Emmanuel is an active parish that engages our members
in a variety of ways.

This weekly e-news provides information about happenings
at our church and events in the community. 

Scroll down to see opportunities to join us
for worship, education and fellowship.
Worship This Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 2020
As a way of loving our neighbor and protecting the most vulnerable, Emmanuel offers two ways to worship each Sunday.


Live Emmanuel at Home Morning Prayer

The celebrant, reader and music will be live via Zoom
along with slides to follow the service.
This Sunday's homilist is our Seminarian Kevin Newell.

Click here to join us at 10:00 am
for the Zoom Morning Prayer Service.

Please note: In addition to the link above, links to the Zoom service and a bulletin to print can also be found in the "Emmanuel at Home" Morning Prayer email sent each week on Saturday afternoon. Once Morning Prayer has begun, the staff is connected in the service and is not available to address texts and emails until the completion of the service.  


Emmanuel at Home Morning Prayer

The portable version of the liturgy with links to music and
two homilies, one for adults and one for children.
Online Service will be emailed on Saturday afternoon.


If you missed a Sunday service or homily, check out 

Though we worship apart, we are still One Body,
in communion with Christ and one another.
Pop Up Family Nativity on Zoom
This Sunday
Nativity
Produced by Jennifer Jones and Ryan Fitch, this fun intergenerational pageant tells the Christmas story in a dozen dramatic and musical scenes. There will be a real Baby Jesus! Live on Zoom at 5:00 pm! Watch your email on Friday for more information.
Advent Retreat
This Sunday
Our experience of the passage of time is a fundamental aspect of our worship as Christians, but during “Covid-tide” our days seem to blend together, monotonous and wearisome. To rekindle our active attention, join Emmanuel’s Advent Retreat hosted by our Seminarian Kevin Newell.

We will gather together (via Zoom) to mark this special season, cultivating patient spirits, exploring new models of discipleship, and preparing our hearts to receive and share the joy of Christmas. This retreat is designed for adults and interested teenagers.

Email Kevin Newell to receive retreat materials.

Join us at 7:30 pm: www.Zoom.us, Meeting ID 86975948494, passcode 208070.
Last Chance to Submit Photos
Emmanuel’s Meal Train Ministry: Learn More &
Sign Up for the Email List and to Assist Chuck’s Recovery
In 2020, there have been six Emmanuel meal trains—opportunities to provide meals for those recovering from birth, illness, etc., or experiencing another unique need. These meals are either homemade, store-bought, delivered from a restaurant, or available via a gift card. You do not need to be a great chef to offer support through this ministry!

We currently have a small group of dedicated volunteers and would love to grow the number of people supporting this ministry and the current needs for Chuck.

Click here if you are newly interested in joining our email list. There’s a section of the form that enables you to specify how you wish to help, including signing up to assist with Chuck’s recovery.

Additionally, if you or someone you know in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church family may benefit from a meal train in the future, please contact the church office and they will notify the organizers.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported this ministry over years, or who plans to give back in this way in 2021!
Christmas Card Writing
One of Emmanuel's Advent traditions is to gather in the parish hall and write Christmas cards to members of our Emmanuel family who are living in senior communities, are house-bound or have moved away. Feelings of isolation are especially profound this year. Won't you consider adding a few extra names to your Christmas card list? Mail and email addresses are in the church directory. What could be more in keeping with the Christmas spirit than reminding our extended church family how much we remember and treasure them? If you'd like suggestions reference the article in the latest newsletter.
"Simply Christmas" Music
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and soon it will sound like Christmas too! Each week of Advent, Emmanuel's music ministry will be releasing a track from "Simply Christmas," a collection of holiday pieces performed by our very own music director, Ryan Fitch. Initially recorded in the fall of 2000, this "vintage" album of yuletide piano tunes features some original arrangements by a younger Ryan. 

Click to listen:


An Advent Devotional
"Magnify: A Mixtape Meditation for Advent"
Joani has created a homegrown contemplative resource which draws inspiration from the Song of Mary in the Gospel of Luke, complete with musical performances and a Spotify playlist to use during the season. Click here for the link.
Celtic Christmas Evensong
December 24 5:00pm
An Anglican tradition with an Irish accent. The liturgy, interlaced with a variety of wonderful music, will also feature a Christmas message from Joani. Coming to your inbox Wednesday, December 23.
Twelve Days of Christmas Giving Challenge
December 24 - January 6
A young family out on the street at Christmas with no room left at the inn. In 2020? This year? Oh HECK NO...not if we can help it! 

Join Emmanuel parishioners in donating to anti-eviction and nutritional funding for local Alexandria families by pitching in for the "12 Days of Christmas Giving Challenge". The Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Epiphany, January 6. Let's donate as much money as possible to keep families in their homes, with holiday food on their table and Christmas cheer in their hearts. Any donation is welcome! You can also contribute with in kind donations to families in need of furniture and more. Make a gift each day, for 12 days, or make one large donation to your favorite charity. We can do it! Support and pray for our Alexandria brothers and sisters in distress by giving all our neighbors the best possible Christmas ever! Click on this list for 12 ways to give. Contact Kim Scott or Margaret Wohler with questions. Thank you!
Emmanuel's 2021 Stewardship Campaign
It’s not too late!
 
Thank you to all who have sent in a pledge for the 2021 Annual Stewardship Campaign, “One Together”. If you haven’t sent yours in yet, it is not too late and we have made it even easier to accomplish. You can now go directly to the EEC website and complete and submit your pledge card electronically. Just click here.
 
We are currently working to build a budget for 2021, hoping it will be a more “normal” experience for us all. Even though we cannot be together, the staff is still working, the building still needs to be maintained, and we continue to support the outside community as we are able. Please remember that every dollar helps and making a pledge is the best way for us to budget responsibly. If you have any lingering questions, please reach out to Janie Piemonte, Parish Administrator or Jane Kolson or Dawnita Altieri, our Annual Giving co-chairs. 
 
We encourage all to participate in supporting the work and Christian ministries of our thriving congregation!

Goal                     as of December 17
$450,000     $403,612 (120) 2021 Pledges
$  55,000     $ 42,221 (72) Capital Campaign Pledges
Diocesan-Wide Service
Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 27
We will celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas, with the Diocese of Virginia, a service of Lessons & Carols. Bishop Goff will preside and the service will feature scripture readings and music from congregations across the Diocese. 

This is a prerecorded service available beginning at 8:00 am and throughout the day. You can access the service via YouTube or Facebook.  

There will be no Coffee Hour on the 27th. We will reconvene on January 3 at 11:30 am and brainstorm coffee hour ideas for the coming year.
TnT Zoom Happy Hour
December 30
It has been quite awhile since the last "Twenties & Thirties" (TnT) Zoom happy hour but let's remember 2020 and prepare for 2021 together! Wednesday, December 30 at 7:00 pm. Bring a glass of bubbly and join the Zoom chat - passcode 013828.

Contact Lauren Maxey with any questions.
Emmanuel's High Notes Newsletter
January/February Edition
The deadline for submissions to the January/February issue of our newsletter is Tuesday, January 5. Please email submissions to Janie.
Emmanuel Prayer List
If you have a loved one in need of healing and prayer and would like to add them to our prayer list, please contact Nancy Dupree.
Contact Information

Rev. Charles C. McCoart, Jr.

Rev. Joan L. Peacock

Church Office
703-683-0798

Pastoral Emergency
Rev. Peacock
703-626-3893