Earth moving equipment is at work on our site. Foundations are being dug for the

construction of expanded and needful formation facilities here at Epiphany. Yet the most

important building project is not what we see outwardly on our property. It is what will

take place inwardly in each one of us.

The emergence of The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light is a Holy Spirit-empowered development.

The 6 Acts was made part of our community conversation on ReFormation Sunday. In 1517,

October 31st had to do with Dr. Martin Luther nailing 95 theses on the wall of the door of

the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany; those theses were about a church that was in

dire need of being reformed and of rediscovering the gospel as its shaping DNA. Today,

Epiphany’s 6 Acts attends to a deeper DNA – the DNA of our souls.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the most important sermon Jesus ever gave as to the

importance of how a community that is grasped by his life, his death, and resurrection is to

be and behave. The sermon is loaded with teachings and admonitions that are just down-

right difficult – things such as loving your enemies, being non-anxious in a crazy world, and

standing tall when under enormous pressure to do things that are hurtful to you and to a

community. The sermon ends with this final exhortation:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” Matthew 7:24-27

THE BEACON Inside this issue:

Closer look at the

process of making a

transformational

change

3

Advent, Christmas

worship schedule

4

Outreach opportunities

that share joy, give life

6

Constitution &

Bylaws FAQ

8

Child Protection Policy

now in place

9

Ministry of

Remembrance

announced

10

Epiphany Lutheran Church

November 2011

Building our lives on “the rock”

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light Pastor Rick Barger

Continued on Page 2

Faith Disciplines for Today

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light

1. Regular worship with the Epiphany congregation.

2. Investing in intentional relationships of mutual immersion in the scriptures, support, growth, and encouragement.

3. Ordering one’s household so that generous giving is planned and habitual.

4. Serving others as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

5. Praying for the world, the church, our community, and our congregational leaders.

6. Inviting others to share in our experience of grace.

Thanksgiving Eve

Worship at 7 pm

Bring your offerings

of food and

financial gifts

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light is about building our lives and our very character on the

rock. The acts themselves have come from community-wide conversation about what

each of us can do to forge in us a deeper love of Jesus and the character of a disciple. The

acts are not another to-do list. They are the ingredients of lifestyle choices that work to

shape the blessed life that Jesus offers. When the community conversation, culminating

in the September 10th missional gathering, brought forth these six acts, it is more than

simply serendipitous that the six named acts – worship, relationships, giving, serving,

praying, and inviting – are precisely what the Bible says the infant church did. Knowing

that they who had been grasped by the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of

Jesus Christ are called to live out of a radically different story than the story that defines

the world, the infant church collectively dedicated themselves to doing the things that

construct the soul and build lives on rock. God has been in us and among us driving our

conversations and hearing our prayers.

Epiphany has many wonderful initiatives that

serve to reach out, raise up, and change the

world. The most important factor, however, in

how solid we are as a community that shapes

and forms people is not what we do but who

we are. The 6 Acts is not some “new program.”

Actually they reflect spiritual disciplines or

practices of the faith that persons, from the

very beginning of the church and in every age,

have done.

We all know that lifestyle changes are hard to

make, even changes that bring new life and

hope and vitality. As we move forward with

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light, we must do more

than just name them. We have to be willing to

do the things that work to create the change in

each one of us. This is hard. It needs true

commitment, a willingness to work through

barriers and habits that work to sabotage, and

it needs partners who can encourage and hold

accountable. In the coming weeks we will be

exploring and naming ways that together we

can give ourselves to the 6 Acts of Epiphany’s

Light for the sake of our own lives and for the

sake of the world.

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light Pastor Rick, continued from page 1

Page 2 THE BEACON

Faith Disciplines of

the Infant Church Acts 2: 42 - 47

They devoted themselves to

the apostles’ teaching and

fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and the prayers. Awe

came upon everyone,

because many wonders and

signs were being done by the

apostles. All who believed

were together and had all

things in common; they

would sell their possessions

and goods and distribute the

proceeds to all, as any had

need. Day by day, as they

spent much time together in

the temple, they broke bread

at home and ate their food

with glad and generous

hearts, praising God and

having the goodwill of the

people. And day by day, the

Lord added to their number

those who were being saved.

