The Vine Newsletter (August 2007)

Emmanuel Church at Potomac State College… Tuesday, August 28, 11-2

The Evangelism Committee of Emmanuel Church is sponsoring a special display booth at the Student Info Fair at PSC on Tuesday, August 28th from 11-2. We will provide New Testaments, church literature, Anglican rosaries, snacks and drinks for the students, faculty and staff who visit us. This event is the first step in making Emmanuel Church more visible at the college, and the possibilities arising from it are exciting!
We are asking for your help in funding this special evangelism event to cover the cost of the food, drink and supplies. To contribute to this effort to reach out to Potomac State College, please contact Rev. Joyce, Kim Pifer, Michael Summers, or Sue Riley. Thank you very much!
In the spotlight  YOU: Join the Showcase highlighting a repertoire of talent
Sounds like a good way to spend a September Sunday afternoon!

From the young to the not so young: Lots of diverse kinds of talent can be found among the people of Emmanuel, and we want to showcase its many forms. You all have varieties of artistic ability, musical talent, craftsmanship, storytelling; who knows what else!
We want to spend a few hours having a Talent Showcase on a Sunday afternoon. What talent you will share with us? Tell the Rev. Joyce, Kim, or call the church office so we can put you on the list.


Celebration of Ministry in Daily Life, Sunday, September 2 at 8 and 10


Bring a symbol of your daily life with you to worship

Remembering Labor Day, we will celebrate ministry in our daily lives and in our workplaces. We will connect our "occupations", those things we do which occupy our days – home, family, school, community, leisure, job/profession/business, political/citizen involvements – and how we as the Baptized, regardless of our age or station, live our lives as ministry in the world. During worship we will have a special liturgy for vocation in daily life, based on the baptismal covenant of showing God’s love in our daily lives and work.
Every person is asked to bring something representative of their daily life (for example, a notebook or iPod for a student, a stethoscope for a medical person, a toy for a child, a shovel for a gardener, yarn for a knitter, etc.). Someone said the couch doesn’t fit in his car, but the remote control does. You decide. These will be placed it at the baptismal font after the prayers.
You can help – School supplies and food pantry
School supplies: It's almost time for school to begin, and you can help kids be equipped. Please bring notebook paper and single subject notebooks [both wide and college ruled], pens, pencils, crayons
[8 & 16], scissors, folders, colored pencils, and lots of glue sticks by Aug 19.
Food Pantry needs: macaroni & cheese, pancake mix (water) and syrup, noodles, soup, chili, crackers, cereals, oatmeal, canned vegetables and fruit, tuna, tuna helper, rice, pasta and sauce.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Marcy and Dawn D’Elisa at the death of spirited and Spirit-filled John, husband and father, on July 5. He is dearly missed by his Emmanuel family.
A note from Marcy
To the Emmanuel Episcopal Family,
I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.
You all provided so many acts of caring and support during John's illness through his final days; and this
continues on even now.
The memorial you organized in his honor touched us all. I can't begin to express enough appreciation for
the hospitality extended to friends and family, many who came from afar, but were made to feel at home.
The prayers, praises, stories and kind words were a great comfort and honor bestowed upon us in this
most difficult time of our lives.
The Emmanuel Episcopal family is truly the friendliest and most compassionate church in the world.
With Sincerest Thanks,
Marcy D'Elisa
Get well prayers are extended to Jerry Shaver who is recovering from surgery.
Jerry appreciates the cards and caring words extended him.
Special thanks goes to Kim Pifer, senior warden extraordinaire, for her tireless energy.
Her contributions of time and care for members and facilities are invaluable.
Jottings by Joyce

Recently I saw that a newsletter named “The Vine” was begun in years past. So this issue takes up the original name, which recalls the “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5) mural in the church.
The evangelism committee is preparing a church brochure for the table at the Potomac State student information fair and to have at the church for visitors. They also are preparing “business cards” with church information that we can carry to give people and to distribute around town. This can include leaving a card on your table in a restaurant to including one in an envelope with a local bill.
I am looking forward to the talent showcase. We are interested in talents of all sorts, the more varied they are, the more interesting the time will be. So don’t be bashful, kazoos, mimes, artisans are welcome!
I also am looking forward to the Celebration of Ministry in Daily Life on the Sunday of the Labor Day weekend. I always enjoy seeing what people bring to represent their lives. So, again, don’t be bashful. I expect everyone, the youngest to the oldest, to bring a symbol, or picture of one, to represent their days.
As we begin the second third of the long Pentecost season, we are changing to Eucharistic Prayer A, Prayers of the People, Form III, and the second postcommunion prayer.
Blessings and peace as we finish the summer, Joyce
Helping Hands – News and Upcoming
Bowling tournament – Saturday, September 15
Walk for Helping Hands – Sunday, October 21, 2:30, begin at Heartland for the 6 mile walk
Be on a work team; contact Helping Hands to help with construction and repair work on houses.
A big Thank You to Sharon Floyd for chairing the recent golf tournament which raised around $4,000.

