Chairman’s Corner | Reflections | Church Calendar | Benevolence Committee |Affiliate Spotlight | Kingdom Crafters | Local Missions | Summer Youth Program | Columbarium Update | Mission Trip to Guatemala | Prayer Request
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2024
W. James Ormond, Board of Governors Chair – 2023-2024
james.ormond@ormondlandscape.com
REFLECTIONS
In the first part of August Julia and I took a tour of the Galapagos’ Islands 500 miles off the coast of Ecuador. A twenty-nine-year-old man from England visited some of the same islands over 190 years earlier. His visit set in motion a whole new way of looking at the world and how it came into being. I am speaking of Charles Darwin and the conception of the Theory of Evolution.
We saw the same wonderful wildlife that he did but had a completely different perspective. We saw first-hand the wonders of God’s creation preserved in a unique environment for the most part untouched by human hands. These were not creatures that “evolved” over time and “adapted” to their environment as we were told, but rather were creatures created by God to live in this unique environment. We saw the same animal species that Darwin saw 200 years earlier.
After almost two weeks exploring the islands, we left Ecuador and flew to Peru to explore another civilization of the Quechuas, the native people of Chile and Peru known today as the Incas. We took a train ride out of the city of Cuzco to the “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu which means “Old Mountain”. These ancient ruins were accidentally discovered by an American explorer named Hiram Bingham in 1911. High up in the Andes Mountains (9000 feet), he discovered an ancient civilization probably built around 1410 at the height of the Inca Empire. Many historians believe it was built as a retreat center for the Inca (the king) and his extended family and as a place of worship to their Sun god and other deities important to their religion.
We ended our visit with a brief, one-day tour of the capital of Peru, Lima. You cannot visit any country in Latin America without visiting her beautiful cathedrals built by the Spaniards during the colonial era. Their grandeur was breathtaking with high arching ceilings covered with beautiful mosaics, gold plated altars and of course numerous crucifixes and statues of Mary, Joseph and other saints of the Catholic church through the ages. Every church we visited in both Ecuador and Peru was magnificent and extravagant especially in comparison to the poverty just outside these churches.
All these places and peoples had one thing in common – a deep longing for meaning and purpose in life. They all: Darwin, the ancient Incas, the Spanish explorers and even the Jesuit priests who came with them were searching for the answer to this ultimate question in life, “What’s it all about?”
Years ago, Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote a song that answered (at least in part) this question. Dionne Warwick made it a number one hit in 1966, “What’s it all about, Alfie?”
Here are some of the lyrics:
What’s it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
…Are we meant to take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind?
As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above, Alfie
I know there’s something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie
Withouttrue lovewe just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you’ve missed, you’re nothing, Alfie
When you walk, let your heart lead the way
And you’ll find love any day, Alfie.
Jesus said it best when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And Paul confirmed this when he wrote, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). That, my friend, is what true love is all about! Jesus followed that statement on love with these words, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (Jn.15:14). So, live in peace and in the assurance that you are truly loved by God in Christ Jesus, your best friend forever.
September 22 – Congregational Meeting following Worship
October 6 – World Communion Sunday
October 26 – Missions Trip to Guatemala
FROM THE BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
Because of the generosity of affiliates at Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel, your Benevolence Committee is able to assist many local and area Christ-centered organizations. In the past year, we have reported to you via this newsletter a number of the organizations that your gifts have allowed us to support.
In addition to supporting Christ-centered organizations, we are able to support needy individuals in our area. In this newsletter, please allow us to share with you some representative stories of individuals/families in the area that we have assisted in one way or another in 2024. Referrals to our Committee come from various nonprofit groups in Pender County, including Pender Bridge of Hope, Share the Table, and EAMC affiliates. Prior to assisting these folks, members of the Committee research each situation, and then discuss the need with other committee members via email thread. All the following cases were approved unanimously by the Committee.
A single mother, working 50-60 hours/week, raising 5 children. A daughter was burned in a kitchen accident and required weekly visits to burn specialists at UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill for eight weeks. This forced her to take one day a week off to provide transport for her daughter. Your Benevolence Committee agreed to assist her with gift cards for gas and assisted her with auto insurance and her water bill. Sarah Cox, Chair of our Committee, has kept in regular contact with the lady and reports positively on the effects of our assistance.
