October 2026 CCP Monthly Newsletter
Updated: 4 days ago
Christ Church Parish Episcopal
Our Mission
We are a family of faith, growing in Christ through learning, worship, &
service, who strive to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
October 2026 Newsletter
The Lord Be With You
From the desk of Priest in Charge:
Randi Hicks Rowe
On Saturday, October 10 at 11am, we will have a Renewal of Ministry with the Welcoming of a New Rector service. The service, from the supplemental liturgical collection Enriching Our Worship, was published in 2006. When Father Stuart was your rector, he did parts of this liturgy in combination with a bishop’s visit and Confirmation. However, October 10 will be the first time this service has been done as a complete stand-alone liturgy in this parish.
Many of us have seen the Celebration of New Ministry service from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This Renewal of Ministry service differs from that 1979 service in several significant ways. The first is that, like all liturgical resources in the series, it uses expansive language for God. While many of us think of God as Father, this image of God isn’t universal. Individuals who have experienced abuse or trauma at the hands of their fathers sometimes have difficulty accepting a “Father God” as loving but can relate to a nurturing Mother or a Loving Presence. And, of course, God is all these – Father, Mother, Loving Presence. While the Bible frequently refers to God as Father, it also uses language that our culture thinks of as maternal. For example, Luke 13:34 quotes Jesus as saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" We notice the expansive language in the Renewal of Ministry service immediately in the acclamation, “Blessed be the one, holy, and living God,” to which the congregation responds, “Glory to God for ever and ever.” The acclamation and response do not reference Father or Kingdom. We will also be using a Eucharistic Prayer from the Enriching Our Worship series and we see expansive language in that as well.
The second way in which the Renewal of Ministry Service differs from the Prayer Book’s Celebration of New Ministry is its emphasis. And this difference is why I chose this service for us. The 1979 Celebration of New Ministry service in the Book of Common Prayer focuses almost entirely on the priest who takes vows and is inducted and then greeted. It reads as though the priest is not the rector until a specific moment in the service (even though that isn’t true in practice in this diocese). Although lay members of the congregation present gifts that symbolize different ministries of the church, they really aren’t the focus. Also, the bishop or bishop’s designate has a large part in the service, with the new rector doing little which seems to further take emphasis away from us as a worshipping community.
On the other hand, the Renewal of Ministry Service that we will use focuses on the ministry of the baptized – which is everyone, lay and ordained. The priest is already the rector by virtue of having accepted a call from the congregation, and the bishop or designate affirms that call. That designate will function primarily as a witness to the covenant we make with each other with you – the congregation -- vowing to continue your ongoing ministry with me joining you as priest. The service primarily focuses on the Baptismal Covenant, which we renew together, and around the mission of the church and its members. It celebrates all that you – the laity – do in service to God in this place and welcomes me into those awesome ministries. I will be the primary presider at this service, just as with most of the worship services for our community.
Because this is such a great celebration, we will welcome the participation of a wide range of people with whom we minister or have ministered. The Very Rev. Becky McDaniel, the regional dean, will be the bishop’s designate. The Rev. Anna Scherer, with whom I studied in seminary and ministered alongside at St. Dunstan’s in McLean in the early 2000s, will preach. The Christchurch School Chapel Choir will sing. Some local non-Episcopal clergy have been invited to participate, as have local and diocesan Episcopal clergy and our former rectors. We will also have participation from most of our ministries.
I encourage you to be part of this community celebration and to bring your friends. A lunch will follow, for which Judy Quilter will be asking your help. For those who can’t be here in person, a livestream broadcast is offered on our YouTube channel.
Randi+
Renewal of Ministry &
Welcoming a New Rector
The above event is on Saturday, October 10 at 11am
Lunch will follow the service. For planning purposes, please tell us you will
be there by October 2nd by calling (804) 758-2006 or email ViAnn at
Office@Christchurchparish.com.
