Emmanuel Rector Recommends Putting Others First By Emma Boyce
O
n a sweltering Sunday in July, Reverend Gene LeCouteur gathered his parishioners outside the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Middleburg to hold the first in-person church service since the rise of COVID-19. It was a different atmosphere, one without handshakes or hugging; even Holy Communion was held for another day. Though not your usual service, nothing demonstrated the Biblical adage “love thy neighbor as thyself ” more than donning masks and maintaining a careful distance.
Since 2007
Reverend Gene LeCouteur at a recent Blessing of the Animals.
“In a lot of ways we think about going to church for healing, at least in a spiritual sense, and certainly getting COVID-19 would not be a very healing experience,” said Rev. LeCouteur, who has been experimenting with virtual services, usually shot from his phone, since the church shut its physical doors at the start of quarantine. “Like anyone, we want to give hugs and shake hands and get close to people that we care about and we can’t. It will be hard, but we’re going to be in this for a while, so we need to cultivate patience. “It’s about thinking of others before ourselves and our selfish wants and desires. Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself, which today translates into, I don’t want to get sick so I’m going to do whatever I can to not make you sick.” Rev. LeCouteur hasn’t always been a man of the cloth. He’s worked in gourmet food service, made electric guitars, attended business school. Even in seminary school, he never envisioned himself as a priest until his professors, noticing his penchant for academia, urged him to obtain a Masters of Divinity.
With the help of his parishioners, Rev. LeCouteur established “First Fridays.”In a pre-COVID world, a group of parishioners would gather the first Friday of each month to make food and write cards for the homebound, ill or the others in need, both in and outside the church. Problematic pockets of isolation that existed before COVID have only been made worse by quarantine. Rev LeCouteur encourages people to find safe ways to keep in touch with friends and family, from face-time to the antiquated written letter. “Maybe it’s like that television show, Home Improvement,” he said. “Sit in your backyard and talk to your neighbor through the fence. Check in with people. If you know someone who is really isolated give them a call, stick a note on their door, let people know you’re thinking about them. Stop thinking about COVID, and start enjoying the breeze or the flowers in your backyard. Or take a walk with your mask on.”
• • • • • • • •
Hot Foods Hotdogs Pizza Big Bites Wings & more Healthy Choices Sandwiches Bakery Breakfast Pizza Snacks Ice Cream Candy AND MORE...
• Coffee • Slurpee® • Juices • Beer • Wine • Energy Shots • Big Gulp • AND MORE ...
7-Eleven was the first to provide to-go coffee cups!
• Gift Cards • Financial Services • Get Stimulus Ready
• Gas • Diesel • Propane
$
7-ELEVEN
FUN FACTS
7-Eleven was the first to operate 24 hours a day!
GROCERIES
• • • • • •
MONEY
“I was really impressed by the quality of the people here and how dedicated they were to the community that surrounds the church,” he said. “This isn’t just a chapel of convenience for them.”
7-Eleven and their brands are a big part of the American culture and are recognized worldwide. The Marshall 7-Eleven is your go-to convenience store for food, beverages, money related items, fuel, general grocery items and so much more! Check out some of our offerings ...
FUEL
In 2017, after serving nine years at St. Stephens, Rev. LeCouteur moved to Emmanuel on All Saints Day. Downsizing from a congregation of 4,500 to about 120, the change has allowed him not only to be more creative in his work, but also to form closer relationships with his parishioners.
—Joe C. Thompson Jr., 7-Eleven Founder
BEVERAGES
“It was a great place for me to stretch myself and learn from a lot of smart people,” said. Rev LeCouteur, one of six priests at St. Stephens. “I was able to take this experience to Middleburg and see what works in a smaller setting.”
YOUR HOMETOWN GO-TO CONVENIENCE STORE “Give the customers what they want, when and where they want it.”
FOOD
Before graduating, he completed a non-parish teaching internship at Virginia Commonwealth University and a parish internship at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Richmond, one of the largest parishes in the Episcopal Church. That soon turned into the job that would eventually lead him to the priesthood.
MARSHAL 7-ELEVEN
• • • • • •
Milk Bread Cereal Medication Laundry Car Maintenance • Telephone Chargers • Batteries • AND SO MUCH MORE ...
7-Eleven was the first to offer a self-serve soda fountain! 7-Eleven coined the phrase “Brain-Freeze®”!
As a franchise owner and an active member of my community, I’m proud to be a part of the 7-Eleven and Marshall, VA story. Stop by and see us! — Bernice Simpson
Country ZEST & Style | Autumn 2020
21
