February 2025
February is a month of cozy moments and peaceful thoughts. The month with reds and pinks taking center stage. Tons of red roses and foil wrapped red heart candy boxes & whimsical cupids hiding in corners. An abundance of love songs fill the air – like the one stuck in my head, “Love is in the air” by John Paul Young from 1977: and now it’s in yours…LOL.
Jewelry stores are swarming as it is one of the most popular times to buy an engagement ring, along with Christmas and New Years Eve, and restaurants are booking for what will be a whole weekend of dining pleasures with Valentines Day falling on a Friday.
February is unique among the months because it does not get its name from Roman gods. It comes from an old Roman cleaning festival called Februalia. The Romans washed themselves and their belongings as a way to start fresh. This reminds us it’s a time for getting rid of the old to welcome spring and enjoy the longer days.
In the Middle Ages, young men and women would draw names to see who their Valentine would be. They would wear this name pinned to their sleeves for a week for everyone to see. This is the origin of the expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve.”
February is a month adorned with vibrant symbols that reflect its unique character. The color purple pops in the flower blooms of violets, symbolizing faithfulness and remembrance, and the birthstone amethyst, enhancing awareness, protection and spirituality. Originating from the Greek term “amethystos” which means “not drunk,” its been long connected to the wine god Bacchus.
Aquarius and Pisces stand as the month’s guardians, bringing innovation and intuitiveness to those born in the month.
The chickadee is the month’s bird, exhibiting resilience amidst adversity, embracing hope and renewal during the wintry month. These birds don’t flee to warmer climates and instead keep busy searching for and storing food, holding down their home turf, reminding us that life keeps going even when life is not inviting. Their vocal “chick-a -dee-dee-dee” and quick flittering about always gives us a boost and a smile.
February’s theme for scripture quotes is “strength and courage.”
Fear not, the Lord is with us. Isaiah 41:10
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
He will strengthen us and help us through adversity. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Take heart” or “be of good cheer” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word tharseo. It means to have courage and be comfortable. Jesus uses this phrase a number of times when he heals the sick (Matthew 9:2) and comforts his disciples (Mark 14:27). It reminds us that no matter what our current circumstances that we have a God who has overcome the world.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Jim Fisher
Sr. Warden
Happenings around Epiphany
Our Epiphany service held on January 5th was a beautiful and well attended service presided by The Rev. Julia Ashby. It’s always a treat having Julia celebrate with us and be among us. Joe Ritchie filled the air with beautiful music and, as always, put his love of music forward. Following the service we all gathered for a wonderful dinner made by many hands to enjoy. Thank you to all for making the whole of the evening so special and warm.
Girl Scouts continue to meet on Fridays in the parish hall (2/14-2/22-2/28) and cookie booth sales will follow the service on 2/23 from 11a.m. – 5 p.m. Ready your wallets!!
Candlemas Day is celebrated on February 2nd every year and this year it falls on the first Sunday of February. The day marks the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. This day commemorates the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present him to God as her firstborn (Luke 2:22-38). Please join us for this special service and its festival of lights.
Vestry Meeting Feb. 13th – 6:30 meal/7:00 meeting.
Blake Pipis is our new registrar for 2025. The meetings are always open to the parish body. If one has a concern or needs to address the vestry as a whole, please do so via a letter or in person at a meeting. The sanctuary during service should not be considered the appropriate forum for vestry business.
A Statement from Bishop Susan Haynes to the Diocese of Southern Virginia
We who are followers of Christ in this Diocese and in our world are called to tend to the needs of those who live on the margins of society.
This is complicated and delicate work that challenges us to live into our baptismal promise to respect the dignity of every human being. That is not always easy, and yet it is what Jesus has instructed us to do.
We who are followers of Christ in this Diocese and in our world are called to live in unity.
We struggle to find this path of unity in the midst of a turbulent world, but Our Lord didn’t promise that it would be an easy path. He simply said that it is what we are to do.
In recent days, we have heard the words of the Bishop of Washington, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, offering a plea for mercy to the President at the Service of National Unity at Washington National Cathedral.
I have heard from many who appreciated Bishop Budde’s words and called her brave, and from others who did not appreciate those words. Any preacher will tell you that this is the nature of this work: not everyone is going to like what you preach.
That said, the primary work we are called to remains the same: to love Christ, to serve those around us who are vulnerable, and to look beyond our differences to carry out our instructions from Christ, as outlined in Matthew 25:31-40:
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (NRSV)
United, we focus on those words of guidance for us in how we treat the stranger among us, the person who is “different,” the person who is suffering. Not because of one sermon. Not because of one side or another in the political turmoil of the day. But because Jesus did it for us, and we should do it for others, and because we promised at our baptism to do so.
For resources supporting the needs of those who are immigrants, Episcopal Migration Ministries can help.
For resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community, The Episcopal Church Foundation can help.
The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes
Bishop Diocesan
Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
“This is a time to act, to rise, to organize, to demand that we live up to the promises of our Constitution and learn to live together.”
Bernice A. King
February Schedule
February 2nd
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Lector: Marcie Kidd
- Usher: Tommy Gilleland
- Altar: Len & Tina Wright
- Flowers: Marcia Cronin
- Flower dedication: Betty Ann Christiansen
February 9th
- The Rev. John Baldwin
- Organist: Joe Ritchie
- Lector: Jim Fisher
- Usher: Jackie Rochelle
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Flowers: Jim Fisher
- Flower dedication: Altar Guild
February 16th
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Lector: Brian Pritchard
- Usher: Kevin LaPointe
- Altar: Ariel Fernandez
- Flowers: Joyce Williams
- Flower dedication: Wes Irby
February 23rd
- The Rev. Julia Ashby
- Organist: Pat Spoettle
- Lector: John Childers
- Usher: Kathy Moore
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Flowers: Jim Fisher
- Flower dedication: Carol Fernandez