September 2016

From father Robert THE NEW SCHOOL AND PROGRAM YEAR IS UPON US. ALLELUIA!

As I mentioned in my sermon on

Sunday, I am happy that “the students”

are back. They bring life to Athens, just

as our own families back from vacations

and time away bring life to our parish.

Of course Emmanuel is filled with life

throughout the year, but the ebb and

flow of the seasons is easy to follow.

Now, as we move forward, the Lord is

calling us again to reflect on how we

are to serve him through serving others

in the days ahead.

As I write this, work continues in the

sanctuary. As lovely as it is becoming,

the ceiling has needed some extra

tender loving care. We have found a

few spots with termite damage

demanding extra repairs. The little

creatures were gnawing in places most

affected by water damage. The good

news is that there is not any active

damage or infestation.

The ceiling workers are now moving

into the chancel and sanctuary areas so

soon we will be able to take the

scaffolding down and see clearly the

results of their handiwork. I look

forward to the day we will be

worshipping in spirit and truth in our

beloved church. One of the important

takeaways we will take have to take

with us when we return to the church

is that it is the community gathered

together anywhere to worship and praise

God that is vital.

So many of you have commented how

you like the space in the common

room. It offers an intimacy that, you

say, has enhanced your worship. My

brothers and sisters, we can bring that

same intimacy and closeness with us to

the church proper, if that is our heart’s

desire. Our gathering in worship is

about being open to hear the Word and

receive the Sacraments. It is also about

reflecting the person of Christ to those

who are in front of us or behind us or

next to us—our family member or the

new neighbor whom we have not yet

met but certainly will.

That openness is what creates intimacy,

which leads to community. Sometimes

it’s a sacrifice. We don’t want to be

stretched—at least not too far.

Creating the reality of community and

intimacy within is a work that moves us

beyond ourselves. It’s not just about us!

We come to know ourselves, however,

by what we are willing to sacrifice and

the purpose for which we are willing to

sacrifice it. The paradox of sacrifice is

that in giving away, we receive; in

being pruned, we blossom; and in

dying, we live. When others need us or

something that we can offer, we make

it sacred by offering it, giving it away in

the spirit of love. A sacrifice, then, is an

act of sanctification, a pure and holy

gesture of the soul.

Perhaps that is worth remembering

when we would rather stay at home

than be in church with our extended

(continued on page 3)

NEWS FROM THE NARTHEX

At Emmanuel Episcopal Church, we strive to provide people the opportunity for growth in their faith through our mutual love, respect and acceptance of one another.

News from the narthex

Emmanuel Episcopal

Church

Served by the People of God in the

name of

Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta

And the Vestry

Phil Bettendorf, Finance Ellen Cowne, Parish Life

Bill Fox, Facilities Brian Freese, Formation Rob Hoyt, Stewardship

Weyman Johnson, Outreach Roger Lange, Junior Warden

Naomi Norman, Senior Warden Crysty Odom, Parish Life

Terrie Seward, Youth Ministry Brooke Stortz, Day School

Diane Wahlers, Pastoral Care

and supported by the Staff:

Georgia Collier Melissa Fulcher Karen Holland

Sam Polk Denise Thomas

and assisted by the Clergy

Fr. Robert Salamone, Rector

Fr. Christopher Cole, Assistant Rector

498 Prince Avenue Athens GA 30601

706-543-1294

www.emmaneulathens.org

The Adult Faith Formation Committee offers programs that explore Holy Scripture, Anglican tradition, and Church history to deepen personal faith, strengthen community, and share the Gospel with each other. Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. Adult Formation meets in the Westminster room, downstairs in the Formation Building. Please join us for these offerings this month. September 4: No Adult Formation class September 11: Formation Open House

September 18 and 25: Br. Brian Paul Freese, OP, will lead a two-part, facilitated video presentation

of The Spreading Flame Volume 1: Comes the Dawn. This is part of a series of videos entitled The Spreading Flame: 1000 Years of Church History. This two-Sunday presentation will provide a journey

through the Protestant Reformation with an introduction to the key characters, turning points, and events of this dramatic time in church history. Travel to Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, and England and be inspired by the faith and determination of the Waldenses, the Huguenots, Wycliffe, Tyndale, Knox, Calvin, Zwingli, Luther, and other champions of the faith.

