Appalachian Alliance Newsletter - Dec 13, 2021

Weekly Newsletter

Appalachian Alliance Newsletter - Dec 13, 2021

Rev. John Church December 13, 2021

Appalachian Alliance News Letter December 13th, 2021

Loving God, for the salvation of all you gave Jesus Christ as light to a world in darkness: Illumine us, as you did your daughter Lucy, with the light of Christ, that by the merits of his passion, we may be led to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Chapter, Verse, and Season Podcast

 

Each week, professors from different disciplines chat about biblical texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. They bring their own interests to the table and hopefully spark new insights into the scripture appointed for each Sunday. The Center for Continuing Education at Yale Divinity School and the Yale Bible Study are excited to present this project. This podcast provides communities, clergy, and laypeople access to the wide-ranging expertise of the Yale Divinity School faculty.

 

Listen to the podcast: https://yalebiblestudy.org/podcast/

 

Bishop's Visitation Schedule

 

The Bishop's visitation schedule from January through Pentecost 2022 is now available under the "Resources" tab on the diocesan website.

 

Read more: https://www.dioswva.org/resources/prayer_calendar

.html

 

2022 VPG Commitment Form Reminder

 

Please turn in your signed 2022 VPG forms by Dec. 15 so we have these figures for budgeting purposes. If your parish won't be able to submit the pledge form by the 15th due to the timing of your own budgetary preparations, please email admin@dioswva.org.

 

2022 Parish Forms

 

The 2022 parish forms are now available on the Parish Resources page of the website. We rely on these forms to maintain accurate and updated information in our databases as vestries and leadership roles change from year to year. So, we appreciate your timely submission of these reports.

 

Read more: https://conta.cc/3DxBM7f

 

*Advent Meditations

 

Advent meditations will be offered every Tuesday in Advent using music, art, and story to help us slow down, center ourselves, and prepare for the coming of the Christ child. These meditations will be offered online from 7:30-8:00 p.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21.

 

Read more and register: https://conta.cc/3wcDDfv

 
*Annual Parish Meetings
 

As you begin preparing for your 2021 annual parish meetings, please keep in mind that there are alternatives to an in-person meeting if this is not possible. Last year, we released two white papers and a webinar recording to help congregations facilitate their annual parish meetings. Please use the link below to revisit these topics and to review our guidance on holding virtual meetings.

 

Read more: https://conta.cc/3kGW4BD

 

*Journeying the Way of Love: Advent & Christmas Resources
 

The Episcopal Church recently released updated Advent and Christmas resources for individuals, small groups, and congregations that are now available for download. Resource materials include curriculum, a calendar, and bulletin inserts for Advent; sermons for Advent and Christmas; seasonal digital invitation kits; and a podcast series.

 

Read more: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources/

 
*Children's Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Booklet

 

An updated version of this booklet for families with children ages 3-10 is now available. The booklet includes information about each season, prayers, activities, book and resource suggestions, and coloring pages. Please download a copy for yourself or other families in your congregation to help you embrace these special seasons!

 

Read more: https://files.constantcontact.com/10b6bcd7001/54f99f14-b8b3-42db-b31a-cf39854a5ccc.pdf

 

*Evangelism Matters: Digital Resources for Evangelism Discernment & Ministry

The Evangelism Matters audio conference and zoom webinars are now available for everyone to listen to and share. Hear from a wide variety of Episcopal Church clergy and lay leaders share their thoughts and experiences on the importance of evangelism. Worth a listen for any size parish leader!

Read more: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/evangelism-matters/

 

The work of the Spirit, God’s plans our hands.

Appalachian Alliance outreach projects.

 

Haiti Partnership                                                            $7,800

Jail Ministry                                                                   $400

Tazewell Ministerial                                                       $800

Bluefield Union Mission                                                 $1,100

St. Jude                                                                          $100

St Nicholas fund                                                             $100

ERD                                                                               $300

Wise County Food Bank                                                 $125

MEOC Fuel Fund                                                           $100 (800*)

Misc. Outreach                                                               $100

Neighbors Aid                                                                $200 (800*)

UTO                                                                              $800

Curate Discretionary Fund                                              $4,021

Binns-Counts Community Center                                    $1350 (1350*) ($7250#)

Scott County Minis. Assn                                                $125

First United Methodist of PG                                          $125

Family Crisis Support                                                     $125

Grace House                                                                   ($10,000@)

A Child Shall Lead Them Food Pantry                            $500

Boy’s Home                                                                   $500

 

information will be updated at the end of each month

@ERD Grant for pandemic relief

*Curate Discretionary Fund

#meteral support

 

Vestry Meetings

 

All Saints: December 15th at 6:00 pm.

St. Marks:

Christ Church:

Stras Memorial: December 19th at 10 am.

 

Office Hours and classes:  

 

All Saints:

Office Hours: December 14th and 15th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and by appointment. Church History class will be on December 14th at 7:00 pm in the parish hall or on Zoom. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89908329475

 

St. Marks:

Office Hours: December 21rd and 22th, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and by appointment.

Church History class will be on December 23rd at 4:00 pm in the parish hall.

 

Christ Church:

Office Hours: December 28th and December 29th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and by appointment. Church History class will be on December 14th at 7:00 pm in the parish hall or on Zoom. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89908329475

 

Stras Memorial:

Office Hours: Januart 4th, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and December 5th by appointment. No Class in January as I am preparing for our Lenten class.

 

Service information:

 

December 12th, I will be at All Saints at 11:15 am, and Christ Church at 4:00 pm.

 

December 19th, I will be at Stras at 11:00 am, and St Marks at 5:00 pm.

 

December 24th, services will be at Stras at 11:00 pm, St Marks at 2:00 pm, All Saints at 7:00 pm, and Christ Church at 10:30 pm.

 

December 26th, I will be at Christ Church at 10:00 am and All Saints at 5:00 pm.

 

January 2nd, I will be at Stras at 11:00 and St Marks at 5:00 pm.

 

For the Altar Guilds, Senior Wardens, Worship leaders, and Lay readers:  

 

Sunday, December 19th

Color: Purple

First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Prayers of the People: Form III

 

Midnight Mass, December 24/25th

Color: White

First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

Psalm: 98

Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4,(5-12)

Gospel: John 1:1-14

Prayers of the People: Form III

 

Sunday, December 26th

Color: White

First Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Psalm:  147

Second Reading: Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

Gospel: John 1:1-18

Prayers of the People: Form III

 

Sunday, January 2nd  

Color: White

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm: 84

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Prayers of the People: Form III

 

John+

rev.johnc1@gmail.com

Cell # 276-235-5230

 

‘all shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well,’

Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love