We do anticipate a large number of attendees. We will need lots of sides from
our amazing cooks, but only a limited number of baked goods since we have ordered a Cake.
Stewardship Report
Time, Talent & Treasure
First off, thank you so much for your generous gifts! You all really rallied after last year, and because of that, we've been able to accomplish so much.
Growth. What does growth really mean, and do we want it? It can feel a bit scary, but it's also essential if we want to preserve and strengthen our church.
We introduced the youth program with our dedicated youth minister. It’s wonderful to see children enjoying the church and wanting to be part of our community. As they grow up, they’ll bring their families with them. Next, we’re focusing on music—enhancing our music programming to help us reach more people and encourage everyone to participate.
So, what does all this mean for stewardship? Our youth program is supported by the first five years of the Sanders Trust Foundation, but unfortunately, we don't have the same support for the music program. Therefore, we’ll need to allocate funds from our operating budget.
Looking ahead at our operating budget, we’re planning to fund our expanded music program, which includes organ and piano, enlarging the choir, and adding a children's choir. This was requested by the majority of the congregation through the survey that was sent. This will allow families to participate in our music activities. Our church’s music has had trouble growing despite many very talented and dedicated members—but think of the Chesapeake Chorale Concerts with many local singers participating. People often seek churches with strong music programs, and while I might not be one of those music enthusiasts, I know many who are. A children’s choir will help draw families to our church. This church had an active children’s choir under Scott Kreji and can be revived again.
Finally, we need to continue supporting our current committees and ministries. It’s also important to address the rising cost of living for our dedicated employees, expand our outreach efforts, and nurture our growing relationship with Christchurch School.
Jeff Loustenau showed us last year how our needs were increasing, but our giving had flatlined. You heard his appeal and responded positively. We now ask you to help us grow. This year, we are asking you to help us take the next step.
We are asking you to help us grow—not simply in numbers, but in faith, welcome, service, music, youth ministry, and outreach.
Please prayerfully consider how you can support the church in the coming year. If you are able, we ask you to consider increasing your pledge. Every gift matters, and every person’s participation helps strengthen the whole congregation. Together, we can make sure that this church remains a vibrant and welcoming place for children, families, longtime members, newcomers,and generations yet to come. A place of growth!
Thank you for your generosity, your faithfulness, and your willingness to imagine—and help create—the future of this church.
Pledge RMD Reminder
Do Not Forget Dear Parishioner:
By using the required funds withdrawal from your employer-sponsored Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), the fulfillment of your pledge to Christ Church Parish can avoid income tax on that amount.
Please recall….. those aged 73 or older, cannot keep money in their employer-sponsored retirement plan(s) indefinitely. You will need to withdraw money from these accounts annually after the age of 73. These withdrawals are income taxable unless you direct them to through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
Please consult with your tax advisor(s) as to your ability to take advantage of this tax benefit.
Thanks for including Christ Church Parish in your pledge and giving.
OUTREACH MINISTRY
The Outreach Ministry held its monthly meeting on September 9. Among the items that were discussed was the Creation Care Garden. Fall vegetables will be planted soon. In addition to supplying produce for the Cryer Center, we are now giving to Bay Aging. The average weekly harvest is 65 pounds, up from 40 pounds last year. Extra produce is being given out at our coffee hours. We are researching a grant opportunity to make our garden even more productive.
We will be providing lunches for the “One Community Under God” service on Sunday, October 4, at 11:00am at the Urbanna Firehouse. Deacon Peg will be our presenter with clergy from most of the other churches in our county. Come join this once-a-year opportunity to worship together with our community.
Planning is beginning for our annual “Live Nativity”. Please let us know if you would like to be part of this dynamic event. Date will be announced as soon as we have finished researching the many other community events planned for December.
Once again, Christ Church Parish will be decorating a Christmas Tree for the Urbanna Festival of Trees. Last year, we placed third in the voting competition. The date for the official tree lighting and end of voting is December 5. Stay tuned for further details.