The 6 Acts of

Epiphany’s Light is

about building our

lives and our very

character on the rock.

(At right) Worshipping regularly, serving others, and

investing in intentional relationships such as with those in

Small Groups are habits of The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light.

November 2011 Page 3

You’ve heard The 6 Acts of Epiphany Light.

You couldn’t agree more! Yet you’re not

sure you’re ready to make transformative

changes in your life.

That’s realistic. A widely accepted model of

behavior change — the Transtheoretical

Model (TTM), developed by Dr. James

Prochaska and colleagues — recognizes

that important lifestyle changes don’t

happen overnight. TTM was developed in

response to helping people make positive

health-related lifestyle changes. It is the

backbone of the Cancer Prevention

Research Center, an organization dedicated

to helping people change their behavior for

living longer, healthier lives. Which is the

purpose of The 6 Acts — grace-filled habits

that will enhance the lives of each and

every one of us and greatly multiply the

joy, courage, and love as the whole of

Epiphany people.

TTM is a model of intentional change. It

focuses on the decision-making of the

individual, involving emotions, cognitions,

and behavior. Traditionally, behavior

change was viewed “as an event.” The

Transtheoretical Model views change as a

process of progressing through five stages.

Precontemplation—You intend to take

action, but you’re not convinced that you

need to change your behavior. Perhaps you

need more information, or your experience

with trying to change previously has left

you unmotivated or demoralized. You keep

thinking about it, but it’s not a burning

issue with you.

Contemplation— You become more aware

of the pros of changing but also are aware

of what you believe are the cons. But you

get excited about making a positive change

in your life.

Preparation— You’re ready to take small

steps. You make a plan of action, such as

setting a regular schedule or joining a

group. Tell others that you’re ready to make

a change, as support and encouragement is

important at this stage.

Action—You make specific, visible lifestyle

modifications. Positive change occurs. This

is the stage where you’ll need to be vigilant

against relapse. Don’t expect perfection;

remember that the goal now is progress.

Maintenance— While still working to

prevent relapse, you don’t have to think

about the change process very much. You’re

less tempted to relapse and more confident

you can continue the changes you’ve made.

TTM recognizes that relapse is a natural

part of change. The good news is that the

further you are along in the process, the

fewer steps you fall back. You’ll hear more

about TTM as we move together to live

The 6 Acts of Epiphany’s Light.

Transtheoretical Model of Change

A Closer Look at the Process of Intentional Change

St. Nick: Fact and Fiction December 4, 11, and 18

This three-week series talks about Santa Claus and provides some ideas on how you can

celebrate Jesus’ birthday in the midst of the consumer culture of the holiday season.

New Year’s Resolutions January 1

We’ll spend some time New Year’s Day talking about resolutions and see if we can make

some resolutions that actually change our lives.

Navigating Your Family Systems January 8, 15, 22, and 29

After surviving a season of in-laws and outlaws with our sanity barely intact, we’ll hear

from Pastor Devin who will teach us how to navigate our family systems. We’ll finally

understand why some people are so good at pushing our buttons!

Sunday Mornings @ 9:45

Faith Formation for Adults

Page 4 THE BEACON

’Tis the season to bring a friend!

Advent and Christmas Worship

Advent Midweek Worship, Wednesdays at 7 pm

November 30, December 7 and 14

Courage in the Darkness We are in a time of global change and uncertainty, coupled

with challenges faced by our country and local community. On Wednesday evenings in

Advent, come and hear some instructive words for us from the prophet Isaiah. Courage

not only is a mindset and belief in a God who can make the impossible possible. Courage

also is an intentional path of making lifestyle choices that work to multiply the courage.

When courage is multiplied, new light scatters.

Join us at 7 p.m. for three Wednesdays in Advent — November 30 and December 7

and 14 — as we take a break from the busy pace of the season to pause and reflect on the

Lord’s coming. Our worship will use the liturgy of Holden Evening Prayer. Services are

planned to be no more than 45 minutes.

Christmas Musical Theatre, Sunday, December 11, 6 pm

Stranger Things Have Happened The Rich family Christmas gets turned on its ear

when a mysterious stranger comes to light at Christmas Eve dinner. Epiphany people of

all ages present this fun yet meaningful production, written by our own Patty Etherton

with input from Terri Schroader, minister for worship arts. Invite your friends and

neighbors to join us. A dessert reception follows the presentation.

