Dear Friends,

Not very often does the Feast Day of The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, February 2, fall on a Sunday. Rita and I have been waiting for this to occur so that we can observe it with a traditional Candlemas. This is a service that includes a procession with candles. I have only participated in one other of these services which was for the Installation of our current Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes in 2020. We hope that you will enjoy the tradition and deep meaning of this during the 10 AM service.

Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Mary forty days after Christmas. This is the final feast of the Epiphany season. In Luke 2:22-39 we learn that this was also the occasion of the meeting of Jesus with Anna and Simeon. 

The first observances of this service dates to Jerusalem in the fourth century. There is record of regular services in Rome by the seventh century which included a blessing of candles and a procession that brings the name Candlemas. The candles that we will use in our service on February 2 are from the Holy Land and are fragranced with honey. The candles represent the light of Christ in the world today.

During the procession we will have the singing of the Canticle, Nunc Dimittus. This Canticle is based on the proclamation of Simeon, who recognized the infant Jesus to be the Messiah. You may recognize the words from the Song of Simeon that are part of the Evening Prayer and Compline services in the Book of Common Prayer.

Traditionally, this is the date when the creche is to be put away ending this Christmas season. 

On a secular note, legend holds that if the sun is shining on February 2 during the service the winter season will be extended. If it is cloudy and the candlelight is brighter, winter will soon come to an end. Does this sound familiar? Groundhog Day, also on February 2 gets its origin from this Christian observance.

I hope that with this history and background you will better understand and enjoy this service on February 2.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,
2025 is going to be an exciting year for Manakin Episcopal Church. We will have a yearlong observance and celebration of our 325th anniversary as a church community. I am thankful for the leadership of Craig Akers and the 325th Anniversary Committee who have been working hard to provide meaningful opportunities for education, fellowship and worship. Throughout the year we will have educational programs during our family forums. Starting January 26 at 9 AM, Ann Woodlief will join us to give an overview of the Huguenot history.

During the year we will look not only to our history but will have a focus on who we are today and how God is calling us in the future. We will need your input as we discern this, and our vestry will start with this as one of our discussion points at our vestry retreat on January 11. In August we will have a great fellowship and learning opportunity on a pilgrimage to discover our Anglican and Huguenot roots in England and France. If you have not already seen the brochure of information, please contact the Church office or Elisabet Goodwyn.

The year will conclude with our Founders Day observance on December 7th . Our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes will join us, and an invitation has also been extended to the Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Sean Rowe.

As you see our new logo that will be used throughout the year, please remember the many folks from the past 325 years who have made our church what it is today and reflect on the impact you can have in the coming years.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:14)

This is one of those years that the Advent Calendar works perfectly as a countdown to Christmas. The first day of Advent is December 1. For many of us, we look at it as the period of time to check off the days to Christmas. For most of us, we are relieved when it is over so that we can get back to our normal routines. The month of December can be truly exhausting, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

What if we enter this season with a different approach? Kate Moorehead, the dean of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Jacksonville, Florida, wrote the book “I Witness – Living Inside the Stories of Advent & Christmas”.  Moorehead suggests that if we are to draw closer to God, we must enter the story of salvation as a child, with our hearts and minds wide open. We must be willing to enter the story and live within it.

We all know the story of Jesus’ birth, but have we ever placed ourselves within the scripture to experience it? St. Ignatius of Loyola developed the spiritual practices of meditation and prayer that involve using the imagination to deepen one’s relationship with God. In her book, Moorehead uses this practice to draw us into the stories of Advent and Christmas.

My goal this year is to read this daily devotional and to experience the familiar story in a new way. My hope is to not count down the days for it to be over, but rather to embrace each day as a way to draw nearer to the One who loves us so much, he came to live with us. I invite you to join me on this journey.

Blessings,
Gini+