Emmanuel Episcopal Church

THE MESSENGER
April 2008
Emmanuel Church, PO Box 875, Chestertown, Maryland 21620
From the Rector:
With the Great Vigil service on the eve of Easter Sunday, the Church moves into a new season. The season of Easter lasts 50 days, commemorating the 40 days of Jesus’ renewed ministry following his resurrection and the 10 days that came between his heavenly ascension and the day of Pentecost when Christ’s followers received the Holy Spirit.
At Emmanuel, we observe many of the Church’s ancient traditions associated with the Easter season. For the seven Sundays, white will be the chosen color for the altar and the priest’s vestments. We will begin each service with the acclamation and response “Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.” The word “alleluia” will return to other key moments in our services and from time to time, we may omit the confession. In some churches, people will refrain from kneeling when they ordinarily would, choosing to stand instead. This custom recalls an Easter practice from the Church’s early centuries when Christians sought to infuse every service with a special sense of celebration.
The Easter season’s 50 days will end on the Day of Pentecost and for a week we will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit with red vestments and paraments to recall the flaming tongues that filled each disciple with the Spirit’s power. White will return for a single Sunday in honor of the Holy Trinity, that perplexing but wonderful mystery at the core of our faith. And then we move into what I think of as “the green season,” 26 Sundays (this year) when the altar and priest wear green. During these weeks, our worship moves into a quiet, steady rhythm when we celebrate our participation in the Body of Christ without pomp or fanfare, but with consistent joy.
The Episcopal Church officially describes “the green season” as the season “after Pentecost” and the Church of England calls it the season “after Trinity,” but I call it my favorite season in the Church’s year. As much as I appreciate the great feasts and the special seasons set aside for contemplation, penitence, or celebration, I appreciate this long stretch of time when consistent and predictable worship grants us a peace that complements the peace of God.
I encourage you in the coming weeks to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to sharing with you the festal occasions of Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. Last, but by no means least, I urge you to cherish “the green season” that will arrive late next month. Although it lasts for 26 weeks, the steady peace of this season will carry us with surprising swiftness to those important, but more turbulent seasons when peace must typically compete with sadness, exhilaration, and awe for our hearts, souls, and minds.
Alleluia. Christ is Risen! Dan +
APRIL BREAKFAST
Have you heard of "MDG's" ? Join us Sunday, April 6 at 9:00 am to hear Mr. and Mrs. Rick Waterhouse from St. Mary Anne's in North East, Md. enlighten us on Millennium Development Goals or MDG's. At the start of the new millennium, leaders from 191 nations, including the United States, agreed on a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. They created the Millennium Development Goals, a set of realistic targets for reducing the misery and suffering caused by hunger, illiteracy, disease, and substandard housing. Judy and David Sharretts will host the breakfast. Please come and welcome Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse to our church and hear their interesting presentation. Cost of breakfast is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child. Make your reservations by Thursday, 3 April, 2008 by calling the church office or by telephone tree.
CONCERT SERIES CONCLUDES 18 APRIL
The final concert of Emmanuel’s 2007-2008 Concert Series will be held on Friday, 18 April, at 8:00 p.m. Maxine Thevenot will be the organist. Ms Thevenot is associate organist and choir director at the Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is her second appearance on the Emmanuel Church Concert Series.
MEMORIAL FLOWERS NOTE
With the cost of flowers increasing significantly, the Flower Guild is now asking donors of altar flowers to contribute $50 per week for memorials, beginning April 6. This is the first increase in many years.
UTO SPRING INGATHERING Sunday, May 4
By now most of you are familiar with the United Thank Offering and its ministry of providing funds for the purpose of meeting human needs and expanding mission and ministry at home and throughout the world. Some examples are: building a dental clinic for the poor, a library for a seminary in Africa, and giving money to many programs which help to give physical and moral support to those less fortunate than ourselves. UTO funds are also used to make churches across the country accessible to the disabled.
But I am not sure that many of you know about the United Thank Offering Box – the “Blue Box.” It used to be the practice of a family to keep a little Blue Box in a convenient place in the home the year around. Whenever a member of the family would feel thankful for whatever reason (an A on a test for a student, a rainy day for a farmer, or a sunny day for a planned picnic), he or she would put a coin – or several, even a bill – in the Blue Box and say a short prayer of thanksgiving. Then, on In-Gathering Sunday, the contents of the Box would be brought to church. Nowadays most of us use the Blue Envelope for our gifts – many coins can be heavy – and we tend to write a check or enclose some bills. An envelope for your use is included in this mailing.
In whatever way you present your gift you will be sure that showing your love of God and your thankfulness to Him will join the gifts of many others who support this worthy cause.
If you would like to follow the old practice, I have placed Blue Boxes in the Narthex. Take one! Emmanuel Church is known for its generosity in supporting the UTO. Keep up this tradition, and remember to bring your offering to church on Sunday, May 4 at either the 8:00 or the 10:30 service. If you are unable to come to church, you may mail your gift to the church office.
Thank you. Mary Booth Davis, UTO Chairman