Christmas Eve Worship, Saturday, December 24 at 5, 8, and 11 pm

Festival candlelight worship with communion will be celebrated at all three services

Christmas Eve. The community is invited to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior

and welcome his presence in our lives.

Christmas Day Worship, Sunday, December 25 at 11 am

Christmas worship will be celebrated at one service on Christmas morning. Please enjoy

some family time at home and then join us for worship at 11 a.m.

Page 5 November 2011

Every time our CIA youth — Confirmands

in Action — gather, we begin with a litany.

It goes like this:

Who are we? The church!

Why are we here? To be disciples!

What does the church say? He is risen!

What do we have to offer? Hope for

the world!

Over the first weekend in December (2-4),

our 23 CIA youth, their seven adult guides,

and a number of senior high mentors will

gather with Pastor Rick at Unicoi State Park

near Helen. The theme for the weekend is

Hope for the World! Studies of faith in North

America reveal that Christianity is under-

stood as a proposition. In other words, if

one does certain things, there is a reward.

The biggest proposition is the offer of eter-

nity in heaven. The deal is simple: Do the

right things and after you die, you go to

heaven.

The truth is that Jesus speaks very little

about heaven, that heaven is not a major

biblical concept, and that our hope is not

really about life in

another realm after

we die. Our hope

is about God’s

astonishing

promises about the

destiny of this

world in which we

live and how every

one of us is called

to be a part of an

unfolding future.

The hope that we

have is infinitely

more compelling

than simply “going

to heaven.”

Through song, play, conversation, Biblical

engagement, and worship in a retreat

setting, participants will be drawn into

and transformed by the promises of God

and our hope for the world.

Keep our CIA kids, their mentors and

guides in your prayers as they experience

this time away together.

CIA Retreat Fall 2011

Hope for the World!

Why Retreats Matter Retreats are critically important in the process of sacred formation. The Bible shows us

that whenever Jesus needed to center himself or when he needed to teach his disciples

something really important, he took them to a place apart from their everyday

surroundings. At Epiphany and in our vision for sacred formation — Becoming a

Greenhouse of Hope: Forming People Who Will Change the World — there is a model for

processes that transform. It’s named the MRI approach: missional, relational, and

incarnational. A retreat is strongly missional; it has a clear purpose. It also is strongly

relational. What is more relational than going away together on a fun weekend in God’s

creation and exploring important matters of faith together? And a retreat is incarnational.

The gospel of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is not a proposition. It really is a

preposition. It tells us that God is for us, works among us and in us, and lives through us.

Few settings offer more promise for the experience of the for, among, in, and through

than a retreat.

Hold the Date!

Epiphany

Couples Retreat

March 16 - 18 The Ridges Resort in

Hiawassee

Cost will be no greater

than $500 per couple for

this weekend retreat.

Mark your calendars now!

The CIA year includes three MRI

experiences away from Suwanee: the

Fall retreat at Unicoi State Park, a Spring

retreat at Lutheridge, and a week of

camp at Lutherock (shown above is the

closing campfire from Lutherock 2011).

poor, the women are isolated from the

communities around them. They typically

have no employment, no access to clean

water or health care. They never have

enough food. Children do not go to school.

Thanks to CLM and its investment in her,

Dieuna is now living another typical story.

It is the story of women whose lives have

been transformed through CLM invest-

ments from people like you. Dieuna has a

small business, her family has food to eat,

her children go to school, she’s improved

her house, and she is saving some money.

She has hope for the future.

On Sunday, December 4, Epiphany joins

with other partners of the Haitian Timoun

Foundation in its Christmas campaign to

give the life-changing opportunity of the

CLM program to more women. A gift of

only $1,200 will sponsor one family for the

18-month program — that’s less than $70

per month. Partial sponsorships also are

possible.

Page 6 THE BEACON

Help us un-decorate the tree! Our annual

giving tree is in the narthex, filled with gifts

for our neighbors in need. Angel ornaments

are designated for families served by the

Quinn House — select one to purchase a gift

for a child. Star ornaments list items needed

for the men’s residential program at the

Quinn House — wallets, deodorant, etc.

