con nued... 

THE WEEKLY WORD EPIPHANY PARISH OF SEATTLE . NOVEMBER 26, 2012

StewardshipRe lectionBySteveClemonsRememberthis:Whoeversowssparinglywillalsoreapsparingly,andwho-eversowsgenerouslywillalsoreapgenerously.7Eachofyoushouldgivewhatyouhavedecidedinyourhearttogive,notreluctantlyorundercom-pulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.8AndGodisabletoblessyouabun-dantly,sothatinallthingsatalltimes,havingallthatyouneed,youwillaboundineverygoodwork.2Corinthians9:6‐8It’sFall.HowdoIknow?Ohyes,theleavesareturningmanycolorsandtherainhasreturned.Andyes,theholidaydecorationshavepoppedupand,shockamongshocks,Christmaskitschisalsopop‐pingupinstores.YesFallhasarrived.ButanotherreasonIknowFallhasarrivedisitmarksthebeginningofourannualStewardshipseasonwherewetaketimetore lectonhowweasparishionersliveuptoourresponsibilitiesasmanagersofEpiphany’s inancialfuture.Lastyear,IwasaskedtostandbeforethecongregationandgivemytestimonyonStewardship.Gettinginfrontofthecongregationwasachallenge,butgettingpreparedforthepresentationwasajoyfulexerciseinlearningaboutmyresponsibilityasaChristian,notonlytoEpiphany,butalsotomyfamily,myenvironment,andhowmylifeispresentedtoothersoutsideourcommunities.Stewardshipis,afterall,aChristiancommand.Thisyearthough,IwanttofocusourStewardshipresponsibilityalittlemorenarrowlytothatoftheneedsofourparish.Wehaveseenincrediblegrowthinthepastthreeyears,andwehavebeenextremelyblessedwiththeleadershipofthestaffandlayvolun‐teers.Wearealsoblessedbyourparishionerswhoaretalentedwithabilitiestobringcommunitytogether;concernedabouthowwewillmakeEpiphanythriveforthenext100years;andwillingtogiveofthemselvesthroughattendanceandactiveparticipationinthemanyprogramsnowofferedoncampus.

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Manychangestoourcampushaveoccurredinthelasttwelvemonths–wenowhaveafunctioningpre‐school,wehaverefreshedthelowerparishhalltoaccommodateavarietyoffunctionsandmeetingsfrommusictrainingtoyoutheducationandquietstudy.Thesechanges,asaresult,haveencouragedevenmorepeopletovisitEpiphanyonadailybasis.Thechurchcampusreceivesmorethan1500visitseachweek.ThetransformationhereisallthemoreremarkablebecauseitbucksthetrendinEpiscopalchurchesinthiscountry.Whatwehaveaccomplishedthusfarandwhatweareplanningtodointhefutureistherightthingforourparishandourresponsibilityasmembersofourlargercommunity.Ourparishisonajourneyanditrequiresyoursupport.Recently,manyofyoureceivedalengthydocumentpreparedbyourRectorandwardensaboutwhatourparishcanbecomesothatitisaviableplaceofworshipandparticipationthatourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillenjoyintheyearsahead.Onehundredyearsago,acommunityofEpiscopaliansenvisionedandcreatedanewParishstrongenoughtolast100years.Ourpredecessorsmadea inancialpledgeeachyearandtheircontributionswerethefuelthatbroughtustowherewearetoday.Theannualpledgecampaignprovidestherevenuesthathelpbolsterourchurch’svi‐tality.PleasebemindfulduringthisStewardshipseasonofwhatyouhavehelpedcreatehereatEpiphany.Ourcollectivevisionandcommit‐menttoEpiphanyisasstrongandcapableasthatofitsfounders100hundredyearsago.-SteveClemons

DIFFERENT WAYS PEOPLE CALCULATE THEIR PLEDGE

Ifyourparentswenttochurch,consideraconversationwiththemaboutpledging—howdidtheyapproachpledging?

Forsomepeopletheirpledgewillbeequivalenttothemoneythey

spendongymmembershipsorathleticclubs.

Forotherstheirpledgewillmatchtheamounttheyspendontheirkids’yearlyextracurricularactivities.

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ADVENTLESSONS&CAROLS

Sunday,December95pm—Church

6pm—WassailPartyintheGreatHallRootedintheliturgicalchurch(Episcopal,LutheranandRomanCatholic)theseasonofAdventprecedesChristmasastheven‐erabletimeofpreparationforthebirthofJesus.Itisafour‐weektimeofwaiting,ofexpectantanxiety‐preparationforthecelebrationofthebirthofJesus.