Adult Formation for

september

3

Looking for ihn

volunteers for

our next hosting

week Mark your calendars and start signing up for our next hosting week for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, from September 4-11 (another holiday week!). Live into your faith by helping with this ministry. There are opportunities to cook meals, stay with our guests, drive and other activities. The time commitment is small. The rewards are great. To volunteer, go to http:www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4bafac28a02-ihna7. If you prefer to sign up by hand, a copy of the current sign-up genius is on the Common Room bulletin board. The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide immediate shelter and guidance to homeless families with children, due to the impact of misfortunes upon their lives. Once accepted in the program, IHNA provides food, shelter, daycare and transportation as needed. IHNA helps to create structure out of chaos by creating a goal-oriented plan so that those desperately in need can look beyond daily survival to a life of stability. Contact Weyman Johnson or Erin McQueen to volunteer.

EMMANUEL’S SUPPORT TEAM FOR

FAMILIES WITH FOSTER CHILDREN You are invited to attend a presentation by Lili Ouzts who will describe her recent

training for church lay leaders and let us know what our next steps will be.

We will meet on Sunday morning, September 11, at 9:30 a.m. in the Coventry

meeting room. If you have questions or are interested in supporting our “foster

family team” but cannot attend the presentation, please contact Jan Wheeler at

jwheeler@uga.edu; Lili Ouzts at lili.ouzts@gamil.com or Jane Robertson, at

janerobertson58@gmail.com.

Emmanuel volunteers at Habitat project

(continued from page 1)

family of fellow Christians. Yet that is

where we will find joy and peace. Joy

has nothing to do with the

circumstances of our life, but rather

with how consciously we live out that

life. We’ll never find joy if we search

for it in the extraordinary things that

happen to us in our lives and overlook

the daily run-of-the-mill events of our

lives. Joy is everywhere or it is

nowhere. It just depends on whether

we are consciously alive or walking

asleep.

As we begin again a year that is filled

with study and prayer, with fun and

laughter, with hope and joy, I pray that

we can extend the Good News of God’s

love to all we encounter each week, to

give away some part of us so that we

might gain the world, the world of life

ever after.

In His love,

Robert

News from the narthex

This summer during the renovation and preservation of the interior of our historical and beautiful church, members of Emmanuel were building out in the community while we were building within. Emmanuel partnered with Habitat for Humanity to assist them on a house they were renovating. Emmanuel volunteers dedicated two Saturdays this summer on this project while others

work on our church and we wait until we are able to celebrate together in our renovated space.

We had build days on July 19th & August 13th at the soon to be completely renovated a home in the Stonehenge subdivision. There were over 20 Emmanuel members, family and friends who volunteered each Saturday. We worked on replacing the front porch on the house, building a storage shed in the backyard and repairing drywall within the house. We got to swing hammers, carry wood and run saws, and we learned how to level flooring and triple check our measuring figures. Both days were hot but the fellowship with the family and volunteers made the days pleasant. It was truly a blessing for all involved.

Meb and Doc Powell from Emmanuel had two college friends visiting with them that first build weekend in July. Because their beloved college minister and friend had died recently and had listed Habitat as a charity for donations in his memory, the Powells and their college friends used this opportunity to honor him by working together to provide lunch for the volunteers. Dee Forester

and Patti Hoyt teamed up to provide lunch for our build day in August. Lunch was well received and a wonderful break in our building routines. Athens First Bank & Trust provided soft drinks and bottled water.

