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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
THE EMMANUEL WAY Newsletter of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, Virginia
September 2015
May we strive to live in Christ and do His work from this place. Rector’s Message……….1-‐2 Sr Warden’s Message……2 Worship……………….………3 Formation………..…….....4-‐5 Outreach………………………6
View from the Rector’s Desk
A few days ago a clergy colleague and I agreed that this time of the year feels like the initial climb on a roller coaster. The car has left the loading station and begun its clank, clank, clank climb up to the first big hill. The riders know that exciting things are ahead, but we are not always exactly sure what’s in store. Our quiet summer is about to give way to a b usy fall. I write this on the day that most of our local public schools go back into session. Thirty school kids will have a brighter year due to the generosity of Emmanuel parishioners: you purchased and filled thirty backpacks with school supplies for students in 3d, 4th, and 5th grades at Brownsville Elementary. We asked God to bless those backpacks on 9 August, and we prayed for our own students on 16 August. Please pray for all students, teachers, and parents for the year ahead.
Parish Life……………………7
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood Parish 7599 Rockfish Gap Turnpike P.O. Box 38 Greenwood, VA 22943 540-‐456-‐6334 www.emmanuelgreenwood.org
Our annual parish retreat at Shrine Mont and the launch of our next program year are just ahead. About 50 of us plan to gather at Shrine Mont, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia camp and retreat center in Orkney Springs VA, on 4, 5, and 6 September, for a relaxing weekend of fellowship, fun, worship, swimming, games, and a little discussion and planning for the year ahead. If you have never been to Shrine Mont, consider joining us for worship on Sunday, 6 September, at the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, the open-‐air cathedral of the Diocese of Virginia, at 11 a.m. We will have one worship service here at Emmanuel on 6 September, at 10 a.m. On Sunday, 13 September, we resume our regular Sunday schedule: worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Christian formation for all ages at 10 a.m., with coffee hour at both 10 (as we start Christian formation) and noon. You will read more details inside this edition about our new workshop-‐rotation model for youth Sunday School. Other parishes have had great success with this model, and it makes for easier adult participation and support throughout the year. We would love to have you involved: you can sign up to help for just part of the year, and workshop stations have different learning styles and activities.
The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
I am very excited about our fall adult formation offering. We will explore C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, the all-‐ time best selling work of Christian apologetics. Over eight different Sundays, we will watch videos from Devin Brown’s Discussing Mere Christianity: Exploring the History, Meaning, and Relevance of C.S. Lewis’s Greatest Book. Like C.S. Lewis’s book on which it is based, this series is designed so that you can still get a lot out of it even if you cannot attend every class. So please come when you can – and please consider reading Brown’s book and Lewis’s Mere Christianity along with us. Only days after the US Supreme Court declared a constitutional right to same-‐sex civil marriage throughout the US (26 June 2015), the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church voted to change our own marriage canons (church rules or laws). The new marriage canon eliminates “Holy Matrimony” and redefines church “marriage” as open to any couple who can be married under state law – implicitly including same-‐sex couples. General Convention also adopted two new liturgies for same-‐sex marriage for church-‐wide trial use, beginning late this year. (For marriage of a man and woman, the three existing marriage rites in the Book of Common Prayer remain unchanged.) These changes to canon and liturgy by General Convention will reshape our own conversation at Emmanuel: the liturgy for same-‐sex blessings we were preparing to discuss will no longer be an option, once the new same-‐sex liturgies are in use. I continue to look to two guiding principles. First, I am absolutely committed to treating everyone at Emmanuel with dignity and respect. I will welcome anyone, work with anyone, love anyone, take care of anyone who comes through our doors. All are welcome here. Second, as I have shared before, I feel bound by the Prayer Book’s guidance (and 2000 years of the Church’s history and teaching) that “Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and woman . . . ,” established by God in creation. I plan to talk more about this at a Rector’s Forum on 4 October, and in a porch talk at our Shrine Mont retreat. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to come and talk to me. I would love to hear from you. Yours in Christ,
