Current Emmanuel Messenger - Emmanuel Episcopal Church

The Emmanuel
Messenger
Incarnation
Advent—Epiphany 2014 -15
T h e E m m a nu e l
Messenger
A DV ENT -E PI P H ANY , 2 014 - 15
PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION
3 S. Randolph, San Angelo TX 76903
325.653.2446
www.emmanuel-sa.org
CLERGY
The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer,
V Bishop of Northwest Texas
806.863.1370
The Rev. Matthew Rowe, Rector
653.2446 x24 office
662.466.0709 cell [email protected]
The Rev. Jared Houze, Curate
653.2446 x 42 office [email protected]
The Rev. Bill Wright, Priest Associate
STAFF
Cindy Huteson, Office Manager
653.2446 x21
[email protected]
Landon Gilmore
653.2446 x44
[email protected]
Jane Hays Smith, Organist
Carly Allen, Choir Clerk & Program Assistant
Carolyn McKee, Bookkeeper
653.2446 x25
[email protected]
Javier Santos, Sexton
Beth Rowe, Sunday School Coordinator
April Guevara, Children’s Chapel Coordinator
Gloria Guevara, Nursery Coordinator
Chase Monson, Youth Ministry Intern
Anne Fish, Grace & Grub Coordinator
VESTRY
John Hemphill (Sr. Warden)
Ski Lisewski (Jr. Warden)
Shelly Neighbors (Clerk), Cora McGowan,
Anita Adkins, June Doggett, Daniel Makins,
Dusty McCoy, Dustin Lewis,
Gretchen Noelke (Treasurer),
Eldra Sanford, Rick Tinsley
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Members of Emmanuel: Jack Bleakley, Mary Manitzas, Kay Ellis,
Lillian Flowers, Jan Ulrich, Wayne Ulrich, Gail Camp, Shirley Gailey, Meg Vick, Betty Templeton, Pat Maier, M’Lu McDaniel, Sue
Paschich, Dora Hendricks, Christine Kitchens, Dub McDaniel,
June Doggett, Ron Bell, Phillip Templeton.
Friends & Extended Family: James Pullen, Cindy Shores, Donald
Mcleod, Otis Lyckman, Ricki Gochenauer, Doug Dunagan, Russell
Stelley, Penny Jones, Renee & Claire Socha, Cathy Hughes, Valerie
Chapman, Robert Nixon, Todd Paschich, Martha Elambert, Birl
Davis, Henry Archibald Lupo, John W. Doss, Sharon Farber, Carolyn Campsey, Ron Griffin, Pat Sabin, Kathy Robinson, Deborah
Horwood, Charlie Dipple, Moriah Miracle, Jamie Gallia, Jack Tatum, Sam Butler Family, Bob Tyler, Ken Evans, Hayes Mitchell,
Kenneth Leckie, Clay Hemphill, David Thompson, Joy Verron, Janet Reeves, Thomas Butler, Vera Guillen, Jamie Poteet, Gaylon
Tow, Tanya Fleming, Marcie Martin, Danny Knox, Scott Combest,
Sue Worthington, Ben Brown, Brodie Scala.
Our Seminarian: Claire Makins
Armed Forces: Shawn Bose, Jim Schatz, Melinda Hamer
Continuing Intercession: Brian Benedict, Chris Johnson, Christina
Haythorne, Marcy Hicks & Family, Angela Gray, Turner Doggett,
Buddy Ingram, Geri Denny, Aaron Nixon, Janet Harris, Glenda
Willingham, Daniel Luraschi, Calvin McArty, Charles Ludwick,
John Wernke, Charlie Campbell, Bonnie Kirby, Melissa, C. C. Veltman.
Please inform the parish office of any updates to the prayer list.
St . Francis’ Corner
Heidi, Mojo, Mia, Trooper,
Schnapps, Mulligan, Riley
O Lord, give us such love for thy creation,
that love may cast out fear,
and all thy creatures see in man
their priest and friend,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Francis of Assisi
On the Cover
Madonna & Child Sculpture
in the Lady Chapel of St. David’s Cathedral, Wales
taken by Matt Rowe while a pilgrim at the cathedral
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THE LADY CHAPEL
Some thoughts from our Rector, Matt Rowe
I had to wait a little while to get a few photos in the Lady
Chapel at St. David’s Cathedral. A lady was seated in one
of the chapel chairs, and it was apparent to me that she
was making the most of the time, practicing the presence of
God. So, I took a chair toward the back of the chapel. My
eyes were drawn to this sculpture of our Lady holding in
her arms our Lord and Savior as a resting young child. I
wondered if the strains of her Magnificat were again welling
up inside of her as she cradled the Word made Flesh.
