The Emmanuel Way A monthly publication of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, Virginia March
2014
Greenwood Parish Annual Meeting well attended By Dara Powers Parker The annual meeting held Sunday, February 23, was as much about Emmanuel's future as it was a review of the past. We said thank you to three retiring members of the vestry, including our senior warden, Delores Smith; junior warden, Henry Oakey; and Barbara Clark, who was filling a temporary one-year vacancy. Julie Shields is retiring after more than twenty years of service as vestry register! Their outstanding value, particularly during the recent change in leadership, cannot be overstated. During Rev. Pam Webb's interim, it was discovered that Emmanuel was lacking a set of bylaws, which is a standard for churches of the diocese. At last year's annual meeting, Beth Colmery agreed to draft the bylaws, which were posted in the fall. We voted to adopt the bylaws as published. Accordingly, the new bylaws set a three-year term, instead of four for members elected to the vestry. From six candidates, we voted three to the vestry to serve for three years: Mike Robinson, Kris Bourque, and Kathleen Capshaw. Giving recognition to the new ministries commenced, as well as the
faithful service of established ministries during the last year, there was even more to be said about what is to come for Emmanuel. Father Christopher read from the first chapter of Joshua: "Be strong and courageous," God told the Israelites, on the cusp of taking the Promised Land. At this time, we at Emmanuel must also remember who we are, our rector urged, and to whom we belong. "Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Change is coming to Emmanuel — new territory will be staked. Our members desire more programs for adult education, for youth, for families. Father Christopher explained that these new ministries will bring in more people, which in turn will require more space and more staff. In anticipation of these changes, Rev. Stacy Williams-Duncan has been hired part-time to assist with priestly responsibilities. Furthermore, Cathy Boyd's hours will be increased, and hers and Janice Fischer's duties will be reorganized. The Endowment Board recently met to donate the income collected from Emmanuel's endowment of more than $100,000, earned from Emmanuel’s endowment, to local mission partners. Emmanuel wants to partner with these services to be personally involved in giving to our community. Ways in which we can participate in local missions, such as Habitat for Humanity, will be detailed in upcoming issues of The Emmanuel Way. As for programming, the Emmanuel Connections network is being set up, enabling our congregation to learn one another's needs and to take care of those needs. Friday-night F.I.R.E., a lay-led creative worship program for all ages, celebrated its one-year anniversary in February. Father Christopher is offering Wednesday-morning Eucharists and classes during Lent, which will include breakfast, and the traditional Lenten Thursday suppers and speaker series will commence March 6. This is a taste of the new experiences and opportunities coming to Emmanuel as we prepare to expand
our territory. Don't settle in yet, because the journey has just begun!
Fr. Christopher introduced our new vestry members (l to r) Kathleen Capshow, Mike Robinson and Kris Bourque during the annual meeting.
Rector’s Reflections
The Rev. Christopher M. Garcia Rector
Dear Friends, Spring is coming, in fits and starts. A few weeks ago, we had over a foot of snow on the ground. The next Sunday, I saw shoppers in shorts and T-shirts at Harris-Teeter. Today, we’re back below freezing again, but the sun is shining brightly and the forecast is for gradually warmer days, yet still frosty at night. Every day, the sun rises a minute or two earlier than the day before, and sets a minute or two later. If you’re scraping your car window in the morning, it might not feel like it, but spring is on the way. Our liturgical year moves forward, as well. Lent begins unusually late this year. Ash
2 Wednesday falls on 5 March this year, and our liturgies that day (imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist) are at noon and 7 p.m. We hear again the ancient words “Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return,” and Lent begins. This admonition is a stark reminder that most of us would rather not hear: on our own, we are mortal, and our destination is the grave. Yet in Christ we have a brighter hope. Just as the days grow steadily longer and warmer in fits and starts, we walk towards Jesus’ resurrection sometimes steadily, sometimes shakily. Hope is there, even if we cannot see it. Help is there, even if we think we do not need it. Do we have the courage to turn to the Son? The more deeply you enter into the Lenten journey, the brighter will be your experience of the resurrection. We have many Lenten offerings this year. You’ll find details elsewhere in this copy of the Way, but I want to highlight a few. On Wednesday mornings, we’ll gather for Holy Eucharist at 7:30. We tried out this quiet, contemplative Eucharist during Advent and those who attended found it to be especially reflective and meaningful. Following Eucharist, we’ll gather in the Parish Hall for a simple breakfast, and then for Bible study. We hope you can join us for part of the morning. Come for Eucharist on your way to work. Or come just to the Bible study, or to breakfast first. Or join us for all three (Eucharist, breakfast, and Bible study). We’ll gather on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. for parish potlucks and an intergenerational program that helps us explore Lent through art. After dinner together, we’ll meditate on the scriptures and collect for the following Sunday. We’ll listen to what some of the great theologians of the Church have had to say about these readings, and then we’ll offer our own reactions in paint, pastels, or prose or poetry. Each evening will close with the ancient office of Compline, in the nave, ending by 7:30 p.m. On Sundays, the 10 a.m. adult forum will face the practical implications of our own mortality.
