Commissions

The Outreach Commission is responsible for activities that help people in need outside the congregation. Outreach has always been central to our ministry. The Commission meets approximately four times a year to determine which projects and programs it can support. ​Special fundraising 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” event featuring food, music, and dance to raise funds for a project in Africa – one of our most lively events of the year. ​Priority is generally given to projects where the parish, or one or more of its members, has a personal connection.​Support is given in four general areas: Hands-on ministries in Geneva Disaster response Development projects

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 establish neighborhood networks, allowing people with specific requests or needs to contact an Inreach team member living in their vicinity. To let us know that you would like Inreach support or to be part of a neighborhood network, please send an email to the Church office at office@emmanuelchurch.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 is 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 gift cards or supermarket gift certificates have been more practical and welcome.   To protect and respect the confidentiality of recipients, these have been organized by our Deacon and are available only to a select few who support Inreach.

This Commission collaborates with the Rector, Deacon, and Music Director to ensure 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. ​Below is a list of possible positions of service:​AcolytesCommunion ServersLectorsIntercessorsUshers/GreetersAltar Guild/FlowersCoffee-Hour & Breaking Bread ServersLicensed Eucharist MinistersMusic Participant

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

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. We aim to start the welcoming process by engaging visitors and organizing a process to introduce them to the church.​Many people on this commission are also able to participate in other commissions, as the time commitment is relatively small. We schedule a rotation of welcomers, and would love to have you join us.

Do you love a good party? Are you well-connected to community Christian events? If yes, then 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 often collaborate with our Communications Commission to promote upcoming events. Please consider bringing your creative ideas and giving time to this worthy cause.

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.

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 are interested in trying it out, please consider volunteering. For those with building maintenance experience or a willingness to lend a hand, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Please consider giving generously to this commission.

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 distinct concepts. 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 a yearly opportunity for church members to express their financial stewardship. The Campaign gives focus to stewardship.  Stewardship encompasses not only finances but also the entire life of the congregation.

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.