The Word made Flesh is the principal theme of this part
of the Church Year. It starts with Advent preparations to
welcome the yearly celebration of the wondrous birth at
Bethlehem. Then comes the 12 Days of Christmastide, a
Sculpture of Madonna & Child,
St. David’s Cathedral, Wales joyous celebration of that birth, crowned by the visit of giftbearing Magi from the East, who follow a star to find the child
whose arrival is worthy of offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wonder of the
Word made Flesh, the Incarnation, continues until the February 2 observance of the
Presentation of the Child at the Temple, or Candlemas.
It is, after all, an event to celebrate. God took on human flesh, human life, human
nature, in order that we might be redeemed and come to share in the Divine Being, Divine
Life, Divine Nature. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Savior. . .” May our souls be stirred to proclaim anew the Lord’s
greatness and our spirits rejoice always in God our Savior.
Blessings to All,
Matt
[email protected]

Rick & Mary Tinsley, Cindy Huteson,
Kenny & Lori Hollingsworth, Shelly Neighbors,
Judy Beth Lisewsky, Jess Stanford,
& John Hemphill
GIFTS TO THE PARISH
Hunter Garden Fund
in memory of Glenn Doggett & Ken Gunter
by Dorothy Stewart
With gratitude for the generosity of these
and all the benefactors of
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
For a Successful 2014 Diocesan Convention
by Eva Horton,
in honor of
Claudia Cleere, Mark Thieman,
Rebecca Duncan, Anna
Wardlaw, Matt & Beth Rowe, Kam Stribling,
Carl White, Jared & Ericka Houze, Anne Reese,
Please remember
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
in your year-end philanthropy
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Worship Calendar for
The Seasons of Advent, Christmas, & the Feast of the Epiphany
November 30 The 1st Sunday of Advent
The Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
December 7, the 2nd Sunday of Advent
The Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
December 14, the 3rd Sunday of Advent
The Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
December 21, the 4th Sunday of Advent
The Bishop’s Visitation
The Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist with Rites of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, & Reaffirmation, 10:30 a.m.
Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols, 4 p.m.
December 24, Christmas Eve
Family Eucharist, 4:30 p.m.
(English Crib Service, Children’s Sermon, carols of the season, Holy Communion)
Solemn Holy Eucharist, 10:00 p.m.
(Sung Rite I Liturgy with incense)
December 25, Christmas Day
Christmas Morning Eucharist, 10 a.m.
(spoken Rite II Liturgy)
December 28, the 1st Sunday after Christmas
The Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
December 31, New Year’s Eve
The Holy Eucharist & Blessing of Calendars, 5:30 p.m.
January 1, The Feast of the Holy Name
Chapel Eucharist with Prayers for Healing, 12 noon
January 4, The 2nd Sunday after Christmas
The Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
January 7, Epiphany (transferred from January 6)
Epiphany Pageant, followed by Mediterranean Feast, 6 p.m.
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been good – far from it. And the explanation was that a
certain being whom people called Santa Claus was benevolently disposed toward me. . . . What we believed
was that a certain benevolent agency did give us those
toys for nothing. And, as I say, I believe it still. I have
merely extended the idea. Then I only wondered who
put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the
stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the
room in the house, and the house on the planet, and
the great planet in the void.”
These words are not written by a savvy New York
paper man but by G.K. Chesterton, one of the most
gifted writers and Christian thinkers of the last two centuries. Chesterton and others like C.S. Lewis and
George MacDonald believed that fairy tale, fantasy and
folklore didn’t lead children to escape reality but to see
a deeper reality. I agree with them and sense that very
thing happening when Ericka or I read or tell these stories to our three children.
They don’t so much teach children that dragons exist
but that no matter how frightening and evil dragons
may be there is a goodness that can overcome them.
They don’t convince a child that somewhere in France
a beauty is captive to a prince cursed by beastliness, but
that sometimes we must love those who seem most unlovable for transformation to occur. They don’t rob the
true meaning of Christmas by populating the sky with a
jolly red-faced man and eight tiny reindeer dropping
gifts down chimneys but teach that the greatest gifts are
always received unconditionally; because no matter
how cruel Johnny has been to his sister the past year he
learns to trust there will still be a gift under the tree with
his name on it. And perhaps like Mr. Chesterton,
Johnny will one day “extend the idea” and find himself
lost in wonder at the life and world that has been unconditionally given to him and bow his head in humble
thanks to the Giver of all good things.
So between all the stories and images of Santa Claus
and all the religious rhetoric railing against those images and stories, complaining about the “secularization”
of Christmas, perhaps we can see past the false dichotomies and silly arguments into the deeper reality and
join Virginia O’Hanlon, Francis Pharcellus Church and
G.K. Chesterton and say Yes, there is a Santa Claus.
