Emmanuel Episcopal Church

The Pruden Parish Press for November 2009 Is Now Online

The November 2009 issue of The Pruden Parish Press, a periodic newsletter containing news and information for parishioners and friends of Emmanuel, is being published this week. The current issue includes:

• Emmanuel Celebrates a Blessing of Animals,

• G2R studying The Great Emergence,

• Vestry Notes from the Senior Warden,

• Outreach Continues at Oak Grove,

• Calendar of Parish events for Nov. 2009 - Jan. 2010,

• Blessing of Animals in Photos,

• Keeping Our Souls Afloat by Dr. Smith, and

• Emmanuel's Treasures.

Click here to read the November issue online.

Earlier issues may be viewed at The Pruden Parish Press.

To receive future issues by mail, please call or email the Parish Office.

The Pruden Parish Press for September 2009 Is Now Online

The September 2009 issue of The Pruden Parish Press, a periodic newsletter containing news and information for parishioners and friends of Emmanuel, is being published this week. The current issue includes:

• Dr. Smith Ordained Priest,

• Morgan DePaulo to attend Mary Washington,

• Vestry Notes from the Senior Warden,

• Oak Grove Residents Enjoy Music,

• Calendar of Parish events for Sept. through Nov. 2009,

• Supporting the Women of Emmanuel,

• Dr. Smith's Ordination in Photos,

• Yes, I fell different by Dr. Smith, and

• Emmanuel's Treasures.

Click here to read the September issue online.

Earlier issues may be viewed at The Pruden Parish Press.

To receive future issues by mail, please call or email the Parish Office.

Music Day at Oak Grove

Photos by Richard Camp and David Smith

As part of Emmanuel’s Outreach Program, Ron Irby and The Briar Ridge Ramblers are providing monthly entertainment for the residents at Oak Grove Residential Home. 

The first program was held on August 13th at 3:00 pm.  Betty Camp, Susan Paynter and Irma Irby served cookies and lemonade provided by the Women of Emmanuel. 

Beginning in September, Ron and his group will perform at Oak Grove on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm. 

Anyone who is interested in attending is welcome. If you would like to help with providing refreshments, please contact Ruth Jones.

Dr. David Smith Ordained Priest

By Alice Coles & Jeanne Reynolds

On June 2, 2009, The Right Reverend Herman Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia ordained Emmanuel's Vicar, Dr. David Hayes Smith, to the Sacred Order of Priests.

 

Bishop Hollerith presents Dr. Smith with his Ordination certificate at the
Reception following the Ordination Service.

Bishop Hollerith IV was assisted by The Right Reverend A. Heath Light, Bishop of Southwestern Virginia, retired. Visiting clergy from Danville, Suffolk, Norfolk and Roanoke dressed in their red stoles added to the ceremony of the occasion. The Reverend Samuel Colley-Toothaker, Priest at Epiphany Danville, preached the sermon.

Emmanuel's Choir was assisted in leading the hymns and singing the anthems by Epiphany's large choir.

Litanists for the service were The Reverend Susan Grimm and The Reverend Gary Butterworth. John Geyer and Alice Cromer read special prayers. Gospeller and Deacon of the Table was The Reverend William Jones who has served on numerous occasions at Emmanuel as Deacon.

Three of Emmanuel's young parishioners participated in the service: Morgan DePaulo as crucifer, Johnny Hunt as Banner Bearer and Seth Hunt as Gospel Book Bearer. Lay Presenters for Dr. Smith were Dr. Gary Fountain, Morgan DePaulo, Lila Nelson, Richard Camp, Irene Fry, Virginia Adkins and Charles Adkins.

Clergy Presenters included The Reverend Canon Win Lewis and The Reverend Canon Fred Poteet.

The Very Reverend Cleon Ross served as the Minister of the Ceremony.

 

Emmanuel Senior Warden Richard Camp congratulates Dr. Smith on his ordination and presents him with a gift from the Parish as parishioner Jeannette Parramore looks on.