Thechurch’s inestpoetsandmusiciansfromcenturiesagotothepresenttimehavegivenuswordsandmu‐sicforhymnsandcarols,tosingyearafteryear;andthewealthofappropriatechoralmusicforchoirsisalmostendless.AsEpiscopali‐ansandheirsoftheChurchofEngland,weinheritthistraditionfromlate19thcenturyEngland.Inourcountry,theoldestcontinuoustra‐dition,begunin1928,isaliveandwellattheGrotonSchool,Groton,Massachusetts.ItissafetosaythatduringtheannualseasonofAd‐vent,hundredsofparishesthroughouttheUSwilloffertheirownuniqueformofthisservice.

Counter‐culturally,duringthisperiodwedonotsingChristmashymnsandcarolsinchurch;ratherwebatheintherecountingoftheOldTestamentprophecies,richwithimageryandfascinatingstory.WepurposelyholdbacktheurgetoechothemusicheardduringAd‐ventthroughoutpublicareas.Rather,wehonorandrevelinthecol‐orfulmajestyofwordandmusicdatingfromthe4thcenturytothepresentday.TheAdventstoryisfoundpoeticallyinourHymnal1982.

OntheSecondSundayinAdvent,December9at5pm,EpiphanywillofferourserviceofAdventLessons&Carols.Inthisliturgy,thecon‐gregationbecomesthechiefactorsintheirattentiontothereadingsandsingingthehymns.Readersfromtheparishwillrecounttheseage‐oldpropheciesandEpiphanyChoirandChoristerswilloffermu‐sicwhichilluminatesthestories.

AgalareceptionwillfollowtheservicehostedbyStNicholasGuildandfriends;wehopeyouwilljoinusinthisannualdramaofexpec‐tationofthebirthofourSaviour. -TomFoster

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SUPPORT YWCA FAMILIES  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are TWO op ons at Epiphany for giving to the families at the YWCA this year! 

• Adopt a YWCA FAMILY, bringing wrapped presents 

for one of 25 families!   

•Fill the YWCA TOY SHOP with one of 70 specific gi s! 

Please adopt a family or take some gi  tags for the Toy Shop and help give families in need a brighter holiday.    Follow the direc ons on the gi  tags.   

Deliver the presents to church no later than Sunday, December 9. 

Ques ons?  Sherilyn Peterson, speterson@perkinscoie.com, (206) 979‐1786 

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CHRISTMASTIDEFLOWERFUNDDuringourChristmastideservices,wedecorateourchurchwithevergreensandpoinsettias.YoucanrememberaspecialpersonoreventthisChristmasbydonat‐ingtotheEpiphanyParishFlowerFund.Perhapsyouwouldliketoacknowledgethebirthofababy,amarriageoralovedonenowdeparted,tobeacknowledgedinourChristmasservicebulletins.

ContributionstotheFlowerFundarealsogratefullyacceptedandacknowledgedthroughouttheyear.Donationsofanyamountarewelcome.

ThankyouforyourconsiderationoftheEpiphanyParishFlowerFund.

PLEASECOMPLETETHISFORMANDRETURNTOTHECHURCHOFFICEBYWEDNESDAY,DECEMBER19.

NameofDonor___________________________________________________________

Phone#___________________________________________________________________

□ Mycheckisenclosedforpurchaseofapoinsettia.(MakepayabletoEpiphanyParishwithXmasFlowersonthememolineinthelowerlefthandcornerofyourcheck.)

□IwishtobeacknowledgedintheChristmasbulletins,□ inmemoryof or □ inthanksgivingfor:

_____________________________________________________________________________

□ ForanotherspecialSundayduringthechurchyear:________________

Bulletinmessage:________________________________________________

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Con irmationandReceptionintheEpiscopalChurch

WhilebaptismistheinitiationriteforbecomingaChris‐tian,con irmationistheriteofaf iliationwiththeEpiscopalChurch.InthecourseoftheirChristianspiritualjourney,thosebaptizedatanearlyageareexpected,whentheyarereadyandhavebeendulyprepared,tomakeamaturepublicaf irmationoftheirfaithandcommitmenttotheresponsibilitiesoftheirBaptismandtoreceivethelayingonofhandsbythebishop.Allbaptizedadultsareencouragedtoparticipateinthisrite.

Forthosewhohavebeencon irmedinotherchurches,suchastheRomanCatholicChurch,EasternOrthodoxChurch,ortheEvangeli‐calLutheranChurchinAmerica(ELCA),theymaychoosetobereceivedintotheEpiscopalChurchbythebishop.

