Julia Sherron, Board of Governors Chair – 2025-2026
jbsherron@gmail.com
This is my favorite time of year. The weather is cooling. The days are shorter. The marsh turns yellow-green. The trees give color and then leaves fall. The sunsets are breathtaking! Naturally thoughts turn to Thanksgiving followed by Christmas but the focus and simplicity of Thanksgiving invite me to give thanks and that is so important. The Bible has much to say about being thankful, giving thanks and counting our blessings. Psalm 100:4-5 tells us to “4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
Ann Voskamp, in her book, One Thousand Gifts, encourages the reader to think about these things. “Eucharisteo means ‘to give thanks,’ and give is a verb, something that we do. God calls me to do thanks…to give the thanks away. That thanks-giving might literally become thanks-living. That our lives become the very blessings we have received. I am blessed. I can bless. Imagine! I could let Him make me the gift! I could be the joy!” “A life contemplating the blessings of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ.”
In this season, let’s spend time reflecting on our many blessings, big and small, good and hard, while thanking God for all he does for us. Heartfelt thanksgiving produces joy! May we never forget the words of our beloved Mildred Wilson, “Lord, give me a grateful heart.”
This newsletter is full of important information! Take time to review and respond! May God bless you in this season from the Thanksgiving table to the stable manger of baby Jesus.
In Him,
Julia Sherron
REFLECTIONS
The Great Song Leader
One can envision Jesus and His disciples as they journey from village to village in Judah. They travel together or possibly in small groups, but always in tune with the Master. Their travels are certainly not in silence. They discuss their mission, the miracles that have been performed before them, and likely, what the future holds for them.
Growing up, in school groups, church groups, and social groups, most of our gatherings featured songs, which became integral to fostering the cohesiveness of the group and strengthening its purpose. Many of us sing some of those same songs today and enjoy the memories they foster.
The book of Psalms features many musical entries both sung and performed with instruments. There is little, if any, documentation regarding the melodies for those songs, only the wording of their tribute or lament.
Were Jesus and His disciples aware of those songs and did they sing them together during their travels? We don’t know, only that prayers were sung or chanted by the Hebrew faith. Did they extend backward to Jesus’ time?
Our friend, Pastor Chris Thore responded to that question with two articles that may shed some light on the question. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/jesus-sings and Seven Biblical Reasons Why Singing Matters answer with what is known biblically about song in Jesus time and why it is important to us today, enriching our lives with the vast array of classical and popular pieces. Clearly, religious music and its offshoots were important to us then and are to this day.
The holidays are rapidly approaching! Emma Anderson continues to work with CHAPS (Community Holiday Assistance Program).Last year we served over 1,620 people (466 families) in Pender County.
We will once again be making the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays brighter for our neighbors this year. We will soon be collecting Harris Teeter gift cards to provide a delicious meal at Thanksgiving.
The holiday toy store will be set up at Blake’s Chapel providing opportunities for the parents to shop for their children.
Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements on opportunities to help. We couldn’t do it without you!
The Benevolence Committee
BENEVOLENCE – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The EAMC Benevolence Committee, on behalf of Share the Table, would like to let affiliates know of some additional upcoming volunteer opportunities related to the Community Garden project:
• Saturday November 8—Workday
location—282 Valhalla Way, Hampstead
• Wednesday November 20-Volunteer recognition potluck
location—Share the Table, Perkins Drive, Hampstead
• Tuesdays and Thursdays – Weekly Harvest Help 9-11 am
location—282 Valhalla Way, Hampstead
For more information, contact Sarah Cox— (910)624-8836 or Coxs0037@gmail.com
MISSIONARY NEWS
Recently, while visiting this couple in The Respite Apartment, Frances Keir, their sponsor, and I were blown away by their amazing missionary connections. We asked if they would write their sweet story to share with you.
We really enjoyed our second rest at the EAMC mission apartment this past week! We are Donn and Teresa Broeker, and we have served as missionaries with the International Mission Board for 23 years. We have most recently been serving in Japan for nine years. We also have three kids, two of whom currently serve on the mission field with their families. One serves in Southeast Asia and one serves in Norway. Our son in Norway is married to Kevin and Suzie Rodger’s daughter. Before moving to Texas, the Rodgers were long time IMB missionaries in Kenya who so appreciated their rejuvenation time at the EAMC Respite Apartment five times. This past week, we invited both sets of our parents to join us at the EAMC mission apartment for the week. This is the first time we have ever spent a week all together in our 33 years of marriage!
Although we usually live in very different parts of the world, we are always so thankful when we can spend time together. My husband’s parents serve as the pastor and pastor’s wife of a small church in Northern Michigan. They were formerly missionaries for six years in East Asia.
My parents are involved in ministries to shut ins and a prison ministry through their church in South Carolina. Thanks so much to Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel for giving us this opportunity!
Submitted by:Sandra Davis, EAMC Secretary
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Joy! A Gospel Christmas Celebration composed and arranged by Joel Raney will be presented on Sunday, December 14 at 10:00am along with selections by the Handbell Choir.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2025
It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD at Emma Anderson. This ministry is so very special for many, many children around the world.
We began announcements in late September and early October, with boxes being distributed to the congregation on Sunday, October 12. More boxes are available in the North Wing of the Chapel.
It’s time to fill those boxes with your special gifts and treasures. The deadline for returning the filled boxes is November 9.
Our goal for 2025 is to deliver 300 boxes from Emma Anderson. We fell a bit below that last year; so, I’m hopeful we can meet that goal in 2025.
Happy packing and thank you for your participation.
