Epiphany Star
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Epiphany Star Editor: Rusty Ogden Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive; P. O. Box 116 December 2016 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.EpiphanyGuntersville.org POINSETTIAS FOR FLOWERS AND CANDLES FOR 2017 CHRISTMAS 2016 The Altar Guild is taking dedications for The Altar Guild is taking dedications for flowers and candles for 2017. This is a red Poinsettias. We will need 50 to beautiful and thoughtful way to celebrate, decorate the church for Christmas. and remember those in our lives who mean Each poinsettia plant is $15.00. so much to us. Dedication forms are at the back of the The candle and flowers signup sheets for nave and on the counter in the church 2017 are posted on the nave bulletin board. Please re- office. This dedication, which appears in the Christmas bul- member that these are done on a first come – first serve letins, is a beautiful way to honor those people who are basis. Place your order now or you may call Susan Arm- special in our lives and to celebrate the birth of a baby born strong at 256-302-3801. If a flower date you would like is so long ago in a stable and under a starry sky. already spoken for, look at that same date on the candle list. We appreciate your payment when you sign up or no later than December 23rd, so it can be processed for year-end. Rodney’s Flowers bills each individual directly for the Sunday altar flowers. If you have any questions please see/call Susan Armstrong at 256-302-3801. The candle dedications are $10.00 per date and are paya- ble to Epiphany. We appreciate your payment before your dedication date so the church’s records and your year-end statement are correct. This helps the office mark your donation(s) properly and promptly. Please make your check payable to Epiphany and note that it is for candles “Jesus’ Family Tree” and for what date. Sunday December 18th, 10:30a.m. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this year’s Advent Pageant, “Jesus’ Family Tree” adapted from the skit Epiphany “Christmas written by Dineen Dowling for Faith Lutheran Church. Casting includes narrators, Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, in Advent” Party Joseph, Moses, King David, Mary & Joseph, Elizabeth, Wednesday December 14th 5:30p.m. Grandma and four children with speaking parts. Woodall Commons Rehearsals will take place on Sunday, December 11th fol- lowing the 10:30a.m. service (lunch will be provided) and Mark your calendars for a special night of dinner, on Saturday Dec 17th 10:30a.m. – Noon. fun and fellowship. Bring an ornament that repre- sents your family and help us trim the tree. And A sign-up sheet is located on the children’s bulletin board just for fun, wear your tackiest Christmas sweater! outside Sanderson Hall. Please sign up so we know who will be participating. If you have questions please contact This event will be in lieu of regular Wednesday evening pro- Meredith Jackson 256-558-0237 or Shelly Hardin grams. 404-285-6044. Epiphany Star Page 2 Church of the Epiphany held their Annual Parish Elections on October 30, 2016 in Sanderson Hall at 1101 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Alabama. Before the meeting, Fr. Aaron announced that all members of the Inquirer’s/Confirmation class over the age of 16 who intend to be confirmed in January 2017 are eligible to vote during this meeting. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. Aaron Raulerson at 12:10 p.m. and opened in prayer with approximately 75 parishioners in attendance (including children and youth). Fr. Aaron stated the purpose of the meeting and thanked outgoing vestry members Jim Coleman, Barry Jones, Linda Katz, and Jan Maxwell for their service. He explained that these outgoing vestry members served as the nominating team for the candidates on the ballot: Jackie Camper, Ray Klaver, Tiffany Martin, and Jan Maxwell. He explained that Jan has served one year to replace a member that was unable to complete her term, and that the Canons would allow Jan to serve another two years. A mo- tion was made, seconded and passed to allow Jan to run for election. Since no nominations were made from the floor, the candidates were elected by acclamation. Election of diocesan convention delegates and alternates was the next order of business. The ballots listed already nominated candidates Anita Duncan, Valerie Fleming and Shari Harrison. A call for nomi- nations from the floor was made resulting in Cheri Blair and Rachel Morris being nominated. Everyone was instructed to add both new candidates to the ballots. The outgoing vestry members collected and counted the ballots and reported that: Anita Duncan, Valerie Fleming and Shari Harrison were elected as delegates with Cheri