What's Happening at ESC

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

ESC’s Co-ed Softball Team defeated Bayside Baptist Church (22-9) on July 23rd to move on to the championship game! That game will be this Friday, July 30 at 7:45 p.m. at Princess Anne Athletic Center, Green #1. Come cheer our team to victory and on to the championship!

Beginning August 4th the 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Holy Eucharist will be a Taize service. 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.

Summer Lunch Bunch meets on Wednesdays (August 4, 11, 18, 25) during August at noon in the chapel. This is a small group book study open to everyone. You can use your lunch hour from work or come from the beach! Bring your lunch to eat while we talk. Selection for this year is The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg. Book is available in the Parish Bookstore. Class only lasts for one hour, so take a break and join us! Led by Debbie Quam.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at ESC on Wednesday, August 4th from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please take just one hour from your day to give the gift of life! You can make an appointment to donate by going to www.redcrossblood.org. Click on the “Enter Sponsor Code” link and enter code ESC. From there you can make an appointment to donate blood at your convenience. No waiting!

The First Friday Men’s Breakfast will meet on August 6 at 7:30 a.m. If you haven’t had the pleasure of joining us, why not give it a try? You’ll be glad you did!

ESC will host an Integrity Eucharist on Sunday, August 8 at 5 p.m. A reception in the narthex will follow the service. If you attended our first Integrity Eucharist in July, you know how special and moving this service is. Bring a friend! Bring the whole family! Please remember that we are still collecting backpacks school supplies for the children served by The AIDS Fund. If you are able, please bring a donation with you when you come to the service. Just look for the red collection bins in the entry of the church. Donations can also be dropped off in the parish office during the week or at Sunday morning services through August 8th.

Do you remember what it was like to be new to Eastern Shore Chapel? Did you see welcoming faces and a get a feeling that this was a place you wanted to “try out” again? If you would like to return the favor of helping others to feel welcome to ESC, please consider joining the Newcomers Committee. Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 8 at 11:30 a.m. If you would like to serve or just want to know more, contact Susan Williams, 428-6763 or swilliams@easternshorechapel.org.

ESC parishioner Paula Crooks and Living Waters Sanctuary pastor Dr. Pamela Bro will lead a mini-retreat for women, “Nurturing Your Inner Child,” on Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ESC. ESC women can attend for FREE! (Cost is $40) Come learn how to connect with your precious inner child. Paula will share her recent personal experiences, examining how our Inner Child can lead us back into our True Story rather than the false ones we create daily. Please bring a journal and a bag lunch.

Vacation Bible School will be August 16-20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Grounded in Jesus' Parable of the Sower, ReNew: The Green VBS brings together the Bible and environmental stewardship. Join us for a week of stories, music, games and growth! Open to children age 4–5th grade. Cost: $10. Registration forms are in the narthex and the Christian Formation office. CLICK HERE for a Registration Form. Volunteers are needed to help. CLICK HERE for a Volunteer Registration Form.Contact Mary Lou Crifasi (428-6763 or mcrifasi@easternshorechapel.org.) for more information.

For those students, rising 6th graders through HS seniors, who would like to become acolytes, now is the time to contact Mrs. Buchanan (481-2595 or msbuchanan@verizon.net) or Mrs. Gallup (481-5897 or bruce.gallup@verizon.net) to be placed on the schedule. Acolytes serve at the 9 and 11:30 services three to four times during the quarter (Sep. 12-Dec. 12). For current acolytes, please contact Mrs. B. or Mrs. G by August 22 with dates you are not available to acolyte in the next quarter. Training for ALL acolytes, new and current, will be Sep. 12 after the 11:30 service.

BEACH is a community partnership between citizens and faith, business, non-profit and city organizations who are working together in Bringing an End to All City Homelessness. The first gathering of representatives, staff and members of faith-based and non-profit organizations from areas adjacent to ESC will take place at ESC on Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. This is the beginning of the effort to establish BEACH as the umbrella organization that will assist agencies in coordinating services and enabling us to do the best we can for our homeless and at-risk citizens. A free light lunch will be served. To learn more contact Lou Ann Laurance, 8363lal@gmail.com or 428-8363. Learn more about BEACH at www.beachcp.org.

For Veterans Day, as a way to honor our military members, ESC would like to display photos, bios and/or short stories of our parishioners who have served or are currently serving our country. The deadline for submitting picture and story or biography is September 15th but, the sooner you can turn it in to Susan Williams the better. Get more details in the Chapel Chimes or contact Susan at swilliams@easternshorechapel.org or 428-6763.

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, caturner62@verizon.net or 407-1254, or visit our web site at www.integrityvb.webs.com ALL are welcome!

ESC will host an Integrity Eucharist on Sunday, August 8 at 5 p.m. A reception in the narthex will follow the service. If you attended our first Integrity Eucharist in July, you know how special and moving this service is. Bring a friend! Bring the whole family! Please remember that we are still collecting backpacks school supplies for the children served by The AIDS Fund. If you are able, please bring a donation with you when you come to the service. Just look for the red collection bins in the entry of the church. Donations can also be dropped off in the parish office during the week or at Sunday morning services through August 8th.

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. Questions? Contact Ann Turner, aturner@easternshorechapel.org.

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