our 6 Ash Wednesday 8 Our Prologue 11 Winter Shelter 3 Adult Forum 7 's Corner 9 Ordination 12 Inside Lenten Offering 3 Vestry 2017 7 Celebrations 10 Sarabande 4 Did You Know? 8 Treasurer's Report 10 Bishop's Visit 5 High Fives 8 Call for Bakers! 11 2 HICKORY NECK NUGGETS Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Part of Shelter Week By Bob Gay

It takes the efforts of many people to prepare our join us for even a short time, will give each of us a whole lot spaces for the shelter week, to cook, serve and clean up the more. And we will receive these gifts not just as individuals, meals we will share, and to provide a safe, warm and secure but also as a community. place out of the cold where people can sleep. All these things This year we have a special opportunity to be in community that we will supply are important. Very important. But they with our neighbors. Our shelter week includes Shrove are not the main thing. Tuesday, February 28. As we usually do, we will have a What then is the main thing? It is what we give each other. pancake meal. It always is a fun, family celebration. As the And by “we” I mean each and every one of us at the shelter, no Outreach Committee was starting to plan for the hosting the matter why we are there. You could be at the shelter because shelter again, we discussed what we should do on Shrove you are a member of Hickory Neck, or you could be one of our Tuesday. How do we take care of our guests and still have our neighbors who has celebration? How do we take volunteered to help for an care of everyone who needs to evening, or you could be a be fed? In reality, of course, neighbor who is staying with the answer was always right us. It does not matter. We all there in front of us. What have much to give each other. better thing could there be for us as Christians to do than to For our part we can give invite everyone to our meal, friendship, a listening ear, our celebration? Is that not and we can pray for all those truly the essence of who we who come in our door. But I are called to be? Is that not have discovered that what we what our worship really is—a receive is so much more. Our family meal, a family understanding about people celebration that is open to everyone? And that is what we will and their lives is so enriched. Barriers are torn down. We are do. We will have one meal, one celebration. empowered to see in a new way. The community of faith we call Hickory Neck grows stronger in the work we are called to Not all of us may have the opportunity to volunteer to work on do as the followers of Christ. We become much more attached one of the shelter days. But now many more of us can join in and connected to the larger community around us. As we the real work of the shelter—being Christ to others and seeing learn, we are able to discern how to prevent suffering as well Christ in others. Come join the Shrove Tuesday party. Eat a as how to address the symptoms of suffering. The small gifts few pancakes. Have some sausage. But most importantly, we give people who come in our doors are good. But Christ, in come, be a blessing to others and be blessed yourself! the persons of those who are strong enough, brave enough to

Nuggets Staff Deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month, except June. Editor: Jim Izzo Items received after this date will be considered for publication in a Production: Rebecca Zoellner future issue. Contributors: Martha W. McCartney, Mary Teale, Sarah Bland, Don Seeterlin, Carolyn Gaylord, Fred Boelt Please send submissions to [email protected] February 2107 Winter Shelter Illustrates “God’s Love at Work”

By Karen Dutro

The winter shelter is the best illustration of God’s love at people just like us but who had a medical situation, or job loss, work, not just love from the people who volunteer, but love or a bad decision that turned their lives upside down. A few from the people who come to eat and sleep at the shelter. They years ago, John recognized someone he went to school with come in with warm smiles, gratitude, and a loving disposition. years earlier at Bruton High School. They talked and laughed, They take care of each other, making sure their beds are set and reminded us again, they are just like us. Sadly, Tommy up, reminding each other not to use too much salt, sharing was found dead in the woods months later. their phones, and playing games with the occasional children Lily asked us in November when we were doing the shelter who stay there. because she wanted to be sure to come home from college to Our family has volunteered at the help. I asked her why she liked shelter since it started, and our to go and she said “I love that Do not neglect to show hospitality to children have brought friends with it puts anybody who goes there strangers, for by doing that some have them each year. The joy we find in in a completely different entertained angels without knowing it. sitting down to eat and talk with mindset—an open one, an Hebrews 13:2 the people who come to the shelter understanding one. It changes has also been the greatest reminder opinions and it brings people of of our blessings and the recognition completely different that many of us are a paycheck or backgrounds together. It two away from being in the same creates an opportunity for us situation. And that has been the lesson—every person we and people like us to understand and listen and connect.” meet there is just like us and we are just like them. Many of It has been a true privilege to volunteer for the winter shelter the men and women we have shared meals with have jobs, a over the last few years, especially last year, when the shelter phone, even a computer. They work hard to pay their bills was hosted at Hickory Neck. It is our hope that there will be a and, unfortunately for them, housing has had to be placed at place to help people in need of somewhere to sleep throughout the bottom of the priority list. They aren’t “hobos” or “bums” the year, not just the winter months, and we hope HNC will who can’t read or write or have no social skills. They are be an integral part in making this happen.

