“Jesus responded, ‘My teaching isn’t mine but comes from the one who sent me.’” John 7:16

Dear Friends:

Dust off the backpacks, sharpen the pencils, recharge the laptops, check the booklist. In less than three weeks school begins! What happened to this summer?! Hopefully, some of our summer has been set aside to read, study and inwardly digest just a bit. Now, with the school year upon us, we’re blessing backpacks,briefcases, book bags and satchels on Sunday August 26thin 10:00 a.m. worship. Bring whatever you carry throughout your day. Receive a tag as a sign that God’s got our back in our daily work, school and play. And, our learning goes on…

Sunday School begins September 9th at 9:45 a.m. with an enlarged youth program as well as the ever-growing lower division and upper division Sunday School. You’ll hear more from Dana Hale on the details of children and youth formation in the days ahead. But, as you’re dusting off and sharpening, be excited that Godly Play will now be taught from preschool through middle division. Holy Moly from Sparkhouse brings the Bible to life for upper division kids. EYC (Episcopal Youth Council) is diving into the Episcopal curriculum provided by Virginia Theological Seminary. They will touch on sensitive and timely topics of peace and justice, success and failure, what is evil, and what to believe to name a few. EYC meets 11:30-12:30 the second Sunday of every month. There’s something for everyone in Christian Formation.

Episcopal 101 will be held September 16, 23, and 30from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for adults wishing to be baptized into the body of Christ known as the Church and for those adults wishing to make a mature commitment to their faith and desiring to be received, confirmed or reaffirmed into the Episcopal Church will want to participate in this class as well. It is a time of honest inquiry around scripture, the history of the church and how we understand ourselves as Christians through our worship, especially the sacraments, and in the world as part of the Jesus movement. I love learning from one another in this class as we share our stories. Come, be a part of Episcopal 101 and grow in the faith. Sign up with our Parish Administrator, Lisa LeJune at: admin@epiphanyec.org

Confirmation for youth ages seventh grade and older will be held for eight sessions from 11:30-12:30 September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, and 18with a visit from the bishop in early 2019. Once again this year’s Confirmation Youth leaders will work with mentors and kids guided by Jennifer Gamber’s curriculum, My Faith My Life. Youth may sign up for Confirmation with our Parish Administrator, Lisa LeJune at: admin@epiphanyec.org

Teaching and learning the Good News of God in Christ continues with Epiphany as the summer comes winding to a close. Consider these ongoing offerings:

*The Interfaith Courseoffering a deeper dialogue and teaching between Christians and Muslims is held on August 19 at 6:00 p.m.and every third Sunday of the month. No prerequisite required. Simply come with an open mind and a willing heart. Invite others to join in the conversation and learning as well.

*TheWomen’s Bible Studyis marching through the life changing stories of Twelve Women of the Bible DVD series held monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. We’ll be looking at Mary, the mother of Jesus, on August 22. This opportunity for fellowship and story bonds and builds trusting, loving friendships. Again, no prerequisite required. Want to know a bit about Mary before coming to the study? Take a look at Luke 1 and 2.

*A Centering Prayer Workshopimmediately following Celtic Worship on September 2is being offered by our friend, The Rev. Rich Bardusch, rector of St. Timothy’s, Herndon. Come to Celtic Worship at 5:30 p.m. and experience God in the liminal places, the place of mystery between heaven and earth. Then, fortify your worship experience with the practice of contemplative prayer.

This summer Epiphany has embarked on a bold journey learning and following along with the story of King David from 1 and 2 Samuel.We’ve been struck by how much of our conversation with one another has lapsed into dialogue about David, his triumphs, his exploits and his relationship with God as it pertains to leaders in our life today. The Bible is a remarkable revelatory story of God’s love, grace and mercy as well as God’s everlasting promise to be with us always, in good and in bad, in this world and the next. We are blessed with our common lectionary that presents for us David’s story each week.

On Sunday, come. BRING YOUR BIBLES.We’ll explore the turmoil of rebellious Absalom, forceful King David, and the defeat of death taken over by utter grief. Who among us has not been troubled by rebellion, either our own or within our household? Looking forward to digging deeper with you on Sunday as we go along in The David Series.

May these final days of summer bring you rest, re-creation, and a renewed sense of God’s presence in your life and in the life of our beloved community of Epiphany.

Many blessings,

Hillary