This year, our tree also has stockings to

be filled for teens served by the Foster

Children’s Foundation. Gifts should be

purchased, left unwrapped, and returned

to the narthex no later than Sunday,

December 11.

Located in Lawrenceville, the Quinn House

provides food, clothing, and shelter to the

homeless and families in need. The Quinn

House maintains residences for transitional

housing for families, is a licensed food

bank, and operates a thrift store. Its

residential program for men includes a

drug and alcohol program.

Foster Children’s Foundation supports

foster children and foster families by

bridging the gap between state-funded

resources and the needs of foster children.

FCF particularly works with foster and

at-risk teens.

Helping our Gwinnett neighbors

Take an Ornament from our Giving Tree

It’s a far-too-typical story in Haiti. Born

into an ultra-poor family, as a teen Dieuna

is left to care for two siblings when both

parents are pulled away from home.

Desperate for food for herself and two

siblings, she moves in with a man in

exchange for food. She soon becomes

pregnant, and while the man does not

abandon her, he cannot earn enough as a

day laborer to feed their family. They go

days with no food. She must borrow

sandals to walk anywhere beyond her

small hut. She is in the same cycle of

extreme poverty she was born into. She has

no vision — and no means — to change her

life. She has no hope.

Thankfully, others did have a vision for a

better life for Dieuna Francois. And now

she’s living it. The vision is carried out

through Chemen Lavi Miyo — pathway to a

better life. CLM is an 18-month program

that serves to lift Haitian women out of

extreme poverty. In addition to being very

Add this item to your Christmas list:

Transform a Family’s Life in Haiti

Page 7 November 2011

The first checks written by Epiphany every month, even

before payroll and mortgage, are designated first fruits for

God’s mission in the world. The amount of the checks is

based upon a percentage (now 12%) of the previous

month’s offering.

From our Mission Spending Fund, we support the work of

the greater church (5% to ELCA-Southeastern Synod) and

our brothers and sisters in Haiti (7% to Haitian Timoun

Foundation). First Fruits from the capital appeal are

directed to HTF (5%), Lutheranch (5%), and the Foster

Children’s Foundation (2%). Following are brief highlights

of how Epiphany’s gifts in 2011 are making a difference in

these vital ministries beyond our doors. (Fund amounts are

through November 1, 2011 checks. More information about

these ministries can be found on Epiphany’s website.)

Haitian Timoun Foundation ($38,264) HTF is focused on

creating a future of hope, sustainability, and dignity for

children in Haiti. Epiphany’s gifts join with gifts from other

partner congregations to invest in critical areas such as:

Providing intensive cholera prevention/education

training in Jacmel

Launching a major water treatment program in the

Jacmel area

Rebuilding the St. Joseph Family guest house and boys’

quarters that were destroyed in the January 2010

earthquake

Groundbreaking for the rebuild of Wings of Hope

Funding 20 Haitian Education and Leadership Program

scholarships

Constructing and operating Tetkole’s shelter, providing

safe housing for homeless Jacmel children while trying

to reconnect them with family

Funding the startup of Lekol Sen Trinite’s coffee and

bakery projects, which will help provide sustainable

income for the St. Joseph Family

ELCA - Southeastern Synod ($19,998) First Fruits to the

ELCA-SE Synod support the work of the greater church in

the Southeast, the nation, and the world. ELCA-SE Synod

Bishop Julien Gordy notes work in two key areas that is

enabled by support from congregations such as Epiphany :

Developing new pastors by providing transportation

funds, offering annual scholarships for seminary

education, providing

synod support staff for

candidates, and training

those who help to eval-

uate candidates.

Global Mission

outreach, supporting

233 missionaries

serving 50 companion

churches in 48 coun-

tries.; offering about

$4 million in church/

ministry grants and

more than $12 million

in sustainable develop-

ment grants, and

responding to interna-

tional disasters. About

1 cent of every dollar

given by ELCA congre-

gations supports the

global mission budget.

Lutheranch ($10,266)

Lutheranch is an ELCA outdoor ministry facility under

development just one hour west of Atlanta. The focus

of the facility is (1) to have a time and place apart,

(2) experience Christ-centered community, (3) be

transformed in faith through encounter with God and

God’s creation, and (4) be equipped for ministry.