Senior Warden’s Message If you are like me, you are wondering where in the world summer has gone. As I leisurely sip my coffee, I am trying to convince myself that I am ready for the hustle and bustle of the new academic year. My little family stuck close to home most of the summer: we rested, visited with friends, and enjoyed lazy summer nights at the pool. I am confident we are refreshed and energized enough to take on the world (or at the very least, the first week of school). I am hopeful you are rested and energized as well! In a few short weeks, life at Emmanuel will shift into full gear. September 13 is “Rally Sunday,” where we return to two services and kick off an exciting schedule for Christian Formation. The Bishop’s visit is scheduled for September 27 at 2pm and we are also gearing up for the stewardship campaign. Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us! Luckily, we still have Shrine Mont to squeeze in one more weekend of relaxation. I personally am looking forward to unplugging and spending quality time with my Emmanuel family. In one of Father Christopher’s recent sermons, he asked the question, “Are you a disciple or a spectator?” So many of you give your time and talents to Emmanuel, and for that I am grateful! I am constantly amazed at what we are able to accomplish here, but know there is still much work to be done. If you are looking for more ways to get involved, please just ask! Our ongoing inreach and outreach programs are always looking for volunteers, and with the new Christian Formation model we have a need for ALL types of talent. I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and join the ranks of disciples at Emmanuel! You will be glad you did! Peace and love,
Kathy Stone 2
The Emmanuel Way
Fall Service times
August 2015
Worship
We are in the midst of our summer service schedule. Our switch back to 9am and 11am services will take place after our Shrine Mont retreat (September 4-‐6) on Sunday, September 13.
Acolytes In the meantime, the boy Samuel continued to serve the Lord, wearing a sacred linen apron. Each year his mother would make a little robe and take it to him when she accompanied her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice...The boy Samuel grew up in the service of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:18-‐21 Acolyte means an attendant or follower and Samuel is one of the first examples of an assistant to a priest. An acolyte’s job is to assist the celebrant (the priest in charge of a worship service) and enhance the worship service to help glorify God. An acolyte is a minister of the church who is called to serve God. Therefore, every action he or she takes should be done respectfully and in a dignified manner; the goal is for the attention of the congregation to be on the liturgy and not on the ministers. Serving as an acolyte is a commitment of time and talent to the Lord’s service, which is greatly appreciated (Courtesy of St. James’ Episcopal Church Acolyte Manual) If you are interested in serving as an acolyte at Emmanuel, please contact Father Garcia. Young people generally start in the 4th grade, or whenever they are able to sit through worship without too much parental supervision.
Bishop’s Visit, September 27, 2pm Bishop Susan Goff will make pay an annual Bishop’s visit on Sunday, September 27 at 2pm. A reception will follow this 2pm service. Due to Bishop Goff’s afternoon visit and service, our morning service schedule will differ slightly that day. Our 9am worship service and 10am Christian Formation hour will take place, but our 11am service will not take place. Please join us at 2pm.
Lectors Serving as Lector is an important part of the ministry at Emmanuel. The Lector is responsible for delivering the word of God during our services. A lector is primarily responsible for reading an Old Testament Lesson, sometimes leading the Psalm, and reading the new Testament lesson. Qualifications for becoming a lector begin with a desire to read and lead readings at the front of the church in an engaging manner and in a voice and tone that help all to hear God’s word. It is a fantastic way to connect yourself with God’s word and allow others to truly surround themselves with his word. If you are interested in serving, please contact Mike Robinson at 434-‐242-‐2033 and he will be delighted to get you involved. Adults and young people of any age who can read clearly are welcome to sign up.
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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
Christian Formation
Lofton & Thatcher Graves & family
Keene Neibert & family
Eryk Alton & family
We welcome the newly baptized… Lofton & Thatcher Graves, daughter and son of Whit and Tori Graves, 28 June Tanner Keene Neibert, son of Tanner Gibson & Steven Neibert, 26 July Eryk Alton, son of Ania & John Alton, 9 August
Nursery at Emmanuel Our nursery is open to infants and toddlers, up to age three. Our attendants will be participating in professional development on Sunday, August 30, as well as online courses including American Red Cross Babysitting Basics and The Diocese of Virginia’s Safeguarding God’s Children training.