A single mother raising four children. Working as a private duty nursing aide, this lady lost two of her clients via death—severely reducing her income. Your Committee assisted this lady and her family with her rent and car payment while she regained her client base. Sarah Cox was able to visit this family, minister to them, pray with them, and invite them to EAMC.
An elderly lady living in government assisted housing. She lost her sister, who lived with her. Because of some paperwork issues on the part of the apartment complex where she lived, her rent for the next month couldn’t be adjusted. The Committee agreed to assist with the deceased sister’s portion of the next month’s rent until the necessary paperwork could be filed to adjust her rent accordingly.
While volunteering at Share the Table, several affiliates met a lady who had just lost her husband to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In addition, this lady was undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. She needed assistance with auto insurance and her electric bill. She also admitted that she was lonely and sad. The Committee agreed to assist with the above bills, and also recommended that she get involved at the Topsail Senior Center. Upon follow-up, she has gotten active at the Senior Center and feels much better emotionally.
The above are just a few examples of people in the area with different crises. The EAMC Benevolence Committee has been able to assist on your behalf —because of your generosity. Thank you very much for your financial and prayerful support as we strive to love others as God loves us.
EAMC Benevolence Committee
Sarah Cox, Chair
Louis Cox
Debbie Uzzell
Denise Sanderson
Louis Peele
Susan Peele
Tommy Newton
Submitted by: Tommy Newton, M.D.
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT
DICK and PENNY BURRELL
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
Kingdom Crafters received a boat load of t-shirts. Thanks for your contributions! We were able to cut the shirts into strips and then stretch it (which made it curl up into a rope), and wind it into balls. From that some people crocheted, some braided, and we made jump ropes. We did it to correspond to the youth Christmas week as they packed 20 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We were glad to help with a handmade item. We also gave them some of our washcloths and teddy bears to add to their boxes. The youth even folded the boxes they “borrowed” from our stash which will be put out in October. Great success.
We have one senior knitter who is into hats. She makes them for our contribution to Wake Med NICU. We have another knitter who likes to make fun hats! It kept her occupied while she was recovering from pneumonia. We also have another knitter who likes making up patterns for baby sweaters!
We have almost finished our window and door curtains for the houses we will be building in Guatemala. We have finished the 12 blankets that were requested. We will add our sweaters and hats as room is available when we start packing for our mission trip in October.
Submitted by:Julia Pollockfor the Crafters
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Our Covered Dish Dinner in July was very well-attended. Dinner was followed by a video of the Summer Youth Program presented by the Youth.
Watch your bulletin and the website calendar for upcoming events.
LOCAL MISSION – SHARE THE TABLE
As part of EAMC call to local missions, we are supporting our local food pantry, Share The Table, by preparing and serving hot meals to those in need.
With the help of many volunteers, we prepare and serve these meals the first Sunday evening of each month.
We began this mission in May 2024, preparing meals for 140 people in our Fellowship House kitchen where we prepare, transport to the Hwy. 50 location, and then help serve. Moving forward, we will be preparing and serving at their new facility located on Perkins Rd.
Thank you, EAMC, for sharing God’s Blessings with others.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Gayla MacMillan at 910-340-2672.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
This summer was truly incredible! From fishing every Monday morning with the little kids to playing wiffleball out on a sandbar with the older kids, we saw God move in so many ways. We were constantly in awe of the ways He showed up and couldn’t have asked for the summer to go any better.
As we studied Mark, we saw all the ways the Lord encouraged people in the past and how He continues to encourage us daily. We were able to get a true understanding of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus and what our lives look like when we walk with Him.
We were blessed to have such a successful Youth Sunday and get to see the kids so excited to show everyone what they had been learning this summer. We are so thankful for the lasting relationships we made this summer and how God used the youth of Topsail Island.
Thank you, again, to the whole of Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel and Topsail Island for being a place where the love of Jesus can be shared so powerfully, but most of all Thank you, Jesus!
