We Are Mission Minded!

Emmanuel began its short-term mission trips in 2003, when 10 of us traveled to Belize, Central America to work with the Angican Schools there. We worked on an addition to St. Barnabus School near San Ignacio and began a relationship with the people of Belize that continues today. We have established a s"Sister-Parish" relationship with St. Andrew's Parish, San Ingnacio. Twice we have sponsored four youth from St. Andrew's Parish to attend Camp Chanco, our diocesan youth camp. We returned to Belize in May 2007 to work at Holy Cross Anglican School on Ambergris Caye.

West Virginia: In 2004 Emmanuel's first domestic mission trip was to McDowell County, West Virginia, to support an Episcopal project called the Highlands Educational Project.  We had 18 travelers; stayed in a church/dormitory at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Welch, WV, and spent the week of August 22 - 28 adding decks to trailers of folks who have had to relocate because of recent floods.  The next summer (2005) 22 of us returned to Welch July 24 - 30 and refurbished a family's trailer. We returned to Welch August 6 - 12, 2006, and continued our deck work on three different trailers, replacing two and adding one and again in August 5 - 11, 2007 working at Premier Park. In 2008, our plans changed. The Highlands Educational Project and St. Luke's Church were no longer an option, so we discovered the South Appalachain Folklife Center in Pipestem, where we spent the week of July 27 - August 2. This was a great discovery! The facilities are perfect for hosting mission teams. We spent our week completing (almost) an addition to a house for a most appreciative lasy. The team has just returned from their 2010 West Virginia mission trip where they repaired a porch and kitchen. The Mission Committee meets the first Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. Come join us as we make plans for next year's mission trips.

Special Celebration on Sunday, September 19 at 9am in the parish hall to share about this year's local and West Virginia trip! Please plan to attend.

Thanks to the Emmanuel congregation for the usual amazing support this parish always provides: for prayers from all of you and from the Prayer Partners, who prayed for us specifically each day of the mission), for making our fund raising events so successful; for the “extra” donations that helped us finish our fundraising; and for all the love and well wishes that we carried with us! You all are the best!!