The Messenger

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Norwich, New York

2015

GREETINGS FROM FR. CHUCK

Lyla, our
grand-daughter, often
visits and enjoys a meal
with us. After the meal
I will ask her to help
with the dishes and
playfully tell her that
she has to work for her
meal. She takes great
delight in helping and
now I dont even have
to ask as she rushes to
assist. I know it wont
be long until the allure
will fade away.
It happens to all
of us, the longed for
prize is what we want
until we get it and find
that it takes hard work
to get there. Being
successful takes hard
work and dedication.
And I believe that we
all want to be successful
whether at work or in
our relationships with
others.

What makes us
successful in our
spiritual lives? For the
church it often means
large attendance, many
programs, inspiring
worship, and excellent
care for all. Certainly
these are important as
we seek to be faithful.
Is this really the
final mark of success for
the church? Many small
churches are struggling
with small membership,
limited financial
resources and with
members that are aging
and finding it difficult to
keep pace with all the
demands placed upon
them. Its hard to be the
church, probably never
has been easy but today
we compete with so
many other factors.
Even Jesus struggled
with the above
mentioned criteria for

SLOW DOWN!
In several weeks we will move
to the more somber season of Lent. And
Lent is a rushing journey toward Easter.
In the journey we will retell our sacred
stories and recall our history and
traditions.
Hopefully, all of this,
if we take the time, will renew us as we
journey as a people of faith.

success. And look what

it got him for trying.
The example
that Jesus offers us is
one of always being in
relationship with God
and lowering ourselves
to the needs of others in
service of God. Love of
God and love of others
has always been the
hallmark of our
Christian faith.
So, what does a
successful spiritual life
look like? I think it
means being humble,
seeking and working for
our Lord. It means
risking and yes, it even
means facing failure. It
means being faithful. As
I said earlier, it isnt
easy being the church.

Lent offers us the opportunity

for spiritual and personal reflection, a
time to improve relationships with
others and God. The goal is to make
these relationships more meaningful.
But this quest will go up against
our everyday, busy lives. Take the time,
slow down, even when you dont feel
that you have the time. Make the effort
to slow down and reflect. You just
might enjoy it!

Worship Schedule for February

Weekday Services

Starts at 9:30a.m. on Sundays

Wednesday Morning 9:00a.m.

February 1: Holy Eucharist, Rite I

Interactive Contemporary Eucharist in

St. Francis Chapel, Anointing with oil for the sick
on the second Wednesday of every month
( Last approximately 40 minutes)

February 8: Holy Eucharist Rite II

February 15: Morning Prayer

Valley View Nursing Home: Holy Eucharist

celebrated on the 2nd Wednesday of month at
10am

February 22: Holy Eucharist Rite II

You are cordially invited to worship with us.
Please call 334-8801 for details or to arrange a ride.

Chenango Valley Home: Holy Eucharist on the

4th Wednesday of every month at 10:30a.m.

Emmanuel

Stations of the Cross begin on

Friday, February 20th at 4:30p.m. led
by Gary Brookins
Stations of the Cross takes place
every Friday during Lent.
11st Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm

111

2nd

1Corinthians 8:1-13

Gospel

Mark 1: 21-28

151st 2 Kings 2:1-12

Psalm

Service
February 18 @ 9:00 am
Imposition of Ashes and
Holy Eucharist
221st

Genesis 9:8-17

50: 1-6

2nd 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Gospel Mark 9:2-9

Psalm 25: 1-9

2nd

1 Peter 3:18-22

Gospel
81st

Isaiah 40: 21-31

Psalm 147: 1-12, 21

2nd

Mark 1: 9-15

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Gospel Mark 1: 29-39

18 1st Isaiah 58:1-12

Psalm 103
2nd 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Are you or a loved one going into

the hospital?
Would you like to be added to the
prayer list
or have a visit from Fr. Chuck?
Please contact: The Church Office
at 607-334-8801 or
call Fr. Chuck at 607-847-6361

1 Timothy Thompson

15 Michael Schlafer

4 Carrie Sue LaCoe; Caleb Loomis

16 Susan Gracin-Sperry

6 Olive Sturges

22 Emily Murphy

7 Kristin Harris; Kathy Wells

23 Francis Carnachan

8 Joanne Woodard; Caden Stone

26 Starr Carroll; Jeffrey Woodard

9 Tammy Sullivan

27 Deborah Cassavaugh;
Carter Campbell; Thad Loomis

10 Joshua Dye; Jacqueline Kreiner

12 Kisten Giglio

29 Cassandra Slater

13 Richard Thompson
If your name (or the name of a family member) is missing or spelled incorrectly, please call the church office
at (334-8801) with the correct information. Also, this segment of the newsletter is for announcing
anniversaries, if you are celebrating an anniversary and it is not listed here,
please call us with that information as well.