Epiphany’s gifts are designated for the “Standing on the

Promise” campaign for Lutheranch, the main project of

which is to build an 80-bed retreat center that will serve

youth and adults. As noted on Page 5, retreats are a

critical part of sacred formation.

Foster Children’s Foundation ($4,506) FCF offers

support for foster children and families in the greater

Atlanta area, providing hope, dignity, and sustainability

to children who are in foster care. First Fruits gifts have

made a difference by enabling FCF to supply new winter

coats and clothing to several children, pay power and

water utilities at its warehouse facility, provide youth

transportation for mentoring sessions, and sponsor two

Tomorrow Matters® Mentoring workshops (held at our

church facility).

Among numerous other projects,

Epiphany’s First Fruits are being

deployed in Haiti and in Tallapoosa,

Georgia to construct vital ministry

facilities: the HTF-supported

St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and

Lutheranch’s 80–bed retreat center.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Epiphany Practices First Fruits Giving

to our mission of reaching out, raising up,

and changing the world through the light of

the living Christ!

What is the process for adopting a

revised constitution and bylaws? The

existing constitution provides details as

to the overall process, but basically it

requires that all confirmed members of the

congregation be given 60 days to review

the changes in advance of formal adoption.

Epiphany’s Lead Servant Team went

through an extensive process to revise

the documents. Subsequently, several

Epiphany members who do not serve in

leadership roles reviewed and commented

on the proposed revisions. The proposed

constitution then was reviewed by an

ELCA-appointed pastor with extensive

experience in constitutional process and

bylaws. Epiphany received approval from

the ELCA in October.

How will the new constitution and bylaws

change the way Epiphany functions

now? The revisions being recommended

simply ratify the way that Epiphany func-

tions today. Over the past two years, we

have presented a group of individuals that

serve on various mission teams or as leaders

in other capacities for Epiphany. The new

constitution and bylaws documents this

leadership model of mission teams and

empowerment for the congregation.

What other changes are included that

might be of interest to members? The

proposed constitution adopts the mandatory

model changes that have been approved

by the ELCA. Further, the new bylaws provide

greater clarity as it relates to the change

process and reason for any changes. The

proposed documents also provide greater

clarity as to Epiphany’s commitment to

First Fruits giving and our commitments

to serve the world beyond our doors.

Epiphany’s Constitution and Bylaws have

been revised to reflect a church body that

is focused on empowerment rather than

approval-seeking and to bring our

constitution into alignment with changes

defined and mandated by the ELCA (which

Epiphany had not addressed since 2003),

The documents have been distributed to all

confirmed members for review prior to

our annual gathering on February 12, 2012.

At that time, the documents will be

presented for the congregation’s approval.

On Sunday, January 29, during our regular

formation hour, we’ll hold a Q&A session to

answer any questions members might have.

As a lead-in to that session, here are

responses to a some general questions

about the documents.

What is the purpose of the constitution

and bylaws of the church? They provide

process and structure to the operation of

the church in the context of the larger

church body (for Epiphany, the ELCA). The

ELCA guidelines require that all affiliate

congregations follow the model constitution

provided by the ELCA. However, the guide-

lines provide some latitude for local matters

and leadership models that are generally

addressed through the use of bylaws.

What are the key provisions in the

revisions to Epiphany’s documents?

The original constitution and bylaws

were adopted when Epiphany was first

established and thus were modeled for a

small congregation. The revised documents

move us from totally centralized control of

a pastor and small group of leaders to the

mission matrix we approved in December

2009, a structure that reflects a congrega-

tion empowered to serve the mission of the

church. Moreover, the revised documents

provide strength in definition as it relates

Epiphany’s Annual Gathering

Sunday, February 12

6 pm

Preceded by community potluck meal at 5

All confirmed members are encouraged to come

to celebrate 2011 and look ahead to 2012.

Childcare will be provided during

the session.

Page 8 THE BEACON

Q&A Session Sunday, January 29

Constitution and Bylaws Revised Pat Barron, Congregational President

requirements of working with Epiphany

kids and all have been screened and

completed training. We plan to hold

training sessions two seasons of the

year — Spring and Fall. Once training is

completed, you’re certified

to serve for two years.

