All children who will enter Kindergarten thru fifth grade in the fall are encouraged to come and have a blast. Those entering sixth grade and up are invited to be helpers.

PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE BY FRIDAY, MAY 9TH if your children will be attending this year's event. Supplies must be ordered and we want to have plenty. We cannot promise to take your child if you sign up after supplies have been ordered, but you are welcome to call and ask.

Nursery Assistance Needed

Our babysitter has resigned her position and we have not been able to find a replacement. We are still working on that. However, in the meantime, we need adults who are willing to serve in the nursery during the 10:30 service.

If you can help, please call the parish office at 276-669-9488.

Two Huge Thank Yous!

First to Nate Mitchell, his scout troop, the EYC, and a few adult helpers we give a big thanks for cleaning the playground area, mulching it, repainting the mural, unloading the storage unit and putting items back into the undercroft, and for mulching around the church. What a lot of work and everything looks FABULOUS!!!

Secondly, "thank you" to the eight folks who responded to our desperate plea for help with cooking the Meals on Wheels lunches each month. To the "regulars": Allen & Sandra Rushing, Mary Beth Rainero, and Ann Christ and the substitute cookers: Lee Wampler, Todd Barrett, Peter Combs, and Audrey Zaidi. Thank you all for your help in making this ministry possible.

We also need to thank Pat Culver, who was our regular cook for a number of years and her assistants, Jim Hite and Margaret Kearfott. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Please keep in mind that the tradition of helping others is deeply imbedded at Emmanuel. We continually need folks to step up and say, "yes" to help continue our various ministries. If you are able to help deliver meals once a month, please call the parish office. We have regular drivers, but folks do become ill, or go out of town, etc. and we need to have others who can fill in.

Rumor Has It

Seems we are getting closer to the calling of a new rector for Emmanuel. In the meantime, if you have a pastoral emergency or any other issue needing to be addressed, please call the parish office; Sr. Warden, Ed Hitt; or Jr. Warden, George Miller. We will help you.

Pentecost, Mother's Day, May 11

Pentecost is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.

Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel. The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many of whom had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day.

Phase I, Done!

Phase I of the undercroft project has been completed! The complete gutting of the room has been done and all mold removed.

Phase II will entail defining exactly where all leaking is coming from and getting it stopped.

Many thanks to George Miller and Robert Rodgers for their diligence in seeing this project through.

Parish Happenings

Births

Ella Grace Bartee -- daughter of Seth & Ashley Bartee; granddaughter of Greg & Margaret Roberts, 3/28/08
Brianna Lynn Adams -- daughter of Brad & Lark Adams; sister of Kira, 3/31/08

Deaths

Don Everett, 4/13/08

Sunday School to Continue

Sunday school will continue to be offered through Sunday, May 18. We will honor students and teachers at the 10:30 service the Sunday before, on May 11. Please plan to attend.

Your Help Is Needed

Ever wonder how the flowers on the altar get there? Ever wonder who sets up communion, polishes the brass or washes the linens? Ever wonder how all the office work gets done?

Through volunteers...like so many of you, we are able to offer the programs, ministries, and support to this parish and community. But, we still need more helpers. A few are doing the lion's share of the work.

You work full time? You work part time? You don't work at all? We have something to fit everybody's life style. Please consider helping with some of the ministries listed below. We really need you:

Flower Guild

Members take a turn every six weeks or so to arrange two vases of flowers for the altar. Please contact Ann Martin Thomas for more information or to volunteer.

Office Helpers

Help fold and ready THE MESSENGER for mailing each month. This can be taken home. All copies are made, collated, and stapled. All supplies furnished.

Volunteers to help answer the phones in the office when the administrator is on vacation or has a doctor's appt. or when it's an exceptionally busy time of year.

Please contact Lee Davenport for more information or to volunteer.

Altar Guild

Help prepare the altar for worship each Sunday morning or Wednesday afternoon; polish silver and brass; launder linens. For more information or to volunteer to serve on a rotating group (once every four months) please contact Harriett Harty.

May 2008 Altar Guild Schedule

Members - January, May, September:

Chair:

Beth Rogers

Co-Chair:

Judy Mitchell
Jane Copenhaver
Tina Hitt
Kitty Pitini
Margaret Roberts
Melissa Taverner

Remember; place the glass cruet of wine and a regular size box of wafers at the back of the church prior to the 10:30 service for the ushers to bring forward at the beginning of the Eucharist. Also, place a second chalice on the credence table for the 10:30 service. The ciborium is used for both the 8:00 & 10:30 services
Arrange a set up time with your partner. Determine which of you will set up after the 8:00 service & who will clean up after the 10:30 service. Call your co-worker if you need to rearrange the schedule or call me if you cannot switch with someone. Feel free to call me at work or home if you need to rearrange.
May 3 & 4: Judy and Margaret (white)
May 10 & 11: Jane & Kitty (Red altar hangings for Pentecost)
May 17 & 18: Tina & Melissa (white)
May 24 & 25: Beth & Jane (green)
May 31: Clean up day. Please meet at church at 9:30 to clean brass & silver. We will set up for the 8:00 service, but the June group will take over on Sunday, 6/1 (hangings remain green)

Note: If you aren't able to come on May 31, please let me know.