The Emmanuel Way What can we expect in the Burial of the Dead? What medical planning is helpful now, when one is healthy, in anticipation of a final illness or hospitalization? What legal matters should each of us put in order? Many of these questions are very uncomfortable and unsettling. My hope is to provide a safe place to ask questions and begin the planning process that each of us must do, with support from others who walk the road with us. Facing these difficult questions now is a great gift to loved ones who survive us, and allow us to embrace our hope in new life in Christ more fully and freely. We’ll also have Lenten readings available: a book table, or if you prefer lighter fare, separate Lenten reflection booklets written for adults, for families with young children, and for teens. We’re also offering booklets for LoveLife: Living the Gospel of Love, a Lenten devotional by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (the Cowley Fathers, an Episcopal men’s monastic order). Enroll at www.SSJE.org/lovelife to receive a daily e-mail with a mobileready video and question. Meditate on the question. Share your thoughts and discuss the question with your friends and family in person, or on social media using #LoveLife. If you can’t make it to church but you still want any of these resources, just call and we’ll be happy to mail them to you. I’m happy to announce that we’re welcoming the Rev. Stacy Williams-Duncan as Priest Associate, working for us for about ten hours each week. She begins her ministry with us on 1 March. You’ll see Rev. Stacy on Sundays and at the Thursday evening Lenten observances (which she will lead). Rev. Stacy is a doctoral candidate at the University of Virginia. From 2008 to 2012, she served at the National Cathedral School for Girls, in Washington, D.C., as Senior Chaplain and Chair of the Religious Studies Department, with previous school and parish experience in California and Missouri. We also welcome three new vestry members this month: Kristine Bourque, Kathleen Capshaw, and Michael Robinson were elected at our Annual Meeting on 23 February. 2
March 2014 They replace three members whose terms have ended: Delores Smith, Senior Warden; Henry Oakey, Junior Warden, and Barbara Clark. A special thank you, too, to Peter Aagaard, Kimberlee Barrett-Johnson, and Richard Meyers, who also stood for election. Please thank all of these members for their leadership and their willingness to serve. Our vestry will meet on 14 and 15 March to plan for the year ahead. As our parish grows and we face questions about staffing, facilities usage, and programs, they have important work to do in leading us in ministry. They need your help and your prayers. Among other business, the vestry will consider a committee structure, to help organize our planning and our work together. Please consider prayerfully how you might play a role, offering your expertise and your interests to our life together. “I invite you . . . in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” These words from the Ash Wednesday proper liturgy challenge us to enter deeply into this season of preparation and renewal. The more you enter into this season, the more brightly Easter will shine in April. Plan now to be with us for the biggest liturgical event of the Christian year, the Great Vigil of Easter. We will gather on Saturday, 19 April, at 8 p.m. to kindle the new fire, to hear our salvation history, to baptize, and to celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. The days grow longer, and warmer. The Sunrise is coming. Until then, we walk once more the pilgrim way of Lent Yours in Christ,
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Disciples Kitchen By Amanda Poor Planning ahead, we are scheduled to serve breakfast on these Saturdays: March 15, May 17, July 19, September 20 and November 15. We are scheduled to serve lunch on these Mondays: February 17, April 21, June 16, August 18, October 20, and December 15. Children aged 10 and older are welcome to come and help. Recipes for the Saturday casserole and Monday chili are on the Disciples Kitchen page of the Emmanuel website.
