Pardon our mess
pandemic response update
| Friends- Last night (March 1st) at the Vestry meeting, we decided that it was time to lift the mask requirement for fully vaccinated and boosted individuals, effective immediately. Like the diocese, we have been following three markers for disease spread: new case rates, percentage testing positive, and average daily hospitalization (you can find them all here: my healthy community) We are now completely out of the red zone, and while Covid is still out there, we feel ready to relax our status at this time. Please know that those who are not fully vaccinated or who still wish to wear a mask as a precaution are still expected to do so. We will continue to webcast our main services on Facebook live and YouTube. Our Christian education for children and youth will follow Cape Henlopen School district regarding masking requirements. I know some of you will be happy with this news and others will be distressed. We are all tired of the pandemic and it has meant different things to us depending upon our individual health conditions. As Christians, we are called to bear with one another and to do all things in love. Please be patient and know that we are doing our best as we live through these challenges. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Rector. |
PRECATUTIONS AT A GLANCE
Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes, DE
Covid-19 Precautions effective as of 3/1/2022
| Category | Status |
| In person worship | Yes, for fully vaccinated with booster (3 shots) |
| Masks at worship | Yes, for the unvaccinated Strongly recommended for all |
| Physical Distancing | Please respect the space of those who continue to mask. |
| Chalice @ Communion | No |
| Outside Groups | Optional |
| Unlocked Church | Yes |
| Coffee Hour | Yes |
| Hand Sanitizer at all entry ways | Yes |
| Healing Prayer | Yes |
| Masks in office/small groups | Optional, Yes for unvaccinated Strongly recommended for all |
| Singing | Masks optional, but encouraged Strongly recommended for all |
| Masks @ Christian formation | Strongly recommended for all |
| Scripture Lessons | Yes |
| Sermon | No Limit |
| Acolytes and Readers | Yes, and Yes |
| URGE THE SICK TO STAY HOME and WATCH online! | Yes |
| TESTING WEBSITE | https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/ |
Parking Meters are ON!
The parking meters in downtown Lewes will be active from May 1 until October 14th from 9 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. As in previous years, the meters on Second Street in front of the church and on Market Street immediately next to the church will not be enforced until noon on Sunday. (Please note that this applies ONLY to the block that surrounds St. Peter’s Square; if you park in front of the bank or Agave, for instance, you have to pay or you will get a ticket.) Please do NOT park in the parking lot at R&L Liquors after 10 am on Sundays; you will get a ticket. Instructions on how to feed the meters can be found on the meters themselves.
be in the know!
If you would like to learn more about what is going on at
St. Peter's click on the picture below and Subscribe to receive our weekly e-blast.
BABY FORMULA RESOURCES
Feast of the Ascension
Join us this coming Thursday, May 26th, at 7 pm for Festal Holy Eucharist for
Ascension Day at 7 pm. The Feast of the Ascension is one of the principle
feasts in the Church Year, which commemorates the ascension of Jesus into
heaven.
This year we will be joined by our friends from All Saints'/St. George's and
St. John the Baptist in Milton for this celebration.
A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall. All are welcome!
Godly Play
We are always looking for Teachers, Greeters, and Helpers for Sunday School and Saint Peter's Youth High and Middle school groups. For more information on Christian Formation or getting involved contact Jessica Potter.
Click Here to SUBSCRIBE to St. Peter's Weekly Announcements
Click the BUTTON below to Volunteer.
You are invited to join us in celebrating the last day of Sunday School May
29, 2022 at 9:15 in the lower level of the parish hall. All of this would not
be possible without our volunteers. We want to celebrate you. Thank you for all
you do!
Saturday May 28th, 2022
Saint Peter’s Youth Group works to build lasting and fulfilling relationships in and around the Diocese of Delaware, and to show the world, through our actions, the love of Christ. This includes helping those who can no longer do certain household tasks such as yard work.
Saturday May 28th, 2022, St. Peter’s Youth & Troop 1 will be raking and hauling leaves. We will meet at St. Peter’s Parish Hall at 9:30 and head over to the house from there. We recommend you bring gardening gloves and a rake of you have one. Some of each will be provided. After we have finished with the yard, we would love for all those involved to join us at Grottos for pizza. We are looking forward to working together and helping in the community. If you have any questions, contact Jessica Potter.
