UPDATE: A FALL MESSAGE FROM MOTHER KATHY
It’s hard to believe that the 2022-2023 school year begins next Tuesday and fall is peaking around the corner. We want to offer our prayers for all the students, teachers, staff, and families as the new year begins. May this year be one of productivity, learning, fun and safety. If anyone would like a backpack or school bag blessing, they’re welcome to bring them during a Sunday service.
As we look forward to the fall temperatures, harvest bounty and the beautiful leaves and views that Shenandoah Valley offers us, we also have a visit from (UPDATE) Bishop Susan Goff on October 16 to look forward to. As you likely know, she is retiring at the end of this year so we’re glad to have chance to wish her well on her future endeavors.
We’ll also be having a Pet Blessing on October 1 to give thanksgiving for all our animal kingdom friends. Please keep a look out for specific details coming in The Beckford Connection as we get closer to these events.
COVID UPDATE
A number of people in the parish have been diagnosed with COVID in the last couple weeks. Given the highly contagious new variants, folks are encouraged to wear masks during all church services and activities when others are present.
EMMANUEL’S TABLE FOOD PANTRY
Emmanuel’s Table is open every second and fourth Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The next date is August 23. We are still seeking someone who is willing to help coordinate and assist volunteers. We always welcome folks to help unload deliveries and pack and distribute food as well.
A huge Thank You to Massanutten Military Academy cadets for a their help with serving our pantry guests. We greatly appreciate all our volunteers who generously dedicate their time and efforts to making sure folks in our community don’t go hungry. Thank you!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PENCES
A BIG THANK YOU for all the prayers, cards, other good wishes, yummy food, including homemade bread. That got us through the long ride on “The Struggle Bus” (A Pence family term!) that Dick has been on since July 7. He has his last dose of the antibiotic that WORKED today!! As some of you know, we were hoping for him to be well enough to attend our youngest granddaughter’s wedding on Aug. 6, which was also his 88th birthday. Sadly, he was not able to do that, but thanks to the love and selflessness of our daughter Lisa who insisted that she stay with her Dad, I was able to be there. We are extremely blessed and so very thankful for all the love and support. Hugs and love to each of you.
~~ Dick and Trudy
Mother Kathy is happy to add that thanks to your prayers, Dick was able to be at the 11:15 a.m. Emmanuel service Sunday. He is back in Compline as well.
VESTMENTS FOR NEWLY ELECTED BISHOP
The Episcopal Church Women have a wonderful tradition in this diocese of providing some of the vestments for newly elected bishops. On June 4th, the Diocese of Virginia elected The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson as our 14th Diocesan Bishop. The ECW hopes you will support them by contributing to this fund. The consecration will occur on December 3, 2022, in Richmond.
Please print out and include this form, as requested by ECW, with your donation. The form includes information on where to send donations as well.
HELPING AREA HOMELESS: A MESSAGE FROM KATHERINE MORRISON
In May 2022, Shenandoah County home prices were up 25.9% compared to this same time last year, selling after only 28 days on the market. Landlords are seizing the day and selling properties at record speed. Oftentimes these are properties they have owned for decades, housing long-term tenants who have faithfully paid what is considered to be “fair market rent” for their home. Tenants who are now suddenly homeless.
You can help 10 of these families, all with children, who are currently housed in homes provided by Family Promise of Shenandoah County. Your donation of items including shampoo, conditioner, bodywash and laundry detergent will help them stretch their limited budget and prepare to rent longer term housing.
Katherine Morrison will put a box in the Emmanuel fellowship hall to collect any items you are willing to donate.
EMMANUEL ALTAR FLOWERS
If you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory or honor of a friend, loved one of special occasion, you’re welcome to do so. Your dedication is included in the bulletin for two weeks. Flowers are $60 and are ordered by the church. If you are interested in doing this, please email Melissa to make arrangements.
PRAYER LIST
One of the greatest gifts we have to offer each other as a parish family is our prayers for ourselves, our families and our loved ones. You’re invited to sit with your parish directory and each day, lift up a section or page of names a day. Let’s continuously hold each other in prayer. Let us pray: God of grace and comfort, enfold our parish-members, family and friends with your mercy. Strengthen each one with a shield of faith and enable them to accept what is to come, heal them and bear their pain, keep them in peace, and fix their hearts on you through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Our prayer list can be found on our website. If you have folks you’d like added to the prayer list, please email their names to Melissa.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WEEKDAY SERVICES
NIGHTLY COMPLINE
Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Compline on Facebook Live and Zoom
WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST
12 p.m. at Emmanuel
SUNDAY SERVICES
8 a.m. Emmanuel
9:15 a.m. St. Andrew’s and Facebook Live
11:15 a.m. Emmanuel and Facebook Live
The full bulletin is available on our website.
All weekly and Sunday services are available to view on Facebook and our website after the services, when available.