The Star—April

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I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Episcopal Council 2

Calendar 3

Youth Group news

CARITAS

Women’s Retreat

4

Epiphany Prayer

Memorial Garden

Shrine Mont

5

Caring Meals

Search Comm. News

Congratulations

6

Worship Leaders 7

Fellowship

Home Communions

8

Stewardship Update

ECW

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Days of Blessing 10

Blessing of Azaleas

Recipe of Month

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Just the Facts 12

F R O M O U R I N T E R I M R E C T O R . . .

WHO WE ARE:

The Church of the Epiph-

any is one of 181 parishes

of the Episcopal Diocese

of Virginia, which is one

of 110 dioceses in The

Episcopal Church (USA),

one of 44 member

churches in the worldwide

Anglican Communion.

T H E C H U R C H O F T H E E P I P H A N Y

T H E S T A R April 2016

Dear Friends,

Alleluia. Christ is risen!

With our celebrations on Easter Day, we began the season of Easter, a sea-son that is fifty days long and which culminates on the Day of Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday when we will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit breathing life into the early Church. We regard Christmas Day, Easter Day, and the Day of Pentecost as the three greatest feast days of the church year. In the Sundays that follow Easter Day we recall the several times that Jesus appeared to his disciples for whom the resurrection was still a mystery and for whom that mystery was still beyond their compre-hension. In his appearances we see the power of Jesus’ love as he met with his disciples in the common experiences of life that reminded them of the times when he was with them before had happened. He came to them when they were gathered in a room where the doors were locked because they were afraid. He showed them his hands and his side and said , “Peace be with you.” They recognized his voice and rejoiced when they recognized him. Now that first time, Thomas, for some reason, was not among them. Perhaps he was off grieving by himself, we don’t know for sure and we are not told. A week later, however, he was with the other disciples. He did not believe what they told him. He had to see for himself. Jesus appeared to them again and he showed Thomas his hands and his side. He reached out to Thomas in his doubt and Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!” He recognized Jesus’ voice. He believed once again.

The power of Easter is that the risen Jesus comes to you and to me again and again in our doubts. To have doubts from time to time is a natural part of the human condition. We, like the disciples can fail and abandon Jesus yet he comes to us again and again, and not asking us, “Where have you been?” but “I come to bring you peace.” God’s love is unconditional.

My prayer for each of you this Easter season is that in some way, Jesus will appear to you at a time when you are experiencing doubt, and that his peace will envelop you and give you hope. I pray that you will experience God’s peace in a way that makes it possible for you to believe that Jesus has truly risen from the dead, that God is real, that God is living and is an active presence in your life. May the Peace of Christ be with you, especially when you most need that peace as you travel life’s journey.

Faithfully,

David

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March 5, 2016 Episcopal Council

The shortened 2016 Episcopal Council was held in Herndon VA at the Church of the Epiphany ( yes, we are not the only Epiphany in the diocese!) on Saturday, March 5th. Our Rev. David Knight and I drove up 95N that morning and were pleased to enjoy minimal traffic. Below are a few of the highlights.

All three of our Bishops spoke to us ----

Bishop Shannon Johnson’s Pastoral Address was a tribute and a challenge to our Diocese. He told us the Diocese is growing and challenged us to maintain our unity and build on the growth. How do we build on this? We connect thru shared ministry connections. The hand-in-hand sessions on racial reconciliation were a start – what is the next chapter. We were told to be activists.

Bishop Johnson spoke about how the world/political issues impact us and how we can no longer separate the two. He reminded us that Bishop Curry calls us to return to our fundamentals and be “Jesus Followers”.

Bishop Susan Goff told us to change our mindset – instead of “how do we get them to come through our doors” she urged us to go out and meet them at theirs! (Sounds awfully familiar to something going on at Epiphany)

Bishop Ted Gulick talked about the migrant concerns – remembering that we in the U.S.

have been migrants. He urged us the read “The New Jim Crow

We learned about a new spiritual direction program at Roslyn entitled “Pathways” This is open to any person who wishes to deepen their faith and experience a closer union with God. Check the Diocesan website for more info about this program.