Other Emmanuel family and friends who participated at the builds included John & Lee Albright, Rob Hoyt, Randy Forester, Terrie Seward, Rich & Ethan Connelly, Dave Lindsay, Phil Bettendorf, Greg & Brittany Gokalp, Jud & Philip Doherty, Roger Lange, Robin Johnson, and Evan Elder. Many of the Emmanuel volunteers came both days.

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seek to put God’s love into

action by building homes, communities and hope. The Athens Area Habitat was founded in 1988 based on the strong belief that everyone in the Athens community deserves the opportunity to live in safe, decent and affordable homes. Habitat Athens is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally by constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Emmanuel’s Vestry covenant calls us to put the poor in the center of all we do; partnering with Habitat allowed us to help work on this mission. We did this with a glad heart, the joyful sound of hammers and saws and the fellowship of helping one another.

Phil Bettendorf

Building out while building within

5

News from the narthex

The members of the Vestry Nominating Committee are Phil

Bettendorf (chair), Butch Bush, Weyman Johnson, Marti Kemp,

Naomi Norman and Diana Wahlers. We are soliciting

nominations from the parish for the next Vestry class that will

begin January 2017. This class will serve for three years with

their term ending in December 2019. The deadline for

nominations is Monday, September 5th. Please contact any

member of the committee to make nominations; self-nomination

is acceptable.

In mid September, the committee will recommend four

candidates to the Vestry; once the Vestry approves the slate

recommended by the committee, it will then present this slate of

four parishioners to the parish at this year’s annual meeting.

At that meeting, the parish will be asked to ratify this slate for

the next Vestry class.

Before the annual meeting, the candidates will be asked to

prepare short statements to introduce themselves to the

parish. These will be printed and distributed to the parish in a

special edition of the News from the Narthex.

If you have any questions, please contact Phil Bettandorf

(philipbettendorf@synovus.com) or another member of the

committee.

Phil Bettendorf

Vestry nominating committee is seeking

Vestry members—consider serving

7

Find Your Seat at God’s Table

“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it,” the old adage goes. This month many of us find ourselves settling—with some of us

flailing—into the established routines of school and work, tailgating and traffic, and all the other adjustments that come

with beginning a new academic year. Together, new beginnings and established routines present an opportunity for us to

reflect on purpose and to ponder to what end do we make the decisions to order and direct our lives in the ways that we

do?

Many issues play into the flow of our lives. At the end of the day, however, life is not an arbitrary walk in the park

(though walks in the park are very nice!). We each have a purpose that pulls at us; it makes itself known through the

longings, aches and frustrations of life. Purpose inspires a sense of worth, mitigates pain and brings meaning to struggle.

It encourages integrity, teaches hope, leads to new places, takes half-hearted desire and transforms it into wholehearted

joy. Purpose can, however, be the main antagonist of life. One person’s seeking is another’s rediscovering. Purpose

changes us. When we retire, we look for new ways to channel energies. When a relationship ends, individuals reorient

their time. When a child moves from home, parents reconsider the life of the church. We’re reminded that purpose is a

matter of the heart—it is that for which we are willing to sacrifice and endure, to cry and forgive, to move and

sometimes remove!

There are numerous scriptures that offer insight into Christian purpose. Some folks point to the decree found in

Matthew’s Gospel, “Go therefore, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). I’m not sure, though, that

this gets to the heart of purpose. I wonder if a clearer picture comes a little earlier in Matthew with Jesus’ command to

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). If we can

agree that love of God is our aim—our purpose as Christians—how do you organize and direct your life towards this

end?

Being a Christian is not a part-time job, crammed into a busy schedule. It is a full-time purpose that sets the schedule and

that brings greater depth to life as one participates in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread,

and in the prayers.

This year our middle and high school children will contemplate purpose as they are guided by the invitation, “Find your

seat at God’s table.” It is at this table where Jesus meets us in the Eucharist and where we discover the joy of purpose and

know that because God is love, we are loved. As St. Augustine said to a new gathering of Christians: “Be what you see.”

Whatever season of life you find yourself in, allow this hope to bring you a step closer to discovering your purpose.

