All Things St. Philip's

March 30, 2023

Holy Week is upon us and there are many ways for you to participate at St. Philip's. Please join us in church services this Easter Season as we follow Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a path of palm leaves; reflect on the agony of his betrayal, witness his solemn journey to Calvary; feel his suffering as he died for our sins; and grieve his removal to the borrowed tomb where he was sealed and buried. In joy, as we recall that Christ arose on Easter Sunday, we will lift our voices in alleluias remembering Christ assures us of everlasting life. Our services throughout this important week offer an opportunity for reflection.

• Our Palm Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. We welcome Rev. Deacon Frederico Garza as our guest preacher and commemorates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. We will meet at the entrance of the church in procession to remind us of how that day began outside the city so long ago.

• On Maundy Thursday at 6:00 p.m. we will meet in the Parish Hall for an Agape Meal together and remember Christ and his disciples at their

Last Supper, and at 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Foot washing and Stripping of the Altar.

• Good Friday services will be at noon at St. Philip's Church followed by Stations of the Cross and at 7:00 p.m. service of the 7 Last Saying of Christ at Cedar Baptist Church.

• The Easter Vigil begins after sunset Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., as we await the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Morning.

• Easter celebration services will be at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. The Easter Egg Hunt follows after the 10:30 a.m. with light refreshments.

Sunday School Cancelled for Sunday, April 2, 2023

Sunday School this Sunday is cancelled. We will resume, Sunday, May 7, 2023. Have a wonderful spring break and Easter.

Liz Hayes, Evangeline Poindexter, and Bradford Mackey

Easter Flower Dedications

The Deadline to dedicate Easter flowers in memory or in celebration of your loved ones is this Sunday, April 2nd. The suggested donation is $20; please note on the donation that it is for Easter flower. Please sign up online here. There are paper forms available at the atrium of the church.

St. Philip's Worship Committee gathered in person for the first time since the pandemic.

The Worship Committee met in-person this week for the first time since the pandemic. The Ministry leads Myrtle Armstrong, Nathaniel Lewis, Moses Golatt, Reginald Carter, Dr. Willis Barnett, Clairmonte Carrol, Artille White, Melissa Greene, Diem Miller and Rev. Marlene E. Forrest met to plan Holy Week, Seasonal Planning for Worship and agreed to highlight ministry leads each week to introduce our worship committee representatives.

The Worship Committee’s mission is to invite the congregation to the celebration of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, in thanksgiving, praise and worship through various modes of expression. Worship is a vital part of the community life of church members.

We want to be committed to providing meaningful worship experiences for our members and visitors. The worship committee exists to provide guidance for what happens during our worship times. Its role is to examine all our various worship experiences and make recommendations to the rector for ways that each can be strengthened and improved. We serve in an advisory role to the rector.

The Worship Committee represents the various ministries and guilds that serve to assist and enhance our worship celebrations We will consider the various parishioner demographics, such as young families, singles, and new members of our faith community.

The Worship Committee will meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan worship services. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere where all may worship our Creator and Lord as part of a community of mutual love and respect.

Nathaniel Lewis, Verger

“The ministry of the vergers is to help to lead the church in bearing witness in the world to the hospitality of God, by helping the church to be a truly hospitable place, by helping us to worship the Lord our God in dignity, in order, in beauty, and in truth in the church so that we can go forth to witness to that God to the world.”

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry

27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church

What is a Verger and why does St. Philip's need one? A Verger’s main duty is helping to plan the logistical details of the service and discreetly shepherding the clergy through it. The contemporary role of the Verger is experiencing a rapid expansion within the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion worldwide. Differing from the Church of England, where Vergers are often full-time paid employees of the Church, Vergers in America are more often volunteers with a special calling to the ordering and conduct of the church and the church's liturgy.

Clergy have come to appreciate the ministry of Vergers within their parishes. Vergers can relieve the clergy of the burden of liturgical detail so that they can concentrate on their duties to preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments. No longer found only in cathedrals and large parishes, Vergers are an asset to any worshiping community regardless of size or tradition.

