Mission:
Bringing People & God Together
Wherever they are on their faith journey
Values
At Emmanuel, our core values are centered on engagement, spirituality, inclusivity, and compassion. We are an engaged community, sharing our abundance of resources, talents, and love to make a tangible difference in the world around us. We are spiritual, rooted in a deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, as we work to increase faith, hope, and love in our lives and the lives of others. We are inclusive, committed to welcoming everyone with respect and empathy. Finally, we are compassionate, striving to show love, care, kindness, and forgiveness in all that we do.
Vision
Emmanuel is a church steadfast in its worship and prayer, uniting its community in shared faith and trust in God. Our commitment extends outward through mission, as we meet needs in local, national, and international communities, revealing God’s love. We are also dedicated to spiritual growth, deepening our faith to better know and make Jesus' love known. Finally, we stand firm in our inclusivity, making room for everyone and valuing their unique contributions to our shared mission and ministry.
History
Our beautiful, 120-year-old, half-dome vaulted chapel is a sacred space, standing as a testament to the faithful who came before us. As soft light from the stained-glass windows filters into the sanctuary, it is a gentle call to worship and connect with the legacy of saints. It is a powerful reminder of the divine presence we serve in heaven.
Worship & Studies
In the Episcopal Church, we believe that the way we worship and pray together helps to reflect who we are. At Emmanual, that means services open to everyone and prayer groups that are eager to have you join. It also means worship that honors God, steeped in tradition but understandable and without becoming stale or formulaic.
Take a look at our schedule, and learn more about what services look like at Emmanual:
Facility Rental
At Emmanuel, we believe in bringing people together. Our flexible facilities are available to rent for a wide array of personal, professional, and cultural events. Whether you are planning a deeply personal life event like a wedding, baptism, or funeral, or hosting a public gathering like a concert, meeting, or neighborhood event, our historic charm and accommodating spaces will make your guests feel right at home.
The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia is resolute in ensuring that its churches, schools, and institutions live out our baptismal promises by providing a safe environment free of abuse, exploitation, and harassment.
We are unwavering in our concern for inclusion at Emmanuel. This means anyone of any ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender is welcome here; to worship, partake communion, and serve our church.
Caring for all God's Children
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Staunton VA is pledged to the wellbeing and safety of everyone. We have clear policies with reference to our work with children and vulnerable adults.​ If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Safeguarding Advocate, Mitzi White, using the button below.
Please feel free to download our policy documents:
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Staunton is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.
Each Diocese in the Episcopal Church is sub-divided into Convocations (sometimes known as Deaneries). Our church is part of the Augusta Convocation within the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. ​​
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EECS Vestry Members
At Emmanuel, the membership of the Vestry consists of the Rector and nine members elected by members of the congregation to three-year terms. Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance, including deciding on how the funds are to be spent. The full Vestry usually meets ten times throughout the year.
Mitzi White
Senior Warden (2023-2026)
Elijah Davis
2024-2027
Kethera Moore
2024-2027
Laura Barnett
Vestry Clerk, Asst. Treasurer
Skip Barnett
Junior Warden (2026)
Barbara Damico
2026
Dan Lynn
2026 - 2029
Bob Wiard
2026 - 2029
John Kolp
Treasurer (2024-2027)
Ginny Wemmerus
2024-2027
EECS Staff
Leadership Roles
Our church activities and operations significantly rely on teams that regularly report to the Vestry. As a member of the Diocese of Southwest Virginia, we elect convention delegates and alternate delegates who keep informed about state and national issues and vote on Diocese policies and representatives. Click on the committee teams below to read a description of what they do for our congregation.
Teams
WORSHIP AND FORMATION The chief responsibility of the Worship and Formation Team is to invite the congregation into deeper praise of God while supporting the ongoing spiritual development of our people. Committed to providing meaningful experiences for both members and guests, this advisory team examines our various worship practices to recommend areas for growth. The group consists of a diverse cross-section of the Emmanuel household, representing various parish demographics, ministries, and guilds. Together, they coordinate vital facets of our worship life, managing special services like the Easter Vigil and supporting volunteer coordinators for roles such as acolytes, lectors, intercessors, and welcomers. Members meet regularly to plan services, develop our theological philosophy, and ensure that scheduling runs smoothly through weekly online sign-ups. Above all, the team strives to help the congregation worship fully and creatively within an open, inclusive, and ecumenical spirit.
