Outreach Updates: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Along with the growing support for our Lil’ Pantry, we participated in “The Food Fight” and the “Double Blessing” programs. Both were highly successful! We were able to provide 10,000 meals for The Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and with the assistance of Jack Pope, over thirty cases of food were delivered to the H.E.L.P. Food Pantry. Thank you for your continued support. Food insecurity remains high during the pandemic and we will continue to find creative ways to meet the needs of our neighbors! Grace and Peace, Mark+
Zoom Yoga with Lenten Themes: Join Samantha for a weekly zoom yoga class on Sundays at 4pm. During Lent, we will focus on Lenten themes and scripture. This class will be mixed level. If you have not been very active or have never done yoga, please talk to Samantha first. A good test is to make sure you can get from the floor to a standing position with relative ease. While there is stretching in yoga, this class will also include strength training and balance poses. It will be a Vinyasa (flow) class which means there will be times when your heartrate will be elevated. If you are not sure, you can still come and check it out. The great thing about zoom is no one will know if you can’t do the poses!! For now, I ask that you register in advance. This will be open to the public. Once you are registered, you will receive a link. The class is free. Register in advance for this meeting using this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Lent Madness is an online Lenten devotion that’s fun and engaging. 32 saints face off in a basketball-style bracket, and people vote for which saint deserves the Golden Halo. It’s a bit silly, but through the season we learn about the way Christ’s love shines in the lives of ordinary people. You can find more information about Lent Madness and how to participate here.
Zoom Coffee Hour: We are still having Zoom coffee hour at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. We’d love for you to join us! Use this link.
Lenten Book Study: “Forgiveness: A Lenten Study” by Marjorie J. Thompson: As the author notes: “Forgiving others and humbly asking for forgiveness are central disciplines for all Christian believers.” This brief book and study guide provides a framework for the topic using biblical examples and real-life situations. Lent is an appropriate season to deepen our understanding and practice of forgiveness, and this study provides a solid foundation. We will meet via Zoom twice a week: Thursday at 2pm or Thursday at 7pm. You can find either a paperback or kindle version on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Lenten-Marjorie-J-Thompson/dp/0664259723) Questions? Please contact the office: 757-722-2567 or gro.notpmahsnhojts@eciffo. Please join us!
Bible Study “Re-ZOOMs” in January with Isaiah: Our Wednesday Bible study has just started a study on Isaiah. We meet, via Zoom, on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. We are just beginning so please consider joining this wonderful discussion. Contact Mark for a link to the study: gro.notpmahsnhojts@kram / 757-722-2567, or if you would like to add a new study or time, please contact me.
Calling All Volunteers: 15 minutes of service. I am looking for some volunteers who would assist with restocking items in the LIL’ FREE PANTRY. I am trying to build a regular rotation of people to help stock the items we already receive from the monetary donations and weekly food donations from St. Mark’s. If you can spare fifteen minutes, please contact Mark via gro.notpmahsnhojts@kram / 757-722-2567
Bishop’s New Guidelines: The Bishop has determined that no church can have an indoor, in-person service until the percent positivity rate is below 8% in their region for two consecutive weeks. Hampton is currently at 18.5%. Outdoor services are allowed, but for less than 25 people with the same rules we followed inside. We plan to resume outdoor services at the end of March for Palm Sunday. Confederate Memorial Update: Your committee has been hard at work. They took one week off for individuals in the committee to do independent research. Their next meeting is February 10. They are moving ahead of schedule. If you have questions or comments, contact the chair, Linda Curtis at moc.liamg@anansitrucl. Please remember that the vestry will make the final decision.
Limited Access to Office: In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines and an uptick in numbers, the church office will be open by appointment only. If you would like to make an appointment, please call the office at 757-722-2567 or e-mail us at gro.notpmahsnhojts@eciffo.
H.E.L.P. Pantry Most-Requested List: Due to the added financial burdens as a result of the pandemic, more families are seeking food assistance and pantries nationwide are struggling to keep up with the increased need. Locally, H.E.L.P. compiled a list of most needed items: Canned Fruit, Macaroni & Cheese, Canned Pasta Meals, Apple Sauce, Crackers, 1lb. bags of Rice, Juice, Dry Milk, Dry Beans, Pork & Beans, and Cereal. St. John’s serves as a donation/delivery point for H.E.L.P if you would like to add your support to their pantry needs. Questions? Contact: gro.notpmahsnhojts@kram.
COVID Vaccine: You can visit the state health department website to find out when you will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Answer a few questions about where you live and work, and you can find out which phase of the vaccination campaign you fall into. You can also sign up to be notified by text or email when your phase is being vaccinated. Go online for more information on the different phases.
Pledge Envelopes: If you would like to come pick up your pledge envelopes, please call the church office to arrange a time for pick up. If you cannot get to the church and live in Hampton, we will deliver it.