December 1st, 2023

In This Issue: A Message from the Rector; Carrie Downie Thanksgiving Donations; Meals on Wheels; Pledge Drive Update; Reminder: Immanuel Parish Engagement Assessment; Music and Liturgy Notes; Upcoming Events; Flower Memorial; Prayer List; Service Times; Meme of the Week

Dear friends,

This year the season of Advent is only three weeks rather than four. This is because on Sunday, December 24th, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent in the morning, and then that evening begins Christmas Eve. It is the shortest turn-around possible. For those who procrastinate preparing for Christmas, this year will be a most frantic Christmas. My apologies for stressing the procrastinators!

Of course, the season of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical or church year and celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ as a babe in Bethlehem and at his Second Coming at the end of time.

All of this talk about the Second Advent of Christ seems strange in our modern society. Christmas decorations are up at the malls, coffee shops have introduced their holiday flavors, and songs of Santa are sounding on the airwaves. While the Church sits with unsettling parables, the world is racing for Santa on his sleigh.

The key is to hold all these things in tension. We can enjoy the holiday bustle and festivities, while also relishing Advent and the mature faith that accompanies waiting for the Messiah. The Church’s movement from the Second Coming of Christ, to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, is one of the most sublime shifts of the year. While our society jumpstarts secular Christmas, the Church provides space for an intelligent waiting that makes Christmas truly special when it arrives on December 25th.

There are numerous ways to absorb and bask in the spirit of this season. Our traditional candlelight service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be December 10th at 4:00 pm followed by the Parish Holiday Pot-Luck Supper. There will be a First Sunday Fellowship Reception in the Academy this Sunday, December 3rd. Also, beginning this Sunday and continuing through Third Advent, all are invited to participate in the Rector’s Advent Forum where we’ll discuss the birth narratives of Jesus as found in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John. These are all good ways for us to remain centered on Christ as we prepare for his coming, this Christmas, as well as at the consummation of all time.

This Sunday is special, so please join your fellow Immanuelians as we mark the start of Advent and as we bless Immanuel’s new set of Advent vestments. These vestments replace a very old and tattered set and were gifted to this parish church by a very generous benefactress. We are blessed to be part of a place in which people value beauty and excellence and we celebrate that gift every time we gather.

I look forward to seeing each of you as we begin our journey of joyful expectation together.

In Christ who’s coming we await,

Fr. Keene

Christmas Memorials and Thank Offerings

Please complete and return the Christmas Memorials and Thank Offerings form, along with your contribution, to the office by Wednesday, December 20th. The Vestry is directing that Christmas Memorials and Thank Offerings received may be designated by the giver in one of two ways:

• For Christmas Flowers and Greens in the Church
• WISE (Women’s Initiative in Service and Education) - supporting Afghan refugees at the University of Delaware

Please choose one of the two options above. All names and other designations for Memorial or Thank Offerings will be listed together – without note of the offerings’ designation. 

Christmas Memorial envelopes and forms will be available in the church on Sunday, December 10th, and Sunday, December 17th.

Names can also be sent to the office by mail, by email, or by completing this online form.

Carrie Downie Thanksgiving Fund

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I had made announcements at both services on November 12, 2023, on behalf of the Outreach Ministry asking for assistance with an urgent request from Carrie Downie Elementary School. After asking for donations at both services, within days, we had numerous commitments. When the results were finally reported in, we raised $3,100 for meals for families of Carrie Downie. When I delivered the donation to Carrie Downie, Scott McDowell shared with me the gratitude expressed by some of the parents. Scott said that in several cases, the grateful parents were moved to tears as this donation relived some of their anxiety about the upcoming holiday.

Parishioners who were not able to donate to this cause, have asked about the Christmas baskets. We are planning that campaign right now with Scott. You will be hearing more about that in the weeks to come.

On behalf of the Outreach Ministry and our friends at Carrie Downie, I want to thank everyone who donated to this cause. I am always humbled by the generosity of this parish to minister to those in need.

Bob Irwin

Junior Warden

Chair, Outreach Ministry

Left to right: Scott McDowell, School Social Worker; Bob Irwin, Junior Warden and Chair, Outreach Ministry; and Kristina Iamia, Principal.

