The Vine Newsletter (April 2008)

A Message from Our New Priest-in-Charge:

The Right Reverend Martin Townsend, retired Bishop of Easton, Maryland. Courtesy of Dr. Lewis Crew’s “Unofficial Anglican Pages”.

Editor’s Note: My apologies to Bishop Martin for the woefully inadequate photo, since that was the only one I could find on Google at such a late hour approaching the publishing deadline.


Dear People of Emmanuel Church,

The past week seems to have been a gracious time of hopes and opportunities coming together. Bishop Klusmeyer had talked with me about Emmanuel Church, asking if I might be interested in working with the church community in Keyser. He spoke of you with affection and understanding. I talked with Kim Pifer and sent her my resume. She arranged for me to meet with the Vestry on Saturday, April 5th. After an energized two hours, we had formed a shared hope for the opportunities ahead. Shortly, on behalf of the Vestry, your Senior Warden called me to ask if I could come to Emmanuel as your priest and pastor. Both humbled and excited, I have accepted the Vestry’s invitation to become your Priest in Charge.
That is what has happened recently. Let me go back to when he groundwork for our meeting was laid. In 1972 I was the rector of a parish in the Maryland suburbs of Washington. Barbara, my wife, had grown up in a small town as had I. We needed an escape from the beltway, so we bought some land in the hills just east of Fort Ashby. The next year, with the help of lots of friends, we built a vacation home on the land. Ever since, we have been adding to that house, growing it in stages and calling it Shepherd’s Croft. Most of the work we have done with our own hands, learning how to be carpenters, plumbers (not very good ones), stone masons, painters, and all the other things you have to be as a home builder. We have so loved being here and have enjoyed our neighbors that Mineral County has become home.

Over the years I have served as Rector of St. Christopher’s Church in New Carrollton, MD, Trinity Church in St. Mary’s City, MD, Christ Church in Blacksburg, VA, and Bishop of The Diocese of Easton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. After retiring from Easton I served for two years as the Interim Rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Cincinnati, OH, Assisting Bishop in Newark, NJ, and then for two years as the Interim Rector at Trinity Church, Upperville, VA.

Thank you for inviting me into your lives, allowing Barbara’s and my path to join with yours. I believe the Holy Spirit is at work in this coming together. It continues to amaze and delight me that after being a deacon, priest, and bishop, I still get excited as God guides me into new stages of my life.

Your wardens and Vestry described something of the challenges that you have recently faced and what some of your dreams and strengths are. I liked what I heard and I greatly look forward to knowing all of you. My first Sunday at Emmanuel will be May 11th, which is the Feast of Pentecost, also Mother’s Day. It is an auspicious day for giving thanks and for new beginnings. Winter and late frosts are past. It is a time for planting our gardens with a confidence that they will yield fruit. “Now the green blade riseth… Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.”

You have bid farewell to The Rev’d Joyce Wilkinson, and elsewhere in this newsletter she bids you peace in her own farewell. May God bless our partings and our meetings.

See you on May 11th.

In Christ,

+Martin G. Townsend

A Note From Joyce
From a reflection on the gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Easter, John 20:19-31:
"Whenever we're afraid and hiding out, all locked up,
God comes to us in the midst of our fear
and says, 'Peace be with you.'
Whatever doubts churn in our minds,
whatever sins trouble our consciences,
whatever pain and worry bind us up,
whatever walls we have put up or doors we have locked securely,
God comes to us and says, 'Peace be with you.'"
[But it doesn't stop there. - my note]
"Whatever hunger and need we feel deep in our souls,
God calls us to the table, feeds us well,
and sends us out into the world to be justice and peace,
salt and light, hope for the world.
We can do it, if we keep our eyes open, our minds limber,
and our hearts soft and willing to love.
As God sent Jesus, God sends us, this day." (from ucc.org)

Dear People of Emmanuel,

I enjoyed being with you, and I pray Christ's peace be with you on your journey.

Joyce


THE EASTER SERMON OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
If any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him how receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.

For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.

By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
Hell, said he, was embittered
When it encountered Thee in the lower regions.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.
Amen.

“Alleluia Aerobics” Makes a Comeback…
Thanks to the volunteering spirit of the indomitable Ginny Poland, we’re pleased to announce that the “Alleluia Aerobics” classes for women will once again be offered at Emmanuel Church.
The classes will be held on Monday nights each week, from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church, and there will be a nominal fee of $1.00 per class. All the women of the parish and the community are invited to come to work on physical fitness in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
For additional information about “Alleluia Aerobics”, please contact Ginny Poland or Marcy D’Elisa.

Thank you!
Special thanks to Beverly Davis and Anita Johnson for the beautiful wreaths on the doors. If anyone would like to decorate the doors for a special holiday or occasion, you are welcome to do so. Please contact Kim Pifer for more information.


Reaching Out to Our Parish Family…

We have many people at Emmanuel Church who have illnesses and other concerns in their lives, and they need not only our prayers but more tangible signs of our love and support. So we’re asking for volunteers to do one (or more) of the following:

1. Get together and send out “get well” or “thinking of you” cards to those who have been ill and/or haven’t been at church in a while;

2. Give a telephone call to sick and shut-in members to see how they’re doing and if they should need anything.

3. Visit members who are in the hospital or nursing homes to see how they’re doing.

4. Volunteering your time (and automobile) to help people get to medical appointments.

Please pray about serving as the hands, feet and heart of Jesus Christ to our fellow believers who are in need. If you’d like to help in this important ministry, or if you’d like to get more information, please see Kim Pifer, the Senior Warden of our parish.


MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN:

The birth of spring is upon us and Keyser is starting to bud with a renewal of life. We have just celebrated the mysteries of Christ and the Resurrection. I feel Emmanuel is very much a part of this rebirth. I see growing pains, anxiety of the unknown and excitement for what is to come. We give thanks for Rev. Joyce’s time with us. We became stronger during her time with us and seek to continue our growth in Christ. During our next growing spurt, the Rev. Canon Donald Vinson will be working with the vestry and congregation to strengthen the life of Emmanuel Church. How will this be done?

Rev. Vinson will be meeting and sharing with us two segments that are quite different from one another. The first is a Fresh Start module called "Transition." It is based on the idea that change and transition are two different things. Change is inevitable, and it happens whether we respond to it or not. It is just part of life. But transition is adapting and responding to that change. We will have discussion about how these things impact on us and on our church. Second, we will do an assessment of the congregation in terms of where it is in its life cycle. Also, determine what this congregation's gifts are, what the church does well, and discuss how we can do even better.

This will be a time to begin conversation and a time for reflection. Where have we been? Where do we want to go? Most importantly, how do we intend to grow spiritual in ourselves and with the congregation? Rev. Vinson will help get us started with giving us the tools to expand our minds. He will give us some time to try them out and then will return with other topics for us to explore.

With spring upon us and the beginning of the growing season it is a perfect time for Emmanuel to dig in our hands and minds and get busy with new growth. I thank each one of you. We, as the vestry, continue to ask you to help with this process and make this the best year that Emmanuel has seen. Will keep you posted!

God’s Blessings to each of you.
Kim Pifer, Senior Warden


Pricket Stand from National Cathedral

Praying with Light…

In the not-too-distant future you’ll notice that a rather compact piece of furniture has been added to Emmanuel Church, and its sole purpose is to assist us in remembering in prayer our family and friends (those living and departed) as well as our own personal prayer concerns according to a tradition that reaches back to the very beginning of Christianity. The furniture in question is a votive candle stand, which in the Anglican/Episcopalian tradition is known as a “Pricket Stand,” and the members of the Vestry – during the special Vestry Retreat in January and after the advice of Rev. Canon Donald Vinson – voted to have a pricket stand constructed for Emmanuel Church by a local woodworker (to match the wooden furnishings in the parish), and several members of the Vestry contributed their personal funds for its creation (no money from the church was used for this purpose).

The practice of lighting candles for prayer remembrance has been a common element throughout the history of Christianity, and is most likely based upon the ancient Jewish practice of lighting special lamps or candles (called Yahrzeit) in order to remember deceased family members and friends. In Christianity, this practice was adopted and expanded to include all prayer needs one might have, and one can read accounts of how the persecuted Early Christians would light candles before Altars and the tombs of the martyrs as a symbol of their prayer intentions. This practice has been maintained in the Anglican/Episcopal, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches through the centuries, and because of the “Emerging Church” movement, you can see that numerous Protestant churches are adopting it as well.
In case you’re not familiar with the practice of lighting candles in prayer, here are some helpful ideas:
1. The lit candle reminds us of our Baptism, and the way that we share in the life of Christ by sharing in the life of the Church. The light also symbolizes the Light of Jesus Christ in our midst, and that He dispels the darkest times of our lives.
When we go, leaving the burning candle behind, we are reminded that our souls never leave the presence of God, in company with His Saints.
2. Prayer is not self-centered, it is God centered, and an important element is prayer for other people and causes. When lighting your candle, it is a very good idea to light a candle for those others you want to pray for. One can even light a candle as a sign of thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings that have been received.
The candle will not be a substitute for the prayer of your heart, but an accompaniment. It is traditional to give small offering for the candle which, in and giving glory to God, speaks both from the heart and to the heart. All the offerings given will be collected to assist those in need in our community.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ give a greater sense of peace and an increased sense of His Presence in our midst as you use this little spiritual tool for grace and comfort.


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR…

Because I'm a perennial glutton for punishment, the Vestry of Emmanuel Church has appointed me as the new editor of The Vine newsletter. I look forward to keeping this important ministry of our parish moving into the future.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Rev. Joyce Wilkinson for turning The Vine into a monthly publication that has become a vital tool for keeping our church family and friends informed about all of the many things going on at Emmanuel, along with providing the weekly schedules for those who have volunteered to assist during the Holy Eucharist and during our fellowship brunches. Of course I cannot possibly forget to thank the person who started the tradition of The Vine in the first place -- Sue Riley. Sue created the very first edition of the newsletter, and so she's kind of the "mother" of this entire venture.

The Vine newsletter is YOUR newsletter, a publication of the people of Emmanuel Church. I want to encourage everyone to submit poetry, inspirational articles, old photos from the church's past, recipes, and so forth to me. We have such wonderful personalities and diversity at our church, and I believe that it would be great to show everyone who receives a copy what we're about.

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless us, and may you and your families experience His love and transforming power especially during this Easter Season.

In Christ,


Michael Summers, Editor




Wisdom from the Rule of St. Benedict
This, then is the beginning of my advice: make prayer the first step in anything worthwhile that you attempt. Persevere and do not weaken in that prayer. Pray with confidence, because God, in his love and forgiveness, has counted us as his own sons and daughters. Surely we should not by our evil acts heartlessly reject that love. At every moment of our lives, as we use the good things he has given us, we can respond to His love only by seeking to obey His will for us. [Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict]