Dear Friends,

“Advent creates people, new people.”   Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This year, Advent begins on the first Sunday in December on the 3rd. This is one of those seasons when we say, “Advent is short this year”. We have the unusual occurrence of Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, so we observe the Fourth Sunday in Advent in the morning and Christmas in the evening. Although it may seem shorter, the number of days is the same to Christmas and our preparation needs to be intentional and prayerful as we await the coming of Christ.

You have heard me say many times that I love the rhythm of the church. Our liturgical calendar brings not only us, but the whole world around to a time of beginning again. We start a new church year and have the opportunity to prepare in a special way for Christmas. How well we do this will be an example to others.

How do we need to get ourselves ready to welcome Jesus into our lives? What needs moving or rearranging to make space for God and to make us a new people? Here are a few suggestions that you might find helpful as we wait.

• Set aside daily time for solitude, study and reflection.

• Keep an Advent wreath in your home to see the light burning. (We will make these at church on December 3.)

• Have an Advent calendar for daily observance and prayer.

• Turn the radio off while driving. Not hearing the noise of the world for a short time can be refreshing.

• Explore a new way of praying. (See me for ideas and suggestions.)

On December 24, the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle on our Advent Wreath that symbolizes peace. This candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” During the week prior to this on December 20 we will observe “the darkest day” as a day of Prayer for Peace in the world. The church Nave will be open from 12 PM to 6 PM for those who would like to stop by to light a candle and/or say a prayer. Written prayers will be available.

Perhaps if our focus this year is on peace, internal and external, we might meet Christ on Christmas as a new people.

Blessings,
Gini+

The Annual Meeting of Manakin Episcopal Church will take place on Sunday, November 12. 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 Gunnar Kohlbeck, John Kochensparger and Hank Schepker 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,
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)

I am so excited that over the next few months, we will have several baptisms. This is a wonderful time for our church, and we are thankful for these opportunities. We are also welcoming into our church new members and visitors from other denominations. This raises the question – “What do I need to do to become a member of Manakin Church?”

Church membership is not like a social or professional organization, the Episcopal Church does have membership criteria. These are meant to establish who has taken an intentional step to be part of a worshiping community. Church membership is defined by the canons of the Episcopal Church, specifically Title I, Canon 14 and Title 1, Canon 17.

There is only one standard of membership in the Church, which is Baptism. In the Episcopal Church a member is a person who has received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism (with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) whether in the Episcopal Church or another Christian Church, and whose baptism has been duly recorded in the Episcopal Church.

Individuals who are on the register of another Episcopal Parish may have their Letter of Transfer sent to Manakin. This is a very simple process that Wendy DeHart, our Parish Administrator, can take care of for you. She can also check to see if you are listed on the church register, if you are not sure.

It is expected that adult members of the church will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands by the Bishop. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church may be received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church, rather than confirmed.

Bishop Haynes will be coming to Manakin next spring and our preparation with instruction for youth and adults will begin now. The youth will meet twice a month after worship for Confirmation Class.  An Inquirers Class for adult visitors and new members will be held monthly between services in Denny Hall.  Our first Inquirers Class will be held on October 8. If you want to know more about the Episcopal Church, this is your opportunity. Participating in this class does not mean that you have to be confirmed or received, it is simply a way to find out more about the Church.

Regardless of membership, if you worship at Manakin Episcopal Church, you belong.  We welcome you and appreciate your support of our faith community.

If you have any questions regarding this, please let me know.

Blessings,
Gini+