Meals on Wheels

You have heard a lot about food insecurity in our community over the last few weeks – spotlighting the Emmanuel Dining Room ministry and the request from Carrie Downie Elementary School for Thanksgiving meals. This will spotlight another ministry that Immanuel participates in – Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels is a national organization that provides lunch to homebound seniors and folks that are shut-in. Meals on Wheels volunteers pick up and deliver meals to these folks around lunch time daily.

Camille Foster coordinates that ministry for us at Immanuel. Camille says, “A knock at the door might not seem like a big deal to many of us. But to those who use this service, it could signal the arrival of the only person they might see all day or all week. It brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that can completely make their day.” Camille says that the total time commitment is about and hour to an hour and a half. Two volunteers deliver the meals on a route around New Castle, visiting each client and delivering the meal.

Volunteers are always welcome to assist with this ministry. If you could share your time or resources to deliver food to those in need, please contact Camille by e-mail at camillefoster09@comcast.net or by cell at 302-740-3010.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join fellow Immanuelians in making an impact in our community. 

Parish Holiday Covered Dish Dinner

You're cordially invited to the annual Parish Holiday Covered Dish Dinner, which follows the Advent Lessons and Carols service on Sunday, December 10th, 2023!

Come and share your culinary creations and enjoy a memorable feast with friends and family.

The potluck will begin at 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall, with the St. Anne's Guild providing the turkey and ham, and Vestry providing the drinks.

If you're feeling like flexing your hospitality muscles, you can sign up to bring a dish here. We welcome both homemade and store bought treats.

Sign up is not required if you are not bringing a dish, please just bring yourself and enjoy fun and fellowship as we celebrate the holiday season.

Please join us following the Advent Lessons and Carols service, Sunday, December 10th, 4:00 pm.

This is a WHOLE PARISH event!

Music for Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 - The First Sunday of Advent

• Voluntary: The truth sent from above, Noel Rawsthorne
• Processional Hymn, 61, “Sleepers, wake! A voice astounds us”, Wachet auf
• Kyrie eleison, S 92, Missa Marialis
• Gradual Psalm, 80:1-7, 16-18, Chant: Matthew Camidge
• Offertory Anthem, Never weather-beaten sail, Thomas Campion
• Offertory Hymn, “The King shall come when morning dawns”, Merton Frye
• Sanctus and Benedictus qui venit, S 115, Missa Marialis
• Agnus Dei, S 159, Missa Marialis
• Hymn in Procession, 65, "Prepare the way, O Zion", Bereden väg för Herran
• Voluntary: Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn (S. 698), Johann Sebastian Bach

Music: The Immanuel Choir

Pledge Drive Update

The Stewardship Ministry Team wishes to express profound gratitude for the many generous pledges made for 2024. As you can see in the picture below, we have secured funding for the parish and its ministries through September of 2024. We only need to complete the “roof” and “steeple” of our beloved church (October, November and December) to meet our budgetary needs for 2024. During this season of gift-giving, we urge you to make a gift to Immanuel, either by submitting your estimate of giving or by making an additional gift over and above your pledge. 

Thank you for being an integral part of our church family. Your generosity ensures that Immanuel Church continues to be a place of faith, fellowship, and compassionate service.

Blessings,

Your Stewardship Ministry

Jon Barrett, David Behringer, Bernadette Flaim, Camille Foster, Steve Getty, Jo Harney, Kylin Sheets, Michael Westman

Friends,

As a reminder, we need everyone to complete the 2023 Immanuel Parish Engagement Assessment. As we explained in our email of November 14, the conceptual framework is largely based on Bishop Brown’s diocesan initiative for parish growth and outreach called Invite/Welcome/Connect. We look forward to your involvement in this process as we seek in the near term to setting Immanuel Church on a solid path in order to ensure we can minister to our community and region over the next 300 years!

To take the assessment, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9PN27PQ. It will take you about 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access it several times if you need to, however when you complete the survey you will not be able to return to it. The survey is anonymous, though you may add your name at the end if you would like.

Please complete the survey by Saturday, December 2, 2023. Bear in mind that if you have started the survey but have not completed it, you may go back into the survey and finish.

If you have any questions or problems, please don’t hesitate to contact stewardship.immanuel@gmail.com so we can help.

Do you have Fellowship pictures from any Immanuel events, past or present? Send them to the office!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m writing to invite you to attend an event at the University of Delaware on Wednesday, December 6th in support of a cohort of Afghan women students at UD. It’s called “Resilient Roots: Displaced Students Tell Their Stories.” We will tell the story of how these brave young women fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 in order to pursue a better life through education. After more than a year of intensive English language instruction, all of these women are now enrolled as full-time UD students. Our goal is to raise awareness of their situation and raise funds for their support. The event will consist of a panel presentation featuring a discussion with two of the Afghan students who are eager to tell their stories.

