The Emmanuel Way A monthly publication of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, Virginia May
2013
A Year Long Legal Battle Ends In a dispute over the ownership of The Falls Church, the Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church. The decision affirms an earlier ruling returning Episcopalians to their church home at The Falls Church in Falls Church, Va. The Falls Church Anglican had sought to overturn the lower court's ruling in favor of the Diocese. The court also remanded a portion of the case back to the Fairfax Circuit Court for a decision to determine a minor fractional difference in funds owed to the Diocese of Virginia. "We are grateful that the Supreme Court of Virginia has once again affirmed the right of Episcopalians to worship in their spiritual home at The Falls Church Episcopal," said the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of Virginia. "This decision ensures that Episcopalians will have a home for years to come in Falls Church, and frees all of us, on both sides of this issue, to preach the Gospel and teach the faith unencumbered by this dispute."
Spring Clean-Up Day is May 4 Our annual Spring Clean-up Day is Saturday, May 4 from 8 am to noon. Join Jr. Warden Henry Oakey to say good-bye winter, and help Emmanuel put on her spring glory. Remember, many hands make light work. Show up and offer a little of your time.
Pentecost is May 19 so wear red Pentecost marks the “birthday” of the church and red is its color, so wear red and celebrate! We will be celebrating Emmanuel’s ministries in a couple of ways. First we will honor Ted Caplow who is stepping down after 37 years of service on the Endowment Board. We have invited recipients of this year’s Endowment grants to help us thank him for his service. Please also consider purchasing a red geranium to show your appreciation and thanks to the people who lead and serve in important ministries at Emmanuel. You will find a form in your bulletin. Please fill it out and return it to the church office by May 13.
Pictorial Directory Get your smiles ready! A new Emmanuel photo directory is in the works! Lifetouch is coming to Emmanuel in late May and early June to take pictures of our members and families. There is no charge for them to make a directory for everyone, and you will have the option to buy some pictures for yourself if you wish. Soon we will have online appointment sign ups available (You'll get a coupon for signing up online!), but we will also have at church signups for those who do not use computers. The appointments take about 15 minutes (solo person) to 30 minutes (family), and you can also bring extended family in for a bigger picture (book two slots then). The dates are May 28-May 30 from 2-9 pm, June 7 from 2-9 pm, and June 8 from 10 am-5pm.
Report of Search Committee Our editors are busy polishing the content shared at the April 7th Town Hall and approved by the Vestry on the 9th. Scriptural inserts and photos that capture our life and vision for the future will go to the Bishop for review and approval. After that, we'll be "Receiving Names" and enter the interview process. Many thanks for your prayerful support.
Rector’s Reflections
The Rev. Pam Webb Interim Rector
“A mature commitment to Christ” The Book of Common Prayer defines Confirmation as “the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP page 860) Anyone who has made an adult commitment to Christ and received the laying on of hands by a bishop in another denomination but now wants to become a member of the Episcopal Church is “received” by the bishop “into the fellowship of this Communion” (BCP page 418). Thirteen youth from Emmanuel have been attending Confirmation classes led by Richard Nicholas to prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation on June 9 when Bishop Shannon Johnston visits this parish. I will also begin an Inquirers class for adults who wish to be presented for confirmation or to be received into the Episcopal Church. This class is also open as a “refresher” for adults who may have become Episcopalians long ago but would like to review their understanding of this church. Classes will be each Sunday from May 5-June 2 from 10:00-10:40 AM. We will meet in the Parlor of Marston LaRue except on May 12 when we will meet with the youth Confirmation class in the
2 Nave of the Church to discuss the Sacraments. Please call the Church Office to let me know that you plan to attend these classes. Faithfully, Pam Webb+ Interim Rector
Father Don’s Message
The Rev. Deacon Donald Cady
Dear Friends in Christ, John’s Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is very short in length, but hugely, profound for each of us in Emmanuel parish. (As you read this newsletter, you may have heard me preach on this gospel passage). At the end of the passage Jesus offers his disciples a new commandment. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Jesus gives his disciples this commandment to prepare them for the time when he will no long with them. What is so unique and powerful about this commandment is that Jesus is telling his disciples that just as God’s love has so filled him, his love, Jesus’ love for them, will continually overflow in each of them. And as they follow in his footsteps, his love will flow from to those they touch in Jesus’ name.
