Images by He Qi and Jan Oliver-Schultz, courtesy of Bishop Tom Ely of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
Showing posts with label Emmanuel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emmanuel. Show all posts
25 March 2017
Feast of the Annunciation
Images by He Qi and Jan Oliver-Schultz, courtesy of Bishop Tom Ely of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
01 November 2013
History of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, Virginia
History of Emmanuel
History of Emmanuel Church – Greenwood, VA
Some 17 miles west of Charlottesville on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenwood was once a flag stop on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad where the trains climbed upgrade past Afton and Waynesboro into the Shenandoah Valley. In the early 1850′s a small group of area residents began holding services in their homes and in the Baptist Church at Hillsboro. Construction began on Emmanuel Church in 1862.
First Service – Christmas – 1863With about fifteen persons giving thanks and saying prayers for peace, the first service was conducted by Reverend Dabney C. T. Davis on Christmas Day in 1863. The Davis family lived in a log parsonage nearby. Emmanuel Church was consecrated in 1867 by Bishop John John’s assistant, Bishop Whittle, who later described it to the Diocesan Council as being a “neat, comfortable and substantial building of brick, beautifully situated. Its completion in these times of pecuniary depression afford evidence of a healthy state of religion in the parish.”
St. Paul’s – Ivy, Emmanuel – Greenwood, and St. George’s Chapel – Crozet
In 1868 St. Paul’s – Ivy and Emmanuel – Greenwood joined forces under the same rector, an agreement that was to see both churches through the financially strapped reconstruction era and into the next century. Services were held at Emmanuel twice a month. By far the most famous and influential rector was the Rev. Frederick W. Neve, who came to Albemarle County in 1888 and remained until his death. He spent seventeen of those years (1888 – 1905) as rector for Greenwood Parish, and it was under his leadership that St. Georges Chapel was constructed in Crozet. Services were held there from 1899 to 1941. Today, a small altar and plaque at Emmanuel preserves St. George’s Chapel as a vital component of our church’s history.
In 1868 St. Paul’s – Ivy and Emmanuel – Greenwood joined forces under the same rector, an agreement that was to see both churches through the financially strapped reconstruction era and into the next century. Services were held at Emmanuel twice a month. By far the most famous and influential rector was the Rev. Frederick W. Neve, who came to Albemarle County in 1888 and remained until his death. He spent seventeen of those years (1888 – 1905) as rector for Greenwood Parish, and it was under his leadership that St. Georges Chapel was constructed in Crozet. Services were held there from 1899 to 1941. Today, a small altar and plaque at Emmanuel preserves St. George’s Chapel as a vital component of our church’s history.
Church of the Holy Cross, Batesville
In 1900 Archdeacon Neve established the Church of the Holy Cross as a mission of Emmanuel – Greenwood. This beautiful and well-maintained frame chapel, four miles southwest of Batesville, also has a Parish Hall and Outreach Building which formerly housed the deaconesses who lived and served there during its period as a mission. Consecrated in 1902, Holy Cross has from the beginning been closely associated with Emmanuel, and in both of them the missionary spirit so strongly established by Mr. Neve has remained very much alive. A bell tower named for Mr. Neve was attached to the building.
In 1900 Archdeacon Neve established the Church of the Holy Cross as a mission of Emmanuel – Greenwood. This beautiful and well-maintained frame chapel, four miles southwest of Batesville, also has a Parish Hall and Outreach Building which formerly housed the deaconesses who lived and served there during its period as a mission. Consecrated in 1902, Holy Cross has from the beginning been closely associated with Emmanuel, and in both of them the missionary spirit so strongly established by Mr. Neve has remained very much alive. A bell tower named for Mr. Neve was attached to the building.
A Traveling MinistryDuring his three years here (1908-1911), Rev. Walter Russell Bowie held services at Emmanuel every Sunday morning; on the first and third Sundays he rode to Holy Cross Mission in the afternoons; on the second and fourth Sunday afternoons he went to St. George’s Chapel in Crozet for services, after which he then took a train to Waynesboro for services there.
Replacement of the Original Church Structure
Nancy and Phyllis Langhorne gave Emmanuel a bell tower in 1905. In 1908, a rectory was constructed next to the church (now called the Marston-LaRue House). In 1914 the little Greenwood church was replaced with a new one on the same spot, including a Parish Hall with connecting arcades. Several elements were taken from the old church and placed in the new. The “tray” ceiling from the old church was placed in the new Parish Hall, and the circular windows from the 1905 bell tower were used in the new church tower.