But even if you don’t. I bet there will still be a gift
waiting for you on Christmas morning.
Y ES , V IRG I N I A , (and Emmanuel Parish)
THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
some thoughts from our Curate, Jared Houze
O
n September 21, 1897 a peculiar editorial was
published in the New York Sun. It was sparked
by eight- year-old Virginia O’Hanlon who asked her
father if Santa Claus truly existed. He encouraged his
curious daughter to write and ask the New York Sun,
saying “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Little did Virginia know that the response she would receive would
become the stuff of Christmas folklore to this day. Virginia’s question slid across one of the Sun’s more
prominent editorial writers, Francis Pharcellus Church.
His words did not merely answer Virginia’s question,
but went deeper; getting to that place inside all of us
that reserves space for mystery, wonder and hidden
meaning. To this day it remains the most reprinted editorial in any newspaper in the English Language.
Here is just a portion: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa
Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and
devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give
to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary
would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It
would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There
would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should
have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would
be extinguished…The most real things in the world are
those that neither children nor men can see…Nobody
can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.”
Now, I know there are the skeptics and the hyperreligious. Those who think it cruel and possibly psychologically or spiritually damaging for parents to encourage such belief in children. They live with a resolute determination to only offer their children what is
“real” because it is “reality” that we all must wake to
one day. Fair enough. But sometimes I wonder if the
reality we are all so dead-set on waking to is actually
what keeps us sleeping through those “unseeable wonders” in the world.
Here is another passage of words. “What has happened to me has been the very reverse of what appears
to be the experience of most of my friends. Instead of
dwindling to a point, Santa Claus has grown larger and
larger in my life until he fills almost the whole of it. It
happened in this way. As a child I was faced with a phe- Peace,
nomenon requiring explanation. I hung up at the end Jared+
[email protected]
of my bed an empty stocking, which in the morning
became a full stocking. I had done nothing to produce
the things that filled it. I had not worked for them, or
made them or helped to make them. I had not even
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wonderful time of fellowship, work, worship
and fun for the diocesan family and guests
gathered together.
A LETTER TO
THE PARISH
FROM BISHOP
SCOTT MAYER
My staff and I thank all of you for your faithfulness, dedication and hard work on behalf
of the 56th Annual Diocesan Convention
and the diocesan family.
Faithfully,
October 15, 2014
+Scott
Dear Friends in Christ:
The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer
Bishop of Northwest Texas
I write to express my thanks and gratitude
to all the members of Emmanuel Church
who contributed their time and talents to
the 56th Annual Diocesan Convention this
past weekend in San Angelo. I especially
thank Fr. Rowe, Host Rector; Eva Horton,
Host Arrangements Chair; Mark Thieman,
Chair of Registration; Rick Tinsley, Chief
Teller and Susan Kinney, Chair of the Elections Committee; Claudia Cleere, Tote Bags;
Anna Wardlaw, Evensong Reception; Rebecca Duncan and Lori Hollingsworth, Friday
lunch and breaks; Beth Rowe, Spouses’
Luncheon; Kam Stribling, Friday night dinner dance; Carl White, Convention Site; Ericka Houze, Child Care; Anne Reese, Treasurer; Ken Hollingsworth, Transportation;
Shelly Neighbors, Greeters; Mary Tinsley,
Exhibits; Judy Beth Lisewsky, Altar Guild;
and Jess Stanford, Ushers.
EMMANUEL
PREPARES FOR
THE BISHOP’S
PARISH VISITATION
God willing, Bp. Mayer will return to San
Angelo on December 21, the 4th Sunday of
Advent to Baptize, Confirm, and Receive our
newest members. He will stay for Advent
Lessons & Carols at 4 p.m.
There will be opportunity to greet and visit
with our Bishop during coffee hour following
the morning service, and during a wine and
cheese reception following Lessons and CarI also want to thank Louellen Meyer and ols.
choirs of Emmanuel and Good Shepherd It’s going to be a full and glorious day of
Parishes; Felix Lisewsky, Verger; the quartet worship and fellowship at Emmanuel that
members; the acolytes, readers, ushers and will be sure to leave you feeling prepared
sacristans; Fr. Matt Rowe and Fr. Jared and ready for the Christmas season, and
Houze for the beautiful Convention Eucha- grateful for the ministry of Emmanuel
rist on Saturday morning. And I thank Cin- Episcopal Church and the Diocese of
dy Huteson, the staff and all other members Northwest Texas.
of Emmanuel for their hard work in making
the convention a resounding success and a
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The All Saints Altar,
bedecked with 124 flowers,
One for each of the faithful departed loved ones
whose names were lifted up in the prayers.