******

Following the service a wonderful reception coordinated by Mary Catherine Plaster was held in the Parish Hall. The Church and Parish Hall were resplendent with flower arrangements, ferns and palms.

During his remarks at the Reception, Dr. Smith thanked the Vestry, the members of the Parish, Bishop Hollerith, and all of the priests and deacons in the Diocese for their unfailing support and assistance during his ordination journey over the past eighteen months.

(There are many more photos in the Photo Gallery.)

Schola Cantorum Performs at Emmanuel

Chatham's Schola Cantorum, under the direction of Kevin Zakresky, performed  Passio Domni nostri Jesu Christi secundum Matthaeum (The Passion According to St. Matthew) during today's service of the Holy Eucharist at Emmanuel Church.

Performing today were Kate Burns, Grace Fulop, Wayne Millan, Rosemary Nichols, David Smith, and Kevin Zakresky.

Chatham Schola Cantorum is a medieval singing group specializing in Gregorian Chant. The group focuses on various styles and forms of Latin chant in the Middle Ages through  the beginning of the Renaissance.

Kevin Zakresky is the Music Program Director at Chatham Hall.

Lessons from South Africa

Upon our return from the recent Chatham Hall service trip to South Africa, someone asked me if I would ever go back.  My answer was swift and certain - Yes, yes and more yes! 

The people on the African continent are joyful, remarkably optimistic, and spiritually vital despite the political, economic, military and cultural uncertainty that seems to be everywhere.

Continue reading at Daily Musings ...

Easter at Emmanuel

Easter services at Emmanuel. The Sunday School Class for Young Children prepares and delivers Easter baskets to the residents of Oak Grove.

Photos by Rosemary Nichols

He Is Risen!

The Chatham Concert Series Continues with "There's Always Room for Cello"

The Chatham Concert Series continued at Emmanuel on February 22 with “There’s Always Room for Cello,” a cello and vocal performance by husband and wife Ben and Ariana Wyatt.

Cellist Benjamin Wyatt has enjoyed an active career as a freelance musician in Los Angeles and New York, and has performed extensively abroad as well as at home. Soprano

Ariana Wyatt is a recent graduate of the Juilliard Opera Center and performed with several opera companies during the 2007-2008 season.

The performance  opened with Ratner’s 3 Songs for Soprano, Cello and Piano, with Kevin Zakresky at the piano and continued with Bach’s Suite in G Major, BWV 1007; Depuis le jour (Charpentier); Quando men vo (Puccini); The Swan ( Saint-Saens); and Capricco (Foss). The Programme concluded with Verdi’s  Ah, fors’e lui from La Traviata.  About 70 people attended the performance.

Click here to learn more about the Chatham Concert Series.

Bishop Hollerith proclaims diocese has 'come a very long way'

[Episcopal News Service] A day after his consecration on February 13 as tenth bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia,  Bishop Herman "Holly" Hollerith IV, 53, addressed the diocesan Annual Council. "We have come a very long way in Southern Virginia. Not all wounds are healed. Not all of our brokenness is mended. Not all of our fears have been relieved. But, by the grace of God, we are blessed with some light at the end of this tunnel," he said.

Read the article

The Rev. Herman Hollerith Consecrated Tenth Bishop of Southern Virginia

The Right Rev. Herman Hollerith IV smiles with his wife, Elizabeth Salmons, as other bishops applaud him Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, following his consecration at William and Mary Hall on the College of William and Mary campus in Williamsburg. Hollerith is the tenth bishop for the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Hollerith was ordained to the priesthood in 1983 and was elected bishop on Sept. 27, 2008.  (Courtesy www.wtkr.com)

Dinner Clubs Host Winter Cocktail Party

Approximately 40 parishioners and friends attended  a parish-wide Dinner Clubs' Winter Cocktail Party on Saturday, January 31^st  at Eldon co-hosted by Mary Hicks Heitzler and Alice and Wayne Wilson. 