We will be holding our annual Christmas Gift Collection for children. We work with Social Services to supply a wonderful assortment of presents from each child’s “wish list”. These are beautifully wrapped by DeLois Greenwood. The children find them under their family tree Christmas morning.
This year we will decorate a “Chrismon Tree” for display in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to Judy Quilter who found some long hidden supplies. Susie Loustaunau will be refreshing and making ornaments for the tree. The purpose of the tree is simple: the ornaments tell the story of Christ so that all who see it may remember why we celebrate.
We are looking forward to a busy holiday season!
DeLois Greenwood, Pam McClelland, co-chairs
From the Deacon's BEnch
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-40
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
How is Jesus calling YOU to do HIS work on this earth and help others?
Do you knit or crochet? We would like to revive our Prayer Shawl Ministry. These creations mean so much to those who receive them. They will be blessed by Rev Randi and then taken to those who are ill, shut-ins, those with new babies, and those celebrating other events in their lives. These shawls are a reminder as to how much the Christ Church community loves them and cares about them.
This is a ministry you can do from home. No meetings or deadlines! Please let me know if you wish to be a part of this ministry so we can keep a list and hold all creators in prayer. I know we have knitters and crocheters out there. Please help us make this ministry work.
** Another way you can help is by donating yarn or other supplies. These could be items you have but no longer need or by purchasing items when you see a good sale. We will distribute these items to those creating the shawls.
Did you read some good books this summer?
It’s time for another book drive. Middlesex Department of Social Services keeps books to distribute to their clients who may be unable to purchase books.
This ministry helps in a few ways:
· You get to clean out books you no longer need to make room for NEW BOOKS
· You help promote literacy in our community.
· We show our community that Christ Church Parish cares about them.
· Please bring them to the Parish Hall and place them beside my desk (1st room to the right as you enter). Please donate books by November 1st.
Please let me know how you can help with these ministries. deacon@christchurchparish.com or 804-869-3867, or when you see me.
We are each expected to care for others. Christ calls us to do so. These ministries and others help us show His love to others. ALL others. Where are YOU called to serve? Pray for answers to this question. It will be different for each of us.
Thank you, Peg+
Youth and Family Ministry
Building Connections
Establishing Connections with CCS
I've met with the Christchurch School student vestry for their first two meetings of the 26-27 school year. The group has amassed over 20 students which is a huge credit to Rev. Kristen Farrington and the work she had done as chaplin of the school. Each student in the vestry was gifted a devotional book from the Youth and Family Ministry with the above sticker on the inside cover. We also hosted our first EF3 (An Evening of Faith, Fellowship and Fun) Event on Saturday, Sept. 19 @7pm. We only had two students show out for us, but we were still able to have a short prayer service where we said blessings for the school year, athletes, teachers, dorms, etc.
Click the image below to see the blessings program.
Volunteers Needed
We are always in need of more people to help serve in our nursery and Sunday school. We must work to keep our nursery and Sunday school open, consistent and predictable if we expect people to bring their families to share and wonder with us. If you are at all interested in volunteering, please let me know. Most of these volunteer responsibilities require little more than sitting in a chair until the kids are dismissed back to church during the exchange of the peace.
Upcoming Events to Mark on Your Calendar
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events planned that invite both kids and families to participate:
From the Junior Warden's Workbench
New Changes are Coming
We are still waiting for the paving of the entry road. The latest is that the contractor will be here during the first full week of October to get that job done. Keep your fingers crossed!
We are also in the process of replacing the Vestry Room door which will be like the door to the Rector’s Office offering visibility into that room. We will use the same type (15 light) door for the wall between the brown classroom (former choir room) and the nursery.
