february 2016 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 BLESSING FROM GOD It s a joy to be with you in News from the Narthex. I presume that all of your New Year s resolutions have helped you to begin this part of your journey healthier and in a good frame of mind. Isn t it interesting that we get all caught up in New Year s resolutions because we have had the ability to look back and see how we have lived the past year and we want to do something different? I ll exercise more, eat less, spend less, etc Next Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent begins. It s an opportunity for us to look back on our spiritual lives and see if there might be some spiritual resolutions we might wish to make. I m going to sin less and pray more. I m going to give up this or that so the money I save can benefit the poor. I am going to try to identify with those who are minority. All of that is well and good and important. We should keep in the front of our minds that the church arrives at Easter the most sacred Feast of the Year, by way of a Fast. Also keep in mind that the implications of a Fast are not meant to deny the good and the joy derived from the many blessings we have received and enjoy in our lives, but rather to simply remind us that they are gifts. Above all else a Fast is intended to nurture a sense of gratitude to the giver of the gift and to encourage us to share our gifts with those in need. Please watch our communications to be aware of the different Lenten programs available for you. The Vestry had a very good retreat this year. It did not unfold as we had planned. There is little that we can control in our lives, least of all Mother Nature. So we stayed in town and had wonderful conversations about where we have been as a church, where we are today and where we would like to go. All of the members are enthused, happy and eager to serve. There will be much going on this year and they are equipped for the task of moving us forward and helping in our spiritual growth. Over the next number of weeks you will be reading or hearing any number of status reports on our Phase II Preservation and Renewal Project. I feel humbled and thankful in the response thus far of almost 70% of our Pledging Members in good standing for the project. Parish Leadership is grateful for your trust in us. For me it is a sacred trust. I am grateful for Naomi Norman and Roger Lange for saying yes to serve as Emmanuel s Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. Both of them are dedicated and loving servants. Please continue to pray for our life together in community. In the end that is what really matters. Jesus didn t come to build buildings but to build up people into his image and likeness so that we might be Christ s hands and feet and head and voice in (continued on page 2)
News from the narthex (continued from page 1) the world in which we live and minister. As Lent begins may each of us come to know more deeply how to do that. In his peace, Robert + Emmanuel Episcopal Church Served by the People of God in the name of Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta And the Vestry Phil Bettendorf Ellen Cown Bill Fox Brian Freese Weyman Johnson Roger Lange, Junior Warden Naomi Norman, Senior Warden Crysty Odom Terrie Seward Brooke Stortz Diane Wahlers and supported by the Staff: Georgia Collier Melissa Fulcher Karen Holland Sam Polk Denise Thomas and assisted by the Clergy Fr. Robert Salamone, Rector Fr. Christopher Cole, Assistant Rector 498 Prince Avenue Athens GA 30601 706-543-1294 Elder Connection Book Study invitation The Elder Connection Committee invites you to a book review/coffee time for fellowship on Thursday morning, February 18, at 10:30 in the library. Dr. Blue Wood will be discussing Margaret Guenther s book, Toward Holy Ground, which you can purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or borrow from the library. Whether or not you read the book, come to the gathering and enjoy Blue s insightful remarks. Transitions To Emmanuel Baxley and Jeremy Williams Clinton and Holly Allen John and Amber Hawkins, from St. Augustine of Canterbury Oklahoma City, OK Fred Hallman, from St. Matthew s Episcopal, Houma, AL Jim and Carole Spencer, from St. Andrews, Hartwell GA Lee and Lucy Atkinson, Charles and Mary, from Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA From Emmanuel Nell Burger, to All Saints Church, Worcester, MA Baptisms Declan Kent Hawkins, child of John Matthew and Amber Kent Hawkins Beau Crane Williams, child of Jeremy Crane and Baxley Robinson Dolphus Williams Banner Clinton Allen, child of Clinton Alexander and Holly Elsele Allen Nash Butler Norris child of Byron Kit and Amy Sandefur Norris Mary Louise Atkinson child of Lee Shafter and Lucy Rankin Atkinson www.emmaneulathens.org
