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Despite our beloved and successful recent Pumpkin Patch seasons, we know the last year and a half has been a challenge for all of us – for churches, clergy, and other church leaders, as well as parishioners alike.
In several open and honest conversations with parishioners recently, I’ve heard a similar story – folks truthfully and openly tell me they’ve gotten “out of the church habit” as a result of the pandemic. We know some of our church family face health issues and concerns that drive their decisions about when to come back in person to church. We hear directly and from our recent surveys how blessed parishioners feel about having the advantage of our online offerings – worship services, Bible study groups, morning prayer and evening Eucharists, forum hours, and children, youth, and adult formation programs. Other families have told us how eager they are to have their children vaccinated, and the important difference that new status will make. And yet, imagine my surprise to hear from some honest confession that they have just gotten “out of the habit” of attending church services -- planning other things to do during church time. We nurture and celebrate families spending time together – in nature, on vacation, at weddings, graduations, and holidays, and for so many other important memorable family events. The pandemic has humbled us and has been a wake-up call for each one of us. It gives Immanuel the push to reflect and return to our parish community’s core mission and fellowship – the vital, and not optional, basics of prayer, preaching the message of the Gospels, and sharing our love for each other through our caring concern. We draw power from the Holy Spirit in our gathering together for worship, to receive the Sacraments, to pray, praise, and sing. We come together for fellowship, to share how we are doing, to support and encourage one another, to tell our hopes and dreams, our joys, and disappointments. We draw power together in learning more of our ancient tradition and in asking how we live into them in today’s hurting world. Together, we confess where we have fallen short, in accepting forgiveness, and in stepping out, again, in faith. [READ MORE] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This meditation appeared in the weekly email newsletter Simple Gifts published by Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill. To see past issues of Simple Gifts, click here. To subscribe to Simple Gifts, click on the button below.
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Hot LinksWORSHIP SCHEDULEMost Recent Worship Service:
Are you looking for the videos from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? You can find them here.
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Zabriskie Chapel 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria (at the corner of Seminary Road & Quaker Lane) |
Welcome!
Whether you are just visiting or looking for a new spiritual home, we are truly happy to welcome you to the website of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill. We invite you to explore and learn more about our community and our faith. We hope browsing this site will inspire a visit to our church. Immanuel is a Christian congregation in the Episcopal tradition, and you will find a friendly and vibrant community here. All are welcome to worship with us! |
Immanuel Chapel 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria (on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary |
Immanuel Photo Albums
Click below for a sampling of parish activities, and please plan to join us!
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Seasons of Immanuel
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Palm Sunday and Easter
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Advent and Christmas
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Pumpkin Patch
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Episcopal Youth Community
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Senior Adult Ministry Mardi Gras
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