The Emmanuel Way It is this concept of Jesus’ love, agape love, that has continued flowing and overflowing for all Christians down through the ages. It is the overflowing love of Jesus that is part of each of us here at Emmanuel. But I also believe Jesus is asking each of us, as he did his disciples, to seek and find more ways to insure that his love continually flows and fills each member of our parish, our families, our community, our nation and beyond. What are some of the ways we can live into his commandment, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another?” • Keep doing what we already do, certainly. • Reach out to serve the poor and needy of this community and do it right here in our Emmanuel facilities. • Continue and build our mission work here in Virginia, in our nation and in the world. • Search for ways to involve our youth in mission work. • Strengthen and expand our worship programs for the youngest members of Emmanuel. • Continue to reach out to the elderly and the infirmed members of Emmanuel and our community beyond. These are but a few ideas or thoughts of sharing Jesus’ overflowing love. There are many others. I hope as we move toward the summer season, you will give some thought to how our parish can share the flow of Jesus’ love that is so abundant here at Emmanuel. Faithfully, Don
Vestry Report By Delores Smith Senior Warden It’s spring time at Emmanuel! The lovely flowers, trees and shrubs are bursting forth in glorious color and bloom on the grounds of our church, creating one of the loveliest sights of the year at our beloved parish. We are surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty and life. 2
May, May, 2013 However, the church’s grounds are only a part of the burst of spring activity at Emmanuel. Parishioners are busy generating new ideas and projects as well. On April 7, the vestry participated in an early morning workshop conducted by the Reverend Canon Patrick Wingo. Following the church service on that Sunday, we witnessed an extremely well-attended town hall meeting to review the results of the parish profile. At the vestry’s April meeting, having heard a motion from Steven Bragaw to approve the profile in draft “with vigor and joy in our hearts,” the vestry unanimously approved the motion. The Search Committee, working diligently and unselfishly, continues with its enormous task at hand. In other matters, the vestry is considering options for the future use of the recently vacated Ledford House, which will remain unoccupied until the arrival of the new rector. Coordinated by Leigh Myers, plans are underway for a much-needed church photo directory. There are many on-going parish activities this spring such as Adult Forums, Friday evening Family-Centered Intergenerational Religious Education events (F.I.R.E.), Shrine Mont fundraisers, and various outreach ministry opportunities. Yes, spring has arrived in all its glory at Emmanuel where God surrounds us with beauty and His love. God’s Peace, Delores Smith
Disciples Kitchen By Amanda Poor We will continue our service with Disciples Kitchen in Waynesboro for the immediate future. We will be serving lunch on Monday, June 17 at Second Presbyterian Church.
Women’s Bible Study Group By Carolyn Rhondeau The Women’s Bible Study group will meet on May 2, May 16 and May 30. The group meets on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Marston/Larue House Parlor.
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The Greenwood Grapevine reports Graduation reports sought for inclusion in the June Issue. Send us your family news to share with your Emmanuel Family.
New tax law favors donations The tax law signed January 2 2013 by President Obama allows for those over 70 ½ and who are subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their IRA may donate directly from their IRA (Traditional, Roth and Rollover) to a charity of their choice w/o tax consequences, i.e. no tax on the distribution, up to a total of $100,000. You may wish to consider making your annual pledge in this way or you may wish to enhance our Emmanuel Episcopal Endowment with money that you’d otherwise have to pay in tax. If you have questions, please consult your CPA or the church treasurer, Sandy von Thelen.
Past Memories By Julie Shields Minutes of Vestry meeting of August 10, 1969: Mr. Brawley retained Mr. Tom Haden to help redesign the rectory. There would be a half bath on the first floor and an additional new full bath on the second floor. The kitchen will be remodeled and new closets will be built in several rooms, and the back porch extended. “In general, the whole Rectory will be refurbished and put into a condition that should last for 25 to 30 years.” Mr. Brawley reported that the Rev. Howard LaRue was recommended by the Bishop’s Office and the Seminary as a new Rector for our Parish. Mr. and Mrs. Brawley, Mr .and Mrs. Ellinger, and Mr. and Mrs. Clark had attended services at Mr. LaRue’s church in Kenbridge, VA, and they all recommend him highly. Mr. LaRue will visit our parish in the near future and will meet with Rectory Committee members.
The Emmanuel Way
The Emmanuel Way Mission Statement The Emmanuel Way, the official newsletter of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood Parish, will strive to communicate with, enlighten, and entertain the members of the parish in strict compliance with the official word of church doctrine as set forth by the rector utilizing the Style Sheet of the Diocese of Virginia. The newsletter shall be published monthly on or before the 1st day of the month of issue. The publication shall not be published during the month of July. The deadline for submissions shall be the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. The primary role of the publication shall be to promote upcoming activities, report past activities and accomplishments of the church and its members, and carry an official church calendar of the month, as well as, become a recorded history of the church by the archival of all past issues.
May, May, 2013 This year’s grant recipients are: AHIP, Alliance for Interfaith Ministries, Boys & Girls Club, Brownsville Elective Education, Camp Holiday Trails, Casa de Amistad, Crozet Elementary After School Club, Crozet Library, Crozet Safety Corps, Disciples' Kitchen, El Hogar, Elk Hill Farm, Emanuel Youth Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of the Piedmont, JABA, Karimu, Meals on Wheels, Ministry with the Aging, Senior Center, Service Dogs, Small Special Collections Library, Virginia Children's Connection, Virginia Theological Seminary, and the Women's Initiative.
