Post on 06-Aug-2020
July 2015
FROM FATHER ROBERT Grace, peace and many blessings to you and your families in these summer months!
In the space of a news sound bite I
offer a few words on the challenges that
the world is providing these days.
Following patterns, it would seem that
something new will befall us shortly so
let me address the issue at hand.
Violence and violence in places of
worship are topics I never would have
thought I’d have to write about. It
doesn’t make sense. There are no
answers. Simply questions. At the end
of all the speculation, made-up answers
and firm resolutions to change laws,
we’ve missed the boat, it seems. Until
we confront the reality of evil and sin,
we miss the boat. If we acknowledge
the reality of evil and sin in some parts
of our shared life but refuse to do it
across the board in every other social
ill, be prepared for things to go on as
normal—a “new” normal. In the
meanwhile, we are left, not to live as
those with no hope, but to lament to
the Lord with those who have gone
before us.
NEWS FROM THE NARTHEX
At Emmanuel Episcopal Church, we strive to provide people the opportunity for growth in their faith through our mutual love, respect and acceptance of one another.
“How long, O Lord, must I cry for
help and you do not listen? Or cry out
to you, ‘Violence!’ and you do not
intervene? Why do you let me see
iniquity? Why do you simply gaze at
evil? Destruction and violence are
before me; there is strife and discord.
This is why the law is numb and
justice never comes, for the wicked
surround the just; this is why justice
comes forth perverted.”
The truth of Charleston is that evil
finds its way in, no matter what. Even
in the places we thought could be safe.
Even in the spaces we thought we were
safe.
But our truth is that God found
God’s way out. God ripped apart the
heavens. God slashed to shreds the
temple curtain. Why? So that even
those places and spaces we assumed
were safe would actually be so—
because of the promise of God’s
presence. In and through everything,
we are never alone.
Never being alone is a good segue
into our reflection on community life.
We are never without the presence of
God and we are never without the
presence of one another as well. Each of
us is an important part of the body of
Christ. Each of us has a particular gift to
bring forth. All of us are uniquely
different with distinct perspectives. The
miracle of true community is that each
perspective is valid. Each contains truth.
The beauty of Christian community is
that we can take all of those unique
pieces and forge them into some kind of
a reality that will be used for service:
worship, mission, ministry.
Emmanuel offers a unique
perspective to the community at large in
each of those areas. Our responsibility as
Christians is to keep before us the idea
that the structures of Emmanuel are not
in fact Emmanuel—but tools to serve the
community of the church, the people of
God which is Emmanuel. People are
drawn to us not by what we look like,
News from the narthex
An Opportunity for
Willing Hearts to Serve
Emmanuel has committed to make 400
lunches for the Smart Kids, Smart Lunch
program for the first week in August. We
will be assembling lunch bags on Sunday,
August 2 at 9:30 am and will complete
the bags by assembling turkey and cheese
wraps on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:30
am. Questions? Just ask
either Nancy Walton at
nwalton213@icloud.com or
Jan Neubauer at
janmarie@mindspring.com).
Please join us in the Emmanuel kitchen to
help! No special skills required, just a
willing heart!
The Adult Faith Formation Committee offers programs that explore Holy Scripture,
Anglican tradition, and Church history to deepen personal faith, strengthen community, and share the Gospel. Adult Formation meets in the Westminster room, downstairs in the Formation Building. Please join us for these offerings in July. June 28, July 5 and July 12: DVD Presentation: In an engaging documentary, David Suchet sets off in search of Saint Paul the Apostle, one the great figures of the Bible. Controversial in his own time, Saint Paul remains so today. He was a remarkable man of contrasts and confusions, a persecutor of Christians who experienced a miraculous conversion and an all-consuming drive to spread the faith. Saint Paul helped transformed Christianity from a small Jewish sect into the largest religion on earth. Long fascinated by
the apostle, Suchet takes a very personal quest, retracing the steps of a man believed to have traveled some 10,000 miles by foot, and many more by sea, across the lands of the Roman Empire. Along the way, Suchet talks to archaeologists, scholars, clerics and locals, each of whom sheds light on an individual who did so much to shape the history of Western civilization. Facilitated by Br. Brian Paul Freese, OP. July 19, July 26: Discussion: The church is about the people of God on pilgrimage together restoring unity with God and one another in Christ. This can be tough to grasp. What happens though when you reach a place where a comfortable narrative and familiar community are no longer enough? What happens when you are confronted with situations or problems that are never quite satisfactorily resolved? Join this conversation as we look at stages of faith development and the journey to live out what we profess to believe. Led by Fr. Christopher Cole.
