THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180266
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
GLEBE EPISCOPAL CHURCH has an image problem.
While its history dates to the 17th century, the church's congregation is determined to make people aware that Glebe is more than a shrine.
The area around Glebe Church is changing rapidly - from the farmland of yesteryear to mushrooming housing developments. Parishioners hope to educate the influx of people about not only Glebe's history but also its present ministries.
Jean Holton, a vestry member, said the church wants to welcome the newcomers to the area.
The church plans two lectures. ``And, if they are successful, we plan to do more,'' Holton said.
The rector, the Rev. Webster Maughan, emphasized that they are not religious services, but presentations. Parishioners hope the events will unite church members and others for inspiration, education and fellowship.
``We constantly battle the impression that we're a museum or shrine,'' noted Maughan, who has been rector for both Glebe and St. John's Episcopal churches for seven years. ``We are alive and well!''
Every Sunday, an active congregation gathers within Glebe's 20-inch walls of Colonial brick.
Maughan praises the parishioners for their continued support of parish life. ``They've taken such beautiful care of the grounds and done a lot of work to restore the property,'' he said. Loose mortar on exterior walls has been replaced, and the parish house got a new roof in recent years. Current plans include the addition of office facilities at Glebe and the development of five acres next to the church as a park and garden.
These events are planned:
Rogation observance, Sunday at 7 p.m.
This is in commemoration of an ancient English custom and Catholic ritual. Originally, the day was observed by a formal procession led by the rector and parochial leaders around the boundaries of the parish to acquaint parishioners with the church property. Afterward, the procession returned to the church for prayers for a fruitful harvest.
The Book of Common Prayer now provides that Rogation Days may be observed when and how a parish finds appropriate for its situation. Today, prayers for industry and commerce are often included with prayers for fruitful crops.
The uniqueness of the situation at Glebe Church has prompted the congregation to observe Rogation Sunday in its historical context with an emphasis on agriculture. Not only does Glebe Church still maintain its glebe farm - the last remaining Colonial glebe farm in Virginia - but much of the land around the church is still farmed.
The evening program will include a lecture and slide presentation on ``Spring Gardening in Tidewater'' by Marie Butler. She is a Master Gardener and lectures to the Master Garden classes in Norfolk, Chesapeake and Suffolk.
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall at Glebe.
Pentecost celebration, 7 p.m., June 4.
To celebrate Pentecost, Glebe Church will sponsor a lecture titled, ``The Influence of the Church in Colonial America.'' Guest speaker will be Derris Raper, professor of history at Tidewater Community College and diocesan historiographer. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
The Rev. Webster Maughan is the rector of Glebe Episcopal Church.
by CNB