Please remember these parish families in your prayers:

February 1 to February 8 Kai & Dave Loomis; Caleb, Rachel, Cheryl & Michael Loomis.
February 9 to February 15 Joan Lorincz; Drew, Alyssa, Andrea & Daniel MacIntosh; Ruth Mason.
February 16 to February 22 Linda & Van Mason; Dottie & Rick Mattice; Ian, Tammy & Phil May.
February 23 to March 1-Patricia McAvoy; Jennifer McConnell; Jean McDowell;
Sally & Fred Miers.

What does it mean to Glorify God with our love and by our actions? We can look to great Christians who have
proven their discipleship, like Mother Teresa, or Albert Schweitzer. What about us ordinary souls? The doers of the
word, and not bearers only. (James 1:22) I think of those who volunteer to work on Chit, Chat, Chew; those who
work on the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for those without, etc. Consider our faithful servants of the Lord
whom we have known. Godly Sunday School teachers, dedicated choir members, volunteering their talents.
The challenge is for each of us to examine ourselves. By this my Father is glorified, said the Lord, that you bear
much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. So lets prove it, Beginning today.
3

ALTAR FLOWERS, EASTER FLOWERS, & CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

We wish to thank you for providing the beautiful flowers that grace our church throughout the year.
The Altar Flowers, Christmas poinsettias, and Easter Lilies are provided by The Perfect Solution. In order for us to
honor your request to place flowers in the church we do need your help. Some people request a certain date and
others call to see if we can place flowers on the altar during the year. There is a chart on page 4 with the 2015
schedule and it shows when there is an open date. Also, to help us remember your loved ones or your blessings
during special times, such as Easter and Christmas, we ask you mail in the request form that is printed in the
monthly newsletter, or, place it in the alms basin with your donation, or call the church office. If you request that
flowers be placed in the church on Sundays, The Perfect Solution will bill you. Again, thank you for providing the
beautiful flowers!

Altar Flowers for

February
February 1 In honor of all Boy Scouts.
PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE from Scout
Troop 62.
February 8- OPEN

Emmanuel Christian Formation Class

The children attending Christian
formation classes on Sundays have
helped to produce 2 small quilts and 5
pillows that they wish to donate to
Chenango Memorial Hospital Pediatric
Ward, to be given to sick children to take
home. The items were blessed by Fr.
Chuck during the Jan. 25th
service and they will be on display at the
coffee hour following that service.

February 15 In loving memory of Robert

Blood Jr. from his family.

Haiku

for the Heart

Listen to your heart

For within there is an ear
Attuned to Gods Voice
-Peggy Ferrell
Featured in the photo to the right are:
Addison & Adrianna, Phoebe & Emily.

LENTEN LIVING
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18 this year. Christians have observed this season of the
church year since the fourth century. Its traditionally a time of reflection, penitence and spiritual renewal
before Easter.
During Lent, some Christians give up something that hinders their relationship with God. Others do
something extra for their spiritual growth, or make a special sacrifice. The key is to make Lent a memorable
season of sincere spiritual growth a time that can set the tone for the rest of the year.
The Newsletter, Feb. 2015

Lenten Lunchtime Bible : Wednesdays at

noon at the following locations:
Feb. 24 - Emmanuel Episcopal, Chuck Taylor facilitating
March 4 - First Baptist Church, Dave Speigel facilitating
March 11- Broad St. U.M. Church, Nancy Hale facilitating
March 18 - Christ Lutheran Church, Ernie Varga facilitating
March 25 - United Church of Christ, Joe
Connolly facilitating
April 1 - we're leaving this open as a possibility for now
You are encouraged to join us for this series, not
only will it increase our Biblical literacy but it will help
shape the Sunday Semons. Please bring a brown bag
lunch.
On Ash Wednesday, as Lent begins, worshipers
foreheads are often marked with ashes in the sign of the cross. These

To Nancy & Michael

Gibbon & their family for the
loss of their mother
Betty Nolan.
To the Giglio family
on the passing of
Margaret Rafferty, 101 years
old, Grandmother & Great
Grandmother.

ashes traditionally come from burning palm branches from the

previous Palm Sunday. In the Old Testament days, ashes were a sign of
mourning and repentance. Today, some worshipers wipe off the ashes
before leaving the church, to symbolize being cleansed from sin by
Jesus death, others wear the ashes the rest of the day, carrying the
cross of Christ into the world. The speaking of Genesis 3:19 often
accompanies the placement of ashes, You are dust, and so dust you
will return.
5

To Dave & Kai Loomis &

family for the passing of
John Marcey.

