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Church Spotlight

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Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, Emmitsburg

by Theresa Dardanell

“Elias Lutheran is a praying congregation.”   During the Sunday service I attended, Pastor Jon Greenstone read aloud the names of those needing special prayers. The church newsletters and the Sunday bulletins include prayer requests for families in mourning, people in need of healing or encouragement, and those serving in the military. There is also a prayer hotline that Pastor Jon described as a “conference call.” It is available to anyone, anywhere, as long as you have a phone. It works like this: At 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, just dial 712-451-0767 and use the access code 812928 to join the group. After listening to a scripture reading and comment, you are free to join the discussion, ask for prayers, offer encouragement, or just pray silently. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is yet another way to offer comfort to anyone in need due to illness, bereavement, hospitalization, or distress; the shawl maker will knit or crochet a shawl while offering prayers for the individual who will receive it. Pastor Jon described the moments that people receive the prayer shawl as a very moving and powerful experience. Recipients are visibly comforted by the actual shawl and the prayers that accompany it.

When asked about community outreach, parishioner Connie Fisher said, “If somebody in the community is in need, we pull together and help.”

Pastor Jon agreed and added that although the focus of outreach is the Emmitsburg community, “the congregation is willing to reach beyond these geographical boundaries to the ends of the earth.” In cooperation with other Emmitsburg churches and community members, they participate in the Food 4 Kids program, which provides weekend food for eligible children at Emmitsburg Elementary School and Emmitsburg Head Start. Food and financial contributions are made to the Emmitsburg Food Bank. Working with the Catoctin school district guidance counselors, members of the congregation prepare 18 Thanksgiving baskets (containing a complete holiday meal) for families in the community. They also support the Angel Tree Project at Christmas; this Seton Center ministry provides gifts for families and children in need. In addition to helping with the church outreach projects, the Elias Women’s Group distributes fruit baskets to shut-ins at Christmas, serves food during funeral luncheons, and provides teachers and materials for the Bible Study classes. They also provide health kits, containing toiletries and hygiene items, to Lutheran World Relief, an organization that distributes the kits worldwide where needed. The church has also sponsored Pastor Jon on four missionary trips to Kenya. 

Fundraising events not only support church expenses and community service, they are a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy delicious food. The annual yard sales/church suppers are held in the parish house on the first weekend in March and the first weekend in December. The suppers feature beef, ham, turkey, and all the trimmings, using recipes handed down from one generation to the next. Pastor Jon added, “Some folks come because the stewed tomatoes are so delicious. And the meat is provided by local farmers.” Residents at Lincoln on the Park and Seton Village greatly appreciate receiving delivery of the meals each year.

Church members make time for fun and fellowship. Family night in September features food and entertainment; everyone is welcome to bring a covered dish to share. The Elias Women’s Group meets for a luncheon, monthly. The annual Elias Men’s outing in August is a 60-plus-year tradition. Pastor Jon described the origin of the event, “It began as a fishing trip along the banks of the Monocacy River. The men had to catch their dinner.  Soon, one man brought corn and produce from his garden. When the fishing got bad, things went to burgers and hot dogs. Elias men give credit to wives who have supplied many delicious side dishes over the decades.”  If you like to dance or just listen to some great music, don’t miss the Dance Nights on October 19 and November 16.  

The Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation was established in 1757 in the Toms Creek area near Emmitsburg. In 1797, a stone church was built on the current site in Emmitsburg. In 2007, after many renovations, improvements, and additions to the church, the members celebrated the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the congregation. 

The Sunday service begins at 10:00 a.m. and includes scripture readings, prayers, a sermon, and sharing of peace; Communion is offered on most Sundays. Inspirational music is an important part of the service. The voice choir, led by Cheryl Carney, sings traditional and contemporary songs; the handbell choir plays at most services. In addition to Sunday services, a brief Communion Service is held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. The current Bible Study sessions are based on the book, A Woman God’s Spirit Can Guide. 

Everyone is always welcome to attend any of the services, Bible studies, fundraising events, and social activities. 

Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 100 W. North Avenue in Emmitsburg. For answers to any questions, call them at 301-447-6239 or send an email to eliasluth@gmail.com.


Pastor Jon Greenstone (on the right) and members of Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Team Kenya 2018

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Pastor Jon Greenstone, Dr. Holly Hoffman, and Phyllis Kelly are preparing for Team Kenya 2018, and looking for more persons to serve in Jesus’ name. The team will be the fourth installment in the Emmitsburg Council of Churches (ECC) effort to help a Christian school, The Pathfinder Academy, and surrounding communities in the Kimini/Kitale area of Western Kenya. The ECC, participating churches, and team members actively support this important mission.

The size of the team is limited to twelve persons. Anyone interested must contact Pr. Jon Greenstone by March 15, 2018, via telephone at 240-888-8861 or e-mail at jsgreenstone@verizon.net.

