In our recent Sunday morning formation sessions during which we addressed teenage

suicide and confronted bullying, I referenced our vision for formation at Epiphany. We say

in our guiding statement that we are a congregation being formed from cradle to grave as

disciples of the living Christ. In shorthand, this means that our children and young people

each understand themselves as baptized children of God above every other label or identity

that they may have or that another may want to give to them. It is the same for all of us,

child or adult.

Our baptismal identity is the starting place for the age-old questions of human existence:

Who are we? Why are we here? What are we to do? Our identity and calling come from

God. It is the sin — “missing the mark” — that gets us confused and chasing after the false

offers of life. It is sin that causes us to pay more attention to

the voices of others than to the voice of the One who made us

and loves us.

In baptism we take on the very identity of Christ. Clothed

in Christ, united in his death and resurrection, and claimed

forever, we are called to be “Light for the world.” We live to

be a blessing to others and by this calling we are promised

that we too will be blessed.

We say quite frequently at Epiphany that as people of God

we are always faced with two stories, two narratives, two

worldviews, and two sets of values — that of the world and

that of the church. Only one can be true. The two dichotomies are so different that they

both can’t be true. To be authentic to our identity and calling means that we can’t have

split allegiances. Jesus addressed this in his Sermon on the Mount. No one can serve

two masters.

Epiphany is at a very important crossroads in our life as a congregation. Whether we

will truly claim the high calling and promise given to us as this congregation named

“the manifestation of God in the world” will not be about new strategic plans or new

“programs.” It will be about each and every one of us attending to our sacred formation

and together becoming the people God has already said we are.

When we understand ourselves as baptized children of God as the prime identity and

calling in our lives, there is a reordering of our lives. There is the reordering of our lives

THE BEACON Inside this issue:

New local

outreach partner

2

Report from

leadership retreat

3

Focus on

Chemen Lavi Miyo

4

EPIC formation 6

Flashlights 7

Epiphany Lutheran Church

March 2013

Standing on the Promises

Who are we? Why are we here?

What are we to do? Pastor Rick Barger

Continued on Page 2

Easter

Resurrection

Worship

8, 9:30 & 11 am

Invite a friend!

“Our baptismal

identity is the starting

place for the age-old

questions of human

existence.”

around what we have named The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light. There is the reordering of

our resources so that more of what we have can be deployed to bless and heal the

world. There is a reordering of our hearts to where we begin to ache with the same

aches that break God’s heart. There is a reordering of our dreams where our dreams

are the dreams of God. As we heard from II Corinthians 5 recently, we can no longer

understand ourselves from a human point of view. If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new

creation. The old has passed away. Everything has become new.

Standing on the Promises Pastor Rick, continued from page 1

Page 2 THE BEACON

“When we understand

ourselves as baptized

children of God as the

prime identity and

calling of our lives,

there is a reordering

of our lives.”

New local outreach partner

Epiphany makes promise to Rainbow Village

At the annual gathering in early February, Epiphany

affirmed Rainbow Village as a new local outreach

partner. Located in Duluth, Rainbow Village is a

transitional housing program — a place where

homeless families with children find refuge to recover

and rebuild their lives with the love and support of a

community based family surrounding them. Most of the

heads of household at Rainbow Village are women that have fled lives of domestic

violence and poverty.

In February, during the Sunday formation hour, representatives from Rainbow Village

shared information about homelessness and the Rainbow Village program. We also

were privileged to hear from Lizzie, a former resident who left a situation of domestic

violence to reside at Rainbow Village and successfully moved out of the program. The

multi-year program (generally 18 months to two years) offers support services for the

entire family — skills training, character building, counseling, career development,

after-school programs, financial education, and more. The goal for Rainbow Village and

its residents is to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence for

the long term. Now home to 12 families, Rainbow Village plans to expand its campus

over the next five years to house and support 30 families, with homes as well as an

on-site Family Service Center and an Education/Recreation/Daycare building.

