Yesterday, I was on the weekly Bishops’ call with clergy. Bishop Goff was expressing the need for both the Diocese and churches in the Diocese to begin planning for and envisioning what a return to in-person worship might look like for churches. She acknowledged that there will not be a “one-size fits all” as the space constraints of churches vary widely. I, along with our wardens, am starting to assess what an appropriate re-opening plan would be for us, once the time is right. As we go, I’ll be sharing information.
The weekly bulletin is available each week on our website so during the Sunday service you can easily follow along. I would love for everyone to download and use it as it does take a good amount of time to put together and post. It is absolutely safe to download as it is coming directly from us.
KIDS MEETUP
Every Thursday, 2 to 3 p.m., the kids of the parish are meeting up via Zoom to hang out together.
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER SERVICE
10:15 a.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live followed by a Coffee Hour on Zoom. (Click the Zoom link to join, the password is embedded. For Facebook Live, click the link to be taken to our Facebook page to view the live stream.) The bulletin is coming soon on our website. Starting this Sunday, we will have a Zoom usher allowing people into the service from 9:45 to 10:20 a.m. If you try to join after that, you won’t be able to enter and will need to watch on Facebook instead.
You’re welcome to share the Zoom information with friends and family, but please don’t share it publicly so that we can maintain security. Anyone is always welcome to attend via Facebook Live!
Thank you for your patience with the services and for understanding that we’re all doing our best. I know we all wish the video and audio were clearer at times and that there weren’t ever glitches with technology. It isn’t the same as being together in person, but I am glad we have options to remain connected when having one another is so important.
Zoom Tip to make sure you are muted during the service: There should be a RED line through the microphone icon on the Zoom screen. If there isn’t, you are not muted so if you make any sound, Zoom will switch the video and audio of the service to you.
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Mondays, 9 a.m. Morning prayer on Facebook Live
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. Evening prayer on Facebook Live
Wednesdays, 12 p.m. Noonday prayer on Facebook Live
Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Bedtime story with Mother Kathy, invite your friends! Facebook Live
DROP-IN OFFICE HOURS
I am holding virtual drop-in office hours every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Please log on to chat — sitting in front of the computer camera staring at myself on Zoom for two hours alone gets boring quickly! (If for some reason you aren’t able to get into the Zoom meeting, please send me an email. Sometimes, technology refuses to cooperate.)
MUSICIAN’S CORNER
How fortunate we are to have Wilson Troxell as our organist. Wilson has offered to share his knowledge of the music from our liturgy and church history in a series of website posts we’re calling Musician’s Corner. We hope it will inform and enrich your worship experience.
PLEDGES
During these unprecedented times, we are called into community in unprecedented ways. Your financial gifts to Emmanuel and St. Andrew’s are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and our outreach to the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to offer your faithful gifts by mailing your check to our church office, or by using a special online portal established through our diocesan office ( available here) for electronic giving (be sure to mentions which church and the location in the memo).
Emmanuel Episcopal 122 E. Court Woodstock VA 22664
St. Andrew’s Episcopal P.O. Box 117 Mt. Jackson, VA 22842
Keep in mind, I observe the Sabbath Friday and Saturday while Melissa is off Thursday after 1:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, we may not reply until Monday. We promise your message isn’t being ignored, we will get back to you. We miss you all!
For those sewing masks, if you are able and willing, there are parishioners in need of masks. If you would like to give to a mask(s) to parishioner(s) or are in need of a mask yourself, please let Melissa or me know.
Emmanuel’s Table Food Pantry also appreciates any mask donations you can spare to distribute masks to pantry clients. If you have any to donate, they can be dropped off in a bag at the office door at Emmanuel. The pantry volunteers can pick them up Mondays or Tuesday afternoons to distribute in the food packages.
We understand that the primary focus at this time is those health care workers on the front lines, so appreciate this may not be possible.
If you’re able, please consider supporting local restaurants. Melissa put together a list of some of the ones listed as open with carry out and/or delivery. Before going, be sure to give them a call to make sure that hasn’t changed and to see if you need to place your order prior. If you know of any other local spots open between New Market and Woodstock, let Melissa know so it can be added to this list.
Woodstock
Shaffer’s (also taking donations so they can provide food for essential workers)
Woodstock Cafe (also taking donations so they can provide food for those helping the community)
Carmelized
Cook’s Country Store
Happenings
Italian Touch
Las Trancas
The Italian Job
Woodstock Brewhouse
Rutz’s BBQ (at Tractor Supply)
Sugar Creek Ice Cream (at Tractor Supply)
Woodstock Garden Cafe
Edinburg
Sal’s
Penelope’s Cafe
Edinburg Mill
Mt. Jackson
El Agave Azul
Italian Touch
Curtain Call
New Market
Southern Kitchen
Kathy’s Home Cooking Cafe
Miller Grille
The Italian Job
Jackson’s Corner
American BarBQue
Jalisco
NEW 2020 DIRECTORY
The new 2020 directory is available on our website. Printed copies will be available later, once the offices are reopened. To download the PDF, the password is available from Melissa.
As another week in quarantine passes, I am praying that each one of you remain well. Please reach out if you need me. I encourage you all to connect with one another as well, as our parish is blessed to have a strong support system on which we can rely in times such as these.
Faithfully,
Mother Kathy+
Visit our website for an archive of all COVID-19 info and weekly update emails.