Lenten Contemplative Offering

Worship is central to our identity as Christians, yet we rarely stop to explore the depths of meaning within what we do. Throughout Lent, you are invited to join a group exploring the spirituality of the Eucharist. We will meet weekly at a mutually agreed-upon time and use a lectio divina model as a framework for exploring our liturgy. We will use our shared gifts to develop a contemplative Eucharist, which will be offered to the parish as a Lenten Quiet Day on April 1. All are invited to explore and learn! To express interest, please contact the Rev. Charlie Bauer ([email protected], 757-566-0276, or in person) by February 19. 4 HICKORY NECK NUGGETS

Dix (1837-1898), it was published in what became the most famous hymnal in the world, the Anglican Hymns Sarabande Ancient and Modern (1861 and subsequent editions). W. H. , music editor, set it to a modified German By Sarah Ford Bland tune, TREUER HEILAND, by Conrad Kocher and renamed it DIX after its author.

“Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made #383 Fairest Lord Jesus: Little is known about the manifest.” From “Songs of Thankfulness and origins of this old, beloved German folk hymn, text or Praise”, #135 in The Hymnal 1982. Words by tune. Its tune name, CRUSADER’S HYMN, comes from Christopher Wordsworth. the unsubstantiated legend that pilgrims sang it during the 12th century crusades. After Franz Liszt (1811- 1886) used it for a crusader’s march in his oratorio As I write this article I am looking out on my snow- “The Legend of St. Elizabeth” it also became known as covered backyard alive with chattering, hungry birds ST. ELIZABETH. flocking to my feeders of seed, suet and fruit. The usual #490 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: The diners of cardinals, chickadees, juncos, assorted text and tune (HOUSTON) of this popular modern woodpeckers and sparrows are joined by a female hymn were written by Tennessee native and Baltimore oriole. The brightness and incredible beauty distinguished organist and church musician Kathleen of God’s presence in nature is so spectacular in this Thomerson (b. 1934). Most recently serving Mt. Olive winter wonderland! I reflect on the season of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, she wrote this in the when we patiently watch and listen for God to be summer of 1966 while living in St. Louis and when her revealed to us again. The theme of light—following the mother was visiting from Houston, Texas. An airline star, the light of Christ overcoming darkness, the strike cancelled her mother’s return flight, and because radiant vision of the Transfiguration—colors the the sweltering heat was so miserable she decided to season. drive her back home. She said that this hymn came to Epiphany this year extends through the month of her as she anticipated visiting “her brothers and sisters February. The Hymnal 1982 contains twenty-four in Christ at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in hymns specifically for the season, although a few Houston. ” (Blog, “Musical Notes, Kathleen Thomerson appear more than once but with different tunes. Several and St. Patrick’s Day” by Gretchen Mundinger, sing about the star and the wise men. Others, including Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church. ) the one quoted above, also reference Christ’s baptism and the miracles that are described in the season’s lectionary readings. In addition, there are numerous hymns in other sections of the hymnal that speak about the light of Christ, making them good choices to sing during Epiphany.

Here are some fun facts about three of the hymns that Hickory Neck has sung or will be singing this Epiphany season.

#119 As with Gladness Men of Old: Penned by British insurance agent and poet William Chatterton February 2107 The Bishop is Coming!

By the Rev. Charlie Bauer

The Rt. Rev. Holly Hollerith, Bishop of Southern Virginia, will Those who have already been confirmed by a bishop in join us on Sunday, May 7th, for our triennial Bishop’s visit. another tradition, such as Roman Catholic or Orthodox, may All those interested in Confirmation, Reception, or choose Reception. Persons wishing to be received into the Reaffirmation can do so at that visit. For adults, your Episcopal Church tradition do so while honoring their completion of the Discovery Class this fall makes you eligible previous mature confession of faith. for those options. If you missed the class, but For people who have already been Confirmed are interested in being Confirmed, Received, or Received into the Episcopal Church but or Reaffirming your Baptismal Vows, it is not wish to a new stage in their spiritual too late! Please contact the Rev. Charlie Bauer journey, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows at [email protected] to discuss options. is available. A person may wish to seek Youth in our parish who wish to be Confirmed Reaffirmation for many reasons: returning to are participating in a 12-session class and will the church after a time away, joining a be confirmed on May 7th. spouse or family member who is seeking What is Confirmation? And what about Confirmation or Reception, or sensing a new Reception and Reaffirmation? stage in their life as a Christian.