Our Outreach Mission Team is exploring ways for Epiphany people to engage with

Rainbow Village leaders and families. Already Epiphany has served at a booth at the

Christmas Village Lighting Festival and hosted a birthday gathering, and this July we

will host a meal for the families. Additionally, by vote at the annual gathering, 2% of

first fruits funds from the capital appeal are designated for Rainbow Village.

Plan to attend the Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, April 27, 10 to 11 am.

This is a necessary session if you’d like to have the opportunity of working directly

with Rainbow Village families. Sign up with Rainbow Village; visit Epiphany’s website

for more information, epiphanysuwanee.org/servegwinnett. (Rainbow Village will offer

Volunteer Orientation sessions later this year if you cannot attend the April session.)

The cookie decorating booth was a

sweet stop for children at the “Light the

Village” festival at Rainbow Village.

Some 15 Epiphany people served at the

booth and assisted with setup and take

down for the festival, which was held in

the Village’s parking lot prior to the

outdoor tree lighting.

March 2013 Page 3

Reaching and Forming in Overdrive

Leadership team on retreat in February

Our new leadership team gathered off-site near Dahlonega in mid-February,

setting aside time for formation and fellowship as they begin a new year in

mission. The team — made up of leaders on Epiphany’s six mission teams — was

affirmed at the annual gathering on February 3rd; the elected leaders were joined

by Epiphany’s team of paid servants for the overnight retreat.

Friday evening focused on fellowship and getting to know one another using the

Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator. On Saturday, the team spent time on formation —

contemplating the covenant God makes with us and the covenant we make with

God as the church and each of us as a child of God. The group also discussed

Epiphany’s goals for the coming year, with “Reaching and Forming in Overdrive”

emerging as the overall missional objective.

Leaders are now developing a covenant for all Epiphany leaders and also are in

discussion about what “Reaching and Forming in Overdrive” will mean for 2013

and how it will begin to inform the missional goals for the 2014 - 2016 capital

appeal. Updates will be shared at the Spring Missional Gathering on Saturday,

May 4th (9:00 am, with Continental breakfast at 8:30).

Epiphany’s 2013 Leadership Team

Reach Team

Tracy Solheim, team leader

Glen Bergs

Eric Bluhm

Denise Meng

Steve Volpert

Lead Servant Team

Pat Barron, President

Sandy Pullara, president-elect

Betty Benardo

Susan Heck

Art Herchen

Bob Means

Brian Mullenbach

Formation Team

Roger Franklin, team leader

Paula Atkins

Sally Berger

Candace Perkola

Amy Reed

Leaders discussed in small groups Epiphany’s

missional goals for 2013 and the writing of a

leadership covenant.

Outreach Team

Loren Means, team leader

Tom Condon

Paul Evans

Isabelle Franklin

Laurie Tinc

Worship Life Team

Kris Perkola, team leader

Karen McKnight

Sharon Seufert

Tami Sherrick

Rainey Thompson

Congregational Life Team

Julie Belfield, team leader

Lisa Condon

Landa Larson

Judy McHenry

Tim Sanders

Page 4 THE BEACON

Chemen Lavi Miyò - A reflection from Erin Murphy

No one has ever asked her about her dreams

Editor’s note: In January, a team of Epiphany people and friends spent one week on an immersion trip in Haiti. The team shared messages from Haiti during worship on February 3rd. Following is an excerpt of the sermon message from team member Erin Murphy.

Koulye a se twa bagay sa yo ki toujou la: se

konfyans, se espwa, se renmen. Men, nan twa

bagay sa yo, se renmen ki pi gran. And now

these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But

the greatest of these is love.

For those whose only window

into Haiti is the evening news or

pictures they have seen on

CNN.com, they only are aware of

devastation, corruption, extreme

poverty and the absence of all

faith, hope, and love. Over the

course of our week in Haiti, we

had a chance to meet each of the

Haitian partner organizations that

receive support from Epiphany

through HTF, and we experienced

situations and met with individuals

who provide an alternate ending

to those news stories. ...