Nancy and Phyllis Langhorne gave Emmanuel a bell tower in 1905. In 1908, a rectory was constructed next to the church (now called the Marston-LaRue House). In 1914 the little Greenwood church was replaced with a new one on the same spot, including a Parish Hall with connecting arcades. Several elements were taken from the old church and placed in the new. The “tray” ceiling from the old church was placed in the new Parish Hall, and the circular windows from the 1905 bell tower were used in the new church tower.
With the exception of the move of the organ from the first floor to the gallery, relatively few changes have taken place within the Church since its re-consecration in 1915. The Parish Hall was expanded in 1959 with the addition of the fully equipped kitchen, restrooms, and Sunday School classrooms. The main meeting room remained intact.
Although both the Church and the Marston-LaRue House suffered minor fires, each time the flames were extinguished before any major damage was incurred.
Holy Cross Church – Batesville
During the early 1900′s a series of deaconesses ministered to Holy Cross. In 1918 Deaconess Margaretta James and Miss Hallie Worsham came there and remained until the Rev. H. Lee Marston became rector of Greenwood Parish in 1937.
Throughout their two decades Deaconess James and Miss Hallie administered a Clothing Bank, a Food Bank, a Medicine Bank, and made home visits, as well as performed the normal duties of running a church. Through their efforts Holy Cross was blessed with an increase in both the congregation’s size and its activities. In 1940, after extensive effort and commitment to self-reliance, Holy Cross was able to evolve into a self-supporting (with the exception of sharing the cost of the rector) sister church of Emmanuel.
During the early 1900′s a series of deaconesses ministered to Holy Cross. In 1918 Deaconess Margaretta James and Miss Hallie Worsham came there and remained until the Rev. H. Lee Marston became rector of Greenwood Parish in 1937.
Throughout their two decades Deaconess James and Miss Hallie administered a Clothing Bank, a Food Bank, a Medicine Bank, and made home visits, as well as performed the normal duties of running a church. Through their efforts Holy Cross was blessed with an increase in both the congregation’s size and its activities. In 1940, after extensive effort and commitment to self-reliance, Holy Cross was able to evolve into a self-supporting (with the exception of sharing the cost of the rector) sister church of Emmanuel.
The Rev. H. Lee Marston, Rector
From 1937 until 1969 the Rev. H. Lee Marston was our priest, preacher, teacher, and friend. He sparked the building of Lee Hall, which contains the parish Hall and Sunday School space for Holy Cross, and provided leadership in service for the entire community, spending many hours with Scouts, area youth and teaching thousands to swim at the Greenwood Community Center.
From 1937 until 1969 the Rev. H. Lee Marston was our priest, preacher, teacher, and friend. He sparked the building of Lee Hall, which contains the parish Hall and Sunday School space for Holy Cross, and provided leadership in service for the entire community, spending many hours with Scouts, area youth and teaching thousands to swim at the Greenwood Community Center.
The Rev. Howard A. LaRue, Rector
Upon Mr. Marston’s retirement we were blessed by the arrival of the Rev. Howard A. LaRue, who preached his first sermon here in October, 1969. He was a gifted preacher and a loving shepherd to his parish. During his twenty-six year tenure both churches grew steadily in numbers and spiritual strength. He was instrumental in forming several outreach programs, most notably the Greenwood Parish Bread Fund which is housed at Holy Cross and staffed by volunteers from both supporting churches. This is the largest outreach program of its kind in the Diocese of Virginia. Reverend LaRue retired from his position as rector of Greenwood Parish on December 31, 1995.
Upon Mr. Marston’s retirement we were blessed by the arrival of the Rev. Howard A. LaRue, who preached his first sermon here in October, 1969. He was a gifted preacher and a loving shepherd to his parish. During his twenty-six year tenure both churches grew steadily in numbers and spiritual strength. He was instrumental in forming several outreach programs, most notably the Greenwood Parish Bread Fund which is housed at Holy Cross and staffed by volunteers from both supporting churches. This is the largest outreach program of its kind in the Diocese of Virginia. Reverend LaRue retired from his position as rector of Greenwood Parish on December 31, 1995.
