Volume 5, Number 7                                 The Second Sunday of Lent                                   February 17, 2008

Disciplines of True Fasting!

                                                                                    (based on Isaiah 58:6-7)

True fasting can be a means of feasting. 
Fasting can be a time when you could:

Fast from judging others'; feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast on emphasis of differences'; feast on the unity of life.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from discontent and jealousy; feast on gratitude.

Fast from negative thoughts and speech; feast on the love that God has for us.

Fast from worry; feast on Divine Providence.

Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from negatives; feast on positives.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility; feast on obedience.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from anxiety; feast on hope.

Fast from yourself; feast on a silent heart.

                                                                        (Anonymous)

The people who faxed me this meditation did not identify it further, other than saying that it was a gift to churches to use in their publications, if they so chose.

                                                                        Kay Kennedy Wack, Interim Parish Secretary

From Fr. Thom: “You have probably learned by now that I don't like to share texts of Sunday sermons. This is because I think that sermons are meant to be heard and not read. And, I want you to come to church to hear the sermon. But, I am trying to find a way to share them with you in case you missed Sunday worship. And, since there are a number of different ways that this can be done, I am sharing an experiment with you.

“Do you want to see and hear the sermon as a video? Here are two links to last Sunday's sermon. The provider limits it to 10 minutes so there are two parts. Go to:

http://www.viddler.com/explore/thom/videos/1/ and http://www.viddler.com/explore/thom/videos/2/

“An alternative is to listen to an audio version of the sermon. To hear last Sunday's sermon, go to: http://tinyurl.com/28zx3s.  If you want to download it, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yrzkj6 and push the little arrow to the right of "21008.mp3". It is called "Whatever Became of Sin." (There are a couple of other sermons posted which you might enjoy.) These are plain old mp3 files and can be listened to on your computer or downloaded onto your iPods.

“Let me know what you think of this.”

THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL:

Sun      17    Second Sunday of Lent

                      8:00 am        Holy Eucharist in Chapel

                      9:00 am        Vestry Forum (Common Room)

                    10:30 am        Sung Eucharist, followed by Coffee Hour downstairs

Mon   18       7:00 pm        Vestry Meeting (Parlor)

Tue     19                           Transition Team Meeting (time and room TBA)

                      6:30 pm        Search Team Meeting (Parlor)

                      6:30 pm        Girl and Boy Choristers (Choir Room)

                      7:00 pm        Outreach Ministry (Library)

                      7:00 pm        AlAnon (Common Room)

                      7:45 pm        Coro Allegro (Choir Room)

Wed   20       8:30 am        Emmanuel Dining Room Cooking (Kitchen, Dining Room)

                                          See Nancy Loux if you can help; so far, no one but Nancy has signed up for this one.

                      6:30 pm        Quiet Prayer (Common Room)

                      7:30 pm        Healing Service (Chapel)

Thu     21       7:30 pm        Mixed Choir (Choir Room)

Sat      23     12:00 noon     AlAnon (Common Room)

COMING SOON:

Sun     24       4:30 pm        Katrina Bowling Event

Sun    3/2       4:00 pm        Evensong and Concert, Choral Scholars from St. Andrew’s School, Middletown,

                                          followed by candlelight reception

The Vestry Forum will be held in the Common Room this Sunday, February 17, at 9:00 a.m.  The agenda will include discussion of several important topics.  One of the items will be proposed changes to the parish bylaws.

                                                                                    The Vestry

The Transition Team will meet on Tuesday, February 19, with the consultants.  The time and room will be determined in time to be announced at Sunday’s Vestry Forum.  (This is a rescheduling, because last week’s meeting was cancelled.)

                                                                                    Al LeSieur

Outreach Ministry will meet in the Immanuel Library on Tuesday, February 19, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. to review the activities since Fall, 2007, and to look ahead and plan for 2008.  Come with your creativity, compassion, and ideas!

                                                                                    Sue Welles

Katrina Mission Bowling Party:  Join us for bowling at Bowlerama in New Castle on Sunday, February 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for under 12 years of age.  Sign up sheet is in the foyer.

                                                                                    Vicki Anthos

Still Time to Support the Prayer Shawl Knit-a-thon!  Pledge an amount for each prayer shawl knitted between January 1 and March 1, by adding your name to the sign-up sheet in the foyer.  The prayer shawls will be given to needy folks in our community and the proceeds will be donated toward the cost of the trip. 

                                                                                   Vicki Anthos, Katrina Ministry

Choral Evensong on March 2 at 4 pm. Our next Choral Evensong will feature special guests, the Choral Scholars of St. Andrew’s School, Middletown, directed by Gary Harney. Following Evensong they will present a brief concert, a preview of the program they will sing on a tour of Venice and the coast of Croatia. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear this fine young choir, and invite a friend to share the experience!  The usual lavish and congenial reception in the Common Room will follow the service and concert.

                                                                                   Jack Burnam

To All Ministries and Committees:  The deadline is March 9 for reports for the Annual Parish Meeting, taking place on Sunday, April 13.  Please write about your membership (who is in your group?), your 2007 accomplishments, and other information about your ministry or committee that should be recorded in the Annual Parish Report.  I prefer to receive reports by e-mail or on disk, if possible.

                                                                                    Kay Kennedy Wack, Interim Parish Secretary

We will develop the final slate of candidates for Rector of Immanuel Church, Highlands, on March 11.

                                                                                   The Standing Committee, Diocese of Delaware

Epiphany Paper Goods Drive! 432 Rolls!  Thanks to all the folks who brought in rolls of toilet paper!  We exceeded our goal of 400 rolls (what Friendship House ministries use in a month) – you gave 432 rolls!  Friendship House is deeply grateful for this gift.

