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WEEKLY E-NEWS
February 15, 2024
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February 18
8:00 Rite I Holy Eucharist
9:00 Christian Formation for adults in parish hall and for kids in Godly Play
10:00 Rite II Holy Eucharist (with Children's Chapel)
2:00 Emery Washington Convocation Annual Meeting on Zoom
February 19
President's Day observed. Offices and food center closed
1:00 Men of Emmanuel service opportunity
February 21
5:00 Episcopal101in parish hall (childcare provided 5-6 pm)
6:00 Fellowship Dinner
6:30 Children's choir
6:45 Taizé Service
For meetings on Zoom, click the event on the calendar to find Zoom info.
Emmanuel Calendar Link
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REINSTATING AN OLD TRADITION
One reason I am in love with Episcopal tradition is that we have one! We employ symbols in our prayer, worship, and service that have a long history. Not all churches use them. As is traditional for us: “all may, some should, none must.”
This year, beginning with the first Sunday in Lent, we will restore the use of the lavabo, a small bowl used for the ceremonial washing of the priest’s hands before Communion. The Scriptural connection to this is Psalm 26 (see below), but the traditional prayer the priest prays while washing is taken from two places in Psalm 51: “Lord, wash away [our] iniquities and cleanse [us] from all [our] sin… (Ps 51:1) Create in [us] a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within [us].” Ps 51:10… changed from singular to plural.
This is a symbolic “washing.” While it connects us to our Jewish forebears whose priests made animal sacrifices and needed to wash their hands afterwards, it is now for us an action that makes space in our hearts for our offering: a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. You will find this New Testament concept in all of our Eucharistic prayers in the Book of Common Prayer. It is taken from Hebrews 13:15. These words are also included in the Celtic Eucharist we will be using during Lent.
The Episcopal Church has lots of resources online, including an online Glossary. Here is what it says there about lavabo:
Ceremonial cleansing of the celebrant’s hands at the offertory of the eucharist. The term is from the Latin, “I will wash,” taken from the opening of Ps 26:6, “I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, that I may go in procession round your altar”… After the altar is prepared, and before the Great Thanksgiving, the celebrant may wash his or her hands in a small bowl called a lavabo bowl. An acolyte or server assists by holding the bowl and pouring water over the celebrant’s hands. The celebrant’s hands are dried on a lavabo towel which hangs over a wrist of the server at the lavabo ceremony. The lavabo is not mentioned by the Prayer Book, but it is practiced in many parishes.
I’m told it was practiced at Emmanuel a long time ago. It’s a liturgical action I love and I hope you will too.
Valori†
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UPCOMING FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES | |
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Sunday, at 9 am we will host Mz. Vickie from Healthlarious. Mz. Vickie is a nurse who loves comedy and healthcare is her passion. She's committed to improving health through knowledge and humor. She created Healthlarious™, an avenue to provide healthcare education infused in a comedic medium.
We will begin promptly at 9 am. If you're running late, not to worry. Starting on time is respectful to the speaker and allows choir members to get a bit of the presentation. There will be biscuits, honey, breakfast meats and coffee too!
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EPISCOPAL 101
Every Wednesday evening during Lent, Valori† will have Episcopal 101 Classes. If you'd like to know more about the Episcopal Church, beliefs, traditions, history this is for you. These classes are also necessary if you would like to be confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church.
Classes will be WEDNESDAYS at 5-6 pm February 21 & 28 and March 6 & 13. They will be both in person and on Zoom. Childcare provided 5-6. The Zoom link is included on the calendar entry for these events on our website.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Bishop Deon tasked several diocesan Religious to develop a Diocesan Rule of Life.
On Sunday, March 3 at 9 am, John Dotson, a diocesan Religious and member of the third order of St. Francis, will join us to explain what a Rule of Life is (and isn't). The short explanation is a Rule of Life is a commitment to live one's life a particular way, created with prayer and discernment.
This is a great opportunity for a Lenten discernment.
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MEN OF EMMANUEL
You know the JustFood Truck that's been our parking lot? Well it's "grounded" because it needs re-wiring. Under the direction of Dale Penrose, MOE is meeting to fix it on Monday, February 19 at 1:00 pm. NO electrical knowledge needed, Dale will give directions as you go through the process. Meet in the parking lot!
An Update: The monthly Brown Bag is temporarily curtailed. The shelter we were taking lunches to is no longer accepting volunteer made food. MOE is looking for another option where they can provide Brown Bag lunches.