but for who we are and for how we serve
God and God’s poor. People come to us
because they find good and authentic
worship and individuals who are trying to
be faithful in living out the demands of the
gospel. Over the past few weeks I have
heard often that “these are exciting times
for Emmanuel.” Indeed they are because
even in the midst of a world that is more
than confused and troubled, we are looking
forward and anticipating growth and life
and hope and the joy that comes not from
worshipping ICONS or things, but the
living God whose presence is known to us
in Word, Sacrament and one another. We
are the Church, uniquely brought together
in this time and in this place to do the work
God calls us to do. May we join hands and
hearts and move towards our tomorrow
with confidence.
In his love, Robert +
Adult Formation for July
The Emmanuel Thrift House is currently selling shorts and sandals,
bathing suits and cover-ups, kids games, art (ceramics, paintings, glass) and DVDs. Most welcome are donations of small furniture items, baby and toddler clothes, small tables and shelves
for use in the Thrift House. Thanks! Leah Goodwin 706-395-6468 thrifthouse@emmanuelathens.org
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Life brings lots of surprises! Happy events (weddings, a new baby, a new job) can sometimes be as stressful as the sadder times (illness, loss of a loved one, financial struggles, being forced to move or downsize). At all these challenging times, a Stephen Minister can offer the listening attention, care and support that makes all the difference.
Stephen Ministry has been an active part of Pastoral Care at Emmanuel for over 30 years. Stephen Ministers are fellow Christians who are trained and supervised in confidential, one-to-one care. The Stephen Minister meets with his/her Care Receiver on a regular schedule, usually once a week, as long as there is a need. The identity of those receiving
Emmanuel Episcopal Day School
Some highlights from the 2014-2015 school year include:
Jennifer Taylor was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Georgia Preschool Association. Jennifer has been teaching three-year-olds for six years at Emmanuel.
We mentored five UGA interns in the Birth-to-5 Program. Each intern was assigned a classroom for a semester where they receive hands on training.
The school was featured in a video for the Nancy Travis House Childcare Project. We were the example of a program of excellence in early childhood.
Pascale Riley, who has taught the four-year-olds since 1993, and school director Amy Wraga were interviewed by a Ph.D. student from UGA doing a study of longevity in early childhood careers.
We had 92 wonderful children enjoy a year of learning, and we celebrated 24 four-year-olds at our graduation ceremony in May.
We are looking forward to another wonderful year beginning in August. Our creative half-day program has current openings for children who are or will 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1st. Please email dayschool@emmanuelathens.org to set up a tour. Visit the day school section of the Emmanuel website for more information about our program.
Amy Wraga, Director
Catechesis Training, Summer 2015 Anna Hurdle of Charlotte, NC, will lead
us in a Level I training Monday, July 6 - Saturday, July 11
9am - 4pm “The beauty of seeing a child work with the Good Shepard material, and seeing the realization in their eyes that they are the sheep, and God is the Shepard is amazing. The purity of a child's realization of God and the love they feel is so powerful. Our children are the future of Emmanuel, they need us, but more importantly, we need them. We need them to remind us through their first realizations that there is something out there more powerful and glorious.” Erika Greene The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Catechesis should be a religious experience shared by adults and children. The catechist and the child will listen and wonder God’s word together. We invite you to learn more about our foundational program for our children and to take a part, even just a small part, in the Catechesis training. If you are unable to commit to the entire week, just come for one session. Your understanding of the program is the best way to support Emmanuel’s Children’s Formation. The training opportunity is also a wonderful approach to expanding your own spiritual formation. For information, please contact: Georgia Collier, 706.540.8237 Georgiacollier50@yahoo.com, Father Robert, or any practicing Catechist or Shepherd: Peg Wood, Ellen Dolphus, Kerry Hogan, Erika Greene, Bobbi Brandenburg, Sara Baldwin, Mary Eberhard, Tiffany Greene, Mary Morgan Collier, Cindy Sullivan, Brooke Stortz, Janet Robertson, Descygna Templeton or Ralph Stephens. We look forward to talking with you about joining our fold!
care and what takes place in each caring relationship remain private. Care receivers don’t have to be members of Emmanuel.