The history of the verger dates back to the middle ages when the verger was the “Protector of the Procession.” He would lead the way, making room for the procession to enter the church from the town square, and with his "virge" (mace) in hand would literally clear the way if necessary. The basic vestment of the verger is a black cassock. (See picture above with Nathaniel in his black vestment and virge.)

The Verger plays a very prominent role "behind the scenes", helping to plan the logistical details of service and discreetly shepherding participants in the liturgy. His support allows our Rector more time for pastoral and sacramental responsibilities. They check on the altar guild, lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes, prayer intercessors, and in addition to hospitality and welcoming newcomers.

Nathaniel takes a lot of pride in his role as Verger, he does not take speaking parts in the service. The verger's main pride during a service lies in his inconspicuousness roles behind the scenes, helping to plan the details of service discreetly.

We give thanksgiving for Nathaniel Lewis and the next time you see Nathaniel, ask to see his "virge" and thank him for his many roles at St. Philip's!

Written by Diem Miller

Westminister Canterbury invites Rev. Marlene E. Forrest to Celebrate and Preach the Gospel.

It was a glorious day to worship with members of Westminister Canterbury Chapel and see friendly familiar faces. Marvis Hazel read the Words of God and after the service, we were welcomed with smiles from long time members of St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Pictured are Diem Miller, Barbara Grey, Marvis Hazel, Ruth Small and Rev. Marlene.

Vestry Retreat a Success!

The Vestry had a one day retreat at St Paul’s in Richmond. A great day of prayer and planning. They had an amazing time getting to know each other and setting goals for St. Philip's. We all love our parish, and it is going to take all of us working together for the changes to happen, not just of us serving on the Vestry.

Springtime is a time of new beginnings and new opportunities, so I challenge you to reach out to your vestry members and ask how you can get more involved.

Peace,

Rev. Marlene

RSVP Needed for the Agape Dinner - We need to get a head count of members attending the dinner in order to have enough food for everyone. Please RSVP for anyone attending.

As we prepare for the Maundy Thursday liturgy, please join us for a light meal and fellowship on Thursday, April 6th, starting at 6:00PM in the Ruth Little Parish Hall and Holy Eucharist, Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar at 7:00PM.

If you are able, please sign up for food to contribute. There is no charge for the meal, but we will take up a goodwill offering.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah McDermott

Holy Week at St. Philip's Church

Holy Monday, April 3

7:00 p.m. N.A. Meeting

Holy Tuesday, April 4

Renewal of Clergy Vows

Holy Wednesday, April 5

12:00 p.m. Noon Prayer; Circle of Love

Maundy Thursday, April 6

6:00 p.m. Agape Meal - RSVP NOW!

7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist/ Rite II, Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar Good

Good Friday, April 7

12:00 p.m. - Good Friday Service

12:00 p.m. – Church Office Closed

1:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross

We invite you to walk each of 14 sequential stations around the church and pray and meditate about each event Jesus went through from his condemnation to the tomb. The 14 Stations invites us to walk Jesus' journey, standing witness to his descent from Pilate's court, his journey beneath his cross through the dusty streets of Jerusalem, his stripping, nailing, crucifixion, and descent to the tomb.

7:00 p.m. – The Seven Saying Last Saying of God – Cedar Baptist Church of God

Holy Saturday, April 8

Easter Flower Decorating

7:30 p.m. The Great Easter Vigil; Holy Eucharist II Sunday of the Resurrection:

Easter Day, April 9

Flowering of the cross (at each service), a symbol of the life that God brought out of death.

8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist/Rite II

10:30 am - Holy Eucharist/Rite II with Holy Baptisms

11:30 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt & Light Refreshments

Easter Monday & Tuesday, April 10 & 11 Church Office is Closed. Please note that the church office will be lightly staff after Holy Week and Easter. It is the rest week for clergy and lay staff.