"Love is the way"
Celebrate Eastertide with a 6 week series devoted to Bishop Curry’s book “ Love is the Way”
Beginning on Thursday April 21st through May 26th from 5:30-6:30, St Peters is offering a study of Bishop Curry’s book designed to explore “what the way of love looks like even as we walk it in a world that feels at times closer to a nightmare than a dream”. Each week there will be opportunities for discussion and quiet contemplative reflection. The sessions will be offered in the conference room and by Zoom. To attend in person one must be fully vaccinated with a booster, masking is not required and up to the individual's discretion.
To attend via Zoom the meeting id is 816 3079 4127, the passcode is 387001. The book can be purchased through Amazon or at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth.
Eucharistic Visitor Training
Eucharistic Visitor training will be held on Sunday, May 29, following the 10:00 am service in the sacristy from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. After completing the training, a license is available from the Bishop to assist the Rector in visiting the sick and shut-ins in the congregation and to provide the Eucharist. It is recommended that previously licensed Eucharistic Visitors attend the training session as a refresher since we have not been visiting due to the COVID pandemic restrictions. To register for the class, please email Deacon Larry Norfleet by May 22, 2022. We will be using the book, “A Manual for EUCHARISTIC VISITORS” by Beth Wickenberg Ely. A copy of the book is available in the church office. Please review the text before we meet.
UPCOMING CONCERTS IN OUR COMMUNITY
- The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice will hold a fundraising concert on June 18th at 7 pm at Cape Henlopen High School Auditorium for the Performing Arts featuring the Chantels, a history making 1950’s all-female doo wop group. (St. Peter’s vestry member Lois Powell is a member of this singing group.) This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this ground breaking female doo wop group. The event is the highlight of SDARJ’s Juneteenth weekend celebration. Proceeds from this concert will go to SDARJ educational programs including scholarships and on-going operations. You can purchase your tickets online. Go to Eventrbite.com and search for The Chantels.
Youth leader toolbox sessions
•May 7- "Impacts of the pandemic on youth mental health"
Our youth have been affected by the conditions of Covid-19 and we need to be prepared to acknowledge their feelings and help guide them through. We will discuss important topics such as active listening, effects of frustration, self-awareness and self-care.
•June 4- "Building and strengthening your youth program"
Social distancing and other obstacles over the last few years have left many of us with shells of our prior programs. Let's have an honest discussion of where we are and talk to some leaders who have found new tools to help maintain their programs, and to help them grow.
• July 9- "Community involvement and outreach"
Connecting with other youth groups, and other community groups is a great way to infuse some energy into your program. During this fun session, we will share some of our favorite outreach activities that get our youth up and moving! We will also have a few speakers from non-profit groups in Delaware who would love to partner up with your group.
• Aug 6- "Responsible social media usage and engagement with youth"
This is a fairly new topic but very important. As social media and texting become one of the main ways to communicate with youth, we need to be mindful that we are doing so in a way that is safe, responsible, and transparent. We need to protect our youth as well as the integrity of our programs.
• Sept- in person lunch meet up!
We are cautiously optimistic that in September we will all be able to get together for a fun opportunity to mingle in-person and enjoy some lunch.
For more info, and to get your zoom link, email YouthSupport@delaware.church
Youth Climate Retreat & ReNEW Essay Contest
May 1, Interfaith Power & Light are hosting a Youth Climate Retreat for middle and high school youth around the state at Killen’s Pond from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We ask all interested to fill out the registration form, https://tinyurl.com/mryy85ss , or use QR code on the attached flier. Nature walk…sustainability tour…Climate Conversation…advocacy workshop…expression through art. Special performance from the YMCA's Essence Legacy Performing Arts Program featuring their drummers, steppers, color guards and contemporary dancers!!
We do have bus pick-ups in Wilmington and Georgetown but unfortunately cannot offer pick-up in Rehoboth/Lewes.
We would like to hear from our young visionaries; to build and expand upon the compelling nature of those critical reflections, inspiring us all to action.
Participants will have three different days and times in June to choose from to compose their essays. Although the specific topic for each day will be slightly different and revealed only a few minutes before the start, it will relate to climate change, environmental justice, and our intimate relationship to the natural world. Participants will write the essays online from their homes or anywhere they have internet access. To participate, interested students will register by May 15 for the contest on the DelPL website using their school email (preferred), https://delawareipl.org/, where they will also find more details. Open to home-schooled students as well.
