t h e s t a r - episcopal diocese of...

The Star—September

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I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Senior Warden 2

Calendar 3

Music opportunities

Dorothy’s Ordination

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Jr. & Sr. Youth News

Coffee Hour

Sit N Stitch

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Shrine Mont Retreat

Blessing of Backpack

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Adult Formation

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Worship Leaders 8

T H E V I E W F R O M M Y W I N D O W . . .

WHO WE ARE:

The Church of the Epiph-

any is one of 181 parishes

of the Episcopal Diocese

of Virginia, which is one

of 110 dioceses in The

Episcopal Church (USA),

one of 44 member

churches in the worldwide

Anglican Communion.

T H E C H U R C H O F T H E E P I P H A N Y

T H E S T A R September 2014

Endings and beginnings – it’s on my mind, not surprisingly. Our remaining time together

is short – just a month – so it feels like we will have a lot of “last time we do this” mo-

ments. But there are also signs of beginnings.

One of them is a familiar and simple one: on September 7, we will celebrate the begin-

ning of the program year with our annual “Blessing of the Backpacks and Briefcases.”

We will look forward to the year to come, either in school, at work, or at home. We

don’t know what the year will bring – perhaps a surprising love of reading or math, or

the opportunity to star in the school musical, or a promotion at work, or a plan for re-

tirement coming to fruition. But we look forward with a mixture of joy and trepidation.

By the way, don’t forget to join us for the Ice Cream Social immediately after the 10:30

service, courtesy of Chapter 11, our men’s group!

It’s the same for our look ahead at new beginnings at Epiphany. The middle school and

the senior youth are reshaping their curriculum, using new materials and planning new

activities. Diana Stone and Ann Hampton will be partnering in this, and it should be ex-

citing. There will be some adjustment of class groupings in the lower grades of Sunday

School, reflecting the current ages of students. Adult forums will continue – I’ll be doing

some interesting stuff with the Book of Genesis over the next few weeks – and I expect

that whoever comes in as interim will continue leading Adult Forums.

Dr. Dorothy White will be ordained to the transitional diaconate – the next step toward

priesthood – on September 13th here at Epiphany. We will celebrate her beginning in

this ministry with great joy and pride.

In early October, The Rev. Canon Pat Wingo will be coming to the Vestry meeting to

start the process of seeking a new rector. Some of you have asked why I will not be do-

ing this, since this is precisely the work I have been asked by the Bishop to do. Frankly, it

would get in the way of you getting used to me not being around, and it would distract

you from the work you need to do. But I will certainly be praying for you in this process

(and probably asking the occasional question of Pat).

New beginnings – do you remember the feeling when you were in school? Not knowing

what’s happening or what’s around the next bend, but curious as well? Let’s live into

that feeling secure in the knowledge that God has our backs. As Dame Julian of Norwich

said, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”

Let the adventure begin!

Peace,

Mary+

Sympathy 9

ECW 10

Days of Blessing 11

Just the Facts 12


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Senior Warden’s Report ~ Ann Henderson

The income for the summer is down slightly, as it often is with parishioners away on vacation, but

we are still within our budget and on track for the year.

CARITAS visited Epiphany the week of July 19 -26. The ladies were well tended with good meals,

fellowship and even manicures offered this year. Thank you to all who participated and made

Epiphany home for these women.

Mary+ has announced that she will be leaving us for a new position with the Diocese. We wish

her well and are so proud that she has been chosen for this position. Please keep Mary+ and the

Vestry in your prayers as we move forward and work on plans for Epiphany’s future.

Stewardship is right around the corner and you have already been hearing about various programs

and activities that your tithe provides for us at Epiphany and even throughout the Diocese. We

will be in transition this years so it is important that we all continue to support the work of Epipha-

ny through our pledges.

A few years ago I felt that my spending was getting out of control and after much prayer and

searching I found a Financial Peace University class being taught at St. Martins. For the first class

I was prepared to be embarrassed by how high my debt was, but quickly discovered all of us in

the class had gotten in debt that we all wanted to overcome. The class allows for as much ano-

nymity as possible. You are never asked to tell how much you owe, or how you got into debt.

