As we grow in faith towards the end of the century, it is imperative that we examine ourselves, as St. Paul admonished, "whether we are in faith" (II Cor. 13:5). There has probably not been a time in history when more permutations of Christianity existed. I’m sure that we’ve lost count of the number of denominations in the world. There are so many, that some Christians have developed an attitude that they are more of a curse than a blessing. Why then should we even identify ourselves by denomination? Like the local churches that are part of them, denominations draw people together around common convictions and commitments. For example; our Reformed Episcopal Church is a home for committed Christians who seek to honor the Holy Scriptures, which are the Word of God. Our church rejects any notion that detracts from the supremacy of the Scriptures in matters of faith. I like the saying,"God said it, I believe it, that settles it!"

Lastly, we honor the historic Episcopate, that is, we retain and welcome the oldest form of church government-not congregationalism (democracy), or Presbyterianism (representative), but apostolic order, that is, the rule of Bishops. Our bishops are not tyrants, they are humble, learned, proven servants of Christ’s body that occupy an apostolic office. Finally, we honor the rhythms of the Church year recognized by the vast majority of Christians throughout time and the world. The Church calendar is a "liturgy of life" that helps to "clothe us with righteousness" (i.e., surround us with the Gospel) and to "walk circumspectly according to the Gospel" (Eph. 5:15).

The Reformed Episcopal Church, through the old Protestant Episcopal Church, and earlier the Church of England is connected to the ancient catholic church founded by the Apostles of Christ. For these reasons, our denomination is a vital link today between evangelical Christians and the historic church of the first five centuries after Christ. In an antiauthority culture of rebellion, that considers everything new and unknown to be "better", I’m very glad to offer the blessings of our heritage to the Body of Christ. I’m glad to be part of this denomination.

Columbia International University President Johnny Miller presented Joni with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree, the first ever conferred by Columbia, at their recent 75^th Anniversary Banquet.

Joni is publisher of JAF Ministries. And JAF unites disability advocacy with ministry. They look to make life better for others by promoting Wheels for the World distribution. You can visit JAF on the Web Page: http://www.jafministries.com or P.O Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Joni maintains her church membership at Bishop Cummins Memorial Church. Her uncle , The Rev. Dr. Milton Earckson, was Rt. Rev. Cox’s predecessor. Her father John Earckson was a member from childhood until his death at age 90.

The use of colors to denote the different seasons of the liturgical year is of ancient origin. Now, there is no requirement that different colors be used but they can be useful to remind us of the major teachings of the year. That is only if the symbolism is known. In general use we understand certain colors to signify certain things. Blue or purple among other things often signifies royalty whereas red may bring to mind blood or fire and white or gold purity.

There are many color schemes that have been used historically in the church and white is probably the most commonly used in association with the Lord’s Supper and is therefore always appropriate. The Eastern Churches use the best for Sunday liturgy and second for weekday liturgy. The Western Church has been dominated by the color schemes of white, red, green and purple. But other color schemes may be used at the discretion of the local parish and its symbolism be established or just changed for variety.

Christ’s Church in Virginia Beach uses colors according to the Use of Salisbury or the Sarum Usage. Historically this is appropriate because our Prayer Book was based on the Sarum Mass. This usage also gives a wide variety of change. The color scheme goes as follows:

The spring Convocation of the Virginia Deanery was held Saturday May 10, at Cornerstone Church, Salem, VA. Rev. Michael Wilshire and his wife Sally hosted the occasion, and Dean Hans Josephsen headed the convocation. The Mission Church Planting Committee say the Powhatan Mission Church is dead at this time The Rev. Jeff Beard is now going back to school and is attending another denomination for worship. The committee will be looking into the Bedford and Smithfield areas, and they are to look into the Fredericksburg area in conjunction with the next convocation this fall. Churches having web pages were asked to link up to the National REC web page at www.recus.org,

We finished with prayer. We would like to thank Cornerstone Church, and the Wilshire’s for the benevolence shown to us. The lunch was excellent for the trip home.

The next Convocation of Virginia will meet in the Fredericksburg area, or at New Covenant Church in Lynchburg hosted by Ed. Hopkins.

"LET US PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER"

During the month of June we ask that you prayer for the Missionary Diocese of the West, the Rt. Rev. George B. Fincke, and the various outreaches and parishes of the Diocese.

Pray: also for the Rev. Dr. George Fincke, the father of Bishop Fincke, who continues to have special health needs.

During the month of July we ask you to pray for the ministry of the Board of National Church Extension.

Please continue to follow the news and needs of the church through the REC Online Fellowship: wycliffe@earthlink.net

The Jerdans report that world cup soccer matches will held in Montpellier France from June 10-29. Their Church will serve as a "Christian Welcome Center". Pray for this ministry of evangelism and hospitality.

Pray: for the Summer Missionary Teams to Germany and Puerto Rico.

