What's Happening at ESC

Click here to see this Sunday's readings. Please note that ESC uses the Revised Common Lectionary.

We are pleased to announce the speakers for The Chapel Series, 2010-2012. The Chapel Series addresses the complex faith and spiritual issues of 21st century adults within the church and the wider society through intelligent theological discourse with opportunities to think and grow in a spiritually progressive way. The Chapel Series speakers for 2010-2012 include: author Brian McLaren, poet Jane Hirshfield, The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, and theologian Marcus Borg. The Chapel Series brochure provides more information about upcoming speakers and ticket purchase.

September means back to school and our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. Join us at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, September 12 with your backpacks, book bags and briefcases and start the new school year off right.

Our 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Holy Eucharist is now a Taize service of Holy Eucharist. Homilies will remain as they have always been, short reflections or interactive dialogues. The length of the service, 35-45 minutes, is perfect for youth and busy adults, single or married, working or retired or stay-at-home parents. In addition, the Wednesday Eucharist serves those among us who always, or occasionally, must work on Sunday mornings. You are welcome on a regular basis or may drop in on those weeks you know you will miss Sunday services. Once we return to our fall schedule (beginning September 12th), the Wednesday service will be followed by our Wednesday dinner served from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Thursday mornings beginning September 2, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., casual Morning Prayer followed by fellowship and discussion of the week’s lectionary will be held in the church narthex. Lay led by Ted Smith, Russell Dyke, Christine Hebert and Lee Davis.

Orders for peanuts for the coming year may be called in to the parish office, 428-6763, beginning Sep. 7. Our cooking schedule includes each Monday from Oct. 5 through Dec. 15, 2010, and Feb. 7 through May 16, 2011. You may order now for any Monday. Peanuts make great Christmas gifts, but order early!

Our next Integrity Eucharist will be Sunday, September 19 at 5 p.m. Please join us for this inclusive language celebration of the love of God for all people. ALL are welcome! A reception in the narthex follows the service.

We have an exciting year planned for adults and children in the 2010-11 Christian Formation program. There are several offerings for children and youth. Classes begin on Sunday, September 12 at 10:20 a.m. Sunday School registration forms can be downloaded HERE or picked up from the Christian Formation office.

If you are curious about our KAIROS Prison Ministry, there is an easy and accessible way to gather some first-hand information. For the first time ever, two team planning meetings will be held at ESC in the fall. By attending one or both meetings, you will be able to get a sense of exactly what these weekends entail. Attending a meeting does NOT mean that you are committing to anything. But anyone can come and gather information, talk to the men who have participated before and then discern if this ministry might be right for you. Meeting dates are: Saturday, September 11 and Saturday October 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. You do NOT have to stay all day. Just come long enough so that you have an idea of what KAIROS is all about. Interested? Call Lee Davis, 679-3249.

Food Outreach Coordinator and chef extraordinaire Kay O’Reilly will be making and selling homemade soups, stews and breads to benefit the Chapel Pantry. Our next sale will be on Sunday, September 12. To make sure you get your favorites, please pick up a pre-order form from the parish office or church narthex or download one here. Get your orders in early!

ESC is a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation

We declare Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church to be an open and affirming congregation, welcoming into the full life and ministry of the church persons of every race, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and economic status. We commit to model a community of faith and spirit that works toward openness and understanding, offering justice, healing and wholeness of life for all people.

To learn more about Believe Out Loud Congregations and Integrity USA, Click here.

Integrity Virginia Beach Chapter meets at Eastern Shore Chapel on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Integrity is a faithful witness of God's inclusive love to the Episcopal Church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and is working for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments. This chapter is in the formation stages, so come and get involved! Contact Ann Turner for more information, integrityvb@gmail.com, or visit our web site at www.integrityvb.webs.com ALL are welcome!

Eastern Shore Chapel hosts an Integrity Eucharist on the third Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this very special service celebrating the love of God for all people. A reception in the church narthex follows the service. Bring your friends, your family, and come celebrate with us! Upcoming services are: September 19, October 17 and November 21, 2010.

ESC now has its own Facebook group! A gathering place for members of Eastern Shore Chapel, near and far, in real time and cyberspace. Have a Facebook page? Click here and take a look. Also look for our Parish Book Store on Facebook. Stay up-to-date on new products, sales and special in-store events. Click here and take a look.

ESC is an affiliate of The Center for Progressive Christianity. To learn more about TCPC, CLICK HERE.