Good news – the first phase of the “Shout it Out” goal of 2million has been raised to support Shrine Mont Camps

Next year’s them will be “Walk in Love “ Ephesians 5:2

Among the Resolutions discussed and voted on were those that discussed bringing guns into the church, and equal pay for women/men clergy.

At the end of Council, Bishop Johnson peeled off the Annual Council banner and presented the new “Annual Convention” banner.

Kathy Jimerson

(Alternate Council Delegate)

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April Parish Calendar

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April 10: Laser tag for all middle and high school youth after church. Please bag a lunch.

April 15 –17: 6 & 7 grade weekend at Shrinemont. Information will be on the youth group bulletin board. This

is an amazing 3 days filled with tons of great activities. I need to have the registration to the Diocese no later than April 13 so need the information in my hand by April 10.

Youth Group News

Women’s Annual Retreat

June 3rd & 4th @ Shalom House in Montpelier has been CANCELLED.

We will try to reschedule in the Fall.

Ann Henderson, 2662-3293 or ann.henderson@dcr.virginia.gov

We are actively planning for the CARITAS at the Epipha-ny which we will host the week of July 16—23. Our cur-rent efforts include pairing with other churches for our CARITAS week. We also will plan an Outreach cook-out in June at Epiphany to discuss with those who plan to assist in our Ministry. This will be a fun event and please keep an eye in the weekly bulletin as we get closer. Please pray that our efforts will enhance the lives of those we will assist who desperately need a bright light in their day to day struggles. As always, Epiphany will fill these needs.

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Shrine Mont Committee will be hosting the annual Epiphany ‘ yard sale’ on Saturday, May 14th. Time to spring clean and donate all your unwanted treasures! Please bring items to the parish hall marked “yard sale” and we will store them until then. If you need help with any larger items, please call Aggie Gallagher, 221-0733. Proceeds pay for the children to attend the annual Epiphany retreat in October.

Epiphany Search

Committee Prayer: O God, who is always with us, especially in time of transition, God of love and patience and giver of every good gift, guide us, we pray, and awaken in us a sense of your presence, as we journey together in search of our new rector. We pray for the priest whose name is yet known to you alone, that he or she be open to your call. All this we pray in the name of the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us and the Holy Spirit who sustains us. Amen.

Summer Memorial Garden Maintenance

With new nursery stock being planted in April and intensive work, our Memorial Garden needs water and clean-up on a regular basis. If you are able and interested in joining this effort contact Scott Blackwell (718-6489) or Jan Lawrence (393-1170).

A regular monthly maintenance will be set up. Flexibility in schedule is up to you.

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Search Committee News Visits are underway for each of our four candidates, in order to see them preach and celebrate the Eucharist. Two have been completed as of this writing, with the final visits concluding on April 10. At that time, we will be heading back to Roslyn to meet together as we work prayerfully to come to a consensus and choose the candidate to present to your Vestry.

Our final candidates are very strong and the Search Committee members have specific feelings for each one, which will make our decision making even more difficult and heartfelt. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we keep you in ours, and we will prayerfully move towards the end of this journey together.

Faithfully

Your Search Committee

Caring Meals Would you like to share a meal with someone in need? Several years ago at Epiphany we had a list of volunteers who would prepare a meal for a church member who had been in the hospital or ill. We would like to offer this again to our church family. Please call or email me if you are interested in this caring service for Epiphany. I will keep a list of people who can provide a meal when it is needed.

Carole Campus 804 261-6803 or Carol.net@verizon.net

Thank you!

Carol Campus, Vestry

Congratulations To Ryan & Rebecca Mitchell on the birth of their son, Reid Mitchell born on Sunday, February 28. He was 8 lbs. 20 in. long. The real proud grandparents are Lee & Ann Poates.

