The Vine Newsletter (January 2008)

Annual meeting to be Sunday, January 20 at 9 AM
The annual meeting is to hear about the year past and the year to come, and to elect new vestry members and a diocesan convention delegate. Many thanks to committee heads who have turned in 2007 reports.

A short Epiphany season = an early Lent, and how we find the date of Easter
Ash Wednesday is February 6, and Easter is March 23 this year.

The season of Epiphany began on January 6, the 12th day of Christmas when we celebrated the Magi following the star and giving gifts to the child Jesus, and continues through February 5 as we read about and seek manifestations or revelations of God through the person of Jesus. The disciples heeded Jesus’ invitation to follow into the unknown. Jesus calls us also, and we can open ourselves to possibilities that may lie ahead.
Mardi Gras – Feast before Fast. Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” and the season begins on January 6, the Epiphany, and continues until Carnival, Shrove or Fat Tuesday, traditionally the last day for Christians to indulge before Ash Wednesday begins the weeks of Lenten fasting. "Shrove" is from the word "shrive" or confess. “Carnival” is from “taking away of flesh.” Lenten fasting involved both a decrease in the amount eaten and no meat, no dairy products, and no eggs in a symbolic renunciation of the world and giving up pleasures while turning to God. Thus pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday to use all the butter, milk and eggs. Join us for pancakes on February 5 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM in Patchett Hall sponsored by the Men’s Fellowship.
The Ash Wednesday liturgy invites us “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination
and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (BCP, 265). Take some extra time to be with God during the forty days of Lent and consider the magnitude of God’s love for us manifest in the life of Jesus. The Ash Wednesday liturgy will be celebrated at 10:30 AM and 7 PM on February 6.
During Lent our worship will take on a simpler and more penitential nature with the use of the Penitential order (The Great Litany on Lent 1), Eucharistic Prayer A, no hymn of praise, no alleluias, a pottery chalice and paten, no flowers, and a prayer over the people in place of a seasonal blessing.
See article on page 2 for Lenten activities to enhance our relationship with God and each other.
Rules for Finding the Date of Easter Day: (BCP, page 880) Easter Day is always the Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox on March 21, a date which is fixed in accordance with an ancient ecclesiastical computation, and which does not always correspond to the astronomical equinox. This full moon may happen on any date between March 21 and April 18 inclusive. If the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday following. But Easter Day cannot be earlier than March 22 or later than April 25.

The Elevator is coming!

Good News! The Emmanuel Elevator is on its way! Progressive Elevators hope the elevator will arrive at Emmanuel around January 9th. Installation should take place around the 14th of January. This will truly help Linda, our cleaning lady and all of our parishioners that can no longer manage the stairs. We give thanks to God for this blessing.
Lenten preparation
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner will be on February 5th

The Men’s Fellowship at Emmanuel will sponsor the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Preparing this pre-Lenten feast are Sonny & Donna Rhodes and Donna’s sister, Dottie. Come celebrate with us and enjoy the fellowship between 4:30 - 7:30 pm in Patchett Hall with delicious pancakes, sausage and sausage gravy following with a dessert. (Free will Offering)

We need your support for soup dinners on the 5 Wednesday nights after Ash Wed.

We'd like to have soup, a reflection, and Taizé song and prayer on five Wednesdays of Lent, but not if one person has to prepare food each week and clean up, even though it's only to be a simple meal. The church will contribute some money for food purchase. Let us know that you are interested in participating, in food preparation or clean up for this fellowship meal, an opportunity to grow closer to God and to each other. Dinner would be at 6:15 PM with Taizé at 7 on Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27, and March 5, 12.


Lenten study to be offered on Sunday mornings at 9

Tamela Rankin will facilitate a Sunday morning at 9 series, the topic undecided at this time. [Gads, Lent is almost here already, and the Christmas tree needles are still green!] If there is a subject that you particularly would like explored, please let her or the office know. Her Lenten sacrifice will be to get here at 9! Join her in making the effort to be present. Who knows what you may learn and how your life will be enriched.

