12/22/2018 The Curate: A Christmas Message + Events Galore + Lots More!

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From: Immanuel on the Green <rector-immanuel@comcast.net>To: jmea55 <jmea55@aol.com>

Subject: The Curate: A Christmas Message + Events Galore + Lots More!Date: Fri, Dec 21, 2018 7:30 pm

THECURATE:December2018

AChristmasMessage

+EventsGalore

+LotsMore!

ACHRISTMASMESSAGEFROMTHERECTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In all the changing scenes and seasons of our life, it is mostoften during Christmas that we look for the anchors that

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might hold us �irm – family, friends and faith. The Biblespeaks of a God who is the same, yesterday, today andforever. But the message of Christmas is that the eternal Godsteps into the �lowing river of our human existence andshares birth, growth, life and death with us. All this was started and had its basis in a mystery. Themystery of the incarnation - God coming to share our lives inthe form of a little child, and bringing with him hope, andlove, and joy. At the manger in Bethlehem, we encounter thatgreat mystery - the eternal, unchanging God, present to us,as one of us, breathing, growing, learning. And so, even as we acknowledge that we do not stand stilland that we are constantly surrounded by change, it is in thegaze of the Christ child that we meet the One whose love isthe constant, unchanging, �ixed point in the universe. If weshare that recognition, we can trust that whatever changesand chances may come our way, we are not lost and we arenot alone. Through all our celebrations we are called to pattern ourlives on the Christ child. It is not so much a question ofgiving more; it is a question of giving more of ourselves.After all, that’s what God was doing when he got involvedwith us and our world at the �irst Christmas. Christmasbelongs to believers, to those who believe that Jesus Christ,Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary to reconcile us toone another and to the Father. That is why he came. Hispresence will �ill us with peace if there is room in our lives for him. So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, let us strive to make Christ fully realand central to our celebrations. Let us remember to worship with other people and take partin the effort to praise and adore God. Let us remember to share the Christmas story withfriends, neighbors, children, grandchildren or god-children. And let us remember to pray, atworship, at home and at meals - giving thanks and remembering the Child in the manger.Have a merry Christmas-tide, have a holy Christmas-tide, share the joy of God’s love withfriends and family and forget not to ‘come and worship the new-born babe’! May God bless you and yours this holy-day season!

Fr. Keene

FROMTHECHOIRMASTERCHRISTMASINTHECHOIRLOFT. For many Americans—even in our increasingly secular society—going to church is still animportant part of celebrating Christmas. Even for folks who would never miss attending a

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beautiful Christmas service, though, it’s usually just one activity among a profusion of parties,concerts, shopping trips and family gatherings.But for musicians, Christmas is something altogether different. I remember with amusementmy son-in-law’s �irst bewildering experience of Christmas in the Burnam household. Hearrived at our house, ready to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a glass of eggnog in hand,only to �ind a mad beehive of activity: “Not now—we have to leave for choir rehearsal in 10minutes!”Take another look at the schedule of Christmas services that appears elsewhere in thiscommunication. You'll be coming to at least one of them (we hope!), arriving by the time theservice begins—maybe 15 minutes ahead of time if you’re picky about where you sit. Butchoir members will have arrived morethanafullhourearlier, in order to organize afrightening amount of music and paper, put on vestments, and review the “order of battle” forone of the more complex liturgies of the year. And that’s after having devoted a substantialnumber of hours to learning all that music, at home as well as in regular weekly rehearsals.Not only that; many of those singers will attend allthreeserviceslisted—something that,bizarre as it sounds to contemporary sensibilities, was a considered a matter of course forpracticing Christians just a few generations ago. But musicians love it and wouldn’t have it any other way, however much we may grumbleabout all the extra time and effort that has to be shoehorned into our lives—lives that are justas busy as yours. It’s worth it all, to have the gift of time and opportunity to savor the trueglories of this season, and the privilege to be at the “center of the action” on one of theChurch’s most inspiring occasions of worship. The singers in Immanuel's choirs wish you a blessed Christmas—and they’ll be doing theirbest to provide a generous share of that blessing.

— Jack Burnam

ChristmastideatImmanuel

ChristmasEveMonday,December24th4:30pm - Carols and Christmas Music

5pm - Family Eucharist, Rite IIwith the Ross Choir and Children’s Sermon10:30pm - Carols and Christmas Music11pm - Choral Mass, Rite I (withincense)

Mozart: MissaBrevis in Bb, K 275, sung by the Immanuel Choir

TheNativityofourLordJesusChrist:ChristmasDay,Tuesday,December25th10am - Sung Mass, Rite I (withincense)

MissaMarialis

TheFirstSundayafterChristmasDay,December30thGuestmusicianat10amMass: Carolyn Hendrix, cello

TheEpiphany,Sunday,January6th

Annual Visitation by the Rt. Rev’d Kevin S. Brown, Bishop of DelawareOneCombinedServicetodayat10am: Eucharist, Baptism, and Con�irmation

The of�ice will be closed for the holidays between 12/22-01/02. Have a wonderful Christmas!

