Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Front Porch Ministry for Pentecost

Bishop Hollerith's Christmas Reflection 2017

Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of making a Sunday visitation to St. Paul's Church in Newport News. For those who have never visited the church building, St. Paul's is situated in the remains of what once was a grand downtown neighborhood in the center of the city.

 

All that remains in that neighborhood now are municipal government buildings, a few businesses, structures belonging to the Newport News shipyard, and bits and pieces of low income housing. There is no longer any true neighborhood there like most of our parishes enjoy. In a real sense, St. Paul's is a parish in an urban wasteland.  

 

And yet, the membership of St. Paul's is very clear about their parish's role in the community - why they are there and what they believe God is calling them to do. While a portion of the congregation is made up of dedicated people who live in more desirable parts of town, the largest portion is comprised of people who are homeless, or very near homeless.

 

During my visit I was asked to lead a bible study and hold a general discussion with the community. Most who gathered for the conversation had come both to talk and to receive the free breakfast served after the class. For some the meal would be their only meal of the day - possibly the best of the week.

Presiding Bishop Curry's Christmas Message 2017

Have a blessed Christmas, a wonderful New Year,
and go out and make music in the heart of the world.

Southern Virginia's 125th Annual Council convened February 10-11 at the Williamsburg Lodge

Download the Diocesan Connection for January-March 2017

Confirmation Candidates Commit to a Holy Lent

Candidates for Confirmation and their Sponsors at Emmanuel on Sunday, February 26th.  Emily and Anne commit to a Holy Lent of devotion, study, and good works, in preparation for their Confirmation on the Second Sunday of Easter. They have already taken most of their classes, an invitation to life-long Christian formation.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas Message

News from The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message "This child came to show us how to change the world," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2016. "So this Christmas, make room for Him to change us. This Christmas help us change the world." Click here to watch Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message. Click here to read his message (available in English and Spanish).

Stewardship Renewal Begins at Emmanuel

During this time each year, Emmanuel asks all parishioners to renew their commitments of time, talents, and money to the work of the parish and the larger church.

Jayne dePaulo, Senior Warden 2016, in her letter to the parish reflects on all of the changes and accomplishments which have occurred during 2016 and how the events of this year position us to grow and move forward together in service and love to God, our communities, and each other.

    Read Jayne’s letter to the parish.

As we contemplate our stewardship commitments for the coming year, the Reverend Dr. Regina Christianson, offers some thoughts about what it means to be Christians:

“Stewardship is what we, as Christians, do…. As parishioners, we are called to invest time, treasure, and talent. Faithful stewards of God’s bounty, we are called to prayerfully consider how best each one of us can support this particular parish, this particular congregation, this particular mission of God.”

    Read Dr. Christianson’s letter to the parish.

Finally, attached is a draft of parish goals and committees for the coming year. Please read, think, make recommendations, make comments, and respond to the vestry accordingly.

    Read the draft Emmanuel Goals and Committees.

Please join us at Emmanuel on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, followed by Coffee Hour, and meet our new priest, the Reverend Dr. Regina Christianson.

Bishop Hollerith’s Christmas Message 2015

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Episcopal Relief & Development - Healing a hurting world

Honoring Jim Mathieson on September 23rd

Please join us at our service of Holy Eucharist at 11 am and Parish Luncheon following the service on Sunday, September 23 as we honor the service of The Reverend James W. Mathieson through Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

The luncheon will include Prime Rib by Tred Hunt along with all the toppings and trimmings.

Jim has been our supply priest and spiritual advisor over the last two plus years as we searched for and called a new rector. Beginning with his service as our rector early in his ministerial career, Jim has been associated, formally or informally, with Emmanuel for about forty-five years.

Jim’s last service at Emmanuel will be September 30^th as we welcome our new rector on Sunday, October 7th.

New Wine: A New Vision & Mission for the Diocese of Southern Virginia

"Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." - Matthew 9:17 The parishes of Southern Virginia are a diverse group-urban and rural, small and large, contemporary and traditional. Together we are the Diocese of Southern Virginia. We are enriched, and at times challenged, by our differences. Yet we share a common mission and each of us brings particular, vital gifts to that mission. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace and our diocese hasn't been immune to that change. It's time to take a look at our mission, to listen and talk about who we are and what we are called to do and to be.   The first step in this process is listening to the members of our congregations. Six regional meetings will be held. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. The information gathered at the meetings will be reported back once all the meetings are complete and will be the material from which our new mission will be developed. Come, listen and be heard. In order that host churches may plan appropriately, please register to attend by clicking on the meeting of your choice.  March 12, 2011 Emmanuel, Virginia Beach - 9 a.m. to noon Holy Trinity, Onancock - 1 to 4 p.m. March 19, 2011 St. Christopher's, Portsmouth - 9 a.m. to noon St. Stephen's, Newport News - 1 to 4 p.m. April 9, 2011 St. John's, Chester - 9 a.m. to noon Trinity, South Boston - 1 to 4 p.m.