Blair and Rachel Morris to serve as alternates. Treasurer Shari Harrison took the floor to explain the chart that was emailed to parish members (and available as handouts during the meeting). She stressed the need for the Finance Ministry and Vestry to balance Epiphany’s budget in 2017 and for parishioners to fulfill their 2016 pledges and turn in their 2017 pledges. A question and answer session followed. Fr. Aaron turned attention to positive aspects for Epiphany: When pledging is over, the focus will shift to time and talents. Demographic shifts in church membership are global & not unique to Epiphany. Epiphany’s Outreach Ministry is opening a food pantry. The church building continues to be shared with many groups in the community. Epiphany facilities are beautiful. Fr. Aaron reminded everyone that we are “called to pray, work, and give for the sake and spread of God’s Kingdom, and asked that we give thanks for the gift of Epiphany”. After questions and answers, the meeting was closed by all in the Lord’s Prayer at 1:00 p.m. Nancy Brennan - Vestry Clerk Epiphany Star Page 3 A Letter from the Rector and Vestry Epiphany wishes all a Dear Everyone: Merry Christmas I am writing on behalf of the Vestry to share some information and a regarding upcoming repairs and improvements in our worship space. Many of you know that a pipe burst in October in the sacristy (the small room immediately behind the pulpit). The Joyous New Year damage was extensive, resulting in insurance claims and on- EYC Christmas Party going repairs. Saturday, December 11, 5:00 p.m. We subsequently discovered that the water damage was not Christmas in Advent Party limited to the sacristy, but also extended out into the nave, Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 p.m. even affecting the organ console. The insurance adjustor, our own Wardens, and members of our Buildings & Grounds Church Office Staff and Office Volunteer Ministry assessed the damage and discovered that the floor of Christmas Party the nave will have to be fully replaced. A “patch” or “repair” is Friday, December 16, 11 a.m.—1 p.m. impossible with the hardwood flooring. Advent Pageant The good news is that the entire cost should be completely Sunday, December 18, 10:30 a.m. covered by our insurance policy. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the repairs will not affect our budget. Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 All this goes to say that we will begin these repairs in mid- Christmas Family Service 6:00 p.m. January, and hopefully see them completed by March 1, 2017 Festival of Carols 10:30 p.m. (Ash Wednesday). Midnight Mass 11 p.m. While the repairs take place, Sunday worship services will be Christmas Day held in Sanderson Hall. This will require some logistical plan- ning and coordination, and our life together will no doubt see Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m. some disruption. There will be many details to work out regarding the regular use of Sanderson Hall and Woodall Commons. As we all know, life happens! At the same time, it is important to remember that the church is not simply a building, but rather a community of people – A Casual Christmas Lunch and ultimately, the Body of Christ. At times like these, it is important that we work together with a spirit of patience and for forbearance. Many of us will need to pitch in and help as we are able, putting our minds, backs, and hands to work for the Office Staff and Office Volunteers sake of our parish life. It will be a challenge, but there is no Friday group better suited for the task than Epiphany! December 16, 2016 We will do our best to keep everyone updated as these chang- es unfold. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t Epiphany Church Office hesitate to discuss them with me, Vestry members, or Drop in Anytime members of the Buildings & Grounds Ministry. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Blessings & Peace, Fr. Aaron+ Epiphany Star Page 4 Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Weekly Sunday School – Sundays 9:30a.m. Epiphany is entering a float in the December 10th 6th & 7th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons Guntersville Christmas Parade. If you would like to th th ride on the float please sign-up on the children's 8 – 12 grades – Library bulletin board outside of Sanderson Hall. Children Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) – five years old and younger must be accompanied Wednesdays 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. by an adult. 6th & 7th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons We will be meeting at Epiphany on Wednesday, December 7, at 3:30 pm to decorate the float. We 8th – 12th grades – Library can use all the help we can get and it's fun! Sr.