The policy includes a

requirement that is new for

Epiphany: anyone working

with our kids must be a

member of the congregation

for six months. This is a

standard length of time, and it

allows new members to get a

feel for where they might

best serve and for the leaders

of our children and youth

ministries also to asses

the best fit.

Here are some other key

components of the policy:

1. All servants who work with children

and/or youth are subject to a

background check and must attend a

training session prior to being able to

work with kids.

2. The appropriate behavior of working

with children is outlined, specifying

that there should be two adults

working together with youth or, if

only one adult, the area should have

an open door. These guidelines apply

for all youth activities or events.

3. Parent permission forms are required

for off-site events. The policy outlines

how transporting youth to events

should be carried out.

4. The procedure for reporting an

incident is outlined, facilitated by a

form to be completed.

In August, Epiphany’s Lead Servant Team

adopted a Child Protection Policy. The

policy expresses in words the value placed

on children, and it provides a process for

actions to show this. Specifically, the policy

establishes criteria for asset

builders, policies and

procedures for activities,

and a suitable reporting

procedure.

Insurance companies urge

churches to have written

safety documents because of

the vulnerable nature and

open access of churches.

However, this is only the legal

reason. The more important

reason for this policy is to

provide a safe and secure

environment for young people

to live, laugh, love, and grow

in faith.

Crafted by Epiphany’s Lead Servant Team,

our policy is based on a comprehensive

model policy from the ELCA. We tailored

that model policy for Epiphany, designing it

to meet our current activities in ways that

can be implemented.

All Epiphany people who have a direct role

with children and/or youth in any way are

subject to the policy, whether the role is

large or small, long term or short term. All

paid servants of the church are subject to

the policy. Non-paid servants who are

covered include Godly Play facilitators,

nursery workers, CIA guides, middle and

high school youth asset builders, vacation

Bible school assistants, and anyone who

provides transportation to youth events.

All Epiphany people currently serving in

these roles have responded well to the

Page 9 November 2011

“We Care About Kids”

Child Protection Policy in Place Betty Benardo, Lead Servant

The valuing of kids

and gifting them

with faith, hope,

love and

developmental assets

must permeate

everything that

we do.

Epiphany Guiding Principle

Epiphany’s Child Protection Policy,

servant information forms, and incident reporting forms are

available on the Children and Youth pages on our website and also in the

church office.

THE BEACON Page 10

We Will Make a Difference

Update on Progress Toward Our Vision

Construction Is Underway! Heavy equipment arrived on Epiphany’s site at

the end of October, signaling the beginning of our

construction period. Erosion control has been

completed and much dirt is being moved. As this

issue of The Beacon was published, we were on

the verge of seeing “the hill” cut down.

Key work scheduled into the new year:

The week of December 12, construct a

temporary wall in the worship center,

blocking the current chancel area. The

worship center will be re-oriented until the

two-story addition is completed.

Once the temporary wall is in place, work on

the two-story addition will begin in earnest.

The addition will move the worship center

forward and, downstairs, add dedicated

formation space for our middle and high

school youth.

Before the end of 2011, framing the one-story addition will begin. In February,

offices will be relocated to the addition to allow for an expanded welcome area.

The two-story addition and expanded welcome area are scheduled to be “move-in”

ready before Easter. The new nursery and cry room will be constructed at the back

of the worship center following Easter Sunday.

We Will Make a Difference Appeal

Three Years, 2011 - 2013 Goal: $1.1 million Pledged: $818,000

As of October 31, 2011

Be sure to check your third quarter statement to verify that you are current on your pledge to the capital appeal. Contact Susan Ditore in the church office if you need an updated statement.

$224,003

received

$282,000

to be pledged/

remembrance

gifts

$593,997 remaining pledged

Gifts can be given …

to honor a special

person or group

in memory of

someone special

to honor a special

occasion in the

faith journey,

such as a baptism

or confirmation

As we continue to move from vision to action and we see the progress of our building

expansion unfold, a number of items are needed to “complete the picture.” To accomplish

this, we are announcing a new Ministry of Remembrance. We have a number of items

needed to complete furnishing the building that are not within the scope of our capital

appeal. A complete list of these items, along with gift amounts, will be available in the

narthex on the First Sunday in Advent, November 27, and more information about the

ministry will be shared with Epiphany people on that day.