What you do get is a biblical based teaching of how to get out of debt, one step at a time. It was

hard and the night I had to take all my credit cards in and have them shredded I nearly cried.

Gee I earned points and store credits for using the cards after all.

Without giving you the entire class here I wanted to share two valuable lessons that I learned in

the class. The first was that if you have a tight grasp on your money then your hand is balled into

a fist and since money cannot leave, money cannot come in either. The second was to step out in

faith and test the Lord. Until then I had put something in the collection plate but never really

trusted that what I gave would come back. So that year I filled out my first pledge card for Epiph-

any. I started small that year sort of a test to see what would happen and I never missed the

money that I gave. In the years since I have grown my tithe each year giving a little more. You

may be surprised that a $5 increase can make a big difference to Epiphany with little difference in

your personal lifestyle. Maybe one less lunch out, or favorite beverage, or … you can fill in the

blank. So as you consider your pledge this year I ask that you pray for guidance and step out in

faith by raising your tithe even a dollar and just see how the Lord blesses you.

Blessing,

Ann


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September Parish Calendar


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Save the Date: Dorothy White will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate — the next step toward priesthood —on September 13th here at Epiphany. We will celebrate her beginning in this ministry with great joy and pride.

Ample Opportunities for Music

Our choir rehearsal schedule will start up September 4th with weekly rehears-als for the chancel choir and Handbells will start September 18th.

Handbell Choir: Will meet on Thursdays @ 7:30 pm.

Chancel Choir: We have a need for all voice parts and even “tune only” singers. We will meet on Thursdays @ 6:15 pm.

Occasional Choir: We will have an occasional group to sing every couple months or during special seasons or services. We will rehearse on Sundays after church close to the time of our singing. This is an excellent opportunity for those who may be new to choir participation or not ready to commit to weekly rehearsals or those who want to do more singing.

Please talk to Anita or any choir member to help

“make a joyful noise.”


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The middle school and the senior youth are reshaping their curriculum,

using new materials and planning new activities. Diana Stone and Anne

Hampton will be partnering in this and it should be exciting.

Jr. & Sr. Youth News

Sit N Stitch Gathering!

will be starting back in September—- the 4th Tuesday, September 23rd

@ 7:00 pm.

Watch for more details!

Coffee Hour Sundays we offer refreshments after the 10:30 service. These can be very

simple – just some cookies and some grapes or veggies, plus coffee and lem-

onade for the kids. Please sign up to help with coffee hour (if you haven’t

done it before and are nervous about it, ask an “old hand” to partner with

you).


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Shrine Mont Parish Retreat

The parish retreat at Shrine Mont is next month,

October 24-26!

We will begin sign ups at Coffee Hour on September 14th. Members of the committee will be on hand to provide more information about our weekend of “Making Memo-ries”.

Blessing of the Backpacks On Sunday, September 7th, as we start a new program year, and as

many of our children are beginning the school year, we will have a

blessing of the backpacks and briefcase at the 10:30 AM service. Please

bring your backpack (or your briefcase or totebag if you are an adult)

and place it in front of the altar before the service. After the offertory,

we will ask God’s blessing on our work using these tools in the coming

year!


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Adult Forum

The Book Group

They are reading a new book, Mary Coin, a novel by Marisa Silver. Join us in the parlor

@ 11:00 AM on Mondays.

For the month of September, we will take a deeper look at four stories from the oldest part of the

Bible, the book of Genesis. Come and be surprised by what you may have never noticed in these

seemingly familiar stories!

September 7, 2014 In the Beginning: the Creation Story/Stories. How do we make sense of

them? Are they literal stories? Were Adam and Eve real people? The answers – or lack of them –

may surprise you!

September 14, 2014 Abraham and Sarah: Who’s Your Daddy? We’ll look at the story of the prime-

val patriarch and matriarch of Israel, and discover just how flawed righteous people can be.

September 21, 2014 The Binding of Isaac. This is one of the most troubling stories in the Bible,

where Abraham takes his son up the mountain to sacrifice him to satisfy God.

