Coffee Hour
Throughout the pandemic, Coffee Hour is offered as a Zoom meeting for conversation and connection after Sunday Services. The Zoom link for Coffee Hour is available by signing up for Immanuel's email communications. If you're a visitor or considering joining Immanuel but don't feel ready to take the email leap the clergy would be happy to invite you and send you the link privately. In more normal times coffee is served every Sunday after each service, in the Zabriskie Chapel Parish Hall and/or the Immanuel Chapel Parlor. We are always looking for individuals or families to join the Coffee Hour Committee. Responsibilities are simple: you'd sign up and occasionally bring refreshments for the congregation at three services.
Fellowship Nights
When we are able to regather after the pandemic we will return to one Sunday each month, from September through May, gathering in the Parish Hall at Zabriskie Chapel for "Fellowship Night." This evening formation program was designed specifically with children, youth, and families in mind, but it is open to all parishioners and the surrounding community. The first hour is social with a pot-luck dinner, and then children break off to go to their program areas. Nursery care is provided for the littlest ones. Parents and teens remain in the Parish Hall for formation and fellowship opportunities that include guest speakers, open discussions on relevant issues, and many other activities.
Second Sundays
At Immanuel our children and youth are absolutely members of our community. Fellowship is vitally important in developing the connections, and practicing the rhythms of life, that will help our young people have the kind of relationship with Jesus' community that can enrich their whole life. The Second Sunday of each month our Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) of 6th-12th graders and the 4th and 5th graders who we lovingly consider Pre-YC gather for game nights, service opportunities, and sometimes just the ordinary meandering discussion that we all need sometimes. If you're the adult associated with a 4th-12th grader and would like more information about our Second Sundays events please email our Assistant Rector at ssheridan@icoh.net
Young Adults
There are several 18-30 year olds who have expressed interest in programming and fellowship designed specifically for them. As of October 2020, we are gathering cell numbers and emails and building a network of college aged students and young professionals who would like to be more part of their faith community. If this describes you (or if you're just faith-community-curious) Fr Sam would love to hear from you about who you are, where you are, and what you're interested in doing. Shoot him an email at ssheridan@icoh.net to be part of planning what fellowship for young adults looks like the rest of 2020 and beyond.
Men's Group
We have an active, informally-organized Men's Group that, among other things, undertakes an overnight Spring rockfishing expedition on the Chesapeake Bay. We also organize annual golf outings and occasional trips to Nats home games (both of which are open to ladies and gentlemen alike). From time to time over the years, we have scheduled evening get-togethers to discuss topics of general interest to men, e.g., the passing of family leadership responsibility from one generation to the next. These discussions are typically led by a volunteer member of the group, but are always robust, with broad participation by group members.
Bibles on Tap
"Bibles on Tap" is a group of adults, ages 20-39, who meet once a month at Cafe 1823 at VTS (Virginia Theological Seminary Pub) to discuss the upcoming Gospel lessons, enjoy the Seminary Pub's atmosphere and relax with new and old friends.
Shrine Mont Retreat
Every Memorial Day Weekend, the congregation gathers at Shrine Mont for three days to enjoy good food, friends, and fellowship, and to take time from our busy schedules to renew our relationship with God. Shrine Mont is located in Orkney Springs, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Mountains. Our time together also always includes outdoor activities on Shrine Mont's 1,100 acres of forestland