The Rev. Stacy Williams-Duncan and her husband, Joel, were with us last Sunday at the annual meeting.
A word from our new priest associate By the Rev. Stacey WilliamsDuncan I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, spending weekends on my grandparent’s ranch, often in the company of my sister and at least a few of my seventeen first cousins. My husband, Joel, and I met during college and celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary last December. We do not have children, but are very
The Emmanuel Way close to our Godchildren, nieces, and nephews. Our family includes two amazing Flat-Coated Retrievers, Brewster and Verges, who love to play ball, hike, and meet new people. When our schedules allow it, we find joy in traveling, quilting, and scuba diving. During my 14 years as a priest, I have served three parishes and two schools in the dioceses of Northern California, California and Washington. Most recently, I served as the Senior Chaplain and Chair of the Religious Studies Department at the National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington, D.C. While there, I discovered that using technology could break down people’s assumption that Christian education will be boring and irrelevant to their lives. I also became passionate about creating professional development opportunities that help subject specialists (often people with a Ph.D. but little teacher training) use research-based practices that support teaching and learning. In August of 2011, my husband’s job moved to Charlottesville and we spent a year back and forth between here and DC while I continued to work at National Cathedral School. After many miles and early mornings, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to study Education at the Curry School. In May, I will complete my second year in the Ed.D. program in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. Over the next two years, I will be a part-time student as I complete my research on professional development programs for seminary faculty. Throughout my ministry, in parishes or schools, I have been committed to developing innovative programs that fit with the cultural and values of the community. I am excited to work with the Emmanuel community to discern what Christian Formation programs will help people live as disciples of Christ and grow spiritually.
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March 2014
Father Don’s Message
The Rev. Deacon Donald Cady
Dear Friends in Christ, Recently the Emmanuel Endowment Board met to hear presentations and grant requests from a variety of organizations, which serve the needs of the people of Charlottesville and the greater Albemarle County. Each of these worthy organizations we are considering as “Mission Partners.” One of these Mission Partners was The Haven. The Haven’s mission, in their words states: “The Haven works to end homelessness. We exist because everyone needs a place to start. We facilitate transformation for the ready and provide respite for the weary.” Something that deeply impressed all of us on the board about The Haven was the commitment, devotion and engagement that The Haven demonstrates as it works to raise up the poor and homeless of our community. And this mission and dedication of The Haven made me reflect as I begin my Lenten journey this year— do I truly hear the cry of the poor and the homeless? More importantly, how can I personally make this Lent a time to hear the cry of the poor and homeless? First of all I believe it begins with desire. I must, we must become more attentive to the poor and homeless. We need to grow in
4 understanding and find empathy with these individuals and families. And if we can find desire, then will come the willingness for outreach, the willingness for attentiveness and the willingness for care. It will also lead us to find prayer for God’s compassion and grace for these worthy and important children of God. If the desire is a key to hearing the cry of the poor and the homeless, what can I do, what can each of us do during this Lenten season to “hear the cry, in a word, become aware?” I plan to spend some time at The Haven this Lenten season. I hope by being closer, I can, with God’s help, learn and gain a deeper understanding of who are the homeless of our community. More importantly, how have they come to this situation and what can be done in the future to rise up these children of God. I hope to learn the ways and means we, as the people of Emmanuel parish, can truly serve as Mission Partners in the work of The Haven. I invite anyone who may wish to join me, to let me know. This then is my prayer for Lent that God will let me hear the cry of the poor and homeless. Faithfully, Don+