IMMANUELLIANSCOMETOGETHERTheImmanuelChristmasPageantwas a rousing success with praise from every corner!

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We had 13 Immanuel youth and children participating, including the Ross Choir, Katya Lintonon the violin, and Tommy Kinservik as narrator. Gina Tarburton was the Stage Manager, and Valerie Long was the Lighting Technician andScenic Designer; Jo Harney conceived the pageant and selected the music. The pageant was based in the Gospel of John as opposed to more traditional pageants whichusually use Luke. Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Holiday Pot Luck Supper. This years suppertable was full of so many delicious sides and desserts there was hardly enough room for theplates!

- Valerie LongPhotosbyMattKinservik

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StockingsforAreaHomelessChildren For the third year in a row, the children ofImmanuel Church have raised money to �illstockings for homeless children who attend CarrieDownie Elementary School. This began three years ago when a Sunday Schooldiscussion of the natvity story focused on the hardconditions Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesusendured in Bethlehem because they were unable to�ind lodgings. That led to a discussion of people inour community today who suffer—especially at thistime of the year—because they don’t have a stablehome. Parishioners donate money and the childrendo all the shopping for the stockings and enjoystuf�ing them and sending them off to the school.

- Matt Kinservik

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Mannersandetiquette were the focus of the day at a children's tea party in the Parish Halllast week! Thank you to Doe Irwin for organising the use of the hall. Don't forget that theParish Hall is available for events all year round, please contact the of�ice for moreinformation.

STEWARDSHIPTheStewardshipCommittee would like to thank all who pledged and gave of their time andtalent over the last year. Immanuel is truly blessed! Your pledges have helped us live out ourmission to be a community nurtured by faith, transformed by spiritual development, andnourished by the liturgy of our traditions. As we look ahead to the upcoming holidayand beyond, we would like to take a moment to pause and give thanks for the many effortsthat allow our community to thrive - to those who volunteer to serve as committee membersand building stewards, who take time during their day to deliver food and comfort to those inour community, who diligently and lovingly prepare our worship space, who share the peaceacross pews during the service - every act and every gift, both small and great, enhance theshared spiritual life that we have together. We are so thankful for each and every one. We hope that the next year brings more opportunities for worship, learning, and fellowship aswe continue in our shared calling as stewards of God's creation, and we are deeply thankful tothose who have made their pledge for 2019 to allow for this continued work. If you have notyet made your pledge, we hope to hear from you by Sunday, December 30th. Again, we give heartfelt thanks to all of our stewards past and present, prayers for a peacefuland joyous holiday, and good health and happiness for the New Year! Immanuel Church Stewardship Committee

FROMTHEVESTRYThank you from the Vestry The Vestry would like to take a minute to thank all of you who call Immanuel on the Greentheir parish home and give of their time and donations to keep everything running. A bigthanks to

our priest Fr. Chris, Samantha our administrator, our wardens, treasurer, assistanttreasurer, clerk to the vestry, building stewards, greeters, readers, acolytes, vergers,Eucharistic ministers and visitors, counters, and bell ringersour guilds: Altar, Flower, Fellowship, St. Anne's, and Gardeners our committees: Personnel, In-Reach, Outreach, Budget, Finance, Reconstruction Trust,Cemeteries, Communication, Education, Property, Stewardship, Property, and CoffeeHour our music: adult choir, Ross choir, and choirmaster.

And to all members of the Immanuel family who grace our pews each week. A blessed Christmas and happy 2019 to you all!

—The Vestry

Notes from the Vestry The Vestry met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 19. Here is abrief recap of what was discussed.

12/22/2018 The Curate: A Christmas Message + Events Galore + Lots More!

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Three Vestry members will end their term in 2018: Mary Davis, Bob Irwin, and JagoPlant. The Vestry thanks them for their service. There are three positions open for the next Vestry class (2022). Nominations are due inby January 9, 2019. See Fr. Chris or Senior Warden Jon Barrett for information.Pledges continue to come in. If you haven't already done so, please make your pledgethis week as the Vestry uses that information when creating the budget. There will be a half-hour of music before each Christmas service. Immanuel lapel pins, Christmas tree ornaments, and calendars are for sale. See MattKinservik to purchase.Twelve Christmas stockings were given to homeless children at Carrie Downie School.Thank you all who donated.The Bishop will be visiting on Epiphany.The Vestry retreat will be in February and will focus in the message of Invite, Welcome,Connect.20+ baskets (tubs) were delivered to families at Carrie Downie School.

