EPIPHANY STAR Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.episcopalguntersville.org

JANUARY 2018

In the New Year

The conversation about refugees continues. On Wednesday evening January 3, 2018, we will begin a series of classes provided by Episcopal Migration Ministries to inform and challenge us regarding the world refugee crisis. We hope and pray that this Epiphany curriculum equips you to live into the ministry of wel-come to which we are called. Each class in the six-week series teaches and empowers. You will come away with a deeper understanding of Episcopal Migration Ministries, refugee resettle-ment, the stories of our new American neighbors, and how God is calling you into this work. Adapted for congregational use from the Love God Love Neighbor training series, we will learn the extent of the crisis, what the Episcopal Church is doing in response, and what gifts we can bring to bear on our part. The course will continue Wednesday evening up to and including February 7, the Wednesday before Ash Wednesday This curriculum will be the basis of our Wednesday evening adult Christian formation pro-gram. All are welcome.

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VESTRY LIAISONS

Sr. Warden-Sam Harrison

Jr. Warden-Rick Cooley

Building & Grounds

Rick Cooley

Sam Harrison

Ray Klaver

Christian Outreach & Service

Rick Cooley

Jack Frost

Sam Harrison

Faith Formation

Jackie Camper

Tiffany Martin

Jan Maxwell

Fellowship

Grant Armstrong

Dave Burks

Jan Maxwell

Kitchen

Dave Burks

Tiffany Martin

Memorial Garden

Sam Harrison

Rick Cooley

Jan Maxwell

Office and Communication

Doug Cook

Jack Frost

Sara Hembree

Tiffany Martin

Pastoral Care

Dave Burks

Jackie Camper

Tiffany Martin

Stewardship

Dave Burks

Ray Klaver

Jan Maxwell

Worship

Grant Armstrong

Doug Cooke

Sara Murphree

Happy New Year!

As we celebrate a new year in the life of the parish, the month of January will see a burst of activity at Epiphany: budget-building, the Annual Parish Business Meeting, and the develop-ment of a new Vestry.

Your newly elected Vestry members will gather with “Vestry veterans” and other leaders in the parish in order to explore the possibilities of our life together in 2018. We will gather at Camp McDowell for a Parish Leadership Retreat, January 19-21. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to know one another better, learn new leadership skills, and begin to discern God’s will for Epiphany.

And speaking of leadership…

Jesus called the twelve disciples together for the sake of sharing the good news of God’s love. He trained them by offering himself as an example. And what an example he was! Jesus was the picture of perfect servanthood. He taught the disciples by doing what he did best: preaching, teaching, and healing.

Jesus was a preacher. He preached God’s word to crowds both large and small, sympathetic and hostile. He told stories of everyday life – parables – in order that the people could re-late and (perhaps) understand. He often began with the words “those who have ears to hear, listen!” The people listened, and the disciples saw how it was done.

Jesus was a teacher. He taught the spirit of God’s Law which had been handed down to Mo-ses – not the legalistic “letter” of that Law. Jesus explained that the Law was a gift of God, given so that God’s children might live together in peace. As he himself said, he came not to abolish the Law, but rather to complete it. Again, Jesus taught, and the disciples learned how to teach.

Jesus was a healer. He was there to heal the suffering – the sick, the lame, the deaf and the blind – who came to him in faith. He reached out and laid his hands on some; others he simply proclaimed as healed. Jesus made those who suffered whole again, and the disciples learned from his example.

In the end, Jesus would take his example of servanthood in the name of God’s love to an extreme end. He would die on the cross for the sake of sharing God’s love. He would be crucified for daring to call God’s people to love one another. The disciples learned all they knew of God and the strength and depth of God’s love by watching Jesus. Watching, and learning.

Pray that our new leadership, the Vestry – 2018, may come to know and feel the full meas-ure of God’s love, so that they might fulfill their call to service. The best leaders are those willing to sacrifice for the sake of those they lead. The members of our new Vestry are sacri-ficing their time, energy, and creativity for the sake of Epiphany. Let us together support them in their new ministry with our prayers and words of encouragement.