Near the end of the week we took

a bus to Mirebalais, which is in the

Centre Department of Haiti, about

60 kilometers north of Port-au-

Prince. There we met up with

some of our new heroes, CLM

caseworkers, each of whom visits

their 40 to 50 client families weekly.

Our team was split into two

groups and we set off to visit

families who have been in the

program three to six months. …

We felt as if we had walked back in time

instead of just half a mile off the main road.

There are two women who stand out in my

mind. The first was a woman whom my

group visited. Here name is Belinda, she is

22 and she has two children. With Verbo

[Jean-Julien, HTF leader] as our interpreter,

we learned her story. Belinda lives in a

one-room wood and mud home, which

floods every time it rains, with her youngest

daughter, Lovemika and her husband (who

referred to CLM as a visit from God). Their

goat, which was purchased with the help of

CLM, had just had twins. Belinda and her

husband had built their latrine across the

river, on land gifted by his father, land

where they are going to build their new

weather-proof home. [Please read about

the CLM program in the sidebar on the

next page.]

At one point, Laurie [Tinc, immersion trip

team member] and I asked Belinda what

her dreams are for the future. Verbo

translated our question, she answered, he

asked her another question, she responded

… and this went on for at least three

minutes. He finally turned to us and said,

“She wants a house with a roof that doesn’t

leak every time it rains. She wants her

children to have a better life than hers, and

she hopes that they can use their education

to move out of the extreme poverty in

which they currently live. Sorry it took me

awhile to get her to answer your question,”

Verbo said. “No one has ever asked her

about her dreams.”

(Top left) Erin Murphy (left) visits with a CLM client. CLM invests in women with children who live in

extreme poverty in Haiti — so extreme that they are not counted in the nation’s census.

(Center left) Photos of a CLM family’s home “before” and “after.” CLM enables families to build a stable

home with a latrine and water filter.

(Below left) CLM client Belinda hopes for a better life for her children through the education that CLM is

now helping them to receive (pictured with daughter Lovemika).

Page 5 March 2013

CLM 2013 Graduates

Living a miracle

The second woman who stole my heart was

someone I didn’t meet, as she was visited

by the other half of our team. When they

arrived at her house, she was not there and

the caseworkers asked another villager

where she was. Minutes later the woman

came running through the woods, full

speed, toward the group and her home. She

slipped inside the house and returned with

a special lace curtain, which she hung over

the door for her honored guests. You see,

before she entered the CLM program the

only people who came around were those

who wanted to take something from her or

abuse her in some way. Before CLM she

never had visitors who wanted to meet her

and learn about her life.

The pride and dignity in the faces and

posture of all of the women we met that day

forever will be seared in my memory. When

it was time to go, the team said goodbye

and began walking back to the road where

the tap tap [a bus or pickup truck that

serves as a share taxi in Haiti] was parked.

As they neared the road, this same woman

came running again and tugged on the

sleeve of Nasim [Omar, immersion trip

team member], pointing down to Nasim’s

untied shoe. Before Nasim had a chance to

bend down, this woman fell to her knees

and began to tie her shoe. This woman, who

did not have shoes of her own, tied Nasim’s

shoe. There are hundreds more stories like

these from our time in Haiti. I hope you will

consider visiting Haiti yourself to experience

this abundance of God’s grace firsthand.

You too will ask the question that we asked

over and over: “Who’s serving whom?”

And now these three remain: faith, hope,

and love. But the greatest of these — the

one that always wins and can change the

world — is love. Mèsi anpil. Bondye beni ou.

On March 14th, families sponsored by

Epiphany, through HTF, graduated from

the 18-month CLM program. Epiphany was

honored to be in attendance at the ceremony

in Haiti, represented by our Pastor Rick and

Susan Ditore, who shared the experience

with Epiphany during the formation hour

on Sunday, March 17th. It was confirmed at

that Sunday session that Epiphany, joining

with other HTF partners, will this fall invest

in a new group of 100 ultra-poor families

who will be given hope by the opportunity

of stepping onto “a path to a better life”

through the CLM program.