ALTER GUILD The Altar Guild performs a quiet yet deeply significant ministry by preparing the church sanctuary for all regular and special worship services. These devoted volunteers handle essential behind-the-scenes tasks, such as refreshing altar candles, arranging holiday decorations, and preparing the bread and wine. To keep the time commitment manageable, two guild members are assigned to cover duties each month, resulting in a rotating schedule that repeats near-quarterly. This structure allows participants to serve the church faithfully while sharing the responsibilities evenly across the team. Their reverent work ensures that the beauty of our liturgy is matched by the care given to the altar and sacred vessels. The Altar Guild always welcomes new members to join them in this rewarding and vital tradition of parish service.
FINANCE & GIVING The Finance, Stewardship, and Giving Team collaborates closely with the Vestry and parish treasurers to oversee the financial health of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Led by Ginny Wemmerus, the committee carefully monitors actual expenses and prepares the annual church budget for Vestry approval. A central part of their ministry involves reviewing and updating business policies while ensuring the timely submission of required financial documents to the Diocese. The team also advises leadership on charitable giving and coordinates the annual Giving Renewal Campaign to support our shared mission. Composed of dedicated volunteers from the congregation, this group works hard to keep parishioners informed about our collective financial stability. New members are always warmly welcomed to join this team in promoting the faithful stewardship of our parish resources.
MISSION & OUTREACH The Mission and Outreach Team exists to raise funds and coordinate support for various local charities, actively putting our faith into action. By organizing several popular fundraisers throughout the year and utilizing dedicated church budget funds, this committee directly aids those in need within our wider community. Outreach at Emmanuel is beautifully diverse, functioning through direct parishioner volunteer work, local agency donations, and collaborations with the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Team members are highly active volunteers who strive to encourage the entire congregation to participate in these vital community endeavors. Whether serving meals, organizing donation drives, or supporting local non-profits, the group embodies a spirit of hands-on Christian service. Their ultimate aim is to bring Christ to the world by helping our neighbors and encouraging widespread parish involvement.
PASTORAL CARE The Pastoral Care Team, led by Katherine Turner, stands as one of the most meaningful, lay-led manifestations of Emmanuel's community identity. Members of this team serve directly as the hands and feet of Christ by supporting parishioners during times of illness, transition, or isolation. Their vital ministry includes visiting the homebound or hospitalized, providing home-cooked meals, mailing cards, making wellness phone calls, and offering rides to appointments. To ensure seamless communication, the team utilizes a shared document to track visits and note any specific care requests or prayer needs. While many parishioners naturally look after one another informally, this organized group provides a dependable safety net for the entire congregation. This deeply compassionate ministry is always seeking new members who possess a heart for supportive visitation and care.
PROPERTY & COLUMBARIUM Led by Junior Warden Skip Barnett, the Property Team is a dedicated group committed to maintaining and developing Emmanuel's historic building and grounds. Managing a venerable facility requires constant care, with projects ranging from tending the columbarium garden to restoring moisture damage and installing central air conditioning. Fortunately, the team is blessed with skilled, knowledgeable coordinators who carefully map out necessary repairs and long-term improvements. They also rely on a supportive congregation that generously provides the volunteer hours and financial backing needed for major projects. A well-maintained and inspiring physical space directly benefits the parish by providing a beautiful sanctuary for corporate worship and fellowship. Ultimately, the team’s mission is to keep our physical home in excellent condition to better facilitate our common life and Christian service.
FELLOWSHIP & ENGAGEMENT The Fellowship and Engagement Team serves as the energetic backbone of Emmanuel’s vibrant community life, hosting our many traditional feasts and parish celebrations. This year, the team successfully launched a creative early-morning breakfast fundraiser during the Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival. This popular event welcomed numerous community visitors into our beautiful sanctuary and successfully raised over $1,200 for the church’s A/C Capital Campaign. In addition to planning fellowship meals, the committee focuses on modern communication strategies to promote church events and attract new visitors. For instance, the team spearheaded the launch of the new church website to increase local engagement and share information. Through hospitality and digital outreach, this team works continuously to connect parishioners and welcome neighbors into our church home.
The Augusta Convocation
The Augusta Convocation is the Episcopal presence in our region. Together we work to make God's Kingdom values known; we aim to get to know one another better; we seek to work together in mission to share the Good News of God both with those in need, and those who are seeking to know God better and make God's love better known.
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The President of our Convocation is Steve Berneking who also serves on our Diocesan Executive Board.
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The Augusta Convocation comprises:
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Church of the Good Shepherd, Blue Grass
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Christ Church, Buena Vista
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Emmanuel, Covington
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Good Shepherd, Folly Mills
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St. John's, Glasgow;
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St. Luke's, Hot Springs
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Grace, Lexington
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Emmanuel, Staunton
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Trinity, Staunton
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St. John's, Waynesboro
Location of the diocese of Southwestern Viginia