St. Augustine's Episcopal Church Weekly Newsletter

“Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.” William J. Toms

Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost September 6, 2026                             Vol. 9 Issue 1

 The Collect - Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Preparing for Worship

The congregation is encouraged to read and study the lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. On September 6, we will observe The Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost. The readings are Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 33:7-11; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20.

Circle of Prayers in the Diocese for the Week of August 23rd 

In our Diocesan Circle of Prayers, we pray for Advent, Norfolk and Ascension, Norfolk; for Suicide Prevention and those who have lost a loved one to suicide; and for all workers and laborers.

The Feast of St. Augustine

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church celebrated The Feast of Saint Augustine with members of the Peninsula Ministry Partnership (St. George's, Newport News and St. Mark's, Hampton), along with family and friends, this past Sunday. A significant part of the celebration was its biannual diaper drive, which was initially introduced to St. Augustine's  by our late member, Valerie Scott Price. As you can see pictured below, the altar was heavy laden with diapers of all sizes and quantities. All diapers were gifted to ECHO Family Care Partners. Director Randall Nichols and his family were on hand to receive our gifts. The annual church picnic followed the service.

"Many hands make light work." This means that a large task becomes easier and faster when people work together to share the load. This was the case Sunday when people grabbed boxes of diapers from the altar and loaded them into the vehicles pictured above. This was also the case for the Hospitality Committee, which coordinated Sunday's repast. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all!!! It was a beautiful day.

 On the Calendar

September 6        Morning Prayer; Officiant: Rick Watson; Sermon: Bobby Whitted.

September 13      UBE Sunday

September 20      ECW Meeting

Grace Expectations: What's God Been Up to Lately? – A New PMP  Series

The Senior Wardens and I have launched a new feature series – “Grace Expectations: What’s God Been Up to Lately?” – our stories of encountering God in the everyday thrum of our lives.  We know God’s there with us now.  Jesus said, “Remember I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20)

 The series was inspired by a text that Andy Marshall sent out about an unexpected opportunity to share in St. Mark’s ministry of providing Hampton Roads Transit vouchers to folks in need. Roscoe Redcross, a member of St. Augustine's, followed suit with "My God Encounter," which was inspired by his solo road trip to Yosemite National Park in California. Members of the PMP are invited and encouraged to begin sharing their stories of God Sightings,.

 Your stories may be short or a few paragraphs, like Andy’s or an essay, like Roscoe's; anonymous or signed (but they should include the name of your church); would you be willing to share with us where you have seen a sign - or signs - of God’s presence in your life?  If you will, please write your story and email it to the appropriate church contact listed here.

Rose Parker at St. Augustine's - [email protected]

Deacon Dana Van Vliet-Pullin at St. George's - [email protected]

Andy Marshall at St. Mark's - [email protected]

 Why are we asking for this?  Lots of reasons, actually.  When we share our faith stories, we deepen our faith in the telling, and readers are inspired and grow spiritually in the reading.  Shared with the other PMP churches, we build bridges of faith across the Partnership, and so together build bonds across the Body of Christ.  And we also begin to capture and to document the story of the relationship of God to God’s people in the Peninsula Ministry Partnership.

 Now, for some of us, this might feel uncomfortable.  The truth is that when we become just a shade braver (to borrow a phrase from Dr. Catherine Meeks) in our faith journey, we grow in faith.  Our love of God, our trust in God, grows.  What’s more, Bishop Susan’s vision for our church calls us to just this kind of work.  On the home page of our Diocesan website, we find as part of her vision for every member of the church: “We will commit to develop and promote a model of evangelism that empowers us to tell our faith stories with the kind of ease and conviction that will attract people to our way.”  When we practice among ourselves, it becomes a little easier to share with folks outside the church.

