NEWS FROM THE NARTHEX

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1 January 2015 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. From father Robert PEACE & EVERY GOOD WISH TO EACH OF YOU... Dear Sisters and Brothers, I suggest that thinking about a New Year as a New Beginning could be very life giving. Even though our bodies might be a bit more tired than usual because of the holi(y)days, don t you feel a bit more enthusiasm about moving ahead into new possibilities? Fresh ideas and a fresh focus do have the capacity to energize us. That in itself is a good reason to celebrate the New Year but it s also why we tend to become reflective and engage in resolution-making! We want to better ourselves! We want to do better! We want to live better lives! Once again, a New Year has dawned. [I think this is the very first year I missed the ball / peach (depending on your reference point) drop. Somehow, I didn t wake up with any regrets!] In this New Year, I ask how will I change in the coming weeks and months? How might the world change? Will anything change? What achievable goals will bring about the changes in me and in others that I d like to see? When I think about what I might like to see for all of us, I envision a kinder, gentler world. A place where people are built up, cared for and encouraged. Wouldn t it be wonderful if we decided to set some faith goals some very achievable actions that would serve to help us draw closer to the Lord and to God s people? The gospel continues to challenge us to examine how we live. I have heard recently that we are called to be a Culture of Encounter. We have become far less relational in the past good number of years. People are often too busy seeking career recognition, pursuing their own plans and entertaining themselves, to see, really see, the faces of the people in their lives. Mother Teresa is always a sound person to quote. She once said, We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, unnoticed and uncared for is the greatest kind of poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty. It s not that there isn t lots of talking noise around us. There s lots of communicating. Parents are laying down the rules. Spouses are sharing information about the grocery list, bosses tell employees of the work that needs to be done and friends share everything on Facebook! However, there is not a lot of communion, of real inter-connecting going on. We are not looking at one another. We are not seeing the need in the person we meet. As far as spiritual resolutions go, in this New Year, maybe we can look at one another with spiritual eyes, seeing the goodness God has placed there. Maybe we can strive to see what the other sees and hear what the other hears. This is holy ground. We are standing on holy ground my friends, bearing the seeds of new relationships and deeper understanding, as we stand together before our God. May the God of new beginnings bless us with the grace of spiritual eyes to see beneath the surface of every life and open our hearts to reach out in trust and love. In his love, Robert +

2 News from the Narthex Bigger Vision Winter Homeless Shelter An Opportunity to Serve On any given night during the past year, there were over 400 individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Athens-Clarke County. Despite the efforts of many organizations, over 200 families were left without a bed during the night. Bigger Vision was established in 1998 as a response to the needs of the homeless in Athens. This shelter dedicates its services to sheltering those individuals who lack permanent housing. Their mission is to provide the individual who is temporarily homeless a warm, dry place to sleep each night on a first-come, firstserved basis. Emmanuel has signed up to prepare a meal for 40 individuals for several Sunday nights in If you would like to be a part of a cooking team, deliver the meal and/or serve the guests, please sign up to volunteer. The sign-up sheets are in the narthex. For more information, see Merry Reetz Stovall. The dates for volunteers to prepare and serve are: 1/18 2/15 3/15 3/29 For more details, see the sign up boards in the narthex. Please sign up to help. Bishop Wright and the Emmanuel Congregation Adult Formation for January The Adult Faith Formation Committee offers programs of spiritual enrichment 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 January. January 11 and 18: An Introduction to Centering Prayer presented by Rev. Tom Camp. This introduction to centering prayer, presented over two consecutive Sundays, will consider the central spiritual discipline of deep prayer that was practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers of our faith and has been recovered by contemporary people seeking a more intimate consciousness of God s abiding Presence. In these two sessions we will discuss the process of Centering Prayer and its neurobiogical and spiritual effects, as well as experience it. Rev. Camp is a Centering Prayer practicioner and teacher who serves as spiritual guide and pastoral psychotherapist with the Samaritan Center for Counseling and Wellness, a ministry co-sponsored by Emmanuel Church, in Athens. January 25 and February 1: Br. Brian Paul Freese, OP will present for discussion, Dr. Diarmaid MacCulloch s A History of Christianity - Protestantism: The Evangelical Explosion. In this, the fifth DVD in the series, MacCulloch examines the growth of evangelical Protestantism across the globe as a driving force for social justice and an emotional relationship with God. The growth of Protestant faith in America, across Africa, and into Asia will be explored. Finally the prosperity Gospel as an evolution of Protestantism will be compared and contrasted with earlier understandings.

