Volume 4, Number 39                    The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:                   September 30, 2007

Continuity While Building for the Future

In October we have our in-gathering for Immanuel Church, Highlands.  Our theme, continuity while building for the future, is demonstrated through our many vigorous programs at Immanuel – including our Sunday School, Outreach Ministry, Katrina Mission, our Music and Liturgy, and all our efforts at Immanuel to maintain a vital place for worship and giving.  To quote our senior warden John Lampinen, “Immanuel Church, Highlands, is an amazing parish and I delight in being a part of it”.  His recent message described our achievements and plans for the fall and into next year.

We are continuing our efforts to bring a new rector to Immanuel.  Over the past year we have been blessed with Father Ray and Father Fred, and now we look forward to having Father Thom join us.  Our new search team will be engaged in the search for a new rector.  Our programs will provide growth points when we finally get a new rector.

Our in-gathering will be similar to last year.  October will focus on sharing our strengths through our ministries and worship, leading to pledge cards to be mailed to you at the end of October.  November will focus on our in-gathering, which will conclude in Advent.

Let’s celebrate all those things, events, and people that bring joy to our lives, and the love of God which so evidently envelops Immanuel.  Let’s celebrate what we have accomplished and give thoughtful consideration of how to use our gifts of time, talent and money to continue into the coming year. 

                                                                          Elizabeth Curtis Swain,  Stewardship Committee

THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL:                                           COMING SOON:

Sun      30      Pentecost 18                                                       Sun    7   12:00    2^nd NOR Bracelet Making

                      8:00 am        Holy Eucharist in Chapel                                    4:00 pm   Evensong by Mixed Choir,

                      9:15 am        Adult Education Forum                                                          followed by Reception

                      9:30 am        Sunday School classes

                    10:30 am        Sung Eucharist

            after 10:30 service:Coffee Hour, honoring Fred Guyott’s ministry with us

            after Coffee Hour    AIDS Walk Delaware

Mon    1        7:00 pm        Liturgy Meeting (Parlor)

Tue      2        6:30 pm        Choristers (Choir Room)

                      7:00 pm        AlAnon (Common Room)

                      8:00 pm        Coro Allegro (Choir Room)

Wed    3        6:30 pm        Quiet Prayer (Common Room)

                      7:30 pm        Healing Service (Chapel)

Thu      4        7:30 pm        Mixed Choir (Choir Room)

Sat       6      12:00             AlAnon (Common Room)

                       2:00 pm        Cook for Andrew’s Place (contact Alex Lehr-Maunder)

Special Coffee Hour This Sunday, September 30:  We will have a special coffee hour this week to thank Fred Guyott for his contributions to our life at Immanuel.  Please join us in the dining room after the 10:30 Eucharist.

                                                                                                The Vestry

We have a Search Committee!  Eve English, Craig Folkert, Michael Lynch, Connie Shultz, Elaine Simpson,
Liz Swain, and Barb Volko.  Thank you to all of those who offered their support in forming the committee.  We
are now in the process of forming a Transition Committee, at the recommendation of our new search 
consultants; this additional committee will assist Fr. Thom in his work now, plan for a welcoming of the new 
rector when he or she comes, and continue as a resource to connect our new rector and family with the parish 
and our area.  All of us now need to remember to keep our team, the consultants, and their tasks in our prayers 
throughout the search process.                            The Vestry

Adult Education Forum:  September 30 at 9:15 a.m.:

This is the final session of our study of “The Four Marks of the Church”:

            Leitourgia (Liturgy) and Koinonia (Community):          Ministries of Identity

            Diaconia (Service) and Kerygma (Proclamation):         Ministries of Vitality

We are discussing the “Marks of the Church” with particular focus on how each mark is lived out in Immanuel's current ministry or how they might be expanded in the future ministry of this congregation.  The first session treated the Ministries of Identity; the second session dealt more with the Ministries of Vitality; and the third session (September 30) will be a dialogue aimed at helping Immanuel members understand their level of interest and commitments to these ministries, both in the past, the present and for the future.  Please join us in the Common Room at 9:15 a.m.                                              Frederic Guyott, III +

AIDS Walk Delaware – This Sunday, September 30:  Join Team Immanuel at Rockford Park for this fun and worthy activity – Immanuel’s 3^rd Annual AIDS Walk!  Pick up a pledge envelope on the foyer table, and if you can’t go on the walk yourself, please give a donation to the pledge envelope of someone who is walking.  Also, Walkers, please register with AIDS Walk Delaware at www.aidswalkdelaware.org, if you can do it in advance.  This secure site allows friends and family to donate to your walk via credit card.  Last minute walkers can register at the Rockford Park registration table, near the tower; our team is registered as Immanuel Church, Highlands.  The step-off will be 2 p.m.  We may still have a few T- Shirts in various sizes for new walkers.  Please see Phyllis Harvey if you need a T- Shirt.