Fr. Chris

CHILDREN AND YOUTH FORMATION 2016-2017 Registration is Open for Children & Youth Formation. Go the website to print your the form for your child.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and The Sunday Rise begin on September 18th. Please contact Georgia Collier or

Father Chris Cole for more information.

News from the narthex

LEARNING EARLY ABOUT THE GIFT OF GIVING

Ellen Cowne

Giving to God is a gift to oneself. It is the best gift, I think, and one I learned early to give. When my sister and I were growing up, our family was very involved in the First Methodist Church in Opp, Alabama that was across the street from our house. Mother taught Sunday School and MYF. Daddy sang in the choir, took care of the grounds and served on the Church Council and Trustees several times. I loved the involvement we had with the church, and I can’t remember a time when that church wasn’t a big part of my childhood.

When I was entering the 9th grade, our family moved to Georgia. As soon as we were moved, we immediately began attending the First Methodist church in Douglas where most of my new friends went. My parents were members of that church the entire time we lived there, but I made a change. One Saturday night in 1963, I spent the night with my friend, Susan. Her family was Episcopalian and asked me to go with them the next day. My parents agreed and said that it didn’t matter to them where I went to church as long as I went. When I walked into St. Andrews, a small Episcopal Church (with heavy Roman leanings), an usher put something on my head, and Susan explained that women covered their hair inside the church. This was foreign to me. When I started talking to Susan, she and her sister both put fingers to their lips to signal that I should be quiet. Susan whispered to me that in their church, no one spoke before the service but spent that time in prayer. As the service began, the priest walked down the aisle following a teenager holding a cross high. It was so, so very different from the Methodist church I had grown up in. I didn’t know the hymns. I didn’t know when to stand or kneel. I felt out of place. But, I immediately fell in love with it. The liturgy and the entire service were completely focused on each person’s relationship with God. I left the church that day knowing I had found my church but also knowing I should probably not share my excitement and intentions with my parents just yet.

Several months later, after I had gone to church with Susan almost every Sunday, I told my parents I wanted to

change denominations. They were shocked, but my parents always rose to the occasion, and they said I would have their support if, before I made such a rash move, I agreed to talk with the Methodist preacher about why I wanted to leave. The very kind Methodist Minister came over the next night and told my parents that he felt it would be best if he and I talked alone. We went to the back yard and sat in my childhood swings where we talked about why I felt so strongly about being confirmed into the Episcopal Church. After two hours, we went back inside, and he told my parents to let me change denominations, that I knew what I was doing, and that he agreed with my rationale. He wished me well. My parents did, too.

But shortly after I had made the decision and had been confirmed, my daddy asked me what my plans were about my pledge, reminding me that though 10% of my $5 allowance wouldn’t go far, I also needed to consider my pledge of time and talent. I told him I had no talent and not much time, but he assured me that if I thought hard enough, an answer would come. And it did.

Though St. Andrews didn’t have a nursery, there were meetings at the church when someone was needed to watch the children. I could do that! Then I remembered that Fr. Wooley and his wife had 7 children and rarely were able to go anywhere without them. So I asked him to consider letting me babysit for him and giving to the church whatever he would pay a babysitter, considering it part of my commitment of time and talent. He agreed, and I felt like a real part of the parish.

What a gift I received. How powerful it was to feel the joy of giving, not as part of a family pledge, but of my own. And what a lesson I learned because my daddy would not let me out of my responsibility easily. Now (53 years, 3 children, and 7 grandchildren later) writing my pledge check each month is special to me, and I always remember that it is more of a gift to myself than a gift to God.

Stewardship Season

A TIME FOR SHARING OUR PERSONAL STORIES

9

Transitions

To Emmanuel

Amanda Kimzey

from Cathedral of St. Philip,

Atlanta, GA

Robert and Shirley Willoughby

from Trinity Episcopal Church,

Troy, OH

Susan Rostas

from St. Mark Episcopal,

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Christopher Johnston

from St. Matthias Episcopal,

Midlothian, VA

From Emmanuel

Patricia Curtis

to St. Luke’s Episcopal,

Atlanta, GA

November 3rd: Save the Date for the 2016 Emmanuel Fundraiser

Friends, please join us in the narthex on November 3rd for a "Sneak Peek" of our restored Emmanuel Episcopal Church!