The 183rd Annual Meeting of Emmanuel* was held on Sunday, January 25th beginning
with the 9:30 am Worship. The Annual Meeting was informative as Fr. Chuck commended all for
their contributions in 2014. An overview of 2014 was presented with old and new business being
covered as well.
The current Vestry for 2015 is: Wardens-Dave Loomis & Jim Everard

Vestry-Sandra Colton, Kai Loomis, Tony Giglio, Jay Voorhies,

Gary Tompkins & Sharon Everard.
*Extra copies of the Annual Report for 2014 are available in the church office
Be a love Bird

Many stories about the origin of Valentines Day have come down through the centuries. Theres no
definitive story, but most revolve around the imprisonment of Valentinus (St. Valentine) for his
disregard of Roman laws.
Many legends are also associated with Valentines Day. For example, because birds seemed to arrive
and mate in some countries in mid-February, human couples came to be called love birds.
In 1667, the first recorded Valentine card was printed. Today, people will give their sweethearts
countless millions of cards and acres of heart-shaped boxes filled with candy. But why wait for
Valentines Day to share love with others? Remember Jesus words in John 13:34 (NRSV): I give
you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Volunteer Coordinators

Our Daily Bread Food Closet

located at Emmanuel, Norwich
The holiday season has passed, but our
need for food in the community has not.
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry depends on
monetary and food donations from those
who can help others who are less
fortunate than themselves. Thank you for
your generous support in the past, and
your continued spirit of giving
in the future.
-Barb and Gary Tompkins,
6

Any food items are appreciated. Below is

a guide for the month of February of some
items always needed.

February 1 :Cereal
February 8: Spaghetti and spaghetti
sauce

February 15:

Soups, canned tuna and

chicken, beef stew

Really simple and delicious.

Place 2 to 4 chicken breasts into
crock pot, add 1 can cream of
mushroom soup and turn on low
for 4 to 6 hours. Optional: Add 1
can of drained mushrooms toward
the end. Done when chicken falls
apart. Serve on biscuits.
Saturday , February 14, 2015

Happy Valentines Day!

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR

COFFEE HOUR YET?

Now that a New Years is upon us, would you

be willing to host a coffee hour on Sunday
morning? Check your calendar and sign up
for the Sunday that suits you best. A Sign-Up
sheet is on the doors in the Parish Hall near

CHURCH OFFICE &

FOOD PANTRY ARE
CLOSED ON Feb.16th
IN OBSERVANCE

where the coffee is served.

Monday, Feb. 2
Groundhog

Messenger
F e b r u a r y

NON-PROFIT
2 0 1 5

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

NORWICH, NY
13815
PERMIT # 8

Fr. Chuck Taylor

PO Box 361
New Berlin, NY 13411
Phone:607-847-6361

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS:

Editor: Cathleen Reeder

Phone: 607-334-8801
Email: emmanuelchurch@frontiernet.net
Were on the Web:
www.emmanuelnorwich.com

To Know Christ And To Make Him Known!

Remember the Church in Your Will!

SAVE THE DATES: FEBRUARY 20TH:

9:00AM-ASH
WEDNESDAY SERVICE

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

AT 4:30pm/AND THEN
EVERY FRIDAY DURING
LENT

7:00PM
ECUMENICAL ASH
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
AT THE FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH

FEBRARY 28: NORWICH

CHEER LEADERS
FUNDRAISING DINNER
AT EMMANUEL 4:30PM :

FEBRUARY 18TH:

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015

MENU:

Mac-N-Cheese:Roll:
Beverage & Dessert

FEBRUARY 16TH:
PARISH OFFICE & FOOD
PANTRY CLOSED FOR
PRESIDENTS DAY.

SERVING CHICKEN AND

BISQUITS
$7.00 ADULTS/ $5.00
CHILDREN 5+
FREE FOR CHILDREN 5 &
UNDER