Blessings, Peace, and Happy New Year!

Fr. Aaron+

The Season of Christmas, 2017

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Kitchen Ministry

Epiphany Cafe’ will Open for service in January to provide hot meals for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our moto is Give what you can, Take what you need. Epiphany Cafe’ will be open every Wednesday night at 6:00 for dinner and every Sunday at 8:45 for breakfast. We will also serve a hot meal the 2nd Saturday of the month in conjunction with the Beans and Rice Ministry from 10:00 to 12:00. We will continue to have a money jar out and would appreci-ate everyone to Pay What You Can!! We will also provide the food for dinner, breakfast and lunch to go for our Room In The Inn nights in partnership with the Outreach Ministry. We have some items on our wish list to help make the Epiphany Cafe’ run more efficiently, please see the list below and contact us with any questions. Look for changes as we develop, improve and grow this exciting hands and feet ministry and know that all are welcome to volunteer, eat and build relationships. We will start picking up donations at local vendors and charities and will need help with this mission. If you are cleaning out and have any of the following in good condition please consider our Epiphany Cafe’. Food processor (Regular or Semi-commercial) Knife sharpener Serving spoons Syrup dispensers Linens Dish Towels Ice cream scoops Other Items in good condition If you are a double coupon person, see a deal, have leftovers, then think of us and drop off at the kitchen. We espe-cially could use the following BUT are not limited to the following donations at anytime. Give us a call when you leave food in the Walk In or Freezer. Coffee Bar Items Hot Tea Fresh Fruit Fresh Veggies Desserts Koolaid (not Strawberry) Dishwashing Detergent Scrubbers *Employee Sales at Food Processing Plant (let us know) If you are interested in being a part of this ministry please let us know. We need everyone at all skill levels and paces. *If you have a donation please let us know especially if it’s time sensitive. Help us Feed the Sheep Epiphany Cafe’ Tiffany Martin Emily Black Kitchen Ministry Liaison Kitchen Manager 256-673-0091 (256) 572-5994 Momstr@icloud.com Blackemily83@gmail.com Rachel Morris Kitchen Ministry Volunteer Coordinator (205) 370-2711 almsw119@yahoo.com

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ALTAR PARTY

Acolyte Search Party.....We are looking for parishioners to join us at the altar to serve on Sundays. There are many opportuni-ties to be part of the service by becoming an Acolyte. The different acolyte roles include Server, Lay Eucharist Minister, Crucifer (principle & clergy), Gospel Bearer and Torch Bearers. These roles are key to our service and each duty is easy and laid out for anyone to serve with Father Aaron at the Altar. Please prayerfully consider this your invitation. If you can commit one Sunday a month, I believe you will be fulfilled in ways beyond understanding. Contact Tiffany Martin, The Acolyte Madam, at 256-673-0091 momstr@icloud.com to learn more or talk to anyone that serves and see how YOU can become an Acolyte!! Check out our customary on the Epiphany website or by clicking here for a more detailed information. Tiffany Martin MOMSTR 256-673-0091 Momstr@icloud.com

CROSSES FOR ACOLYTES

We updated our crosses with new leather cords. Thank you Bubba Griffin for your gener-ous donation to our church. He is the owner of Lucky Buck Jewelry Store located at Curls & Pearls at 502 Blount Avenue. Stop in and see him for your jewelry needs and thank Bubba for his generosity.

ANNUAL PARISH BUSINESS MEETING

January 28, 2017

We will meet in Woodall Commons at 9:30 a.m. to discuss our 2018 budget. Come at 8:45 a.m. and enjoy breakfast and fellowship.

