Rector Search

We're Excited to Start a New Chapter!

Emmanuel has posted our Profile on the National Search Page and we are in the active process of finding someone to join us on this Journey!

Emmanual At a Glance

A Prayer for Our Rector Search

We believe in following God's leading in a decision of this importance, and we want to rely on the Holy Spirit's moving to help us find the person God has anointed. For "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Please support our efforts by joining us in this prayer:

Holy Spirit, you search us and know us more deeply than we know ourselves. All our thoughts, hopes, and fears lie open before you. Quiet our hearts, and free us from opinions, preferences, and perceptions that bind, divide, or limit our vision. Release us from nostalgia for what has been and from fear of what may yet be. Turn our hearts toward your mission and toward the future you are calling our parish to embrace. In our discernment, help us seek not simply a leader for ourselves, but the shepherd you have already chosen -- one who will proclaim your truth with humility, shepherd your people with love, and guide this parish in faith, hope, and unity.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Emmanuel At A Glance

Come Join us on Our Journey.

We are an ever-evolving Episcopal Community on the journey of faith following Jesus.
We seek to live the Gospel of Hope, Love and Healing in our everyday lives, striving to welcome and affirm every person from all walks of life.
We work to relieve suffering and injustice, reaching out to our neighbors with caring, hospitality, and support.
Our worship and liturgy are rooted in the Book of Common Prayer, yet also open to other spiritual expressions.

We Seek a Rector and Shepard Who Is:

Spiritually alive and on the journey as a disciple of Christ, grounded in prayer, spiritual practice and Scripture.
An inspiring preacher, connecting Scripture to our world and daily lives.
Compassionate and open-hearted, practiced in pastoral care.
Committed to outreach and community engagement, discerning with us how to respond to suffering and injustice around us.
Collaborative, empowering laity to serve and lead.
Inclusive and open-minded, welcoming and affirming every person.
A strong administrator and steward of our resources.

Our Beginnings and Our Building

In 1893, a group of determined Episcopalians established Emmanuel as a second Episcopal Parish in Staunton.
Almost immediately they began building a beautiful Gothic Revival Church on West Frederick Street.
Expansions and renovations have occurred over the years, continuing presently with the installation of air conditioning in our sanctuary.
This Church Building serves both as our home and as mission vehicle for outreach and care of our neighbors in need.
Our proximity to Stuart Hall School has led to a close relationship for most of our history.

Our Commitment to Social Justice

We endeavor to love God and our neighbor, as Jesus taught us. An important part of Emmanuel’s history has been a commitment to live out the compassion and love of the Gospel.

During the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, we opened our doors to people of all races.
We invited the Rev. Carter Heyward to celebrate Holy Communion at Emmanuel in 1977, the first such event in our diocese. She was one of the “Philadelphia 11,” the first women ordained as Episcopal priests.
Today, we welcome LGBTQ+ persons as valued members of our parish
We work toward racial reconciliation in Staunton, building relationships with other congregations in our area.
We have parish members feeding people who are hungry, comforting people in Hospice as they approach life’s end, and supporting our immigrant neighbors.
On Sunday we read the Gospel in both English and Spanish.