Enjoying the fellowship are: Pete, Susan, Joe & Mary Hicks.

Emmanuel’s Dinner Clubs Program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship.

New groups are forming for the coming season, and several events are currently being planned. Please call Mary Hicks Heitzler for more information.

Emmanuel Installs Vestry for 2009

New members of the Vestry of Emmanuel for 2009, Jayne DePaulo and Ron Irby, were formally installed by the Rev. Dr. David Smith, Vicar, on Sunday, January 18th. As part of their installation, vestry members pledged to "faithfully and reverently execute the duties of [their] ministry to the honor of God, and the benefit of the members of [the] congregation."

Front row:  Jayne DePaulo, Linda Swanberg, Mary Hicks Heitzler, and Sharon Taylor (Registrar)

Second Row: John Geyer (Treasurer), Ron Irby, and Richard Camp (Senior Warden).

The Vestry is the lay governing body of the parish responsible for the financial and administrative business of the parish.

Chatham Concert Series Opens with High Strung

Pictured (left to right): Kevin Matheson, Rebecca Oh, Brian Matheson, Kevin Zakresky

The Chatham Concert Series opened its first season on January 16^th at Emmanuel with High Strung featuring The Classic Strings Duo Kevin Matheson, Violin, and Brian Matheson, Viola.

Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance debut, and as winners of the Ibla International Competition in Italy, Kevin and Bryan Matheson performed works by Milhaud, Beethoven, Schickele, Ryden, Handel and Sibelius, closing with Mozart’s Trio for Violin, Viola and Piano in E-flat Major K. 498 “Kegelstatt,” with Kevin Zakresky at the piano.

Rebecca Oh, a promising young musician from Korea and a freshman at Chatham Hall, opened the second half of the Programme with Bach’s Concerto for Violin in A Minor.

Approximately 75 people attended this evening's performance.

******

Please join us on Sunday, February 22^nd beginning at 8 pm here at Emmanuel for the second performance in the Chatham Concert Series, There’s Always Room for Cello, featuring Ben Wyatt, cello, and Ariana Wyatt, soprano. Admission is by donation.

Click here to view this evening’s Programme.

Click here to learn more about the Chatham Concert Series.

Happy New Year!

Parishioners and friends gathered at the DePaulos' house New Year's Eve to say good bye to the old year and welcome the New Year. The food and fellowship were both excellent and plentiful!

O Holy Night!

Emmanuel's Annual Picnic Enjoyed by All

Emmanuel parishioners and friends enjoyed the Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, October 12th following the 11 am service of Holy Eucharist. The food was plentiful and the weather inviting until the yellow jackets came calling!

Parish Workday a Huge Success!

As a group of energetic parishioners weeded, pruned, raked, planted, and mulched, another few folks repaired downspouts and gutters on Emmanuel’s property on a workday held on October the 11th. 

After a morning of vigorous exercise and after being served a wonderful lunch by Jane and Morgan DePaulo, the work was completed as planned and all pronounced the Churchyard fit for the annual picnic the next day. 

Previously to the planned day, Richard Camp and Tred Hunt reseeded the grass around the Church.

The Rev. Herman "Holly" Hollerith, IV Elected 10th Bishop of Southern Virginia

The Rev. Herman "Holly" Hollerith, IV, Rector of  Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, has been elected the Tenth Bishop of Southern Virginia. He was elected on the sixth ballot from among six candidates presented at a Special Meeting of Diocesan Council called for the purpose on September 27th.

The Rev. Hollerith received his BS degree from Denison University and his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. Ordained to the priesthood in 1983, the Rev. Hollerith previously served as Rector of Prince George Winyah in Georgetown, South Carolina; Associate Rector at  St. John’s in Lynchburg; Priest in Charge of Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke;  and Assistant to the Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke.

