Chairman’s Corner | Reflections |Church Calendar | 75th Anniversary and Homecoming | Summer Youth Program | Fellowship Opportunities | Library |Kingdom Crafters | Current Announcements | Prayer Requests
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER MAY – JUNE 2025
EAMC continues to be on the move! This newsletter is filled with exciting plans for the coming months to include a workshop called “Come and Sea II” led by Chris Thore, a Spring Choir Cantata, the Summer Women’s Bible Study on Esther, the introduction of our 2025 youth ministers, the plans for the 75th Anniversary of the EAMC and more!
The Chapel’s Board of Governors and the 75th Anniversary Committee are working hard to make June 22, 2025, a very special day of reflection and celebration. To prepare for this event, I was tasked with reviewing the minutes of all the board meetings since 2010, the last time we gathered to celebrate our 60th anniversary! What a blessing this turned out to be for me!
I was amazed at all the work of the many committees year in and year out, the coming and going of God-ordained leadership, the challenges faced and resolved, debts paid off, building repairs made after hurricanes, answered prayers for those in need, new ministries started, mission trips organized at home and abroad, a cookbook, a history book, a 100th birthday celebration, Covid, a statement of faith, bylaws update …I could go on and on. But what really grabbed my attention the most was the obvious thread of God’s overwhelming faithfulness to this body of believers through all fifteen years. I stand in awe of God’s guidance in decisions and directions that He clearly ordained for us and the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudges that kept things on course.
We want this 75th Anniversary and Homecoming to be God-focused! Join us for worship and dinner on the grounds that Sunday. Come and testify to the goodness of God! Better yet, let’s not wait until June 22. Let’s start today and everyday thanking God for His many blessings and asking for His faithful guidance. To Him be the glory!
In Him,
Julia Sherron
Julia Sherron, Board of Governors Chair – 2025-2026
jbsherron@gmail.com
REFLECTIONS
“Celebrations: Secular and Sacred”
When you think about holidays in the months of May and June, what comes to mind? Do you think of Mother’s Day (May 11), Memorial Day (May 26), and Father’s Day (June 15)? What about Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Flag Day (June 15) or the First Day of Summer (June 20)? All great holidays in our secular calendars.
Now, what about in our religious or sacred calendar, can you name any special days in May or June? You may have to think about this for a while. I’ll wait.
Did you know that May 1 is our National Day of Prayer? There is more information on this in this newsletter about our prayer vigil that day (Thursday) in the chapel from noon to 1:00 pm. Another sacred day in the month of May is Ascension Day (May 29) which marks the day Jesus ascended into heaven in front of 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:6) forty days after Easter. Then, there is June 8 when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13).
Why do we know more about the secular than the sacred? One reason may be that there are more ads throughout the media for the secular. Whoever saw an ad for light weight clothes for Ascension Day or translation apps for Pentecost? These days just do not “fit in” with today’s modern secular world. And yet, two of the three that I mentioned are some of the most significant historical days in human history.
This year’s theme for our National Day of Prayer is Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled (based on Romans 15:13). Perhaps more than ever, we need hope in the days to come. As Paul said in Romans, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The two previously mentioned historical events, the ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit both attest to the power and presence of the “God of Hope” mentioned by Paul. Let’s take a brief look back at what happened on those two days.
The risen Christ remained on earth for a time (40 days) to help the disciples understand the significance of his death and resurrection. “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised: but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49).
A few days later, while “they were all together” (Acts 2:1) perhaps in the Upper Room where they had shared the Last Supper with Jesus, “suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. …All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:2-4). We mark this day on Pentecost Sunday (June 8) as the beginning of the church of Jesus Christ. It is the birthday of a nation far greater than any nation on earth for it is eternal. This is our heritage. Should we not celebrate this with great joy and peace? For we put our trust in Him who “died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1Peter 3:18). Now that’s worth celebrating! And all God’s children said, “AMEN”.
May 4 –Fellowship begins after 10am Service North Wing
May 7 –Come and Sea II 6:00pm Fellowship House
May 11–Choir Sunday10:00am Chapel
May 17–Board of Governors’ Mtg. 9:00 am Fellowship House
June 7–Quarterly Meal Host Home
June 8–8:00 am Service Begins Chapel
June 9–Summer Youth Activities Begin
June 10 –Women’s Bible Study begins 9:30am Fellowship House
June 22 –75th Anniversary and HomecomingChapel
75th ANNIVERSARY AND HOMECOMING
Let’s Gather and Give Thanks!
Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel
75thAnniversary and Homecoming
June 22, 2025
10:00AM worship!
Catered lunch on the grounds under the big tent!