                                                                                    Sue Welles

Fr. Thom may be reached at his church phone, 302-658-7326 Ext. 14, during his normal office hours Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He works from home on Fridays. Please feel free to call him on his cell phone 302-229-8449 or write to thomjensen@gmail.com at any time other than church office hours, if a need arises.

Articles from The Net - A Weekly Newsletter For Delaware's Episcopal Clergy

Tuesday Lenten Recitals for Organ and Voice

February 12^th through March 18^th Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM), offers half-hour recitals in the church starting at Noon. Lenten Lunches are offered before and after the concert, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Delicious soups, sandwiches and desserts are served in the auditorium at reasonable prices. Concert details are on the SsAM website: www.ssam.org.

Choral Evensong at Saints Andrew and Matthew - Sunday, February 24

Starting at 5:00 p.m. with a visiting choir from Immanuel-on-the-Green Episcopal Church, New Castle.

Diaconate Information and Discernment Day (DIADD) – Saturday, March 1^st

The next DIADD for lay persons exploring a call to be a deacon, and congregations exploring a desire to be “Diaconal” congregations, will be held at Christ Church Dover, Saturday, March 1^st, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Each deacon inquirer must be accompanied by his or her Rector and a representative of the vestry.  Lunch will be served.  If you plan to attend please have your Rector let Cynde Bimbi, CyndeBimbi@Diocese of Delaware.net  know how many will be attending by February 22^nd.  Lay diaconate inquirers who have already attended a previous DIADD need not attend again.

2008 Diocesan Acolyte and Choir Festival – Saturday, March 1^st

The Cathedral Choir School of Delaware and the Diocese of Delaware proudly present the 2008 Diocesan Choir and Acolyte Festival for Children and Youth ages 9-18 years on Saturday, March 1 at the Cathedral.  The guest conductor will be Glenn Miller, Director of Music and Organist, at Kirk in the Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  Choir directors are invited to have their children and youth participate.  Bishop Wright will lead the choristers and acolytes as they rededicated themselves to the service of the church.  For more information, please contact Dr. Darryl Roland at 302-654-6279, ext. 3.  The Festival will include a Choral Evensong at 3 p.m. that is free and open to the public.

Junior High Wintercamp – Friday, March 7^th

Junior High Wintercamp will take place on March 7-9, 2008. Your youth may already be asking for information about this very popular trip! Flyers and permission slips have been mailed; if you need more information, please contact the Rev. Sarah Brockmann at imabiah@yahoo.com or 443-553-0349.

27 Dresses? – Friday, March 14^th

Maybe more! Mark your calendars now for Friday, March 14th, and make plans to attend the ECM/Romania trip fund-raiser, "An Evening Out". Beginning at 7:30PM, ECM will host a fashion show featuring teens' and women's evening and formal wear. The show will feature some vintage dresses from as far back as the 50s! The show will be followed by a rich chocolate reception for which we all will surely need to repent! For more information, or if you would like to show a dress or two (you don't have to model, but loaners are much appreciated!), or to bring your special rich chocolate creation, please call Sarah Brockmann at 443-553-0349 OR use imabiah@yahoo.com.

Journey of the Beloved: Contemplative Practice and Youth Ministry - Sunday, March 30^th

This workshop features Thom Chu, Director of Ministries with Young People in the National Episcopal Church and will take place at St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). For details, call 215- 233-3970 or visit: http://www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/content.contentItem/contentid/23

Free SAT Prep Test – Saturday, April 12^th

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions and Grace Episcopal Church are hosting a FREE Practice Saturday on 4/12 at 10am.  A practice test is one of the best ways to get ready for the real thing.  You will:  Know exactly what to expect on test day, get a complete analysis of your results, and learn exclusive strategies to improve your score. Call 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit www.kaptest.com to register.

Wanted: Treasurer for ECW

The Episcopal Church Women Diocesan Board is recruiting a Treasurer.  The term of office is three years.  It will require several hours to meet with the outgoing Treasurer and with the finance officer to set up the bookkeeping system and then should settle down to an hour's work per month.  The Board meets six times a year including the Annual Meeting on the third Saturday of the meeting month from 11:00 am until about 1:30 pm.  The Board does not meet from June until September.  Interested persons should contact Florence Keith, VP/Chair/Nominating Committee @ 302-934-0937.

Support Wanted: Episcopal Campus Ministry mission to Romania. Students will work during this year's Spring Break (March 28 - April 5) for Habitat for Humanity in Romania. To see their page on the Habitat website, which includes a way to make a secure on-line donation, visit

http://www.habitat.org/cd/gv/participant/participant.aspx?pid=93031320

 DELAWARE COMMUNION ON-LINE:

The news page of our website - http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/news2.html - has announcements, news items and want ads. The Delaware Communion page - http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/communion.html - has the latest printed issue in PDF format plus numerous stories found only on the Web about faith-inspired ministries throughout Delaware.

Items from the website of the Diocese of Delaware:

88th Annual Ecumenical Lenten Services, Wednesdays in Lent, 12:25 - 1:00 p.m., through March 19. Services will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington. These services are sponsored by the Ecumenical Lenten Committee of Wilmington. All are invited to attend. Please call the Rev. Manista at 798-2987 for details.

Workshop on Celtic Spirituality, Sunday, February 17, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. St. Peter’s Church, Lewes, and Seekers (Spiritual Treasures at St. Peter’s Square) will jointly sponsor a free workshop on Celtic Spirituality, an ancient form of faith expression. Sr. Barbara Jean Brown from Anamchara Fellowship will lead the workshop. Visit www.SeekersLewes.com or call 645-9916 for details on the Celtic Spirituality workshop.

Evensong, Sunday, March 9, 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel on the Green, New Castle. with Schola from Immanuel's Choir, Lee Dettra, organist and choirmaster. Details: 328-2413.