EPIPHANY STAR Church of the Epiphany February 2017 The little white church on the corner 1530 Lafayette Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23509 * www.epiphanynorfolk.org

epiphany.norfolk@earthlink.net * (757)622-7672

Clergy Clatter

W ell – we have a new term in our American English Colloquium –

“Alternative Facts” (now morphing into “alt-facts”). Oh – how I wish this had been around when I was growing up. “Mom, I didn’t skip school today. I wasn’t in school.” “I didn’t forget to take the trash out. The trash didn’t get put out.” “I wasn’t smoking in my room. You were smelling the meat loaf you burned.” Or so it goes – something like that.

I’m discovering that “alternative facts” can be sort of fun, if not a little self-serving. Actually, they’ve been around for a long time, especially in church. “I’m a very religious person. I just don’t need to go to church to worship God.” “I worship God every Sunday. But I worship better on the golf course.” “I really can’t afford to pledge this year. You know, our Disney World trip cost so much.” I’ve been a priest for a long time, and just when I think I’ve heard every “alternative fact” one can imagine, another one pops up. I wish I had known about them earlier. I’d have started an “Alternative Fact Journal.”

Now – I promise you – I am not fussing, or pointing fingers, or being political. The “alternative fact” is that I love these things. I’ve always loved them, but didn’t know what

to call them. Thank you, Kellyanne Conway, for putting the square peg in the round hole for me. I always thought I was telling a fib. And even I, the priest, have found “alternative facts” useful from time to time - like when I don’t want to say, “I don’t give a damn what you think.” It’s much better to offer an “alternative fact” like, “That’s so

interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me. I really appreciate your concern.”

I’m going to have to rethink this whole issue of how we arrive at the truth. It never dawned on me that there are so many alternatives, and how easily accepted they are. I wonder

if the IRS will accept one or two “alternative facts.” Oh, and next time I get a speeding ticket, I’ll try an “alternative fact.” Whoops! I did that last time when I showed the judge that my speedometer needed recalibrating; at least that’s what I paid the mechanic to write. This has given me a whole new alternative paradigm by which to understand the world around me. Life is fascinating.

Richard +

Epiphany Prayer List

Vestry

Highlights

January VESTRY

Agreed to ask the Bishop to mingle with congregation following Confirmation on Feb. 5th - rather than a forum or meeting with vestry.

Approved Ray Steckman securing bids and proposals for new sump pumps for the basement and a generator to power them to protect our heating/cooling systems.

Reported that Diocesan Council will be held in Williamsburg on Feb. 10th & 11th. The following will be attending for Epiphany: the Revs. Richard Bridgford and Julia Ashby, Nancy Reynolds and Todd Bissonnette as Delegates, Marcia Cronin and Bob Everett as Alternates and Jackie Rochelle as Communications Officer.

Reported that the congregation has been invited to attend Jim Kosnik’s organ dedication at Hungars Church on Feb. 5th at 4 PM. There will be a “sign-up” for car pooling.

Reported that digitizing of church records at the Slover Library is underway.

Reported that a new elevator service contract is being negotiated.

Reported that order for new benches for the church yard has been cancelled due to excessive shipping costs. We will shop locally.

2 Robert Alexander, Jr. 3 Carlos Fernandez,Sr 13 Brian Wilson 14 Jay Powell 15 Cherrie Foster 16 Joanna Feret 23 Diana Stein

Marie Maddox

Shirley Stull

Susan Styron

John Scott

Bob Everett, Jr.

The Bishop is Coming! The Bishop is Coming!

On Sunday, February 5th at the 11:00 AM service, Bishop Hollerith will be our officiant and preacher. I strongly believe that members of congregations should meet and know their bishop. We have a lot of new people at Epiphany who have not met Bishop Hollerith and I encourage you to join us at 11:00 (even if you are an 8 o’clocker) and experience “your Bishop.” This is not a Sunday to play hooky. The visitation of a bishop has a sense of celebration to it. And since I am now “Priest in Charge” at Epiphany, I serve at the Bishop’s pleasure. Please come and meet your bishop! Fourteen of our people are being confirmed or received. Please come and support them on this important day in their spiritual life. We will also be hosting candidates from two other congregations. Finger foods for the reception are welcome.

Richard Bridgford

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Feb Lector Chalicer Usher

5 T. Bissonnette Brian Pritchard Gail Irby

12 Anita Colburn Mike Scott Kathy Moore

19 Brian Pritchard T. Bissonnette Joe Turner

26 Mike Scott Brian Pritchard R. Alexander

The Epiphany Star The monthly newsletter of Church of the Epiphany,

1530 Lafayette Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23509 Priest in Charge: The Rev. Richard Bridgford

Assisting Priest: The Rev. Julia Ashby epiphany.norfolk@earthlink.net

www.epiphanynorfolk.org or (757) 622-7672

From the treasurer

As your new treasurer, I am working closely with Bob Everett and Nancy Reynolds, who has been serving as treasurer for the last three years. If you have any questions, please see or call me at 715-3154.

John Childers Treasurer Pancake Supper

Don’t forget to join us on February 28th for our traditional pancakes, etc. on Shrove Tuesday between 5 and 7 PM. Tickets for adults are $5 at the door, $4 in advance; $2 for children 6-10, and free for those 5 and under.

Annual Diocesan Council

Annual Diocesan Council is being held this year in Williamsburg on February 10th and 11th. Richard and Julia will be attending as our Clergy Representatives. Nancy Reynolds and Todd Bissonnette will be our Lay Delegates, with Marcia Cronin and Bob Everett serving as Alternates. Jackie Rochelle will attend as our Communications Representative.

Ash Wednesday

This year Ash Wednesday falls on the first day of March. As always, imposition of ashes is offered at noon and 6 PM. Our March newsletter will contain information about this year’s Lenten Program.

The gift that gives

Love ever gives, forgives, outlives and ever stands with open hands. And while it lives, it gives. For this is love’s prerogative — to give, and give, and give. —John Oxenham

Giving credit where due? Running late for a meeting, a man circled the block, looking for a place to park. Desperately, he raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, “Lord, if you’ll find me a parking spot, I promise I’ll start going to church again.” Just then, a car pulled out of a space right in front of the man. “Never mind,” he said to God. “I found one!”

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Office open 9 - 3

Choir 7:00

2 3

Al Anon 10 AM-1 PM

4

5 Holy Eucharist 8 and 11 am Confirmation w/Bishop Hollerith 4 pm Kosnik recital at Hungars Church

6 7

Office open 9 - 12

8

Office open 9 - 3

Choir 7:00

9

Vestry 6:30

PM

10

Al Anon 10 AM-1 PM

11

12

Holy Eucharist 8 and 11 am

13 14

Office open 9 - 12

HRRC 6 - 7:30 PM

15

Office open 9 - 3

Choir 7:00

16 17

Al Anon 10 AM-1 PM

18

Tidewater Appalachian

Trail Club 9-5

19

Holy Eucharist 8 and 11 am

20 21 22

Office open 9 - 3

Choir 7:00

23 24

Al Anon 10 AM-1 PM

25

26

Holy Eucharist 8 and 11 am

27 28

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5 - 7 PM

March 1

Ash Wednesday

Imposition of Ashes noon and 6 PM

Choir 7:00

Diocesan Council in Williamsburg