3 3 ODE TO THE EMMANUEL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Twas the day of the Christmas Pageant and all through our parish members were hard at work to produce a pageant to cherish. Scott Rowell checked the sound while Erwin Greene hung the lights. Director Melanie was connecting cords under the stage...what a sight! Lori Tiller and Beth Shaw made sure their instruments were in tune while Kerry Hogan carefully checked each and every costume. Then what to our wondering eyes did appear, but every little cast member that we hold so dear! Miss Erika rehearsed with her dancers once more They spun and they twirled with grace cross the floor. Then from the kitchen there arose such a clatter... the Holy Cookers were whipping up their chocolate cake batter! Having been checked twice was our reservation list, guests poured in by the dozen and checked in with Father Chris. Our youth members were prepped and busy, and oh! so helpful! They started out by serving hot wassail by the cupful. Miss Georgia then gathered the cast for a calm moment to share. The group held hands while she offered a prayer. She thanked God for the prophets, the shepherds, and sheep donned in wool. She remembered the narrators, the musicians, and the cast in full. Then when thanking God for the precious little angels-to-be, one of them exclaimed in an audible whisper, That s Me! So hand-in-hand, our cast slowly did trod and they presented the story to the Glory of God. Brightest Blessings! Georgia Collier

4 News from the Narthex

5 5 Anne brightwell WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT It is my pleasure to introduce to you the recipient of this year s Faithful Servant Award. Although I want to save her name until the end of my introduction, I know you will guess quickly who she is because she is the epitome of faithful service in so many ways and in so many places. She tries not to draw attention to herself but you have no doubt observed her in action and likely have been on the receiving end of one of her many kindnesses. She came to Emmanuel when Shooter was just a child. Emmanuel was a haven for her during a difficult period.but she quickly became part of the community and went to work. She has served on the vestry twice, and has represented Emmanuel at many Diocesan Council meetings. She has overseen Pastoral Care, and Christian Formation and when she hasn t been in charge, she has served on committees to develop programs. She serves faithfully on the Altar Guild, as a lay reader, and a Lay Eucharistic Minister. When there is a need, she steps in to read, to serve as an acolyte or a lay minister, to lead a Forum, even to provide a reflection on scripture at a service. She s well prepared to do these things, having completed the four year course of Education for Ministry, regularly attending Bible Study, and nearly every Forum that has been presented. She helps faithfully with IHN. And if Sam knew that she had played the organ in her church as a teenager, we would likely see her doing that as well! She serves behind the scenes as well. When a family s life is interrupted by illness or death, she is the first one at the door with dinner.combining presence with tangible help. And she continues helping, as long as the need exists. Perhaps the most notable service is her years of care, friendship and guidance of the Karen families in our congregation. She takes them to the doctor and stays to help them both understand the situation that took them there. She attends parent-teacher conferences with the mothers. She tutors the young mothers in English (at 8 in the morning, when they are just home from work). She enrolled the children in a summer camp in town, found people to help with tuition, and every day made lunches for them and drove them there. She stays after church with them so that the children can participate in the children s choir. This fall she found a Taekwondo class for one drives him there and celebrates his enthusiasm for the sport. They are family! She celebrates their birthdays and holidays with them. She was an honored mother at a Karen Mother s Day celebration. It might seem that all her time is spent at Emmanuel but during the time she is not here, she reads weekly for Learning Ally (Recording for the Blind), weekly delivers Meals on Wheels, and tutors a young man in math. There are former students who call when there is a crisis, because they know she will help in any way she can. When she commits to something she stays committed: to her service, her church, and to us, the lucky ones, her friends. The recipient of this year s Faithful Servant Award is Anne Brightwell! Diane Wahlers