Submitted byDaniel GeilandBanksie Brock
Co-Ministers, Summer Youth Program
COLUMBARIUM UPDATE
Groundbreaking is underway!
In March, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the building of a columbarium on the sound side of the chapel. We are excited to report that construction is underway, and we are ready to receive applications for niche purchases.
Please reach out to Lisa Godwin for more information at lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com or (919) 356-8768
MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA
The Missions Committee has planned a week-long mission trip to Guatemala City beginning October 26, 2024 in cooperation with Catalyst Resources International (CRI). EAMC has enlisted 14 volunteers to join this mission team, which will be constructing two or three “easy to build” houses in the nearby village of Santa Maria de Jesus. In addition, the team will have the opportunity to participate with staff in packaging fortified rice for a local feeding program as well as offer assistance and support to pre-school orphans at Mimi’s House, an onsite facility located on the CRI premises in Guatemala City. There are also many other mission and ministry opportunities which may be undertaken.
The mission not only needs the commitment and dedication of those traveling to Guatemala, but needs the support of EAMC affiliates. Here is how you can help make it a success.
There is still a limited time to sign up to be part of the “boots on the ground” team traveling to Guatemala. Due to international travel arrangements, this is a very short window. There is no shortage of work to be done and we can even add another home to be constructed. If interested, contact Jim King at 252-341-4535.
Consider your financial support to the direct cost of the projects. The team members are providing their own travel, room and board and other personal expenses. EAMC will be seeking donations for the following:
Cost of the materials for the houses to be constructed, which includes bathroom and outside stove (per house)$5,150
3 Houses = $15,450
Food (Rice, Fortified Soy and Vitamins) and bags for feeding program. (40 – 9 ounce bags – 160 meals per box$20.00
120 Boxes = $2,400
General non-designated expenses (curtain rods, hardware, local transit and labor, translators and miscellaneous)
$450 per day = $2,250
Minimum funds to be raised $20,100
Donations should be directed to Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel with a designation to “2024 GUA mission”
Become a daily prayer warrior and offer your prayers each day for the team and the CRI staff and the people of Guatemala.
EAMC has already learned the first two families and their biographies and pictures (below) who will be receiving the first two houses.
Pio Pich Family
Ruben Otoniel Pio Pio, 24, is an embroiderer. His wife, Brenda Viomi Pich Petet, helps her mother as a merchant. They have a son, Iker Lian Otoniel Pio Pich, who is three.
Ruben’s grandmother, Alejandra Shuta Osoy, lives with them.
Cuca Pio Family
Marcos Cuca Noj, 29, is a farmer.
His wife, Maria Rosa Pio Acalon stays at home with their two children, Kevin David Cuca Pio, 9, and Yeymi Paola, 5.
It is the intention of the Committee to provide a daily blog or media feed, which will provide narrative and pics to keep in touch with those wishing to be a part of the “Team at Home”.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests, please submit those through our website on the “Prayer Request” tab.
If you wish to join those affiliates that pray regularly for others, please click at the bottom of the Prayer Request form.
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER MINISTERS – 2024
September(Worship at 10am)
1
Rev. Phillip Modlin, Lead Pastor
Amplify Church – Willow Springs, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Tim Bayles
8
Rev.Dr. Jimmy Long, Senior Pastor
Grace Fellowship – Greensboro, GA
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Alex Arab
15
Rev. Don Meeks, Pastor
Greenwich Presbyterian Church – Nokesville, VA
Sponsors: Ms. Lisa M. Heckathorn
22
Rev. Janet Chilcote, Retired United Methodist Clergy and Missionary
Sponsor: Mrs. Hilda Jamison
29
Rev. Kaye Fry, Lead Pastor
Stoney Hill United Methodist Church – Albemarle, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sherron
October
6
Rev. Nani Arning, Faith Formation Director
Calvary United Methodist Church – Colorado Springs, CO
Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Randy Corlis
13
Rev.Eric Grubb, Rector
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Clinton, NC
Sponsors: Mr. Charles DuBose
20
Rev.Matt Willis, Pastor of Missions and Evangelism
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.
