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

www.EpiphanyGuntersville.org

July 2017

JULY 4TH COOK OUT

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is hosting a 4th of July cookout in the parking lot this year. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be

provided by the Brotherhood. Bring a side dish to share. Fellowship and food starts at 6 p.m. with Guntersville Fireworks

beginning at 9 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and join us. Parking space is limited therefore parking passes are available to insure

you have a space. Pick up your parking pass in the office by July 3rd.

Hello Everyone,

As most of you know, June 30 was my last day working at Epiphany. I leave the office with mixed

feelings of sadness and excitement. However, I am a parishioner and am very glad that I will still be

with my beloved church family. I will be taking a two month hiatus for rest and relaxation so that I

can resume coming to Epiphany solely for worship and lay ministry.

To all of the wonderful people; rectors, office staff, office volunteers, vestry and ministries whom I

have had the privilege to work with over the past 12 years - Thank You.

I began working in the office twelve years ago under the Rev. Bill Winters, The Rev. Jennifer Riddle and Martha Ross,

Administrative Assistant. They used their knowledge, wisdom and humor and taught me a great deal. It has been a real pleasure

and a lot of fun working with Shelly Hardin and Charlene Mason. I worked with the Rev. Nancy Turner-Jones during the time of

transition from Fr. Bill to Fr. Aaron and with her help, got through Chuck’s illness and death. It has been my privilege to work

with Fr. Aaron, whom I “guided and advised” as he made his way into the hearts of Epiphany. I have learned a great deal from

Fr. Aaron as well. The one thing that can be said of all these rectors is that they were all so different. These times shared have

been an extraordinary part of my life.

The greatest joy of working at Epiphany was getting to see my many friends when they came by the office. Many of my

memories of those who often came in for coffee and a chat include those who are no longer with us, especially Carol Jean Rives,

Skip Harborth, Lew Benson, Buck Woodall, Betsy King, Ed and Rita Hayes, Joe Sanderson, Bettie Kennamer, Larry Pfeiffer and

Doris Webb. I miss them so much.

I wish Charlene Mason, Parish Administrator, every success as she takes over my duties and I know she will receive the help and

support I have been privileged to receive from you over the years.

Have a good summer and I will see you in September at the parish picnic.

Rusty

Phone: 256-506-6314

E-mail: RustyOg2@gmail.com

I was so surprised on Sunday, June 25, with the Retirement Luncheon that was given in my honor. How the

parish pulled it off without my finding out about it is amazing. I have since learned about all the planning

(and I must say conniving) that went on behind my back. The fact that people went to so much trouble

humbles me. The very generous gift is certainly appreciated. Thank you Fr. Aaron for your very kind words.

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We are saddened by the death, June 8, of Will Smith’s step brother, Bill Hooper, of Albertville. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to Will and family. We are saddened by the death, June 6, of Arlyne Black’s aunt, Dorothea Leneke, of Illinois. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to Arlyne and family. We are saddened by the death, June 19, of Bill Barker’s mother, Bonnie Barker, of Union Grove. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to Bill and family. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Memorial Garden Fund at Epiphany. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon them

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Memorial Garden Restoration Team

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

We have been tasked with devising and implementing a plan that will return our memorial garden to its previous glory.

There are many issues of safety, maintenance and aesthetics which must be addressed. We know that our garden is a

special and spiritual place for many of us. Please know that we are approaching our task in a reverent and prayerful

manner, and that our goal is to make our garden a safe and beautiful spot that glorifies God and continues to provide us all

with a place to meditate and worship now and for many years to come.

We are in the process of identifying all issues that need to be addressed, prioritizing them, and formulating tentative

solutions that are within our fiscal means. Our intent is to keep you informed as we proceed. We thank you all for your

understanding and patience. Please pray for us as we undertake this daunting task.

We are ready to listen to your concerns and will try to answer your questions.

Peace of the Lord be with us all.

Dave Burks, Chair Bill Barker Wally Kistler Melanie Doorman

Rosalind Hall Ray Klaver Nancy McAllister Sam Harrison, Vestry Liaison

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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

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

As June ends, we recognize and celebrate the gifts and contributions of

Rusty Ogden, Epiphany’s Communications Assistant, on the occasion of her

retirement.

I first met Rusty in August of 2014, the month before I began my ministry

as rector of Epiphany. She greeted me warmly, and pledged to work to-

gether with me though our shared transition. She was excited to finally

have a new priest with whom she could share her gifts for ministry.

Over the course of the following two and a half years, Rusty and I have

worked closely on countless bulletins, newsletters, baptisms, weddings,

funerals, and all the other things that go into managing a parish. I am a

better priest for having worked with her. She has been a gift and blessing

to me, and I am thankful.

Retirement marks not just the end of something, but also the beginning of

something new. Many in our community have experienced this rite of

passage and have stories to tell about retirement – both positive and

negative. The Christian story, however, is always about resurrection.

In Christ we are a new creation, and we are constantly being renewed.

Opportunities for spiritual growth never cease, no matter our age or place

in life. Our walk with Christ does not end when our worldly circumstances

change. Jesus invites us on a journey, and we are called to walk the path he

has shown us, following in his footsteps.

