The Star—December

1

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Bishop Visit

Blue Christmas service

2

Calendar 3

Altar Guild Meeting

Soup & Bread Luncheon

4

Shrine Mont Committee

Caroling at WMC

Poinsettias

5

Stewardship 6

Foster Kids Christmas

Christmas Eve Schedule

7

Worship Leaders 8

Fellowship

Change of address

Sympathy

9

Days of Blessings 10

Just the Facts 11

F R O M F A T H E R A N D R E W . . .

WHO WE ARE:

The Church of the Epiph-

any is one of 181 parishes

of the Episcopal Diocese

of Virginia, which is one

of 110 dioceses in The

Episcopal Church (USA),

one of 44 member

churches in the worldwide

Anglican Communion.

T H E C H U R C H O F T H E E P I P H A N Y

T H E S T A R December 2016

Advent Calendar

He will come like last leaf's fall. One night when the November wind as flayed the trees to the bone, and earth wakes choking on the mould, the soft shroud's folding. He will come like frost. One morning when the shrinking earth opens on mist, to find itself arrested in the net of alien, sword-set beauty. He will come like dark. One evening when the bursting red December sun draws up the sheet and penny-masks its eye to yield the star-snowed fields of sky. He will come, will come, will come like crying in the night, like blood, like breaking, as the earth writhes to toss him free. He will come like child. By Rowan Williams

The Star—December

2

The Bishop is Visiting...

On January 8th our parish will be hosting the Bishop for a special visit. We will be celebrating the new ministry of Father Andrew as our rector and we will also be presenting some of our youth for confirmation.

The schedule for January 8th will be different, so please mark your calendars. We will be holding only one service, at 2:30 PM. The two regular services will not be held.

We hope you all can attend this special day as we officially welcome our new rector, and celebrate this important milestone for our teenagers

Congratulations!

Karen Holden

Clement Wani

Patty White

who were elected for a 3

year term on the Vestry

starting in January 2017!

Blue Christmas Service

For many people, the holidays can be a difficult time of year. They can remind us of loved ones we have lost and other tragic events that have hap-pened in our lives.

On Wednesday, December 21st

at 6:30 pm we will be holding a “Blue Christmas” Eucharist. This will be a more reflective, and somber worship setting.

All are welcomed.

The Star—December

3

December Parish Calendar

The Star—December

4

Altar Guild Meeting

& Polishing the Brass! Saturday, December 17th @ 10:00 AM

in the parish hall kitchen!

We will meet with Father Andrew and go over changes and answer any questions you may have. I urge all members to be here for this meeting. We will have coffee and donuts!

We are always willing to train anyone who is interested in this special housekeeping for God.

Just let us know!

Soup & Bread Luncheon!

After the Children’s Pageant, Sunday, December 18th, we will have our annual ‘Soup & Bread Luncheon’. Touch base with Beth Lassiter, 756-1540, if you are willing to make a pot of soup or can bring some bread.

Hope to see y’all here!

Worship Committee would like to let you know that you are invited to announce requests for pray-ers during the service, just before the Prayers of the People begin.

This is one more way to help us know who may need help and prayers, espe-cially those that come up after the bulletin has been printed.

The Star—December

5

Shrine Mont Committee is selling Epiphany Christmas ornaments

for $5.00 for the next two Sundays,

December 11 & 18.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Episcopal

Church Has been rescheduled for

December 18th at 9:15

in the parlor.

Caroling at Westminster Canterbury Do you like to sing Christmas carols? Join us immediately following the soup & bread luncheon on December 18 as we leave to carol to our members at West-minster Canterbury who are no longer able to attend services at Epiphany.

There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex to help us plan this event. Our Youth Choir will play handchimes, but all of our voices are needed to share in singing these carols.

No talent needed—just the love of a good carol and of our Epiphany family at Westminster Canterbury!

Time to order Poinsettias or give to the Banner fund!

Cost is $15.00. Let me know who it is in memory of or thanksgiving for and whether Poinsettia or Banner Fund.

Deadline is December 21st

Thank You!

