Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Small Church, Big Impact

The new issue of The Diocesan Connection bulletin insert highlights a small church making a big impact in their community. 

Good Samaritan Episcopal Chuch in Virginia Beach participates in Spring Community Day with other members of the Western Bayside Churches United. Approximately 2,500 people were fed and provided with non-perishable groceries. Other members include Heritage United Methodist and Enoch Baptist. Click here to read the article.

Phyllis Tickle to Lecture at Chatham Hall

Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, will lecture at Chatham Hall on Thursday, February 18th.

The following events are open to the public:

4:30-5:30 p.m. - round table Q&A (open to public) (Van Voorhis lecture hall)

5:30 -6:15 - Dinner (Open to Public) (lecture hall)

                         6:30-7:30 - address (open to public) (lecture hall)

Rooted in the observation that massive transitions in the church happen about every 500 years, Tickle shows readers that we live in such a time right now. She compares the Great Emergence to other “Greats” in the history of Christianity, including the Great Transformation (when God walked among us), the time of Gregory the Great, the Great Schism, and the Great Reformation.

Combining history, a look at the causes of social upheaval, and current events, The Great Emergence shows readers what the Great Emergence in church and culture is, how it came to be, and where it is going.

Focused outward, Falls Church parish re-groups

Lay ministry highlights continuing community's growth

By Mary Frances Schjonberg January 14, 2009 [Episcopal News Service] – excerpts:

Just more than two years after the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia parish of the Falls Church split in a theological dispute, the remaining Episcopalians…are learning that a church is more than a building.

"You definitely feel the Holy Spirit moving through the place," said Matt Rhodes, who joined the parish with his wife and two young daughters about six months [ago]…. "There was a tremendous sense of fellowship" and "this overwhelming sense of vitality."

Members of the parish, who now average about 80 in attendance on Sunday, have pledged $250,000 for mission and ministry this year, according to priest-in-charge, the Rev. Michael Pipkin. Ten percent of that budget will go to work with local outreach agencies….

…"the driving focus," as Rhodes called it, is on outreach and how the parishioners can serve the wider community of Falls Church, Virginia.

Read the complete article.

Bishop Hannington Memorial Church to Celebrate 70th Anniversary

Bishop Hannington Memorial Church, located in Hove, West Sussex, England will celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the laying of the church’s foundation stone on November 26^th. The festivities will include a special celebration event with lots of activities for families, along with a static display centered on the life of James Hannington.

Hove is located about ten miles from Hurstpierpoint where James Hannington lived. Members of Hannington’s family still live in the area.

Diocesan Contributions to Katrina Clean-up Offering Exceed $40,000

Parishioners of the Diocese of Southern Virginia have contributed over $40,000 (as of September 17th) to the House of Bishops Katrina Clean-up Fund, well in excess of the Diocesan goal of $10,000.

During their recent meeting in New Orleans, members of the House of Bishops also participated in a Work Day project as part of the Katrina recovery effort.