St. Peter’s Episcopal Church · Vol. 2026.9
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September
Parish Newsletter · September 2026
From the Interim Rector
On January 11, 1890, The Rev. Lindsey Rucker died. According to the book that details the history of St. Peter’s edited by Betty Plummer and Louellen Pledger, The Rev. Mr. Rucker served St. Peter’s 1853–54, 1857–59, 1862–1865, 1867–1884, as locum tenens from 1884–1886, and as Rector Emeritus, 1890. What he did in 1855–56, 1860–61, and 1866 is unknown. What is known is that he is the second longest serving clergy person next to the tenure of the Rev. Mr. Bird, who served St. Peter’s from 1905–1921, and then from 1929–1955. The clergy of St. Peter’s have come and gone. Some stay for several years, others for a short while, yet each of them left their imprint on the souls of the people who call this church their home.
In August, we celebrated the ministry of The Rev. Michael Farnell and his wife, Karen. The Farnells were only with us a little while, but they represent the truth of our church. No matter how long we may be in a place, we work to diligently make it better. St. Peter’s has been a church in Brenham since 1848. A long time. And it has in the course of its history endeavored to make Brenham, Texas a better place. The Rev. Mr. Rucker helped establish the free school system in Washington County.
Today, the feeding initiatives of St. Peter’s through Feed My Lambs, the Mobile Food Pantry, and the gift of food on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ease the food insecurity many residents face. When St. Peter does this, we live into the call of Jesus to feed and care for others in a generous and compassionate manner.
As we live into the future, in a search for a new rector, through a busy fall season, in and outside of our church community, we would do well to remember our generational legacy of Christian service to our town and our county. We continue to do the work of those who came before us. Even though we feel as if the future is uncertain, we walk with the blessed assurance of the saints who came before us. Aware of our call as a parish community, and grateful for each other as we walk along. As the Rev. Mr. Rucker’s favorite hymn reads:
In each event of life how clear
Thy ruling hand I see,
Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.
In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.
Fr. Patrick+
From the Volunteer Coordinator
New Volunteers
Thank you to Cornelia Estey and Jennie Meyer, who have been busy restocking church pews!
Special Mention
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make our August Special Events such a success:
Church members for the delicious food at the August 2 Holy Cow Potluck, and all the countless volunteers who always help with cleanup and table reset.
David Geick and Bill Davis for serving as super scoopers for the Back to School Ice Cream Social on August 9. Tyler Rankin for the delicious hometown Blue Bell ice cream. And to all the members who helped with cleanup.
Special Events Team for the meal as well as setting up and decorating the Parish Hall for the Farnell’s Last Curate with a Tea Farewell Luncheon on August 16.
Opportunities to Serve
If you have a little time now and then and would like to serve in some capacity, let Beth know. There is something for everyone.
Contact Beth Appel: (979) 451-3020 • Bethappel1@gmail.com
Weekly Events
Emergency Food Pantry
Your continued support and contributions to this ministry are truly appreciated. The pantry is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Joanne Clark, (313) 319-4919
Wednesday Bible Study
We meet in the Conference Room on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The current study is Revelation. Come and find out how it all ends.
Contact: Nancy Leaton, (979) 251-0267
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Men meet on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Deck for fellowship, breakfast and prayer. Iron sharpens iron — come join us!
Contact: Lyn Reavis, (713) 569-7770
Knit Together in Love
September meetings are September 10 and 24 at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We knit, crochet, share our lives and new ways of doing things, and even give lessons.
Contact: Nancy Leaton, (979) 251-0267
Monthly Events
First Sunday Breakfast
Every first Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Lower Deck. The breakfast brings the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. congregations together for a full meal, fellowship and friendship. A cereal option is available for children. Everyone is welcome.
The September 6 breakfast featured migas with all the trimmings, plain scrambled eggs, Cheerios and bananas.
St. Peter’s Book Club
The Book Club meets September 18 at 2:00 p.m. The book discussion will be The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill. Barbara Wahrmund will provide refreshments.
Contact: Betty Fortner, (979) 203-4516
There are many opportunities at St. Peter’s to get connected. A beautiful part of the body of Christ is the different perspectives and life experiences we each bring to the table, knowing our greatest compatibility is through Christ himself.
Community Life
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King will meet September 6 after the 10:30 a.m. service in the Bird Room. The program, “How to Talk to People about God,” will be presented by Nancy Leaton. The chapter will welcome Paige Capobianco, Leigh Kent, LaDonna Stubbs and Ivonne Galvis, who completed the National Study Guide. Visitors are welcome.
Contact: Kathy Thompson, (512) 917-1566
Junior Daughters of the King
The new school year begins with a kickoff party at the Leaton Ranch on August 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The first church meeting will be September 13 from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Room beside the Parish Hall. Young ladies ages 7 through high school are invited.
Contact: Nancy Leaton, (979) 251-0267
Faces of St. Peter’s
The newsletter photo page remembers the Back to School Ice Cream Social, the Holy Cow Results & Potluck, the Farnells’ “Last Curate with a Tea,” and the Rector Search Committee. See page 6 of the complete PDF for the full photo collage.