Pray: for the parishes as they conduct Vacation Bible Schools.

Pray: for the various Summer Youth Camps.

Pray: for our people as they travel throughout the summer months.

PRAY: this newsletter may be used by the Lord to reach others inclined to believe.

PRAY: that another mission church be established in Virginia and Maryland.

PRAY: that our churches will increase by 20% this summer.

PRAY: that a Mission Church be established in the Smithfield and Bedford area of Virginia.

Pancit

1/3 head - chopped Cabbage

2 - Carrots sliced approx. 1/4" thick

1/4 lb. - sliced Fresh Green Beans

1/3 lb. - sliced Fresh Mushrooms

2 Sticks Celery - sliced approx. 1/8" thick

1/2 medium Onion - chopped

Fresh Garlic as desired - chopped

Black Pepper as desired

3/4 tbsps Soy Sauce approx.

1/4 lb Shrimp. - shelled, cut to pieces

2 Pork chops - cut into small strips

1 or 2 packages Rice Noodles "Bihon" *

1 package Rice Noodles "Canton"

2 Chicken breast

1-2 tbsp Cooking Oil

*If using Canton noodles, use only 1 package of Bihon noodles *Soak Bihon noodles in hot water for approx. 10-15 minutes. Start soak when vegetables are cooking. **Boil chicken first, remove meat, chop into small cubes, discard bones, save broth ***All ingredients are optional, add more or less to suit your taste.

********Directions

Set wok on high, add cooking oil, when hot add onion and garlic, cook until lightly browned-approx. 1-1 1/2 minutes, add meat and cook approx. ½ minute, add vegetables next, stir for approx. 1/2 minute, add Bihon noodles, soy sauce and other seasonings, lower wok temperature to medium, if Pancit is dry add some chicken broth, keeping stirring until vegetables are tender, cover for 1 1/2 minutes, add Canton noodles, if dry, add broth and more soy sauce. Put into Microwavable dish, cook in microwave for 7-10 minutes. Stir, taste, add seasonings if needed, cook longer if noodles are not cooked, add broth if dry, do not add too much broth or it will get soggy. 1

By Ron Schmidt

summer camp

sold out for Christ August 16-22 &

The great adventure August 16-22

If your child is interested in summer camp send registration payment and medical release forms to Jonathan Riches, 213 Olive Ave., Horsham, PA, 19044 or call (215) 675-1861 or call Michael Blitz at (908) 575-0625 Off (908)725-2678.

Wabanna Camp & Conference Center

101 Likes Road

P.O. Box 657

Mayo, MD 21101

Christ’s Church Mission Meets at Newmarket Baptist 8309 Orcutt Ave. 23605 Hampton, VA Phone (757) 826-5293 The Rev. William T. Kump Home Phone (757 )244-7944

New Covenant Church 1350 Liggates Road Phone (804) 847-8313 / 528-2533 e-mail Inklings@lynchburg.net The Rev. Edward Y. Hopkins Home Phone (804) 846-2539

Prince of Peace Church 14100 Ridge Creek Road 23112 The Rev. Dr. Hans E. Josephsen Home Phone (804) 744-7500 e-mail hjosephsen@bellind.com

Covenant Church Roanoke 6429 Merrinam Road The Rev. Rodney Longmire Home Phone (540) 989-5458

Bishop Cummins Memorial R.E. Church 2001Fredrick Road Baltimore, MD Phone (410) 744-3383 The Rev. Paul C. Schenck

Emmanuel Church Reformed Episcopal 3517 Harford Road Baltimore, MD 21218 Phone (410) 893-7251 Fax (410) 893-7251 The Rev. Willian A. Jenkins Sr. Phone (410) 893-7251 e-mail jenkinsw@erols.com

Faith Church Reformed Episcopal 5071 E. Federal Street Baltimore, MD 21205 Phone (410) 893-7251 Fax (410) 893-7251 The Rev. Willian A. Jenkins Sr. Phone (410) 893-7251 e-mail jendinsw

Saint Stephen’s Reformed Episcopal Church 2275 Liberty Road Eldersburg, MD 21784 Phone (410)795-1249 Fax (410)281-1350 The Rev. Cody L. Godman Phone (410)795-9266

Grace Reformed Episcopal Church 560 Fountain Street Havre de Grace MD 21078 Phone (410) 939-2866

6429 Merrinam Road Roanoke Va. 24018 CH (MAJ) Rodney H. Longmire phone (540) 989-5458

New Covenant School 1350 Liggates Road Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Phone (804) 847-8313 e-mail NCShead@juno.com Headmaster Rev. Dr. R. Littlejohn

Eleanor Matthews 2420 Rockwell Avenue Baltimore, MD 21228 Phone (410) 788-4809 e-mail PreacherPaul@juno.com

9 Hilltop Place Catonsville, MD 21228-5510 Bishop Daniel G. Cox Mrs. Patricia Cox Mrs. Patty Levi Mrs. Carrie Rembert Mr. John Thayer Phone & Fax (410)747-4380

