Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Pre-Convention 2020

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United in a Leap of Faith
In the early 2000’s, St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church in Centreville
recognized that their historic
facilities needed both restoration
and renovation. Among other
things, the beautiful stained-glass
windows in the sanctuary needed
to be restored to their original glory
and the congregation – and the
many community organizations
using the church building – needed
more space. In addition, access to
the second-floor social area and
kitchen had to be improved. It
was becoming increasingly difficult
– if not impossible – for some
to climb the two-tiered staircase
to Donaldson Hall. Even the
Rectory across the street needed
considerable work. So, in 2005, a
Building Assessment Committee
was formed and fund raising began.
In 2007, the first step in the restoration
began with many of the stained-glass
windows in the sanctuary being
removed and shipped to Virginia
for complete restoration. In January
2008, a formal Capital Campaign
Committee was formed, and serious
fundraising began. By 2009, the
initial financial response matched
the cost estimate of $2,500,000 and
led parishioner Woody Woodford
to make an impassioned plea that St.
Paul’s proceed “United in A Leap of
Faith”. This became the rallying cry
and after several parish meetings
the Restoration and Renovation
proposal was approved. Bishop
Bud Shand presided over the official
groundbreaking for “Preserving the
Past – Building the Future.”
by Eleanor Strietman
As work progressed, more serious
building deterioration than had
been anticipated was discovered.
This resulted in an increase to the
cost estimate to $3,500,000. To
cover the time needed to collect the
remaining pledges and the increase
in cost, a construction loan for up to
$2,000,000 was obtained.
In June 2010, Bishop Shand
returned to St. Paul’s and presided
over a Dedication Service for the
new facilities. By the end of that
year, construction was essentially
complete, and the construction loan
was converted to a mortgage loan.
In 2014, the Rectory was completely
restored. This additional cost plus
the cost of interest on the mortgage
increased the total amount
spent between 2005 and 2020 to
$4,000,000 a very large sum for any
congregation. With the support of
over 200 families, this total amount
was donated to “Preserving the
Past – Building the Future,” and at
11:25 a.m. on January 14, 2020, the
mortgage was paid in full.
On February 2, 2020, The
Reverend Mary Garner, led St.
Paul’s congregation in a liturgy of
thanksgiving in word and music
filled with many references to
building. Then, with a flame from
an altar candle, a facsimile of the
mortgage was lit and dropped into
a cement cauldron where it burned
to ashes. Following the service, the
congregation went upstairs (some
on the new elevator!) to Donaldson
Hall for a joy-filled celebration for
the successful landing of their “Leap
of Faith.”
A Review of Sacred Ground
by Debbie & Tom Shuster
May 2019 through September 2019 we had the distinct
pleasure of participating in “Sacred Ground.” a film and
dialogue series based on issues of race and faith in the
United States. Developed by Katrina Browne, Sacred
Ground is part of “Becoming Beloved Community,” the
Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial
healing, reconciliation, and justice.
Facilitated by Libby Rice of Emmanuel Episcopal
Church in Chestertown, and hosted by Francie Thayer
of the Retreat House at Hillsboro, a group of us met for
five sessions from May through August. In addition to
being physically present in Hillsboro, we also had folks
“zoom in” and join us from Malawi Africa, Altadena,
California (and even Chestertown MD!).
The series focuses on 3 books: “Waking Up White, and
Finding Myself in the Story of Race,” by Debby Irving;
“Jesus and the Disinherited, “ by Howard Thurman; and
chapters from America’s Original Sin: Racism, White
Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America” by Jim
Wallis. In addition, there are16 films or videos to watch,
and about 20 articles and essays. All of this can be done
in the comfort of one’s home, although for each session,
one of the longer films was presented at The Retreat
House for community viewing. Our sessions focused
on issues that resonated with us during our readings and
viewings.
The series covers racism beginning with the landing of
the Puritans on Plymouth Rock (the real Thanksgiving
story), slavery, our Latino and Asian history, the
history of the great American melting pot (and who
really got to be in it), the civil rights movement and
restorative justice.
This series was an incredible journey, albeit not an easy
one. Our June session took place on June 16, the 400th
anniversary of the first arrival of slaves to America.
We took time during that session to ring the church
bell at St. Paul’s, Hillsboro, to remember the 14 known
individuals who were lynched on the Eastern Shore of
Maryland (within our own Diocese) from the years 1898
through 1934. It was a most powerful experience.
Was this easy? NO!! Was it worth it? YES!! Would we
recommend it? ABSOLUTELY!!
If you would like to know more about “Sacred Ground”
please contact Libby Rice at erice5115@gmail.com,
Francie Thayer at the Retreat House (410) 364-7069,
info@retreathousehillsboro.org, or Tom or me at tom.
shuster@gmail.com.
NOTABLE DATES
BISHOP’S LENTEN LUNCH SERIES
March 3rd - St. Mary Anne’s, North East @ 11am
March 17 - St. Mary Anne’s, North East @ 11am
March 24th - St. Andrew’s, Princess Anne @ 11am
March 31st - Holy Spirit, Ocean City @ 11am
WORSHIP LEADER ONE DAY TRAINING
14 March - St. Paul’s, Trappe - 9:30am-3:30pm OR
28 March - TBD- 9:30am-3:30pm OR
18 April - St. Paul’s, Hebron - 9:30am-3:30pm
This training is for laity who wish to be licensed to read the
Daily Office in the absence of an ordained person.
SMALL CHURCH SUMMIT 2.0
May 2nd - St. Paul’s Hebron 10am-2pm
Parish officers and Vestry leaders gather to discuss the
changing landscape of the Episcopal Church.
CHURCH LEADERS CONFERENCE
March 21st - Trinity Cathedral, Easton 10am-3pm
For Wardens, Treasurers and Vestry members.
2020 CLERGY CONFERENCE
May 11th-May 13th
ANNUAL YOUTH SUMMIT
May 1st-3rd @ Camp Wright
EPISCOPAL YOUTH EVENT (EYE)
July 7-11
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING:
EUCHARISTIC VISITOR TRAINING:
September 12 - St. Stephen’s, Earlville and St. Paul’s,
Hebron 9am-12pm
MISSION SUMMIT: INVITE WELCOME
CONNECT
Presented by Ignite the Way: The Journey Continues
September 25 - St. Alban’s Salisbury 8:30am-3:00pm
OR September 26 - Church of the Holy Trinity,
Oxford 8:30am-3:00pm
Ignite the Way: The Journey Continues
HEARING THE HOLY IN THE MIDST OF
COMMUNITY
November 7th - St. Paul’s Centreville 9:00am-3:00pm
OR November 14th - St. Paul’s Hebron 9:00am-
3:00pm
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