For more information follow the links below.
Church in the Wild with ALOHA
For safety, and because of the size of the canoe, we can only have middle school and older kids to adults in the canoe. Those who want to get in the canoe should be very comfortable around water, wear beach/water attire including water shoes or booties and PFDs. The canoe portion is all wind and weather dependent.
Study Jesus’ parables with Dr. Amy Jill Levine
You may have already been treated to the works of Dr. Amy Jill Levine. Rev.
Jack Anderson will be offering a brief course using the book by Dr. Levine,
“Short Stories of Jesus. “(The book can be purchased on Amazon.) Dr. Levine
will bring her unique perspective as a Jewish New Testament scripture scholar
to the parables of Jesus. Jack will be offering the class on Tuesdays 5-6pm beginning May 24 through July 5. Sessions
will be offered in-person in the conference room (fully vaccinated and boosted)
and also by zoom. If you wish to attend via zoom you can find the link in the E-Blast. If you are not SUBSCRIBED to our
E-blast you can contact the office for
the link.
The
Summer Spirituality Series is Back!
After two years of isolation, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back to St. Peter's Square on Thursday nights in the summer for interesting presentations on topics ranging from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Stephen Ministry to Anam Cara. After each presentation, we will share fellowship and ice cream. You don't need to sign up to join us, and attendance is always free! Come join us for one or all of the presentations listed below.
Click here for More Information
| Date | Topic |
Presenter |
| 6/2 | Bonhoeffer | Fr. Ted |
| 6/9 | Life Before Death | The Rev. Deacon Paula Waite |
| 6/16 | The Spirituality of Coming Out | The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kaeton & the Rev. Barry Stopfel |
| 6/23 | The Power of Gratitude | Rabbi Beth Cohen |
| 6/30 | The Underground Railroad in Delaware | Sylvester Woolford |
| 7/7 | Trail 2 Truth | Jessica Potter |
| 7/14 | Stephen Ministry | Stephen Ministry Leaders |
| 7/21 | Daughters of the King | Virginia Slichter |
| 7/28 | Profits to Prophets | The Rev. Barry Stopfel |
| 8/4 | Shared Heroes | The Rev. Dr. Carol Flett |
| 8/11 | Spiritualism | The Rev. Jack Anderson |
| 8/18 |
The Inner Work of Age: from Role to Soul |
The Rev. Tom Ledbetter and Donna Strachan-Ledbetter |
| 8/25 | Anamchara Fellowship | Jody Barbarulo |
vacation bible school
Summer 2022
Exploring faith through Parables.
Saturday June 18, 2022 from 9:30 -12:00 pm
Ages 4 through 5th grade.
All are welcome for scripture, games, snacks, and lunch. Free for ages 4 and up! We will follow all State regulations regarding COVID for the safety of all.. Registration starts May 1 and ends June 11. For more information and to register contact
Jessica Potter
We can't wait to see you there!
St. Peter's is offering two online Bible study
classes each week.
St. Peter’s is offering two Bible study classes each week. On Wednesday and Thursday.
New Wednesday Night Bible Study group: The Wednesday Night Bible Study group is reading The Book of Genesis, (the book of beginnings). We meet at 7 PM for an hour. Mark Harris and Ray Michener, priests in the parish, are guiding the conversation in our efforts to respond to this incredibly evocative material. Everyone in the group is a contributor, everyone a learner.
We are fed by the Scriptures, and the Book of Genesis is a real feast. This is a chance to bite into some of its most tasty offerings.
Come and join in the discussions! Contact the office for the Zoom links.
The Thursday morning 9:30 am group picks a book of the Bible and does an in-depth study of it. This study follows the hybrid model: in-person for those who are comfortable gathering together, or via Zoom for those who either need or want to join from home. This group has lively and informative discussions about the text they are studying together. There is always room for more participants if you are interested.
Come and join in the discussions. Contact the office for the Zoom links.
St. Cecilia Music Guild scholarship winner
Congratulations to Mackenzie Vitolo, 2022 winner of our St. Cecilia Music Guild scholarship!
Now you can wear a replica of our new Steeple Cross!
Local jeweler Albert Frank has designed silver and gold versions of the new Steering Cross from the steeple of St. Peter's. These are custom made to order and about 1.5 inches in height. If you would like one for your very own, please give him a call at 302-645-1718. Gold is market rate, silver is about $150.
