Calling Small Group Leaders!
Later this year during Lent, we are going to re-introduce small groups to Immanuel using a structure I’ve developed called “Life Groups.” Life Groups, comprised of no more than 10 people, are intended to cultivate community, faithfulness, and worship through a simple format of conversation, engagement with Scripture, and prayer. If you would like to lead one of these groups, I invite you to join me Sunday evenings in February at my house, 6pm-7pm. We’ll do a pilot Life Group together, along with sharing effective ways for facilitating a small group. No previous experience required! Please do let me know if you’re interested, or if you have questions (thines@iachurch.org).
Stay tuned for the official invitation to join a small group during Lent – Life Groups in person or via Zoom, an Alpha Group, or one of our ongoing Bible Studies.
Annual Meeting & Vestry Elections
This Sunday, January 23, we will provide biographies of the four candidates for Vestry. I have spoken with each of the candidates, and am encouraged by the vision and heart each expressed, along with the unique gifts each one brings. Our call as a community is to listen to Jesus, asking him to guide us to the three people prepared by him for this role.
The following Sunday, January 30, is our Annual Meeting immediately following the service. I strongly encourage everyone to attend so you can hear reports on our life together, look toward God’s future for Immanuel, and enjoy each other’s company. See the announcement below for details on food, childcare, and participation via Zoom offered to voting members unable to attend due to health concerns.
Masking Continues
Even though Governor Youngkin has ended the state mask mandate for schools, Prince William County School District’s mask policy remains in effect. We are still required to wear masks while worshipping at Beville Middle School. I remain grateful for your willingness to be present for worship while wearing masks, staying focused on the priority of honoring God together regardless of the circumstances. Let us not take for granted that throughout this pandemic no one has contracted Covid from an Immanuel event. Thanks be to God for his protection and thank you for following the policies we have in place.
On a related note, my family has fully recovered from Covid. Thank you for your prayers. Like many, one challenge we faced was getting access to Covid testing. Just this weekend, however, I learned of two helpful resources that I recommend to you. The first is a new free testing site that has opened at Pfitzner Stadium; you can make an appointment here. The second is the ability to order free at-home tests via www.covidtests.gov.
While I enjoyed participating in worship via livestream this past Sunday (I appreciated Fr. David’s sermon on Jesus revealed as the One with the power to transform!), I really do look forward to being with you again this Sunday.
Your Pastor in Christ,