The Bishop will offer prayers and lay hands on Be sure to mark May 7th on your each person seeking Confirmation, Reception, calendar—the Bishop’s visit will be a day for or Reaffirmation. Confirmation in the the parish to celebrate! If you are curious Episcopal Church is a sacramental rite in which a baptized about these options or unsure which one to choose, please person makes a mature and public affirmation of the promises contact the Rev. Charlie Bauer at [email protected]. that are usually made at baptism by parents and godparents.

“to provide a holistic approach to the needs Second of our community by providing food, clothing, and other services (such as small home repairs, scholarships, and support of Sunday county animals) to help the disadvantaged and those with economic hardships in lower Mission New Kent and upper James City Counties.”

"We at Proclaiming Grace Outreach 2 are grateful for our relationship with Proclaiming Grace our friends at Hickory Neck Episcopal Outreach Church. We have served the community together for many years Proclaiming Grace Outreach is a faith- and have enjoyed helping those in based, non-profit corporation, formed in need.” – Jim Crouse 2008 by Tabernacle United Methodist Jim Crouse, Director of Proclaiming Grace Outreach. Photo by Dave Hartsough Church in Barhamsville, whose mission is 6 HICKORY NECK NUGGETS

From Our Curate

By The Rev. Charlie Bauer

Our Role in the Eucharist

The identity of a priest is not described or determined present for the action to make a valid sacrament. The by any one thing, but as I enter my second month as a action, therefore, is not of one person but of all. priest, the most significant change in my ministry Dix continues by reflecting on where the Eucharist has happens at the altar. The Eucharist is central to my meaning for humans throughout our history. Yes, the identity as a Christian, and is significant to my calling Eucharist has a natural place in churches, but we also to ordained ministry. And so, it may seem as if the gather at hospital beds, on battlefields, in prisons and Eucharist is something priests do and everyone else just parks. The Eucharist marks weddings and funerals, watches in order to partake in what results: Jesus, ordinary moments and remarkable ones alike. The truly present in the bread and in the wine. Eucharist transcends place and time, holding us Author and Anglican Benedictinem monkonk togethertogethe as Christians. The place and Dix wrote a lengthy reasonreas ultimately do not matter, only exploration of liturgical theology in thatth we do so in the name of 1945 published as The Shape of the Christ. Liturgy. In his conclusion, Dix When we gather each Sunday expressed this about the morning, we come together as a Eucharist: “At the heart of it all is Christian body throughout time the Eucharistic action, a thing of and place to encounter Jesus. We an absolute simplicity—the taking, dod not do so in order to see one blessing, breaking and giving of personper performing some action, but bread and the taking, blessing and instead,instea we join together in following giving of a cup of wine and water, ass t thesehese Jesus’J ’ command. Each and every person were first done with their new meaning by a present is equally important and equally participates in young Jew before and after supper with His friends on this action. We often use the word “celebrant” to the night before He died. … Was ever another command identify the priest at the altar, but I prefer the term so obeyed?” “presider” as the one among many who is designated to Jesus’ command is for all of us to follow. While our lead the action of all. I invite you into the Eucharist, Eucharistic theology is complicated, two things are something so common and yet so extraordinary, necessary. We bring our offering of simple bread and familiar and yet new every time we gather. We each wine, and we bring ourselves. Though the Eucharist have a crucial role in following Jesus’ command. requires a priest, at least one other person must be February 2107 Shrove Tuesday

Join with us and our guests from the winter shelter in a carnival of carbohydrates at the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper! Look for details in upcoming editions of the ePistle and in the Sunday bulletins.

During the month of February, the Adult Forum will be reading and discussing the book Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (see January Nuggets for more information). If you want to join in, here are the "reading assignments":

January 22: pages 1-49

January 29: pages 50-110

February 5: pages 111-153

February 12: pages 154-198

February 19: pages 199-242

February 26: pages 243-300

You can also check in on Hickory Neck's Facebook page each week for more discussion.Join the conversation!

