Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897
www.EpiphanyGuntersville.org
January 2015
Editor: Rusty Ogden
Bishop Marray Coming to Epiphany
Parish Business Meeting January 25, 2015— 9:00 a.m.
We will meet in Sanderson Hall at 9:00 a.m. to discuss our 2015 budget.
Come at 8:45 a.m. and enjoy a $5, all you can eat, breakfast.
The Assistant Bishop of Alabama, the Rt. Reverend Santosh Marray, will be coming to Epiphany January 4. There will be one service at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Marray will meet parishioners in Woodall Commons at 9:30 a.m. Coffee and pastries will be served. The undesignated, loose plate offering will
be given to Bishop Marray for his Discretionary Fund which will be administered by him. This is not a fund for his personal use but for the special needs that arise out of the life of the diocesan community. This fund is a direct, personal part of his ministry. Strict confidentiality is maintained as to the charitable uses to which it is used. Donations by check should be made out to “The Church of the Epiphany” and designated Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.
Epiphany Star
There will be a Parish Pot Luck luncheon in honor of the visit of Bishop Marray on January 4. The parish will provide the meat, beverages and rolls. Parishioners are asked to bring a side dish of a vegetable, salad or dessert. Please take your dish, with your name on it, to the kitchen Sunday morning.
WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF HEALING
A Healing Service will be offered in St. Mary’s Chapel every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. starting January 7. A Eucharist will be celebrated with prayers and unction offered to those in need of healing or other needs.
Mountain Convocation Meeting with Bishops Sloan and Marray
Bishop Sloan has requested a meeting with our convocation “The Mountain Convocation” to present the new diocesan policy on the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions in our Diocese. This is an informational meeting to make sure all concerned understand the policy and how it is to be implemented. Our Convocation meeting with Bishop Sloan will be on Thursday, January 22, at 6:00 p.m. at Resurrection, Rainbow City.
If you would like to view Bishop Sloan’s letter and the resolution passed by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2012, please go to the Alabama Diocesan website www.dioala.org.
If you are planning to attend, please inform Rusty at the church office 256-582-4897. Our hosts in Gadsden appreciate knowing how many of us to expect.
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The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to John and Ann Branum in the loss December 6, of Ann’s brother, Richard Carter, and of John’s mother, Helen Branum, on December 10.
The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to Jim Ward in the loss, December 30, of Jim’s mother, Rita Ward.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord And let light perpetual shine upon them.
FR. AARON’S LECTIONARY CLASS
Fr. Aaron will begin Adult Sunday School on January 18. This class will be Study and Dis-cussion of the Sunday’s Lectionary. Please meet in Sanderson Hall after breakfast, 9:30 to 10:15.
GOD WILLING AND THE PEOPLE CONSENTING
THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN MCKEE SLOAN D.D.
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA
WILL ORDAIN
CHRISTOPHER KEVIN HARTLEY
TO THE SACRED ORDER OF PRIESTS
ON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015
AT
SIX O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING
AT
ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS
1000 WEST 18TH STREET
ANNISTON, ALABAMA 36202
Holly Andries will drive the Holy Roller bus to Annis-
ton for the Ordination of Chris Hartley. We will leave
the church at 4:00 p.m. If you would like to ride the
bus, please sign the sheet on the nave bulletin board.
The cost is $15 and there are only 17 places available.
NOTE: There will not be a Eucharist, dinner or pro-
grams at Epiphany on that evening.
FROM THE ALTAR GUILD
There are only a few Sundays left for candle dedica-
tions for 2015. These are available first come—first
served.
The sign up sheet is on the bulletin outside the nave.
ROOM IN THE INN (RITI)
Please join on Friday, January 2, 16 and 30 at 6:00pm to welcome and host our homeless neighbors.
WE NEED HELP WITH: Set-up, kitchen help support, "Sleeping Servants", break-down and clean-up.
Please give prayerful consideration to joining us every other Friday to bring blessings to our "Neighbors"!
Everyone is invited
MONDAY MORNING BOOK CLUB "The Monday Morning Book Club is looking for new members. We meet and discuss books on various subjects in the large classroom on the second floor. We currently meet from 10:30 to 11:30AM on Mondays. If you are interested in joining us please let Shaun Packard or Will Smith know, or just show up. We might be able to change the day and time if there is enough interest in a different meeting time.”
With the New Year 2015 comes the Feast of the
Epiphany on January 6th. The word epiphany
means “showing forth,” “manifestation,” or
“revelation,” and the celebration of Epiphany
marks the revelation of Jesus’ true identity to the
wider world.
