Adult Enrichment

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The Good Book Club Continues

by Church Staff

There is still time to join in the Good Book Club, as we explore Paul’s Letter to the Romans. The Good Book Club is a churchwide initiative, during which thousands of Episcopalians are reading a section every day (except Sundays) through Shrove Tuesday on March 5. During the readings we will learn about life in the early church and central principles of our Christian faith. To learn more about the Good Book Club and to watch a message from Bishop Curry, visit www.goodbookclub.org.

Manakin Church Aging Well Retreat

by Church Staff

You are invited to take part in a special retreat, during which we will explore aging with grace. During Manakin’s Aging Well Retreat, which will be held Saturday, January 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., we will discuss some of the health, legal and spiritual needs we must consider for ourselves and when caring for our loved ones. Our speakers include:

  • Kathy Fogg Berry: She will share her expertise on practical ways to help people with dementia and their caregivers.
  • Scott Stovall, Esq., CowanGates Law Firm: He will share the importance of having legal documents prepared.
  • Ellen Manning, Bon Secours Hospice: She will explain the services provided by hospice.
  • Rev. Gini DiStanislao, Manakin Episcopal Church: She will talk about spiritual needs and preparing for our end-of-life service. 

The Aging Well Retreat is open to all and will be held in Denny Hall at Manakin. Registration is $10 in advance, and lunch is provided. To sign up, call the church office at 804-794-6401.

Christian Formation’s Program Year

by Church Staff

Fall marks a new start to the Christian Formation program year for all children, youth and adults. Join us on this spiritual journey, as we explore this year’s theme, “The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life.” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages all to participate. In his invitation, he writes, “By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus.”

Manakin kicks off its program on September 16 at 9:00 a.m. in Denny Hall. We’ll talk about “The Way of Love,” and everyone will have the opportunity to visit stations where there will be activities and more information about each spiritual practice. Families also have the opportunity to register their children and youth for Sunday morning programming.

To read Bishop Curry’s full message, go to www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love/invitation.

Bishop Visit Planned for May 20

by Church Staff

Mark your calendars! The Rt. Rev. Herman “Holly” Hollerith IV is coming to Manakin on May 20! This will be an exciting Sunday for our church! At 9:00 a.m. the Bishop will be our guest speaker at Manakin’s monthly Adult Forum in Denny Hall. All are invited to stop by the forum to meet and greet the Bishop. Then, the Bishop joins us for our 10:00 a.m. service as we celebrate Manakin’s new confirmands.

A Shared Faith Journey

by Church Staff

Join us as we take part in a shared faith journey that will take us through the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as part of the church-wide program, The Good Book Club. The Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry encourages all Episcopalians to join together for this faith-enriching experience, which involves reading a section of Luke each day during Lent and reading a section of Acts during each day of the Easter season. 

At Manakin, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. in Denny Hall on the first Sunday of each month for Bible Study, during which we will discuss the readings, share our thoughts about them, and support each other as we grow our knowledge and faith. If you would like to participate in discussions at other times, please contact the Church Office and let Rev. Gini DiStanislao or Christian Formation Director Julia Eliades, and share your interest.

We’ll begin our readings on Sunday, February 11 and will finish on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 20.

We look forward to taking this journey with you!

Follow in Jesus’ Footsteps during Manakin’s Lenten Program

by Church Staff

Throughout the season of Lent, Manakin invites parishioners and members of the community to gather Wednesday evenings as we reflect on our faith and focus on spiritual renewal. From February 21 – March 28, we will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Denny Hall to share a potluck dinner. Then, from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. we’ll hold our Lenten program for adults, as well as children.

During this year’s program, we’ll go on a journey through the Holy Land, learning more about Jesus’ ministry from its beginning to his final days. At the beginning of each evening, we’ll watch a short video in which Adam Hamilton, who’s traveled extensively to the Holy Land, will help us explore the culture, history and geography of Biblical times. Rev. Gini DiStanislao and Christian Formation Coordinator Julia Eliades will also guide us on this journey, leading thought-provoking discussions about what it really means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

February 21
The Baptism and Temptation – The Jordon River and Wilderness

February 28
The Healing Ministry – Capernaum

March 7
Proclaiming the Kingdom – The Mountains

March 14
Calming the Storm – The Sea of Galilee

March 21
Sinners, Outcasts, and the Poor – Samaria

March 28
The Final Week

Bible Study: The Good Book Club

by Church Staff

In February, we embark on a faith journey that will take us through the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as part of the church-wide program, The Good Book Club. The Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry encourages all Episcopalians to join together for this faith-enriching experience, which involves reading a section of Luke each day during Lent and reading a section of Acts during each day of the Easter season.

At Manakin, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. in Denny Hall on the first Sunday of each month for Bible Study, during which we will discuss the readings, share our thoughts about them, and support each other as we grow our knowledge and faith.

During our first meeting on Sunday, February 4, we will discuss The Good Book Club. We’ll then begin our readings on Sunday, February 11 and will finish on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 20.

We look forward to taking this journey with you!

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.

 

 

Manakin Church announces the 2017 Lenten Program

by Church Staff

The theme for this year’s Lenten program is Challenges to Christianity in the 21st Century. Our 2017 Lenten program will offer a variety of intellectually and spiritually stimulating individual presentations based on a general theme of Challenges to Christianity in the 21st Century. All meetings will start with dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by the program and be over by 8:15 p.m. There will be five programs on Wednesdays in Lent, starting March 8. March 1, 2017 is Ash Wednesday. There will be a Rite II Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 p.m. but no pot luck supper on that day

March 8 – One of the biggest challenges our church has in 2017 is attracting young people. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust, Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary will speak to us about changes in today’s Christian Formation programs, her experience teaching college students in today’s environment and implications for the traditional “Church School” approach. Dinner will be our usual covered dish dinner. Bring an entrée, a salad or dessert to share.

March 15 – The Episcopal Church has a five hundred year tradition of choral evensong. It is truly a wonderful, calm, quiet service that is rarely done at Manakin. We will have a Choral Evensong as our program following dinner. Families with children are encouraged to bring them to this short service. Dinner prior to this service will be provided. For less than the cost of going to McDonald’s, you can get dinner with wine, and experience this wonderful traditional service. There will be no sermon and families should be able to return home by 8:00 p.m.

March 22The Reverend John M. Kerr, retired Chaplain of the College of William and Mary will address us on “The Road Less Traveled: “How science and religion can coexist.” Rev. Kerr spoke to us last year and we are delighted that he will return this year for another intellectually challenging experience. If you missed last year, here is another chance to see what everyone was raving about.

March 29Dr. Arthur B. Gunlicks, Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond and former Head of the Political Science Department there, will talk to us about the likely state of relations between the United States and Russia following our recent elections, and other related geopolitical issues impacting the Christian community.

April 5The Reverend Peter K. Stimpson will return with another talk to prepare us for Holy Week as he looks at societal forces impacting the Church in the 21st Century. In addition to his divinity degree he is a licensed clinical social worker who headed his own consulting firm.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend these offerings.

Author Dean King to Speak at Manakin Book Club

by Church Staff

Mark your calendar, and join us on Tuesday, October 11, as we kick off the first of our fall Book Club meetings with Richmond author Dean King. King is coming to Manakin to discuss his latest book, The Feud: The Hatfields & McCoys – The True Story.

All are invited to attend and participate in what is sure to be a fascinating discussion. It all begins at 6:00 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

If you have questions about this event or would like to know more about Manakin’s Book Club, contact the Church Office.