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MARCH 2021
THE NUGGETS Hickory Neck Episcopal Church Toano, VA
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 1
In this issue:
Lenten Service Schedule PAGE 2
Holy Week
PAGE 3
Drive-Thru Schedule PAGE 4
Sarabande
PAGE 6
Grants PAGE 7
Outreach PAGE 8
Chaplain’s Corner
PAGE 9
Vestry Highlights PAGE 10
A“Mazing “ Bible
PAGE 10
Birthdays & Anniversaries
PAGE 11
Treasurer's Report PAGE 11
High Fives PAGE 12
Rector’s Letter
This month we will hit the one-year anniversary of the pandemic hitting lockdown measures. From the moment we received that message from the Bishop’s office and the local school system, we have been in pivot mode. We have tried things I never would have imagined – trying things that were successes and things that were not as successful. We have felt up-heaval and yet created new rhythms for our community. We have had moments of heart-break and suffering, and moments of inescapable joy. I have seen time and again how much the DNA of Hickory Neck – the innate sense of playfulness, creativity, and willingness to ex-periment – has made this difficult season more bearable.
But as we hit this anniversary, we do so in the midst of Lent – a time of self-reflection and drawing near to God. In working with your Vestry, I see us facing a shift – a shift from surviv-ing (though we still need to do that!) to reflecting on where we are going in this new reality. This year, your Vestry’s Retreat involved participating in the Future Church Summit – an online retreat where over 200 churches gathered to begin imagining what learnings from this pandemic we might take into our next phase of life. In our breakout time, as we named the things about Hickory Neck that make us the most passionate about this community, and then envisioned how Jesus was inviting us to share those things with the wider community, I found myself full of emotion. I was reminded of all the things I love about this community. I was blown away by the insightfulness and commitment of your Vestry. And I experienced a kindling of hope – a light at the end of what has felt like a very long tunnel, but a light that will see us coming out of this pandemic equipped to be the disciples God intends us to be.
As we journey through Lent this month, I encourage you to ponder those two questions yourself: What about Hickory Neck made me realize, ‘This is my place!’ and what new vi-sions has this pandemic birthed in you that might help us spread the Good News in James City County in our uniquely Hickory Neck way? My hope as you ponder and pray with the Spirit this Lent, you experience a bit of what we experienced at that retreat: a renewed love of Hickory Neck, and renewed hopefulness about what Jesus is doing among us.
I look forward to the continued Vestry conversations we will share as we translate our pon-derings into plans. But I also look forward to hearing about how the Spirit is speaking to you about the work God is inviting us into this year. May your Lenten season continue to be a source of encouragement and blessing. I am honored to keep walking with you!
In Christ’s Peace,
The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 2
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 3
A Word from Your New Senior Warden LINDA McGEE, SENIOR WARDEN
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
On February 11, 2021, the HNC vestry met for its monthly meeting. During that time, we had the opportunity to thank Dave Hartsough for his outstanding leadership as our senior warden for the past two years. Mother Jennifer commis-sioned Vestry members for 2021-2022, including our newest member, Andrea Sheffield (Pastoral Care). A senior war-den (Linda McGee) and a junior warden (Melissa Schutt) were elected. Discussions about and decisions for various HNC matters involved all the vestry members. And so, a new year of leadership, listening, learning, and serving begins.
On February 19th and 20th, your vestry attended an exciting retreat via zoom. We will learn about “Becoming the Con-gregation of Tomorrow” from a variety of speakers and conduct discussions amongst ourselves. We will learn how to be the best virtual and physical congregation during tough times and we will plan for Hickory Neck’s future.
While this retreat and our clergy will provide us with the framework for our continued growth and mission, we want to hear from you. Please know that Melissa Shutt, vestry members and I do not want to work in isolation. As we find our way out of these uncertain pandemic times, I believe the retreat brochure said it all, “the future of our congregations doesn’t look like the past.”
Therefore, this is a “call to arms.” The Lord has plans for our congregation. We, all of us, can do this but only as a col-lective body. I hope you will feel free to contact me ([email protected] or 757-876-4526), or any of the Vestry members with questions, thoughts/ideas, and suggestions. Indeed, God has plans for us!
Holy Week at Hickory Neck (Holy Week is currently planned to be virtual. At the time of printing, we do not know if there will be any regathering changes to consider.)