The Rev. Hollerith will be consecrated the 10th Bishop of Southern Virginia on February 13, 2009 at 7 pm at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Dinner Clubs Enjoy Danville’s Lawson-Overby Inn

A dozen Emmanuel parishioners and friends enjoyed the dining room of the Lawson-Overby Inn Bed and Breakfast on Main Street in Danville last Friday evening. The beautiful, opulent home offered a wonderful atmosphere for some great food. And dinner was capped with a tour of this spectacular house.

A Field Trip to the Molasses Grill

The Molasses Grill in Halifax, Virginia was the scene of the Dinner Clubs’ mid-summer outing on Saturday evening July 12th.

Some seventeen Emmanuel parishioners and friends enjoyed the Grill’s fine “Southern Inspired Cuisine” including a variety of seafood and fine steaks followed by the Grill’s delectable desserts.

The Briar Ridge Ramblers Headline Dinner Clubs’ Spring Potluck Supper

Several dozen parishioners and friends of Emmanuel celebrated the conclusion of the Winter Season Dinner Clubs and the launch of the Summer Season during a Potluck Supper on Saturday March 10.

Emmanuel's own Ron Irby and the Briar Ridge Ramblers provided special entertainment with their renditions of numerous Blue Grass/country music favorites.

Photos by Rosemary Nichols

The Dinner Clubs program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening is at the discretion of that night’s host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

If you would like to join a dinner club for the coming season, please email the Parish Office for more details, or contact Mary Hicks Heitzler.

Dozens Feast on Sumptuous Bar-B-Que on the Lawn

Photo by Rosemary Nichols

Emmanuel’s annual Bar-B-Que on the Lawn fundraiser drew a steady stream of bar-b-que fans for a delightful spring afternoon meal on Emmanuel’s side lawn on Friday, May 2^nd. Once again, Tred Hunt cooked up a heck-a-va meal – excellent fresh cooked pork bar-b-que with all the fixings!

Our thanks to all of Emmanuel’s vestry members and others who made this year’s event an outstanding success!

Guest Celebrant

Our celebrant for this morning's Holy Eucharist is the Rev. Canon Win Lewis. As the diocesan Canon to the Ordinary, Father Lewis is the chief pastoral assistant to Bishop Buchanan, Interim Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Dinner Clubs' Spring Potluck Supper - May 10

Join us for the Dinner Clubs’ Spring Potluck Supper on Saturday, May 10 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall as we celebrate the conclusion of the Winter Season and organize for the Summer Season. Bring a dish to pass. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. All parishioners and friends of Emmanuel are welcome!

******

Special Treat

Emmanuel's own Ron Irby and the Briar Ridge Ramblers will entertain us with Blue Grass Music.

******

The Dinner Clubs have been very active over the Winter Season in a variety of settings including dinner and cocktail parties and restaurant events.

A Dinner Club meeting at the Hairstons.

The Dinner Clubs program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening is at the discretion of that night’s host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

If you would like to join a dinner club for the coming season, please email the Parish Office for more details, or contact Mary Hicks Heitzler.

Resurrection Window Returns to Emmanuel

Photos courtesy of Richard Camp

The window was restored over the last year by Gill Somers, owner of Somers Studios in Scottsville, Virginia.  Mr. Somers, an ornamental and stained glass specialist for over 60 years, has performed work for some of the largest cathedrals in the country.

Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

Happy Easter to the Children!

   

Spring Clean up Beautifies Emmanuel's Grounds

More than a dozen Emmanuel parishioners joined together on Saturday for a day of fellowship and yard work at Emmanuel's annual outdoor spring clean up. With rakes, shovels, wheel barrows and pruners, the debris of winter was hauled away, flowers planted, and new mulch installed. Those working were treated to a hot lunch in the Parish Hall during the lunch break.

The grounds were beautiful for Palm Sunday. Our thanks go to all who participated with special thanks to Jeanne Reynolds, Junior Warden, for organizing this year's event.