News from the narthex February Birthdays 1 Chandler Shields, Courtland Alexander 2 Mark Wheeler 3 Brian Freese, Taylor Crump, Jack Byrne 4 John Byrne 5 Gary Shattuck, Mike Garland, Kelly Grow, Lucy Niolon 6 Bobby Gibson, Carole Spencer, Andy Zenere, Maggie Sligh 8 Walter Jarrett, Anne Williams 9 Sharon Davis, Nancy McDuff, Mimsie Roberts 10 Janet Robertson, Matt McCaskey, Molly Lloyd, James Thomas Simmons V 11 Barbara Maddox 12 Betsy Ferguson, Agnes Parker, Bob Leventry, Debora Permar, David Brown, Mary Morgan Collier 13 William Jones, Tommie Elaine Shattuck 14 Jean Hunnicutt 15 Ellen Cowne 16 Judy Jay Masters, Nash Norris 19 Antonio Zenere, Tom McDonald, Leslie Dailey, Frances Thrasher, Grace Gree 20 Dodd Ferrelle 22 Jean Jordan, LaVerne Marshall, Todd Baker, Betsy Respess, Gary Davis, Stephen Tonge 23 Katherine Buckner, Tiffany Greene, Harper Cline 25 Aung Myo Min 26 Georgia Collier, Chris Cole 27 Clara Herrin, Elise White, Joseph Tonge 28 Ralph Stephens, Laura Simmons, Alex Greene, Joseph Becker 29 Vince Masters HAPPENING Friday, Feb. 19 - Sunday, Feb. 21. This is the Diocesan Retreat for High Schoolers. Students hear talks on a variety of subjects that are relevant to their lives in 21st century America. The weekend is full of singing, fellowship, surprises, fun and friendship and is designed so that individuals are given opportunities to discover more about Christ, themselves, their families and their world. The cost for the weekend is $100. See Fr. Chris for more information by Sunday, February 7.
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 5 6 10:00 Bible Study, 10:00 Natural N7:15 Choir 6:30: Stephen Coventry 7:30 Al-Anon, old Rehearsal Ministry, old Hosting IHN Noon: Natural 4:00: EFM, Noon: Natural 1:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry, old 4:00: EFM, Noon Natural 4:00: EFM, 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Hosting IHN Hosting IHN Hosting IHN Hosting IHN Hosting IHN 10:00 Bible Study, 10:00 Natural NAsh Wednesday 4:45 Daughters of Coventry the King 5:30: THE GREAT PANCAKE 7:30 Al-Anon, old Services with imposition of ashes at 7:30 am, noon & 5:30 pm 7:15 Choir Rehearsal Hosting IHN 6:30: Stephen Ministry, old 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Office closed 10:00 Natural N7:15 Choir for President s Rehearsal Day 10:30 Elder 7:30 Al-Anon, old Connection Book Study, 11:00 Lanier Gardens service 6:30: Stephen Ministry, old 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10:00 Bible Study, Coventry 28 29 9:30 Newcomers 10:00 Bible Study, Coffee, Narthex Coventry 2:30 Bigger Vision, Common Room 4:00 EFM, 10:00 Natural 7:30 Al-Anon, old 7 :00 Vestry Meeting 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry (Old Music Suite) 4:45 Daughters of the King
News from the narthex February 2016 Vestry Covenant HOMELESS DAY CENTER LUNCHES Since 2014, Emmanuel has been providing 60 sack lunches twice a month to the homeless day center. If any of you are looking for a way to get more involved with the church s ministries to our community s homeless, our sack lunch program is a great opportunity. Please join us after the 10:30 service every first and third Sunday in the kitchen. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Ehlers at sehlers@uga.edu. BIGGER VISION WINTER SHELTER Emmanuel volunteers prepare and serve meals to 40 shelter guests. Sunday dates are: February 28; March 6. Contact Merry Stovall for more information at 706.546.9033. INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK Emmanuel will host Interfaith Hospitality Network February 7th through 14th. To volunteer, contact Weyman Johnson. We, the Vestry of Emmanuel Church, promise to honor God by nurturing the spirit and ministering to God s people. We will support everyone s gifts for service and leadership make possible y God s grace. Ministry to the poor will be at the center of all we do. We promise to welcome with Christian hospitality all persons and to offer opportunities to all to grow in faith. We will strengthen ourselves through faithfulness in worship, daily prayer, and stewardship of our time, talents and treasure. We will foster love and joy in God s service. Emmanuel episcopal church 498 Prince Avenue Athens, GA 30606 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATHENS, GA PERMIT NO. 231