CHRISTMAS COLORING BOOKLET
The booklet has 40 Advent and Christmas images to color as you get ready to celebrate the holiday. From wreaths, candles, trees and Christmas scenes to the nativity, Bible verses and cute kitties, there’s plenty to choose from (or color them all if you’d like). You can print the entire booklet, or pick and choose your favorites. Feel free to share the booklet with anyone you think may enjoy some relaxing coloring time.
FACEBOOK HOLIDAY FUN
Every day from now until Christmas, Melissa is sharing fun Advent and Christmas content to our Facebook page. You’ll find music, videos, stories, crafts, recipes, special publications and more. We hope it brings some holiday cheer to your days! Likes and comments on the posts are appreciated, so that Facebook shares it on more folks’ timelines.
ADVENT AT HOME: A COMPANION BOOKLET
We have adapted the booklet above to provide opportunities to worship at home, either by yourself or with your friends and family with whom you are sheltering in place.
We invite you to prepare a space in your home to mark these days and celebrate the coming of Jesus. You will see this booklet is comprised of 5 stations, taking us weekly from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve. Each day, we invite you to pray and reflect the words of the current week’s station.
CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY SERVICES
All services stream live to Zoom and Facebook. Everyone is welcome! Please invite your friends and family to join us using their choice of Zoom or Facebook.
Christmas Eve
5 p.m. Children’s Service — a shorter service, including carols and Christmas Bible stories
9 p.m. Traditional Spiritual Communion Service, including carols
Please have a candle handy and ready to light for both services when we sing Silent Night together.
Christmas Day
10 a.m. Spiritual Communion Service
DECEMBER VESTRY MEETINGS
Emmanuel is meeting Monday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Melissa is sending a reminder with the links the day before.
EMMANUEL’S TABLE FOOD PANTRY AND DONATION DRIVE
We’re holding a Holiday Helpers Donation Drive to support the pantry. If you know of anyone who may like to donate as the consider what charities to support this giving season, please spread the word. You can find out more, and find images to share on social media, on our website.
DECEMBER PLEDGES
This Advent season, we are particularly grateful for your continued support of those in need in our community and in keeping the churches operating through your pledges. We know everyone has faced many hardships and difficulties this year, so appreciate your generosity.
You can mail current or past month’s pledges directly to the church offices.
Emmanuel Episcopal 122 E. Court Woodstock VA 22664
St. Andrew’s Episcopal P.O. Box 117 Mt. Jackson, VA 22842
MEETING WITH MOTHER KATHY
If you’d like to meet in person with Mother Kathy, please email her. She will set up a time to meet with you, social distancing, at her office at St. Andrew’s.
SOUTHERN SHENANDOAH WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Every Wednesday, the Episcopal churches in our region have an online Bible study from 7 to 8 p.m. You can join online via Zoom. If you haven’t been able to attend, no problem! You’re welcome to jump in any Wednesday you’re available. If you have any question, please let Mother Kathy know.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
Update from Richard Torovsky on the annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing: “We will not be asking for volunteers to ring bells this Christmas due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, they are still trying to raise money to help folks with utilities in coordination with the Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter. If you would like to support what you might have otherwise put into the bucket, you can mail checks directly to the Shenandoah County Salvation Army Treasurer at:
Salvation Army/Shenandoah County
c/o Dick Cooley, Treasurer
6 Kestrel Court
Woodstock, VA 22664
If you have any questions, please call Richard T. at 540-740-3220. Your donations will go to directly aid Shenandoah County residents.
CONTACTING MOTHER KATHY AND MELISSA
Due to the need for continued caution, we both continue to work from home. If you have a question, concerns or would like to check in with them, please email. Also, please do call Mother Kathy on her cell (we know it says for emergencies, but during this time it’s the best way to reach her. The number is in the directory).
Mother Kathy generally observes the Sabbath on Friday and Saturday while Melissa is off Thursday after 1:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While we may not reply immediately, we absolutely will get back to you.
PRAYER LIST
The prayer list can be found on our website. If you have any names to add or remove, please email Melissa.