Dining In for the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) – July 8 netted $238! Thank you for your contributions to help eliminate extreme poverty. The money will be divided between Five Talents for microcredit programs and the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) program Nets for Life to prevent malaria.

The Rector Search Continues…

The Committee established to search for the next rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church met once again with Archdeacon Faith Perrizo on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, and the lengthy meeting was dedicated to assembling all of the necessary information for the creation of the special electronic profile to be submitted to the Church Deployment Office (CDO) in New York City. This electronic profile will be used to match the qualifications of priests in the Church Deployment database to the needs and goals of Emmanuel Church.
Venerable Faith provided the Search Committee with a standard database input form called a Parish/Institution Search Request; the information submitted on this form will be entered into the CDO database. First a brief formal Description of the Parish was created by the Search Committee, which will provide prospective clergy with an idea of what Emmanuel Church is about and what we are looking for. Then four Goals of the Parish were established, along with Position Responsibilities with Related Skills, items which will specifically outline what qualifications and background our parish expects of candidates. The Parish Life Orientation Form, which will express Emmanuel Church’s understanding of itself and where it wants to be in the future (based upon the Church Assessment Tool), will be completed and submitted by the beginning of August.
Once the data has been collected by the Search Committee, the Vestry will look over the documentation and make approvals or changes so that everything can be uploaded to the CDO database by the end of August. At that point, profiles of priests from all over the United States who closely match the needs and vision of Emmanuel Church will be submitted for the consideration of the Search Committee.
The Search Committee’s next step before the electronic profile is submitted to the CDO will be to create a hardcopy profile that will be sent to all priests who express an interest in being considered for the rector position. This profile or brochure will be used in conjunction with Emmanuel Church’s official website to provide prospective clergy with a solid idea of what we are all about.
In addition to the intricate paperwork responsibilities, the Search Committee approved the use of two special prayers by the members and friends of Emmanuel Church, seeking God’s blessing upon us as we seek out our new rector. We ask that everyone uses these prayers as frequently as possible so that the Holy Spirit will direct and inspire our actions and decisions. The prayers were composed by Beverly Davis and our departed brother John D’Elisa, and they are as follows:
Dear Lord, we are seeking a Rector for Emmanuel. We ask for a priest who will lead us in teaching, preaching, prayers and duties. May the priest not only show love for You but compassion for our parishioners. We pray that this priest will seek Your guidance in all that is undertaken. We also pray that You will send one who is interested in the community and will participate to spread Your Word in our town. We ask for a Rector who has a deep faith and a relationship with You, who walks daily with You and will teach us the right pathway to build up Emmanuel with an eye to the future. May we find one with whom we can work so that we may do Your will. Amen. Prayer by Beverly White-Davis
Lord, for your tender mercy's sake we pray for guidance in our search for the future Rector of Emmanuel Church. We pray that we may be open to your leading; that when the time comes we may hear that still, small voice of wisdom. We pray also that you will send the right person to lead this flock. And we pray especially, that during this time of renewal we may renew our lives in Jesus Christ who died for us, that our joy may be complete; and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen. Prayer by John D’Elisa (1942-2007)
submitted by Michael Summers



Emmanuel had lots of Peterkin campers

The first campers were Katie Rankin and Codi Gourlay at senior camp June 17-23. The Crall family attended family camp in early July. Intermediate Camp July 22-28 had Ian Rankin, Shawnee Gourlay, Alyssa Williams, and Chalet Roy.
Things I liked about camp from Shawnee, Alyssa and Chalet: everyone was friendly, participating in all the activities, swimming, singing, taco day, dancing, meeting new people, the "Peterkin Peeper".
From Ian: I went to Peterkin Camp before. It was actually a lot of fun. The food was pretty good along with the talent show we had Wednesday night. It started out with us getting signed in and everything, then we went to the lodges to unpack our stuff, in that time you could go to the pool and try your swimming test, or just hang out with the people in the lodge.
Afterwards we went to the dining hall and had dinner. They have so many things at that camp to make you feel welcome. I also realize that some people didn’t want to go to Peterkin, but on the last day when they were packing up everything they didn’t want to leave. So they do a good job there as you can see.
The counselors are also very friendly as long as you don’t get on their nerves. Sometimes they even let you stay up late so you can hang out with people in different rooms for a little while. They have electives, which is when you get to pick two kinds of activities to do for the evening, so you won’t get bored. Then they have free time after the activities. You can go around camp and hang out with your friends for a while, play 4 square, or play Ping-Pong in the Arts and crafts room or down in the pavilion.
And something that gets everyone awake is the closing campfire. These are a few things you can
do at Peterkin Camp. I would really suggest going to this camp.