 Won’t you please share how you’re seeing God in your life?  Your stories can be little moments or life-changing ones.  We’d really love to hear about it.  And I believe that this will be pleasing to God, too.  A few weeks ago in church we heard Jesus say: “What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” (Mt 10:27)  This is surely one way we can be a blessing to each other, which ripples ever outward.

With you on the journey,   Charlie +

Signs of Life  Rev. Charlie has asked each of the churches within the PMP to share accomplishments, signs of new life, enthusiasm, and engagement. So, we’re asking for your help - if you see something that we can all learn from and celebrate, please let one of us (Rev. Charlie, Rose, Judy or Sam) know. Successes - and they’re coming - will breed more success and will encourage each of us on this journey together.

 Bible Study

Bible Study every Thursday from 7-8 pm; new attendees welcome! Material used is published on the Episcopal website written by church teachers, organized by liturgical occasion church season.

Thursday Join the Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84370729616?pwd=M2JoVGw1bVpEMFBFTk55QWphN2R

Pdz09

Invitation to Compline with St. Mark’s

 On Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, St. Mark’s hosts a service of healing prayers,

followed by either traditional Compline or New Zealand Night Prayers. This usually takes no more than 20 minutes. They would love to have other members of the PMP join them. It’s presently hosted on the St. Mark’s Zoom channel (info is below or click the Zoom icon at the bottom of www.smechampton.org).

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84430506697?pwd=bUluNDZES1JscHFTcjdaQlptL2F

Edz09

Meeting ID: 844 3050 6697

Password: 5414

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+13017158592,,84430506697# US

Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 844 3050 6697

  PRAYER LIST

If you know someone who is unable to get to church, for any reason, please let us know. We’d love to be able to visit with them and take them communion. If you know of someone who is sick, please do not assume we know. A quick phone call or email to the church secretary would be greatly appreciated. Judith Neal: [email protected]. Please let Judy know when to remove a name. Thank you.

Currently on our Prayer List are Forrest Black, Alberta Boyd, Bettye Collins, Burgandi Collins (Granddaughter of Bettye Collins), Imani Collins-Black, Eric Curtin,  DeVera Cooke, Ret. Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, Bishop Susan Haynes, Fr. Charles de Kay and Family, Peggy Dawkins, Edwin (Larry) Hall II (Brother of Pam Hall and Wanda Tynes-Childress), Carolyn Hobson (Harmony on the Peninsula, Yorktown), Brandon Hooks (Brother-in-law of Hollie Monroe-Johnson), Tiffany Johnson and Son, William; Pat Jackson; Nina Kenney-Dunn, Zeniah Maldonado, Fr. Dan and Elizabeth Ann Mannen, Phyllis Mather, Vermon and William Miller, Mia Monroe, Joan Wood Moore, Judy and Leonard Neal, Beverly Pryor-Dunomes, Thaddeus and Lady Savage, Russell Swann, Peggy Theiss (twin sister of Fr. Dan Mannen), James Thomas, John Torres, Marian Travis, Lamar Tynes, Craig Wallace, Bobby Whitted and Clyde Yates (husband of Lauaretta Jones-Yates).

A Gentle Reminder

The prelude, the first act of worship, allows the organist to set the tone for the service, inviting worshipers to gather, to transition from their busy lives into a sacred place of communion with God and with each other. It should be understood that the prelude is not just pretty background music, but music that is selected with the specific intent of inviting people into worship, to gather their thoughts and meditate upon the music being offered. All talking should cease to facilitate quiet reflection.

The postlude is the loud and enthusiastic “Amen” to worship! It is a piece of music played after the service is over. Worship ends at the last note of the postlude, just as it begins at the first note of the prelude. The postlude provides the transition from sacred worship back into our varied lives and activities, equipped with renewed courage, energy, and a commitment to serve God and others, until we are able to meet again, as a community, in worship.

Services on YouTube

St. Augustine’s services are live streamed on YouTube. You do not need to have an account to watch. The link is emailed each Sunday morning. If you miss the live stream of the worship service, a recording will remain on YouTube to view later. Access by entering “st augustines nn episcopal church.”