Christian Education News By Cathy Boyd Director of Christian Education March May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever you may be sent. May God guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May God bring you home rejoicing at the wonders you have been shown. May God bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. ~from www.northumbriacommunity.org This was a very apt blessing for a service during an Episcopal formation conference with the theme “The Once and Future Church: Forming Faith as an Epic Adventure.” As I mentioned in the February Emmanuel Way, I attended this conference in Alexandria
The Emmanuel Way at the end of January and was having some difficulty deciding which wonderful workshops to attend. I would like to fill you in on my adventure. The plenary sessions focused on the work of Lisa Kimball and Patricia Lyons, both affiliated with Virginia Theological Seminary. In the first, “Lifelong and Life-wide: The Epic Adventure of Faith,” they claimed that Christian formation not only takes place at certain stages of life, but also in all aspects of our life. To quote from Kyle Oliver’s blog on the talk, Christian educators “need to help disciples at every stage in the journey see that their everyday lives and their faith lives are one in the same, that the way of Jesus has everything to do not just with carrying the cross in the procession on Sundays but bearing everyday burdens like strained relationships and stressful school and work situations with grace and integrity.” In the second session, “Danger! From Epic to Edifice,” Kimball and Lyons discussed the hindrances to the epic Christian experience, including fear and “in the service of building idols, serving the idols.” Their remedy is for Christian educators to set high expectations, ask challenging questions in supportive ways, and walk joyfully alongside others in our journey. In the final session, “Baptism to Pentecost: Claiming the Hero’s Journey,” Kimball and Lyons invited us to think of all life-changing events that can happen in a lifetime, and envision responses to them based on our Baptismal Covenant. This activity opened many possibilities for the intersection of lifelong and life-wide formation, and drawing us closer in to the epic Christian adventure. One delight of the conference was meeting and getting to know the Reverend Stacy Williams Duncan. Fr. Christopher told me over the phone prior to the conference that I would meet her there. “Don’t freak out. She is not taking your job,” he said in his matter-of-fact manner. Any freaking out (in a positive way) that might have happened would be over how well we hit it off and how awesome it was to sit next to her during the conference and elbow her any time an interesting 4
March 2014 (Emmanuel-worthy) idea came out in the presentations and discussions. Companionship and mentoring is an essential part of the epic adventure, and I welcome that in Rev Stacy! The other workshops that I attended included “Build Community & Empower Your Ministry...the Episcopal Relief and Development Way”, “Creating and Facilitating Mission and Pilgrimage Experiences”, and “Expanding the Circle: hybrid networks for in-person/at-home small group learning.” All of these will be very helpful as we continue to discern what lifelong and life-wide Christian formation means to us at Emmanuel. I will use the April newsletter to expand on those...to be continued...again! May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever you may be sent!
The Emmanuel Way Published on or before the first day of each month, with the single exception of the month of July, The deadline is the 20th of the month preceding the month of issue.
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 Email:
[email protected]
Fr. Christopher presents gifts to our retiring Senior and Junior Wardens, and our Register.
