Posts from July 2015

9 Items

Supply Priests

by Church Staff

The following priests will be officiating July and August:

July 12—The Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones
July 19—The Rev. Allen Coffey
July 26—The Rev. J. Fletcher Lowe
August 2—The Rev. Allen Coffey
August 16—The Rev. Peter Stimpson
August 23—The Rev. Peter Stimpson
August 30—The Rev. J. Fletcher Lowe

The Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Canon for Clergy Development and Transition of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Formerly Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chesapeake, VA. Graduate: B.A. University of the South; M. Div.—Nashotah House.

The Rev. Dr. E. Allen Coffey, Retired Rector, St. Pauls’ Church, Farnham Parish, Millers Tavern, VA—Diocese of Virginia. Graduate: B.A.—Randolph Macon College; M. Div.—Virginia Theological Seminary; D. Min.—Union Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Canon J. Fletcher Lowe, Rector Emeritus, Church of the Holy Comforter, Richmond, VA—Diocese of Virginia. Graduate: B.A. – Washington & Lee University; M. Div.—General Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Peter K. Stimpson, Retired Rector, Holy Trinity Church, Springlake, New Jersey—Diocese of New Jersey, Retired Executive Director of Trinity Counseling Service, Princeton, New Jersey. Graduate: B.A., B.Th., M.Th.—University of Ottawa, Canada; B.Ph. and B. Th., University of St. Paul, Ottawa Canada; MSW State University of New York at Albany.

Vacation Bible Spectacular Focuses on Clean Water

by Church Staff

During this year’s Vacation Bible Spectacular, we will be “Crushin’ It” for clean water by raising awareness and money to provide clean water systems for those in need.

Join us on Sunday, August 9 following the 10:00 a.m. service. All ages 4-years old through adults (Nursery available upon request) are welcome.

The day will feature singing, a variety of programs, prizes, games, outreach opportunities and special guests. We will enjoy a pasta bar, that includes an assortment of pastas, sauces, side dishes, bread and desserts.

The cost is $6 per person and $20 per family (maximum). All profits will go to the “Clean Water System” fund sponsored by Stop Hunger Now.

ALS Benefit is Huge Success

by Church Staff

By Birdie Lighthiser and Ginger Marsh

May 31 was the culmination of our “May is ALS Awareness Month.” After wearing our red wrist bands and praying for our Manakin members with ALS for the whole month of May, we had a Chili Cook-off to benefit our families. Thirteen chilies of every variety imaginable were tasted. Our taste buds were tickled with everything from “Bill’s Wild Chili” (with deer and bear meat) to “Confirmation Chili” (white chicken chili). Cornbread, tortilla chips, lemonade and lots of conversation and laughter accompanied our chili. $1830 was raised for our two families touched by ALS! The winning chili was made by our 2015 Confirmation Class! A huge “thank you” to everyone who worked so hard to make this event such a resounding success.

Manakin Chili Cook-off Winner

by Church Staff

By Birdie Lighthiser

Manakin’s four youth confirmands and their mentors gathered on May 30 and skillfully and lovingly prepared chili for the Manakin Chili Cook-off on May 31. This is the prize-winning recipe. Enjoy!

Confirmation Chicken Chili
2-3 lbs. cooked and shredded chicken breast
4-6 cups chicken broth
1 large onion chopped
2-4 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
2 cans Northern Beans, not drained
2 (4ozs.) can diced green chiles
4 t. fresh lime juice
2 t. cumin
1 t. cayenne
16 oz. lite sour cream

Sauté onion in oil, in large pot. Add garlic. Stir in every-thing else (except sour cream) Simmer, stirring occasionally 30-45 minutes. Taste test. Add sour cream, off of heat.

EfM Anyone?

by Church Staff

By Jeff Lighthiser

For the past three years an EfM group has been meeting at Manakin most Monday nights from September through May. “So what is this EfM?” you ask. Education for Ministry – or EfM – is a study program for adults who are interested in discovering how they can contribute to the life of their church and beyond. This doesn’t mean that members of an EfM group will become Deacons or Priests; rather the program is designed to help an individual find his/her real calling(s). Whether it be feeding the homeless, pruning the shrubs, calling on a shut-in, singing in the choir, or setting the table for communion, we all have a ministries to share.

Developed and administered by The University of the South (Sewanee), the curriculum follows a four-year program that begins with the Old Testament, moves to the New Testament, then on to the history of Christianity, and concludes with the study of theology and ethics. While it is a four-year program, you commit to participate on an annual basis. The current Manakin group, mentored by Paula Price who completed training through Sewanee, consists of 12 members who come to us from St. Luke’s (Powhatan), St Luke’s (Blackstone), Redeemer, and Manakin. This past year we had members in their first, second and third year of study in the group. A typical two hour class consists of a discussion of the week’s readings, and then a discussion led by one of the group members on an ethical/theological challenge based on the readings or on current events in the parish, the community, the nation or the world.

For years there has been talk of the need for adult educational offerings at Manakin. While there have been many attempts, little progress has been made. The enjoyment of discussing religious beliefs, ethics and opportunities to serve with other like-minded adults is incredibly refreshing. It has certainly changed how I feel about my faith, my church, and my ministries. I know that Paula is hoping to form a second EfM class this fall. You should think about it!

Scholarships for Manakin’s Students

by Church Staff

By the LWM Scholarship Fund

The Lawrence W. Mason Scholarship program provides scholarships to all college students from the Parish. The only qualification to be considered for a scholarship is that the student be pursuing education beyond high school.

As in the past, to be certain no one who is eligible gets overlooked, each summer we remove all the names from the scholarship list and ask anyone who is interested to reregister. This is the only way we can account for the changing circumstances of the students we are supporting. Please call Wendy by August 17 with the student’s name, the school attending and the projected completion date.

Thanks to the generosity of the members of Manakin, we are able to help our young people continue their education with scholarships and to let them know their church still remembers them while they are away.

Book Club in September

by Church Staff

By Birdie Lighthiser

The Book Club will meet on Tuesday, September 15, at 5:00 p.m. at Manakin. We will be reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. This novel is an homage to the extraordinary courage and endurance of Frenchwomen during World War II. Please join us for a lively discussion. Feel free to bring a bag supper. Dessert is always provided.

Donation to Virginia’s Women’s Correctional Center

by Church Staff

By Martha Steger

Karen Powell, an employee of the Virginia Women’s Correctional Center (VWCC) located in Goochland, expressed great appreciation to Manakin for its donation of notebooks, pens and pencils, Bibles, note cards, greeting cards, first-class stamps and gently used clothing. (We’re grateful to Michael+ for purchasing many of the items from his discretionary fund.)

I delivered them to Karen at the institution’s annual Kates Foundation Day in early May — a good time not only to meet women who are learning horticultural and culinary skills while institutionalized, but also to meet folks from churches that conduct weekly Bible study at the center. Proceeds from the annual plant, baked-goods and crafts sale during Kates Day support the educational and scholarship fund at VWCC.