Epiphany Star
Newsletter, Church of the Epiphany
October 2021
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Clergy Clatter
“Why would you suggest something like that?”
That was one of the comments I got after my question during announcements Sunday as to whether or not some folks would like a simple early morning Eucharist on Wednesdays. And I do understand the puzzlement. Why make more work for myself? But the fact it is, I’m at church by 9 on Wednesdays. It wouldn’t take much effort to be there a little before 8, get things open, and do a simple service – if there are folks who would like that.
Let me explain. I love Sunday morning corporate worship. I look forward to it all week. As soon as the first person walks through the door, I’m excited. I love the idea of the community gathering in song, prayer, conversation, and worship of God. The more people, the more activity, the more excitement, the better. I love everything about it. I craved it as a kid, and it still makes my whole week. Add a few dogs, and I’m even happier.
But – there is another type of worship. It is intended to be quieter, more personal, and more contemplative. It’s not focused on the community, but on the individual person and his/her spirituality. It’s a way of starting the day with structured prayer, in a quiet setting, where you and God can reach out to each other. For me, it’s kind of a “winter time thing.” It’s still quiet outside, a little bit dark, still not wide awake, but a perfect time to talk to God.
It seems to me that Epiphany is the perfect place to do something like this. My idea is that we read the Psalm appointed for the Day (different than Sunday’s), the Gospel appointed for the Day (different than Sunday’s), intercessions, a few moments of silent prayer, confession, a simple communion (the Prayer Book offers Rite 3, which we don’t usually use). It can be custom tailored. There would be no music, not homily, no processions – the lights turned down, the very simplest and personal service possible – I would guess about 20 minutes. You wouldn’t even have to dress up. Get out of bed, brush your teeth, wrap up in something, come say your prayers, and then go about your day. This would be so different from Sunday morning worship that I don’t think the two would be in competition with each other.
So – that’s my idea. If you come from a tradition or location that offers this sort of thing, you know that it can be very powerful. Sometimes folks get together and go to breakfast afterward, but sometimes you don’t have to say a word to anyone, and no one will consider you rude.
As an aside, before I was ordained, it was not unusual for a priest to maintain a private altar at home, and make his communion as his first act of the day. Current practice is that clergy don’t celebrate communion without two or three gathered together. It takes a second person present. I think that’s healthy and certainly Biblical.
Let me know what you think, and we’ll see what the Vestry says.
Richard +
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Thank You!
A big Thank You to the congregation for the new cassock. It's beautiful. I don't wear a cassock very often any more, except for funerals, Morning Prayers, etc. But when I need one, I need one. Believe it or not, I've been wearing the one I bought in seminary in 1965. We've gotten old together. I don't think it could survice another washing. So my new cassock is a very welcome update to my liturgical wardrobe. I'll have to model it for you.
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Fall Yard Sale
We're going to have a Fall Yard Sale - Yippie! October 23rd, 7 am to 2 pm. Carol says you can start bringing your goodies with a cut off on Wednesday, October 20th. More details later, but mark your calendar and gather your treasures.
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The Spring Bake Sale was such a success that we are planning a Fall bake sale that will be in conjunction with a Fall yard sale on October 23rd.
We hope we can count on you to contribute to the Bake Sale. We would truly appreciate it if you would be willing to make one of your home-baked goodies to sell at our Bake Sale.
You can bring your baked goods to the Church either Friday, October 22, from 5 to 7 pm or just drop them off Saturday morning when you shop the Yard Sale.
Thank you and we hope to see you on October 23.
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October Service Schedule
October 3, 2021 - Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
- Officiant- Rev. Julia Ashby
- Celebrant - Rev. Richard Bridgford
- Lector - Gayle Greene
- Altar - Len & Tina Wright
- Flowers - Marcia Cronin
- Usher - Jackie Rochelle
October 10, 2021 - Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
- Homily - Rev. Julia Ashby
- Celebrant - Rev. Richard Bridgford
- Lector - Jim Fisher
- Altar - Kevin LaPointe
- Flowers - Jim Fisher
- Usher - Kevin LaPointe
October 17, 2021 - Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost
- Homily - Rev. Richard Bridgford
- Celebrant - Rev. Julia Ashby
- Lector - John Greene
- Altar - Ariel Fernandez
- Flowers - Joyce Williams
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Usher - Kevin LaPointe
October 24, 2021 - Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost
- Homily - Rev. Julia Ashby
- Celebrant - Rev. Richard Bridgford
- Lectors - Tina Wright
- Altar - Kevin LaPointe
- Flowers - Jim Fisher
- Usher - Tom Gilleland
October 31, 2021 - Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost
- Homily - Rev. Richard Bridgford
- Celebrant - Rev. Julia Ashby
- Lectors - Ariel Fernandez
- Altar - Kevin LaPointe
- Flowers - Jim Fisher
- Usher - Jackie Rochelle
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Vestry Highlights
September 9, 2021
- Discussed the Bishop's latest COVID advisement, noting that we are in compliance with her recommendations.
- Approved hiring an ODU student as Parish Clerk if one can be found.
- Requested Blessing of the Pets service on October 3rd be outside. Additional services in October will be outside, weather permitting. Back inside for November.
- Elected Lori Bergmooser as delegate to Diocesan Council and Vaughn Coffman as alternate.
- Approved replacing taknkless hot water heater in the Sacresty.
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An Update from your Treasurer
This is an update to the report I gave at the Congregational meeting in May. This is not a plea for money, which most Treasurer’s presentations are. I do want to explain briefly how we’re doing financially a year-plus into the COVID pandemic, however.
Our budget this year is about $134,500—which is about $10K more than last year’s. We were averaging about $11K/month in spending the first six months of the year, and coming up several thousand dollars short each month. The last several months, however, collections picked up—which I and Vestry are attributing to services restarting—and we’ve actually run a small surplus a couple months!
That said, our pledges this year were $93K, which, for a Church our size, is pretty remarkable, but still $40,500 short of our budget figure. Most people are current on their pledge which, again, is great! And there is also giving from many who don’t pledge, but we never count on that in our estimates!
But, in order to keep our pledge to the Diocese current; keep the lights on and A/C running; fix the plumbing after the basement flooded earlier this year; keep the grass cut; maintain our mid-week music and Sunday sermons online; pay our clergy, music and other staff; I would ask only that, if you aren’t current, please try to be. And if you can put anything additional in the plate, great. Every dollar is in support of God’s work here on earth, and know that you are a part of it! Thank you.
In His name, John Greene
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Ushers Needed
If you are interested in being an Usher, please contact Kathy Moore at kmoore1234@cox.net or phone 757-647-6606
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October Birthdays
- Kathy Morrissette, 1st
- Monique Matuskowitz, 3rd
- Delani Beilsmith, 4th
- Susie Pedigo, 10th
- Jackie Rochelle, 25th
- Wendy Fernandez, 25th
- Mike Hardin, 26th
- Betty Owen, 28th
- Marcia Cronin, 29th
October Anniversaries
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For the latest schedule of events, visit our website at
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