The Emmanuel Way
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March 2014
Exciting New Connections at Emmanuel Perhaps you saw Brian Williams interviewing his parents-in-law recently about their local “Village to Village” community. People are establishing communities to support individuals and families in over 220 associations called “villages” across the country. A team at Emmanuel has been exploring the idea of starting such a community here. Only, unlike the Village movement which centers on helping mostly elderly neighbors live in their own homes and communities as long as possible with the help of volunteers, the Emmanuel version, called “Emmanuel Connections” would be expanded to include all the parishioners. Everyone needs a little help at some time in their lives and a little help can make a big difference. Similarly, everyone has something to offer to help those around them. A broad array of connections could be available from transportation, pastoral care, technical assistance, helping a family with a newborn, to assistance with shopping or simple home tasks. Emmanuel Connections would connect people needing some sort of help with volunteers willing to provide assistance. Many existing programs and ministries could all come together, supported by a common framework and supported with a common coordinator. A survey assessing the needs of parishioners of all ages and the number of potential volunteers will be in the April Emmanuel Way, as well as an on-line version. Please take the time to help us by completing it. Anyone at Emmanuel who would like or need a little help with something would be connected with someone who could help. After all, isn’t that what a Church Community is really all about? “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2
A Holy Lent 2014 March 6, 13, 20, & 27, and April 3 & 10 – 6 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. – Exploring Lent through Art. Join us for a tasty potluck dinner, followed by our intergenerational program. We close each evening with the brief, peaceful liturgy of Compline. March 9, 16, 23,& 30, and April 6 – 10 a.m. – Adult Forums “In Sure and Certain Hope”. Preparing for death – medical, financial, legal and funeral planning. March 12, 19, & 26, and April 2 & 9 – 7:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Breakfast, and Bible Study. Join us for one, two, or all events each Wednesday morning.
The Emmanuel Way March
First Class Mail
2014
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SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
1 Bread Fund Distribution, 8 am, Holy Cross
March 2014 Sunday Schedule 9 am HE & Children’s Worship 10 am Christian Education—Sunday School & Adult Forum 2 See Sunday Sched11 am HE
Special Events Spring Forward! Change clocks on Sat., March 8 Tuesday, March 4: Youth Group Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 6—7:30, PH Wednesday mornings in Lent: Eucharist at 7:30 pm followed by breakfast and Bible Study Thursday Evening Lenten Series: Potluck at 6 pm, followed by speaker and Compline First Friday Youth Group Meeting, March 7, 7 pm Friday FIRE, FIRE March 21, 6 pm
Please check the Sunday bulletin for changes and additions. If you would like to schedule an event, please call the office at 540540-456456-6334.
Spri
3 AA Meeting, 8 pm, PH
4 10 am Staff Meeting Pancake Supper, 6 pm, PH
5 Ash Wednesday 6 Services at noon and Thursday Evening 7 pm Lenten Series 6 pm Bread Fund Packing, 10 am, HC
7 First Friday, 7 pm AA Meeting, 8 pm, PH
8 Daylight Saving Time begins at midnight
9 Lent 1 See Sunday Schedule Youth Group, 10 am, LH
10 AA Meeting, 8 pm, PH
11 10 am Staff Meeting Mountainside Tea Party , 3 pm Finance & Executive Committee Meeting, 5 pm, MLR
12 Lenten Morning Worship, 7:30 am Companions of the Holy Cross meeting, 10 am, PH Choir rehearsal, 7 pm
13 WBS, 10:00 am, MLR Thursday Evening Lenten Series 6 pm
14 AA Meeting, 8 PM, PH Vestry Retreat
15 Disciples Kitchen breakfast Vestry Retreat
16 Lent 2 See Sunday Schedule
17 AA Meeting, 8 pm, PH
18 10 am Staff Meeting
19 Lenten Morning Worship, 7:30 apm Choir rehearsal, 7 pm
20 newsletter dead- 21 FIRE, 6 pm, PH line AA Meeting, 8 Thursday Evening PM, MLR Lenten Series 6 pm
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23Lent 3 See Sunday Schedule
24 AA Meeting, 8 pm, PH
25 10 am Staff Meeting
26Lenten Morning Worship, 7:30 apm Choir rehearsal, 7 pm
27 WBS, 10:00 am, MLR Thursday Evening Lenten Series 6 pm
29 Wedding, 5 pm
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Key HE—Holy Eucharist MLR—Marston/LaRue House PH—Parish Hall LH—Ledford House HC—Holy Cross, Batesville AA—Alcoholics Anonymous WBS—Women’s Bible Study
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Mountainside Tea Party , 3 pm
30 Lent 4 31 See Sunday Sched- AA Meeting, 8 ule pm, PH
28 Wedding rehearsal, 5 pm AA Meeting, 8 PM, PH
