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TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected]
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