A new Stephen Ministry training class is planned for Fall 2015. Anyone interested in serving as a Stephen Minister can get more information by talking to Sue Holt or Polly Connerat, or current Stephen Ministers, LaBau Bryan, Jan Wheeler, Sondra Lange, or Scott Shaw.
If you would like to consider having a Stephen Minister meet with you, contact one of the leaders.
Sue Holt (706-248-0517, sholt721@gmail.com)
Polly Connerat (706-296-0693, pollybil@bellsouth.net)
WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
News from the narthex
Over fifty children, twenty youth members and twenty adults enjoyed a wonderful week at Emmanuel's Vacation Bible School! We celebrated with music & movement, enjoyed games, crafts and snacks, and took some time out to give to others. Our kids put together a few hundred Craft Kits to share with children who are in need of enrichment projects this summer. It was a week of service and sharing God's love.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Brightest Blessings!
MICHAEL CURRY WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDING BISHOP
The Episcopal Church’s General Convention made history June 27 when it chose Diocese of North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry to be its 27th presiding bishop. Curry, 62, was elected by the House of Bishops from a slate of four nominees on the first ballot. He becomes the church’s first African-American presiding bishop. His election was confirmed an hour later by the House of Deputies, as outlined in the church’s canons, by a vote of 800 to 12.
Talking from Salt Lake City immediately after the election, Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta said, “I had prayed the bishops would have a clear mind, and it is now clear: Michael Curry is our presiding bishop for this time, and the vote totals show we were strongly behind him by electing him on the first ballot.”
Bishop Wright said that during the moments after the bishops’ votes were tallied and announced, “There was such excitement in the room; it was really a Spirit-filled moment. While we waited (for the House of Deputies to confirm the vote), we prayed with Michael, sang hymns, and even took selfies with him.” After clergy and lay deputies voted to confirm Curry's election by the bishops, Wright said he found it wonderful to hear Curry tell the full assembly that it was the Episcopal Church that taught him about Jesus.
Wright acknowledged that electing the church’s first black presiding bishop is historic. “That matters, but what trumps that is Michael is someone who is committed to sharing the gospel in the 21st century, and that’s what the bishops see in him. We are very clear we have a good message and now is the time for it.” (adapted from story by Nan Ross on the Diocese’s webpage)
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News from the narthex
July Birthdays
2: Anne Thompson 3: Jon Carlson, Sandra Tuck-Poss, Suresh Alexander, Emma Neil 4: Mike Chalker 5: Ahmaud Templeton 6: James Reynolds, Crysty Odom, Tracie McGhee, Allison Clements, Melanie Rowell 7: McKay Brown, Will Herrin 9: Ann Bretscher, William
Russell, Judith Wettstaed, Josh Thames 10: Gaby Keen, Ryan Kleiber, Whitney Swann, Byron Norris, Alex McQueen 11: Ellen Dolphus 13: Stacy Mallet, Weyman Johnson 14: Maresi Ann Berry-Stoelzle, Tee Noland, Amy Hoyt, Clayton Dodson 15: Donald McAlister, Al
Clarke, Oliver Woodruff, William Murphy 16: Michael Murray 17: Frances Doherty, Melissa Ann Kinney 18: CL Ygartua, John Albright, Adelaide Ellis, Walker Gray 19: James Davis, Ellisa Garrett, Abigail Pylant 20: Christie Bettendorf, Max Ruston 21: Sue Holt, William
McLanahan 22: Charles Bullock, Cuppy Roberts, Sam Polk 23: Kirsten Walters, Sally Swann 25: Emily Luken, Jason Tiller 26: Chris Blount, Amrey Harden 27: Lucas Donnelly 30: Kathryn Crump 31: Jenny Ford, Bill Fox
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a Christian feast day
celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, a prophet who foretold
the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus, whom he later
baptized. Christians have long interpreted the life of John the
Baptist as a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The
circumstances of his birth, as recorded in the New Testament,
are miraculous. John’s pivotal place in the gospel is seen in the
emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the
event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same
occurrences in the life of Jesus.