Your Suggestions Are Wanted for the Church Library
Have a favorite book that strengthened your faith? The EAMC church library is adding new titles, and we welcome your input. Help us enhance and refresh the collection by recommending meaningful titles for all ages. Please share your suggestions for Christian fiction, nonfiction, biographies, and children’s and young adult books by emailing Karen Gavigan at gavigankw@gmail.com
The Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel Library is on the second floor of the EAMC Fellowship House. It operates as a self-service library, open Sundays from 8:50 to 9:30 a.m., and at other times when the Fellowship House is accessible. The library’s collection contains books suitable for all age groups. Instructions for checking out materials are located at the check-out desk.
For additional information about the library, please contact Karen Gavigan, gavigankw@gmail.com or 336-260-3297.
GUATEMALA 2025 UPDATE
On November 1, a group of 14 Emma Anderson affiliate mission volunteers traveled to Guatemala City to begin a weeklong home construction project for two needy families in the community of Santa Maria de Jesus. They will be working in partnership with Catalyst Resources International (CRI) to construct two houses and dedicate one each to the Marroquin Otzoy family and the Otzoy Perez family. While in Guatemala, the team will be housed and nourished at the CRI secured facility in Guatemala City where the volunteers will also be working in a fortified food packing program and visiting the orphanage there.
Oscar Amilcar Marroquin Miranda, 36, is a mason’s assistant. His wife, Maria Soledad Otzoy Mixtun, 32, is a housewife. They have two children:
Brandon Noel Marroquin Otzoy, 14 years old, attends the first year of middle school.
Ingrid Sarai Marroquin Otzoy, 4 years old.
They live in Santa Maria de Jesus, Sacatepequez, Guatemala.
Luis Fernando Otzoy Mixtun, 27 years old, is a mason’s assistant in a town call San Pedro Las Huertas. Claudia Leticia Perez Colin, 26, is a housewife and knits. She has one daughter:
Dulce Fernanda Otzoy Perez, 7 years old, is in First grade.
Luis’ parents also live with them:
Olegario Otzoy Cuma, 56 years old, works as a security guard. His wife is Juliana Mixtun Patan, 55, a housewife.
While all the volunteers have agreed to cover the cost of their travel and room and board at CRI, the costs for the housing materials and incidentals, and the rice, soy and supplements for the food packing program need to be covered by the generous donations from our chapel affiliates. Please consider making a contribution to this mission to help with this. Just designate “GUA 2025” on your donation.
Our very own Kingdom Crafters have been busy making curtains and blankets for each of the houses, which will be added as finishing touches in the new homes further expressing the love of Jesus in a practical way.
Please pray for these volunteers throughout their time in Guatemala.
COLUMBARIUM AND
MEMORIAL PRAYER GARDEN UPDATE
We’re excited to begin working on the final phase of the columbarium project – the Memorial Wall Plaques. There will be two plaques of 38 faceplates, each located below the windows on either side of the columbarium wall section. They will be lighted similar to the columbarium. Each faceplate will be 3” x 6” and will be granite very similar to the granite faceplates on the Columbarium niches. We will also be beautifying the Columbarium a little more with some flowers-plants to interject some color and give it more of a memorial garden look.
The plaque systems have been ordered, and we expect to receive them by the end of the year. We anticipate the plaque systems will be installed and we’ll be ready to begin having engravings done for those that have purchased by the end of January 2026, if not before. A link to an application packet is included in the newsletter for you to review if you have interest in purchasing one to honor a loved one or someone dear to you that has passed and is interred somewhere else. The packet contains the Columbarium and Memorial Prayer Garden Policies and Procedures, a Columbarium Memorial Plaque Application, a photo of the Columbarium showing where the plaques will be located, Memorial Wall Plaque Assignment Sketches, and some information on the Memorial Wall Systems taken from the vendor, Homecoming Inc, webpage that describes the plaque systems we will have. Wall Plaque Application
If you’ve been contemplating the purchase of one of our Columbarium Niches, links to the Niche Application/Purchase Agreement and a Niche Assignment Sketch which shows the remaining available niches, are included in the newsletter.Niche Purchase Application For a sketch, click here.
We plan to have a link for the Columbarium on the Chapel webpage at some point. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Lisa Godwin at lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
Kingdom Crafters love to bring all their hard work to share with our affiliates as we fill the Operation Christmas Child boxes! This year we brought 71 washcloths, 14 small bags, and 85 teddy bears and other toys made from socks. We have other affiliates who make dolls from socks and they donate them as well. Happy packing!!
We took 43 newborn hats to the Senior Center and someone there takes them to New Hanover Hospital. We call them Pat’s hats, as that is her calling – making baby hats. We certainly appreciate it!
Did you know we have a new pregnancy help center in our area? It’s in the building that used to house Share the Table. It is revamped inside and is now called Lauren’s Hope. We took four baby blankets, one hat, and one infant sweater. They were thrilled. They give the mother a blanket when she promises to keep the baby.
The curtains for Guatemala have been completed, and the team will be taking two window and door curtains per house, for two houses. We were able to use material that was donated to us! We have quite a stash.
Again, if anyone would like to join our group, we meet on Wednesdays 10-11:30. Occasionally we could use an extra hand to punch our cards and put a ribbon through, in case you would like to join us and don’t knit or crochet.
Please join us for our next function on December 14, which is our annual Christmas Covered Dish Luncheon following the Christmas Cantata. It will be held at the Breezeway Restaurant again this year. Fried chicken will be provided. Please bring a dish to feed your family and one or two more. Many thanks to the Cherry family for generously helping us out.
Submitted by:Rucker Eggleston, Chair, Social Committee
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.
NOV DEC MINISTERS – 2025
NovWorship at 10am
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.
