Beloved Community,
Labor Day has come and gone and many of us are bemoaning the fact that summer passed all too quickly. Others are anxious for the fall – some return to school with enthusiasm and, no doubt,some parents will greet fall with a bit of relief!
I hope that the summer afforded you some time for rest and reflection. I feel privileged and blessed to have spent days in the Berkshires just looking out at fern-covered forests and listening to exquisite music at Tanglewood, as well as time on the Cape with family and friends, enjoying good food, good conversations, and time to spend with Lisa.
While we had the resources to get away, the world in all its beauty and messy issues continued on. My prayer is that we have a renewed energy and resolve to be partners with each other and Christ to return or take up for the first time, issues and programs that connect us with each other, our faith, and those who need our advocacy.
Here at Epiphany, there are many ways to deepen your spiritual life and to help others within our community and beyond. There will be a Ministry Fair on Sunday, 11 November after the 10:00am service. If you are a part of any ministries at Epiphany, I invite you to contact me and we will provide your ministry with table space in Hadley Hall. For those of you who are new to Epiphany, the Ministry Fair will provide information about the work of Epiphany from the Altar Guild, to Mission and Outreach, to the Choirs, to Faith Formation, to Property, to name just a few.
All of these vital ministries are led by dedicated lay people – YOU! As Jesus said to his followers, “Come and see!”
You will also be seeing and hearing more about Stephen Ministry at Epiphany. Check out our page on our website here. Our trained Stephen Leaders, Barbara DeWolfe, Ted Kellogg, Gloria Korta, and Joan O’Connor will be talking about this amazing ministry of spiritual companioning on Sunday, 21 October at 11:15. Also, check out our bulletin board in the hallway outside of the Parish Office.
Stephen Ministry is looking for volunteers who feel called to be a part of this caring ministry. The training offered is the result of 43 years of tried and true teaching, learning, praying, and evaluating the ministry of lay-led pastoral care in 15,000 member congregations, across many denominations, and now in several countries outside the US. If you would like more information about this ministry, please be in touch with me.
I am so excited about our time together in this new Program Year. Working with each one of you is a joy and so energizing! I hope that you will join all of the staff and vestry on Rally Day next Sunday, September 16th. It is a wonderful time to welcome new folks in our midst and greet old friends. God has wonderful things in store for us and there are so many opportunities to serve and to grow together in our faith.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