I am excited to see what God has in store for Rusty – and anyone else

facing retirement – as this is a new chapter in life. Schedules, priorities, and

opportunities will change, but God remains present throughout.

Rusty will (of course!) continue to be a fellow member of the parish, and I

look forward to continuing to serve with her in new and interesting ways.

Take care, Rusty – God Bless and Godspeed!

Blessings & Peace,

Fr. Aaron+

Summer, 2017

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Children’s Church

Children’s church is underway for the summer.

Each Sunday, with the exception of July 2nd,

children’s church will be held at 10:30am in

the children’s chapel under the stars, located

upstairs in room 205. Children 4 years old

through 5th grade are encouraged to join us.

Older youth may also attend and assist the

younger children. During children’s church we

process into the chapel singing as we set our

prayer table. We follow a similar order of

service as the main service, which includes

collecting an offering. The children will join

the main service, during the peace where they

sit together in the last pew. The children will

walk together to the altar, during the

Doxology, carrying the children’s church

offering. Following the Doxology, the children

will return to their parents or guardians for the

remainder of the service.

Back to school! But wait it is only July!

We wanted to let you know in July that we are

starting our fall programming in August!

Mark your calendars for August 6th at 10:30am for

the Blessing of the Backpacks. That’s code for

blessing our children, teachers and parents, in

preparation for students returning to school that

week. Please bring your backpack and join us as

we ask God for a safe and successful school and

church program year.

On August 13th, children and youth Sunday school

resumes at 9:30am.

On August 16th, Wednesday evening programs

resume with Eucharist, dinner and activites. Stay

tuned for details in the August newsletter.

Trash to Treasure Sale

The annual Trash to Treasure Sale to benefit the many outreach ministries will be held in the parking lot and inside Sanderson Hall August 26 from 7am to 1:00pm. We need your GOOD unwanted items! We will accept clothes that are in good condition. Please, no stained or torn clothing. We will start accepting items August 23. Please consider volunteering to help with this event! We especially need volunteers August 24 & 25 to help arrange donated items. Please call Nancy McAllister 256-677-3231 or Marsha Babb 256-571-2300. Thank you in advance for always stepping up to help!

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CODE: DOK—Daughters of the King; HE—Holy Eucharist;

Men’s B & B—Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study; Birthdays in italics

August September October November

6—Blessing of Backpacks 4—Office Closed

Labor Day

1—Blessing of Animals 5—All Saints Day

Blessing of Pledge Cards

9—God’s Generous Gifts

10—Bring a Friend Sunday

Parish Picnic

17—Vestry Meeting 11—Veterans Day

13—Ice Cream Social 19—Vestry Meeting 25—Fall Festival 18—Holiday Faire

15—Vestry Meeting 29—Parish Elections 23-24—Thanksgiving

Office Closed

16—Wednesday Programs

begin

25—Iron Bowl

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 William Benefield

2 Discretionary Fund HE 8 & 10:30am Nursery 9:30am

Lectionary 9:30am CC 10:30am

Marina Dunn

Mikayla Moses

3 MMBC 10am-Lib

4

CLOSED

Brotherhood Tailgate 6:00 pm

Caitlin Martin

5 Centering Prayer 1 pm

Children's Chapel

6 Ministry Counsel Mtg

6pm—SH

7 Men’s B & B

7am-HR

Susan Foster Rosalind Hall

8 Brotherhood 8am

HR

Beans & Rice 10am

Kevin Andries Jonathon Scott

9 HE 8 & 10:30am Nursery 9:30am

Lectionary 9:30am OutReach 9:30am

CC 10:30am

10 MMBC 10am-Lib

DOK 11:30 Parlor

Haley Nichols Caroline Sparks

11 Buildings & Grounds

6pm Lib

Brian Moses

12 Centering Prayer 1 pm

Children's Chapel

Pamela Abney Jeff Baker

Connie Hembree Jerry Mohr

Bickie Raspilair

13 Finance 6pm Lib

14 Men’s B & B 7am-HR

Jack Hart

15

Regina Coleman

16 HE 8 & 10:30am Nursery 9:30am

Lectionary 9:30am CC 10:30am Choir Returns

Carole Harbin

17 MMBC 10am-Lib

18 Vestry Meeting

6:30pm Lib

Kairos 6:30pm SH

19 Centering Prayer 1 pm

Children's Chapel

Bill Thompson, Jr.

20

21 Men’s B & B 7am-HR

22 Brotherhood 8am

HR

Dianne Breyfogle

23 HE 8 & 10:30am Nursery 9:30am

Lectionary 9:30am CC 10:30am

24 MMBC 10am-Lib

DOK 11:30 Parlor

Jim Coleman Mary Groff

Andrew Scott

25 News Articles Due

26 Centering Prayer 1 pm

Children's Chapel

Miyoko Frost Mike Lonsberry

27

Margaret Blevins

28

Joseph Overton

29

30 Supply

HE 8 & 10:30am Nursery 9:30am

Lectionary 9:30am CC 10:30am

Dora Tucker

31 MMBC 10am-Lib