Episcopal Church of the Epiphany1101 Sunset DriveP. O. Box 116Guntersville, AL 35976256-582-4897

www.epiphanyguntersville.org

July 2011

Editor: Rusty Ogden

Epiphany Star

My dear parish family,

So much is going on these days. Even though we have now officially hit summer it seems like summer has been with us for months. Our beloved parish is active and busy even through the summer, and so much is in the offing.

One thing I wanted to say is that our parish has a great many fund raisers to help individual groups and organiza-tions. Last month there was good old UTO, the Seafood Bash as well as our fund raiser to help Special Session Camp for special needs people at Camp McDowell and others. Please remember that these are opportunities to help folks. Pick and choose where

you give your money. We realize that times are tight, but we feel obliged to help in any way we can those things which are important to us as a parish. We believe that it is important to give people the opportunity to give, but that doesn’t mean that it is your responsi-bility to give to all. Relax, listen to the voice of God, and proceed how directed.

July is often a fairly quiet month in the church. The weather usually is hot, and our pace slows down a bit but Epiphany will continue our important Sunday School programs and chil-dren’s church. Our breakfast will beserved only on the 4th Sunday of each month, but we will really dress it up.

If you’ve wondered where I have been lately, I’ve been to the Emerald Isle, Ireland, for two weeks. This is part of my three year sabbatical program. Rather than taking a summer sabbatical where I would be gone for three months, I decided to work with this other program where I need only a week from time to time to complete it. I believe it keeps me home more often than an extended length sabbatical. Diocesan policy says that I am to take a sabbatical every five years. This pro-gram works better for you and for me.

May God bless you throughout the summer. I continue to hold you all in my prayers.

Faithfully,Bill

have run out of money again. We really don’t want to resort to another loan. So, we now need people to step forward to help pay for the drop ceil-ing, light figures, (the chandelier in the cathedral ceiling area has already been purchased), kitchen cabinets, and furniture. Tell us how you may want to help and we’ll move that much closer to completion. We al-ready have funding for the kitchen, most of the hard wood floor, a big screen TV, as well as the funds for a portable altar. Most likely we’ll have a painting party for the lower areas, and putting in the tile. We are so close to finishing. With a little help,

Please, forgive me, I realize that I have already written about fund rais-ers, but we are on the cusp of some-thing that will dramatically change our life at Epiphany – for the better. The Commons Building has come a long way since the last time you vis-ited, we are not far from completion. Take a moment and talk with Hollis Babb, Property Warden or Lee Hog-gle, Building Chairperson. Ask them to take you on a tour. Wow, I’m tell-ing you the building is amazing. The electricity is on, plumbing is installed, heating and air conditioning are ready, and insulation and sheet rock are complete. Our only problem is we

Foam Insulation and Drywall

COMMONS BUILDING UPDATE

the down stairs can be ready to host this year’s Rally Day in September. Now that I’ve already told you to be responsible on how you use your money, we sure could use your help to finish this beautiful new addition to our ministry. Can anyone help?

Rector’s Ramblings

Epiphany Star Page 2

Parish Retreat at August 19—21, 2011

Camp McDowell is "God's Backyard." When you see the beautiful 900+ acres of forests, canyons, and waterfalls; and once you experience the facilities, service, and events you will understand why Camp McDowell is such an important place to so many people. Have you been thinking about whether or not to go to the retreat? Attending the Parish Retreat each year can become a great tradition for your family. If you want to spend a weekend with your church family doing fun things like fishing, swimming, hiking, canoeing,

playing all kinds of games from softball to card games, eating lots of good food, reading or just sitting on the front porch in rocking chairs and visiting, then you’ll need to sign the registration sheets posted outside the Parish Office.

MILLER COMMONS Each lodge has 11 motel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and individual heat/air conditioning units. Linens and towels are provided. Each lodge has a common/great room, kitchen, and covered decks and porches.

TO REGISTER, you need to sign the cabin and meal registration sheets posted outside the Parish Office. There will be no specific room assignments prior to going, upon arrival you will choose your room as you check in. Cost & Meal Information is posted on the bulletin board or call the Parish Office at 582-4897.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 3 Payment due to Epiphany by Aught 18

If assistance is needed, please contact Fr. Bill.

