Youth Ministries

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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

by Church Staff

Enjoy a meal of pancakes and sausage, as we come together to celebrate the festival of Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday on February 25. This meal, made possible by Manakin’s youth and the Men of the Church, will be held from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in Denny Hall. All are welcome!

Rise Against Hunger Meal-packaging Event

by Church Staff

You are invited to join us on January 18 for Manakin’s 10th Annual Rise Against Hunger event. During this fun-filled morning, people of all ages will come together to package 30,000 meals to help with international hunger relief. The meal-packaging event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to be wrapped up around noon.

If you’ve liked to volunteer, you are encouraged to register in advance at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/mec118. Bring your family and friends!

Christmas Eve Services

by Church Staff

Join us December 24 as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Manakin is holding two special services for this joyous occasion.

At 4:00 p.m., we will have our Family Service, during which our children and youth will participate in worship and help us with the retelling of the Christmas story. Then, at 7:45 p.m., we will hold the Festival of Holy Eucharist. Both services will include beautiful music. Bring your friends and family as we come together to rejoice in the coming of Christ.

Marking Advent at Manakin

by Church Staff

Advent marks the beginning of our Church year, and Manakin invites you to participate in its upcoming Advent activities.

Adult Forum: A Meaningful Advent
Sunday, December 1
9:00 a.m. in Denny Hall
During this forum, led by The Rev. Gini DiStanislao and Director of Christian Formation Julia Eliades, we will explore the ways you and your family can fully immerse yourself in the Advent season. We will share ideas and practices that will reduce stress and allow you opportunities for intentional prayer and reflection throughout the season.

Decorating the Chrismon Tree
Sunday, December 1
After the 10:00 a.m. service in Denny Hall
We’ll come together to mark the first Sunday in Advent by decorating the Chrismon Tree. Chrismons are ornaments that declare the name, the life and the saving acts of Jesus Christ.

Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 8
10:00 a.m. in the church
During our service, music and readings will help us prepare for the coming of the Messiah.

Adult Forum: Sharing your Favorite Crèche
Sunday, December 15
9:00 a.m. in Denny Hall
Crèches, a representation of the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth, are displayed in many of our homes at Christmas. The Rev. Gini DiStanislao and Director of Christian Formation Julia Eliades will guide us in a conversation about the crèche, and attendees are invited to bring in their favorite crèche and share its special meaning.

Advent Bible Study
Tuesday, December 17
9:30 a.m. in Denny Hall
Our Tuesday morning class will gather for a time of prayer, study and reflection as we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Savior Jesus.

Finding Peace and Quiet
Wednesday, December 18
12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the church
Stop by the church for a break from the busyness of the season. Say a prayer, light a candle and give yourself the gift of peace.

September 15: Christian Formation Kick-off

by Church Staff

As we say goodbye to summer, we offer a sunny hello to a new year of Christian formation for all ages! This year, we continue to follow the Way of Love, as we explore Faith4: Formation, Fingerprints, Fellowship & Fun. Join us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 15 for breakfast and our program. We’ll talk about our offerings for all ages, explore the uniqueness of our individual fingerprints, and bless backpacks, as well as commission teachers, acolytes, choir members, lay readers, and youth nursery volunteers.

Children and Youth Programs

by Church Staff

From infants to teens, Manakin offers opportunities for kids of all ages.

Nursery

Manakin is excited to have Katie Harrison as its new nursery care giver. Katie, a longtime member of the parish who has been a teacher in our Christian Formation program, has an extensive background in childhood education and is certified in first aid; youth protection training; and Medication and Ministration (MAT).

Thanks to a trio of hardworking Manakin volunteers, the church’s nursery space has been expanded. Bill Daniels, Don Marsh and Angela Marsh recently completed the work, which effectively doubles the size of our nursery.