6 News from the Narthex EYC CORNER Mark your Calendars New Beginnings at Camp Mikell February 6th - 8th All 6th through 9th Grade students This opportunity is exactly for you! A Thought for Epiphany Be you. What is the greatest gift you can offer to Christ in this season of light and manifestation? How might this gift bring you greater life? Youth Led Worship January 11 10:30am Come Be Lead. Contact Kim if you are interested in leading. Epi scopa l You th Con n ection Chil i Mast er piece Lock-in Saturday, January 24 - Sunday, January 25 4:00pm until 12:00pm Join us f or t his year l y t r adit ion! This year coming at you excl usivel y in Lock-in f or m. Br ing a Pound of hambur ger, an apr on, paj amas and j oin us f or t his evening of cr eat ivit y! We wil l cook chil i al l evening on t he 24 and t hen sel l it t he f ol l owing mor ning.

7 This is Emmanuel s Service schedule & Faith Formation schedule; only additions and exceptions are listed on the calendar below: 7 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 Church office closed Noon: Natural 10:00 Bible Study, 10:00 Natural 7:15 Emmanuel 6:30 pm Stephen Vestry Retreat Vestry Retreat Spirituality, Coventry Spirituality, Choir Rehearsal Ministry, old music 7:30 Al-Anon, suite 4:00: EFM, old music suite 5:00: Epiphany Feast, Common Room Vestry Retreat 10:00 Bible Study, 7:15 Emmanuel 11:00: Eucharist at Coventry Choir Rehearsal Lanier Gardens Noon: Natural Spirituality, 2:00: Club 456 4:00: EFM, 10:00 Natural Spirituality, 7:30 Al-Anon, old music suite Noon: Natural Spirituality, Church office closed in observance of 10:00 Natural Spirituality, 7:15: Emmanuel Choir Rehearsal 11:30: Caregivers Support, Martin Luther King 7:30 Al-Anon, 6:30: Stephen 4:00: EFM, Jr. Day old music suite Ministry, old music suite 4:45: Daughters of the King 4:00: Chili Masterpiece Lock-in Noon: Natural Spirituality, 4:00: EFM, 10:00 Bible Study, Coventry 10:00 Natural Spirituality, 7:30 Al-Anon, old music suite 4:45: Daughters of the King Living in Gratitude Giving in Gratitude If you haven t yet turned in a pledge card for 2015, it is not too late. Cards are available from Melissa in the parish office. Or you may make your pledge online on a secure page on the Emmanuel website. Go to and click on Online Donation.

8 News from the Narthex 2014 Annual meeting Notes from the Rector s Reflections at the meeting: This is the 171 st year of the existence of the Emmanuel parish; in four more years we will have our 175 th anniversary, our Dodransbicentennial or Demisemiseptcentennial, literally onehalf (demi-) x one-half (semi-) x seven (sept-) x 100 years (centennial). We need to begin thinking about how we will celebrate this important moment in our life together. Ours is a healthy church. We continue to baptize, marry, welcome those who come through our doors, pray, and pray folks into the next phase of their lives with the Lord. Our programs and ministries continue to flourish and expand. Any growth that occurs does so only because of the energy and passion that is alive in our hearts. We are growing into our mission: We strive to honor God and to nurture the spirit by ministering to God s people. We have said that is who we are. We are clearly called to join Christ in seeking out, inviting, and accompanying on their journeys all He sends to us not merely those who come to us by going out and doing. To recreate and grow as a community and to pass on the gift of faith we have inherited with our baptisms are the catalysts for making all things new in Christ. We are at a crossroads and all are invited to leave behind the comfort of going forward in the old and familiar ways. It is impossible to grow and change and have everything remain the same. God is forever challenging us to recognize that Christ is always inviting us to more and to greater things. We have much for which to be thankful and proud. Our expansion has been a blessing already by allowing us to do so many things in the new spaces. The ability to trust, to share the goodness, and to be as generous as possible truly transforms a community of faith, not just in our own space, but in all the spaces that surround us. Our former Music Building will be transformed into a center where programs of physical and emotional healing can take place. Creating a new nursery space closer to our place of worship is already being developed in that building. Robert + January Birthdays 1 Gerald Arscott, Helen Harber, Joy Rentz, Parker Grow 2 Mary Greene 3 Blue Wood 4 Steffney Thompson, Lauren Gay 5 Trip Thompson III, Tillman Surratt, Leni Domenick 6 Jerry Sullivan, Mackinlee Slate 7 Will Hardman, Stephani Foss 8 William Rockwell 9 Leslie de Haseth, Kearne Dicer 10 Janie Bush, Scott Cook 11 Jud Doherty, Katherine Alexander 12 Sylvia Pannell, Ansley Connelly, Ndidiamake Lisa Uzoho 13 Beegee Elder, Charlie Greene 14 Tom McNeely 15 Beth Estes, Addy Rentz 16 Tess Murray 17 Ann Cabaniss, Roger Lange, Anoushka Alexander 18 Norm Wood, Lisa Pee, Graham Dodson 20 Patrick Cline, Charles Kahlstorf 21 Sharon Rockholt, Jeff Stortz 22 Sally Peters, Debra Lassiter, Allison Doherty, Emily Doherty 24 Sunil Alexander, Kathryn Brown 25 Jane Amos 25 Taylor White 26 Chinnamma Thomas, Terrie Seward, Michael Brewer 28 Catherine Cofer 31 Nathaniel Hudgens

