By Beverly Whitley
The March Ladies’ Night out will be Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at 6:00 PM at Firebirds Restaurant in Midlothian. A sign-up sheet is posted in Denny Hall.
Ladies’ Night Out is an opportunity for Manakin women to share a meal and get to know one another!
By Holly Walker
In February, we enter the 40 days of Lent, a time of reflection as we prepare ourselves for Holy Week and Christ’s resurrection. Throughout the Lenten season, Manakin will offer a series of Wednesday evening programs to support this period of self-examination.
This year’s theme is “Going Beyond the Doors of the Church.” In today’s complex and ever-changing world, finding ways to fully live into our faith can be challenging. How do we express our faith in our workplace and in our community, while respecting the beliefs of those of other religions? How do we reconcile advances in technology and science with our faith? How do cultural influences impact the way we prioritize God in our lives? How does our faith develop throughout our lives?
During Manakin’s Lenten Program, we will explore these questions and more as we take a thought provoking look at our faith from multiple perspectives.
February 17
“Go to Love and Serve”
Speaker: Rev. Canon Fletcher Lowe
How do we incorporate our faith into all aspects in our lives? When we leave our church each Sunday, how do we continue to live into God’s Word? How do we take the gifts God has given us and utilize them in our careers, our communities and our families? Join us as Rev. Canon Fletcher Lowe helps us explores these questions and more.
February 24
“Celebrating the Richmond Area’s Diversity”
Speaker: Bill Martin, Director, The Valentine
What makes the Richmond area so diverse? How do we celebrate those differences and understand how they create a rich, vibrant community for us to live and worship in? Join us as Bill Martin, director of The Valentine, gives us a look at our area’s incredible diversity.
March 2
“Religion and Science”
Speaker: Rev. John Kerr
What is science, and what isn’t it? How do we reconcile science with our religious beliefs? Do we have to separate them and only believe in one or the other, or can we find common ground? Join us as Rev. Kerr takes us on a journey to look at science and religion through topics such as creationism and evolution.
March 9
“Our Evolving Faith: Why Bad Things Happen to Good People”
Speaker: Rev. Peter Stimpson
Our faith can be challenged throughout our lives, especially when bad things happen, such as the death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a serious illness, the loss of a job, or the challenges caused by a financial crisis. How can God allow this? Join us as Rev. Peter Stimpson shows us how the Bible answers this question and provides us with the strength to help us cope with whatever comes our way.
March 16
“Christianity in the Broader Culture”
Speaker: Caroline Black, Canon for Formation, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
Our culture is ever changing. Families and individuals prioritize their time differently than they did 20 years ago. People face different demands. The internet and social media have changed how information is shared and have blurred the lines between fact and fiction.
Each Wednesday, we will gather in Denny Hall at 6:30 PM for a potluck dinner. Our speaker will begin his/her presentation at 7:15 PM, and the program will be wrapped up around 8 PM or shortly thereafter.
A special thank you to the members of the Lenten Program Planning Committee: John Carnwath, Birdie Lighthiser, Jeff Lighthiser and Martha Steger.
By Birdie Lighthiser
Our next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19, at 5:00 p.m. We are reading The Faith Club by Ranya Idiliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. This book explores the feelings and shared beliefs of three women . . . Christian, Jew, and Muslim, who became friends after the 9/11 attacks. Join us for the discussion, and feel free to bring a bag supper. Dessert is always served.
Book Club Schedule for 2016
March 15 – Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
May 17 – All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
By Holly Walker
Lent is a time for reflection – a time when we examine our lives in preparation for Easter. Some opt to give up something – a particular food, a habit – during this time.
Others choose to add something to their lives – such as Bible readings, additional prayers, or volunteer work. It is important that Manakin’s Lenten program provides you with the spiritual nourishment you need to support your journey through these 40 days.
Because of that, we are forming a committee to discuss possible themes and weekly programs for our 2016 program. The committee will discuss topic ideas and make a recommendation to the Vestry as to how the program should be organized – its theme, schedule and speakers. Once the Lenten program concept is agreed upon, committee members will help schedule speakers and will work with the Communications Committee, Vestry and the church office to get the word out to parishioners and to the public.
So, is there a particular subject you would like to examine during Lent? What topics would give you spiritual guidance and inspiration? Do you know vibrant speakers who would add interesting dimensions to a Lenten program?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, or if you have a desire to be involved in the planning of Manakin’s program, please consider joining our Lenten Program Planning Committee. Contact the Church Office by no later than November 15.
Our goal is to have our 2016 Lenten program plan finalized by early January, so that we will have sufficient time to share the program details with our Manakin family and our community.
By Birdie Lighthiser
Thank you to all who came out to meet our visiting writer on Friday, October 16. We had a lovely evening with Beth Macy, writer of Factory Man. Thanks to all who helped make that event possible.
Our next Book Club selection is The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. This book explores the feelings and shared beliefs that three women…Christian, Jew, and Muslim…navigate after the attack on 9/11. They learn to respect each other and a great friendship evolves. Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 19 at 5:00 p.m. in Denny Hall. Feel free to bring a bag supper. Dessert is always provided. Please join us
Book Club Schedule for 2016
January 19 – The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner
March 15 – Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
May 17 – All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
By Birdie Lighthiser
Plan to be at Manakin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16 to welcome Betty Macy. She is the author of our book selection for October — Factory Man. Beth is a writer for the Roanoke Times. Factory Man emerged from her
Roanoke Times reporting on Virginia’s Bassett family and John Bassett III. She explores the grand history of furniture production in Virginia, drama and fascinating stories. Please join us that evening. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served.
Book Club Schedule for 2016
January 19—The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner
March 15—Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
May 17—All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
By Birdie Lighthiser
Our next Book Club will be on Tuesday, September 15, at 5:00 p.m. We will be discussing The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. This is the moving and fascinating story of how Frenchwomen endured and contributed during the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. Please join us for a great discussion. Feel free to bring a bag supper. Dessert will be served.
In October, the Book Club welcomes a special guest. Mark your calendars now! We are very excited to again be welcoming a Virginia author to our Book Club. It is so special when we get the opportunity to meet and visit with the writer of the book that we are reading. On Friday, October 16, we will welcome Beth Macy, author of Factory Man. We will met at 6:00 p.m. (this time is different from our usual meeting time.) Macy is a writer for the Roanoke Times. Factory Man emerged from her Roanoke Times reporting on Virginia’s Bassett family and John Bassett III, who, in her words, “gave cheap imports from China the middle finger and kept his Galax factory workers employed!” Factory Man has garnered many awards and much recognition. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to spend an evening with Beth Macy. A Virginian since 1989 and a journalist since the age of four, Macy is an engaging speaker, as well as a stellar writer. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in this discussion. Refreshments will be served.
Book Club Schedule for 2015-2016:
September 15 – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
October 16 – Factory Man by Beth Macy
January 19 – The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner
March 15 – Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
May 17 – All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
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.
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!
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.