Sunday School at Emmanuel This year, we’re trying something different for Sunday School! We’ll be using a Sunday School curriculum called the Workshop Rotation model (WRM). Kyle Oliver, a Christian Formation expert at VTS, describes the WRM in this way: During each session in a four-‐to-‐six-‐week cycle, groups visit a different room and engage the Bible passage or story through a different medium: drama, visual arts, games, computers/apps, etc. Several stations run simultaneously each Sunday depending on the size of the program. In each rotation, they find a mentor skilled in the medium and willing to explore and co-‐create with them to help bring the story to life. Not every station will resonate with every learner. Indeed, the model is predicated on the theory that different kids learn best in different ways. But over the course of the cycle, there’s a good chance a particular discipline will help everyone really connect at least once.
We are excited to announce that the first unit that we will explore is called The Emmanuel Story: Mission Possible! Jesus gave us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. At Emmanuel, we fulfill those sacred teachings through our rich mission statement, May we strive to live in Christ and do His work from this place. This Sunday School unit will give students the chance to learn about and live into this mission through hands-‐on projects and challenges.
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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
Christian Formation continued Sunday School at Emmanuel continued Parents of Emmanuel students, please be looking for emails on updates on how to register for this exciting program! In the meantime, save the dates for: • • •
Sunday School Open House: Sunday, September 13, 10am Back to School Party: Friday, September 18, 6-‐8pm Start of Sunday School: Sunday, September 20, 10am
Emmanuel Youth Group Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-‐7New International Version (NIV)
This past summer, members of the Emmanuel Youth Group (EYG) proved that they are cheerful givers. They helped with Camp Emmanuel and took leadership roles at sleep-‐away camps, went on family mission trips, held their first jobs, and traveled to foreign countries. Last year, they hosted bingo at Mountainside, gave away books at Bread Fund, cleaned up the Emmanuel Graveyard, and much more. Plans are under way to give the EYG more opportunities to be cheerful givers this year. Parents of Emmanuel youth (middle and high school grades), please look for emails and web updates with specific plans for social and outreach events. Confirmation classes for 15-‐16 year-‐olds will begin in January.
Women’s Bible Study – Thursday morning at Emmanuel Meeting Thursday Women's Bible Study Resumes in September Please join us September 10th for our new study, Food For The Soul. We meet from 10:00-‐11:00 the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the parlor of Ledford House. The first study will be Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr. The new format will be Bible scripture, watching a DVD, and discussion. We welcome all women to our classes. Contact Carolyn Rhondeau via the church office for more information.
Adult Forum preview This fall, Adult Formation classes will focus on Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis by viewing and discussing video segments from the series Discussing Mere Christianity: Exploring the History, Meaning, & Relevance of C.S. Lewis's Greatest Book. Over seventy years after Mere Christianity was first delivered as a series of radio messages, what relevance does it have in our world today? Host Eric Metaxas and a variety of Christian leaders help us understand the timeless message of C.S. Lewis in fresh ways for a new generation. Each of the eight sessions of this series is a "stand alone" presentation, so if you need to miss a week or two, the next sessions will still make sense. This series will take place in the Parish Hall between the 9am and 11am services. Please visit the Adult Formation page of our website for more in formation and a schedule of topics.
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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
Outreach Backpack Thank-‐yous Another hearty thank-‐you goes out to all the families who bought school supplies and backpacks as Emmanuel’s part in a multi-‐church effort to make sure that every child in the Crozet-‐Greenwood area goes to school equipped to learn. Karen Crowley, the Family Support Worker at Brownsville, who received the Emmanuel backpack delivery, was so grateful. The picture to the left is only a portion of the Emmanuel delivery! Thank you!
