WELCOME NICHOLAS POTHIER!
After interviews with staff, reference calls, and auditions with the Emmanuel Choir, Mother Beth has called Nicholas Pothier as our new Choirmaster beginning in August. Nicholas brings 13 years of church music background, including service as music ministry director at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Hampstead, New Hampshire. He is currently a DMA student in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying at the University of Illinois. Please make him welcome!
EMMANUEL IN THE NEWS
Emmanuel was featured again this week in an
Episcopal News Service article covering how donations to forgive medical debt have spread exponentially in the Episcopal church since we were one of the first parishes to take on this outreach in 2019. Read the good news of God's grace!
RELAUNCHING: THOUGHTS ON THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITITES OF 2021
‘Church attendance is the first thing that goes, then belonging, and finally belief—in that order,’ says EIU researcher and mainline pastor Ryan Burge in a
fascinating interview that corrects common assumptions about both less active church members, and those who are "Nones." If you enjoyed
Marisa's article, make sure and take a look at this additional resource that our summer relaunching groups have been using as a tool to think about making Emmanuel's mission and ministry more effective as we rebuild. And then talk about it with another Emmanuelite!
SUMMER BOOK
To help us reawaken love for Jesus in the Eucharist, our summer book this year, by noted spiritual writer Henri Nouwen, has been
With Burning Hearts, which can be purchased online wherever you normally get your books. Homilies in August will focus on its themes. There's still time to read this beautiful and direct devotional work before we begin holding discussions after Mass on August 15 and 22!
LOWER THE EXAM STRESS!
Our curate, Marisa, will take her ordination examinations the end of this month over three entire days. Emmanuelites are supporting her by providing evening meals; there is still one needed for Friday evening July 30. Sign up at
www.TakeThemAMeal.com/LHFH5910. Please keep Marisa in your prayers during this intense time of writing (and thinking!) as she is examined for proficiency in the "six canonical areas": The Holy Scriptures, History of the Christian Church, Christian Theology, The Practice of Ministry, Christian Worship, and Christian Ethics and Moral Theology.
SUNDAY MASK POLICY
Our lower participation numbers at Emmanuel right now offer a hidden blessing, which is that we are all together at one time on Sunday and can more easily re-knit relationships across our whole (current) parish. I do encourage you, if at all possible, not to skip spending time after Mass with other members of your Christian community, as we try to rebuild connections and momentum. Discuss the day's readings or sermon with one another. Talk with vestry members about the work they are engaged in. Pray for Emmanuel's ongoing relaunching. As I've said before, the season we're in is an "all hands on deck" time; the Body of Christ here needs every member to be alive with God's energy.
Emmanuel no longer requires all persons to wear masks at indoor events (with the exception of one event: our "safer" RSVP-only Mass on Wednesday at 12:15 for those who are not vaccinated or wish to be cautious.) By not wearing a mask, you are affirming that you are fully vaccinated and that your fellow parishioners can rely on that as a truthful statement. We also encourage anyone who prefers wearing a mask to continue doing so. 