LENTEN SUPPERS
Souper Wednesdays in Lent were quite a success. Parishioners enjoyed homemade soup, salad, bread and cookies after each Wednesday Lenten service. The kitchen was filled with cheerful cooks as we peeled onions and potatoes, chopped carrots and celery, and washed salad greens and tomatoes. We send thanks to all who shared their time and talents to make our souper suppers: Bunny Adams, Diane Barnhill, Melissa Clarke, Nancy Dick, Meg Gulbrandsen, Joyce McCracken, Libby Rice, Gracie Rienhoff, Jane Scott, Maggie Smith, Twinkie Smith, Joyce Symington, Bob Tyson, Helen Tyson, Joan Wise, and Nancy Zeller, plus all of the others who helped serve and wash up.
We already have one new volunteer for next year to make soup for Lent. Would you like to join us? We promise you help with experienced onion peelers, vegetable choppers and cleaner uppers, not to mention some gentle teasing and serious laughter.
KUDOS and GRATITUDE
Thank you to all those involved with the Holy Week services: to Garry Clarke, Bob Tyson and the choir for the wonderful music; to Darlene Housley, Bob Tyson, Helen Tyson, and Joan West for the spectacular Easter flowers; to Helen Tyson and the Kitchen Krew for the elegant champagne reception following the Easter Vigil; and to everyone who stayed late to help tidy the sanctuary after the reception by running the vacuum and cleaning wax from the floor and pews. Well done, Emmanuel!
COFFEE HOUR
Volunteers are needed to host coffee hours in 2008. Detailed instructions – and encouragement and assistance – are available. As of this publication date, we need hosts every week, beginning 13 April. Won’t you consider this ministry? Contact Pam Abler (1.443.603.1507).
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Emmanuel Church, Chester Parish, will be held on Sunday, 1 June 2008. The meeting will begin at 9:15 a.m. A continental breakfast will be provided. Information on the nomination and election process will appear in upcoming Sunday bulletins. Printed reports on our various ministries/programs will be disseminated at the meeting. Please submit your report to the church office by Monday, 19 May for inclusion in the packet.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION REPORTS
Along with the rector, delegates Diane Barnhill, Sally Breul, and Nancy Dick attended the Diocese of Easton’s Convention in February. Detailed coverage appears in The Eastern Shore Episcopalian. Here is a report on highlights from Sally Breul:
The Convention was held in the Hyatt Hotel in Cambridge, MD. Representatives, both lay and clergy, from all of the Parishes in the Diocese of Easton were present. A description of what happens at this annual get-together of the Episcopal Church on the Eastern Shore is best described in its purpose:
"...we conduct the necessary business of passing the budget, discussing resolutions that guide our ministry, and electing persons to serve on the councils of the Church. It is also a time for learning, worship and friendship."
Two Business Sessions took place during which budgets were approved, and elections to various Diocesan positions occurred.
A choice of six workshops was offered to participants:
The Episcopal Church - Church of the 21st Century
Emergency Preparedness in the Parish
Manage Your Parish Funds for Growth
Anglican Identities - Church of the 21st Century
Singing for the Soul
Curriculum Development for the Small Church
I attended the two workshops on The Church of the 21st Century, where The Rev. Canon Howard Anderson and The Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer addressed ongoing discussions between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, of which we are constituent members. The election of The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire continues to be a troubling event in the life of the Anglican Communion.
Although formal schism has not actually occurred between the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, some other members of the Communion regard us as dissident and do not see us as cooperative partners in the greater church. This has caused some far reaching difficulties in the continuation of our efforts to bring people into the Episcopal Church. Many of these potential members were raised with traditional biblical teaching and find it difficult to absorb modern views of controversial issues that we Episcopalians have more or less incorporated into our membership and worship.
Thus in an effort to keep us together as an Anglican Communion, a "Covenant" is being developed that will attempt to use language that will permit the Episcopal Church to remain within the Anglican Communion. Sally Breul

FROM THE PARISH REGISTER:
March 2008
Hazen Sebastian “Quinn” Arnold, V was baptized at the Easter Vigil, March 23.
William Wyatt Arnold was baptized at the Easter Vigil, March 23.
Wittney Hawkins Reed was confirmed by Bishop Shand at the Easter Vigil, March 23.
Robert Joseph Mark Bennington was confirmed by Bishop Shand at the Easter Vigil, March 23.
MESSENGER DEADLINE
Please remember to submit articles for the next month’s Messenger by the 15th of the month. Thank you.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Please note: We have made minor changes to the schedule, in order to delineate the two Sunday services and those serving at each service. If you are a member of the Altar Guild, a Flower Arranger, a Chalicist, a Lector, or an Usher, please check to see if you are scheduled to serve. If you are unable to serve where assigned, please find a substitute and notify the church office at 410-778-3477. Please post this in a convenient location as it is your only reminder.