The occasional choir will have rehearsal after the 10:30 service on April 3 & 10 and will be sing-ing on April 17.

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Worship Leaders for April

10:30 Ushers: Eddie Johnson, George Baynes, Herb Williams, Cory Isemann

Counters:

April 3 — Easter 2

Altar Guild: Karen Holden, Randy Holden

8:15—MORNING PRAYER

Usher: George Baynes

Reader: Gray Corbett

10:30 AM—MORNING PRAYER

Lessons: David Tuck

Acolytes: Drew Gilbert, Kayleigh Gilbert, Morgan Green, Ava Whittlesey

Greeters: Susan Josenhans, Gray Corbett

Nursery: Kim White, Mary Sam Abernathy

April 17 — Easter 4

Altar Guild: Jean Ridddick, Debbie Crawford

8:15 AM—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Chris Tignor

Reader: Lauryn Boyd

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30 AM —Holy Eucharist

Lessons: Cheri Blackwell

Prayers: Cheri Blackwell

Chalice: David Tuck, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: Camille Wood, Sam Tucker, Eric Ludwig, Hana Elionai

Greeters: Buddy Dunn, Patty White

Nursery: Christine Couturier, Caroline Couturier

April 24 — Easter 5

Altar Guild: Kathy Jimerson, Melba Shumaker, Pam Pegram

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Paul Jones

Reader: Tad Blackburn

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30—Holy Eucharist

Lessons: B.J. Giannini

Prayers: B.J. Giannini

Chalice: Stacy Mitchell, Harrison Higgins

Acolyte: Zack Nixon, Will Craver, Jay Tucker, Bailey Nixon

Greeters: Jeff Pegram, Irene Temple

Nursery: Dwight Ludwig, Scott Blackwell

April 10 — Easter 3

Altar

Guild: Dottie Strabley, Lucy Whitlock, Lauryn Boyd

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Mike Nicholas

Reader: Sam Craver

Psalm: Harrison Higgins

10:30—Holy Eucharist

Lessons: Jeannie Knight

Prayers Jeannie Knight

Chalice: Gray Corbett, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: Lucas Couturier, Austin White, Nick Ludwig, Claudia Abernathy

Greeters: Carol Campus, Scott Blackwell

Nursery: Patty White, Sandy Ruder

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Fellowship Activities

Want to go to Brunch in April? Sunday, April 17th

, after the 10:30 service,

the ‘lunch brunch group’ will be going to

lunch at the Olive Garden, 7113 W. Broad Street.

If you are interested please contact Jean Riddick, 264-0935,

or call Lucy in the office, 266-2503

Women & Girls Corporate Communion

& Breakfast Mark your calendars! For Sunday, May 1st for the Women & Girls Cor-porate Communion & Breakfast at the 8:15 AM service. Watch for fur-ther info on who the speaker will be in the Sunday Bulletin. As in the past, the men will prepare a delicious breakfast for us!

Home Communion We would like to request that all who take communion to parishioners at home to have you, your recipient, and your sacraments blessed in church, before you go on this important ministry. It provides our congregation an opportunity to pray together for your recipient and re-minds us of those who are in need of some church fami-ly love.

Please let David know by noon THURSDAY, prior to tak-ing communion to anyone on Sunday or any day of the following week.

Please let Lucy know as well so she can notify the altar guild to place a communion kit on the altar for the blessing.

Thanks,

The worship committee.

Way to Go! A huge “Shout Out” to all the Epiphany Volunteers at Lamb’s Basket. They do a marvelous job and need a little recognition every once in a while!