March 28 Palm Sunday 9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms & Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Drive-Thru with Palms
March 29 Holy Monday 7:00 p.m. Compline
March 30 Holy Tuesday 12:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer
March 31 Holy Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Ecumenical Healing Service with the Rev. Alex Witt, Our Saviour’s Lutheran
April 1 Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Choral Evensong
April 2 Good Friday 12:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
April 3 Holy Saturday 9:00 a.m. Holy Saturday Liturgy
April 4 Easter Sunday 9:00 a.m. Easter Spiritual Communion
10:00 a.m. Easter Drive-Thru with Holy Communion
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 4
Monthly Drive-Thru Schedule Sunday, March 28 - Palms Sunday—Get your palms and Holy Week-in-a-Box while you return your butterflies.
Sunday, April 4 - Easter Sunday—Thru with Holy Communion. Get your Easter Baskets for the little ones and see the butterflies revealed.
Sunday, April 25 - Eastertide—Relax with us for a REGULAR drive-thru on this Sunday.
Sunday, May 23 - Pentecost—Our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!—Join us for our anniversary drive-thru. Can you believe we’ve been doing this for a YEAR??? Wear your red!
Sunday, June 27 - Get ready for a refreshing drive-thru to be remembered. If you can’t get to us, but you know some-one who is coming, we are happy to send your things home with them. Let us know if you need a home deliv-ery drive-thru. We can make it happen! Hang in there, Hickory Neck. Hang in there.
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 5
From Our February Drive-Thru
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 6
Sarabande
Beloved Music SARAH BLAND, MINISTER OF MUSIC
As I write this column, we are just entering the season of Lent. By the time you read it, we will be midway into this penitential season and nearly a full year into the pandemic. When the shutdown began in mid-March of 2020, we had roughly 48 hours to quickly plan and prepare for that first virtual service. We shifted to holding Morning Prayer, a ser-vice most of us were not accustomed to. The Book of Common Prayer prescribes either Psalm 95 (The Venite—“O come, let us sing to the Lord”) or Psalm 100 (The Jubilate—“Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands”) be sung at the begin-ning of this service. I chose Psalm 100 and its well-known metrical setting to “Old Hundredth,” a tune that we associ-ate with the Doxology. Rather than singing unfamiliar, if prescribed, canticles following the lessons, I decided to use two familiar Taizé songs for these musical responses. We are singing this same beloved music this Lent, as you will know if you “attended” worship the last two Sundays of February. I hope it brings you a measure of comfort and joy.
Our sister churches in the United Kingdom are under similar lockdown as we. Music lovers are thrilled, though, that many of their cathedrals, collegiate chapels, and even parish churches have returned to singing traditional Choral Even-song. The choirs are often able to use only a few singers, and usually masked, but the virtual services are broadcast worldwide through Facebook and YouTube. Many churches in the United States are holding these services virtually, too.
If you are on Facebook, you may enjoy the site “Choral Evensong Appreciation Society.” It is a public site with over eighteen thousand members. Choirs post videos of their Evensong services or selected music from them. There are videos from such venerable places as York Minster and Kings’ College as well as from small, humble parishes. There are also interesting posts and conversations about all sorts of related topics. For those of you who especially appreci-ate the rich choral traditions of the Anglican church, I encourage you to visit and explore this site.
Congratulations… ...to HNC’s own Madeline Hanlon, who was elected as the Diocese of Southern Virginia’s Youth Deputy to General Convention, planned for July 7 - 14, 2022, in Baltimore, MD.
Options for Viewing Services To view services, you have two options:
Click on HNC YouTube Channel - You can view videos on YouTube without subscribing. You do have to subscribe if you want to make comments or if you want to receive notifications about upcoming HNC video events.
Click on HNC Facebook
If you are interested in working with this ministry, please contact the Hickory Neck Web Ministry at [email protected].
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 7
Online Ways to Support HNC SHOP at smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1096929 to generate donations for Hickory Neck Episcopal Church.
GIVE at bit.ly/HNCGive. With any major credit card, you may pay pledges and make donations. Setting up automatic payments saves HNC service charges. If you make one-time payments, please consider adding a little extra to cover HNC service charges. Contact Dave Simmons ([email protected]) with ques-tions.