BishopGregRickelwillbecomingtoEpiphanyforaVisitationonJune16,2013.Onthatday,wewillhavebaptisms,con irmations,andreceptions.

TheRev.DoytConnwillbeteachinga4‐partcourseontheCate‐chismthiswinter.Thiswillbeasmallclassdesignedforadultswishingtobebaptizedorcon irmed.Ifyouareinterestedinbap‐tismorcon irmationpleasecontactDoytat:dconn@epiphanyseattle.org.

AlsobeginningintheNewYearisaCon irmationcourseforteenag‐ers.Formoreinformation,plantoattendaninformationalmeetingonDecember2,4:00PMatSt.Mark’sCathedral.PleasecontactBenLinder,DirectorforChildren,Youth,andFamilies(blinder@epiphanyseattle.org)forthedetails.

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+TEC-THISSUNDAY,DEC2 

DOROTHY DAY Social Justice Advocate

Presenter: Mike Evans Date: Sunday, December 2 Time: 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Location: Great Hall

DorothyDayisperhapslesswellknownthanfamousChristianssuchasThomasMertonandSt.Francis,butsheisrecognizedasoneoftheprincipalsocialjusticeChristiansofthe20thcenturyAmericanchurch.Anuncompro‐misingpaci istandadvocateforthepoor,shefoundedtheCatholicWorkerMovement,nowanationalorganizationthatstandsasatesta‐menttoherlifeandwitness.

+TEC-NEXTSUNDAY,DEC9 

WHO IS JESUS? - Part 1 of 2 Part 1: God Enters the World as One of Us Presenter: The Rev Doyt Conn Date: Sunday, December 9 Time: 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Location: Great Hall

ReprisingaChristmasfavoriteatEpiphany,theReverendDoytConntellsthestoryofhowJesuscametobe.GodtrumpsHisre‐lationshipswithNoah,Abraham,andMosesbybecomingoneofusinJesus.Part1ofthisstorywillfocusonthehistoriccontextforJesus’sarrival.LearnofthepropheciesofthegoodKingMel‐chizedeckandwho(andhowmany)theMagireallywere.WhatwasHerodreallysoafraidof?WhywereJosephandMaryinBethlehematall?Whatweretheshepherdsreallythinking?Wasthereastar?AndhowmanyangelicappearancescanyoucountintheeventsleadinguptoandthroughJesus’sbirth?

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+TEC-THISSUNDAY,DEC2 

1st PETER—Part 2 of 3 Early Christians: Living Stones or Menace to Society

Presenter: Charissa Jones Dates: Sundays, November 25, December 2 and 9 Time: 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Location: Christie House Library

Theletterof1stPeterwaswrittentoChristiansinRoman‐ruledAsiaMinor.TheseGentileconvertswereatthecenterofasigni i‐cantculturewar,viewedasathreattothesocialorder.Inthreesessions,we’llstudyanddiscussthisletterandtheuncomforta‐blecomfortsitofferedtoasufferingpeople.

WeekTwo:Theethicsofsufferingandblessing.

  

+TEC-NEXTSUNDAY,DEC9 

1st PETER—Part 3 of 3 Early Christians: Living Stones or Menace to Society

Presenter: Charissa Jones Dates: Sundays, November 25, December 2 and 9 Time: 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Location: Christie House Library

Theletterof1stPeterwaswrittentoChristiansinRoman‐ruledAsiaMinor.TheseGentileconvertswereatthecenterofasigni i‐cantculturewar,viewedasathreattothesocialorder.Inthreesessions,we’llstudyanddiscussthisletterandtheuncomforta‐blecomfortsitofferedtoasufferingpeople.

WeekThree:Freedomfromthetyrannyofwhatwewant.

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YWCAFamiliesthankyouformakingtheirThanksgivingbright.Thankyouforallyourdonationsandhardworkinbringingfood,assemblingmealsanddeliveringtotheYWCA.

Epiphanyparishionersprovided34fullmeals!Welldone,Epiphany!

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EVENINGPRAYER—EveryWednesday6:00pmintheChapelWhatcanyouexpectwhenyoucometoEveningPrayer?Itisapeaceful,quietexperience,candlelit,singingtogether,prayer,lis‐teningtoscriptureandre lectionsonthescripturewithlaypeo‐pleintherolesofleadingtheservice,doingthereadings,andof‐feringshortsermons.You'llhaveabulletinwiththeorderoftheservice(weuseRiteIIfromtheBookofCommonPrayer).Theprayers,readingsandsermonsarecomplimentedbytimesofsi‐lenceandsingingtogetherfromthehymnalandthecommunityofTaize.Theservicelastsabout30minutes.