We will have a special window of time on this night only to see our sacred space and raise money for our church. Tickets

are $100 (75% tax deductible) per person and include food, drinks, silent auction and the opportunity to write a message

to the future that will be placed inside the altar. The party starts at 6:30 and includes compline inside the church.

As you know, when the altar was moved during this restoration process, a bottle containing papers from 1924 was

discovered inside the altar! We will be placing a replica of the papers found in that bottle along with our own messages

for future generations. The silent auction will feature floor pieces from the church, lanterns, paintings, a custom table

from the old floor and much more! Catering will be provided by Seabear Oyster Bar and home.made and will include

beverages. For parishioners who cannot attend the event, you will be able to purchase the opportunity to leave a message

in the time capsule for $25 (100% tax deductible). This is a night you don't want to miss! We hope to see you on

November 3rd!

Brooke Stortz

News from the narthex

September Birthdays

1 Fleming Smith, Rob Sullivan 2 Wellman Matthews 3 Diane Edison, Fred Hallman, Nick Hobbs, Claire McDonald, Ansley McAlister 4 Thomas Burton, Amy Norris, Jason Miller 5 Loretta Lee, Kip Burt 6 Maggie Napoli, Caroline Doherty 7 Jessica Tonge, Carter Ball, Isaiah Moore

8 Marta Garland, Anne Becker, Billy Seward, Wallace Terrell 9 Patricia Guidotti, Janie Ripps 10 Charlotte Eberhard, Joe Clements, Brad Gray 11 Diane Wahlers, Frances Herrin 12 Origen Walters 14 Allison Howard, Douglas Welch 15 John Donnelly 16 Clara McCarthy, Margaret

McCarthy 18 Joanne Burton, Lucy Atkinson 19 Angie Dunlap, Charles Atkinson 20 Harvey Cabaniss, Rob Hoyt, Christine Shaw 21 Clinton Uzoho, Christopher Neil, Kelli Neil, William Hogan, Sophie Martin 22 Susan Dukes, Gary Green, Georgia Phillips, Lucy Rentz, Maddox Dunlap

23 Maryanna Terrell, Johnny Miller 24 Raymond Huff, Frank Christa, Trudi Roberts, Donald Walton, Emily Kleiber 25 Butch Bush 26 Amy Porter Kemp, Silas Walters 27 Hazel Thomas, Nicholas Pitt, Katie Pryor, Doug Clements, Katherine Sullivan 29 James Wettstaed 30 Elliott Woodruff

London Bridge might be falling down, but if Robin Johnson had her way, she’d teach it how to stop falling and stand up straight. Robin has been working in Emmanuel as chair of the health ministry for two years, taking over from Betty McNeely who started it. Bad balance is certainly not the only thing the health ministry works to assist, but it is a major concern for Robin. Each year 2.5 million elderly people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries resulting from falls. Many people believe yoga can decrease that number significantly. Robin teaches a yoga class at Emmanuel four times a year in winter, spring, summer and fall, using two different methods of yoga to enhance balance for anyone. She says that those of us with a few years behind us can most benefit from yoga. In Robin’s Gentle Yoga class, participants do get on the floor for some exercises, but she emphasizes that they take their time and not rush to get up quickly. Her other course is Chair Yoga, done completely in a chair and focusing on balance and leg strength. The primary objective of both is to improve functional movement so we might thrive as we get older. The purpose of the health ministry, in general, is to act as a resource for parish members in matters of physical and mental health. Connecting people to health resources they’re not aware of and providing health information is the overarching goal. But Emmanuelites have more than that to thank this ministry for. Several years ago this group sought to ask for a special item in the church budget, and they got it. Now Emmanuel has an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), which is so important in real emergencies. This health-conscious ministry sends cards to those who have a loss or a serious illness. Also, they check on parishioners who live alone or who experience health challenges. Their classes on nutrition not only give information, but also serve as a reminder that nutrition is important for everyone at all ages. And perhaps the most rarely studied but tremendously relevant topic was explored in their “The Sandwich Generation” class, teaching us how to deal with taking care of parents while also caring for children. “The Waltons,” a 1970s television series depicted a family who did it with ease, but we know that multi-generational care is not so simple in the 21st century. Let’s give this ministry credit for keeping Emmanuelites of all generations aware of health concerns and accident prevention. Thank you Robin, and members of the health ministry. You’re doing so much to keep us mindful and knowledgeable of the issues people of every age, every economic group, and every gender face and remind us of the importance of perhaps God’s greatest gift—good health. Ellen Cowne