Grants Awarded to Local Charities BILL TEALE, GRANTS COMMITTEE
The Financial Grants Committee for the 2021 Grants consisted of Robert Pringle, William Teale, Marina Libro, Lucy Rothnie and Jill Cruz. The Committee met in February awarding grants totaling $6,180 to local charities from money raised at the 2020 Fall Festival and previous unused funds. An additional $1,200 is available for the Winter Shelter. $2578 has been held back for future grant distribution to local food banks/ charities in 2021 based on our Outreach Committee’s recommendations and Vestry’s approval.
AVALON, an organization that provides a 24-Hour Help Line and helps women and children who are victims of abuse with emergency and transitional housing, counseling, life skills, legal advocacy, and other supportive services. One of our members is their Executive Director. This is the tenth year we have supported Avalon.
FROM HIS HANDS, provides meals to the people in the Grove area. Hickory Neck parishioners prepare the meals at St. Martin’s and then serve them at the Grove Christian Outreach Center. This is the thirteenth year we have support-ed From His Hands.
GREATER WILLIAMSBURG OUTREACH MISSION is an organization made up of members from churches in our area addressing the needs of the homeless.
THE SALVATION ARMY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM is a program that provides housing, counseling, and mentoring to help families and individuals get back on their feet. This is the eleventh year we have supported this pro-gram.
WILLIAMSBURG FAITH IN ACTION, an organization that helps people to continue living in their homes. We have parishioners volunteering at WFIA. This is the fourteenth year we have sup-ported WFIA financially.
Since 2002, Hickory Neck Church has raised $170,870 for local charities.
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 8
Calling All Hammers MARINA LIBRO, OUTREACH VESTRY LIAISON
Believe it or not, Spring is right around the corner and with it, comes all the hope and host of new opportunities that this season of freshness and renewal often brings. As we work our way out of winter’s grasp and into spring’s fresh-ness, we are also hopefully working our way out of the grasp of this dreadful Corona Virus as more and more people can become inoculated. I know we are all praying that our lives can return to some semblance of normalcy sooner ra-ther than later. However, until we reach that wonderful point in time, we must still find a way to continue to shine our light out into the world and help hammer out hunger, hammer out homelessness, hammer out loneliness and do all we can to help those in need. Outreach has two ministries currently underway that have pivoted in the way they have had to conduct their mission due to COVID-19 restrictions. These ministries are also in need of a few more hammers to nail down their operations. Let me tell you briefly about each opportunity to assist.
FROM HIS HANDS assists in providing meals to our neighbors in the Grove area at the Grove Christian Outreach Center. Volunteers will coordinate to pickup premade meals and deliver them to the Center once per quarter on the following dates: March 16, May 4, August 17, and November 2. If you are interested in learning more, please contact FHH Coor-dinator John Rothnie at 804-338-8422 or a member of Outreach.
GREATER WILLIAMSBURG OUTREACH MISSION is partnering with Meals on Wheels to bring meals to area families in host hotels. We are assisting in bringing 18 meals to families hosted in five hotels on the fifth Wednesday of the month for the year in 2021. The dates for these deliveries are: March 31, June 30, September 29, December 29. If you would like more information please contact Bert Geddy at757-272-8082 or Marina Libro at 757-508-0877.
As you go about your various ministries representing Hickory Neck Church or just out in your everyday activities, you can still do so with your very own HNC T-Shirt. If you missed out on our first round of orders, DO NOT fret! Yours truly is taking names-and sizes- of those interested in a second order. I already have a list going so if you would like to be on it, please drop me an email ([email protected]) or text or phone call (757-508- 0877) and leave your contact info. When I get enough interest to set up another order, I can let everyone know how to order their shirts. We have them in Stonewash Green (pictured) and Cool Mint.
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 9
Chaplain’s Corner
Prayer, No Words Necessary DON SEETERLIN, CHAPLAIN
Praying recently has been different than in times past. I have found myself needing to just sit still, and trust in the pres-
ence of the Lord. Words are oft times not spoken, or even considered. I find myself not searching for answers, just
needing to be still. It is like when a child is hurting. Many times, the best help is not to say things or explain why they
happened. The most healing effort is to simply hold them while they cry. Barring serious injury, the tears eventually
stop. Being in the arms of their trusted loved one brings them a sense of peace and security.