Connecting with family and friends past and present, recalling memories of God’s goodness, reflections from J.G. Anderson, Sr. and a sing-along of hymns!
Experience an exhibit of artistically inspired views of the Chapel! *
Please let us know by June 1 if you can join us! Leave a message on the Chapel answering machine or by email giving us your name and how many.
*CALLING ALL ARTIST of ALL AGES! If you have an original, reprint or photograph of the Chapel that you would share with us for our day of celebration, please contact Judy Brock at 919-610-4748. We welcome watercolor, acrylics, oils, photography, crayons, markers, mixed media or reprints from other artists. We plan to display them in the Fellowship House. Drop off June 20 or 21 at the Fellowship House and pick up June 22 after the event.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
The EAMC Summer Youth Committee is excited to introduce our 2025 Summer Youth Minister and Youth Minister Assistant! Karlie Hickson will be serving as our Youth Minister and Addie Williams our Youth Minister Assistant.
Meet Karlie Hickson!
Hello! My name is Karlie Hickson, and I am a rising senior at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Originally from Centreville, Maryland, I am beyond excited to spend the summer at Topsail Beach!
Some of my favorite pastimes include hiking, playing lacrosse, relaxing on the beach, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Living in a community of believers has been a tremendous blessing in my walk with the Lord. This summer, my prayer is that God will be glorified as Addie and I serve as vessels to share the Gospel. I strive to model what it means to walk with the Lord and abide in Him daily. It is a joy to invest in every individual attending Emma Anderson’s youth program, helping them experience fellowship within a Christ-centered community. I am eager and expectant to see all that God has in store for this summer!
One of my favorite verses is John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Meet Addie Williams!
Hi! My name is Addie Williams, and I am a rising sophomore at Liberty University. I grew up in Raleigh, NC, and have spent many summers visiting Topsail Beach—a place that holds a special place in my heart.
I love sketching, painting, and soaking up the sunshine!
Attending a Christian school growing up and now studying at Liberty University has shown me the immense value of being surrounded by a strong Christian community. This summer, I am excited to have fun while helping grow that same sense of fellowship at Topsail Beach. My prayer is to serve Karlie, serve Emma Anderson, and invest in meaningful relationships while deepening my knowledge and love for Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
COFFEE BREAK FELLOWSHIP
Beginning May 4, we will offer a weekly Coffee Break immediately following the 10:00 am Service in the North Wing for affiliates and guests. Please join us to meet your friends and make new ones!
C- Christ
O – Offers
F – Forgiveness
F – For
E – Everyone
E – Everywhere
COME AND SEA II
We are excited to announce our second session with pastor Chris Thore on how to make EAMC a more welcoming and friendly place to worship God and grow in one’s faith. So, if you attended our first session or if you missed it but would like to learn more, you are invited to come.
Chris Thore is a well-known pastor and conference revival speaker at SummerShine Resort Ministries in Seven Lakes, NC. Chris’ emphasis is “Celebrating, Connecting and Caring” in the Joy of the Lord. He has been with us many times throughout the years and was with us during Holy Week this year. He knows us well and his guidance has proven very effective through the years.
Come and Sea II will be held Wednesday, May 7th, at 6:00pm in the Upper Room of the Fellowship House. Light dinner will be provided followed by the teaching session. We will conclude around 8:30pm.
This workshop is sponsored by Christian Education Committee, Social Committee and Worship Committee. Please contact Annette Newton via text at 910-990-5930 or email at awn1954@gmail.com by Sunday May 4 to sign up for this event!
EAMC LIBRARY
The Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel Library is located on the second floor of the EAMC Fellowship House. It is a self-service library that is open on Sundays from 8:50 – 9:30 a.m. and whenever the Fellowship House is open. The collection includes books for all ages. Instructions for how to check out materials are provided at the check-out desk.
Featured books for this spring are about the power of prayer, and include titles by David Jeremiah, Anne Graham Lotz, and Beth Moore. Stop by the library soon to check out a title for your reading pleasure.
For additional information about the library, please contact Karen Gavigan: gavigankw@gmail.com or 336-260-3297
WOMEN’S SUMMER BIBLE STUDY
We are thrilled to share that this year we will be studying “Esther” by Kelly Minterin our Women’s Summer Bible Study.
Even if you have studied the book of Esther before, God always has something new to say to you when you open His Word!
Esther’s story inspires us to live faithfully and courageously in our time. We will learn how the book of Esther fits into God’s redemptive story. We will see that God is always at work in every place and at all times and He is always faithful to His promises. Please join us for this exciting study on the top floor of the Fellowship House onTuesday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30. This is a seven week study that will begin onJune 10th and end on July 29th. We will not meet the week of July 4th.