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan & Katy Fry,
married at Emmanuel on November 15, 2014.
Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts,
a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads.
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Em m a nue l Ch ris t ia n Edu ca t io n
Cultivat ing Inq u iring & D isce rning Hearts S ince 1 883
Give them an inquiring and discerning heart . . .
From the prayer for the newly baptized in the Book of Common Prayer
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
The Adult Forum Class meets
at 9:15 a.m. in Room 126 of the
Kreps Building, and continues its
viewing of a video series called The
Great Emergence, based on a book
Phyllis Tickle, a noted observer of
church and culture.
part of this journey which sets sail
Wednesday Evenings
each Sunday morning at 9:30 from Walk Through the Bible, a
the library on the 2nd floor of the book by book study of Holy ScripParish House.
ture, meets at 6:45 in the Parlor.
Faith & Family will also be reflecting on Advent as a holy season
to be observed in the home. This
newest of our Christian education
offerings meets with Fr. Jared in
The Faith Matters Class will
the Great Room at 9:30 each Sunspend Advent-Epiphany with a
book entitled "Light Upon Light," a day.
compilation of readings from wellTuesday Mornings
loved authors and poets, along
Faith Club, an interfaith gathering
with contributions from contem- to foster friendship and mutual
porary writers. The intent of it all understanding, meets in the Great
is, as the cover jacket of the book
Room from 11:30-1:00.
describes, to assist in an experience of "Advent, Christmas, and
Epiphany in their intended raw
Wednesday Mornings
strangeness, stripped of sentiment,
turning your heart, eyes, and mind Education for Ministry, a 4-year
toward Emmanuel." If such an ex- intensive immersion in biblical
perience of the Incarnation season studies, theology, and praxis,
of the Church Year appeals, please meets from 8:00 –10:30 am.
let Fr. Matt know you'd like to be
The Episco-Posse, a gathering of
young-ish and new-ish Episcopalians and friends, meets for fellowship and discussion over Stango’s
coffee served in the Emmanuel
Library.
Thursday Mornings
Walk Through the Bible convenes again at 10:00 a.m. in the
Great Room, to walk through a
different book of the Bible than
the Wednesday group.
Take the time to find your place in
one of these groups, as we engage
together in the adventure of “faith
seeking understanding.”
Pedal on Up to The Emmanuel Parish Library
(or you can just walk up the stairs or ride up in the elevator)
Have you visited the library recently?
You are encouraged to do so and to examine two special displays.
A group of books authored by various Archbishops of
Canterbury are now on display (not all 105 of them, but several of the most recent incumbents).
Those of you who have enjoyed reading mysteries written by Dorothy
Sayers will find some books either written by her or about her. Check them out.
A collection of Advent & Christmas books is on display in the “mini-library” outside of
Cindy’s office. They will help you understand & appreciate the season more deeply.
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Greetings from Children’s Ministries
The past few months have been full of so much excitement in Children’s Ministries. First, if
you haven’t had a chance, please stop by the Eisenbach Room in the Kreps building. It has been
newly painted and restructured and now serves as the location for Primary Sunday School,
Godly Play, and Children’s Chapel.
Sunday School has been combined into one class and will be alternately taught by Beth and
April. Sunday School is held on Sundays from 9:30am-10:15am.
Children’s Chapel occurs during the 10:30am service. This is an opportunity for your children to
learn about the liturgy in a setting that allows them to ask questions and truly understand how
to fully participate in worship. Children are taken back to the service in time for communion so
you all can come to the Lord’s Table as a family.
Godly Play/Activity Nights take place in the Eisenbach Room of the Kreps building each
Wednesday from 6:45-7:15pm. Godly Play allows children to explore their faith through story,
to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play.
A Message from Ms. April – Hi all, with the upcoming holidays and multitude of
things going on in our lives, it is easy to think forget about anything except making it through the day. For those of you with school-aged children add in Christmas plays, parties, concerts, and games, and it’s a wonder if you make it to January 1st with your sanity! Even with all of this going on, it is important that we
continue to provide our children with an opportunity for spiritual nourishment.
This season (Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) provides us the opportunity to
teach our children about something very special: the ultimate sacrifice made by
God as He parted with a part of Himself as Jesus became flesh. Keep a look out
for the different activities we will have for your children. Invite them to bring a
friend with them as we learn about the true spirit and meaning of the upcoming
season with all! Remember that it is only TOGETHER that we can build up the
body of Christ. – Blessings and Love - AG
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Musical Notes
A FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM LOUELLEN MEYER
Dear Emmanuel Friends,
As I end my time at Emmanuel to pursue doctoral
studies at the University of Texas, Austin, I want to
thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as Organist/Choirmaster. I have LOVED my time at Emmanuel. The job has been a dream job. Fr. Matt, the
staff, and the musicians have been wonderful.