Adult Forums for May
The Emmanuel Way 7599 Rockfish Gap Turnpike Post Office Box 38 Greenwood, Virginia 22943 Email:
[email protected] Website: emmanuelgreenwood.org Phone: 540-456-6334 James E. Crosby………….. Editor
Endowment News The Emmanuel Endowment Board is pleased to announce that your endowment is providing gifts totaling $120,000 to twenty five different organizations in 2013. Applicants presented their needs to the board on April 3rd, and we were able to offer funds to all those represented that day in addition to many others who sent in forms for consideration. What an honor it is to see the hard work, competence, and faith that these groups embody. Please come learn more about these organizations on May 19th when they are invited to our 9 or 11 o'clock services to be recognized and to provide information in the parish hall at coffee hour. In addition, we will be honoring Ted Caplow and thanking him for serving on the Endowment Board for 37 years. His contribution to our board and to the community through his service is immeasurable. 3
Our May Forums move on to examining environmental issues on the 5th and 12th with Rick Middleton and Perrin Quarles. On the 19th, Cathy Boyd, our new Director of Christian Education, leads a discussion on ministries to the young, and future opportunities for enhancing our programs. Parents of young children and teens, this is your chance to make a difference. Come and Join In! The Adult Forum meets over coffee and snacks from 10:10 until 10:45 in the Parish Hall
A view of the Chocolate and wine event.
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Shrine Mont Fundraisers Planned Planning for the annual parish weekend at Shrine Mont (Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1) is fully underway. Part of this is a joyful tradition of raising money for the Shrine Mont Scholarship Fund, so that every family who wants to attend the retreat is able to do so. Space will be limited this year. Applications will be available in mid-June. The committee welcomes volunteers to lead porch activities/mini lessons - email emmanuelshrinemontcommittee@gma il.com if you would like to be involved! The Committee is excited to announce • May 18th: Pasta Night & Silent Auction, 6 pm • June: Book Sale - bring books to donate starting May 19th! • June & July: T-shirt sale • July: Cake Walk The Shrine Mont Committee invites you to join them at 6 pm on Saturday, May 18th in the parish hall for a fantastic fundraiser for the parish retreat at Shrine Mont! Satisfy your taste buds with a fully catered feast while you enjoy browsing over 25 silent auction items, which include: a week getaway at the beach, local restaurant and brewery gift certificates, a painting by Jessie Macay and many, many more! Kids will enjoy their own dinner and a movie in the Ledford House. Adults $10, children ages 6-12 $5 and children 5 & under free. A sign-up sheet is in the parish hall!! Details for the other events will be forthcoming, but save the dates now! The Committee would appreciate any assistance for these events (setting up, donating an item/experience for the silent auction, etc) - please contact Kris Bourque if you can help out at the following email
[email protected] or 434987-1817.
The Emmanuel Way Many, many thanks to all who attended or donated an item for the Chocolate & Wine event!! It was a huge success and raised a lot of money for Shrine Mont scholarships. Several people have asked for Doris Savage’s recipe for Brownie Pudding from our chocolate fest last night. It was the winner! BROWNIE PUDDING CAKE Take 4 eggs, room temperature, 2 c. sugar. Beat until fluffy and light yellow. Add 3/4 c. cocoa and 1/2 c flour. Sift together and add to egg mixture. Take 2 sticks butter, melted and cooled, 1 t. vanilla and add to other ingredients and mix well (by hand). Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes. May be served warm or cold. Yum!
May, May, 2013 So I bathed, dressed and got there early so I could have a seat near the back in case my lily allergies kicked in. Outside I was greeted with smiles, hugs and wishes for a happy Easter. As I waited for the service to begin there were murmured conversations around me, happy greetings and a feeling of celebration on this special day. I also thought of all the anxieties I had heard expressed by parishioners as the process for choosing a new rector got underway: “Will everything stay the same? If it changes, how will it change? Will we like the new rector as much as we liked Chuck and Leith? Will I want to stay here if it does change?”..... And then it dawned on me. We have no need to worry. We have each other. No matter who we choose as a rector or how the church may change, this church is home for so many of us. It is this special place because of our love and care for each other. All will be well. “I will go from this place to love and serve the Lord.” Thanks be to God.
Check out the new website for Emmanuel
The alternative to the Chocolate & Wine event inside included special youth activities.
A View from the pew By Doris Savage Easter day dawned gray and damp with more rain promised. My pink robe was warm and fluffy, the coffee hot. Now to decide: Do I go to church or not? The cold was biting, there would probably be Easter lilies everywhere, the place will be packed…..and then I realized, I wanted to go. 4
Our new and exciting website should be up and running by May 1st and will be located at the same address: www.emmanuelgreenwood.org. This site should help improve the access to information about everything Emmanuel! Please take some time to review the information there and if you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Kathleen Capshaw on her email address at
[email protected] , or 540846-3144.
Coffee Hour Signup Coffee Hour signup is now available online through a new SignUp Genius. Use the link provided to see open dates and sign up. This link will be easily accessed through the new Emmanuel website which should be online no later than May 1st. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508 0545ABAD2C7-emmanuel
The Emmanuel Way
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May, May, 2013
Special Events For Your Calendar May 4 – Annual Spring Clean-up Day from 8 am to noon. May 18 - Pasta Night & Silent Auction, 6 pm May 19 – Bring books for the Shrine Mont Scholarship Book Sale May 19 - Pentecost marks the “birthday” of the church and red is its color, so wear red and celebrate!
The Emmanuel Way
First Class Mail
A monthly publication of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, Virginia May
2013
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