Two more projects on the horizon are installing Leaf-Filter gutter guards on the Fellowship Hall roof to ensure we keep rainwater away from the foundation and directed to the woods; and getting a Termite Booster treatment. This is required every ten years and required if we are to keep our warranty for termites. The costs for these two projects are roughly $7,000 and $5,000 respectively. We should have the money to accomplish both these projects.
For the coming years, we are looking at perhaps contracting someone to do an annual trimming of all our shrubs and plants each spring allowing us to keep the appropriate size and shape of each of them. We are working to get some bids on this work, which is substantial when looking at the entire property of the church, cemetery, and parish hall.
And again, thanks to everyone for their input, help, and support each month.
Carter Descendants Gather at Christ Church Parish
On September 19, approximately 60 descendants from Robert and Thomas Carter visited Christ Church. Marilyn South, Gordon White, and Grace Parker gave them a tour with history of the church, the colonial parish and the cemetery.
Members of the Carter Society, headquartered at Historic Christ Church and Museum in Weems come together regularly to explore the history of their ancestors; several were from Texas and Florida and much farther afield than Virginia. They were deeply interested in the history of this church as well.
ECW
Fall Prevention Speaker
10/11/2026
SAVE THE DATE! Following the 10:30 service on Sunday, October 11, the ECW will be sponsoring a special guest. We will be joined by Jay McConville, PhD, speaking about fall prevention. Jay is a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor and balance and stability instructor for the Mathews and Middlesex YMCA.
We could all use helpful information to avoid a fall.
Don't expect group exercises, but plan on learning about fall prevention while enjoying good food and fellowship. Hope to see you there!
Christ Church Parish
Middlesex, Virginia
1666-2016
Back in 2016, our own historian, Gordon White, wrote and published the history of our Parish with the above title, and sub-titled A Church and Its Struggles with History. Not only is it an extremely interesting story of our church that has been in existence for 360 years, “but of a religious way of life that under English King Henry VIII had been made a part of government.”
Especially timely during our 250th anniversary year, this book “explores how the governmental duties and taxes of the churches created resentment among the colonists and gave rise, even before 1775, to a strong movement for religious freedom.”
We have 68 copies of this history and Gordon has donated them to our church to be used as a fund raiser that will go to our operating fund. The books are ON SALE in the church office for $40.00. Please see ViAnn Farmer to get your copy! It is also a great complement to The Vestry Book of Christ Church Parish 1663 – 1767.
Thank you to Gordon White and thank you to all who take the time to purchase this book!
Fellowship Committe
Autumn Activities Spotlight the Fellowship Committee’s Academic, Military and Veterans Missions in Vibrant Colors!
The much-anticipated Veterans Run, now in its 34th edition, will take place on the morning of Thursday, 8 October 2026, with an estimated 250-300 young Marine Recruits running from the former family home of Lt. General "Chesty“ Puller in Saluda to Christ Church Parish, where they will assemble in the Parish cemetery. Come enjoy this colorful spectacle as the Marines run with banners and flags and arrive full of cheer and excitement at the grave site of the most decorated, one of the most beloved and respected Marines in history. Our clergy will greet the Runners, welcome them, and share interesting stories about their hero, Lt. General Chesty Puller’s family life in the community and as members of our Parish. After the official address given by Marine leaders, the Runners are invited to our hospitality tables in the adjoining parking lot, where snacks, coffee, soft drinks, fruits, and homemade cookies are served. This casual part of the program is the perfect time to engage with the Runners and their commanders and welcome them to Christ Church Parish for all the other days of the year as well.
On the heels of the Marine Run, is our two-part Veterans Day Program with a stimulating talk given in Marston Hall on the evening of Tuesday, 10 November, at 7:00 p.m. The program focuses on the 250th celebration of the USA and is open to all residents of Middlesex County and beyond. After the thought-provoking talk and Q&A session, all are invited to join us for a reception and fellowship.