From Al: The families of Al and Sarah Crall, their daughters, Debbie Crall and Sarah Reiser and Sarah's children, Matthew, Benjamin, Jacquie, and Gregory, all attended the week-long Family Camp at Peterkin Conference center during the week of July 1-7. The highlights of the week:
1. The daily morning Eucharist followed by adult lessons and discussions and child-friendly activities.
2. The Fourth of July celebrations that included a decorated bike parade and fireworks. Benjamin's wheel chair was decorated with red, white and blue crepe paper and two American Flags.
3. The swimming pool, which was the one place where Ben could move naturally and freely.
4. The Peterkin American Flag was in dreadful shape after having served faithfully for many, many years. It was retired at the last campfire in a respectful and at times moving ceremony. It was replaced with a brand new flag.
5. Father Bennet prayed and laid hands on Ben and anointed him with Holy Oil after the last Eucharist of the week.
6. The children would disappear for long periods of time with their friends. Adults would take it easy.
7. We enjoyed meeting friends made last year and making some new ones.
All in all, it was a wonderful and unforgettable week and we wish to thank all who were responsible for making it possible.
From Matthew: I think the message that God was trying to convey to me during camp was that He will provide for His people, and prioritizes things better than we do. He may not always answer our prayers in the way that we intended, but He still listens. At camp, I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of fellowship that accompanied the beautiful rural surroundings. Peterkin had some of the most well qualified camp counselors ever, and I loved being around other Christians and being able to be true to myself.



Accessibility is church's goal, must become 'the norm' from the Episcopal News Service (ENS)

Note: Included below are parts of a recent article from the Episcopal News Service. In our own church I mention four recent instances of distress caused by lack of accessibility on all levels. At the Lenten Quiet Day an elderly man with a cane who parked in the back was quite winded after climbing the stairs. Some did not join us downstairs for the Liturgy of the Palms prior to the procession on Palm Sunday. A member’s grandson with a broken leg was limited in his mobility. A woman with a walker parked in the back for the memorial service and had to walk the long way around outside with steps to enter the church because she could not climb the flight of stairs. The elevator for people with disabilities has been ordered. - Joyce
Accessibility is church's goal, must become 'the norm', July 24, 2007, by Mary Frances Schjonberg, edited
It has been 25 years since the Episcopal Church first urged its members to make their buildings and services accessible to those with disabilities and that goal has not yet been fully achieved.
In 1982, the 67th General Convention established (Resolution D120) a task force to consider how the church could become more accessible and how to ensure that people with disabilities would be given equal standing in the church.
In 1985, the 68th General Convention (Resolution A087) re-iterated the call for the church to be accessible at all levels and in all programs to persons with disabilities.
In the hope of putting the issue "more in the front seat at least in terms of consciousness," according to Canon Victoria Garvey, the Executive Council meeting in June passed a resolution again calling the church to be accessible to all.
The Council's resolution "completes" Resolution D070 brought to the 75th General Convention in June 2006. The Council's resolution (CIM005), offered by the Standing Committee on Congregations in Ministry, urges:
• dioceses to convene committees on disability concerns to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure access for persons with disabilities to all church properties,
• congregations to designate a person or persons to be particularly responsible for disability concerns, and
• all congregations, affiliated organizations, and institutions of the Episcopal Church to use only facilities which are accessible to all persons.
Garvey told ENS that when one considers the signs that point people to Episcopal Church congregations – the ones that say "The Episcopal Church welcomes you" – calling for the church to be accessible to all is a "no-brainer." The accessibility is possible in some parts of the church, Garvey said, but it must become the norm "all across the board."

Remembering the Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 62nd Anniversary, August 6 and 9
At 8:15 in the morning of August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped from a USA B-29 bomber on Hiroshima, Japan. More than 170,000 people died instantly or within hours. Few were soldiers.
The Transfiguration of Jesus is celebrated on August 6 (Matthew 17:1-6; Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:28-36).
Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain where he was transfigured before them with a dazzling brightness emanating from his body.
Supplemental Collect for the Transfiguration and the Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima:
Ineffable God, who speaks to us through clouds and in high places:
Give us the grace to hear your voice speaking to us today, not only in the clouds of incense,
Not only in the cloud when your Son was transfigured before his disciples,
Not only in the cloud leading your people through the Wilderness,
But also in the terrible cloud of death that arose over Hiroshima, the cloud arising from the latent murder in each of our hearts. Speak to our hearts that they may bear the fruit of peace, and that our cities may receive the gentle descent of your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, written by Mary Miller and the Rev. Gary Commins