Visit Epiphany’s website, epiphanysuwanee.org/servehaiti,

to view a brief video of the graduation ceremony.

CLM transforms lives.

Chemen Livi Miyò is an

18-month program

developed by Fonkoze,

Haiti’s leading microfinance

institution. Epiphany,

through HTF, has invested in

CLM families since Fall 2008.

CLM provides one-on-one

mentorship, assets (goats,

chickens, merchandise) to

start a small business,

assistance with home

repairs and access to safe

drinking water, access to

healthcare, and enrolling

children in school — all for

an investment of just

$1,500 per family. Learn

more by visiting the HTF

booth in Epiphany’s Holy

Beans Café or the HTF

website, htflive.org.

(clockwise, from left) The CLM

graduates, dressed in their best,

sang as they made their way into

the ceremony. Some of the

graduates shared their story with

those assembled. Oracienne

Barthellemy proudly received her

graduation certificate from Pastor

Rick and Gauthier Dieudonne,

CLM Program Director, Fonkoze.

THE BEACON Page 6

Epiphany has some EPIC formation planned for children and youth. For Epiphany, as a

matter of principle, EPIC — experiential, participatory, image-driven, and communal —

shapes and designs all of our activities that are intentional for formation. (See Epiphany’s

document, Greenhouse of Hope: Forming People Who Will Change the World. Copies are

available through the church office.) Epiphany’s upcoming spring and summer formation

sessions offer our children and youth the opportunity to experience the story of God’s

amazing grace.

CIA Spring Retreat, Lutheridge, April 19 - 21 Middle school youth will be joined by

CIA adult guides and Real Time (high school) mentors for a retreat at Lutheridge, near

Arden, North Carolina. It will be a weekend of worship, relationship building, and

empowerment toward being the church together. Participants will particularly focus on

the six young men and women who will publicly affirm their faith through the Rite of

Confirmation on May 19th.

Confirmation Camp, Lutherock, June 9 - 15 The annual week at Camp Lutherock

for our middle school youth is the kickoff for the new year of Epiphany’s Confirmands in

Action, with rising sixth graders joining the group. Participants in camp grow in Christ in a

stunning outdoor setting with lots of outdoor and adventure activities. Epiphany is joined

for the week by youth and adult leaders from St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Longwood, FL.

(Our CIA youth traveled to Longwood in February for fellowship and service with their

St. Stephen friends.)

Haiti Youth Servant Trip, June 29 - July 7 High school and college youth return to

Haiti to help lead Fèt Bondye Bò Lanmè — God’s Party by the Sea. This day camp provides

fun and encouragement to more than 250 Haitian children. Epiphany’s team of 18 youth

and adult leaders will be joined this year by teams from HTF partner congregations in

Colorado and Nebraska.

Please reach out to the children of Haiti through your generous support of the camp.

Epiphany youth are now raising funds — our share is $18,000, which provides for the

expenses of the camp and some housing expense for our youth. (Youth pay the cost

of travel, and adult leaders cover the full cost of their travel and housing in Haiti.)

See the flyer about the HTF Spring Classic golf tournament inserted with this

newsletter; please share the tournament information with friends and co-workers.

VBS: Kingdom Rock, July 22 - 26 This summer, children preK through 5th grade

will experience an adventure that empowers them to stand strong for God. The evening

VBS sessions will be filled with science fun, games, songs, and tasty treats that will help

faith flow into real life.

If you are an adult or teenager who wants to help with VBS, be sure that you have

completed Epiphany’s Child Protection Training; sessions will be offered in June. You

can learn more about the Child Protection Policy on Epiphany’s website.