No refunds for changes or cancellations made after August 8

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August 3 Retreat Registration deadline 14 Blessing of Back Packs

15 Vestry meeting School back in session 18 Payment due for Parish Retreat

19—21 Parish Retreat

September 11 Rally Day 14 Wednesday Night programs resume

July 2010

CODE: HC—Holy Communion; BSA—Brotherhood of Saint Andrew; CP—Centering Prayer; DOK—Daughters of the King; DG—Dream Group Birthdays

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

William Benefield

2Cal Dabney

Marina DunnMikayla Moses

3 Discretionary Fund SundayPick up Boston ButtsHC 8am & 10:30am

Sunday School 9:30amTaizé Service 5pm

44th of July

Fireworks 9pm

Caitlin Martin

5

Kelly Potts

6CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

7Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Susan FosterRosalind HallLaura HarbinDerek LaceyKyle Lacey

8 9BSA 8am

Drew Hunter

10HC 8am & 10:30am

Sunday School 9:30amOutreach mtg. 9:30am

Children’s Church 10:30amUltreya 6pm

Haley Brown

11DOK 11:15am

Brian Moses

12Ministry Council

6pm

Pam AbneyJeff Baker

Marcus BarnesJoanna BrooksAnne B. DasherConnie Hembree

Jerry MohrBickie Raspilair

13CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

14Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Jack Hart

15

Sheree RebrovickJacob Roberts

16Election of Bishop of Alabama

17HC 8am & 10:30am

Sunday School 9:30amMission Team mtg 9:30amChildren’s Church 10:30am

Celtic Service 5pm

18Vestry mtg 7pm

19Hospitality mtg

7pm

Bill ThompsonDrew Woods

20CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

21Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

22

Phillip BattsDianne Breyfogle

Kimberly Marr

23BSA 8am

Milla Thornton

24HC 8am & 10:30am

Sunday School 9:30amChildren’s Church 10:30am

Mary Groff

25DOK 7pm

26

Mike Lonsberry

27CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30amMargaret Blevins

Ralph CollinsEd Reed

28Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Joseph Overton

29

Debbie ClinesMary KendrickBetty Rinckwitz

30

31HC 8am & 10:30am

Sunday School 9:30amChildren’s Church 10:30am

Hannah Mohr

Back to School Blessing of Backpacks August 14 during the

10:30am service

Vestry Person for JulyGary Beasley 256-581-0479

E-mail: rustyogden@bellsouth.comChurch e-mail: pis_ala@bellsouth.netChurch Phone: 256-582-4897Fax #: 582-4899www.epiphanyguntersville.org

FREE PARKING TICKETFireworks over Guntersville Lake, July 4 at 9pm,

may be viewed from the church parking lot in the comfort of your own lawn chair.

Bring your own food and beverage and tailgate.Parking lot is reserved for parishioners

so get your free pass, one per car, in the office.

BOSTON BUTTS

Epiphany is selling Boston Butts for $25 to help you celebrate your 4th of July weekend. The butts may be picked up hot at the church on Sunday, July 3 or when you come to view the fireworks on July 4.

Fr. Bill Winters will teach a class based on the book, “Falling Upward” by Richard Rohr beginning July 7. The class will meet every Thursday morning at 10am for 12 weeks. The book is available in the office for $12

In Falling Upward, Franciscan Father Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward."

Join Lamar Auman on Sunday mornings at 9:30 as we strengthen our corporate understanding and knowledge of Christ through the writings of Paul to the Church in Corinth. The class will continue through July and August and will be structured for a "vacation filled summer schedule", so please join us when your summer schedule permits!

If you want a cup of coffee, then by all means come on in and get one. You will not disturb us. But know that we would love for you to join us at the table with your coffee and share your thoughts on what Paul's letter to the Corinthians means to us in TODAY'S WORLD.

Adult Christian Formation

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TRANSFERS RECEIVED

Kim Adams from Church of the Resurrection, Surfside Beach, SC10501 Fairview Cove RoadAltoona, AL 35952256-840-4994

Maggie Funderburk from St. Thomas, Huntsville, AL520 Mill Bluff RoadUnion Grove, AL 35175

NEW ADDRESS’Betti KennamerSt. Martins-in-the-PinesApt 2224949 Montevallo RoadBirmingham, AL 35210205-956-1222

Bob and Penny Moses1512 Riley RoadGuntersville, AL 35976

WE NEED EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

We had difficulty checking up on people after the tornados to see if you were alright and to let you know what we could do for you. Please send me your cell phone number and a neighbor’s or family member’s name and cell phone (with their permission of course). We will not give out these numbers but plan on having a contact team in case of emergencies. This is part of the new emergency plan that you will hear more about later.Rusty Ogden, Communications Director