What's Happening?
The Latest News and Happenings at Immanuel!
Congregational Meeting & Town Hall – May 20: Immanuel's semi-annual congregational meeting will take place on Sunday, May 20 immediately following the 9:00 a.m. worship service, for the purpose of:
1. Electing the Session Class of 2015.
2. Electing members of the Planned Giving Committee, Class of 2014.
3. Electing members of the Nominating Committee, Class of 2013.
4. Any other business which may be properly brought before the meeting.
If you are an active member of Immanuel, please try to attend and vote!
If you have any questions about the subjects to be covered in this meeting, please ask any member of the Session (they are listed on the back of your bulletin), and he or she will make sure that you receive an answer.
Immediately after the adjournment of the congregational meeting, there will be a Town Hall meeting. This is your opportunity to hear about and share your responses to the new directions recommended by Immanuel's Strategic Planning Committee prior to the Session’s vote on May 24.
CS&A Spring Drive Click here for printable version of items needed! The Community Service and Action Committee is seeking donations to help three organizations that Immanuel supports: Alternative House (homeless teen shelter), Bethany House (shelter for abused women and children), and Shelter House (homeless family emergency shelter). We will be collecting the following items: diapers (sizes 3-6), pull-ups (sizes 2T-5T), toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath soap, mouthwash, disposable razors, laundry and dishwasher detergents), and paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins). Collections run through June 17 (Father’s Day). Please place your donations in the marked bins provided in the Narthex, Breezeway and Meeting House. If you have any questions about the drive, please contact Laurie Buchanan at lauriebuchanan652@gmail.com. Thank you!
Immanuel's 50th Anniversary Video Has Arrived! The long-awaited video of Immanuel's 50th Anniversary is now available for purchase! It includes the Saturday evening program, "Renditions of Immanuel Traditions" written and produced by Betty Busey with music by Brian Wilhour, as well as the 50th Anniversary Celebration Video, shot and edited by Don DiLoreto and Brian Moore, including interviews with all of Immanuel’s living former pastors and many church members. The DVD is $5 per copy and a limited number are available – to purchase, please contact the.rooneys@verizon.net. Our 50th Anniversary History books are also available at $10 per copy. Relive the 50th again for the first time!
Memorial Day Observance – May 27: Immanuel will be honoring its Veterans & Active Duty Military on Sunday, May 27. All are invited to wear uniforms. Please consider participating in the service on this special Sunday. A list of Immanuel members, friends, and family will be printed in the bulletin. You may use the attached sign-up sheet to submit names to the Immanuel office by May 21. Please include name, years of service, branch, and whether it is in memory or honor. To download a printable sign-up form, click here. The form will also be available in Sunday’s bulletin. Thank you!
Graduate Recognition Sunday – June 10: It’s almost time to celebrate our graduates! We will recognize them on Sunday, June 10 during the 10 a.m. service. Please send in the names of your high school, college, and grad school graduates. Please include the name of the school from which they are graduating; e-mail the information to Russ at office@ipcmclean.org by Tuesday, June 5.
Volunteer for VBS: It’s not too early to volunteer to lend a hand with this summer’s VBS program. Our school will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon during the week of July 30 – August 3. Volunteers are needed! We’re seeking teachers, story tellers, recreation leaders, snack supervisors and craft assistants. If willing, please contact Jane Renshaw at 703-938-7131 or speak to Pastor Dan.
Thank You from International Mission Committee: A very special ‘Thank You’ to our congregation from the International Mission Committee for the great response to our request for items to make up Welcome Baskets for Lutheran Social Services to give to refugees arriving in our area. Sufficient items were donated to fill 3 large trash cans, 3 mid-size ones and 3 laundry baskets with some left over for plastic bags. (Does this remind you of the loaves and fishes?!!) The items were sorted and divided for each family by our Junior Highs. Lutheran Social Services are thrilled to get this donation from Immanuel. We have been told that they hold our members in the highest regard. Wally Hamsher from our committee has been volunteering to drive newcomers to the various agencies in the county required by the State Department. If you could help with this endeavor please call Lily at LSS Phone 703-698-5026 ext 113.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity Book/Forum: We invite you to join with us in educating ourselves about what may be the central moral challenge of our time. Just as slavery was the defining struggle of the 19th century, and totalitarianism of the 20th, the fight to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide defines ours. We refer to the linked problems of sex trafficking, gender based violence and maternal mortality. According to an old Chinese proverb, “women hold up half the sky,” yet we accept their abuse as inevitable in some parts of the world. It should not be. Click here for further info...