The mitten/glove and hat tree is al-ready up and needs some donated items to fill its branches. Gloves, mit-tens, scarves, hats and socks would make many have a warmer winter season this year.

Deadline for getting them on the tree is December 13th.

The Star—December

6

“Stewardship” The Stewardship Committee did not meet in November, meetings will resume in December. The Stewardship Committee wishes to thank those parishioners that have already turned in their pledge card for 2017.

As of November 13th, 54 pledge cards had been returned. Pledges for current expenses is $158,502 and for building expenses $20,110 for a total of $178,612. If you have not turned in your pledge card yet please place it in the offering plate or you can give it to Lucy.

You may have noticed the large jar in the parish hall. This is our blessings jar. If you have a blessing that you would like to share we are asking that you write it down and drop it in the jar. This can be anonymous if you so choose. We would like to have the jar full on New Year’s Eve.

Ann Henderson – Stewardship Chair

Stewardship

“The most expensive vehicle to operate, per mile, is a shopping cart.” – Brian Kluth

Years ago I read this quote in a financial devotional and it has stuck with me. We are all called to be good stewards of our time, and money. The end of another year is rapidly approaching which means we are entering the time of Holidays. As you read this newsletter you are most likely still recovering from Thanksgiving. Many of us traveled or entertained guest (sometimes both) and we may have eaten a wee bit too much. Then just as the last Thanksgiving leftover is eaten it is time to start preparing for Christmas.

Many people spent the day after Christmas shopping for gifts. As you prepare for Christmas this year remember that you are a steward for all the God has given you and prayerfully consider your purchases during this season. I love finding that perfect gift for everyone on my Christmas list but as I have gotten older I find the shopping is not as important to me as keeping Christ at the cen-ter of my Christmas plans. Spending time with my family is much more important than what is wrapped up under the tree.

My Christmas wish for each of you is a blessed, safe and merry Christmas and Happy New Year, surrounded by family and friends.

Merry Christmas,

Ann

The Star—December

7

Henrico Foster Children Christmas Program

Thanks to all of the congregation members who participated in filling most all of the Christmas gifts for these two families. There were a few items we did not purchase, but extra gift cards should help them with a later purchase.

Deadline for getting the gifts & gift cards in for these two families is Sunday, December 11th. You can drop them off with Lucy, but need to check to see when she is in the office. Please wrap gifts and make sure you identify who the gifts are go-ing to.

Again, thank you for continuing to help the less fortunate in our community.

Gray Corbett, Outreach chair

Christmas Eve Schedule 4:00 PM—Family Holy Eucharist

Reader: Randy Holden

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30 PM —Festive Holy Eucharist

Readers: Gray Corbett, Buddy Dunn

Prayers: Buddy Dunn

Chalice: Gray Corbett, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: All Acolytes

Thank You!! Due to your kindness and gen-erous support Epiphany was able to provide 33 Thanksgiv-ing boxes to HEARTH to dis-tribute a thanksgiving meal to those who would not be able to have one otherwise. Thank you again for your generous support!

Volunteers needed for the St. Francis Memorial Garden

When the St. Francis Memorial Garden was established by the Church of the Epiphany’s Vestry in the mid-1980s, a founding goal was to keep the Garden “maintained in keeping with its natural settings.” Cool, windy weather is fast approaching with its abun-dance of falling leaves, limbs, and twigs, and volunteers are need-ed to help maintain that natural setting. If you would like to vol-unteer to help keep the Garden neat and clean, please sign-up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the hall way or call Jan Lawrence at 804 393-1170.