The same is true for praying to our Lord during times of hurt and upheaval. Most times I find the best cure for my pain
is to approach the Lord as a child. Trust Him to hold me, comfort me, and sit quietly in His arms until the torrent of
tears has subsided. Jesus spoke of this in Mark. He said that “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little
child will not enter it.” (Mark 10:15) I note that Jesus said as a “little” child. A little child is oft times more trusting and
surer of the love to be received. Many times, older children are prone to asking questions and desiring answers, which
in its time is good and healthy. But it seems that many times the answers we are able to offer are inadequate or in-
comprehensible to them at their level of development. Thus, instead of offering more support and healing, we may
temporarily divert their attention, and yet fail to address the true pain that is the cause of the tears. What we want to
do as care givers is to hold them and help them into a sense of trust that despite everything they are currently experi-
encing, they are loved, and they are not alone in their pain.
As adults we are trained from our youth to ask questions, seek answers, and find ways to solve our problems. Yet, un-
fortunately, some problems do not have easy answers. Some hurts are not easily healed, or even assuaged. Times of
grief and loss can be especially hard. We experience a loss of balance in our lives. I find myself being knocked off kilter
by some of the most mundane things. Recently, I found myself focusing on the word “forever.” It took my breath
away, and the magnitude of what it meant brought tears. I was focusing on what the word meant in this life. Forever
meant either always with, or even more personally, never again. I was grieving the loss of my loved one, and to realize
that I would never again experience her presence, her touch, or her smile was simply heartbreaking.
I shared this with a trusted friend, and he helped me to realize that while forever definitely has that meaning in our
physical existence, it may not be the last word. He reminded me that God’s time is not like our time. “With the Lord,
one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) God lives in eternity, in the perpetual
present. Where God is, death is no more. In the Book of Revelation, we are told, God will “wipe away every tear from
their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.” (Rev. 21:4) In this context, forever
does not mean a loss of something, rather a promise of never ending being with. It helped me to find hope for the fu-
ture.
While this reasoning was helpful in giving me something to look forward to, it still was not able to quiet the immediate
sense of loss and separation that I was experiencing. For that, one thing seems to help more than any other. That is
sitting still, and not asking questions or having a mindful conversation. Just crawling up into the lap of my God and Sav-
ior and sitting still until the immediate storm has passed.
I believe the Psalmist really spoke in depths beyond his awareness when he adjured us to “be still and know that I am
God.” (Psalm 46:10) If you are facing a storm, try crawling up into God’s lap, and allow Him to hold you. No words are
necessary.
Vestry Highlights CAROL SHUTT, REGISTER
The regular monthly meeting of the Hickory Neck Vestry was held on February 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Jennifer began by sharing a reading from Meditations for Vestry Members.
Our church is in the middle of transitioning to new technology and has used the tech team to correct some of the problems en-countered.
Future events will be a hymn sing, Lenten services, and a Future Church Summit online February 19th and 20th. Discovery classes will be offered at Easter time and will be open to all interested. Later the Bishop will be offering a confirmation service. Terri Lensenmayer announced that drive-thru events will continue as well as virtual coffee hours and possibly a virtual trivia night. Ma-rina Libro proposed outreach grants to Avalon, Williamsburg Faith in Action, Salvation Army Transitional Housing, From His Hands, and Meals on Wheels; the grants were unanimously approved.
Treasurer Fred Boelt reported that the church is still in the black.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 10
A“Mayes”ing Bible Facts
Rainbows MAYES D. MATHEWS
My granddaughter said that the first rainbow that she saw was pretty. She became a rainbow fan and put rainbow stickers on flat surfaces everywhere. She loved seeing real rainbows every chance she had. Rainbows are often seen as a sign of hope and as a promise of better times to come. According to Genesis 9:13, God put the bow in the sky as a sign of his promise that he would never again destroy the earth with flood. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, it serves as a symbol of an everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth. Thus, the amazing rainbow represents one of God’s earliest promises.
The rainbow is the result of light passing through many tiny droplets of water in the atmosphere which separates light into various bands of color ranging from red to the blue spectrum of visible light. To see a rainbow, there must be moisture in the atmosphere. It does not have to be raining, but a light rain just as the sun breaks through is often a good time to look for a rainbow. Turn your back towards the sun and look upward. The bow can be seen overhead. Those colors are always found to be in the same sequence. If you can get a vantage point from a flying airplane, you
will find that the bow is actually a series of concentric rings or circles shaped more like a colorful bullseye target.
Sometimes a double rainbow may be seen. The sec-ond rainbow is identical to the first except in the sec-ond rainbow rings are reversed as if they were seen in a mirror.
