Upcoming Creator Events!

Dear Creator Family,

Blessings to you in this glorious fall season! I hope you have been enjoying the warm sunshine, the glorious fall colors, and the fresh, crisp air, reminding us of the coming year’s end (and our new beginning in the cycle life of a church family!) 

As we draw closer to the Advent season (and our daylight hours decrease) our parish activities and events increase. Please mark your calendar and make a point of attending and/or helping out with the events listed below, so that we all can gather and support each other over the coming months.
Our events include:

Nov. 2       Creator Stew Sale 
Nov. 3      Daylight Savings Time Begins (Remember to set your clocks back one hour the night before Sunday morning services!)
Nov. 3        First Sunday Fellowship - on the portico following 10:30 service
Nov. 23     Creator Stew Sale
Nov. 24     Bishop’s Visit - one service at 10:00 a.m. followed by Reception in Parish Hall
Dec. 8    Parish Annual Meeting during the 10:30 service with Fellowship (to replace first Sunday fellowship not happening on December 1)
Dec. 15      Richmond Brass Christmas Concert at Creator at 3 p.m.
Dec. 22      Greening of the Church after the Sunday service
Dec. 24      Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 p.m.
Dec. 25      Christmas Day Service at 3:00 p.m.
Jan. 6         Feast of the Epiphany Service at 7:00 p.m.
 
November 2 and 23, Stew Sales 
To start us off, this coming weekend a team of our parishioners and other volunteers are gathering for the first of two 2024 Brunswick Stew sales. The preparation actually began last week as Don Lafoon, our Stew Master, inventoried and prepared for the set-up process.

Creator’s first ever first stew sale was spearheaded by Bob Barclay, who was our original Stew Master and the stew genius. I say stew “genius" because it was Bob’s trying and tinkering over several years which produced the award-winning stew we now sell. Over the course of its top secret development, the Creator recipe has won many awards at the Richmond Chili Cook-Off, as well as the two-time first place winner at the Virginia State Fair.

This parish tradition not only provides financial support for our parish ministry, but it is a time of community and gathering during which new friends are made and old friendships re-kindled.
This Saturday, November 2nd is our first sale followed by our second sale on November 23rd. If you aren’t able to help on the 2nd please dig deep to be a part of the second sale.

November 24, Annual Bishop’s Visit, Sunday
Each year, the Diocesan Bishop visits or is represented by a Bishop’s visit to our Parish. This year, The Rt. Rev. Susan +Goff, former Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese, will be the preacher and chief celebrant at our combined 10:00 a.m. service. Please note the change in service time and make a point of being there to enjoy this celebratory event. Fresh from the stew pots and probably pretty exhausted, we will nevertheless gather with gusto and host Bishop Goff with our famous Creator hospitality.

The reception is a short time to mingle and speak with the Bishop directly. It need not be fancy or over-done, but we are hopeful to have many helpers to lighten the load at a busy time of year. 

Logistically-speaking, our “heaviest lifters” will be busy cooking and selling Brunswick stew that same weekend. Here, then, is an opportunity for each and every member to contribute in a way that suits you and also helps with what is needed. Please respond to our Reception Coordinator in the call for donations of food and paper goods, and with preparation help leading up to the 24th. And don’t forget the clean-up help! An hour of your time will be doubly appreciated on this busy weekend!

Dec. 8, Parish Annual Meeting
Every year we meet to review the past year and elect Vestry members for the new year. This meeting will be less than one hour immediately after an abbreviated 10:30 service.

Dec. 15, Richmond Brass Christmas Concert at Creator at 3 p.m.
It is a joy to welcome again the Richmond Brass Consort for a festive Christmas concert. This is a FREE brass concert at Creator provided for us and our friends and neighbors. Please put this event on your holiday calendar and invite EVERYONE!

Dec. 24      Christmas Eve service, service at 4 p.m.

Dec. 25      Christmas Day Service, service at 3 p.m.

Christmas eve this year is a Tuesday night. We will have our traditional Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m., followed on Christmas Day at 3p.m.
 
More details to come.

We have a very full fall schedule this year as we praise and worship Jesus into 2025!

Peace in Christ,
​
Fr. Bill+ ​