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Thank you Meredith Jackson for coordinating our Advent pageant. Our pageant characters were an affectionate Mary & Joseph, a dancing star, lovely kings, sheep, shepherds, a reindeer and a free range chicken! Our children and youth did a wonderful job sharing the story of “The Journey to Bethlehem”.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered with our Children & Youth ministries. Sunday school leaders and assistant leaders for both children & youth, children’s church leaders, EYC mentors, special event volunteers, cooks, drivers and clean-up crews! For cutting and pasting in preparation for craft activities and filling goodie bags! And most importantly praying for us. Each one of you helped shape the faith of our children & youth! God’s Peace, Shelly

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Happy Epiphany!

Children’s and youth programs resume

Wednesday January 3rd - VYP (Very Young Persons) and EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) resume, as well as our regular Wednesday Eucharist, dinner and programs. Sunday January 7th - Sunday school for children & youth at 9:30am, children’s church at 10:30am and Sr. EYC at 5:00pm.

Weekly

Sunday School – Sundays 9:30 a.m. 6th - 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) – Wednesdays 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. 6th - 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) – Sundays 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. 6th – 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons

January 21 – EYC will not meet 28 – EYC outing (TBD)

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February March

4—Adult Confirmation 18—Lent 6 — 12N Prayer 25 — Palm Sunday

9-10—Diocesan Convention 19—President’s Day 10 — DST Begins 28 — Stations of the Cross

13—Shrove Tuesday 20—12N Prayer 13 — 12N Prayer 29 — Maundy Thursday

14 — Ash Wednesday 27—12N Prayer 23—24 — Metagen Workshop 30 — Good Friday

31— Easter Vigil

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CODE: CC—Children’s Church; DOK—Daughters of the King; EYC—Episcopal Youth Community;

DAV—Disable American Veterans; HE—Holy Eucharist; Men’s B&B—Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study;

MMBC — Monday Morning Book Club; RITI—Room in the Inn; SH— Sanderson Hall; SS—Sunday School;

VYP—Very Young Persons; WC— Woodall Commons; Birthdays

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Office Closed New Year’s Day

2

Rickey Cooley

3 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30 Tara Smith

4

Reunion 9:30 Parlor

Finance Budget

Meeting 6:00 pm Library

5 B & B 7:00 HR

RITI

6 EPIPHANY

7 Discretionary Fund Sunday

HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

CC 10:30 Sr. EYC 5:00 Mary Davis

8 MMBC 10:00

Library

DOK 11:30 Parlor

EFM 6:00

9 Vestry Budget Meeting 6:30

Library

10 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

Barbara Panazze

11 Reunion 9:30

Parlor

12 B & B 7:00 HR

13 Brotherhood 8

Library Beans & Rice

10-12 DAR—WC

9-12 Doug Cooke

Melanie Dorman

14 HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30 Outreach 9:30

CC 10:30 Sr. EYC 5:00?

Bill Barker Anita Duncan Mitch Harbin

15

Office Closed

16 Annual Reports

Due B & G Meeting

6:00 Library

Cole Nichols

17 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

18

Reunion 9:30 Parlor

Jackie Camper Nicole Willoughby

19 B & B 7:00 HR

Vestry/Parish

Leadership Retreat Camp

McDowell Guy Caffey

Rachel Morris

20

Vestry/Parish Leadership

Camp McDowell

21 Vestry/Parish

Leadership Retreat Camp McDowell

Supply—Susan Sloan HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

CC 10:30 Coffee Hour—DOK Celtic Service with

Evening Prayer Reception 5:30 Sr. EYC 5:00

Randal Hardin

22 MMBC 10:00

Library

DOK 11:30 Parlor

EFM 6:00

Ellen Perryman

23 Kairos 6:30

Sanderson Hall

24 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

25 Reunion 9:30

Parlor

News Articles Due

26 B & B 7:00 HR

Clark Alves Vincent Meleski

27 Brotherhood 8

Library

28 Annual Parish Meeting 9:30

HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

CC 10:30 Sr. EYC 5:00

29 MMBC 10:00

Library

EFM 6:00

Billy Blevins

30

31 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30