To The Congregation of Emmanuel Church, our friends, & our neighbors,
First, may I say “Thank You”! Thank you for being there every Sunday, for your financial support, for your fiscal support, your encouragement to continue working toward unstated goals, and so much more. So many freely gave to the efforts of our little congregation. I will not try to list each and every item and person, for fear of leaving something or somebody out.
As we begin to plan for the coming year, we need to remember what got us to this point. As 2016 began, we didn’t have a priest, we just knew that we needed one. We didn’t even know if we wanted part time or full time. With the guidance of Cindy Barnes from our Diocese, we formed a committee, listened to suggestions, met with Chatham Hall, created a plan and with 3 people making a commitment of their personal time and with their counter parts from Chatham Hall, we called a Priest in Charge and Chatham Hall got a chaplain. Not only did we make the call, she has moved to Chatham and is in the process of settling into her home, and we have celebrated with a joint service and picnic with Chatham Hall.
As our organist moved to the Tidewater area in June, we were able to recruit the return of Kenyon Scott to serve as our Organist/Choir Director. We look to the future with anticipation, as the talents of Kenyon, our choir, Pastor Regina, Stephen, John Scott, unknown talents hiding in the pews, and the choral concert series fill our sanctuary with music and delight. I, personally, am convinced that this is one of our most valuable assets. I believe that our musical talents should be encouraged to grow and develop.
We’ve sent members to Vestry Training and Annual Conference. We met our Diocesan Pledge and participated in the Chatham Ministerial Association. Ash Wednesday service was held in our church, as was a portion of Historic Garden Week. We’re getting the newsletter and the website going (work in progress), all the while our members helped with the polishing of the brass, trimming around the flower beds, and buckets for recycling. We’re regluing pews and getting the plaster repaired. Last but not least, there is a new handicap ramp to the side of the building awaiting the railings to be added. I almost forgot the repair of blown circuits and the air conditioner. There remain items to be addressed, thus one purpose of this letter.
Please note, all through the above paragraphs, I have used the pronoun, “we.” As of now, “WE”, are standing in the front yard of 66 North Main and Church Lane. “WE”, have an opportunity to fill this building with our songs of praise, worship, outreach, and brotherhood. “WE”, can fill this building so full that it just pours over into the street and flows all around and “WE” can call ourselves the Christians that we signed up to be when we took our vows.
I’m just so excited. Sometimes, I just think I’ll burst! I am hoping that you feel the same way!
As you go thru this pledge packet, look at the “goal and committee” sheets. Think about what you would like to see happen in this congregation. Think about what you can do to make your dreams come true, how you can be heard, and how you can serve, and then sign. If we don’t get done this year, we can certainly start work this year. We forget sometimes, that what we put into a plan or project is directly proportional to what we get out of the project.
We, the congregation of Emmanuel Church, Chatham, VA, also have some defined financial responsibilities that go hand in hand with our goals. The Finance Committee can best explain these items with clarity and knowledge (note, these guys are another little gold star among us). Please consider how you can best serve in sharing with each other the accomplishment of these endeavors. In this day and age of awakening each morning, with unknown expectations of the coming hours, we know we can depend on our faith, the love of our Father in heaven and His grace thru our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for letting me express my thoughts,
Jayne dePaulo
Senior Warden, 2016