Dinner Clubs Enjoy the Yancey House Restaurant

Nearly two dozen parishioners and friends from two Dinner Clubs (Linda Swanberg's and Alice Wilson's) enjoyed an evening of fellowship and excellent food at the Yancey House Restaurant and Gallery in Yanceyville, North Carolina on February 22nd.

The Yancey House was originally the home of Bartlett Yancey, one of Caswell County’s most noted citizens. The house was built in three stages over the course of the nineteenth century using three different styles (Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian) .

Vestry Hosts Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Click here for more pictures.

Members of the Emmanuel Vestry hosted over 50 parishioners and friends in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening, February 5th,  for the traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. In addition to some great pancakes, the menu included fried ham and stewed apples along with an assortment of beverages.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, the forty-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter. Traditionally, pancakes and donuts were an efficient way of using up rich ingredients such as eggs, milk, and sugar before Lent when only the plainest foodstuffs would be eaten.

Emmanuel Attends 116th Annual Diocesan Council Meeting in Williamsburg

The 116th Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Council for the Diocese of Southern Virginia was held in Williamsburg on February 1st through the 3rd. Emmanuel's representative to Council was Janet Turner and Richard Camp was the alternate. Dr. David Smith, Pastoral Vicar, also attended the Council meeting and reports that,

"The mood of the gathering was upbeat and hopeful. I was most impressed with the dignity and efficiency with which business was dispatched.  It was a great opportunity to meet people, make new friends, and get word on the ecclesiastical street that all is well at Emmanuel in Chatham."

Attending the Council Meeting from Emmanuel were (Left to right):
Janet Turner, Richard Camp, Jeanne Reynolds, and Betty Camp.

Left to right: Dr. and Mrs. Smith with Bishop and Mrs. Buchanan
at the gathering before the Annual Dinner.
(Courtesy of Carlyle Gravely of The Jamestown Cross)

Click here for more photos.

Click here to read Interim Bishop John Buchanan's Address to the 2008 Annual Council Meeting.

A full report on this year’s Council Meeting will be published in the March issue of The Pruden Parish Press.

The Diocesan Council, composed of all Episcopal clergy resident in the Diocese as well as various Diocesan officers and lay representatives from each parish, is the principal policy making body for the Diocese.

Emmanuel Installs Vestry for 2008

The Vestry of Emmanuel for 2008 was formally installed by pastoral vicar, Dr. David Smith, during the Service of Morning Prayer on Sunday, January 20th. As part of their installation, vestry members pledged to "faithfully and reverently execute the duties of [their] ministry to the honor of God, and the benefit of the members of [the] congregation."

Front row: Mary Hicks Heitzler, Linda Swanberg, Sharon Taylor (Registrar), and Jeanne Reynolds (Junior Warden). Second Row: Dr. Smith, John Geyer (Treasurer), Tred Hunt, and Richard Camp (Senior Warden).

The Vestry is the lay governing body of the parish responsible for the financial and administrative business of the parish.

Women of Emmanuel Host Cookie Exchange

The Women of Emmanuel hosted a Cookie Exchange in the Parish Hall on Saturday, December 1st. Participants baked their favorite confectionery to share with other parishioners with each taking home an assortment of the delicious goodies!

Some of the Cookie Exchange participants.

Emmanuel Featured in Churches of Chatham

Emmanuel is one of twelve churches featured in this year's  Churches of Chatham 2008 calendar, a project of Chatham First, Inc. Including the cover photos, twenty-one area churches are represented.

Calendars are available at various local businesses or by calling Betty Camp, Chairman of the Calendar Development Committee, or Langhorne Jones. All proceeds from calendar sales will benefit the lighting project at the Frances Hallam Hurt Town Park.

Chatham First is a non-profit organization of volunteers who work to improve the quality of life in the community.