—Geri Krolin-Taylor

NominationsForVestryClassof2019-2022 Nominations for Vestry are now open. At this coming January’s annual meeting we will beelecting a new vestry class to serve a three-year term. Please consider this important ministryin the life of our parish. Vestry members play a very important part in managing the affairs ofour parish family. Our Vestry prides itself on its diversity of skills, creativity, perspectives andcollaborative approach to managing the issues of the day. Nomination forms areavailable here and on the porch along with the requirements for nomination. If you have anyquestions or would like to learn more about service on the vestry, please see Fr. Keene, ourSenior Warden, Jon Barrett, our Junior Warden, Matt Kinservik or any vestry member.

- Jon Barrett

EXCITINGOPPORTUNITIESChristmasOrnamentandLapelPin

As you plan your Christmas shopping this year, please keep in mind that we will soon beoffering for sale a Christmas ornament with an image of Immanuel on the Green on it and alapel pin featuring the seal of Immanuel. Created for us by the good people at the Terra SanctaGuild in nearby Warminster, PA, these keepsakes are sure to be a hit for anyone on your listthis year. The ornament costs $20 and the lapel pin $10. The images are drafts provided for usto approve the design—the items themselves are metal with raised features.

- Matt Kinservik

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ImmanuelCalendarsarenowavailable Our wonderful calendar is backfor 2019! Available for $20 from MattKinservik, this calendar willmake a great gift for yourself andloved ones this holiday season,and will see you all the waythrough until next year.

AnImportantAnnouncement As many of you know, our dear friend and honourary Immanuellian Vivian White is currentlyin recovery following an automobile accident. While she continues to heal we foresee the needfor volunteerstostaffthenursery. Beginning this Sunday you will �ind a sign up sheet for that purpose in the Academy, and wehope that parishioners will be generous with their time.

12/22/2018 The Curate: A Christmas Message + Events Galore + Lots More!

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If you volunteer we ask that you remain present in the nursery area until the service hasbegun; however if there are no children present you may join the service. ThenurseryisopenonSundaymorningsfrom9:45a.m.to11:30a.m.Children from infancy throughfour years of age are welcome. Thank you all for everything you all do for Immanuel,

- Fr. Keene

PARISHHAPPENINGS NextMovieDiscussionNightSaturday,February2

We will gather together for our next MovieDiscussion Night at 6 PM on Saturday,February 2 at the home of Barbara and JimWhisman, 10 Dalby Alley in New Castle. The �ilm to watch before you come is "CallMebyYourName". In 1983 17-year old Eliois spending the summer at his family's 17thcentury villa in Italy. Besides exploring musicand reading, Elio comes face-to-face withquestioning his sexuality. How does it workout for him? Bring a dish or refreshment to share andcome ready to talk about the social andreligious questions raised by the story andthe values it highlights.

SERVICESATIMMANUELDid you know we hold Mass every Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday at Immanuel Church onthe Green? Of course you did, but just in case, our service schedule is:Sunday

8am - Said Mass10am - Sung Mass7pm - Compline

Wednesday9:30am - Said Mass

Thursday6pm - Said Mass

**FromSundayOctober28thwewillhavelargeprintbulletinsavailable.Pleasecontacttheof�iceifyouwouldlikealargeprintbulletineachweeksowecanmakesurewehaveenoughavailable!**

ComplinecontinueseverySundayat7p.m. This includes holiday weekends, summer Sundays, ordinary and extraordinary days.

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The service of Compline is said each Sunday evening at 7 pm, in the church. Compline is the�inal service of the canonical hours, and it is a brief �ifteen-minute offering of prayers, psalms,and canticles. Lay persons as well as clergy take turns leading the service. Please considermaking this quiet, contemplative service a part of your own spiritual discipline; so far we havecompleted 40 consecutive weeks of the service. We are looking for more people to volunteer with setting up and leading Compline. If youwould like to take a turn leading Compline, or to volunteer to light the 60+ candles before theservice, please contact Father Keene on (302)328-2413, or Jo Harney on (302)598-0858.

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STAYCONNECTED

The FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) struggle is real. If you haven't already, be sure to follow us onTwitter and Instagram. Happy Christmas from all of us at Immanuel!

Stayuptodateonallthelatesthappeningsbyvisitingourwebsite.

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