VESTRY 2017

At the Annual Meeting on January 8, new Vestry members Hope Brans, Pete Haines, Dave Hartsough and Kent Ross were installed. We also expressed our appreciation to outgoing members Linda Becker, Larry Kelley and John Rothnie. Pictured from left to right: John Rothnie, Dave Hartsough, Linda Becker, Larry Kelley, Bob Zoglman, Terri Lensenmayer, Aaron Small, Alyson Ross, Pete Haines, Hope Brans, Kent Ross, and Bill Teale. Not pictured: Alan Zoellner. Photo by Margene Hartsough/Aaron Small 8 HICKORY NECK NUGGETS

Did you know? Hickory Neck •Our rector maintains a weekly blog. High Check out her posts at https://seekingandserving.wordpress.com/ •As of January, the Vestry changed its Fives monthly meeting to the second Thursday of every month. In order to accommodate schedules, they no longer I would like to give a big high five to Jim Izzo and Rebecca Zoellner, editors of The meet on Tuesday nights. Nuggets. Every month they help determine •We are looking for parishioners who are compelling content, gather and edit articles, willing to interview fellow parishioners for a layout the newsletter, and find ways to make new spotlight feature in The Nuggets. it professional, engaging, and fresh. Most of Contact the editors at us rarely see the work that goes into producing the document, but we all enjoy [email protected] if you are the fruits of their labor. Give Jim and interested in more information. Rebecca a big high five the next time you see them!

I would like to thank Lucy Rothnie and Kathryn Bridewell for coordinating the beautiful greens of Christmastide. They worked with a large team of volunteers to decorate, water, and refresh greens throughout the season, and also coordinated cleaning up the greens, despite being snowed in during our regularly scheduled clean-up. A Ash Wednesday big high five to Lucy and Kathryn!

Worship I would like to give a high five to Gay Forloine, who faithfully delivers welcome Wednesday, March 1 bags to newcomers to Hickory Neck. Gay checks in with the administrative staff weekly to make sure we do not miss anyone who filled out a newcomer card. She then gathers the supplies, and hand-delivers the bags to the newcomer’s home. This is a vital ministry that rarely is noticed. Join me in giving Gay a big high five for her tremendous commitment to hospitality and welcome! Mother Jennifer February 2107

(at least minimally) and participate in this wonderful un-provable reality due to our shared trait with the divine. Chaplain'sC And then there are our eyes. Not just our physical eyes, though they are extremely important for our ability to CornerC navigate and understand this world. I’m also thinking here of our spiritual eyes, another characteristic of God’s nature shared with us. The physical eyes help us By Chaplain Don Seeterlin to focus and navigate the physical realities, and our spiritual eyes help us to focus and understand the areas Made in God’s Image of our lives that are beyond the physical. A traditional proverb states: “Eyes are the window to the soul”. And we read in 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said to So God created humankind in his image, in the Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height image of God he created them; male and female he of his stature; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; created them (Genesis 1:27 NRSV). they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD Ever wonder about this passage? I mean more than looks on the heart.’” The God we know and worship perhaps the cursory thought: how can we really be looks deep into our souls, and knows better even than made in God’s likeness and image? After we may know why we do and think all, aren’t we taught from the beginning certain things, and He still loves us. that God is beyond our capacity to fully God’s gift to us of inward sight, of soulful know and appreciate? That all we really recognition and perception is a wonderful are able to know about God is what He example of God within us, wherever we has chosen to share of Himself with us. go, and whatever we encounter. To me How can humans in their brokenness, it’s also an example of the spark of their incompleteness, their tendency to eternal life within each of us, and a miss the mark, really be made in the physical indication of our place in image and likeness of a God who is perfect eternity, even now. and without fault? We worship a God beyond time and space, beyond any Let’s consider this for a moment. Are there some human and all constraints we as humans live under. God is not traits, some human tendencies that might just be a subject to death, He and His gifts are by their very window into the shared divinity in all of us? How about nature eternal. Since He has chosen to share memory, that ability to bring the past into the present characteristics of Himself with us, it only stands to in our minds? With this simple gift, we have the ability reason that these gifts will never end, but will find their to participate in timelessness, experiencing the promise ultimate fulfillment in reuniting with Him for eternity. of eternal life. How many times have you heard of And since we are inextricably part of these shared gifts, someone doing something in memory of someone? we too can look forward to an eternal life with God. As Jesus says in His prayer: “and this is eternal life, that Also consider our ability to feel and share love. Love is, they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ by its very nature, hard to prove or posit as a physical whom you have sent” (John 17:3 NRSV). God has reality, even though it’s universally known and created us in His image, and given us the tools accepted as a reality. The God we worship and adore is necessary to seek and recognize Him, even in ourselves. love, according to 1 John 4:8. We are able to understand 10 HICKORY NECK NUGGETS FEBRUARY

(12/31/16) Budget Income $418,959.00 YTD Actual Income $439,997.24 Budget Expense $424,639.05 YTD Actual Expense $412,518.18