Events Around the Corner

Racial Justice & Healing Pilgrimage

October 17-22, 2023

The Diocese of Virginia invites you to join its inaugural Racial Justice and Healing Pilgrimage. We will journey by bus to historical sites in the fight for racial justice and equality. Beginning in Richmond, we will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, then Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama. Destinations include the National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel, the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Legacy Museum, and the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery.

Our Racial Justice and Healing Pilgrimage is about creating opportunities, in sacred community, to think, reflect, pray, and be in dialogue with others who are engaging in ministries of racial justice and healing throughout the Diocese of Virginia. It is an invitation to have a deeply transformational experience in Christian community and expand one's understanding and practice of racial justice and healing.

Registration is now open. The cost for this trip is $1,350 per person, which includes transportation, accommodations, daily breakfast, and museum entry fees. An installment payment plan is offered. Some scholarship assistance is available. Questions? Contact Jennifer Cox at jcox@thediocese.net.

Learn more about Colette Wallace McEachin

St. Francis Food Pantry

We are currently not accepting any clothes at this time. Our St. Francis Pantry, which provides free food to some 65 families every other week, is earnestly in need of Canvass or plastic tote bags and Paper Grocery Bags.

Please ask for these items when you shop and bring them to church to help feed the hungry. Thanking you in advance, your St. Francis Food Pantry team.

Newsletter Article Submission

Items to be included in the newsletter or bulletin are due on Tuesday at NOON. If you have any questions, please email Diem Miller.

Ways to Donate to St. Philip's

Your financial gifts to St. Philip’s are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and our outreach to the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to offer your faithful gifts by:

Check - Send to PO Box 27492, Richmond VA 23261

Credit Card or Bank Account - Click here

Online Banking & Electronic checks - Set up payment with your bank

PayPal - Click here to donate or go to our website and click GIVE

Text - Text GIVE to (833) 959-2287

Visit our Website

Sunday Services are held weekly at 8 and 10:30 am.

The 10:30 service will continue to be livestreamed on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. Please note our new Zoom link for the 10:30 am service. Do not use the old expired link. Thank you.

A few guidelines:

Masks are required to be worn by all.
Bible study takes place at 9 am, immediately following the 8 am service, and will continue to serve those that call in.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to the office at (804) 321-1266 or office@stphilipsrva.org. We look forward to seeing you at St. Philip’s!

By Computer:

Our website

Click Virtual Prayer Services on Facebook:

Our Facebook page

Sunday Service Bulletin: April 2, 2023

Wednesday Noon Prayer

Dial-in number: (978) 990-5000

Access code: 870051 #

All are welcome!

Prayer List

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers:

Marc Albertson, Trey Bankhead, Jean Boone, Cynthia Bentley, Shirley Brown, Sheila Carter, Janette Davis, Francis Dye, Mary Carter, Marilyn Chalmers, Alexander Corbett, Alice Flannigan, Eudora & Lewis Forrest, Marvis Hazel, Eva Hicks, Ester Hyatt, John Jenkins, Kevin Jiggetts, Francine L. Johnson, Alaina LaVonne, Mary Little, Steven Little, Barbara Lowe, Kay Mack, Christian Miller, Robinette Miller, Edmund Moore, Romaine Morgan, Lela Morris, Tonjia Philips, Tara Plummer, Hortense Powell, Henry Robinson, Brady Whaley, Clementine Washington, Louise White, and Cynthia Smith Williams.

WARNING About Emails Spoofing Clergy

Please be aware that Rev. Marlene will NEVER reach out to you individually asking for any type of gift card or financial contribution. Our clergy will ONLY email you from their church addresses with the domain of @stphilipsrva.org. If you receive an email that claims to be from Rev. Marlene with an urgent request, please check the email address, do not respond and report the email to your ISP. If you have questions or concerns call the church office at (804) 321-1266.