September 28, 2014 Joseph and his Brothers. We may have seen the story in “Joseph and the

Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” but the whole story is a lot more ambiguous. Learn about the

questions some scholars have about this sibling rivalry tale.

Each session is on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Grab a cup of coffee and join us!


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Worship Leaders for September

10:30 Ushers: Frosine Corbett, Sandy Ruder, Denise Russell, Kathy Nicholas

Counters: Karen & Randy Holden

September 7 — Pentecost 13

Altar Guild: Kathy Jimerson, Melba Shumaker,

Pam Pegram

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Chuck Strabley

Reader:

Chalice:

10:30 AM—Holy Eucharist

Lessons:

Prayers: Ann Schaefer

Chalice: Ann Schaefer

Acolytes: Hana Elionai, Gift Elionai, Logan Abernathy, Claudia

Abernathy

Greeters: Christine Couturier, Irene Temple

Nursery: Christine & Caroline Couturier


Altar Guild: Joyce Melton, Karen Holden


Usher: Herb Williams

Reader:

Chalice:


Lessons: Stacy Mitchell

Prayers: Gray Corbett

Chalice: Stacy Mitchell

Acolytes: Zack Nixon, Bailey Nixon, Caroline Couturier,

Lucas Couturier

Greeters: Joyce Melton, Aggie Gallagher

Nursery: Karen Holden, Sandy Ruder


Altar Guild: Dottie Strabley, Lucy Whitlock, Lauryn Boyd


Usher: George Baynes

Reader:

Chalice:


Lessons: Randy Holden

Prayers:

Chalice: Gray Corbett

Acolyte: Stephanie Holden, Morgan Green, Ava Whittle-

sey, Camille Wood

Greeters: Megan O’Toole, Buddy Dunn

Nursery: Joy Baynes, Peggy Wilson


Altar Guild: Betty Fore, Susan Josenhans, Barbara Johnson


Usher: Tad Blackburn

Reader:

Chalice:


Lessons: B.J. Giannini, Gray Corbett

Prayers

Chalice: Ann Schaefer

Acolytes: Hunter Mitchell, Jay Tucker, Austin White, Alex

White

Greeters: Kristin Carver, Sam Craver

Nursery: Dwight Ludwig, Scott Blackwell


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Fellowship Activities

Want to go to Brunch in September ? Sunday, September21st, after the 10:30 service,

the ‘lunch brunch group’ will be going to O’Charley’s, Horsepen & Broad.

If you are interested please contact Jean Riddick, 264-0935,

or call Lucy in the office, 266-2503

Sympathy The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extend-

ed to Anne Scoggin & family on the death of her mother,

Roseanne Stockwell, who died on Sunday, July 13th. May

her soul and souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Change of Address: Ray & Charlotte Lovelace

1550 Westminster Canterbury Way # 7409

Richmond, Virginia 23227

Phone: 804 200-1065


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Happy Birthday

Sept. 1 Shirley Hughson

Sept. 4 Mary Kate Gallagher

Katelyn Van Valkenburg

Sept. 8 Ann-Claire Wood

Mike Schulte

Sept. 9 Gayla Jones

Sept. 10 Fred Bales

Sept. 13 Hugh Rawlins, Jr.

Jackie Martin

Jake Rojas

Sydney Rojas

Sept. 15 Jessica Ruder

Ann Henderson

Brian Couturier

Raymelle Grigsby

Sept. 16 Carol Burley

Sept. 20 Joy Baynes

Karen Tucker

Dot Hudson

Sept. 21 Caitlin Mitchell Wurster

Emmaline Elizabeth Guyer

Sept. 22 Bertha Morgan

Sept. 24 Anita Williams

Zach Nixon

Sept. 25 Megan Nixon

Sept. 27 Adrian Mitchell

Sept. 28 Randy Holden

Sept. 29 Mark Facetti

Karen Tucker

Happy Anniversary

Sept. 4 Nicholas & Elizabeth Wolf

Sept. 7 Paul & Debbie Jones

Sept. 8 Ron & Denise Russell

Eddie & Penny Johnson

Sept. 14 Wayne & Lucy Whitlock

Sept. 19 Brian & Christine Couturier

Tad & Elizabeth Blackburn

Sept. 20 Kevin & Jennifer Whitlock

Sept. 26 Andy & Stephanie Rutledge

Days of Blessing in SeptemberDays of Blessing in September

Those who are ill or have special needs:

