CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY
To help our neighbors provide a happier holiday for their children, Emmanuelites will again participate in the empty tomb Christmas Giveaway -- this year, by inviting parishioners to purchase new basketballs, footballs, and fashion dolls from
Emmanuel's Amazon wish list. Emmanuelites are usually very generous for this outreach, but gifts are coming in slowly so far. A reminder that for empty tomb to have enough time to prepare for the event, we need to order by November 23.
FALL CLEANUP
All the fall outdoor jobs have been spoken for, but there are still several nice, warm indoor tasks available. Can you help? Pick a time to polish brass, tidy the kitchen, do some washing up in the sacristy, or clean our votive candle holders! Choose your favorite via the form at
Sign Up Genius, or call the church office (217-352-9827). After you sign up, the office will contact you to provide complete instructions and to arrange a time with you to complete the work.
DIOCESAN HYMN SING
Bishop Martins, who got word of the fun we've been having singing online, has invited Emmanuel to host a hymn-singing event for the whole diocese, so join us on Tuesday, November 24th at 7 p.m. on
Zoom. Make a joyful noise (muted), enjoy beloved Thanksgiving and Advent tunes, and help bring Episcopalians together from all over Central and Southern Illinois.
BISHOP ELECTION NEWS
Our Bishop begins his terminal sabbatical on February 1, and the Election Committee, including our own Bill Techau, has been hard at work. Read more about their steps towards a listening process here.
One of the things that has greatly interested me about this period of our having to sign up for Masses is how little effect it's had on the number of visitors and newcomers Emmanuel welcomes. You might think that the extra step needed to reserve a spot online (or the sense of strangeness at being in a large building with only 15 people, or the fear of not knowing what to do at an Episcopal liturgy) would deter those who are seeking God. It certainly hasn't! It's a rare week now that someone who has begun coming to Mass since the pandemic isn't there, receiving the sacrament. This fact has driven home to me that when someone is hungry for God, inconvenience is no obstacle to coming to his Altar.