This study will be led by Jane Brock, Robin Jackson, Patty Hatch and Judy Brock. Please contact Judy Brock at: judykcorb@aol.com if you would like to attend. The books will be provided
2025 EASTER EGG HUNT
QUARTERLY MEAL
Our first Quarterly Meal held on March 29th was a huge success!
The committee would like to say a Big thank you to the host/hostess Frank and Julia Sherron , Dick and Penny Burrell and Kevin and Kay McCloskey for opening up their homes and providing the main part of the meal.
We would also like to say Thank You for the nine couples that provided the sides, salads and yummy desserts!
The night was such a great success – sharing a meal and getting to know people from our chapel was such a blessing!
If you would like to host or be a part of the next Quarterly Meal on June 7, please sign up on the sheet in the North or South Wing and or text or call Laura Ormond (704)862-8223 or Kay McCloskey (336)266-0236.
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
We are busy and have added new places to donate. Julia Howington took 15 hats, six drawstring bags and five scarves to St. Peter Fisherman in Wilmington. We have another 25 hats ready to take to Wake Med NICU. Joyce makes pillows for the animal rescue shelter, but this time she took five pillows to the new Faith Harbor pre-school. So, we have expanded our outreach!
Thanks to Karen Gavigan who has a cousin in Western NC, we were able to give:
2 bags of toiletries
2 knitted headbands
2 scarves
2 lap blankets
3 bed pillows
8 baby afghans
2 bags of used clothing
2 fleece blankets
2 knitted washcloths
Thanks, Karen for taking these to Western NC and sharing hope and love with those in need!
Submitted by:Julia Pollockfor the Crafters
WEBSITE UPDATE
Live Streamers –
You can now access all the current announcements online.
Just open a new window; hover your cursor over “Live Worship” and you will see a sub-menu for “Current Announcements.”
Click on that sub-menu and follow the instructions to read all the announcements that appear in the bulletin insert for the current week.
Submitted by:Communications Committee
2025 EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
A record breaking year! Over 880 people gathered to see the sun rise and celebrate the risen Lord.
COLUMBARIUM DEDICATION
Dedication of the Columbarium was held immediately following the 10 am Easter Service, Sunday, April 20, 2025
If you have questions or would like an application packet, contact Lisa Godwin: lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
The Columbarium and Memorial Prayer Garden have been years in the making. In early 2023 James Ormond, Chair of the BOG, asked Stuart Sanderson, Chair of the Planning Committee, to have his committee revisit the idea. A survey of Affiliates was done to gauge interests, a plan was developed, cost estimates were obtained and in March of 2024 the Board of Governors unanimously approved moving forward with the project. As stated in the Policies and Procedures for the Columbarium, the Columbarium provides for a final earthly resting place sacred to the memory of those who have departed from our midst and a quiet place for visitation and meditation. It provides space for the inurnment of cremated remains (cremains) of deceased EMAC affiliates and other eligible persons.
Our thanks go out to the many that have played a role in its creation. Stuart Sanderson and the Planning Committee for their efforts in creating a plan and putting together a team to implement it. Frank Braxton and Coastal Land Design, who put the plans on paper and assisted with their approval. Laura Fitzgerald with Everest Columbarium who provided the niche system. Todd Gideon with Tarheel Landscape who did the construction. Todd’s expertise helped in coming up with the design and materials that blended in so well with our existing building. His team including job supervisor Jay Parker and stone mason Frank Vanderhaar did a great job. David Lee Builders for screening the nearby HVAC units and painting the façade. Josh Godwin who dropped what he was doing to repair an electrical wire serving the HVAC units that was accidentally severed during construction. David Barnes and Robert Sprouse for putting the niche system together and overseeing construction. Ginnie Barnett for help with faceplate selection and inscription layout/design. Greg Griffin for his assistance in developing the legal documents and in working along with Herb Ormond to add the Columbarium Committee as a standing committee to our By-Laws. Lisa Godwin, who processes all applications, meets with families to coordinate inurnments and services, and keeps all Columbarium related records organized.
The Columbarium Committee consists of Robert Sprouse, David Barnes and Lisa Godwin.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests, please submit those through our website on the “Prayer Request” tab or clickhere.
If you wish to join those affiliates that pray regularly for others, please click at the bottom of the Prayer Request form.
MAY JUNE MINISTERS – 2025
May(Worship at 10am)
4
Rev. Austin Caviness, Pastor
Salem Fork Christian Church – Dobson, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cox
11
Choir Sunday
18
Rev. William Branch, Seminary Professor and Lay Leader
Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel is a nondenominational church that gathers for worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and Christian fellowship.
Our mission is to glorify God and to proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all.