The sole Biblical account of the birth of John the Baptist
comes from the Gospel of Luke. John’s parents, Zechariah and
Elizabeth, were without children and both were beyond the age
of child-bearing. During Zechariah's rotation to serve in the
Temple in Jerusalem, he was chosen by lot to offer incense at
the Golden Altar in the Holy Place. The Archangel Gabriel
appeared to him and announced that he and his wife would give
birth to a child, and that they should name him John. However,
because Zechariah did not believe the message of Gabriel, he
was rendered speechless until the time of John’s birth. At that
The Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist: June 24
time, his relatives wanted to name the child after his father,
and Zechariah wrote, “His name is John,” whereupon he
recovered his ability to speak. Thereafter he was given the
gift of prophecy and foretold the future ministry of John, this
prophecy forming the text of the Benedictus canticle.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24 comes
three months after the celebration on March 25 of the
Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel told Mary that
her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant, and six
months before the Christmas celebration of the birth of
Jesus. The purpose of these festivals is not to celebrate the
exact dates of these events, but simply to commemorate
them in an interlinking way. The Nativity of St. John the
Baptist anticipates the feast of Christmas. The Nativity of St.
John the Baptist is one of the oldest festivals of the Christian
church, being listed by the Council of Agde in 506 as one of
that region’s principal festivals, where it was a day of rest
and, like Christmas, was celebrated with three services: a
vigil, at dawn, and at midday.
Lemonade on the Terrace Please volunteer to serve lemonade on the terrace this summer after the 10:30 service. It is a fun and easy way to meet people. Melissa has the lemonade and cups in the kitchen; there is a card table by the kitchen door to use; we usually make 6 to 8 pitchers depending on the crowd. The available Sundays are July, 5th; July, 12th; July, 19th; and July, 26th August, 2nd; August, 9th; August, 23rd and August, 30th Meredith Kahlstorf, Mkahlstorf@yahoo.com, 706-255-2042
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Emmanuel’s Service & Faith Formation schedule is as follows; only exceptions are listed on the calendar below:
Wednesdays: 5:30 pm Healing Service & Eucharist, Chapel
Saturdays: 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Chapel
Sundays: 8:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Church; 9:15 am Faith Formation for Children & Youth; 9:30 am Adult Formation, Westminster, and 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 3:30: Yoga “Old
Music Suite”
Church office closed
4:45 Daughters of the King
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Noon: Natural Spirituality, Library
Catechesis Training
Catechesis Training 10:00: Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, old music suite
Catechesis Training 3:30: Yoga “Old Music Suite”
Catechesis Training 6:30: Stephen Ministry, old music suite
Catechesis Training
Catechesis Training
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Noon: Phase II, The Preservation, Restoration and Renewal of the Church-CR Nat. Spirit - Lib
10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, old music suite
11:00 Eucharist at Lanier Gardens
4:45 Daughters of the King
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Noon Natural Spirituality, Library
10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon
7 :00 Vestry Meeting
3:00 Elder Connection Meeting, Library
26 27 28 29 30 31 10:30 Baptism noon: Natural Spirituality, Library
10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, old music suite
Prayer Shawl Ministry The making of a prayer shawl is a meditative practice that embodies our thoughts and prayers for the receiver. We knit, crochet or weave God’s love into shawls for people who need healing, who are grieving or who are going on a journey. We also knit small baby squares for infants in the ARMC Neonatal
unit. Our meetings are opened and closed with prayer, and our shawls are blessed by our members before they are given out. A prayer that fits the need is always attached to the shawl. It is so rewarding to be able to give these “wearable prayers.” Our ministry started in 2007. We meet on Sunday afternoons, once a month, from September through June in the old music building. Upcoming meetings are announced in the E-letter and the bulletin. We would love to have anyone join us. Come and we will help you get started! If you know of anyone who might need a shawl, please contact Pat Hall (706-548-7600, patpathall@yahoo.com) or Melissa in the church office.
News from the narthex July 2015
498 Prince Avenue
Athens, GA 30606
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ATHENS, GA
PERMIT NO. 231
The interior of Emmanuel circa 1899
The 2015 Vestry
Shooter Roberts, Senior
Warden
Sarah Ehlers, Junior Warden
Phil Bettendorf
Brian Freese
Clara Herrin
Weyman Johnson
Roger Lange
Naomi Norman
Crysty Odom
Brooke Stortz
Diane Wahlers
Erik Wells
Emmanuel Episcopal Church