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Stewardship Update

The Stewardship Committee will resume meeting in April. If you would like to join the Stewardship committee for 2017 please let me know – ann.henderson@dcr.virginia.gov or 804-262-3293

Give Your Love

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

First John 4:18 says, God is love. And John 3:26 says, God gave. God’s loving nature was the

reason for more than just giving, He created, He redeems, He provides, He forgives, He restores

and more. Yet almost everything God does can be put under the heading of giving.

Everything we have comes from God and comes to us because He has given. David noted in his

Prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:14; For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given

You. David’s response to God’s giving was to give back to Him as an act of worship. In fact, the

apostle Paul said that giving to others is a test of the sincerity of our love. What example of

giving did he cite? The fact that Christ gave to us so we might receive everlasting life.

What do we have to give to God and others to demonstrate our love? Think of time, talent and

treasure. All we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are only stewards who give to

demonstrate His love through our hands.

Blessings, Ann

Stewardship Chair 2017

Episcopal Church Women of the

Diocese of Virginia

The Five Marks of Mission

Program leader: The Very Rev. Phoebe Roaf, Rector, St. Philip’s

Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 1—5 pm

at Grace & Holy Trinity

Enjoy fellowship, sharing, prayer and worship

With Episcopal Church Women of all ages

Register Online @ the Diocese by April 12.

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Happy Birthday

April 1 Gareth Mitchell

April 2 Jeff Campus

April 4 Tom Gilbert

April 5 Grant Ruder

Jordan Skinner

April 8 Peyton Erica Brunt

April 10 Mary Rawlins

Anna Rawlins

April 11 Michael Young, Jr.

April 14 Harry Wood

April 15 Jeannette Donovan

April 16 Leslie Lineberry Guyer

April 17 Rebecca Poates Mitchell

April 18 Lucas Couturier

April 19 Catherine Tuck Turner

April 20 Wren Blackwell

Betty Jo Giannini

April 23 Benjamin Holden

April 24 Walker Williams

Dwight Ludwig

Robin Gilbert

April 25 Paul Jones

April Craver

Gerald Craver

April 26 Caroline Couturier

April 27 Avery Drew Craver

April 28 Christopher Johnson

April 29 Bruce Lovelace

Rebekah Donovan Ewbank

April 29 John Stone, Jr.

April Anniversaries

April 12 Gail & Harry Wood

April 15 David & Ellie Tuck

George & Joy Baynes

Days of Blessing in April Days of Blessing in April

Those who are ill or have special needs:

In Our Parish Family: Dot Hudson, Dottie Strabley, Bob Jimerson, Carol Burley, Sarah Jenkins, Ann Schaefer, Betty Fore, Mike Young, Da-

vid Skinner, Chris Tignor, Ann Poates, Charlotte Lovelace, Caroline Hager;

Those in Care Facilities or Homebound especially: : Peggy Adleman, Carl Burley, Sarah Fore, Ray Hampton, Ray Lovelace, Connie

Neal, Lib Ransom, Marietta Spring, Juliet Wynne;

Those Serving in the Armed Forces especially: Matt Guyer, Amanda Hoffert, Benjamin Hoffert, Patrick Lineberry, Dennis Miller, Caitlin

Mitchell, Bryan Murphy, Billy Tucker and Andrew Smith.

Prayers for the Birth of a Child: Evans & Rejoice Wani

Prayers for family & friends:

Prayers for Healing, Wholeness, Comfort, Guidance, and Safe Travel: Mary Stockdell—daughter-in-law of Susan Josenhans, Becky

Smith—friend of Melba Shumaker, Conrad Lawrence—Aggie Gallagher’s brother, Gary Peper—Lucy Whitlock’s brother-in-law, Bucky

Turner—friend of Jenn Whitlock, Rick Lawrence —Jan Lawrence’s son, Luke Murphy—Ray & Charlotte Lovelace’s great-grandson, James