DID YOU KNOW?  All money raised by AIDS Walk Delaware stays in Delaware for Delawareans.

AIDS Delaware provides:

Case management and support services for hundreds of clients in all three counties of Delaware.
Education and Outreach programs benefiting thousands annually in schools, houses of worship, beauty salons, community centers and businesses.

Free and confidential HIV testing for hundreds each year..

                                                                                                Sue Welles, Outreach Ministry

CHORAL EVENSONG BEGINS: Next Sunday, October 7, marks the beginning of the 26^th year of Choral Evensong at Immanuel on the first Sunday of each month.  Quite different in style from our Sunday morning liturgy, this distinctively Anglican service in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer provides a contemplative, meditative setting in which to listen—through scripture, music and silence—for God’s voice.  The brief forty-five-minute service is always followed by wonderful food and friendly conversation at an informal reception in the Common Room.  Join us next Sunday, October 7 at 4 p.m., when the Mixed Choir will lead the first Evensong of the new season. Invite a friend to share the experience with you.
P.S.: An attractive poster announcing Evensong is available in the foyer. If there’s a bulletin board or window in your community where you can place a poster, please take as many as you can use.  Help us spread the word!

                                                                                                Jack Burnam

NOR Bracelets:  We will hold our second bracelet-making session on Sunday, October 7, immediately after the 10:30 a.m. service in the dining room.  Everyone is welcome to help make bracelets for upcoming holiday bazaars and craft shows.  Please forward our Immanuel website to family and friends across the country and tell them about the bracelet fundraiser for the Diocese of Louisiana.  Help us spread the word so we can help the diocese.                                                                           Vicki Anthos, Katrina Mission

Register On-Line NOW for Parish Life Day – Saturday, November 17, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Please see the diocesan website, www.dioceseofdelaware.net, to register and for more information.  (A limited number of Parish Life Day brochures may be found in our lobby on the tract rack.)  You can also view and print the brochure from the diocesan website.  For more information or details, please contact cyndebimbi@dioceseofdelaware.net or call Cynde at 302-656-5443, ext. 106.

                                                                                                E-mail from Cynde Bimbi

Found!  Again!  Last Sunday, September 23, there were windows left open and a door that wasn’t locked (and should have been).  We’re still forgetting!  Please remember, and remind each other, that windows must be closed, appliances and fans must be turned off, doors that have been unlocked must be relocked.  Thank you.                                                                                                   Property Committee

Christian Education:  We are looking ahead to:

*        UNICEF project at Hallowe'en (please be prepared to trick or treat for UNICEF!).

*        UNICEF fashion show October 28.

*        Choristers (girls and boys) Evensong on November 4 (put this in your calendar now both to support the choristers and to be part of beautiful worship).

Also, I draw your attention to the wonderful display in the fellowship hall for the school in China, set up by Julian Taplin.  This will be our Christmas project, so parents/families/anyone who is interested listen to what the Headmaster Shen Shi Tao wrote us: “As for the gifts your children in the church want to send us, we are deeply moved.  But could you send us some pictures of the children and their life?  The students in our school are very curious about this and want to learn something about it.  As for the other things, we don't have any particular need.  I think it's better to be something that can reflect the characteristics of your country, e.g. paint pictures, music cassettes, wall-pictures, models for the calculation... In my personal view, I think it's good for the children of two countries to exchange small gifts made by their own hands like cards and picture drawings and so on...”  Can we work on that?                                       Simon Jeynes

During this year’s United Way Campaign, remember Friendship House and homeless folks. 
For Delaware United Way, use code 9033.
For Cecil County, Kennett Square, or other non-Delaware United Way, write-in the following address:
Friendship House, P. O. Box 1517, Wilmington, DE  19899.
Friendship House also sponsors Andrew’s Place, Epiphany House and Clothing Bank of Delaware.                                                                                                                   Sue Welles, Outreach Ministry

Christmas at Sea:  Start saving coupons now for personal hygiene products such as toothpaste, soap, etc. for the sailors who come to the Port of Wilmington in December.  Each Christmas “ditty box” given to the sailors in December includes useful items and a warm knitted cap.  Knitting instructions for the caps will be posted on the bulletin board soon.                                                                                                Sue Welles, Outreach Ministry