The Star—December

8

December 4— Advent 2

Altar Guild: Susan Josenhans, Barbara Johnson

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Paul Jones

Reader: Gray Corbett

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30 AM—Holy Eucharist

Lessons: B.J. Mills, Buddy Dunn

Prayers: Buddy Dunn

Chalice: Buddy Dunn, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: Zack Nixon, Camryn Whittlesey, Makenzie Lawrence, Bailey Nixon

Greeters: Jeff Pegram, Buddy Dunn

Nursery: Gail Wood, Patty White, Christine Couturier

December 11—Advent 3

Altar Guild: Dottie Strabley, Lucy Whitlock, Lauryn Boyd

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Lauryn Boyd

Reader: Sam Craver

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30 AM—Holy Eucharist

Lessons: Jeri Anne Townley, Cheri Blackwell

Prayers: Cheri Blackwell

Chalice: Herb Williams, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: Austin White, Will Craver, Sam Tucker, Camille Wood

Greeters: Carol Campus, Susan Josenhans

Nursery: Gail Wood, Dwight Ludwig, Scott Blackwell

December 18 —Advent 4

Altar Guild:

Jean Riddick, Debbie Crawford

8:15—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Kim Ruder

Reader: Lauryn Boyd

Chalice: Harrison Higgins

10:30 AM—Children’s Pageant & Holy Eucharist

Lessons: Pageant Readings

Chalice: David tuck, Harrison Higgins

Acolytes: Lucas Couturier, Gift Elionai, Kayleigh Gilbert, Logan Abernathy

Greeters: Gray Coarbett, Mary Sam Abernathy

Nursery: Gail Wood, Karen Holden, Sandy Ruder

December 25—Christmas Day

Altar Guild: Kathy Jimerson, Melba Shumaker, Pam Pe-gram

ONLY ONE SERVICE @ 8:15 AM

NO MUSIC

8:15 AM—Holy Eucharist

Usher: Lauryn Boyd

Lessons: Lauryn Boyd

Chalice:

Worship Leaders for December

10:30 Ushers: Jeff Pegram, Randy Holden, Brent Crawford

Counter: Karen Holden

The Star—December

9

Fellowship Activities

Want to go to Brunch in January? Lunch Bunch will not be going out to lunch in December.

We will start back up the third Sunday, in January,

Sunday, January 15th, after the 10:30 AM service

we will be going as a group to Yen Ching, 9033 W. Broad Street .

If you are interested in going, contact Jeannie Riddick, 264-0935 or call the office, 266-2503.

Sympathy The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended to Crystal Sarvay and Jessica Isemann & families on the death of their father/grandfather, Jack Patterson, on Saturday, November 26th. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

December Vestry Meeting

will be held on December 20th @ 6:30 PM in the parlor.

Change of Address: Cory, Jessica, Trevor Isemann 9600 Dove Hollow Lane Glen Allen, VA 23060 Cory cell (804) 519-7267 Jessica cell (804) 387-5361 Betty Fore 1600 Westbrook Ave. PHC 9139 Richmond, VA 23227 Phone: (804) 261-5139

Lay Pastoral Care! If you or someone you know is in need of non-emergency pastoral care, please call the church office, 266-2503 and leave a message for Lay Pastoral Care—Phone Mail Box 5.

Please include your name and phone number and your call will be returned within the next day or two.

Thank You! Thank you to all the members of Epiphany who contribute to the UTO (United Thank Offer-ing) on October 16th. We were able to send $286 to the Do-mestic and Foreign Missionary Society and the United Thank Offering Board to be given in UTO grants.

The Star—December

10

Happy Birthday

Dec. 1 Sandy Ruder Cora Ann Whitlock

Pierce Carter Mitchell

Mick Whittlesey

Dec. 3 Tad Blackburn

Dec. 6 Hunter Mitchell

Dec. 7 Betty Fore

Dec. 8 Rachel Young

Eli Nicholas Back

Dec. 10 Chris Tignor

Grace Gabriella Schulte

Dec. 12 Tim Shephard

Vivien Mitchell

Dec. 15 Drew Gilbert

Dec. 18 Sarah Jenkins

Dec. 19 Diana Stone

Linda Whitlock

Dec. 20 Emma Blackburn

Dec. 23 Hope Marie Schulte

Dec. 25 Nancy Sonne

Dec. 28 Christine Williams

Dec. 30 Hana Elionai

Noel Elionai

Dec. 31 Ava Whittlesey

Happy Anniversary

Dec. 6 Marty & Vivien Mitchell

Dec. 19 Randy & Nancy Tucker

Dec. 27 Ray & Charlotte Lovelace

Cory & Jessica Isemann

Dec. 30 Chris & Sandy Tignor

Gray & Frosine Corbett

Days of Blessing in DecemberDays of Blessing in December

Those who are ill or have special needs:Those who are ill or have special needs:

New to the Prayer List: Brian Rojas—son-in-law of George & Joy Baynes, Norma Hanko—Lucy Whitlock’s mother

Parishioners: Dot Hudson, Dottie Strabley, Bob Jimerson, Carol Burley, Sarah Jenkins, Mike Young, Carolyn Hager, Michael Whittlesey, Lydia

Callaway, Ina Stickel, Jeannie Riddick, Martha Jenkins, Kathy Nicholas, Chuck Strabley;

Homebound: Peggy Adleman, Betty Fore, Sarah Fore, Ray Hampton, Ray Lovelace, Connie Neal, Marietta Spring, Juliet Wynne;

Family & Friends: Mary Stockdell—daughter-in-law of Susan Josenhans, Rick Lawrence —Jan Lawrence’s son, Luke Murphy—Ray & Charlotte

Lovelace’s great-grandson, James McCoy—Sue Rasmussen’s friend, Mary Anna Phillips—friend of Sue Rasmussen, Karen Rood—sister of Jeri Anne

Townley, Andy & Carolyn Holden —Randy Holden’s parents, Joe Serrano—John & Diana Stone’s nephew, Hope Lineberry—Cheryl Lineberry’s

granddaughter, Suzanne Scary— Chuck Strabley’s niece, Lelo Russell—Denise Russell’s mother-in-law, Dave Holsapple—friend of Stacy Mitchell,

Tim Blackburn—Tad Blackburn’s father, Erica—friend of Patty White, Murielle Bazuzi—sister-in-law of Frosine Corbett, Raymond Wodarski—

friend of Johnny Stone, Kitty Jones—neighbor of John & Diana Stone, Bonnie Perdue—friend of Anne Hampton, Macy F. Doherty—Mom of Megan

Nixon, Sawyer Perkins—friend of Maura & Cora Whitlock, Cass Lawrence—Aggie Gallagher’s brother, Ricky Simmons—brother-in-law of Mike

Nicholas, Michael Abraham & Lila Mickel Fischer — cousins of Sandy Ruder & Denise Russell, Mary Meyer—friend of B.J. Mills, Paul Brooks—

Anita Williams nephew, Darlene Swink—niece of Irene Morris, Patricia Barber—friend of Karen Holden.

Those Serving in the Armed Forces especially: Matt Guyer, Amanda Hoffert, Benjamin Hoffert, Patrick Lineberry, Caitlin Mitchell, Bryan

Murphy, Billy Tucker, Andrew Smith and Tyler Watts.

Prayers for the departed: Jack Patterson (Crystal Sarvay’s father & Jessica Isemann’s grandfather)

Standing in the Need of PrayerStanding in the Need of Prayer

The Star—December

11

Just the Facts:

Leadership and Contact Information at

Church of the Epiphany

Office address: 8000 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: 804-266-2503 inquiry@epiphanyepiscopal.com

Father Andrew Reinholz, Rector 804 266-2503 office (Pastoral care) 1 610-780-1420 (cell)

The Rev. Deacon Harrison Higgins, IV, Deacon 804 355-5501 (Cell)

Lucy Whitlock, Office Administrator lucy.whitlock@epiphanyepiscopal.com

Anita Williams, Music Director

Timon Kenyi, Sexton

Vestry

Buddy Dunn, Senior Warden Irene Temple, Junior Warden

Marty Shephard, Treasurer

Scott Blackwell, Register

Buddy Dunn (2016) Irene Temple (2016)

Patty White (2016)

Gray Corbett (2017) Susan Josenhans (2017)

Jeff Pegram (2017)

Mary Sam Abernathy (2018) Scott Blackwell (2018)

Carol Campus (2018)

Office Hours :

Lucy is in the office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Call before stopping by to make sure someone is here to let you in.

May the light of God’s blessing, like the Epiphany star, always guide

you on the path toward Him.