Posts from August 2017

3 Items

The Countdown is on to the Reach for the Stars Gala

by Church Staff

By Holly Walker

Excitement is building as Manakin’s signature fundraising event for Outreach – the Reach for the Stars Gala and Auction – draws near. 2018 marks the tenth year for the Gala, an evening packed with laughter and fellowship; delicious food and beverages; amazing auction items; and of course, spirited bidding!

In addition to live and silent auctions, which feature amazing trips, fun outings, mouth-watering food, beautiful jewelry, inspiring art, and a wide array of other must-have items, this year’s Gala includes the smooth vocals of Joe LaLuna, who will sing American music standards made famous by icons such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

The Reach for the Stars Gala and Auction takes place Saturday, September 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Country Club.

All proceeds will be used to support Manakin’s Outreach program, which helps organizations and people throughout the area.

There’s still time to join in the fun!

Tickets are $50 each and include food and three adult beverages. To purchase your tickets, call the Church Office at 804-794-6401.

Christian Formation for Children and Youth

by Church Staff

By Julia Eliades, Interim Christian Formation Director 

We invite all children and youth to join Manakin’s vibrant Christian Formation program, which includes activities, learning opportunities and care for all ages.

The new program year begins Sunday, September 17, and families are asked to arrive at 9:15 a.m. that day to register for church school, explore new classroom spaces, enjoy good food and fellowship, and learn about our four focus areas as we Shine4God.

This fall, Manakin offers children and youth:

Children: Infant – 2-Years Old
Childcare is provided in our nursery space in Denny Hall. Megan Weast, our nursery worker, cares for our youngest children every Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m. Parents/guardians are asked to sign-in at drop off, label all personal items, and leave a cell phone number to receive a text message when needed.

Children: 3-Years Old – 5th Grade
This year at 9:55 a.m., children from 3-years old through fifth grade will gather in our newly transformed classroom! The room is designed to be a place for experiential learning, where children will participate in worship and singing; explore prayer practices; and engage bible stories through story-telling and dramatic play. The class will break into two groups to further explore the bible story with age appropriate lessons, ages 3 through 2nd grade, and children in grades 3rd – 5th. This year, we are introducing the new Shine curriculum that will be our guide as we ignite, beam, sparkle and glow in our four focus areas of worship, outreach, spiritual practices, and formation. We ask that parent/guardians drop children off at the door of the classroom in Denny Hall. Children will join their families in the Sanctuary for the Eucharist (Communion).

Middle School Youth: 6th – 8th Grades
On the first and third Sundays of the month (and the occasional fifth Sunday), middle school youth will explore the history and significance of Episcopal worship practices, learn how to talk about faith challenges and try out some spiritual practices that will help them welcome God’s direction in their lives. They will also participate in outreach projects and activities. On the second and fourth Sundays of the month, they will participate in the worship service with their families.

High School Teens
All high school age teens are invited to a Rise and Shine breakfast on September 24 at 10:00 a.m. with Julia Eliades. We will talk about current events in our world, and discuss ways our beliefs influence our actions. Please let Julia know if you plan to attend.

Confirmation
Seven young people at Manakin have made the commitment to participate in a year-long confirmation class starting on September 10 at 10:00 a.m. The youth will be meeting on the second Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m. until the spring of 2018. We will be using the Confirm not Conform confirmation curriculum. Much of the coursework will be done though online communication with Julia Eliades. We ask all Manakin parishioners to please keep these youth in your prayers as they begin an exciting journey in faith.
 

Special Activities and Learning and Worship Opportunities during Fall 2017

Soil and Animals, Abundant Life Garden Project
During September and October, children and youth will participate in the soil and animal interactive, scripture-based program developed by the Abundant Life Garden Project, Episcopal Relief and Development. Dr. Charles Boern will talk about the benefits of soil and teach students how to care for plant clippings from his garden. We will watch the clippings grow into plants and paint pots for the plants during our Rise and Shine celebration.

Blessing of the Animals Service
On October 1, everyone will participate in the Blessing of the Animals worship service. Children will continue to learn about the important role animals play in our world.

Goats4Life
During September and October, the children and youth will be collecting and offering funds to buy a goat for an impoverished family through Episcopal Relief and Development. The cost of one goat is $80.

Bears4Prayer
In October, children will make Bears4Prayers that will be given out as a way to offer comfort to those in need of prayer.

Remember: Faith experienced at an early age is the foundation for all other growth. The good news we share with our children has the power to transform lives and revitalize communities. So let’s prepare the ground for a new tomorrow, and teach our children to shine in the world.

Christian Formation for Adults in September and October

by Church Staff

By Julia Eliades, Interim Christian Formation Director 

During the upcoming program year, the Christian Formation committee is planning a series of adult forums that will meet one Sunday a month at 9:00 a.m. between Manakin’s two worship services. In September and October, Rev. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust will lead Manakin’s adult forums (see below for information about Rev. Dr. Yust).

Join us as we explore the complexities of living faithfully in an ever-changing world.

September 24
9:00 – 9:50 a.m.
Faithfully Tracking the Course of Change
We live in a time of accelerating social and technological change, both locally and globally. These changes can feel like a threat to our faith and well-being. The adult forum on September 24 will explore various social and biblical perspectives on change and explore how we can respond to change in life-affirming ways.

October 22
9:00 – 9:50 a.m.
Following God into the Future
Science fiction often sets the tone for our visions of the future, either by depicting how technological advances will improve human life or threaten human survival. The adult forum on October 22 will explore our anxieties about the future and how we can embrace a biblical vision of hope that affirms the future without losing touch with the past.

 
Other Opportunities for Adults

October 23
6:30 p.m.
Practical Ways of Living Your Faith
Transforming the World, Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life
During September and October, we will explore a variety of practical ways to live out our faith. In Denny Hall, there will be copies of the Living Well chapter on Transforming the World, published by Lifelong Faith Associates. Pick one up, and take the material home to read on your own or with your family. Try out the activities. Reflect on the content and questions raised in the chapter. Pray about it. On Monday, October 23, join other adults to talk about the chapter and your experiences. Share your thoughts and ideas for serving the poor and vulnerable; acting for justice and peace; and caring for God’s creation. Let’s turn out thoughts into actions, transforming the world we live in!

 

About The Rev. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust:

Rev. Dr. Yust is a professor of Christian education at Union Presbyterian Seminary. She holds a Th.D. in systematic and historical theology from Harvard University, a M.Div. from Brite Divinity School, and a B.A. from Trinity University. She has published extensively. Her books include Real Kids, Real Faith: A Practice of Nurturing Children’s Spiritual Lives (Jossey-Bass, 2004) and Attentive to God: Spirituality in the Church Committee (Chalice Press, 2001). A focus in her work includes exploring the changing dynamics of congregational life and asking how these changes offer opportunities to develop new approaches to faith formation and new foci for educational ministries. She is an experienced pastor with dual ordination in the United Church of Christ and Disciples traditions.