All gifts given to the Ministry of Remembrance will be used as designated by the donor

to fulfill our mission of reaching out, raising up, and changing the world through the

light of the living Christ. All gifts will be recorded in a lasting Memorial Book, and they

will be listed in the commemorative bulletin when we dedicate our new facility for use

for God’s mission.

Announcing New Gift Opportunity

Ministry of Remembrance Judy McHenry

Page 11 November 2011

Flash Lights

New Members Welcomed in November

Epiphany received 11 people into membership on

November 13. Please be sure to reach out to these newest

members.

Joining through membership transfer:

Floyd and Sally Berger

(shepherded by Don and Denise Meng)

Mike, Lori, and Jordan Geren

(shepherded by the Solheim family)

Greg, Stephanie, and Sydney Hutchinson

(shepherded by the Franklin family)

Chris Tanner

(shepherded by the Means family)

Joining through baptism:

Hannah Noel Smith and Claire Alexandra Smith

(daughters of Kristin Tobaben-Smith)

Additionally, baptized member Suzy Bergs affirmed her

faith to become a confirmed member of the church.

Women’s Ornament Exchange December 2

All women of the church — along with their female

friends and family members — are invited to Epiphany’s

annual ornament exchange on Friday, December 2, at

7 p.m. Bring an appetizer to share, beverage of choice,

and an ornament to exchange (“white elephant” style, no

more than $10). We’ll gather at the home of Lisa Condon.

Haiti Servant Immersion Trip Set for January

Fourteen Epiphany members, friends, and family leave

after worship on Sunday, January 22, for a weeklong

experience in Haiti. The team will be led by Pastor Rick

and return to Atlanta on January 29.

While in Haiti, the

team will experience

ministries supported

by the Haitian Timoun

Foundation; Epiphany

is a partnering congre-

gation of HTF. The

week will end at

St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, where the team will join the gala

27th anniversary celebration and the dedication of the boys’

dormitory. The rebuilt dormitory was made possible in part

by tours of the Resurrection Dance Theatre of Haiti over the

past two years; Epiphany was a host site for the dance troupe

on those tours.

Epiphany is now collecting critically needed items to send

with the team to Haiti. Please visit our website or pick up a

list in the narthex to help supply our partners with some

basic clothing and personal care items. Your donations are

needed by Sunday, December 18.

Annual Ski Trip Now Taking Reservations

The ski trip for Epiphany youth is set for January 14 - 16.

Youth will stay at Lutheridge Saturday and Sunday nights;

skiing or snowboarding is offered on both Sunday and

Monday. Costs vary depending on whether you ski or

snowboard and whether you choose to be on the slopes one

or both days. Trip reservations are due by January 1.

All youth middle school age and older are invited on the trip.

Please see MidLites leader Paula Atkins for details, or send

her an email at midlites@epiphanysuwanee.org.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Lutheran

Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a Lutheran Liberian peace activist,

was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October. Gbowee, a

member of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, is responsible for

organizing a non-violent women’s movement that brought an

end to a 14-year civil war in Liberia. A mother of six children,

Gbowee said she grew tired of watching children die from

hunger and “waking up every morning and not knowing

whether a tomorrow was possible. You can’t plan for the

future.”

Using experiences of the women who had come before them,

the Liberian women in the movement used prayer, picketing,

and silence to further their mission. The movement led to the

ousting of ex-President Charles Taylor and to the election of

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president of Liberia — the first

African nation with a female president.

A movie, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, captures the story of

the peace movement. Epiphany member Kelli Jones held a

screening of the movie earlier this month.

The team will visit Wings of Hope in

Fermathe. Epiphany’s youth sponsored a

day camp for the children there in July.

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

Pastor for Community Outreach:

The Rev. Devin Strong

Minister for Worship Arts:

Terri Schroader

Ministry Support:

Susan Ditore, Cynthia Donaldson

Treasurer: John Murray

Sunday at Epiphany

Worship, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Faith Formation for all, 9:45 a.m.

Nursery staffed throughout the morning.

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

very best and humbly receives God’s free gifts.

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.

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.

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

Wednesday Community Night

IMAGINE, 5:00

Community meal, 6:00

Wednesday Grace Worship, 7:00

Adult Choir Rehearsals/Bible Study, 7:30