Highlands Voice Immanuel Church

Highlands Voice
Immanuel Church, Highlands
Wilmington, DE 19806

302-658-7326
Website

Staff, Vestry, Ministries:

Staff

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19

I Corinthians 12:1-11

Luke 4:14-21

Volume 7, Number 4

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

January 24, 2010

Congratulations Tom & Carol Greer: On Wednesday evening Tom and Carol were honored for 28 years of service at the Annual Recognition Banquet of the Ministry of Caring. Brother Ron in presenting the engraved Caring Bowl spoke of how Tom and Carol have been faithful volunteers at the Emmanuel Dining Room since 1982. The Ministry of Caring has been serving those in need in the Wilmington area since 1977 and more information may be found at www.ministryofcaring.org.

Bishop Wright on Haiti: The images and news reports from Haiti continue to tell the story of distress, suffering and loss. Now more than ever, it is time for us to show our compassion and concern for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Here are some ways to share information and to encourage others to help make a difference. The Episcopal Church Office of Communication has set up a special website It has much up-to-date information on the current situation and the role and ministry of the Episcopal Church in Haiti.

Yesterday the Episcopal News Service published a good summary article. Here is the link…

Here are some facts about the Episcopal Church in Haiti. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is part of The Episcopal Church. There are currently over 83,000 Episcopalians in Haiti. There are 115 congregations and 200 schools with over 6,000 students. Their Bishop Zache Duracin is unharmed. We understand that his wife suffered an injury to her foot. The Episcopal Church in Haiti has lost its cathedral, a convent, Holy Trinity Complex for ministry, College St. Pierre, and a Jubilee Center. The Episcopal Church’s three missionaries who were in Haiti are all accounted for - Mallory Holding, Jude Harmon, and Oge Beauvoir, who is the dean of the Theological Seminary, along with his wife Serette. Jeanne Kirby Coladonnato’s grandson John was in Haiti when the earthquake happened. He was there on a mission trip sponsored by George Mason Univ. Jeanne has received emails from him. He and the others on the trip are safe and doing well. This is a blessing.

Here is a link for further information about the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti website:

The Episcopal Sisters of St. Margaret have an active mission and convent in Haiti. We understand that the sisters were unharmed but that their facilities were heavily damaged. Here is a link to their website:

As we offer our good intentions and prayers, the most important thing we can do right now is to support the emergency relief work being carried out by Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). Contributions to ERD make this possible. Episcopal Relief & Development has disbursed emergency funding to the Diocese of Haiti to help meet critical needs such as food, water and shelter for those affected…

Donations can be made to Episcopal Relief & Development by calling 800-334-7626 ext 5129. It is also possible to make gifts online: https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php

Thank you for your… generous response to the suffering in Haiti. Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware

Carl Burnam, Vestry Person of the Day: Each week a vestry member is assigned as Vestry Person of the Day. This enhancement to our Sunday morning schedule is designed to promote awareness of our lay leaders at both services and to further improve our welcoming embrace.

Parish Bowling: Dust off your bowling shoes and find that gorgeous bowling shirt! Join the parish community at Bowlerama on Rte. 9 in New Castle on Sunday, Jan. 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. You do not have to be a great bowler, just be a bowler who wants to have fun. A bowling team consists of four bowlers; so, ask your friends to join in the fun. A sign-up sheet is in the foyer. Please contact Vicki Anthos for more information.

Candlemas Procession & Eucharist commemorating the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 2 at 6:15 pm. A reception will follow the service. Please invite a friend and bring your favorite sweet or savory to share.

2010 Lenten Program: This year, Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent, falls on February 17th. Lent is a time when people of faith have willingly sought additional spiritual discipline as part of their preparation for Easter. In the spirit of the invitation to keep a holy Lent, I invite you to join us here at Immanuel each Wednesday evening in Lent beginning Feb. 24th. We will be offering a simple supper at 6:30 PM followed by an educational offering. Britta will be coordinating the youth program and I will be coordinating the adult program. We will conclude by 8:00 p.m. each week, ending with Compline. Thank you! Fr. Kim

United Thank Offering: We are collecting donations from all who have given Thank Offerings for the blessings from God throughout the Advent and Christmas season. Please bring your Thank Offering envelopes and boxes in the next two weeks and place it in the collection plates to be offered in thanksgiving for God's blessings and work among us. The Outreach Ministry

Epiphany Paper Drive for Friendship House: During Epiphany, we are again collecting rolls of toilet paper for the many ministries led by Friendship House for homeless people in Wilmington and New Castle County. Last year, we collected 566 rolls of toilet paper! Please put your donations under the foyer table and we will deliver these throughout the next month. Friendship House now uses over 400 rolls of toilet paper a month in the Men's and Women's Day Centers, the Clothing Bank of Delaware, Winter Hospitality, Code Purple Winter Sanctuary, Andrews' Place, the Newark Empowerment Center, and its eight transitional houses for men, women, and women with children. These in-kind donations are critical to helping Friendship House meet the needs of the many homeless folks who are unable to find employment during the recession. The Outreach Ministry

The New Orleans trip this program year will be March 6-13, 2010! The following folks have already signed on as volunteers: Vicki Anthos, Byron Hobson, Ryan Day, Debbie Long, Sophie Day, Ron Pierce, and Eve English. There are eight slots remaining. Come join the fun and hard work for those still in need in Louisiana. Please see me to sign up. Vicki Anthos

I’m Looking for a Few Good Singers – to join Immanuel’s Choir. You don’t need experience. You don’t need prior training. You don’t even need to know how to read music (yet!).

So what’s a “good singer?” The answer is, “anyone who loves to sing, would like to learn to do it better, and can commit to regular attendance.” Even if you’ve never sung in a choir, you’ll have a chance to learn the ropes in the company of people just like you, who love to learn, grow and work together. If you do have previous experience, you’ll be joining a group of dedicated volunteers who are also fun folks to hang out with. Anyone is welcome—and I would be especially happy for a few new men to sing tenor and bass.

Before you say to yourself, “I could never sing in Immanuel’s choir,” first talk to me (or e-mail me, or call me at church). I think you’ll be surprised by what you hear! Jack Burnam

Calling all Keys: If you have a key to the church that you no longer have a need for, please return it to the office. Thanks! Fr. Kim

Friendship House Job Readiness Volunteers: Volunteer Opportunities are available for computer literacy tutors, Math & English tutors, Job coaches and Computer Lab monitors. Volunteers do not need to be experts, but must have some experience and competency in basic computer or employment skills. Flexible hours. Time commitment as little as two hours twice monthly. Orientation is provided! Contact: Kathy Graham at (302) 588-7712 or email fhvolunteer.coordinator@verizon.net.

Church Office: 302-658-7326 x14 4:00 pm each Tuesday for the next week’s issue.

Home Phone: 302-777-5418 Phillip Stephens, Parish Administrator and Highlands Voice Editor