The ministry of Jesus had three main emphases: preaching the Kingdom of God, teaching, and healing. Jesus commissioned his disciples to continue his ministry of healing. We also affirm and are committed to the ministry of the priest-hood of all believers, and recognize that through our baptism we are all ministers, mutual partners in Christ’s mission to the world.
Church Office Hours
Call Fr. Bob Coniglio 757-787-7258
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Revised Caronavirus Worship Service Guidelines effective 2025
- Masks are voluntary.
- Communion is with the common bread and common chalice.
- For those who cannot drink from the common cup, reception of Communion in the one kind of the common bread is a sufficient and perfect Communion.
- Self-administered intinction from the common cup is not permitted. Special instructions are available for how it can be done with the Lay Eucharistic Minister.
- Other safety measures may be taken as we see as necessary.
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Pennies from Heaven
Each Sunday throughout the year we make small coin and cash contributions to be used to support various local charities.
Total contributions for 2024 were $1,900.00, one of the highest totals on record, and the same as the last three years. Distribution of the 2024 Donations:
Bank of Cheer……………………………………………………………………………….. $200
Dos Santos……………………………………………………………………………………. $200
E.S. Center for Independent Living…………………………………………………….$100
Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence…………………………….$200
Eastern Shore Habitat for Humanity…………………………………………………..$100
H&H Pharmacy………………………………………………………………………………. $100
Interfaith Crisis Council…………………………………………………………………… $200
Lighthouse Ministries……………………………………………………………………… $200
Chanco on the James……………………………………………………………………… $200
E.S. Health District NFP…………………………………………………………………… $200
E.S. Literacy Council………………………………………………………………………. $100
Mission of the Holy Spirit………………………………………………………………….$100
The total for 2025 contributions through Oct 5 is $950.
— THE MINISTRY OF HEALING AT EMMANUEL —
The ministry of Jesus had three main emphases: preaching the Kingdom of God, teaching, and healing. Jesus commissioned his disciples to continue his ministry of healing. We also affirm and are committed to the ministry of the priest-hood of all believers, and recognize that through our baptism we are all ministers, mutual partners in Christ’s mission to the world. It is in this tradition that we offer a Ministry of Healing here at Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge.
The healing ministry is a part of our approach to worship and pastoral care and is a vital component of the strong and committed lay ministries that have been part of Emmanuel’s long and proud history. With every Sunday celebration of the Holy Eucharist we offer the opportunity for prayers and the laying on of hands in a Rite of Healing. The physical touch through the laying on of hands is a rich tradition in the Christian faith and transmits the power of the Holy Spirit to those who seek God’s grace in bringing healing and wholeness to their lives. The rite is administered by Lay Healers who are devout members of the parish especially commissioned for this ministry. These “healers” serve as a channel for God’s healing grace, and will pray with you and offer the laying on of hands.
You are welcome to receive a prayer and the laying on of hands in the name of Christ, for whatever reason. Perhaps you may have been ill and desire physical healing or you are facing an operation; you may feel anxious or depressed and come for healing of your mental distress; you may wish to offer Intercessions for someone else for whom you would like to pray; you may wish to come forward for spiritual deepening, of offering yourself to be more available to God; you may wish to come for a blessing or to offer thanksgiving for an occasion of joy in your life; or you may come simply to receive the touch of Christ through a Lay Healer. “Come unto me who, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:8).
PARTICIPATING IN THE RITE OF HEALING
If you wish to participate in the Rite of Healing, as you come forward to receive the Holy Communion, take a purple ribBon from the bowl in the Font close to the organ. Place the ribbon around your wrist and proceed to the Altar Rail. Following your receiving the bread (Christ’s body) and wine (Christ’s blood) from the Priest, a Lay Healer will stand before you and lay his/her hands upon you. Share quietly with the Lay Healer anything special needs to be prayed for. Feel free to say “no” when the Lay Healer asks if you have a special prayer. The Lay Healer will then offer a prayer asking God’s healing and blessing for you. (What you offer in prayer will remain absolutely confidential. The lay healer serves as a channel of God’s healing grace and what you pray for is turned over to God and God only.)
— COMMUNICATIONS —
Message from Bishop Susan Haynes
A Pastoral Letter in Time of Political Turmoil and Government Shutdown
In 2019, the Diocese of Southern Virginia was in the search process for its 11th Bishop, and I was a candidate in that process. As part of the process, the search committee asked candidates to write a sample pastoral letter to a country anxious about political turmoil, government shutdown, and furloughed workers. Many in the diocese had recently been furloughed. I don’t remember what I wrote, but now I am the bishop; and we face a similar time of political turmoil, government shutdown, and furloughed workers. I am mindful that Scripture and our Baptismal Promises give us some guidance on how to navigate during this time.
It was Jesus’s fervent prayer at the end of his life that we all be one. He prayed for this before His death. One of the most effective tools of the enemy against Christian unity is sowing seeds of divisiveness. This is the spirit which besets us now. Division is the watchword in our political, social and cultural life. If we are participating in and promoting this division, then we are aiding and abetting The Enemy. Our Baptismal Promises call upon us to renounce the “evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God” (BCP p. 302-303). We promise to “persevere in resisting evil” (BCP p. 304). HOW CAN WE RESIST THE EVIL FORCES OF DIVISIVENESS WHICH BESET US?
Prayer for those whom we do not like or with whom we disagree (including government leaders) is a powerful, non-violent act of resistance against the evil of divisiveness. Our current political climate encourages us to demonize the other – to paint as evil those who are different from us. We are not called to this type of division. We are called to pray for our enemies, for those who hate and curse us. Even though this type of prayer is difficult work, our Baptismal Promises call us to “respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP 305) as way of striving for “justice and peace among all people.” Pray the words even if you do not feel them, and trust that the Holy Spirit will intercede.
Offering aid, comfort and solace to those who are harmed is a non-violent act of resistance against the evil of divisiveness. No matter which side of the political “aisle” you find yourself, all understand that there are people being adversely affected, even harmed, by the divisiveness which besets us. People are anxious, afraid, sad, desperate, terrified, lonely and on the outside. Churches are called to respond to these negative effects. Our Baptismal Promises ask us to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself” (BCP p. 305). Everyone wants to be embraced and welcomed. Work with your church to surround, welcome and assist those who are lost, lonely and frightened. Please let the offices of the Diocese of Southern Virginia know what your church is doing so that we can pass these ideas on to others who might like to do them also.
Worship is a powerful, non-violent act of resistance against the evil of divisiveness. Psalm 133 reminds us that it is a good and pleasant thing when kindred dwell together in unity. When the People of God come together for worship and praise, unity exists. And Unity is resistance against evil. Our Baptismal Promises ask us to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers,” (BCP p. 304) …and what better place to do this than in the 101 churches across our diocese.
We are called to “proclaim the Good News of God in Christ” (BCP p. 305). We do so with powerful, non-violent acts of resistance against the forces of evil which beset us. All of us are called to this work.
With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?…
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6,8)
With every blessing,
Bishop Susan
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