At this point, I believe we are all aware of the fundraising aspects of our annual stewardship drive. If you haven't sent in this year's pledge… (you know the rest) but that's not the subject of this article. I am writing to draw attention to the other half of stewardship, the part that includes the giving of our time and talent to our parish community. It's a big part of what helps our church operate throughout the year but also a part of what makes Epiphany the vibrant, healthy community that it is.
On a personal note, volunteering at Epiphany is one of the primary ways in which I feel connected and to our community. Giving my time (and occasional talent) is important for me to feel that I am contributing to this unique and special place that we like to call Epiphany. My talents tend to lean toward fixing problems and managing projects. So, naturally I serve on the Property Committee. It's where I can apply those talents most effectively and where I get to hang out with a group of people that share my passion for our buildings.
For each of you, the way in which you connect to our community will take a different form. Each of us comes to Epiphany with different skillsets and passions. My connection is through Property; for someone else, their connection may be through supporting our worship services or fighting for social justice. Fortunately there are a multitude of opportunities to contribute to our parish community.
My question to you is, do you feel as connected and involved with Epiphany as you would like to be? If not, please raise your hand (figuratively) and let us know. We have opportunities that cover a broad range of interests: helping with coffee hour on Sunday, arranging flowers for our services, volunteering with the Malden Warming Center, organizing an event, or even working with engineers to plan the repairs to our buildings. (The last one may only be of interest to me…)
My point is that we have a broad spectrum of groups and activities to be involved with to match your interests as a parishioner, to the point that I often have trouble keeping track of it all. Fortunately, Jim Bracciale organized an amazing resource to keep your head from spinning. We have a booklet that gives a brief overview of our ministries and committees with contacts to get more involved. It's a great starting point. If you don't find what you are looking for there, come find me or another vestry member during coffee hour. We will be happy to chat.
As we approach the holiday season, consider your gift of time to the parish. Our diverse gifts and talents are what makes our church the special place we like to call Epiphany.
Darwin Keith-Lucas, Warden