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LENTEN DONATION DRIVE
During Lent, many of us are accustomed to giving up something we enjoy. Sacrificing can help remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the space created can help strengthen our relationship with God. Alternatively, sometimes choosing to abstain from something we enjoy can seem meaningless. Instead of “giving up” some Episcopalians choose to “get into” and take action toward helping others during Lent. What about combining these two ideas?
Beginning February 14th, we are challenging the Emmanuel community to donate items that could be of use to others. We will have 40 boxes on the Parish Hall stage. The boxes are 18" x 14" x 12 and all donations need to fit inside a box. Please, no fragile items. Clothing, toys, small household items, shoes, etc are all welcome. Please contact Katie Gregston with questions. All items will be donated or repurposed. Donations accepted through Easter Sunday or until all boxes are filled, so don't delay!
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EQUITY & JUSTICE PILLAR
The Equity & Justice pillar has a couple of initiatives to tell you about.
FIRST, Donna Erickson and Janet Dobbs have completed volunteer training in order to collect signatures for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Petition. The petition is the result of a coalition of agencies seeking to put an amendment (to the Missouri state constitution) on the general election ballot in the fall; an amendment which would guarantee safe and legal abortions and access to the full array of reproductive and healthcare options currently denied to women by the state's abortion ban (in effect since 2019.)
Donna and/or Janet will be available at Wednesday evening Fellowship dinners and at the 10 am Sunday services if you'd like to know more or to sign the petition. They will also hold a drive & sign event on Sunday, February 25 from 3-4 pm. To sign you must be a registered voter in Missouri. Signatures are due May 31, 2024. If you'd like to read more click here a link to the Missouri Constitutional Freedom website.
SECOND, the Diocese of Missouri has been able to invest in a legislative rapid response system called Voter Voice. Voter Voice allows all of our missioners and missioner groups to set up automated letter writing campaigns directly to Missouri legislators and other government officials, in keeping with our mission areas, our Baptismal Covenant and our mission as a church. Much like other rapid response networks with which you might already be familiar, Voter Voice makes it easy for Episcopal advocates to communicate with elected officials in Jefferson City on a range of issues on which our diocese has taken a position and to expand our network of Episcopalians engaged in advocacy for justice and peace.
If you are interested in taking action, two Alerts from the Diocesan Gun Violence Prevention Mission Group have been set up in Voter Voice. You will be asked to enter your contact information and select the issues on which you are willing to take action. As legislation related to those issues advances in the state capitol, you will receive emails with background on the issue, talking points, and a sample letter which you can edit to make it more personal, and send automatically to your elected officials. The Diocesan Gun Violence Prevention team looks forward to increasing advocacy in Jefferson City and living out our Baptismal Covenant and our church mission! Thank you!
HB 1440 - Keep Guns out of Schools
and/or
HB 1708 - Keep Guns out of Churches
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WOMEN OF EMMANUEL
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Sunday, February 25 4-6 pm Window Glow with snacks! We'll hear stories of some of the special windows at Emmanuel. This will also be your last chance to buy raffle tickets for the Harvest Wind quilt.
If you are not able to be there but are interested in signing the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Petition we'll have a drive & sign set up outside at 3 pm.
Tuesday, February 27 at 11:30 Dutch treat lunch at Mike Duffy's Bar & Grill on Jefferson in Kirkwood. Note: this is a new location!! We moved because Weber's is closed Sunday, February 25!
Feel free to bring a friend to either event!
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry asks that we bring your attention to The Absalom Jones Fund this month. What is that and why is it important? The Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs supports two institutions affiliated with The Episcopal Church since the 1800s: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina.
In 1804, Absalom Jones became the first African American to be ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church. His witness to the way of Jesus included efforts to abolish slavery and to lift up all those cast down. He understood that education is the key to empowerment. We honor Absalom Jones by supporting our HBCUs, which prepare the talented leaders who will continue the work of building a more just and humane society.
Click here for a biography of Absalom Jones.
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Diocesan Gathering...
HEALING IN THE HEARTLAND
The Revival was canceled but, the diocese is bringing in special guests for an event on Saturday, March 16 10 am to 4 pm. at St. Timothy's Episcopal in Creve Coeur.
The Diocese of Missouri is bringing in local, national, and international speakers to share stories and discuss what we as Christians can do to heal the divides in our often polarized society.
Read more and register here.
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The diocesan Dismantling Racism Commission is sponsoring a one day trip to Memphis to tour the National Civil Rights Museum on Saturday, April 13, 2024. You will travel by bus and leave at a 6 am from St. Peter's Ladue.
The cost is $50 per person. Children may accompany a parent. There are 40 seats on the bus, so reserve your seat soon! Youth scholarships are available.
Click here to learn more or to register.
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