Sunday Morning Children’s Program

Building Blocks of Faith Summer Program for children continues. The program explores the stories of the Bible, helping our children build and strengthen their faith block by block.  Through the program, children are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination and Legos or building blocks to create scenes from story and to share what those stories mean to them. The program is held every Sunday morning. Tell your friends!

Youth Trip to Wintergreen

Manakin’s senior youth will spend July 21 – 23 at Wintergreen for a Summer Retreat. This will be a time of fun, fellowship, worship, hiking, food and other activities. To learn more about the retreat, contact Julie Eliades, Manakin’s director of Christian Formation at julia.eliades@comcast.net.

Youth to Participate in Mt. Moriah Feeding Program

At the end of July, Manakin’s youth will help with our parish’s outreach to the Mt. Moriah Feeding Program. On July 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., our young people will help pack lunches for the program. Then, on July 31, the youth are invited to help pass out the lunches at Mt. Moriah Church, starting at 11:45 a.m. To learn more about this opportunity, contact the church office at 804-794-6401 or office@manakin.org.

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.

Help Manakin give to others in the community by donating school supplies

by Church Staff

During the month of August, we are encouraging our families to give to others in our community by donating items to address two areas of need in our community. Flat Rock Elementary School in Powhatan County has given us a list of needed school supplies to collect that will support their students and teachers, and Comfort Case, an organization that helps children in crisis, has given us a list of needed supplies to help their children they serve. As you are out and about doing your own shopping, pick up and item or two, bring them to church, and place them in the containers in Denny Hall. The supply lists can be found outside the Sunday School classroom in Denny Hall. Please return by Sunday, August 26, 2018. Contact Julia Eliades for more information!

School Supply Donations for Powhatan School
Flat Rock Elementary School in Powhatan is excited by our offer to help their students and teachers this year by stocking their shelves with needed supplies. Supplies will be distributed at the beginning of the year and all through the year. Thanks to Katie, Matthew, Monroe, and Martha Grace Harrison for delivering our donations.

Comfort Cases for Children and Youth in Crisis
What is a Comfort Case? A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack with a purpose to provide comfort for children and youth as they enter the foster care system. Our case provides the essentials for the first few days in a new place as well as comfort items to help ease a scary transition. You can make a difference in the life of a child in need by donating any of the items listed.

List of Supplies for Flat Rock Elementary School in Powhatan

Back-pack (Non-rolling) large enough for folder, snack, lunch box, and a coat
Pair of 5” blunt point Fiskars metal scissors
8×5 plastic pencil box
Large zipper pencil pouch
One-subject spiral notebook, 3 subject spiral notebooks (wide rule)
Marble composition notebooks
3×5 index cards, 4×6 index cards
Heavy duty plastic pocket folders (bottom pockets)
Palette of 8 color watercolor paints –Crayola preferred, it has a better brush
Letter size clip board, flat clip preferred
Box of 24 classic color crayons (Crayola)
Box of washable primary color markers
4 oz Elmer’s glue sticks
Regular yellow #2 pencils
Pink Erasers, Pencil top erasers
Box of Colored Pencils
Black Sharpies
Pack highlighters
Ruler (inches and centimeters)
Pipe-cleaners, popsicle sticks, and play dough
Ear buds
Large boxes of tissues
Box of gallon size, sandwich size, and snack size Ziploc bags
Box of baby wipes
Containers of Clorox wipes
Large Expo dry erase markers, dry erase board, and dry erase eraser
Pack white lunch bags
Box plastic spoons
Bottle of hand sanitizer (12oz)
Pack of 9” paper plates (not Styrofoam)
Box of plastic forks

Supplies for Comfort Cases for Children in Crisis

Backpacks or Small duffle bags
Coloring books
Hotel size hygiene supplies

Youth Service & Recognition Sunday

by Church Staff

Join us, and support Manakin’s youth, as they lead our 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 10. This service is part of recognition Sunday, during which we’ll celebrate our parishioners and all they do. Following the service, there will be a picnic-style lunch. So, dress casual, and bring a friend!

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.