The purpose of Friends of Bruton is to provide a means whereby individuals and families, who may live throughout the United States and indeed around the world, may participate in the preservation and promotion of the unique history and spiritual legacy of Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg. Friends of Bruton is open to all who share this vision.
As the successor to the first Anglican Church established in the “New World” at Jamestown, Bruton has continued in the spiritual tradition of those early settlers who landed there in May of 1607.
The Rev'd Christopher L. Epperson, Rector
Friends Day 2020
On March 30, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order #55-20 which included a "stay-at-home" mandate and prohibits the gathering of more than 10 people at any one time and place. The order remains in effect until June 10, 2020 unless modified by subsequent action.
The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, affirmed the Governor's order by stating, "Church services continue to be suspended until further notice and likely not before June 10."
Therefore, Friends Day at Bruton scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2020 must be cancelled.
The Friends of Bruton Committee is disappointed as a great program was being prepared for the 8th Annual Friends Day, but the effort to defeat the COVID-19 virus is the responsibility of all. Not since the Great Depression and WW II have Americans faced anything even beginning to resemble what we are currently experiencing and are likely to continue experiencing in the months ahead.
We pray that we can be together for our 8th (almost) Annual Friends Day at Bruton next spring!
Become a Friend of Bruton
As a Friend of Bruton, you will receive a variety of benefits, including an electronic edition of The Bruton Fount, our periodic e-newsletter especially designed for Our Worldwide Congregation containing articles of interest both historic and spiritual:Spring 2018, Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2018, Spring 2019, Summer 2019, Fall 2019, Winter 2019, Spring 2020. Future benefits may include special events, cultural tours, webinars, music programs, and perhaps opportunities for a trip back to Williamsburg! We'll even inform you of our annual stewardship campaigns. It's easy to enroll, just click here and complete the online form.We look forward to welcoming you to Our Worldwide Congregation as a Friend of Bruton.
Become a Cornerstone Circle Member
The Cornerstone Circle has been created to provide for sustaining membership through an annual tax deductible contribution of at least $100 per individual. The name Cornerstone Circle was chosen based on Ephesians 2:20: Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the Cornerstone.
When joining, and each year upon renewal, Cornerstone Circle members will receive a gift in recognition of their commitment. In addition, Cornerstone Circle members will receive our quarterly electronic newsletter, The Bruton Fount; invitation to a private reception preceding the Annual Friends Day Luncheon; opportunity to receive private guided tours of the church and churchyard; early opportunity to register for travel programs sponsored by Friends of Bruton; and other programs and benefits as they become available. As a first-year Cornerstone Circle member, we are pleased to provide a beautiful hand-crafted Bruton Weathervane lapel pin in either polished pewter or golden finish ((click here to view first-year, second-year, and third-year membership recognitions).
There remains no charge for basic membership in Friends of Bruton. However, annual renewable membership in the Cornerstone Circle will enable Friends of Bruton to initiate or support Parish programs that promote and preserve the historic and spiritual heritage of Bruton Parish Church. As a result of contributions from Charter Members, Friends of Bruton was able to sponsor one of the handmade needlepoint cushions recently placed at the altar. Future projects may include support for the soon-to-be opened Heritage Center, development of a computer-based genealogy program and a project to digitally preserve historic photographs of Bruton Parish Church.
Please complete the online form HERE or contact Hilary Cooley at hcooley@brutonparish.org if you are interested in becoming a Cornerstone Circle member of Friends of Bruton.