Fred Guyott’s Sermons that he has given at Immanuel are on our website (www.immanuel-highlands.org).  On the home page, click on the word Sermons.  If you have no access to the Internet, printed copies may be picked up in the lobby.                                                              Kay Wack, Interim Parish Secretary

Thank You to Our Friends throughout the Diocese:  We are grateful to all of the clergy, parishes and staff of the diocese for your prayers, concern, notes and visits during the time of Carol’s hospitalization.  She is progressing nicely and we are now enjoying a few weeks in Maine to continue her convalescence.  Many, many thanks for your love and care.                                                 Faithfully, Carol and Carl Kunz    

Events Elsewhere in the Diocese (from The Net – A Weekly Newsletter For Delaware's Episcopal Clergy):

Bus trip to hear Desmond Tutu -Tuesday, November 13^th  

For details of this bus trip to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., please call the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew at 656-6628 by September 30.

Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat – October 14-20^th

At duPont Memorial House in Rehoboth led by the Rev. J. Carlyle Gill, Associate at St. Peter's in Lewes.  This six-day retreat is an in-depth experience of the discipline of Centering Prayer.  Centering Prayer is a contemplative discipline that leads to the peace of God that passes all understanding.  The retreat will also offer teaching, one-on-one spiritual direction, daily Eucharist, and much silence.  Contact Lacey Gude for details at LaceyAGude@aol.com. 

Free Workshop for Parents – Wednesday, October 17^th

“How to Pay for Independent School and College, Too” will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Hockessin Memorial Hall in Hockessin.  This workshop is designed for those families who are seriously considering independent schools but are asking the question “How are we going to afford the tuition?”  This session is designed to encourage families to think creatively.  For more information call Claire Brechter 302-239-0332

ECW Annual Meeting – Saturday, October 20^th

The Annual Meeting of the ECW of Delaware will take place on Saturday, 20th October 2007 at the Church of the Ascension-3717 Philadelphia Pike-Claymont, DE.  Tickets are $17.00 per person and registration begins at 9:00 a.m.  The Church Periodical Club National Board Chair will be a guest at the meeting.  Workshops, Lunch, and Eucharist celebrated by our Bishop is the order of the day.  All women who attend Episcopal Churches are Episcopal Church Women, whether they belong to an organized women’s group or not, and are invited to attend this day of prayer, reflection, and action.  (Registration forms are on Immanuel’s bulletin board.)

A Day of Quiet Reflection – Saturday, October 20^th

You are invited to a Day of Quiet Reflection hosted by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 9:30 am-3:00 pm, and presented by Barbara Tucker, Spiritual Companions, Diocese of Delaware.  The topic for the day is: Ruth’s Story.  Beverages and snacks are provided.  Bring your own brown bag lunch.  Bring a journal, if you wish to record your thoughts.  For directions and/or further information call 302-378-2401 or 302-378-1718.

Cathedral Workshop – Saturday, October 20^th

The Cathedral Church of St. John will be offering a workshop for parents of children ages three thru eight titled:  Children:  Baptism and the Bible.  There will be two sessions.  In the morning the focus will be on helping and supporting children in discerning what the Baptism Covenant means to and for them; and in the afternoon, participants will explore ways of engaging young children with the story of faith as told in Holy Scripture.  The leader for the workshop will be the Rev. Canon Anne Kitch.  For additional information visit: http://www.cathedralsaintjohn.org/workshop2007.html  

Faith Communities Support Aging – Thursday, October 25^th

Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families is presenting a special fall conference to be held at the Delaware Technical & Community College, Terry Campus, Conference Center in Dover. Representatives of the faith, health, and social services communities are invited to a conference that will address the needs, opportunities and other issues presented by the new majority population of the area:  the elderly.  For more information contact DECCF at 302-225-1040 or deccf@aol.com

All Souls – Requiem Concert – Friday, November 2^nd

At 7:30 p.m. St. Albans will hosting the premier performance of a new choral work, “For Those We Love But No Longer See”.  It will feature the combined choirs of St. Albans, St. David and St. Thomas’s; the directors will be Steven Weatherman, Marc F. Cheban and Donald H. McFarland.  It will also feature The Ellsworth String Quartet and Ms. Janet Witman on the harp.  A free-will offering will go to benefit the Inter-Faith Resource Center.  For more information contact stalbans@dol.net or 302-478-7778.