The music ministry at Emmanuel is in great shape
due to strong and capable leadership already in place.
With the new leadership of Landon Gilmore as Choirmaster, Jane Smith as organist, Carly Allen as Choir
Clerk, and Whitney Campbell as director of Emmanuel Choristers, I am confident all will continue to thrive.
We have had a productive and fruitful year and a
half, and I appreciate the wonderful love and support
you have given to me. Emmanuel Episcopal Church
will always have a very special and dear place in my
heart.
Soli Deo Gloria! Louellen Meyer
AND THE MUSIC PLAYS ON
Our Emmanuel Choristers, made up of a group of
young singers in Kindergartern-5th grades, are a joyous
bunch, and it is infectious! On October 26th they sang
the Introit at the 10:30 liturgy, and then again on
Christ the King Sunday, November 23rd. This fall our
young singers have learned songs in English, Latin, and
Hebrew. Coming up in December they plan to share
their music on tour! The Emmanuel Choristers will be
visiting several parish homes to sing for them, and to
spread their joy outside the walls of the church.
The Emmanuel Parish Choir had a busy Season after
Pentecost. On October 9th they teamed up with the
Good Shepherd Choir to sing Evensong as the opening
of the 56th Annual Convention of the Episcopal
Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas.
PICKING UP WHERE LOUELLEN LEFT OFF
The music ministry of Emmanuel will continue to grow
and flourish under the stewardship of newly appointed
Choirmaster, Landon Gilmore, and newly appointed
Organist, Jane Hays Smith. Also part of the music leadership team are Carly Allen, who will serve as Choir
Clerk (pronounced Clark) and
Whitney Campbell, Director of
the Emmanuel Choristers.
These individuals, along with
the many talented voices in the
Emmanuel Parish Choir, will
lead our congregation in singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs to the glory of the
Lord.
Another Evensong followed on November 2nd, as the
Emmanuel and Good Shepherd Choirs again joined
voices to sing selections from the Fauré Requiem as
part of the All Saints Evensong. On December 21st at
4:00 pm the Emmanuel and Good Shepherd Choirs
will be at it again! This time leading Lessons and Carols. Come fill your heart with the joy of Christmas as
we prepare the way for the coming of the Christ Child!
Whitney Campbell, Soprano Choral Scholar in the Emmanuel Parish Choir, sang her Senior Recital
on November 14 in the Elton Black Recital Hall at Angelo State University. Her program of works
by Handel, Poulenc, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Gibbs, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Tchaikovsky was
beautifully sung, as was the encore performance of “Let it Go” from the musical Frozen.’
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EMMANUEL
OUTREACH
*Outreach Guild will be meeting Monday, December 1st at 5:15pm.
*Our next Wesley Soup Kitchen service date is Monday, December 29th.
Please watch for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
*THANK YOU to all who participated in the Trunk or Treat benefit for Sara’s House. Through
this night of fun and games, Emmanuel was able to contribute just over $400. to our downtown
neighbor’s family ministry. Special thanks to Anna Thomas for organizing the Outreach game
and to the many others who helped. Hats off to Mary Jane Steadman, Chase Monson and
Javier Santos for contributing the services of their fine taste buds to judge the Pumpkin Recipe
contest. Congrats to the winner Rebecca Duncan! Kudos to April Guevera and her band Sacred Sound for the great tunes!
*The Outreach Guild is currently gathering information about local needs to help plan our ministry for the coming year. Please email one of the Outreach Guild members if you would like
an information form to be emailed to a particular local non-profit. The deadline for submission
is December 20th.
*THANK YOU to all who have participated in the volunteer opportunities, loose offerings, and
Outreach giving throughout this past year! The Outreach Guild looks forward to more giving
and participating in God’s Kingdom work in the coming year.
Thanks to all who have donated to
Project Dignidad
for Thanksgiving.
The youth assisted in putting the bags together,
and now they know how to bag groceries!
Their help is appreciated.
In October Dignidad served 472 clients,
which included 58 seniors and 125 age 18 and under.
The youth have received a challenge to collect
at least 100 boxes of Mac and Cheese by the end of December.
Let’s help them do this.
I am sure the young ones can collect at least 20 also.
Thanks again to you all.
Mavis Bell
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S R. H IGH M ISSION BLAST
who spent the weekend of fun, fellowship, worship,
and servant ministry together. Projects included a
During the weekend of
morning of service at the South Plains Food Pantry,
November 7-9, members of
while the afternoon and evening
the Emmanuel Sr. High
were spent cooking and serving
Ministry attended the Dio-
a meal for the guests at St. Bene-
cese of Northwest Texas
dict’s Chapel & Soup Kitchen.