EPIPHANY PARISH 2013 CHURCH DIRECTORY!

We’reworkingonthenewchurchdirectorythatwillbedistributedattheAnnualMeetinginJanuary.Ifyou’rehappywithyourpicturefromthe2012Directorywe’llusethatoneforyou,ifnotMarjBakerwillbeinthe

GreatHallduringcoffeehourthenexttwoSundays(12/2and12/9)readytotakeyourpicture.Also,ifyouhaveanyupdatedinformation,mailingaddress,cellphonenumbers,emailaddresses,etc.,

pleaseletmeknowonorbeforeDec.14.Thankyou!Emily

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VestryNotes–November2012

TheVestrymetonTuesday,November13,2012.TheopeningprayerwasledbyRobinMondares.Mark12:38‐44wasreadanddiscussedasafollow‐uptoReverendDoytConn’sNovember11,2012sermononstewardship(availableontheEpiphanywebsite).Severalversions,somemarkedlydifferent,werereviewedgenerat‐ingagooddiscussionoftheimpoverishedwidow’sgiftanditsmeaningrelativetothecontributionsofthewealthiercitizens.

GarySundem,Treasurer,gavea“budgettoactual” inancialupdateconsistentwithlastmonth’s3rdQuarterreport.Hethendistribut‐edthe irstdraftoftheproposed2013budgetandexplainedtheunderlyingbudgetaryassumptions.TheVestrydiscussedthepro‐posedincreases,decreases,certainlineitemsandcapitalneedsandoveralltimingofexpenditures.TheVestrywillbeconductingamorecomprehensivereviewandanalysisofthebudgetinDecem‐berandJanuarywhentheactualamountof2013pledgeincomeand4thQuarterexpenseinformationareavailable.TheVestrywillapprovethe2013budgetpriortotheJanuary27,2013AnnualMeeting.

TheVestry,inaccordancewiththeEpiphanyGiftAcceptancePolicy,votedunanimouslytoapprovea$5,000giftfromLizandMikeHil‐tondonatedforthepurposeofhousingtwoofthe ivevolumesofthehandcraftedSt.John’sIlluminatedBibleatEpiphany.ThesespectacularanduniquetextswillresideatEpiphanyforoneyearandwillbeusedinworshipservicesandforeducationalpurposesthrough+TECandSundaySchool.

ReverendConngaveanupdateonthestatusoftheEpiphanyar‐chivesandpraisedMaryHenry’smasterfulworkovermanyyearsatkeepingourarchivessafeandorganized.EmilyLinderman,ChinnEapandMaryareworkingtogetheronacentralizedsystemandpermanent,securelocationforthearchives.

ReverendConnalsodescribedtheupcomingcon irmationclassforstudentsingrades6‐12,scheduledtobegininJanuary2013.Ap‐proximately50invitationstoEpiphanyfamilieshavebeensent.EpiphanywillteamwithrectorsandstudentsfromSt.Dunstan’s,MercerIsland’sEmmanuelandSt.Mark’sCathedralduringthe12‐weekcoursetobeheldatSt.Mark’sCathedralonSundays,5‐7pm.Thecon irmationclasswillconcludewithcon irmationbytheBish‐

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opatEpiphanyonJune16,2013.

RobinMondaresgaveadetailedreportontherecentDiocesanCon‐ventionwhichseveralEpiphanydelegatesattended.TheVestrygaveaheartfeltexpressionofappreciationtoRobinforhereffec‐tivenessatrevitalizingEpiphany’sparticipationandrepresentationwithintheDiocese.

AclosingprayerwasledbyReverendConn.

-BethClark

ApartmentBeauti icationChanges&Request

NichelleHilton,ourYWCACoordinator,metwithmembersoftheSocialActionCommitteelastweektosharesomenews…..theapart‐mentsatE.FirStreetarescheduledtobedemolishedaspartoftheYeslerTerraceremodel.

Forthebandofheartycleanersanddecoratorsthisisbothasadandhappystateofevents.Thesepoorapartmentshaveseenhardlivingbuttheyhaveprovidedemergencyshelterformanyforalongtime.ThegoodnewsisthissitewillbereplacedwithanewsetofunitsfurthersouthonMLKandMyrtle.Sohousingisnotlostandmaybethesewillbejustabitnicer!