Memorials

Mission & Outreach

In memory of Bob Callahan

Ms. Sara Burleson
Ms. Shirley Godsey
Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Hodges
Dr. & Mrs. Craig Rockett III
Barbara H. Overstreet

In memory of Bill King

Barbara H. Overstreet

Property Endowment

In memory of Don Newell

Mr. & Mrs. Frank DeFriece Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. C. Farnham Jarrard

In memory of Bill King

Mr. & Mrs. C. Farnham Jarrard

In memory of Bob Callahan

Mr. & Mrs. Carl R. Moore

Capital Fund

In memory of Irene Fox - sister of Winifred Campbell

St. Elizabeth's Guild

In memory of Don Newell

St. Elizabeth's Guild

Altar Guild

In memory of Don Everett

Mr. & Mrs. J.D. Bowie
Naoma A. Whitehead
Theresa Lee Worley
Dr. & Mrs. D. Louis Mattison

In memory of Nina Burke

Blue Stocking Club

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

In memory of Bob Callahan

Dr. & Mrs. Richard M. Penny

Mary F. Landrum Music Fund

In memory of Evelyn Thomas

Bonnie H. Judy

Vestry Meeting Minutes: March 17, 2008

Members Present: Ed Hitt, Robert Rodgers, John Harty, Matt Lavinder, George Miller, Dave Zochowski, Sue Prill, Anne Cosby, Jan Rainero, Walt Bressler, and Priest-in-Charge, Wendie Jekabsons

Members Absent: Spike Tickle, Loretta Trayer

Call To Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. and was opened with prayer by Mother Wendie Jekabsons. Devotional was delivered by Dave Zochowski.

Father Craig Wiley (St. Thomas Church, Abingdon) spoke with the Vestry about the process used by the Search Committee to identify/hold conversations with candidates for Rector. It is anticipated the Committee will have recommendations for the Vestry by the end of April or early May. Father Wiley agreed to train the Vestry for its role in the search process as soon as possible after Easter.

Minutes: The minutes of the February 18, 2008 meeting were approved as amended.

Finance Committee Report:

George Miller reported that 2008 pledges amounted to $262,882, leaving the parish $34,413 below the previous year's budget of $295,295.

Nat Copenhaver discussed the need to carefully structure the 2008 budget to meet the expected revenue shortfall. It was noted by the Vestry that this year's budget will need to fund expenses for a permanent Rector for part of the year. However, this will necessitate a larger 2009 increase over 2008 for this line item.

It was agreed that 3 percent salary increases for the Rector, Administrator, Choir Director, and Sexton should be kept in the budget. Given the importance of Christian Education for our youth, no budget reductions are planned for teacher education. Bristol Faith in Action would also continue to be funded at prior levels.

Robert Rodgers moved and Walt Bressler seconded that these criteria be used in developing the 2008 budget. Motion passed.

(cont'd on next column)

(cont'd from previous column)

Unfinished Business:

Strategic Planning Committee - Matt Lavinder presented the following nominations for the Strategic Planning Committee: Dave Zochowski, Matt Lavinder, Ann Christ, Janet Jayne, Lisa Tickle, Melissa Taverner. Loretta Trayer would serve as Advisor to the Committee. Nominations were approved.

Bishop's Visit -- Ed Hitt reported Bishop Powell will arrive around 5 p.m. on April 5. He will conduct the 8 a.m. and 10:30 services (including Confirmation) on Sunday, April 6, and visit the adult Sunday school class between services. John Harty agreed to contact St. Elizabeth's Guild about planning a reception for the Bishop and confirmand after the 10:30 service.

Jan Rainero reported on plans to host a dinner for the Bishop and Ann Malinay (Confirmand) on Saturday, April 5. Dinner will be held at the Troutdale at 6:30 with vestry members paying their own expenses. The Bishop and Confirmee will be guests.

New Business: George Miller made, and after discussion, withdrew a proposal to update the parish roster at this time. The consensus was this task would be best deferred until a new Rector is in place.

Junior Warden's Report: George Miller indicated work on the undercroft will begin on March 22. It is estimated it will take up to two weeks for the work to be finished. During this time the bell tower entrances will be closed, and it will be necessary to use the James Street entrances by the church offices.

Senior Warden's Report: Ed Hitt requested each Vestry member review the parish by-laws updated by Walt Bressler which were distributed by e-mail. If there are no issues, this update will be sent to the Bishop.

Priest-In-Charge Report: Wendie Jekabsons will be leaving on a family trip immediately after Easter. The LEMs will lead Morning Prayer Services at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. on March 30. The Bishop will conduct services on April 6. The Rev. David Booher will conduct Sunday services on April 13, 20, 27, and May 4. Harry Bahlow will perform the Wednesday noon services.

Adjournment: Mother Wendie adjourned the meeting with prayer at 7:15 p.m.

The next Vestry meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 21, at 5 p.m.

Submitted by: Anne Cosby, Clerk of the Vestry

The MessengerMay 2008

Table of Contents

Vacation Bible School 2008 Coming Soon! June 9-12, 6-8 p.m.