Rainbows do not locate pots of gold nor do they bring
good luck. The do represent God’s covenant with us.
It is amazing, but the rainbow represents one of the
oldest covenants in the Bible.
Treasurer’s Report FRED BOELT, TREASURER
January 31, 2021
Budget INCOME $37,650.00 YTD Actual Income $47,414.44 Budget Expense $37,650.00 YTD Actual Expense $29,054.56
The new year is off to a good financial start. Income for January was over budget by $9,764.44. This is largely due to several prepaid annual pledges and a slight increase in the non-pledge category.
January expenses were under budget by $8,595.44. Expenses will continue to be lower as long as we are operating with a semi-closed campus. This was fac-tored into the budget planning for the year, but frugal spending by our ministry chairs has further aided the cause. As always, we have prepaid part of our annual insurance premium.
Consequently, we ended in the black by $18,359.88. This trend should continue at least for the next few months, but we should remain vigilant for changes.
As you read this, we are in the midst of a Solemn Lent, a time of reflection and of personal spiritual develop-ment. But during Lent, we have the Vernal Equinox to look forward to, bringing the annual greening of our HOLY HILL. May the anticipation of new life and new energy be an inspiration to continue our FAITHFUL GENEROUSITY throughout the year. It takes the full energy of the Parish to insure that our LIGHT beams brightly, bringing charity, love and peace to all.
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 11
MARCH Birthdays Carolyn Gaylord 1
Benjamin Greene 1
Jessica Hughes 2
Nancy Byrd 3
Esther Gay 4
Jennie Corrales 6
Marina Libro 10
Gwyneth Ross 12
Nancy Aschiero 13
Len Calabrese 13
Brian Dow 13
Eric Carlson 18
Cleve Corlett 18
Emily Robertson 19
Bryson Edwards 20
Betty Harrison 20
Phyllis Faas 21
Cana Andrews-Weckerly 22
Donald McConaughy 22
Robert Brown 23
Tom Murphy 23
Jim Day 24
Linda Slyfield 24
Bill Teale 24
Lena Poitier 25
Terry Day 27
Stephen Ritz 27
Levi Schrack 27
MARCH Anniversaries George & Katherine Bridewell 9
Randy & Joy Tanner 14
Bill & Ann Burnett 17
Coleman & Ann Ragsdale 24
Michael Kellum & Michael Cole 30
THE NUGGETS: MARCH 2021 PAGE 12
High Fives High fives go out this month to Andrea Sheffield, Linda McGee, and Melissa Schutt. Andrea was appointed by the Vestry to fill in a one-year fulfilment term for the Ves-try, serving as the Pastoral Care Liaison. Linda was elected as Senior Warden and Melissa was elected as Junior Warden. We are so grateful for their willingness to say
“yes!” and to join in leadership with Hickory Neck. High fives!
We also give a high five to Jeff Seiler and the Historic Chapel Preservation Com-mittee, who oversaw a week-long outdoor repair effort to the Historic Chapel. Jeff came by the campus everyday to oversee the work crews and served as a liaison with any questions or issues. The next time you drive by the Historic Chapel, be sure to give a long-distance high five to our team!
High fives also go to our Diocesan Council Delegation: Hope Brans, Larry Kelley, Ma-rina Libro, and Denise Pearsall. This year, Diocesan Council was virtual, and instead of 1.5 days of Council, the delegation spread their work out over an entire week, gathering each night for Zooms and Saturday for the full business meeting. They
learned new technology and sat through hours of virtual meetings. We are so grateful they represented Hickory Neck in this unusual fashion. High fives!
Nuggets Staff
Editor: Beth Knight Brown Production: Paula Simmons Contributors: Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly, Sarah Bland, Fred Boelt, Marina Libro, Mayes Mathews, Linda McGee, Don Seeterlin, Carol Shutt, Bill Teale Photos: John Rothnie Deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month. Items received after this date will be considered for publication in a fu-ture issue. Please send submissions to: [email protected].
Worship Service Schedule
Regular Sunday Services 9:00 a.m. Livestream on HNC YouTube Channel
and HNC Facebook
10:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour, via Zoom Pop-Up Prayers via Facebook Live Mondays 7:00 p.m. Compline Tuesdays 12:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Thursdays 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Fridays 12:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Saturdays 5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