Sunday Services
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist — Spoken Liturgy
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist — Choir and Organ
Nursery: Sundays, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Midweek Prayer: Wednesday, noon
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.
St. Peter’s Staff
The Rev. Patrick Miller — Interim Rector
revpjm@gmail.com
Dr. Joanne Clark — Music Director
music@stpetersbrenham.org
Reka Pennington — Parish Administrator
admin@stpetersbrenham.org
Parish Commitments
Committed to Biblical Faithfulness
Striving for Beauty in Worship
Building Strong Families and Children
Vestry & Officers
Charles Schubert — Senior Warden
clschubert@sbcglobal.net
Tom Bullock, Jr. — Junior Warden
tombullock@sbcglobal.net
Bill Davis — Treasurer
bdavisbpi@gmail.com
Marlyn Antkowiak — Vestry
Shane Barton — Vestry
Gerrald Giblin — Vestry
Richard Magness — Vestry
Tiffany Morisak — Vestry
Doug Peck — Vestry
Reka Pennington — Clerk of the Vestry
September Activities
Open the full September calendar · Weekly activities
Weekly gatherings
Sunday
8:00 AM — Holy Eucharist
9:00 AM–12:00 PM — Nursery
10:30 AM — Holy Eucharist
Monday
9:30 AM — Low Impact Exercise Class
6:30 PM — Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday
9:30 AM — Bountiful Blessings
11:00 AM–2:00 PM — Food Pantry
12:00 PM — Alcoholics Anonymous
1:30 PM — Tuesday Book
5:15 PM — Choir Rehearsal
6:00 PM — Al-Anon
Wednesday
7:30 AM — Chamber
9:30 AM — Low Impact Exercise Class
10:00 AM — Bible Study
11:00 AM–2:00 PM — Food Pantry
12:00 PM — Prayer with Holy Communion
6:30 PM — Alcoholics Anonymous
Thursday
No standing weekly events listed.
Friday
8:30 AM — Men’s Prayer Breakfast
9:30 AM — Exercise Class
12:00 PM — Alcoholics Anonymous
Saturday
7:00 PM — Alcoholics Anonymous
Special dates
September 4
9:30 AM — Mobile Food Pantry
September 5
9:00 AM — Altar Guild
September 6
15th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18A)
9:00 AM — First Sunday Breakfast — Lower Deck
After 10:30 AM service — Daughters of the King
September 10
1:00 PM — Knit Together in Love
September 12
9:00 AM — Altar Guild
September 13
16th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19A)
September 15
6:00 PM — Vestry
September 18
2:00 PM — Monthly Book Club
September 19
9:00 AM — Altar Guild
September 20
17th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20A)
September 23
5:45 PM — Prayer Ministry
September 24
1:00 PM — Knit Together in Love
Newsletter Mailout
September 26
9:00 AM — Altar Guild
September 27
18th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 21A)
September Lay Ministry
Scroll sideways on a small screen to see all four Sundays. A dash indicates a blank assignment in the supplied schedule.
| Ministry | September 6 | September 13 | September 20 | September 27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vestry Person of the Week | Gerrald Giblin | Bill Davis | Shane Barton | Doug Peck |
| Altar Guild | Diana Evans Cornelia Estey Sr. Anna Grace Madden Jennie Meier | Jeff Zeiss Karen Radabaugh Mary Mabry Bev Baker | Betty Fortner Stephanie Buchanan Samme Barton Harris | Sally English Susan Warburton Kathy Thompson Mary Mabry |
| Hospitality | Sally English Missy Peck | Chris Duckworth Kim Duckworth | Mary Ann Herndon Bev Baker | Terry-Ann Moss Michael Hannawald |
| 8:00 a.m. Greeter | Mary Ann Herndon | Philip Taft Tye Taft | Mary Eikenhorst Ron Eikenhorst | Cherry Daugbjerg Ray Daugbjerg |
| 8:00 a.m. Lay Eucharistic Minister | Chris Bullock | Doug Peck | Mike Callaway | — |
| 8:00 a.m. Pray and Heal | — | — | — | — |
| 10:30 a.m. Greeters (N) | Jan Carroll Chris Carroll | Gerrald Giblin | Charles Schubert Pam Schubert | Kathy Thompson |
| 10:30 a.m. Greeter (H) | Susan Bullock | Marianna Giblin | Cathy Dawson | Linda Warburton |
| Acolyte | — | Georgia Carroll | Austin Bullock Henry Bullock | Austin Morisak Joshua Peck |
| Lay Eucharistic Minister 1 (Prayers of the People) | Wendy Bergin | Jan Carroll | Wendy Bergin | Elmer Godley |
| Lay Eucharistic Minister 2 (Epistle) | — | Leigh Kent | Chris Bullock | Steve Schultz |
| Lector | George Bishop | Sr. Anna Grace Madden | Mia Magness | Matthew Kent |
| 10:30 a.m. Pray and Heal | — | Nancy Leaton Sarah Parker | — | Sr. Anna Grace Madden Cynthia Raman |
N and H are the greeter location designations used in the original schedule.