Posts from September 2014

5 Items

Manakin Foundation

by Church Staff

By the Foundation Committee

Did You Know…Manakin Church has had a foundation for over 22 years?

The Manakin Episcopal Church Foundation was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on December 17, 1991 and is a totally separate legal entity from the church. It is a tax exempt organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, donations to it are generally tax deductible to the donor.

Our Foundation is managed by a five member Board of Trustees, all of whom are elected by the Vestry of Manakin Church to serve staggered two year terms and are eligible for unlimited re-election. The current Trustees are listed on the back of the weekly service bulletin and at the end of each Messenger.

The purpose of the Foundation is to preserve the existence of Manakin Church for future generations and ensure its long term financial health; specifically:
• To support the Christian mission of Manakin Church
• To provide funding for long term projects of such scope that the financial costs may not reasonably be met by the church in the course of its normal operations.
• To provide an alternative source of funding for major building and or restorations of Church property as well as acquisition of property for future growth.
• To manage all investments in the Foundation in accordance with any directions from donor(s) for the benefit of Manakin Church.

The Foundation has contributed over $60,200 towards the annual operating budget of the church over the past 9 years.

When reviewing your estate plans, consider making provisions for a charitable contribution to Manakin in your will or trust . It is a gift which costs you nothing to make today. Future articles in the Manakin Messenger will describe how some current church members have remembered the Church in their Estate and Financial Planning.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of the Foundation Trustees.

Manakin Sunday School Begins with Bring-a-Friend Sunday

by Church Staff

By Jo Blandford

A new year of Christian education starts Sunday, September 7 at 9:45 a.m. All ages, infant through 12th grade are welcome.

Sunday, September 7 is Bring-a-Friend Sunday. It is also Sunday School registration in Denny Hall. Class assignments by grade will be posted. After registering for your class, you will meet your teachers and have group time working on an outreach project with Susie Stone and her helpers.

Sunday, September 14 will be the first day of the regular class schedule. Class begins at 9:15 a.m.

I hope you will get involved with our children’s Christian education by teaching. If you are interested, please see or call Jo Blandford or contact the church office. We are a church family and our children need our guidance and love. We did promise at their baptism to help them grow in the Christian way.

Manakin Starts a Stephen Ministry

by Church Staff

By Paula Price

The Stephen Ministry is a new ministry in our congregation in which trained and supervised laypersons from our congregation, called Stephen Ministers, will provide one-to-one care to individuals facing life challenges or difficulties.

What do Stephen Ministers Do?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors: they are caring Christian friends who in the strictest confidentiality, listen, understand, accept and pray for and with care receivers who are working through a tough time. Stephen Ministers do not replace the priest’s pastoral and counseling responsibilities. They work with him and with his oversight, support and extend that care.

The Stephen Ministry began in 1975. There are 12,000 congregations throughout the
U.S. and Canada representing 150 different denominations in the program.

How Do We Get Started?
I just returned from a week’s training on starting our Stephen Ministry. With the help of the Rev. Michael Stone and Birdie Lighthiser, I am ready to recruit and train members of our congregation to be Stephen Ministers. If you want to be part of this new ministry, or just want more information contact the church office. Our goal is to have Manakin’s Stephen Ministers trained (40 to 50 hours) by January 2015.

As Christians we have all been given the charge by Jesus to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Manakin Prepares to Hold its 2nd Annual Founders’ Day Festival

by Church Staff

Join Manakin as it celebrates its Founders’ Day with a festival focused on “Family Life in the 1850 & 1860s.” The festival which will feature music, games, food, local vendors, demonstrations, presentations and more, will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join Manakin for its Annual Fundraising Gala and Auction

by Church Staff

By the Gala Committee

Manakin’s 7th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala and Auction will be held on Saturday evening, September 27. Do not miss this opportunity for a fun evening with delicious food and drinks, exciting items to bid on in both silent and live auctions, and the chance to support all of our worthwhile outreach causes just by coming out! If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets, please contact the church office.