Becauseofthemoveacallisgoingoutforfurniture.Ifyouaremoving,downsizing,SantaisbringingyouanewsofaforChristmasortherearethingsinyourbasementthatneedanewhome…pleaseletmeknow.Thereisaneedforbeds,chairs,sofas,dressers,sidetables…justaboutanything.Myonecaveat…ifitisbrokenorinter‐ribleshape…..Idonotwantit!

Pickupisavailable…..justletmeknowandIcanmakearrange‐ments.Icanbereachedat(206)783‐7199oranncbeck@hotmail.com.

Ithankmymerrybandofcleaners…..theyworkwondersontheseapartments.Wearriveandshakeourheadsbutwhenweleavetheyaretransformed.Ithankallofyouhavedonatedbedding,dishes,potsandpans,silverware,knick‐knacksandalltheitemsthatgointomakingahouseahome.Continuetokeepthismissioninyourthoughts.

Cheers….AnnBeck

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  EPIPHANYNEIGHBORHOOD 

SHOP at Glassybaby and help SUPPORT the YWCA Central Area Food Bank!

Shop at Glassybaby in Madrona between Friday 11/23 though Wednesday 11/28

in store or online (with the code- foodbank) and have 10% go to the YWCA Central Area Food Bank!

There will also be barrels throughout Madrona to collect non -perishable items for the food bank as

well. So whether you get some early Christmas shop-ping done, or just drop off a can of food in a barrel,

know it’s making a double impact and is appreciated by all!

Any questions- please email nhilton@ywcaworks.org THANKS!!! 

SUNDAY LECTIONARY CORNER December2—Advent1

Jeremiah33:14‐16Psalm25:1‐9

1Thessalonians3:9‐13Luke21:25‐36

http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearC_RCL/Advent/CAdv1_RCL.html

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DearEpiphany,Occasionallywereviewandculltheprayerlist.IfwehaveremovedsomeoneinerrororyouwouldliketohavesomeoneremovedoraddedpleasecontactEmilyintheParishOf ice.Thesameinvitationappliesforbirthdays. 206-324-2573 or epiphanyparish@epiphanyseattle.org 

PARISH PRAYER LIST WEPRAYFORTHOSEWHOSEBIRTHDAYSFALLBETWEENNovember25‐December1:JulianRoss,RachelWilliamson,LaurieRiley,EvelynWilliamson,BartAmey,JessicaYates,BokgiChoi,JamesCowan,PeterPolson,MaliStermer,andTinaNeiders.

WEPRAYFORTHOSEONOURCYCLEOFPRAYER:Clayton&Anne,William,andHenryNielsen;Charles&EleanorNolan;CarolineNormann;Fred&Ashley,Zola,andBowenNorthup;andLeighNowell.WeprayforChristChurch(Blaine);StStephenEpis‐copal(OakHarbor);andGraceChurch(LopezIsland).

YOURPRAYERSAREASKEDFORCONTINUEDHEALINGANDSTRENGTHFORTHOSE INOURPARISHWHOAREILLORGRIEVING:Paul,BetteSprague,BethBriggs,CoralieSwanson,Con‐nieGaines,BarbaraWard,BarbaraHimmelman,KaySchack,Veroni‐ca,Ashle,BobBergman,PiperSimmons,Lou, SidMalbon,GreggWaddell,P.J.,TomPelphrey,Jamie,Kathy,YamyXolocotzi,DougaldMacMillan,Anne,Bruce,Adrian,CyrilUrwyler,TimMurray,Alice,Laura,Anthony,Cassie,Cindy,LaVerneGreen,ErikGrafe,HannahModerow,RyanMichaelEaton,JohnBaker,LouLorton,TritiaRy‐hter,LisaClose,David&DianeLibbey,JackRoberts,MaryCecile,EitanBenjaminSayir,CarlPutnam,Nikki,EllenGimbel,Edwina,EileenRiley,PegSherwood,Bonnie,BillBultmann,BillWilliamson,BabyLaJohnGonzalez,ColleenTerry,Liza,RoyEnriquez,Char‐lotteHutton,Andrea&family,MarkJensen&family,JamesBryant,HelenArnold,Peter,Jean,ShannonRies,Jerre,GregEckman,Jessi‐ca,WillGluck,theTorranceFamily,Ruth,Rebecca,Marjorie,Bruce,JohnnyGeneandBeverlySaulsbury,JoeyJohnson,Mark,JeanneEdwards,theRobinsonfamily,Jolene,David,theHawkesfamily,Jean,Ginger,theDrummondfamily,allthosestillaffectedbyHur‐ricaneSandy,GeorgeFisher,JosephCospito,EdnaHeatherington,andMarieClaiborne.