Emmanuel Voice – Advent, Christmas 2024 🕯️
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ADVENT
All Are Invited to Participate in Parish Advent Devotions & Discussions on PEACE
Is Advent and Christmas the only time of year that we entertain the idea of Peace on Earth? It seems so. And there is a reason for that. It is not achievable with out God’s intervention in our world, starting with our own hearts. So let’s explore PEACE this year!
Advent Devotional Booklets from Living Compass on “Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind” are still available in the basket at the back of the church, along with flyers on how you can participate in 1-4 discussions/reflections on some of the topics covered in the booklets. Four Discussions will be led by the Daughters of the King. We can all learn so much from each other and it helps us stay engaged when we do it together. Join us!
IF booklets are all gone, or you would like to read online, the materials are accessible by PDF here. Living Well Through Advent 2024
View EASY Instructions on how to join the Lessons and Discussion sessions at 7 pm Dec. 10, 12, 17, & 19 CLICK HERE: How to join the Advent Discussion. Try it out now. Then if you have problems we can help you in time to join. Email us!
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. ~John 14:27
Emmanuel Garden Club
The NEW Emmanuel Garden club created and decorated 3 wreaths from fresh greens on the front doors of the church this year! Check the website for info on past and future Garden Club Meetings. All are welcome!
We meet the 4th Sunday of the month after the 2nd Service at ~ NOON.
Decorating for Christmas!
Decorating the Sanctuary will take place on Sunday, December 22 after the 10:30 service at ~ NOON. All are welcome!
The Giving Tree
Our Harvest collection for folks in need of some encouragement and food this season was a roaring success. Spearheaded by our Sr. Warden, Patti Cislon, we collected over $600 which was turned into gift cards and distributed before Thanksgiving. We thank Patti, and she thanks all who contributed! Read more about the distribution here.
Bible Studies
Sunday Morning Bible Study continues with a deep dive into Psalm 95!
This group meets in the Lounge between services from approx. 9:30 -10:15. All are welcome.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets on ZOOM at 10:00 am. This group is studying Genesis. Fascinating! All are welcome. To get a link or phone number, email us or call Don.
Our Beloved Vicar, Don
Once again, we can celebrate The Rev. Don C. Youse, Jr.’s Ordination to the Priesthood on December 17 1994. So this year it is 30 years!
Don was ordained to the Diaconate June 11, 1994. He started at Emmanuel July. 15, 1994 as a deacon. He thought he was going to get away but we would not let him!
We love and celebrate YOU, and with you, Don! Thank you for all your loving service to the Priesthood and to Emmanuel. Congratulations!
Diocesan Convention
Our annual diocesan convention was held November 9th. The big news is our own Nicole Butler will be Co-Chair for the District One Committee along with he Rev. Carter Hawley, Deacon at Trinity Cathedral. Go Nicole! We are looking forward to what these special ladies come up with. We will be praying for you!
New Presiding Bishop
Our New Presiding Bishop for the US. Episcopal Church was elected at General Convention in Louisville, KY on June 26, and consecrated as the 28th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church on November 24, 2024.
Born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Rowe earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Grove City College, a master of divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University. He is known for his research and work on organizational learning and adaptive performance in the church.
He succeeds Bishop Michael Curry, who served for 9 years and promoted the Beloved Community — a vision of a community where everyone is cared for, free from poverty, hunger, and hate, and where racism and discrimination are replaced by an inclusive spirit.
Safe Church
The Episcopal Church is aiming to implement more procedures to safeguard children, youth and vulnerable adults inside and outside the church.
Relationships among people lie at the foundation of Christian community and are central to the life of the church. In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being. Everyone who ministers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh – whether lay or ordained, volunteer or paid – is entrusted with the care of God’s people and is responsible for preserving that trust.
All clergy, staff employees and vestry members as well as volunteers whose work and/or ministry directly involves children, youth or vulnerable adults must complete a training.
The training is very important in terms of learning even better how to show respect and inclusion, even if you don’t see yourself in a position to be required to take the training just now.
Please see the following resources here to check it out and get started.
Safe Church Training Requirements
Safe Church Resources
Safe Church Policies
One of the policies is for the Priest and Sr. Warden to know who all in your parish has keys to the building. You can keep them! Just let Don or Patti know if you have keys to the church. Thank you.
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Merry Christmas!
1 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight will be in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, he will not execute justice by what he hears with his ears, 4 but he will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth, and he will kill the wicked with a command from his lips. 5 Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist.
Isaiah 11:1-5