Here are the details:

What: Resilient Roots: Displaced Students Tell Their Stories

When: December 6th, 4:30-5:30, with reception to follow

Where: The Audion at the STAR Tower (Newark Campus, opposite Delaware Stadium)

Registration Link: https://ud.alumniq.com/index.cfm/attend/secret/event12062023?j=109405&sfmc_sub=53897591&l=1815_HTML&u=2506386&mid=534003846&jb=1

Here is a link to a story about the cohort, in case you’d like to learn more: https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2022/march/afghan-refugees-parolees-humanitarian-crisis-kabul-resettlement-taliban/#:~:text=Beginning%20new%20lives%20at%20UD%20%7C%20UDaily&text=Inspired%20by%20their%20harrowing%20escape,evacuees%20now%20studying%20at%20UD.

All best,

Matt Kinservik

Immanuel Christmas Cards

Starting this Sunday, Immanuel Christmas cards will be available for purchase in the Academy following the 10:00 am service.

Packs of 6 exclusive cards, featuring altar flowers and scenes of our beloved church, will be available for $5.00; cash, cheque, and online payments accepted.

Share the joy of Immanuel with your friends and family, near and far, this Christmas!

Upcoming Events



• Sunday, December 3rd, following the 10:00 am service: First Sunday Fellowship Hour
• Sunday, December 10th, 4:00 pm: Advent Lessons and Carols, followed by the annual Parish Holiday Covered Dish Dinner

The flowers at the altar are given to the Glory of God

by Cathy Kleckner, in loving memory of Katherine Benson,

Russell Kleckner, Helen Kontonickas, and Rita Pierce;

by Jo and Gary Harney, in loving memory of Lois Thornhill Watts,

Charles Watts, Allen Watts, and Edgar T. Harney;

and by Bernadette and Stephan Flaim, in loving memory of Candido Flaim,

Else Flaim, Elda Flaim, Nina Rude Dondiego, Darrell D. Rude

The Sick

Connie Bonham, Andrew Brereton, Carrie Brereton, Jane Brereton, Hayley Collins,

Joseph Davison, Ken DeGroot, Estelle Dolinger, Amy Hamm, Tom Maddux, Linda M. Merry, Cynthia Mhor, Ann Monroe, Adrienne Newton, Carol True-Palmer, Glen True-Palmer, Liz Plant, Barbara Stemple, Bruce Stemple, Martin Taylor, Nancy Turner, Richard Turner,

Nathaniel Updegraff, Joyce Wells, Abigail Wilson, Buddy, Connie, Constance, Ed, Eleanor, Jim, John, Linda, Mark, Michael, Scott, and Tracy

December Birthdays

• Week 2 - John Monaghan, Kay Bartlett, Allison Tobey
• Week 3 - Camille Foster, Thomas Tear, Liz Plant, Jo Harney
• Week 4 - Judy Upshure
• Week 5 - Diane Meyers, Thomas Plant, Cathy Kleckner
• Week 6 - Angel Parfitt

December Anniversaries

• Week 4 - Diane Hernandez and Charles Botwright, Jago and Liz Plant

Flower Memorial Dates are Available

Memorials can be scheduled for a Sunday closest to a particular date (such as a birthday, anniversary, or passing), or a specific Sunday in the month (such as the 1st Sunday in October), and can be arranged on a recurring or one-time basis. Please contact the Parish Office on (302)328-2413, or Mark Bacher on (302)367-3825 or at mbac56@aol.com, if you would like to discuss an offering.

Immanuel services listed below are available on the website and Facebook, with links to a downloadable bulletin. We encourage you to "like," "follow," and turn on notifications from Immanuel on Facebook during this time so you won't miss any news or posts (we promise we won't inundate you).

Public Eucharist:

Sunday

• Said Mass - 8:00 am
• Choral Mass - 10:00 am

Thursday

• Said Mass - 6:00 pm

Evensong will be held in person at 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the Month between October and May. More information on Evensong will be sent in mailers leading up to the service.

Services are posted:

• Virtual Holy Eucharist - Sunday, 1:00 pm

Please join us, and share with family and friends!