In the Episcopal Church, the first Sunday after
the Epiphany is the observation of another form
of Christ’s manifestation. This is when we cele-
brate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God
when he was baptized by John in the River Jor-
dan. The Sunday Gospel readings throughout
the season after the Epiphany (which lasts until
Lent) will focus on special moments of revela-
tion, when various aspects of Jesus’ identity are
revealed.
I am reminded of the lyrics to a song from one of
my favorite artists, a singer/songwriter named
Todd Snider. The song is entitled “Somebody’s
Coming.”
Tell anybody that ain’t got nobody
Somebody’s coming
Tell all these people who think they need money
Somebody’s coming
Tell everybody walkin’ tall and proud
That their money talks, but it talks so loud
That there’s somebody coming
That’s gonna change everything…
Too often, we put our faith in the things of this
earth to give us safety, security, and dependabil-
ity – things like wealth, power, and control. But
when those things depart from us, or are taken
from us by forces outside our control, it can
shake our sense of well-being. There are many sto-
ries of those who, through no fault of their own, have
lost much. Whether the crisis is health-related, or
financial, or losing a loved one, “bad things” can and
do happen to all of us.
Our God is not cruel and capricious, subjecting us to
“the whims of fate.” But these losses are a reminder
that our faith lies in God alone. We depend on the
person of Christ to guide us into healing and whole-
ness. We trust that the Spirit can and will lead us to
the realization of a new life in God.
As we enjoy the New Year and the season after the
Epiphany, let us be mindful of the fact that this sea-
son is one of hope, faith, and revelation. God is re-
vealing to us plans for a new year in our life together
as a community. We look with hope and faith to the
wondrous possibilities of a renewed life in the resur-
rection. And we are called to remember that, indeed,
“somebody’s coming that’s gonna change every-
thing.”
Tell all these people at the end of the line
Somebody’s coming
Tell all these people holding “I’ll work for food” signs
Somebody’s coming
Somebody’s coming, been here before
If you think you’re outta chances,
well you’ve got one more
‘Cause somebody’s coming
That’s gonna change everything!
Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Aaron
Christmas Season, 2014
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EPIPHANY SEAFOOD BASH January 26, 2015
AT
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Blessings in a Backpack provides easily prepared weekend food for children in Marshall County schools. Currently 1,025 bags are being packed each week. For as little as $80, “The Power of 80”, a child will get a bag of food every Friday dur-ing the school year.
Donations Checks payable to Blessings in a Backpack Mail to: Blessings in a Backpack 502 Blount Avenue Guntersville, AL 35976
THE OGDEN HOUSE
Ogden House is a teen shelter run by Tennessee Valley Family Service. The facility serves children under 18 that are temporarily displaced from their families or are deemed a child in need of ser-
vices. Youth may come to The Ogden House via: re-ferrals from the Juvenile Probation Office, families, and youth that have contacted us by self referral.
They will hold a Family Soup Fest fundraiser on Janu-ary 16 in Sanderson Hall from 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Please come enjoy all you can eat of Sheila Myrick’s famous homemade soups. Just $5 to support this wonderful organization.
YOGA WORKSHOPS HONOR AMERICAN VETERANS
Join us for a day of honoring Americas Veterans past and present. This event will be held in Woodall Commons on Saturday, January 17, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
The day will include classes, demonstrations, and mini workshops to reduce stress, learn different styles of yoga and concepts to feel better. Enjoy delicious smoothies, gourmet food, and natural products that will lift your spirit and bring joy to your heart and soul. Six presenters will share their teachings through-out the day guiding and encouraging you to feel better - mind and body. Come for one class or stay all day. A $10 donation is suggested but not re-quired. All proceeds will be donated to families in need either through the VA or church.
All You Can Eat Shrimp, Crawfish, Homemade Gumbo,
Corn on the Cobb, Potatoes, Coffee, Iced Tea, Soft Drinks
*Other drinks available at extra charge* Serving from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
$ 25.00 To buy your tickets come by the church office or
call 256-582-4897 Hot dog plate for $5
may be purchased at the door.
We need volunteers to help set up, serve, take drink orders, and clean up. There is a sign up sheet on the nave bulletin board if you can help.
Thank You! Thank You!
Thank you for participating in the Angel Tree. Six children at Ogden House, nine children from the Guntersville school system and two children from Home Place joined us for the
Christmas in Advent party and received the gifts that you so generously provided. I delivered pictures of the event to Ogden House and the children were still going through
their gifts and talking about how happy and thankful they were to have received them.
