Dear Friends,
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40)

School is winding down; graduations have taken place and summer is quickly approaching. Summertime is meant for recreation or as I like to refer re-creation. This is a time to turn our hurried and busy lives around and to re-create ourselves for God’s purpose. This is a season to relax, reflect, read, enjoy the sunshine and free ourselves from everyday responsibilities. As Ginger said: “It’s time for us to KISS” (Keep It Simple Saints)!

We have entered the season of Pentecost. Pentecost is the longest season on the church calendar and is reflective of a time of growth. Green is the liturgical color that represents life and growth. From Pentecost Sunday until Advent we will grow in our knowledge and relationship with God.

Summer is often the time for vacations. Over the years, I have visited many different churches while traveling. I am always interested in seeing how a community welcomes me as a visitor. Following is a list of some of the best ways that I have encountered:

1. Being greeted at the door and given a bulletin. I love when the greeter or usher says, “I don’t believe we have met before; my name is ____.” Once they find out I am visiting they offer a welcome bag or pamphlet about the church.
2. During the peace, I am included and again welcomed by those around me.
3. After the service, someone other than the Officiant or Greeter says hi and talks with me.
4. If there is a coffee hour, someone invites me to attend (other than the priest during announcements) and escorts me to where it is being held.
5. During coffee hour, folks are standing and speaking to each other and welcome me into conversations.

How well are we doing in these areas? This list is not only for first time visitors, but especially for repeat visitors! We have a fabulous team of official ushers and greeters, but if we all see ourselves in the role of greeters, I believe we will do better. We will be welcoming as I believe Christ intended.

If you are away on vacation, please bring back a bulletin to share or things that you see or like from other churches. If you do not know where to worship while away, check out this link to find a nearby Episcopal church. Find a Church – The Episcopal Church

I hope that you find some great re-creation time this summer!

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 29:20)

Phil and I enjoyed watching the Artemis II space mission in April. Like many others, we watched the launch and followed the 10-day NASA lunar flyby. There were many details that went into making this mission a success and we were amazed by the exact precision of the splashdown landing.

While watching an interview with the astronauts, I was struck by a comment made by the commander, Reid Wiseman. He said that he was not a particularly religious person, but when they returned, he requested a meeting with the Naval Chaplain to help him process what he had seen and experienced. He said that when he saw the cross on the chaplain, he broke down. Taking in what they experienced changed everything for him. I perceived this to mean that while he may have questioned God before, seeing what he did in space took away his doubt.

There are those of us who see God in everything around us and others who need a bit more proof. We have seen this throughout our lessons during the Easter season with Thomas wanting to see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and the travelers on the road to Emmaus. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 29:20)

Weekly the risen Lord is made known to us in the breaking of the bread. Each time we share the Eucharist, we remember the covenantal relationship that we have with God. Wecan see the moon, stars and planets from here and know that God is always with us. I promise!

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear Friends,

“Sing to the Lord” -Psalm 96:1

 I feel that the music during our services can make a difference in our level of worship. Whether we are singing out loud or quietly, hearing a beautiful hymn, anthem or familiar service music can make us feel as if we have prayed twice, as the old saying goes. I am always thankful for the outstanding music program that we have at Manakin Church, and I am especially appreciative of Rita and the choir members for their hard work and commitment to bring us the fullness of each service during Holy Week.

As you are receiving this newsletter we are making our way from the pageantry of Palm Sunday to the festive celebration of Easter Sunday. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to go straight from the parade of palms and the singing of “All glory laud and honor” to “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” on Easter morning. We could skip right over the Passion reading, the Last Supper, the betrayal by Judas, the abandonment of the Disciples, the Stations of the Cross, the pain, the suffering and Jesus’ death on the cross. But I believe it is necessary for us to experience this week, and I hope that you will participate in the services either in-person or online. I feel that we must know the anguish of the journey to the cross to fully understand and appreciate Easter. The singing, the joy and the excitement of Easter are more fully experienced when we take this trek with Christ.

 Knowing that every hymn and anthem is especially chosen to compliment the lessons of each service, may we sing along and feel the Spirit moving within us.

Blessings,
Gini+