The Rev. Charles A. Mullaly, Rector
After a 20-year career as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army, Chuck Mullaly entered Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. As a seminarian, he served at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia. Following his ordination, he served at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. Chuck and his wife Leith came to Emmanuel in November of 1997 and he retired in August of 2012.
After a 20-year career as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army, Chuck Mullaly entered Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. As a seminarian, he served at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia. Following his ordination, he served at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. Chuck and his wife Leith came to Emmanuel in November of 1997 and he retired in August of 2012.
The Rev. Sarah Kinney Gaventa, Associate RectorIn 2005, Emmanuel called its first Associate Rector, the Rev. Sarah Kinney Gaventa to serve alongside the Rev. Charles F. Mullaly in leading and shepherding the Emmanuel Church community. Sarah’s primary focus was on Christian Education, Youth, and Newcomers. After serving at Emmanuel for four years, Sarah moved to Princeton, NJ to accompany her husband Matthew who was entering seminary. In the spring of 2013, Matthew Gaventa accepted a call to serve as pastor of Amherst Presbyterian Church which brought the Gaventas back to Virginia. Sarah currently serves as associate rector at St. Paul's Episcopal in Ivy.
The Rev. Peter M. Carey, Associate RectorThe Rev. Peter M. Carey entered seminary after a 15 year career teaching history and religious studies and coaching lacrosse and soccer in independent schools in VT, DC, NC, and PA. He was sponsored for ordination by St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA, and served at Grace Episcopal Church, Silver Spring, Maryland while in seminary. After graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary, he served as head chaplain at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond. From 2009-2012, the Rev. Peter M. Carey served as Emmanuel’s second Associate Rector, led the Christian Formation programs, assisted with worship, governance, pastoral care and preaching at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Pamela Webb, Interim RectorPam began her work as interim rector at Emmanuel in August, 2012. She had recently served as Interim Rector at Emmanuel at Brook Hill Episcopal Church in Richmond. At the time of her arrival at Emmanuel, she had been an ordained priest for eighteen years. Pam attended the Virginia Theological Seminary. Pam is married to Dan Webb, who is from Kilmarnock and is a commercial architect in Newport News. Their "permanent" home is in Williamsburg. In August of 2013 after serving a year as interim, Pam accepted an interim call at St. George's Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, VA.
The Rev. Christopher Garcia, Rector In August of 2013 the vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church elected the Rev. Christopher M. Garcia as rector. Father Christopher was previously at Christ Church, Georgetown, in the Diocese of Washington, where he served as Assistant to the Rector. For twenty-five years, Christopher served in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer and later as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Assignments at the Pentagon brought the Garcia family to Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Burke, Virginia, which sponsored him for ordination. Christopher earned undergraduate, M.B.A, and law degrees from Cornell University. His seminary education was at Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, Virginia. Christopher met his wife, Cheryl, while both were in law school, and they have been married for almost 23 years. They have two children, Elizabeth and Thomas.
19 March 2012
Lent 4 Sermon - The Rev. Peter M. Carey - Emmanuel, Greenwood, VA
Lent 4 Sermon
The Rev. Peter M. Carey
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Greenwood, Virginia
When the Israelites were brought out of Egypt into the wilderness, it is likely that they had no idea that they would spend 40 years out there in that tough transitional time. Did God, or Moses, let them know how long the journey would be…? Most likely not, and one can hardly blame them that they got kinda gripy along the way, even though the story doesn’t give them the benefit of the doubt.
I remember well, my first field trip as a student teacher. We were going from suburban Washington up to Baltimore to the Art Museum and the middle schoolers started griping. A more experienced teacher taught me the “fifteen minute” rule. Whenever a student would ask, “how much longer, Mr. Jones?” he would say, “fifteen minutes” because, the student would most likely find something to do and get distracted from their impatience, at least for 20-30 minutes until they’d ask again! I’m not sure, however, if this rule would work when stuck in the wilderness of transition for 40 years.
The people spoke against God and Moses, and thought they wanted to be back in Egypt. However they were suffering from forgetfulness. They had forgotten God in their lives, they had forgotten that God is the one who saves, and that God works in mysterious ways. “Your ways are not my ways says the Lord.” So the Lord found this strange way to remind the people that God, himself, was the one who saves, and was the one on whom trust and faith should be placed. God sent poisonous snakes and then gave Moses the means to save the people when they looked at the bronze snake on a pole. The story shows the people that God is the one who saves, and also the one who sent them into the wilderness, and ultimately, will bring them to the land of promise.