Thank you to Meredith Jackson and Michelle Bradshaw for coordinating the Advent Pageant. More than twenty children participated to share the story of God’s faithful servants who prepared the way for Christ. They portrayed characters which spanned the centuries, from Abraham to John the Baptist. Thank you also to the parents of the
children for making the pageant a priority in a season that tugs us in so many directions.
Sunday School and Children's Church Sunday school and children's church will resume on Jan 4.
Bishop Marray will be visiting Epiphany and addressing the children during the sermon. Children’s church will meet upstairs where the children’s church leaders will walk the children to the nave and
they will all sit together in the front of the church.
VYP VYP will resume on Wednesday, January 7th.
EYC
Sr. EYC will resume on Sunday, January 4th. Jr. EYC will resume on Wednesday, January 7th.
Seafood Bash at Crawmama’s
Monday, January 26th The Jr. & Sr. EYC members will help serve and clean up tables. We will meet at Crawmama’s at 5:00 p.m., work
from 5:00pm until 6:30pm and then eat together at 6:30pm. Please mark your calendars so you can join us!
Room in the Inn Friday, January 30th
The Jr. & Sr. EYC will be meeting at 4:30pm on Friday January 30th to set up the sleeping areas, help make dinner, eat dinner, help clean up and spend time in community with our homeless neighbors.
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Account Summary Current Month Year to Date
Beginning Market Value 33,713.86 -
Contributions 5,000.00 38,000.00
Payments and Taxes - -
Fees - -
Income Earned 5.64 5.77
Other Activity - -
Appreciation/(Depreciation) 504.08 1,217.78
Ending Market Value 39,223.58 39,223.55
2015 Budget Development and Approval Our Stewardship Team would like to thank the one hundred and nine Epiphany families who have made a
pledge to the general fund for 2015. To date, we have received pledges totaling $282,780. The average pledge is $2,594. On Tuesday, January 6th, the Finance Ministry will meet to develop the 2015 budget based on ministry in-put and historical data. It will then be sent to the vestry for prayerful review. On Thursday, January 15th, the vestry will meet to identify priorities, additions and/or changes to the proposed budget and to approve the final 2015 budget. The vestry’s final budget will then be presented to the parish on Sunday, January 25th at the Annual Parish Business Meeting. If you have not yet completed a pledge card and intend to do so, you may still mail it in, bring it to the office, or put it in the alms basin prior to January 6th. You may also call your pledge into our treasurer, Shari Harrison, at 256-582-4897, or e-mail your pledge to [email protected] Wonderful things are in store for Epiphany’s ministries in 2015.
Your gifts are appreciated!
Church of the Epiphany Tapestry Fund
State Street Global Advisors
November 30, 2014
Direct Debit is Here! Top Reasons to set up a direct debit for your pledge or contribution:
No searching all over the house on Sunday mornings for your checkbook.
Give the staff and volunteers a break. It is faster to process an automatic debit than it is to open an enve-
lope, verify the amount, endorse the check, run an adding machine tape and go to the bank.
Save the church money. Use less envelopes.
Relax on vacation, knowing that your contributions are still hard at work and providing a smooth cash flow
for church operations.
Save the environment. Go “green”; eliminate paper.
You won’t have to worry about your pledge being up to date. It always will be!
It’s EASY. Simply contact Shari Harrison, our treasurer, at 256-582-4897, to set it up.
