Dear Friends,

The Annual Meeting of Manakin Episcopal Church will take place on Sunday, November 17. All are invited to attend. We will be voting for three new Vestry members. Please review our candidates. We are very thankful for such a nice slate of nominees.

We give thanks to Traci Badin, Stephany Breed and Elisabet Goodwyn who are our outgoing Vestry members. They have served our community faithfully and we appreciate their service.

Who can vote?
According to Canon XVII Section 3 of the Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia – All adult communicants in good standing who are enrolled confirmed communicants of the congregation and regular participants in corporate worship. If you have a question regarding your qualification to vote, please contact me to discuss.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1

With the nourishing rains come the change in seasons and cooler weather. Fall is finally arriving and with it many exciting activities in our church.

As we continue to grow in this liturgical season of Pentecost, I pray that we will hear and follow our “purpose under heaven” as individuals and as a community. I look forward to hearing about how God is speaking to you.

I am excited about our EYC (Episcopal Youth Commission) activities that are lining up for the year. Each will have a biblical basis, in reach, outreach and fun. I am thankful for Nicole Goots and Richard Sherman’s leadership and the gifts that they will be sharing with us.

On our Commissioning Sunday in September, we recognized our worship ministry leaders and teams. I am thankful for all those who stood during the services to be commissioned. As we know, the work of the church in the world cannot be done without the many who offer their time and gifts. At Manakin Church the numbers are plentiful, and we appreciate them very much!

I am thrilled to welcome back the choir and their musical gifts that enhance our worship. Although their contributions over the summer were great, there is nothing like having the full group together each Sunday. Their time and commitment under Rita’s direction are extraordinary.

Beautification efforts are being made to the grounds and we give thanks to Jean Hillsman and the Salisbury Garden Club for their work on our entrance beds and planted pots.

Under the great leadership of Kristen Hebert, our parking lot project and Denny Hall entrance are underway. We appreciate all that Kristen, Halsey Dillard, Angela Park, Gunnar Kohlbeck, Michael Walker and Jeff Lighthiser have done to bring forth these improvements. All this could not have been done without their efforts and the generous gifts of the financial donors.

Yes, we have exciting offerings coming up this fall. I hope that you will keep apprised of these through the Messenger newsletter, weekly eBlasts and bulletin notices. If you are not receiving all of these forms of communication, please let us know. This is our time and season!

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”  (Heb. 10:24-25)

A habit is a routine that begins with an intentional choice that results in a lifestyle change. Church attendance is a habit, either to participate or to withdraw from. Over the summer church attendance typically drops as family activities draw folks away. I look forward to our full engagement as we turn to the new program year in September.

One way that I can see us stirring up one another to love and good works is through encouraging one another. We can do this by expressing our enthusiasm (from the Greek – God filled) in our church and community. Just a few of the September opportunities:

Labor Day Sunday will be Aidan’s last official Sunday with us. Aidan will lead the services and preach.

Monday, September 2, Labor Day will be another Day of Mission as we labor with our friends at St Luke’s at Shalom Farms.

First Fridays will kick off again with a fellowship gathering in Denny Hall on September 6 from 5:30—7 PM.

The Men of the Church will reconvene with breakfast on September 14.

On September 15, we will commission our many ministry leaders including members of our acolyte team, altar guild, choir, lay readers, streaming team, teachers and nursery providers and ushers. All those who help to bring our Sunday worship services together.

On September 22, we will have Forum at 9 AM and following the service our middle school and high school youth will gather with their parents to plan our activities for the coming year.

We have an exciting month ahead with many opportunities to stir up one another to love and good works!

I look forward to the routine of seeing you often.

Blessings,
Gini+