EPIPHANY STAR Page 3 · 2020-04-30 · Epiphany Star Page 3 Prayer List Every Friday, the church...
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EPIPHANY STAR Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.episcopalguntersville.org May 2020 O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. --A Collect prayer For Quiet Confidence – BCP p. 832 I pray this newsletter finds you well, as we make our way together (yet apart) through these unprecedented times. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, and I deeply appreciate your prayers for me and my family. As the Collect above states, now is a time for returning and resting in the Lord, quietly confident that we will be delivered through this present difficulty. As of this writing, we are still under a temporary suspension of in-person gathering for worship through (and including) Sunday, May 17 th . If and when the calendar changes, we will keep you updated. When we do have the opportunity to gather again, there will likely be some changes to the way we interact. I know many of you will have questions (as do I) about how we will Exchange the Peace, pass the offering plates, and receive communion. The bishop and his staff are hard at work, establishing a new set of “best practices/guidelines” regarding all these questions. In the meantime, here at Epiphany we are working hard and trying to think creatively. We all want to remain connected, maintain relationships, and hold each other close in our minds and hearts – even if we can’t do so physically. On a personal note, I have been asked about my sabbatical plans. It was my intention to begin my three- month sabbatical following services on Sunday, May 10 th and return on Sunday, August 9 th . I have decided that those plans need to be put on indefinite hold. It is my sense that when we return to worship (whenever that is), we will need some time to re-establish some normalcy/consistency on a week-by-week basis. I need to be “together with my flock” as much for myself as for you. If I have the opportunity to take some time off later in the summer, it will be probably be vacation time rather than sabbatical. My sabbatical plans will probably need to wait until 2021. (It is also worth noting that it was my intention to spend a couple of months hiking the Appalachian Trail – but the AT has essentially been closed!) I do grieve and mourn this loss; it is no small thing for me. Yet I recognize that all things will unfold, as they should, in God’s own time. All of us are experiencing feelings of grief and loss over a whole host of things. This is my own share of that same collective grief. Thank you all for the kind and gracious words of encouragement, especially as I continue to journal, write po- etry, develop short homilies, record videos, and take my beloved dog Rita on long walks. I have no doubt: we will be changed by this pandemic – I hope for the better, in many ways. But we will get through this! Blessings & Peace, Fr. Aaron+
Transcript of EPIPHANY STAR Page 3 · 2020-04-30 · Epiphany Star Page 3 Prayer List Every Friday, the church...
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EPIPHANY STAR Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.episcopalguntersville.org
May 2020
O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
--A Collect prayer For Quiet Confidence – BCP p. 832 I pray this newsletter finds you well, as we make our way together (yet apart) through these unprecedented times. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, and I deeply appreciate your prayers for me and my family. As the Collect above states, now is a time for returning and resting in the Lord, quietly confident that we will be delivered through this present difficulty. As of this writing, we are still under a temporary suspension of in-person gathering for worship through (and including) Sunday, May 17
th. If and when the calendar changes, we will keep you updated.
When we do have the opportunity to gather again, there will likely be some changes to the way we interact. I know many of you will have questions (as do I) about how we will Exchange the Peace, pass the offering plates, and receive communion. The bishop and his staff are hard at work, establishing a new set of “best practices/guidelines” regarding all these questions. In the meantime, here at Epiphany we are working hard and trying to think creatively. We all want to remain connected, maintain relationships, and hold each other close in our minds and hearts – even if we can’t do so physically. On a personal note, I have been asked about my sabbatical plans. It was my intention to begin my three-month sabbatical following services on Sunday, May 10
th and return on Sunday, August 9
th. I have decided
that those plans need to be put on indefinite hold. It is my sense that when we return to worship (whenever that is), we will need some time to re-establish some normalcy/consistency on a week-by-week basis. I need to be “together with my flock” as much for myself as for you. If I have the opportunity to take some time off later in the summer, it will be probably be vacation time rather than sabbatical. My sabbatical plans will probably need to wait until 2021. (It is also worth noting that it was my intention to spend a couple of months hiking the Appalachian Trail – but the AT has essentially been closed!) I do grieve and mourn this loss; it is no small thing for me. Yet I recognize that all things will unfold, as they should, in God’s own time. All of us are experiencing feelings of grief and loss over a whole host of things. This is my own share of that same collective grief. Thank you all for the kind and gracious words of encouragement, especially as I continue to journal, write po-etry, develop short homilies, record videos, and take my beloved dog Rita on long walks. I have no doubt: we will be changed by this pandemic – I hope for the better, in many ways. But we will get through this! Blessings & Peace, Fr. Aaron+
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Options for Giving
Even though we are unable to physically come together, the mission and ministry of the church continues.
Below are options for continuing your financial support of the ongoing work at Epiphany.