And another year has closed in a financially sound position. All thanks go to you who rallied for our cash flow crisis in the summer and fall and helped us end the year in the black. Even though we lost several pledging families during the year, your extra pledge contributions allowed us to Birthdays receive 99.28% of the total pledge for 2016. And appreciation also goes out to our new members for your 1 Ted Ramsaur 18 Lucy Rothnie generous support as well. Consequently, the non-pledge 2 Geraldine Kent 19 Bruce Manning category ended well over budget. 2 Jim McGee 21 John Rothnie You may remember that we had to borrow $6,500 from the 2 Lucy Purse 22 Tara Best Davenport Fund in the summer to keep our expenses 2 Sara Seeterlin 23 Jack Mills current. This has now been paid back as we begin the new 3 Ron Kindley 25 Vic Shumaker year. An extra payment in the amount of $4,230 was made 11 Laura Kindley 26 Fred Boelt toward the principal of our mortgage in December, bringing 14 Jean Jundt 27 Ann Lipp the balance of the mortgage to $76,516 as of January 1, 16 Coleman Ragsdale 29 Alan Zoellner 2017. Considering that our total indebtedness was $1.8 million ten years ago, we have made fantastic progress on its reduction.

We have recently distributed the 2017 Time and Talent forms and have had our Ministry Fair highlighting critical needs for service. Let us resolve to keep our treasury Anniversaries solvent and fulfill our gifts of time and talent cheerfully in the coming year. It is the product of time, talent and 6 Joan & Dave Forrest treasure from every parishioner that radiates wisdom, 8 Joanne & Jim Izzo peace and caring outreach from our Holy Hill all year long. 13 Patty Kipps & John Greenman

Fred Boelt

Did we miss your big day? If your birthday or anniversary is this month and you are not listed above, please send the information to [email protected] February 2107 Call for Bakers! Our Prologue By Martha W. McCartney Dear HNC Sisters (and Brothers) in Christ,

I hope my note finds you happy and healthy! Accommodations for Man, I am writing to let you know that I will be heading up the "Bountiful Bakery" at the High Beast, and Vestries, Too Fiber Festival that Linda Becker and others are working on. To be held on May 20, 2017, from During the colonial period, Hickory Neck Church, the “lower 10 a.m.–5 p.m., this will be an exciting event church” of ancient Blisland Parish, was located upon a well- with demonstrations of work with natural traveled road that extended up the James-York peninsula. fibers. There will be food to purchase and The parish’s “upper church” was at the head of Warrany things to make for the children. Monies earned Creek, near the road to New Kent Courthouse. Blisland from this wonderful event will be used for local Parish’s vestry traditionally met in spring and fall. charities. Sometimes vestrymen gathered in private homes, but more often they convened in local taverns. In fact, Mrs. Mary I am hoping that I can plan on your help in Holdcroft, who in 1733 gave the land upon which Hickory making some delectable delight for our Neck Church was built, kept tavern in her home. "Bountiful Bakery". We plan to have breads, rolls, cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, jams and During the 18th century, one of Blisland Parish’s vestry’s other preserves. We also are planning on favorite meeting places was Lewis’s Ordinary, which was having a gluten-free and perhaps a sugar-free located at the intersection of Route 60 and Old Forge Road, section, as well. Ann Cooper has been dabbling across from the fire station. The tavern’s destruction by fire in in gluten-free goodies and may be willing to January 1780 gave rise to the name “Burnt Ordinary,” provide some suggestions/recipes. forerunner of the crossroads community later called Toano. Another “watering hole” relished by Blisland Parish’s vestry When you are called or asked at church if you was Forneau’s Ordinary, which was established in the 1720s can help out, please say and was located just west of the entrance to the Stonehouse "YES"! development. By the 1750s Forneau’s had become Chiswell’s Ordinary, which is identified on the famous Fry-Jefferson Thank you, map of Virginia. Later, the popular house of entertainment Linda McGee was owned successively by Thomas Doncastle, Thomas Cartwright, Adam Byrd, William Allen and Truman Parker. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Lafayette and other notables stopped there and on several occasions the site served as a military encampment. Even after the close of the American Revolution, Blisland’s communicants met at the popular drinking establishment and elected a vestry. Thus, Blisland Parish’s vestry continued to mix business and pleasure. On December 17, Bishop Hollerith came to Hickory Neck to ordain Charlie Bauer and Josh Stephens to the Sacred Order of Priests.We were blessed to be the scene for this solemn and joyful occasion.

Photos by John Rothnie