It can be hard to give thanks while in the liminal state of transition, it can be hard to cultivate prayerful remembrance of God’s power in our lives, but this is our prayer. “Give thanks, his mercy endures forever, they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he healed them…” “Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.” (Ps 107.22)
In our own time of transition here at Emmanuel, the urge will be for some to move quickly to the Promised Land, however, the time of transition the time of wilderness may be the time in which we really experience and remember that God saves, not us. There may be an urge to not fully live into this fruitful time of reflection, prayer, examination and love for one another. This is a time that we should, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6.2
Our reading from Ephesians reminds us that “you were dead, but God is rich in mercy” and that “by grace you have been saved through faith” and that this is a “gift of God,” not a result of our works. God is the one who gives, and who saves, and who loves us, even in our time of need, even in our time of wilderness, even in our time of transition.
Lord knows many of us do not like change, but change is life. Lord knows many of us do not like transition, especially when things are not in our control, but transition is life. God will provide for us, just as God provided for his people in the wilderness, and we should pray to have eyes to see, and ears to hear the ways that God is speaking to us and providing for us. God provides, and sometimes in creative ways and in ways that we do not expect. God saves us, in creative and unexpected ways.
There was a man that lived by the river. He heard a radio report that the river was going to rush up and flood the town. And that all the residents should evacuate their homes. But the man said, “I’m religious. I pray. God loves me. God will save me.
The waters rose up. A guy in a row boat came along and he shouted, “Hey, hey you! You in there. The town is flooding. Let me take you to safety.” But the man shouted back, “I’m religious. I pray. God loves me. God will save me.”
A helicopter was hovering overhead. And a guy with a megaphone shouted, “Hey you, you down there. The town is flooding. Let me drop this ladder and I’ll take you to safety.” But the man shouted back that he was religious, that he prayed, that God loved him and that God will take him to safety.
Well... the man drowned. And standing at the gates of St. Peter, he demanded an audience with God. “Lord,” he said, “I’m a religious man, I pray. I thought you loved me. Why did this happen?” God said, “I sent you a radio report, a helicopter, and a guy in a rowboat. What the hell are you doing here?
02 October 2010
19 September 2010 Sermon
The Rev. Peter M. Carey
Sermon – 19 September 2010
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Greenwood, Virginia – in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Proper 20 – Luke 16:1-10
The Collect
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Jesus once again takes a stick of dynamite and puts it right at the foundation of the structures of society. Just as this passage of the “unjust manager” confounds us, Jesus likely confounded his hearers 2000 years ago. Jesus tells this story of the “unjust” or “shrewd” manager who, when faced with the possibility of being chastised or being fired by his master, chooses some rather unjust, though, creative conduct. He goes to various debtors and he reduces what they owe, one who owed 100 will now only owe 50, another who owed 100 will now only owe 80, and so on. Commentators and scholars wonder about these amounts, and have conjectured that perhaps the manager is lopping off his own commission, in order to get his own master’s books in order, or perhaps he is just cutting the debts in order to get some of the wealth back in the coffers of his own master.
One point that must be made is that there is danger if we can overly allegorize this text. The best example is that not every character in the text lines up with an actual person. Many times when we see the term “master” in a parable of Jesus, we assume that the “master” is God, or perhaps Jesus himself. However, it seems likely that the master in this story does not represent or symbolize God.
A lynchpin of this passage for me is the line when the manager realizes that he is going to need some friends when/if he loses his job. He seems to have gotten the news, or picked up on clues that he will soon be out of work. Adversity does different things to different people, of course, but this “manager” is experiencing the injustice of a corrupt economic system. He is seeing the nasty side of his own profession. He realizes that in this system “wealth” (mammon) trumps humanity; that acquisition of stuff tends to obliterate relationships. “Even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.”
This dose of harsh reality, this dose of judgment, brings him to a wiser place, a place of greater awareness, and deeper understanding. This awareness appears, at first blush, selfish, but also uncovers the fact that the manager is keener, and wiser (and kinder) than he may appear. In the end, the manager has a sense of what the real currency really is. As he contemplates the end of his employment, he realizes the real currency is deeper and more tangible than how many barrels of oil or money are owed.