Daily Lenten devotional booklet, "Seeking to Serve” to be available
The Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) 2008 daily Lenten devotional booklet, "Seeking to Serve: A Lenten Exploration of the Millennium Development Goals" invites us to reflect on the role of God's grace in our lives and how we may act as instruments of God's healing in a hurting world.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori declared February 10 as ERD Sunday for almsgiving.
Diocesan Silent Retreat, February 21-24, Huttonsville
The eighth annual Diocesan Silent Retreat will be held at Bishop Hodges’ Pastoral Center in Huttonsville with “Benedictine Hospitality and Everyday Living" the theme. The retreat sponsored by the Diocesan Commission on Spirituality will be Thursday evening, February 21, through Sunday noon, February 24th with the Rev. Michael McKay, OSB, of Wheeling, the retreat leader. Brochures with a registration form are available at the church or http://www.wvdiocese.org/pages/pdfs/SilentRetreat2008.pdf. Registration deadline is February 10. Cost is $185 per person.
Time Capsule being prepared

Brian Smith has donated a time capsule for Emmanuel Church. Sonny Rhodes and Bev Davis are gathering the past of our church and are asking the congregation for pictures, church memories, or special events that have taken place. An example of a touching treasure to be found in our time capsule will be Sandy Wolfe’s confirmation bracelet given to her by Emmanuel. Another idea would be written information on those on our mural. This would be a wonderful tribute for future generations and make our mural come alive. The capsule will be sealed with instructions to be opened in 50 years. This way, the congregation can better understand the past of our church and also have the opportunity to include their stories. Please turn in information to Sonny or Bev. Many thanks to the both of them.

New trial 10:00 scheduling:
One person will read the 1st and 2nd lessons.
One person will lead the psalm and Prayers of the People.
Many thanks to
 the Men's Fellowship for the pine wreaths for the outside doors in memory of:
Don Bantz, Dave Brown, the Rev. William Davis, Bernard Dawson, John D'Elisa, Zeb Hepburn, Wayne Stewart, and Howard Tettenburn
 Arlene Keplinger for pine wreaths in the memory of her husband Russell and the Fazenbaker family
 Marcy and the late John D'Elisa for the youth Christmas tree purchased a year ago
We at Emmanuel give many thanks for the memories of fellow friends.
 Kim Pifer, Sonny Rhodes, and Rev. Joyce for decorating the church and parish hall for Christmas
 the many youth and adults who participated in the Christmas pageant on December 30
 Bill Pryor and family for donations of cabinets and counter tops for the lower level parish hall
 Sheila Dyche, last mentioned, but certainly not least, for the never-ending work as treasurer

We rejoice as we anticipate the baptism of Jasmine Marie Carlyle on January 13, the feast of the baptism of Jesus. Jasmine is the daughter of Michael and Christine and sister of Catherine.


Jottings by Joyce

As we begin our second year together, I express my gratitude to you for your ministry over the past year and the dedication and compassion shown by many of you. Much time and energy is needed to “be a church,” to offer ways to connect and grow in our faith. The last year also saw loss of participation through death, declining personal health or that of family members. Not all is negative as we did welcome new members and returning members, and we are grateful for their presence enriching our lives together.
Over the year I commented several times about the mountain across the street from my house as the foliage changed from the drab-looking brown
of last winter to the bright greens of spring and deep green of summer to the brilliant colors of autumn. This year as I look upon the seemingly barren mountain, I know its vibrancy is latent, as I trust new energy and life to be just beyond the horizon of our sight.
In this new year and Epiphany season we can ask ourselves where is God at work in our midst, and we can reflect on our lives and how we might better reflect the light, life and values of Jesus in our daily world.
Blessings of the New Year and of the Epiphany season, Joyce


Dates to Remember
Sunday, January 20 Annual meeting, 9 AM, to hear about the year past and the year to come, and to elect new vestry members and a diocesan convention delegate.
Saturday, January 26 Vestry retreat, 9-3, led by the Rev. Donald Vinson, Canon for Congregational Development, at Trinity Lutheran Church on Davis St.
Sunday, February 10 Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) Sunday, almsgiving for ERD
April 4, Friday evening – Magnetic Church Conference: practical evangelism to attract,
Saturday, April 5 welcome and retain new members. More information soon or see www.magnetic-church.com.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is between the Confession of Peter to the Conversion of Paul, January 18-25. The Week of Prayer began a century ago with an inspiration by two Anglican-Episcopal clergymen, and is observed by Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches throughout the world.
World Mission Sunday, the last Sunday after the Epiphany in which the Gospel is the story of the Transfiguration, is February 3.