Rt. Rev Daniel G. Cox 9 Hilltop Place Catonsville, MD 21228-5510 Phone (410) 747-4380 Fax (410) 747-4380

Rt. Rev Leonard Riches 85 Smithstown Road Pipersville, PA, 18947-1604 Phone (215) 483-1196 Fax (215) 294-8009 e-mail Nicaea@aol.com

Rev. Dr. Hans Josephsen 14100 Ridge Creek Road Midothian, Va. 23112 Phone (804) 744-7500 e-mail hjosephsen@bellind.com

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There is continuity between John’s baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4) and the trinitarian baptism instituted by Jesus (Matt. 28:19). Both are symbols of cleansing, and had remission of sins in view (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38). Christian baptism is a sign of initation pointing to a relationship with the Christ who has come; John’s baptism was a preparatory rite, signifying readiness for the coming of the Christ and for His judgment (Matt. 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-18; Acts 19:4).

Jesus insisted that John, his cousin, must baptize Him, overriding John’s protests (Matt. 3:13-15). In His role as Messiah, "born under the law" (Gal. 4:4), Jesus had to submit to all God’s requirements for Israel, and to identify with those whose sins He had come to bear. His baptism proclaimed that He had come to take the sinner’s place under God’s judgment. It is in this sense that He was baptized "to fufill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15; cf Is. 53:11).

Progress vs Pentecost

As we progress toward the turn of this century, and mankind is learning to put more of what it dreams into actual form, as we have gone from simple things like Eli’s cotton gin or Cyrus’ reaper to things of great proportions such as computers and the Internet and space exploration, the distinction between what humans can do and what human should do becomes more critical.

One arm of complexity is genetics when ethical considerations come into view. To further complicate it is that people think progress will bring happiness, and have left patience and contentment to go craving after their progress. Who will be victimized, that is the question; and, yes those who chase after this thing called progress find it never completely satisfies; only temporary gratification remains, and that can be had without any further progress technologically; But you know the human - a dreamer! Steve Jones, a Professor of Genetics at University Collage London, gives us this insight: "Genetics is running into another, unexpected, problem: it is raising too many hopes and providing too much information. Many people believe that it can do much more that it really can-and seem to be happy to accept treatments which mast geneticists would not agree to. The public view of what is right often differs from that of the professionals." One area that people are speculating on is cloning and all its potential.

Well, the cloning of what will be your children, will actually be your twin-belated-but the sibling your parents didn’t have at your time. This of course, will cheapen life as it makes it more of a commodity to be produced, than a family that is bound together as Mother, children, participating Father, in the months long process of bringing human life into the world. Cloning is not new, when it happens naturally you get what they call "identical" twins, those from the same egg (to be distinguished from nonidentical twins from two eggs fertilized in one cycle) in one cycle. But I believe this cheapens life because certain plants and animals and farmed vegetables are cloned and are cheap forms of life to be consumed by the human; must people bypass the family and home and bring life into the domain of the unmysterious commodity?

As in other things, these cloned children will face ridicule from the ignorant and unkind, and a weakened family structure to be raised in. Using science to make life easier is understandable, but replacing the family as the base of society is a deliterious move: as humans there is no substitute in laboratories, but a loving family. And for progress, just more complications that will need further solutions. The real source of our happiness will come from the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

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VIRGINIA & MARYLAND REFORMED EPISCOPALIAN

1848 Wolfsnare Road

Virginia. Beach, Va. 23454-3541

E-Mail VaREChurch@AOL.COM

Phone (757) 491-7791

Fax. (757) 491-0245

Funny Bone

A country preacher awoke one morning to find a dead mule on the highway in front of his home.

Calling the county health department in the county courthouse. He said, "This is Reverend Jones. There is a dead mule on the road in front of my house and I’d appreciate having it removed as soon as possible."

The young clerk who answered the call though he would have a little fun. "Uh, Reverend Jones," he said, "I always thought you preachers took care of the dead yourselves."

The preacher caught the kidding in the young man’s tone, but he didn’t let on. He reply was serious.

"We do. Yes. But in the case of Jackasses we like to speak to the next of kin first."

VA, & MD, Reformed Episcopalian 1848 Wolfsnare Road Virginia Beach, Va. 23454-3541

Whether you want to praise us, complain, or just let us know what’s on your mind, we’d love to hear from you. Donations of any amount will be appreciated.

1848 Wolfsnare Road Virginia Beach, Va. 23454-3541

or e-mail us at VaREChurch@AOL.COM Fax 757-491-0245 or call James at 757-491-7791

Persecution of Christians around the world of the worst sort: slavery, starvation, murder, looting, burning, torture. Call your Congressman and Senators today. We want sanctions placed on countries that allow this.

If you have anything that you can donate to a church in need, we will post it here. If any Church needs something list it here.