In realizing the fact that the “end” is something deeper – friendship – love of God – love of neighbor, the shrewd manager does not fall into an idealistic or purely mystical notion. Rather, while he sees that the real currency, the real “bottom line” is love/friendship/community, he also sees that the currency of wealth can be a means to that end.
An interpretation of wealth in this passage is that we are to use the wealth we have prudently, to ensure your status in the final era. The manager is concerned that he will have “no friends” when he is cast out of the unjust system. It could be that he has finally come to the realization that the “friend”he is concerned about (and should be!) is God. Strangely, perhaps, he has turned from desolation to hope. When he contemplates his end, his eyes become clearer, and he sees what is really most important – and he sees what the real currency is. Here, he is given the strange gifts of losing his “faith” in the unjust system. And so, also, for us. Do we set our hearts where rust does not corrupt. Are we most concerned about the currency of God’s love, and love of our neighbor? What will it take to wake us up to this deeper reality. When earthly goods fail, we will be welcomed into the kingdom of God. Wealth can be understood as everything that God has given us. This awareness is deep wisdom, indeed. “All things come of thee, O Lord; and of thine own have we given thee.”
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth”.
Where do we put our trust?
What shall we do with our wealth and possession?
What do we love?
What do we truly love?
Do all you can in the way of good works, but do so solely for the praise of God. Live as if you did not exist. Expect and ask nothing in return. Then the merchant inside you will be driven out of the temple God has made. Then God alone dwells there. This is how the temple is cleared: when a person honors God alone. Only such a person is free and genuine. ~Meister Eckhart
The Collect
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
25 April 2009
New "call" - Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Greenwood, VA - Associate Rector
Some news from "SantosPopsicles" also known as, me, the Rev. Peter M. Carey, ....I have accepted a call to a new position at a church here in the Diocese of Virginia - Associate Rector at Emmanuel Church, Greenwood (outside of Charlottesville). I've attached the letter I wrote to my colleagues at St. Catherine's which was sent out yesterday. I will have much to reflect upon in upcoming days, and will surely blog about the changes upcoming for me and my family...
April 24, 2009
Dear Friends,
I am writing to let you know that I have accepted a call to be the Associate Rector of Emmanuel Church, Greenwood, Virginia which is located just West of Charlottesville. I spent over ten years in schools before seminary, and felt a dual call upon leaving seminary – to work in an Episcopal school or in an Episcopal church. I have felt a strong pull to do parish work full time and this decision is one that I believe is Spirit-filled.
After some careful consideration, prayer, and conversation the Rector and Vestry of Emmanuel issued a call for me to join them as their Associate Rector. The parish is healthy, caring, and I will serve alongside an experienced and pastoral Rector. I get the real sense that it will be another place where I can grow as a pastor, priest and teacher. Specifically, I will be in charge of Christian Formation, Children and Youth Ministries, Newcomer’s Ministry, as well as sharing in the pastoral care, mission work and liturgical leadership of a growing congregation of 500 members.
The decision to step down from being the St. Catherine’s School Chaplain to work at a church fulltime is one that has occupied my prayers and thoughts over several months. In so many ways, the last two years at St. Catherine’s have been a blessing and a gift to me. Having the opportunity to plan or assist with six chapel services a week, teach engaging and bright students at the Upper School level, and serve alongside a dedicated Executive Team has been invaluable and wonderful. In addition, I have the enviable role of spending time in worship with every student in our school weekly.
Beyond this work, I have been blessed to learn from so many people, but especially two wise women who care so deeply about the chapel and the spiritual life of our community. Lower School religion teacher Rives Priddy and Middle School chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Dorothy White have taught me a great deal and I will be forever thankful for their work, their presence and their wisdom. I will also miss the strong professional community of educators which, along with our tremendous students, is at the core of what is best about St. Catherine’s School. This has been a great place to begin my ministry, and I will always cherish it. I will miss your friendship, your humor, your intellectualism, playfulness and exuberance. I will also be ever thankful for the opportunity to begin my ordained ministry amid such a dynamic, interesting and caring community.
There will be time for goodbyes since I will be here through the end of the school year. Since Greenwood is only 80 miles away (and on your way to Wintergreen), I hope you stop by often, and I will visit as well.
In gratitude and with bittersweet feelings,
Peter+
29 November 2007
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