From Shari Harrison, Treasurer of Epiphany
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2015 Pledged by Dollar Range As of December 18th, 2014 $2,385 or less 66
$2,386 - $4,999.99 24
$5,000 - $9,999.99 17
$10,000 - $19,999.99 2
Total Number of Pledges 109
Total Dollar Amount of Pledges $ 282,780
Average Pledge $ 2,594
SAVE THE DATE: March 15 The Tapestry Society wine and cheese party
Epiphany General Fund November Straight Line 92%
INCOME Budgeted 2014 Actual through
11/30/2014 %
Pledges $ 275,582 $ 234,358 85%
Plate $ 52,000 $ 62,452 120%
Misc. (Fundraisers, Designated Income, etc.) $ 49,635 $ 44,640 90%
Discernment Process (carried over from 2013) 14,000 14,000 100%
$ 391,217 $ 355,450 91%
EXPENSES Budgeted 2014 Actual through
11/30/2014 %
Personnel $ 218,994 $ 159,494 73%
Building Maint., Ins., Utilities, etc. 62,702 61,968 99%
Worship *Includes dedications/flowers, etc. 3,350 2,465 57%
Christian Education 8,395 7,438 89%
Office Expense (Supplies, Postage, Phone, In-ternet, Cable, Equipment Lease, etc.) 25,258 20,481 81%
Program Expansion (Diocesan Pledge, Out-reach, Inreach, Mission, Hospitality, etc.) 53,895 46,103 86%
*Debt Service Budget Requirement 6,123 See Debt Service below
Discernment/Transition Process 14,000 14,500 104%
$ 392,717 $ 312,449 80%
Debt Service (Building)
INCOME Budgeted 2014 Actual through
11/30/2014 %
Pledges 6,450 $ 1,560 24%
Debt Service Fund Bal. 12/31/13 (cash on hand) 6,428 $ 6,428
*General Fund Budget Requirement 6,123 6,474 106%
Miscellaneous/Memorials - 4,715
$ 19,001 $ 19,177 101%
EXPENSES Budgeted 2014 Actual through
11/30/2014 %
Loan Principal & Interest $ 19,000 17,415
Excess Principal Payments 2,745
$ 19,000 $ 20,160 106%
LOAN BALANCE $ 281,904.46
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February March April
6&7—Diocesan Convention 6-8—Vestry Retreat 2—Maundy Thursday
17—Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 7—World Day of Prayer 3—Good Friday
18—Ash Wednesday 8—Daylight Savings Time 4—Easter Eve
29—Palm Sunday 5—Easter Day
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JANUARY 2015
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 OFFICE CLOSED
2 RITI 6PM
Rick Cooley
3
Gayle Roadruck
4 Bishop’s Visit Nursery 9am
Children’s Sunday School 9am
Bishop’s Time 9:30am Holy Eucharist 10:30am
Children’s Church 10:30am
Pot Luck Lunch 12pm
5 Monday Morning Book Study 10am
EfM 6pm
6 Morning Prayer
9am Finance Ministry meeting 9:30am
Ben Auman Alex Baker
7 Centering Prayer 9am
Healing Service 11:30am
Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Nursery 5:30pm
Dinner 6pm Programs &
Choir Practice 6:30pm Jr. & Sr. EYC 6:30pm
Mary Davis
8 Morning Prayer
9am Dream Group
12pm
9 10 Brotherhood of Saint Andrew
8am
Barbara Panazze
Barbara Wayne
11 HE 8:00am
Holy Baptism 10:30am Breakfast 8:45am Nursery & SS 9am Outreach 9:30am Children’s Church
10:30am Sr. EYC 5pm
Ultreya 5:30pm
12 Monday Morning Book Study 10am
DOK 11:30am EfM 6pm
13 Morning Prayer
9am Health &
Wellness 6pm Buildings &
Grounds 6pm
Doug Dixon Melanie Dorman
14 Centering Prayer 9am
Healing Service 11:30am
Chris Hartley Ordination 6pm
Bill Barker Anita Duncan John Harbin
15 Morning Prayer
9am Dream Group
12pm Vestry Budget meeting 7pm
16 Ogden House Family Soup Fest 10—2 RITI 6pm
Katy Watz
17 Yoga
Workshop 10am—6pm
18 HE 8 & 10:30am Breakfast 8:45am Nursery & SS 9am
Lectionary Class 9:30am Children’s Church
10:30am
John Breyfogle Jackie Camper
19
Guy Caffey
20 Morning Prayer
9am Vestry 7pm
21 Centering Prayer 9am
Healing Service 11:30am
Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Nursery 5:30pm
Dinner 6pm Programs &
Choir Practice 6:30pm Jr. & Sr. EYC 6:30pm
Randal Hardin
22 Morning Prayer
9am Dream Group
12pm Convocation
Conversation at Resurrection Church 6pm
Ellen Perryman Alexandra Watts
23
Kelly Thompson
24 Brotherhood of Saint Andrew
8am
25 HE 8 & 10:30am Breakfast 8:45am Nursery & SS 9am Parish Business
Meeting 9am Children’s Church
10:30am Sr. EYC 5pm
26 Monday Morning Book Study 10am
DOK 11:30am Seafood Bash
5:30pm EfM 6pm
27 Morning Prayer
9am
Anna Sorbo
28 Centering Prayer 9am
Healing Service 11:30am
Holy Eucharist 5:30pm Nursery 5:30pm
Dinner 6pm Programs & Choir Prac-
tice 6:30pm Jr. & Sr. EYC 6:30pm
Leigh Grass
29 Morning Prayer
9am Dream Group
12pm
Billy Blevins Robert Thornton
30 JR & SR EYC
set up for RITI 4:30pm
RITI 6PM
31
Vestry Person for January
Guy Caffey
256-509-8746