• Sign up for Direct Debit by completing the form on the next page and sending it to Traci Lamb, finan-
cial assistant, by e-mail at [email protected], or mail the form to The Church of the
Epiphany at P.O. Box 116, Guntersville, AL 35976.
• Set up Online Bill Pay through your bank. Many banks now offer this feature and will be able to help
you set this up and designate the Church of the Epiphany to be paid automatically whenever you
choose.
• Give through Tithe.ly by visiting the church website and clicking on the Give button at the top right
corner of the home page. You can also click here to be taken directly to the Tithe.ly form to complete
your giving.
• Mail a check to the church office. The church P.O. box is being checked twice weekly and contribu-
tions to the church are processed every Monday when the church office is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please note in the memo line of your check what your contribution is for, such as pledge, general fund,
discretionary fund, etc.
The Church of the Epiphany P.O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 If you have any questions about giving, please e-mail Traci Lamb at [email protected]. Traci
is available through e-mail daily. You can also call the church office on Mondays, 9a.m.- 12 p.m. and
speak with Traci. If you call the church any other time please leave a voicemail message for Traci and she
will get back to you as soon as possible.
Online Resources
Although we are not able to physically be together at this time, there are options for staying connected
online. Below are links to online resources that may be helpful to you.
The Church of the Epiphany’s Facebook Page
The Church of the Epiphany’s YouTube Channel
The Episcopal Church
The Diocese of Alabama
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Prayer List
Every Friday, the church will send out an e-mail of our prayer list of those we should remem-
ber in our prayers. If there is anyone that you would like to add to the prayer list, please e-
mail Hannah Hilley, our communications assistant, at [email protected].
Beans & Rice Distribution
For the foreseeable future, the Outreach Ministry will be giving out beans & rice every Sat-urday at the Church of the Epiphany. If you know of anyone in need please send them to the church on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
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Johnnie Leigh Kirkland, daughter of Charlie and the late Teeny Kirkland, graduated from Gun-
tersville High School. Johnnie plans to attend Snead State Community College to pursue a de-
gree in Psychology.
Baylee Kendall Moore, daughter of Jason and Jennifer Moore, graduated from Guntersville High
School with Top 10 honors. Kendall plans to pursue a degree in either Marketing or Public Rela-
tions at the University of Alabama where she has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship.
Hannah Wildhagen, daughter of Matthew and Brenda Wildhagen, graduated from Guntersville
High School. Hannah is a talented artist and plans to use her artistic skills as an apprentice to
pursue a career as a tattoo artist.
Congratulations to the following high school graduates! Our prayers are with
you as you pursue your passions. May God guide you on your way!
May 10, 10:30 a.m.
Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for Youth
Sunday, a celebration of our children and youth.
Kendall Moore, will be our guest preacher. We may
not be able to be physically together however we
are together in spirit and through technology!
During our time of social distancing, EYC is
meeting virtually via Zoom meetings on
Wednesday and Sunday evenings at
7:00p.m.
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Children’s Christian Formation
Resources
We are in unprecedented times as we are unable to meet in person for worship and Christian for-
mation. Following are resources for Christian formation at home. Ask God to guide you as you learn
together.
Do Faith at Home https://www.dofaithathome.org/
Offers daily Lectionary based readings and reflections through Watch, Read, Listen, Do
and Pray activities.
Building Faith Brick by Brick
Read a bible story with your child. Have your child re-tell you the story using LEGOS or
other toys/objects. Ask wondering questions as your child is working.
Creating a Prayer Space at Home https://buildfaith.org/creating-a-prayer-space-at-home/
Children’s Church Video
Tune in to our Facebook page for a video from children’s church each Sunday morning at
10:30a.m.
June 30, July 1-2, 2020 9:00a.m. - 12:30p.m.
Kindergarten - 5th grades
(pending social distancing parameters)
Epiphany and Christ Church Albertville are teaming up for ARTs Camp! Mark your calendars and
plan to join the fun as we explore Holy Saints and Helpers through art, music, drama and games.
May Birthdays:
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May 1st - Nancy Brennan
May 3rd - John Epps
Cassandra Kistler
Richard Whitehead
May 4th - Sue Beiter
May 5th - Kelly Auman
Kendall Moore
Bill Winters
May 6th - Ramona McKinney
May 7th - Luke Nelson
May 9th - Lillian Bodine
May 13th - Johnnie Kirkland
May 14th - Al Ward
May 17th - Jan Maxwell
May 19th - Anthony Andrews
Parker Jackson
Barry Jones
May 20th - John Woodall
May 21st - Caleb Scott
May 25th - Emily Moses
May 27th - Ginny McCrary
May 28th - Gregory Andrews
May 29th - Kathy Nelson
Charlotte Webb
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