History

In 2006, members of the ECC discussed the possibility of developing an international connection to promote the spirit of Christian ecumenism. Then, in the fall of 2007, Joshua Machinga, from the Kiminini/Kitale area of western Kenya, came to visit Emmitsburg. Joshua gave an introduction to his work in teaching sustainable farming and in providing a good education for vulnerable children and orphans in the region. Joshua’s school is called Pathfinder Academy and his NGO in Kenya is known as Common Ground for Africa (CGA). Joshua described how electricity was available, but it was very expensive and not reliable in his area. Children often had no lighting with which to be able to study and do homework, and there was no refrigeration; HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Polio and other preventable diseases were common in Kenya and other nations of Africa. Joshua shared his belief that training in the foundations of the Christian Faith can help to develop mutual respect among Kenyans of differing churches and tribes. It was proposed that the ECC develop a mission service trip to go to Kenya and serve in the name of Christ. In 2008, the ECC began planning, co-organized by Pastor Jon of Elias Lutheran Church and Dr. Holly from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Team Kenya 2009 was born.

Team Kenya 2009, 2011, and 2014

Team Kenya 2009, Team Kenya 2011, and Team Kenya 2014 completed numerous projects and works for the Pathfinder Academy and the Kimini/Kitale area of western Kenya. The first mission trip for Team Kenya in 2009 paid for and helped install a water pump and was a major project for that area. The people were making five trips a day to the river for unhealthy water. The following website provides the stories of how team members contributed to these missions: www.ecckenyamission.webstarts.com/index.html.

Team Kenya 2018

Team Kenya 2018 is an excellent opportunity for Christian service. Pr. Jon, Dr. Holly, and Ms. Phyllis are veteran members, having participated in previous teams, and are available for any questions or guidance for potential new members. Team Kenya 2018 plans to travel and be on site from July 2-19, 2018. They need funds for travel, medical and dental clinic missions, Bible School, and Sustainable Agricultural Education, as well as an establishment of a Science Lab at the girls’ high school of the Pathfinder Academy. The good work of the Team Kenya 2018 is for the glory of God, and donations are always welcome.

Team Kenya’s first mission trip in 2009 paid for and helped install this water pump, a major project for that area. Now, making five trips a day to a river for unhealthy water is a thing of the past. Pastor Jon is pictured with Mama Saudra.

Phyllis Kelly, Team Kenya 2014, with Bible School Children.

Successful Mission to Kenya Made by the Emmitsburg Council of Churches

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Lindsay Brandt

The Emmitsburg Council of Churches went to Africa for two weeks in July 2014 to supply the local communities there with much needed entertainment, medical assistance, and learning opportunities.

Pastor Jon Greenstone was part of the nine-person team, dubbed “Team Kenya 2014,” who started their two-week journey by boarding a plane at Dulles Airport. After several flights, the team finally reached their mission site in the village of Kiminini, which is about fifteen miles from the larger city of Kitale, Kenya. Their trip was focused around four villages in the Kiminini and Khalwenge area.

The team was involved with two schools: Grade 9 at the Lenana Girls High School, and the Pathfinder Academy School. These African children don’t have the luxury of participating in craft sessions during their everyday life, so the team members took it upon themselves to bring a little artistic joy to the children.

Color photos were taken of every student and staff member and then printed and framed on-site for the Pathfinder Academy. The children were able to choose from a variety of colored bandanas; then they were given fabric markers to decorate them however they liked.

Gifts provided by the Emmittsburg Council of Churches included: 284 little dresses that were hand made by Carolyn Weaver, who created different patterns and designs for each dress; 20 quilts that were given to the orphans at Pathfinder; the high school girls of the Lenana were able to decorate their own tote bags; 33 soccer balls from One World Futbols were handed out to the community; and over 100 solar flashlights were given to the students and staff at Pathfinder.

It wasn’t just all fun and games, though. Medical supplies, doctors’ clinics, and informational sessions were held. There were three suitcases full of medications distributed to clinics held at Mitumbe slum, Pathfinder Academy, St. Joseph’s Girls High School, and Khalwenge village. A total of 618 patients were seen by Drs. Calvin Chatlos and Holly Hoffman, with Dr. Kathrin Muegge overseeing the blood sugar and malaria testing stations.

Over 180 pounds of medical supplies from Med Wish and several United States hospitals were delivered to Kiminini Health Center and Mitumbe Health Center.

Four hundred toothbrushes and 288 tubes of toothpaste were given out at Pathfinder Academy and the elementary school at Khalwenge village, along with information on dental hygiene.

Marie Hoffman, who was equipped with an auto-refractor—purchased by Dr. Drew Stoken in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for this and future missions—performed over 300 eye exams. The 180 students who were determined to need prescription lenses will receive them within the next few months, once they are shipped or flown to Kenya.

“Helping Babies Breathe” training was provided at the four different health groups: Mbai, Makwangwa, Kiminini Health Center, and Muthangare. Pediatrician Holly Hoffman provided training to each village, and they were given kits that included an ambu bad, stethoscope, towels, bulb suction devices, hats, cord clamps, and blankets.

Packets of ten different varieties of non-GMO seeds were distributed to 450 families at Biointensive Agriculture workshops at four villages in Kiminini and Khalwenge.

Pastor Jon held worship twice a day with Pathfinder Academy students and was assisted by Merri Sayler, a Methodist Deacon at Trinity UMC of Emmitsburg, and Lisa Riffle of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Thurmont. Bible school was held for the students of Pathfinder Academy, Lenana Girls High School, and at Khalwenge villiage by Phyllis Kelly, Tracy Sebold, Betsy Miller, Lisa Riffle, and Merri Sayler.

Over 400 Bibles were distributed among the men, women, and children of Kiminini and Khalwenge.

The nine members of Team Kenya returned to the United States tired and exhausted, but with new friends and memories that will last a lifetime.