As Covid 19 continues to spread through our cities and states, as the start of the school year looks vastly different than any of us could have ever imagined, as our emotions run the gamut, and as we grieve a normalcy that may never return, I am reminded of Jesus and his disciples in a boat while a storm is raging all around them and the waves are rocking the boat back and forth. None of us can fix this. All we can do is join each other in the rocking boat and support one another. I can't give you church as you remember it. I can't give you school as you remember it. I can't give you society as you remember it. But I can give you the assurance that I am in the boat with you and even more importantly, Jesus is in the boat with all of us. In his March 27th homily, Pope Francis said, “We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.” I encourage each of you to pray for one another, stay connected to the church and Jesus, and reach out for help and support.

As we bid adieu to summer and embark on a new school year, I am making plans for how our families worship, learn and stay in fellowship, despite social distancing requirements, masks, and limited gathering opportunities. Please take the attached survey - just 5 questions long - so that I may know what is important to your family and how your church and I can serve you best during these unusual times. http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh9438dlkdt5g7bh/start

Calling all youth (6th-12th grades) and adults! Join us on Wednesday, August 19th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Shalom Farms to help with planting, weeding, harvesting, and any other tasks they need help with as we support them in their mission to work with communities to ensure access to healthy food and the support to live healthy lives. The farm is just about in our backyard at 2676 Venita Rd., Midlothian, 23113. Wear grubby clothes and shoes, bring some gloves, pack a reusable water bottle, and join us for some outreach and fellowship. This is a great mission opportunity! All volunteers must complete a waiver. RSVP to Helen by August 17th so we can provide the farm with a head count.

In an effort to mix it up and add some levity to our weekly Zoom gatherings, let's play Bingo this coming Tuesday evening from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. Our Tuesday gatherings have been reserved for our preschool and elementary families but if our Thursday families want to join us, just let Helen know so she can send you a Bingo card. Be on the lookout for your Bingo card in the mail! There will be prizes and Grace, our new Associate Rector will be joining us! Here is the Zoom log in information for Tuesday night's Wine, Whine, & Bingo!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2197544369?pwd=UWgrdlFQWjhLd2t5bFBIR2NtMnl0dz09

Meeting ID: 219 754 4369

Passcode: 795611

I have enjoyed seeing all of you virtually each week through our wine & whine zoom calls. We are going to continue gathering on Tuesdays at 8pm with our preschool and elementary parents and on Thursdays at 8pm with our middle school, high school, and college parents until we are able to return to seeing each other in person on Sundays. If you haven't joined us, I send a zoom link by e-mail that day. Please let me know if you haven't been getting the e-mails ([email protected]). Then grab a glass of wine or other beverage and your computer and join us for some good conversation. See you this week!

Since indoor worship might be a little too structured for some of our youngest parishioners, we are beginning Wiggle Worship! Robert, Grace and Helen will be leading a informal, family friendly worship service outside in the courtyard the first and third Sundays of the month from 5:00pm to 5:45pm, starting September 6th. Although the sermon will be child focused, there will still be some adult lessons to learn so come join us for an evening of worship in a safe, socially distanced manner. Bring your own chairs or blankets for your family to sit on and water to drink. Restrooms will be available. Stay tune for more information.