WEDNESDAY 2 April (Annunciation, observed)
Noon (White)
Altar Guild: Mary McGinnis, Diane Barnhill

SUNDAY 6 April Third Sunday of Easter
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite I
Lector: Mary McGinnis
Chalicist: Mary McGinnis
Ushers: Ernest Cookerly, John Huntington
Altar Guild: Mary McGinnis, Diane Barnhill
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Lector: Pat Moser
Chalicists: Michael Bourne, Ron Abler
Intercessor Judith or David Sharretts
Ushers: Judith and David Sharretts
Altar Guild: Mary McGinnis, Diane Barnhill
Flower Guild: Anne Ward
Coffee Hour: Pat Moser
Hymns: 191, 343, 306, 296
Psalm: 116 (Burrows-Watson)
Anthem: O sacred feast (Willan)
WEDNESDAY 9 April 2008 (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Noon (Red)
Altar Guild: Mary McGinnis, Diane Barnhill
SUNDAY 13 April Fourth Sunday of Easter
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite I
Lector: Virginia Catherwood
Chalicist: Tom Mack
Ushers: Bob and Mary McGinnis
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite II - Family Worship
Lectors: Lynn Reed, Cameron Wick
Chalicists: Betty Weller, Mary Booth Davis
Intercessor Mac Symington
Ushers: Mitchell Naumann, Taylor Smith
Oblationers: BK Saunders, Andrew Grafton
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick
Flower Guild: Bob Tyson
Hymns: 391, 664, 399, 708
Service Music: Jubilate Deo (HRH Albert)
Psalm: 23 (Goss)
Anthem: O sacrum convivium (d’Evry)

WEDNESDAY 16 April (Wednesday in 4th week of Easter)
7:00 am (Brotherhood of St. Andrew)
Noon (white)
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick
SUNDAY 20 April Fifth Sunday of Easter
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite I
Lector: John Huntington
Chalicist: Mary McGinnis
Ushers: Virginia Catherwood, Theodore Landskroener
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Lectors: The Noble Family
Chalicists: Nancy Dick, Pat Moser
Intercessor Mary Booth Davis
Ushers: Rogers Smith, Mary Booth Davis
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick
Flower Guild: Mary Elizabeth Carman
Hymns: 1, 457, 432, 194
Psalm: 66:1-8(9-11) (Stanford)
Anthem: Come my way, my truth, my life (Harker)
WEDNESDAY 23 April (St. George)
Noon (red)
Altar Guild: Meg Gulbrandsen, Nancy Dick

SUNDAY 27 April Sixth Sunday of Easter
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite I
Lector: Mary McGinnis
Chalicist: Mary McGinnis
Ushers: Tom Mack, James Somers
Altar Guild: Diane Wadkovsky, Melissa Clarke
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Lectors: Ann Bourne, Pat Moser
Chalicists: Ron Abler, Bob Tyson
Intercessor Ann Bourne
Ushers: Michael Bourne, Bill Brockschmidt
Altar Guild: Diane Wadkovsky, Melissa Clarke
Flower Guild: Suzanne Fischer
Hymns: 291, 513, 428, 488
Service Music: Benedicite, omnia opera (M. Shaw)
Psalm: 148:7-14 (Walmisley)
Anthem: God be in my head (Chapman)
WEDNESDAY 30 April (Ascension Day, observed)
Noon (white)
Altar Guild: Diane Wadkovsky, Melissa Clarke
THURSDAY 1 May Ascension Day Evensong
Service Music: Evening Service (G. Shaw, in D)
Psalm: 47 (Davy)
Anthems: Let all the world (Harwood)
Responses (Smith of Durham)
Hail gladdening Light (Stainer)

SUNDAY 4 May Seventh Sunday of Easter
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite I
Lector: J. Frederick Price
Chalicist: J. Frederick Price
Ushers: Diane and Basil Wadkovsky
Altar Guild: Diane Wadkovsky, Melissa Clarke
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Lectors: Delphine Kelly, Judith Sharretts
Chalicists: David Sharretts, Bob Hollett
Intercessor Mary Booth Davis
Ushers: Mary Booth Davis, Jeff Grafton
Altar Guild: Diane Wadkovsky, Melissa Clarke
Flower Guild: Darlene Housley
Hymns: 215, 603, 483, 450
Psalm: 47 (Davy)
Anthem: Praise (Dyson)

EMMANUEL’S VESTRY

Libby Rice, Senior Warden
Bob McGinnis, Junior Warden
Melissa Clarke, Registrar
Diane Barnhill, Treasurer
Virginia Catherwood
Nancy Dick
Fred Leadbetter, Sr.
Tom Mack
Ken Noble
Gracie Rienhoff
Judy Sharretts
Bob Tyson

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