EPIC formation for children, youth

Retreat, camp, mission trip, VBS ahead

Page 7 March 2013

Flash Lights

New Members Welcomed in March

Epiphany welcomed 23 new people into

our life together:

Ed and Colleen Aring

Anne Arris

Jason and Dawn Garner

Daisy, Mary, and Emily Hall

John and Nancy McLellen

Hunter McLellen, Becky and Nick Clark

Rod and Marie Olson

Kyle and Alix Renuart

Kelsi and Jake

Don and Joyce Saylor

Dave and Debbie Thomas

Calendar Highlights

April 15 Epiphany University, 7 pm

April 19 - 21 CIA Spring Retreat

April 24 Cookout for Haiti Summer

Camp, 6 pm

May 2 HTF Spring Classic Golf

Tournament

May 4 Spring Missional Gathering,

9 am (Breakfast, 8:30 am)

May 11 Annual Yard Sale

May 19 Rite of Confirmation, 11 am

June 9 - 15 Confirmation Camp

Lutherock)

June 29 -

July 7 Haiti Youth Servant Trip

July 22 - 26 VBS: Kingdom Rock

We Will Make a Difference Epiphany’s Capital Appeal

2011 - 2013

Goal: $1.1 million Pledged: $930,720

As of February 28, 2013

Epiphany University, a recurring adult

formation series, is a missional approach

to deep study of the scriptures and biblical

theology. The Spring 2013 offering will

meet for five weeks on Mondays at 7 pm,

April 15 - May 13. We gather in the Holy

Beans Cafe ; childcare is provided at no

charge.

The Spring topic, “Being Saved: What it

means in today’s world with today’s

issues,” will look deeply into what “being

saved” means today. The Gospel of Luke

and its sequel, the Book of Acts, offer a

clear vision of what it means to be saved.

As the infant church gets going, the author

tells us, “And day by day the Lord added to

their number those who were being

saved.” (Acts 2:47) Central to Luke/Acts is

God’s astonishing gift of salvation —

what it is, how it grasps us, and how it

changes us.

Pastor Rick leads the Spring 2013

sessions. The Gospel of Luke and Book of

Acts served as the primary biblical source

for Pastor Rick’s doctoral dissertation

and his book, and the texts continue to

shape his ministry.

Please plan to join us. Epiphany University

sessions have proved to be challenging,

provocative, and energizing!

Recurring formation series for adults

Epiphany University offers deep, missional study

$ 667,010

pledged

received (72%)

$ 263,710

pledged

remaining

$ 169,280

to be pledged

“Being Saved”

Beginning

Monday, April 15th

7 pm

Childcare provided

For the latest Epiphany news and missional information, please visit our website, epiphanysuwanee.org.

1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Suwanee, Georgia 30024

770.831.1966

info@epiphanysuwanee.org

www,epiphanysuwanee.org

The Beacon

Lead Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Rick Barger

Minister for Worship Arts:

Terri Schroader

Minister for Worship Leadership:

Steve Belfield

Young Children’s Formation Coach:

Melanie Landry

Mission Support & Asst. to the Lead Pastor:

Susan Ditore

Ministry Support: Laurie Tinc

Treasurer: John Murray

Minister for Communications:

Cynthia Donaldson

Nursery Attendants:

Amy Reed and Lori Rogers

Epiphany Lutheran Church is … First and foremost a WORSHIPPING community who gives God our

very best and humbly receives God’s free gifts.

A WELCOMING community who invites others into our life together

and extends biblical hospitality to all.

A COMPASSIONATE community who promotes wellness, wholeness,

and connectedness for all.

A community BEING FORMED into cradle-to-grave disciples of the

Living Christ.

A SERVANT community who stands with and works for justice among

the poor, the powerless, and the disenfranchised with the compassion

of Christ that has no limits or boundaries.

A community who RAISES UP with intentionality all of our children and

adolescents to be healthy, hopeful, and faith-filled servant-leaders in

the world.

So that all might thrive and serve in the light of God’s grace!

For mailing list changes,

please contact the church

office.

NONPROFIT

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

SUWANEE, GA

PERMIT NO. 115

1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Suwanee, Ga 30024

Epiphany Lutheran Church

Return Service Requested

Sundays Worship, 8:30 and 11 am

Faith Formation for All, 9:45 am

Wednesdays at the Well (through April 24th)

Dinner, 6 pm; Imagine Wednesdays, 6:30; Worship, 7 pm