Mission Blast retreat. Our
host parish was St. Paul’s-on
-the-Plains, Lubbock.
Joining with students and adult sponsors from
around the diocese, the group consisted of 40 souls
The participants from Emmanuel were Julia
White, Blue McCoy, Trace Drake, Shelby Rowe,
Chase Monson, and Fr. Matt.
It was the first road trip for the new church van,
which provided a smooth ride, good gas mileage,
and a more than adequate sound system! Thank
you, Vestry!!
The retreat was a great opportunity to take the
Great Commandment - “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and
your neighbor as yourself” - out of the realm of
theory and put it into practice. Emmanuel can be
especially proud of its young people, because the
Mission Blast idea was theirs, arising from their
experience of servant ministry in Navajoland this
past summer. Thanks to our youth for being a
Christ-like example to the whole parish family.
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A HOLY END TO 2014
& A HOLY BEGINNING TO 2015
E M M AN U EL S T UDE NT M I NIS TRY
The youth have been quite busy since the beginning of
the school with Lock-ins, Meet n Eats, Mission Blast,
On December 31 at 5:30 we will have a special worand much more. I would like to take a moment to brag
ship service to mark the end of
about
our youth. Even with their busy lives as students,
the calendar year 2014. It will be
celebration of the Holy Euchaathletes, and active members of the Episcopal Church
rist with rites for blessing of cal- they still find time to be missionaries in their own back
endars and timepieces. Bring
yard and throughout their dioceses. As many of you
your calendars, watches, mobile know a few weekends ago we took a group of our youth
devices, any way that
to Lubbock for a diocesan wide youth retreat called
you use to mark time.
Mission Blast. This whole event was the passion filled
We will offer those to
idea of our youth. I am very proud of all of our youth
the Lord, asking his
and
the youth of the diocese as they continue to show a
blessing upon them to
deep love for all kinds of mission work. One thing is
help us to use the time
given us for holy purfor sure our youth do not mind getting their hands
poses.
dirty, especially when it is in helping others.
On January 1, New Years’ Day on the civil calendar,
we will observe the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.
January 1 is eight days after Christmas, and it was on
the 8th day that Jesus was given the name that we
Christians regard as the name that is above every name,
the name to which every knee shall bow and every
tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father
(Philippians 2). Worship on January 1 will be at 12
noon in the Chapel, and will be Holy Communion
with Prayers for Healing, an appropriate observance,
since the Lord Jesus is the healer of our souls.
From the Sarum Primer
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at my end, and at my departing.
The Christmas season is right around the corner and with that brings the ever so dreaded task of
finding that perfect gift for our loved ones. Well, have
no fear of that this year because the youth and their
families are going on a splendid little trip to the beautiful city of Fredericksburg, Texas on December 22 to go
Ice Skating and to get that last minute shopping taken
care of. The logistics of the trip will be worked out
soon so keep your eyes peeled for that. For the reminder of the fall semester we will have the normal weekly
routine of things, with Wednesday night youth, Sunday school, Senior High Meet n Eat, the shopping trip
in December.
If you have any questions or are looking to get plugged
into the youth group please give me a call or an email
at 817-964-1524 or [email protected].
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO MARK THE SEASON
Join Mavis Bell
and a host of
others for the
Hanging
O’ the
Greens
On Wednesday,
December 17,
6 pm.
Before the work begins, there will be a
delicious supper prepared to give you lots of
Hanging O’ the Greens energy!
Invite family friends, neighbors, anyone
to come and experience a glorious afternoon
of music, scripture, and prayer
to prepare the way for a joyous Christmastide
The
Emmanuel
Epiphany
Pageant
&
Mediterranean
Supper
is set for
January 7, 2015
at 6 pm
Learn how to observe Advent as a holy season
by joining in the Advent Family Night
on December 3
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AGAPE TIME
I
t’s time to begin thinking about our Agape
Program here at Emmanuel. This will be
our 4th year and for those of you who haven’t
participated, we’d like to invite you to sign up.
The groups are small enough that everyone
can entertain in their home with a potluck or
take the group to a restaurant – “dutch treat.”
It’s a great opportunity to get acquainted
with other church members on a level deeper
than just a nod in the pew.
We will initiate the Agape Program for
2015 on January 11 as a Potluck Luncheon in
the Hershberger Great Room following the
10:30 worship service.
Please consider signing up on the sign-upsheet in the hall near the Kitchen.
For more information please contact Theo
or Philip Houser 655-5425.
D a n i e l M a k i n s r e t u r n s t o t h e G r e at R o o m
Tuesday, December 23rd 6:30 PM
Fr e e t o p u b l i c
(donations and cd sales most welcome...