London bridge is not the only

thing falling down

11

Emmanuel’s Service & Faith Formation schedule is as follows; only exceptions are listed on the calendar below:

Wednesdays: 5:30 pm Healing Service & Eucharist, Chapel

Saturdays: 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Chapel

Sundays: 8:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Church; 9:15 am Faith Formation for Children & Youth; 9:30 am Adult Formation, Westminster, and 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

6:30: Stephen Ministry, Library

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Noon: Homeless Day Center Prep, Common Room

Church Office closed in observance of Labor Day

10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, Old Music Suite

1:15: Gentle Yoga 2:00: Elder Connection, Library 3:30: Gentle Yoga 4:30: Thrift House Committee Meeting, Library

7:00 am: Acolyte Festival 4:45 Daughters of the King

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:30: Faith Formation Kickoff Noon: Natural Spirituality, Library 1:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry, Old Music Suite

7:30: Men’s Spirituality Group, Library 10:00 Bible Study, Coventry

10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, Old Music Suite

7:15 Choir Rehearsal

11:00: Eucharist at Lanier Gardens 6:30: Stephen Ministry, Library

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Noon: Natural Spirituality, Library Noon: Homeless Day Center Lunch Preparation, Common Room

7:30: Men’s Spirituality Group, Library 10:00 Bible Study, Coventry

10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, Old Music Suite

5:30: Emmanuel Day School Fall Family Night 7:15 Vestry Meeting

11:30: Caregiver’s Support Group, Library

4:45 Daughters of the King

25 26 27 28 29 30 Noon: Natural Spirituality, Library

7:30: Men’s Spirituality Group, Library 10:00 Bible Study, Coventry

10:00 Natural Spirituality, Library 7:30 Al-Anon, Old Music Suite

7:00: Vestry Meeting, Vestry Conference Room 7:15 Choir Rehearsal

FOYERS DINNERS: the Parish life Commission, will be starting

Foyers dinners after having experienced a hiatus for a few

years. No agenda-dinner and socializing. If interested please

contact ellen cowne at ecowne@charter.net

News from the narthex September 2016

498 Prince Avenue

Athens, GA 30606

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ATHENS, GA

PERMIT NO. 231

The Vestry Covenant

We, the Vestry of Emmanuel Church, promise to honor God by nurturing the spirit and ministering to God’s people. We will support everyone’s gifts for service and leadership made possible by God’s grace. Ministry to the poor will be at the center of all we do. We promise to welcome with Christian hospitality all persons and to offer opportunities to all to grow in faith. We will strengthen ourselves through faithfulness in worship, daily prayer, and stewardship of our time, talents and treasure. We will foster love and joy in God’s service.

Emmanuel episcopal church

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of

these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

(Matthew 25:40)

As a result of this parish’s charity, 68 local children were given backpacks filled with supplies to assist them in their journey of learning and discovery of truth. These backpacks were blessed during the Holy Eucharist and then taken to Clarke Middle and Whitehead Elementary schools, where they were received with amazement and gratitude. Thank you for this testament of love and generosity that has fanned the fire of Christ in our world.