Emmanuel
Episcopal church
Geneva

OUTREACH

 

The Outreach Commission is responsible for activities helping people in need outside of the congregation itself. Outreach has always been a central part of our ministry. The Commission meets about four times a year to decide on the projects and programs it is able to support. 

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The second Sunday of each month has been designated as Outreach Sunday, for purposes of sharing information on our activities and supplementing the funds provided through the general budget. Special fund-raising events are also organized on an ad hoc basis to raise additional funds, often in response to a crisis. For the past several years, the Africans in our congregation have organized an “Africa Night” of food, music and dance, to raise funds for a project in Africa – one of our livelier events of the year. 

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Priority is generally given to projects where the parish in general, or one or more of its members, has a personal connection.

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Support is given in four general areas: 

• Hands-on ministries in Geneva 

• Disaster response 

• Development projects 

• United Thank Offering
   

INREACH

 

Emmanuel strives to be a community that functions as an extended family to all. The Rector and the Deacon provide pastoral care for our diverse flock and rely upon members of the parish for their assistance. Numerous parishioners are willing to make visits, keep in contact and provide other support as needed. Those who have volunteered to support Inreach and made themselves known to our clergy can then be contacted when help is requested. To bring Inreach even closer to parishioners we would like to set up neighborhood networks so that people with a specific request or need could contact an Inreach team member living in their vicinity.
To let us know that you would like Inreach support, or that you would like to be part of a neighborhood network, please send an email to the Church office: office@emmanuel.ch, or contact one of our clergy.

 

Possible actions have been:

 

• Eucharistic Visits. Trained by our Rector and our Deacon, these lay members of the parish have been commissioned to bring Holy Communion to parishioners unable to attend church.​

• Delivery of flowers and informal visits. Occasional meal preparation as possible.​

• Telephone contact.

 

In the past, Inreach prepared Christmas gift baskets for some parishioners whose needs were identified by our clergy. In recent years, in most cases, either cards of support or supermarket gift certificates have been more practical and welcome. In order to protect and respect the confidentiality of recipients, these have been organized by our Deacon and only a few of those who support Inreach.

WORSHIP SERVERS

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This Commission works with the Rector, Deacon, and Music Director and ensures that people are scheduled as helpers for the services. If you feel called to serve as one of the following, please volunteer below, and specify in your message for which task you'd like to donate your time. The VOLUNTEER button prepares an email to the schedule coordinator of service helpers.

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• Acolytes

• Communion Servers

• Lectors

• Intercessors

• Ushers/Greeters

• Altar Guild/Flowers

• Coffee-Hour & Breaking Bread Servers

• Licensed Eucharist Ministers

• Music Participant
   

YOUTH

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The Youth Commission supports the all-important activities and leadership of the Crèche, Sunday School, Youth Group, and Confirmation Classes, and is seeking to expand our youth activities to the 18-29 age group.
 

WELCOMING

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If you are a people person and want to help us make sure that Emmanuel is a place of warmth and welcome, please consider giving an announcement during our Sunday Service to newcomers. Our aim is to start the welcoming process by engaging visitors, and organizing a process to introduce them to the church.

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Many people on this commission are able to participate in other commissions as well, since the time commitment is quite small. We schedule a rotation of welcomers, and would love to have you join us.

 

FELLOWSHIP AND EVENTS

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Do you love a good party? Are you well connected to community Christian events? If yes, than this is the commission for you. This group organizes and plans events intended to foster fellowship, support, and good old fun both within the Emmanuel Community and otherwise. This commission will engage often with our Communications Commission to get the word out about upcoming events. Please consider bringing your creative ideas, and giving time to this worthy cause.

COMMUNICATIONS

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The Communications Commission is interested in all things regarding how we stay in contact with our members, the larger community and how we attract visitors. Experience in community relations, website development, social media, and publishing is appreciated, but not required. This commission donates time and talent to spread the word of the good works being done at Emmanuel, and aims to utilize efficient, modern strategies to aid us in our mission.
 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

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This important commission aims to keep our church in great shape both inside and out. A philosophy of constant maintenance is needed to care for our beautiful gardens and historic structures. If you have experience in gardening, or just want to give it a try, please volunteer. For those with building maintenance experience or willingness to lend a hand, your help is needed. Please consider giving generously to this commission.

STEWARDSHIP

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Emmanuel’s finances begin and end with Stewardship.  All that we have belongs to God and is entrusted to us to use for God’s purposes. This commission interacts with the parish to inspire annual giving. The annual Stewardship Campaign is an initiative to collect pledge commitments for financial budgeting, this commission would be well-suited to those with fundraising experience.  

 

Stewardship and the Annual Stewardship Campaign are not the same thing. Stewardship is a way of living in which the parish and all its members should be growing all year and every year. The annual Stewardship Campaign provides an annual opportunity for church members to express their financial stewardship. The Campaign gives focus to stewardship.  Stewardship includes finances, but it includes the whole life of the congregation well.
 

FINANCE

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If you have a passion for numbers and accounting, this is the commission for you! Our Finance ministry is responsible for the budgeting, planning and reporting of the finances of Emmanuel Church. Trustworthy post-service collection counters are also needed to calculate totals, and to comply with accounting procedures. Please consider giving your talent to this worthy cause