Cds make great stocking stuffers... So easy to wrap... ).
Daniel says,
“I have missed sharing songs with the San Angelo community.
I invite Emmanuel to come listen to what I have been working on
over these past months on the holy mountain that is Sewanee.
I will also take requests and close the night with a few Christmas carols.
This will be a relaxed, totally acoustic concert (no sound system).
Guests are invited to bring cookies, snacks, or good cheer!
16
N EWS F ROM THE MOUNTAIN
Greetings from Sewanee!
It is a cold and rainy day here on the Mountain. The days
are getting darker and darker. The leaves have changed
little by little, very subtly and beautifully, into flaming reds
and oranges and bright yellows. It is incredibly beautiful to
watch!
As things begin to change here, I am realizing just how
much I have changed this semester. God works in mysterious and often subtle ways, doesn’t He? In Rowan William’s
beautiful book The Dwelling of the Light he says, “Looking at Jesus seriously changes things; if we
do not want to be changed, it is better not to look too hard or too long.” This semester I have
looked seriously at Jesus, and I have felt the changes going on inside me. Some are painful to bear,
and some are rather beautiful. These changes range from a desire for increased prayer time to
thankfulness for the incredible gift of the Eucharist to a painful awareness of the hurt around us in
the world. I have tried to be more intentional about the way I engage Christ. I am thankful for what I
have discovered as a result.
For a book lover, seminary is fantastic. I know several people have wanted to know what books we
are reading these days, so I list here a few of my favorites from the semester for your consideration:
1. Rowan William’s The Dwelling of the Light about icons
2. Being Christian, which is Rowan William’s newest book
3. The Word is Very Near You by Martin Smith
about meditating on the scriptures
4. Kenneth Leech’s True Prayer
Daniel, Cal, James, and I are looking forward to seeing all of you in
San Angelo over the Christmas holiday. May you have a blessed
Advent season!
Grace and peace,
Claire
The School of Theology is committed to excellence in
forming faithful and effective clergy and lay leaders
for the Church. The seminary equips “those who
equip the saints” with the tools and skills necessary
to live, preach and teach those things necessary for all members of the Church to
“bear witness to Christ wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them,
to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.”
17
ERD is providing critical food, hygiene supplies, and
protective equipment, as well as delivering key health
messaging. Donations to ERD can be designated for
this effort.
P RESIDING
B ISHOP C ALLS
FOR P RAYER
FOR L IBERIA ,
W EST A FRICA
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding
Bishop of the Episcopal Church, has urged Episcopalians to observe the 2nd Sunday of Advent, December 7,
as a day of prayer as a day of prayer for those in the Diocese of Liberia, and the entire Anglican Church of the
Province of West Africa, areas heavily affected by the
current Ebola pandemic.
“The Diocese of Liberia was founded by Episcopalians
in 1836, and was a diocese of the Episcopal Church
until the early 1980’s, when it joined the Province of
West Africa” noted Bp. Schori. “Today we continue in
a covenant relationship of mutual support and fellowship.” She continued, “Liberia is at the epicenter of the
recent Ebola outbreak, and Episcopalians have turned
Cuttington University (Suakoko) into a center for response in rural northern Liberia. The Anglican Province of West Africa includes all three nations (Liberia,
Guinea, Sierra Leone) where the pandemic continues
to develop. The suffering and death is enormous, the
economy is devastated, schools are closed, yet the caring and compassionate response continues.”
A Collect for the Day of Prayer
O God, our Creator and Preserver,
we cry out to you along with
our brothers and sisters in West Africa,
especially Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea,
where so many lives have been lost.
We pray that as they continue
to live and struggle with the Ebola Virus Disease,
you will grant them your grace and mercy
that an end to this virus will come soon;
and that life and community will be restored.
Give us the courage and strength
to respond willingly to this great human need.
We ask this in the name of the One
who came and gave his life,
so that we might live fully, Jesus,
our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
The Presiding Bishop concluded, “I ask you prayers for
the people of West Africa in the midst of this plague.
Please include this in your intentions on the 2nd Sunday of Advent. With Isaiah, pray for comfort and
strength for all God’s children; seek out the builder of
straight roads and give of healing balm for all on this
difficult journey. Learn about this crisis, and instead of
fear, let your hearts be moved to respond with generosity of spirit and of purse.”
Let by the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Sarfo, Archbishop and
Primate, and the Most Rev. Jonathan Hart, Internal
Archbishop, the Anglican Church in the Province of
West Africa includes the Dioceses of Accra, Cape
Coast, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Ho, Koforidua, Khumasi,
Sekondi, Sunyani, Tamale, Wiawso (Ghana); Bo, Freetown, (Sierra Leone); Guinea, and Cameroon.