The following day, Wednesday 11 November, features the traditional Veterans Day luncheon held in the Parish Hall. This event is limited to Veterans only and requires reservations. Please RSVP to Barbara at 804-832-0016. In addition to a stimulating speaker, we are honored to have special guests from the French and Polish Military Delegations in attendance. We will present each with a Certificate of Appreciation that acknowledges their nation’s commitment, support, training, and military expertise generously given and shared with the colonists in our fight for independence.
We hope to see you at one or all of these events, which proudly proclaim “We are the home of the Free because of the Brave.”
Mary Lynn Landgraf and Bev Hart, Co-Chairs
Oyster Festival Sign-Up
HELP!
It’s Oyster Festival Sign-Up Time
Before you know it, it will be October, and time for One Community Under God, the Renewal of Ministry & Installation of Rev. Randi as our Rector, and Halloween. The next thing you know, it's November 6th & 7th: The Urbanna Oyster Festival. It takes our church community to make the Oyster Festival a success. To make thousands of ham biscuits, to haul, set up, and operate our Christ Church Parish tent. The ECW will handle the volunteers making Ham Biscuits. The Brotherhood will handle hauling, setup, and takedown.
And EVERYONE is needed to staff the tent on Friday and Saturday.
The sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. There is a separate sheet for each day, starting on Wednesday, November 4th, and ending on Sunday, November 8th. Swing by the Bulletin Board in the Parish Hall and pick your times and days. Sign up as a group (The HOB Ladies), with a friend, or with a spouse. Enjoy all of us working together.
The more, the merrier.
Ushers' Schedule for October 2026
Ushers for the month of October
All month – Susie and Jeff Loustaunau -10:30
All month- John Quilter- 8:00
Celebrations: August Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays
Debbie Davis - Oct. 1
Linda Parker - Oct. 2
Rev. Randi Rowe - Oct. 8
Dixon Cole - Oct. 9
Craig Booth - Oct. 10
Jody Anglin - Oct. 19
Rusty Spears - Oct. 20
Tom Clarke - Oct. 25
Gordon White - Oct. 25
Anniversaries
Bob & Patty Lamb - Oct. 3
Ken & Jeannie Alcott - Oct. 7
Barry & Cathy Spence - Oct. 9
Bryan & Paula Saddler - Oct. 24
Trent & Sally Austin - Oct. 26
Upcoming Events
Special Events
One Community Under God
Sunday, October 4 at 11am
**at the Urbanna Fire House**
RSVP HERE
The Renewal of Ministry
& Welcoming of a New Rector
Saturday, October 10 at 11am RSVP HERE
Special Guest Speaker on Fall Prevention in Parish Great Hall
Sunday, October 11 at 11:30am
EF3 (Evening of Faith, Fellowship and Fun) in Parish Great Hall
"After Dark Prayer Walk and Campfire"
Saturday, October 10 at 7pm *NEW DATE
Recurring Worship and Ministry Events:
8:00 AM Sunday Service - Holy Eucharist: Rite I
10:30 AM Sunday Service - Holy Eucharist: Rite II (Nursery Available)
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist - Every Wednesday at 9:30am in Parish Hall Chapel
Bible Study - Every Thursday at 10:30am in the Vestry Room
Sunday School feat. Godly Play - Every 1st and 3rd Sunday
Daughters of the King - Third Sunday of Every Month at 9am in Parish Hall
Recurring Community Events:
Memory Cafe - Third Thursday of each month at 1:30pm-3pm
Alcoholics Anonymous - Step Study - Every Tuesday at 11am in Parish Hall
Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Step Group - Every Thursday at 11am in Parish Hall
Cub Scout Pack 341 Meeting - Every Thursday at 6pm in Parish Hall
Scout Troop 341 Weekly Meeting - Every Thursday at 7pm in Parish Hall
Christ Church Parish (Episcopal)
PO Box 476
56 Christchurch Lane, Saluda, VA 23149
804-758-2006
christchurchparish.org
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