9 9 EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH THRIFT HOUSE The retail space for our Thrift House is under construction! Our new facility at 540 Prince Avenue is going to delight our customers and be a beautiful place to minister to our community. It is important to remember our mission: The Emmanuel Episcopal Church Thrift House is a ministry that supports multiple service agencies in our community through the sales of good used clothing and other items. How can you become a part of this important service? There are two ways to help get this ministry off to a great re-start! One is by donating clothes and items for us to sell. The second is to sign up to serve as a volunteer. Donations: Please start going through your closets and cupboards. There may be items you no longer use that will be treasured by others. We will announce when we are accepting donations. Until then, please examine what you no longer use and put aside items to donate to the Thrift House. Volunteers: We need volunteers! If you are interested in giving three hours a month (or more, if you like) to this important and vital ministry, please contact Sue Holt (sholt721@gmail.com) or Debra Harden (debro48@bellsouth.net). The responsibilities of volunteers are to assist the store manager by: Greeting and helping customers. Circulating and keeping merchandise hung on racks and placed on shelves. Accepting donations, filling out donor tax forms, and sorting articles. Sizing, tagging, and hanging clothes accessories in appropriate areas. Bagging items not appropriate for the Thrift House for donation to other organizations or trash collection. Emmanuel Day School News Registration for the School Year Inspiring young children to form a lifelong love of learning Our small class size and low student teacher ratio mean individualized attention for your child. Our 3 ½ -hour day includes lunch and 45 minutes of outside play on one of our two playgrounds. Tuition includes a weekly music and yoga class. We follow the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Save the date to join us for our Open House on Thursday January 15 th at 10:00 a.m. or schedule a private tour by ing dayschool@emmanuelathens.org. For more information, visit our page on the church website or LIKE us on Facebook at fb.com/emmanuelepiscopaldayschool. Registration for the school year will begin on January 26 th for members of Emmanuel Church. Amy Wraga, Director

10 News from the narthex January 2015 Baptisms William Judson Doherty child of Judson Philip and Sarah Jane Doherty Kathryn Alysse Brown child of David Vandiver and Kathryn Ann Thomas Brown Isabel Noel Marks child of Daniel Robert and Melissa Mackenzie Marks Transitions to Emmanuel LaVerne Marshall from Trinity Episcopal Church West Virginia Gregory and Margaret McIntyre from St. Anthony s Episcopal Church Winder Georgia Gary and Sharon Davis from St. Matthias Episcopal Church Toccoa Georgia The Vestry Shooter Roberts, Senior Warden Sarah Ehlers Phil Bettendorf Brian Freese Clara Herrin Weyman Johnson Roger Lange Naomi Norman Crysty Odom Brooke Stortz Diane Wahlers Erik Wells Emmanuel episcopal church 498 Prince Avenue Athens, GA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATHENS, GA PERMIT NO. 231