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with
the Dioceses of Liberia and Bo to offer care and support in communities affected by the Ebola outbreak.
18
Map of the Church in the Province of West Africa
ADVENT SUPPER SHARING
STEWARDSHIP IS A T
EAM
EFFORT
Dear Friends,
Enclosed with this edition of The Emmanuel Messenger you will find
the 2015 Stewardship Booklet. If you received one at the Stewardship Pep Rally Supper on November 12, or if you’ve already picked
one up at church on a Sunday, please forgive the redundancy of receiving another booklet, but it is important enough to get one to every household that we decided to include it in this mailing.
Sunday, December 14 at 6:30pm
at the home of Norma Faubion,
918 Ashford Dr. (in the Bluffs)
Come one, come all
to our annual holiday gathering.
Sign-up to bring your favorite dish
(bulletin board by kitchen) and come
share the joys of the season.
If this is your first receipt of the booklet, please
take a bit of time to read through it, especially the
notes I took from our “pep talk” given by Patrick
Gahan from Christ Church in San Antonio.
You’ll also find pages to explain why it is spiritually beneficial to make time, give effort, and share
resources for the ongoing mission and ministry of the church. Finally, you’ll come to some pages that will guide your household decision
-making regarding making time, giving effort, and sharing resources.
I hope you’ll return those pages to church on
December 7, when all of our intentions will be
offered to the Lord and blessed at the altar.
Faithfully,
Matt Rowe
VESTRY NOMINATION FORM
The Vestry will have 4 open seats in 2015, to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25. To place a name in
nomination, please complete this form and return it to the Sr. Warden, John Hemphill, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 S.
Randolph St., San Angelo, TX 76903. Nominations are asked to be received by January 12, 2015.
Name of Nomine:
Is the nominee 18 years of age or older?
Have you secured consent of the nominee?
To the best of your knowledge, is the nominee a Communicant in Good Standing?
What qualities do you see in this nominee that would enable him or her to be an effective member of the vestry?
19
THE PARISH CALENDAR
Regular Meetings
The Quilting Guild meets each Monday morning
in the Quilting Room.
The Parish Staff meets each Monday at 2:15 in
the Emmanuel Library.
MC Friends meets on the 1st Monday of the
month at 6pm. Barbara Jackson welcomes helpers.
The Altar Guild meets on the 1st Tuesday of the
month at 10am.
St. Catherine’s Guild meets on the 1st Tuesday of
the month at 4pm.
Ladies’ Dine & Shine Luncheon gathers at Miss
Hatties on the 1st Friday of each month at 11:45
MoE (Men of Emmanuel) gets together twice each
week. MoE Breakfast is on Thursdays at 7am at
the Peppercorn Grill. MoE Lunch is on Wednesdays at 11:45 at Kenny Blanek’s.
Foundation for the Future Construction Team
meets on Thursdays at 11 in the Emmanuel Parish
House.
Other Upcoming Events
December 2, 5:30pm in the Great Room
Vestry Meeting
December 3, 6:30pm in the Parish Hall
Advent Family Night
December 4, 6:30-9pm in the Emmanuel Parish Hall
Tree of Angels, hosted by the Tom Green County Coalition
Against Violence.
December 6, 9am in the Great Room
For Kid’s Sake
December 7, during worship services
Gathering of Stewardship Sharing Intentions
December 11, 6pm in the Parlor
Emmanuel Book Club
December 14, 6:30 pm at Norma Faubion’s Home
Advent Supper Sharing
December 15, 5:30 pm in the Parlor
Outreach Guild Meeting
December 16, 6pm in the Great Room
For Kid’s Sake
December 17, 6:30 pm in the Church
Hanging O’ the Greens
December 21
Bishop’s Visitation in the Morning
Lessons & Carols at 4 pm
December 22, All Day in Fredericksburg
Youth & Family Ice Skating Trip
December 23, 6:30pm in the Great Room
A Musical Evening with Daniel Makins
December 24-26
Parish Office Closed for Christmas
December 24 & 25, 4:30 & 10 pm, 10 am, in the Church
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day worship services
December 29, 9:30 am at the Wesley Soup Kitchen
Emmanuel’s Day to Serve at the Soup Kitchen
December 31-January 2
Parish Office Closed for New Year’s
January 7, 6pm in the Church & Parish Hall
Epiphany Pageant & Mediterranean Supper
January 11, 12 noon in the Great Room
Agape Supper Kickoff Luncheon
January 20, 5:30 pm in the Great Room
Vestry Meeting
January 25, 12 noon in the Parish Hall
Annual Parish Meeting
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