2007 Congregational Meeting Held December 9th

Emmanuel held its 2007 Congregational Meeting and Luncheon following the 11 am Service on Sunday, December 9th. After a delightful lunch, parishioners:

• Elected two new members of the Vestry for three-year terms beginning in January 2008:
  • Linda Swanberg and
  • Richard Camp

• Heard annual reports from:
  • Langhorne Jones, Senior Warden,
  • The Reverend John S. Ruef, and
  • John Geyer, Treasurer.

The Parish Luncheon

Dinner Groups Mark Milestone at PotLuck Supper

More than two dozen parishioners and friends gathered in Emmanuel's Parish Hall on Saturday evening October 20th for a pot luck supper to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first season of Emmanuel's Dinner Groups Program.

The summer season's four dinner groups (ably led by Betty Camp, Jane De Paulo, Mary Hicks Heitzler and Jane Ruef) brought some four dozen parishioners and friends together on multiple occasions and in a variety of social settings ranging from cocktail and dinner parties, to picnics and restaurant nights out.

The dinner groups program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening is at the discretion of that night's host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

If you would like to join a dinner group for the coming season, please email the Parish Office for more details, or call one of the group leaders.

Click Here for more photos.

Emmanuel Welcomed Bishop Buchanan on Sunday, September 9th

On Sunday, September 9th, Emmanuel welcomed The Right Reverend John C. Buchanan, Interim Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, as Celebrant and preacher at the 11:00 a.m. Service. Bishop Buchanan, a retired bishop of the Diocese of West Missouri, is serving in Southern Virginia at the invitation of the Standing Committee until a new diocesan bishop is chosen.

Approximately 50 parishioners and friends of Emmanuel visited with Bishop and Mrs. Buchanan at a covered-dish luncheon held in the Parish Hall following the 11:00 a.m. Service.

In his remarks following the luncheon, Bishop Buchanan noted that during the upcoming meeting of the House of Bishops to be held in New Orleans September 20 - 25, the Bishops will participate in a Work Day project as part of the Katrina recovery effort. Each Diocese has also been asked to contribute to a special offering in support of the Katrina recovery effort.

Read Read Bishop Buchanan's Address to the

115^th Annual Diocesan Council on February 10, 2007.

Dinner Groups Engage Parishioners and Friends

Emmanuel’s Dinner Groups program is off to a rousing start. Since the program’s launch in April, each of the groups has met at least once and two groups have held their second event. As expected, meeting formats have varied from dinners to a cocktail party to a porch picnic. Participants appear to be enjoying great fun and fellowship.

Some of the "revelers" at Mary Hicks Heitzler's recent cocktail party

The dinner group program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet in private homes on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening is at the discretion of that night's host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

If you would like to join a dinner group, please email the Parish Office for more details, or call one of the group leaders: Betty Camp, Jane De Paulo, Mary Hicks Heitzler, or Jane Ruef.

Emmanuel Inaugurates Dinner Groups Program

Some 30 parishioners and friends gathered Saturday evening, April 14th for a covered dish supper in the Parish Hall to launch Emmanuel’s Dinner Groups program.

Click here for more pictures from Saturday’s covered dish supper.

The program allows groups of 8 to 10 adults, singles and couples, to meet in private homes on a monthly rotating basis for an evening of potluck, fun and fellowship. Since the format of each evening will be at the discretion of that night's host / hostess, the venue could be a cookout, a buffet, just coffee and desserts, or an evening at a local restaurant.

Approximately 50 people have signed up to participate in the summer season dinner groups. Participants have been organized into four groups led by: Betty Camp, Jane DePaulo, Mary Hicks Heitzler, and Jane Ruef.

The dinner groups are meant to grow! If you would like to join a dinner group but did not sign up in advance or attend Saturday’s covered dish supper, please call one of the group leaders above to ask about joining a dinner group, or email the Parish office at emmanuelchatham@gmail.com.

And always feel free to invite new faces to join us!

Easter Morning - He is Risen!

Easter at Emmanuel in Pictures