Emmanuel welcomed the Reverend Dr. Theodore Johnson as preacher and celebrant at this morning's service of the Holy Eucharist. Dr. Johnson, who currently resides in Basye, Virginia, has devoted much of his ministry to congregational development.
Prior to the morning service, Dr. Johnson led the Adult Bible Class in a discussion of the context and manner in which Jesus acquired his first disciples as told in the Gospel of John (1:29-42).
Dr. Johnson's homily expanded on the dual notions of time used by the Greeks (the language of the New Testament): chronos - time as measured by the clock, and kairos or cosmic time, those moments when God speaks to us and time seems to stand still. John the Baptizer's calling out Jesus to his (John's) disciples - "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" - in verse 36 appears to have been one of those kairos moments. Andrew and the other disciple immediately took up with Jesus as the one whom they should follow.
Following the service of Holy Eucharist, parishioners and friends gathered for refreshments in the Parish Hall to visit with Dr. Johnson as well as friends and neighbors. Thanks to the Vestry for arranging Dr. Johnson's visit and Alice Coles for coordinating the bountiful refreshments.
Dr. Johnson engages Langhorne Jones and Garrie Thompson in conversation.
(Photos by Rosemary Nichols)