In Our Parish Family: Carl Burley, Ray Hampton, Peggy Adleman, Dot Hudson, Dottie Strabley, Walter Reid, Ray Lovelace, Bob Jimerson,

Bob Giannini, Tillie Freeze, Hugh Rawlins Sr., Lynne Eppes, Charles Poindexter

Those in Care Facilities or Homebound especially: Connie Neal, Marietta Spring, Ruth Williams, Juliet Wynne

Those Serving in the Armed Forces especially: Matt Guyer, Amanda Hoffert, David Hoffert, Patrick Lineberry, Dennis Miller, Caitlin Mitch-

ell, Bryan Murphy, Billy Tucker, Andrew Smith, and Chris Tuck

Prayers for those expecting a child: Bryan & Catherine Turner, Cory & Jessica Isemann, Matt & Leslie Guyer

Prayers for family & friends:

Prayers for Healing, Wholeness, Comfort, Guidance, and Safe Travel: Kathryn Cook-friend of Connie Neal, Mary Stockdell—daughter-in-

law of Susan Josenhans, Stuart & Jean Swink—sister & brother-in-law of Irene Morris, Becky Smith—friend of Melba Shumaker, Jeff Eppes—

brother of Jim Eppes, Conrad Lawrence—Aggie Gallagher’s brother, Gary Peper—Lucy Whitlock’s brother-in-law, Bucky Turner—friend of

Jenn Whitlock, Rick Lawrence —Jan Lawrence’s son, Luke Murphy—Ray & Charlotte Lovelace’s great-grandson, James McCoy—Sue Rasmussen’s

friend, Mary Brooks—mother of Anita Williams, Bill Wells—friend of Sarah Jenkins, Carl Powell—brother of Shirley Hughson, Mary Anna Phil-

lips—friend of Sue Rasmussen, Paul Bonuccelli & Barbara Malloy—-uncle & cousin of Jeannie Riddick, James Stillman—friend of Milton Jenkins,

Braton Shewey—husband of Nancy Shewey, Elsie Corbett—Gray Corbett’s mother, Johnny Jorstad—Martha Jenkins son, Pierce Mitchell—

grandson of Lee & Ann Poates, Tom Jenkins—Milton Jenkin’s brother, Karen Clements—friend & coworker of Anne Hampton, Billy Whitlock—

nephew of Joyce Whitlock, Jason Poston — friend of Susie Wasiluk.

Prayers for the departed: Roseanne Stockwell

Standing in the Need of PrayerStanding in the Need of Prayer


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Just the Facts:

Leadership and Contact Information at

Church of the Epiphany

Office address: 8000 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: 804-266-2503 [email protected]

The Very Rev. Mary Brennan Thorpe, Rector Cell phone: 804-221-3421 [email protected]

The Rev. Canon Charles Poindexter, Priest in Residence

The Rev. Deacon Harrison Higgins, IV, Deacon

Lucy Whitlock, Office Administrator [email protected]

Anita Williams, Music Director

Timon Kenyi, Sexton

Vestry

Ann Henderson, Senior Warden Aggie Gallagher, Junior Warden

Marty Shephard, Treasurer

Sam Craver, Register

Christine Couturier (2014) Aggie Gallagher (2014)

Ann Henderson (2014)

Kristin Carver (2015) Sam Craver (2015)

Joyce Melton (2015)

Buddy Dunn (2016) Megan O’Toole (2016)

Irene Temple (2016)

Office Hours :

Lucy is in the office Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm. Call before stopping by

to make sure someone is here to let you in. Mary+ is usually in the office Monday through

Thursday, unless she is out visiting parishioners or attending meetings. She can always be

reached on her cell phone (221-3421).

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