McCoy—Sue Rasmussen’s friend, Bill Wells—friend of Sarah Jenkins, Mary Anna Phillips—friend of Sue Rasmussen, Braton Shewey—husband

of Nancy Shewey, Karen Clements—friend & coworker of Anne Hampton, Mary Lou Scary—Chuck Strabley’s sister, Karen Rood—sister of Jeri

Anne Townley, Andy & Carolyn Holden —Randy Holden’s parents, Robyn Morris—friend of Karen Holden, Joe Serrano—John & Diana Stone’s

nephew, Nancy King—Saundra King’s sister-in-law, Hope Lineberry—Cheryl Lineberry’s granddaughter, Carroll Wade—friend of Karen &

Randy Holden, Suzanne Scary— Chuck Strabley’s niece, Lelo Russell—Denise Russell’s mother-in-law, Dave Holsapple—friend of Stacy Mitchell,

Tim Blackburn—Tad Blackburn’s father, Doug Burgoyne—friend of David Knight, Susan Berry—friend of Scott Blackwell, Marcus, student at HHS

recovering from car accident—Gail Wood, Lisa Meredith, Kathy Jimerson’s step-daughter, Erica —friend of Patty White, Murielle Bazuzi —sister-

in-law of Frosine Corbett, Sam Isaacs—friend of John & Diana Stone.

Prayers for the departed:

Standing in the Need of PrayerStanding in the Need of Prayer

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Recipe for the Month

Amanda’s BBQ Bacon Chili

(submitted by Ann Henderson—She said she couldn’t take credit for it, but it won the Virginia Wine Lovers Chili Cook-off and a Chili Cook-off she entered at work). 2 lbs. lean ground beef 2 packs of your favorite bacon 2 cans kidney beans 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (favorite used: Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ) Your favorite Chili powder Salt & pepper to taste 1 cup of canned tomatoes (optional) 1 large onion, chopped (optional)

Cook ground beef (season with chili powder as you are cooking).

Lightly pan fry the bacon so that it is cooked, but still soft and dice.

Add beans, beef and bacon to crock pot.

Add additional chili powder, salt & pepper, and tomatoes and onion.

Pour BBQ Sauce over top and stir well.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Serve topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, or a dash of Tabasco/hot sauce if

A Blessing of the Azaleas for the Memorial Garden on

Easter Day, March 27, 2016

O God, Creator of life and Sustainer of seed and soil, of tree and flower, you have cre-ated this world and all that lives in it. We dedicate these azaleas given in loving memory of Francis and Bea Byrd, Pat Dunn, Edward Hudson, Mark Schilkin, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nicholas, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nance, Jr., Kathy Strabley and Dave Van Valkenburg and given in thanksgiving for our Epiphany family. May these azaleas re-mind us of the ones we love and who are held forever in your never unending care and love. We ask your blessing upon these azaleas to be planted in the Memorial Garden and upon all who will enjoy their beauty, that life itself might dwell in and bear witness to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Just the Facts:

Leadership and Contact Information at

Church of the Epiphany

Office address: 8000 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: 804-266-2503 inquiry@epiphanyepiscopal.com

The Rev. David Knight, Interim 804 389-7188 (cell)

The Rev. Deacon Harrison Higgins, IV, Deacon 804 355-5501 ( Cell)

Lucy Whitlock, Office Administrator lucy.whitlock@epiphanyepiscopal.com

Anita Williams, Music Director

Timon Kenyi, Sexton

Vestry

Buddy Dunn, Senior Warden Irene Temple, Junior Warden

Marty Shephard, Treasurer

Scott Blackwell, Register

Buddy Dunn (2016) Irene Temple (2016)

Patty White (2016)

Gray Corbett (2017) Susan Josenhans (2017)

Jeff Pegram (2017)

Mary Sam Abernathy (2018) Scott Blackwell (2018)

Carol Campus (2018)

Office Hours :

Lucy is in the office Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm. Call before stopping by

to make sure someone is here to let you in.

May the light of God’s blessing, like the Epiphany star, always guide

you on the path toward Him.