Presiding Bishop declares February 10 Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) Sunday

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said that ERD gives Episcopalians "the special opportunity to partner with the worldwide Church and people around the world who are addressing challenging issues in their communities." "This work is worthy of the support of all Episcopalians, and the beginning of Lent is an ideal time for us to renew our collective commitment to it." "Almsgiving is one of the traditional disciplines of the season and one of the ways in which we participate with Christ in walking to the foot of the Cross and into the light of Resurrection."
Jefferts Schori asked Episcopal congregations and members to dedicate a special Lenten offering and prayer February 10 for the work of ERD, noting that all money received will be designated for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Inspiration Fund. The fund focuses on fighting deadly diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS and providing basic health care, specifically achieving MDGs # 4, 5, and 6.
She added, “I urge you also to deepen your advocacy efforts for robust financial commitments from the U.S. government toward achievement of the MDGs. Faith-based institutions like Episcopal Relief and Development are proving that poverty can be eradicated if the proper resources and strategies are brought to bear. However, private action alone will not be enough -- collective action as a nation is necessary, and our voices are what will inspire our government to act. To get involved, visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE.
"It is a tangible way to live out Jesus' desire that we serve 'the least of these'," Robert Radtke, president of ERD added.
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The Millennium Development Goals are
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability, and
8. Create a global partnership for development with a focus on debt, aid, and trade.



LEAD US INTO YOUR PEACE
Lord we pray that you will lead us into your Love. You sent Jesus as a token of that love.
Lord we pray that you will lead us into your Justice. You sent the Prophets and gave us The Law to show us your justice.
Lord we pray that you will lead us into your Reconciliation. You showed us how to forgive and reconcile.
Lord we pray that you will lead us into your Peace, your Love and Justice and your way of Reconciliation. Amen
(by Bishop William Davidson, past chair of Episcopal Peace Fellowship)


If you have not returned you Time/Talent and pledge forms, please do so soon.
Thank you to all who have returned them.







Sunday, January 27, West Virginia state day at Washington National Cathedral

More than 300 visitors from the Mountain State including invited clergy, elected leaders and parishioners are expected at Washington National Cathedral, which honors each state with a major observance once every four years. The state flag will be placed on the chancel steps in the Cathedral for the following week to further mark West Virginia State Day. The Right Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, will preside at the service. Rick Warren, senior pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest CA, which grew over 25 years to become the largest Christian church in the state, will preach at the service and also will be spotlighted in the Cathedral’s Sunday Forum program leading up to the worship. He also has written books including the best-selling ‘Purpose Driven Life.’
After worship, Cathedral guides will lead a special tour of the cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world, highlighting its ties to West Virginia. The state flag hangs in the cavernous nave, and the West Virginia state seal has a prominent location in the Narthex floor on the West End of the Cathedral and is represented on a needlepoint wall hanging in the War Memorial Chapel. Additionally, the Blenko Glass Company of Milton made the hand-blown glass in the Cathedral’s South Rose Window.


Cathedral Prayer for West Virginia
Shine, O Lord, upon the homely mosaic of West Virginia’s land: Upon her steep-hewn hills and angled draws, her maple-strewn valleys and ridges clad in mountain rhododendron.
Shine, Lord, upon her citizens, armed only with freedom, scrappers all for such measure of dignity as fearlessness and faith may win.
Shine, O God, into those deep recesses where Thou hast hidden abundant riches, that those who dig in the earth, and those who watch for their return, may know the radiance of Thy light and the safety of Thy love.
Bright be the cleansing fire of Thy truth in the hearts of the people, and in the public weal of their common life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre, Dean Emeritus, Washington National Cathedral

Petition For An Annual Commemorative National Miner’s Day For The USA
Sign the petition at http://www.rallycongress.com/minersdaymemorialassociationofwestvirginia/951/

A petition to the Honorable Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia and the Senate of the United States of America.
Around the clock, second by second, miners risk life and limb during their labors.
The foundations and trappings of civilization are constructed from, and sustained with, the materials procured with their sweat and blood.
Without these selfless and dedicated miners human society could never have progressed, nor continue to function.
And the miners of the United States have labored long and hard over the 231 years of our great country's existence.
They have achieved, provided, and sacrificed much in those two centuries.
On December 6, 2007, for the second time since its creation by the West Virginia State Legislature in 2006, Miner's Day was observed in West Virginia.
December 6, was chosen because of the great mining tragedy at Monongah, West Virginia, in 1907.
2007 is the centennial year of that dire event.
The tragic loss of hundreds of men and boys changed the course of mining in the United States forever.
From the Miners’ Day Memorial Association.