Bread Fund At the August 1, 2015 Bread Fund distribution, we served 76 families, including 46 children under 18, 105 adults ages 19-‐64, 34 senior citizens. A total of 185 people were served. The Bread Fund dates for the rest of the year are as follows:
Sept. 5 Distribution Sept. 9 Packing
Oct. 3 Distribution Oct. 14 Packing
Nov. 7 Distribution Nov. 11 Packing
Dec. 5 Distribution Dec. 9 Packing
Please contact the church office for more information on how to get involved in the Bread Fund or visit the Bread Fund page on our website.
Disciples Kitchen Another SUPER DK chili lunch last time! Forty-‐two folks came by to eat chili and 12 took out meals for a total of 54 meals served. This was also a very special day because Fr. Christopher joined the DK volunteers and BB brought her two grandsons, Xander and Eli (two outstanding young men), who prepared plates of cookies and worked at the serving window. The next DK events are as follows: Saturday, September 19: Breakfast, 10:45 at the Basic United Methodist Church, Waynesboro Monday, October19: Lunch, 11:30-‐12:15 at the Second Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro Saturday, November 21: Breakfast, 10:45 at the Basic United Methodist Church, Waynesboro Monday, December 21: Lunch, 11:30-‐12:15 at the Second Presbyterian Church., Waynesboro Contact Steve Walsworth 434-‐409-‐1118 or Kaye Pietrowicz 434-‐361-‐9097 to join DK!
The United Thank Offering Our fall UTO ingathering is scheduled for October 22. Blue UTO boxes are in the narthex! Questions? Contact Mary Mac Laing at 434-‐963-‐7900.
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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
Parish Life Shrine Mont Parish Retreat Our annual parish retreat to Shrine Mont will be Friday, September 4-‐6, 2015! Shrine Mont is the home of the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration—the cathedral of the Diocese of Virginia. It is “a place where people give thanks to God for his creation — from the beauty of the streams, flowers and wildlife which are at home here, to the people who come to this place to celebrate being part of the family of God,” as beautifully stated on Shrine Mont’s web site. Emmanuel’s annual parish weekend at Shrine Mont is designed to bring us together through fellowship, recreation, reflection, worship and song, all in a lovely setting featuring fresh air, blue skies, springs, and friendly people. More plans are in the works for this year’s retreat, so look for updates in our weekly emails and on our website. A registration table will be set up in our courtyard for the next several Sundays, and registration is available on our website. Questions? See our Shrine Mont web page (under the Parish Life tab) or call Anne Dagner at (434) 882-‐3630.
Rally Sunday Join us for Rally Sunday on 13 September at 10am as we gather to kick off the new program year. Interested in hearing more about the Adult Forum series? Stop by the Parish Hall to hear more about it. Want to register your student for Sunday School or Youth Group? Come to Marston-‐LaRue to meet the Sunday School teachers. Stop by the Courtyard and Arcades to sign up for one or more of the many ministry and outreach opportunities at Emmanuel. Enjoy coffee, a bite to eat, and the chance to meet new and catch up with old friends!
Heritage Committee News The Heritage Committee was established in 2006 and has been managed by a Steering Group of Christian Lehmbeck, Charley Mott, and Jack Scruby, Chair. We wish to announce the appointment of Delores Smith to serve in the Steering Group. Delores has been a member of the Heritage Committee since its founding in 2006 and has made invaluable contributions to it. The Oral History Program, which is managed by the Heritage Steering Group, has the goals of preserving the history of Emmanuel and its members and providing material for a new history of Emmanuel, now in progress. It is a pleasure to announce that Janice Fischer began leadership of Emmanuel's Oral History program after her retirement from her position as Parish Administrator at Emmanuel. Contacts for the Heritage programs and projects are Christian Lehmbeck, Delores Smith, Jack Scruby, and Emmanuel Church Office.
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The Emmanuel Way
August 2015
Scenes along the Way
Emmanuel Episcopal Church P.O. Box 38 Greenwood, VA 22943