September Birthdays and Anniversaries

2 – Lawrence G. Stewart, Jr.

3 –  Rogèt Maldonoda

4 –  Ana Maria Incorminias

       Adrian Neal

5 –  Vermon Miller

       Michael Saunders

6 -   Michael Draper

       Anthony Saunders

8 -   Hope An’Nisa El-Amin Walton

9 –  Zelma “Zee” Maldonado

11 -  Michelle Draper

11 – The Rev. Ralph E. Haines III

 12 - Brittany Ransom

13 – Annette Monroe-Martin

15 – Brionna Atkins

        Fatimah El-Amin Walton

        Lisa Whitaker-Taylor

17 – Forrest Lavar Black

        Darnell Hooker

18 – Cynthia Adams

        Deborah Ransom

20 – Leila S. Earl

21 - Joyce B. Ponton

        Brittany Watson

25 – Torrin Travis

28 -  Jessica  Incorminias

        Velma Person

29 – Curtis Brian Ponton

30 – Morgan Incorminias

        Danielle Williams Canada

 September Weddings Anniversaries:

1 –   Thaddeus and Lady Savage

21 – Hope Sayles and Nate Pope

24 – Lenny and Amy Price

27 – Leonard and Judith Neal

29 – Christian and Zandria Haines

  If this is your birthday month and your name does not appear on the list above, please contact Judy Neal or Rose Parker with an email or text at [email protected] or [email protected].

Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Charles A. de Kay

Vestry Members

Senior Warden – Samuel Barnes – ‘27

Junior Warden – George Whitted – ’26 (term extended)

Register – Annette Monroe-Martin – ‘27

Treasurer – Roscoe Redcross

Glenda Geer – ‘27

Valeria Hundley – ‘27

Shauna Daley – ‘28

Thaddeus Savage – ‘29

Tiffany Thomas – ‘29

Rick Watson – ‘28

Requirements for vestry membership are spelled out in the church bylaws. Judith Neal will provide you with a copy upon request.

The Vestry of St. Augustine’s consists of nine church members elected by the congregation to serve in a leadership capacity in conjunction with the Rector/Priest-in-Charge. Each year, two to three members are elected for 3-year terms so that the Vestry has a factor of continuity. The body meets monthly, typically on the second Wednesday of each month, to conduct the business of the church.

The Vestry has a Secretary/Register who is elected by the Vestry. This officer records and publishes the minutes and fulfills other roles as needed. The Vestry has a Treasurer who is elected by the Vestry and is responsible for the oversight of all financial matters of the parish. This officer is supported by a Finance Committee.

A member of the Vestry must be an adult and a confirmed communicant in good standing. “In Good Standing” (from Episcopal Church Title I Canon 17.3) means, “All communicants of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God, are to be considered communicants in good standing.”

Heads of Parish Organizations

Altar Guild – Valeria Hundley

Daughters of the King – Marcia Black

Episcopal Church Women – Rose Parker

Men’s Club – George Whitted

Outreach – Pam Hall

 Choir – Joyce Ponton

Samaritans – Roscoe Redcross

 Trustees

Roscoe Redcross and Bobby Whitted

Lay Readers

Lay readers are invited to visit www.netministries.org/Bbasics

For correct biblical pronunciations.

News and Events across the Diocese

Receive Parish News and Events from the Diocese of Southern Virginia by visiting www.diosova.org

Check out St. Augustine’s on FaceBook. Be sure to look for our specific profile, as there is another St. Augustine’s with a FaceBook presence. St. Augustine’s website: staugustinesnn.us

 St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church Newsletter

Your newsletter contact is Rose Parker. Reach Rose at [email protected].

 Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.                                            Pope Francis (Dec. 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025)

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

The Rev. Charles A. de Kay, Priest-in-Charge

2515 Marshall Avenue

Newport News, VA 23607