“Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre…” Mark 7:24

Dear Friends:

Jesus was always on the move. When we think of having a relationship with Jesus Christ, we generally think about intentionally meeting Jesus in worship, on Sunday morning. This Sunday in worship, we’ll learn that Jesus travels from Galilee to Tyre to Sidon, no short distance. Along the way, he runs into an immigrant woman who rebukes Jesus. On he goes where his spit heals a deaf man. He’s trying to keep his miraculous journey a secret. No such luck. Jesus with his miraculous healing touch is everywhere. Jesus and his ministry are not restricted to Sunday morning worship.

Epiphany finds itself stepping outside of the box of Sunday as well.

Epiphany is not always about Sunday morning. Come Saturday and you’ll see. We’re celebrating our G.R.O.W. Fall Fun Event this Saturday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. featuring the beautiful music of praise band, Work in Progress. The Friendship Café is cooking up some tasty hot dogs, grilled chicken and other delights. A bake sale of confections will complement the café foods. Kids are invited to receive tattoos, face painting, ride in a bikeathon, hunt in a scavenger hunt throughout the worship space and a romp in the bounce house. A silent auction promises some great finds. All financial gifts benefit the good ministry of Epiphany in its care for those we meet often outside of Sunday morning. Invite friends, family and especially neighbors to come on to the Fall Fun event on Saturday. The Fall Fun Event is just another way to know the healing, restorative touch of Jesus not on Sunday morning.

We’re the church on the corner, reaching out to the wider neighborhood, sharing the hope of Jesus. This week we learned of a young man who, sadly, lost his life in a motor cycle accident. His wider community, which is not the community of Epiphany, sorrowfully mourns his loss; a life lost much too soon. His friends and family are searching for a place to gather, share stories and celebrate his life. They are not necessarily church folks. But, because Epiphany opens its heart and soul to all and because we are a people who believe deeply that God loves us all, no exceptions, we’re doing our best to surround this family and offer our space. Maybe, through Epiphany, God’s love, grace and mercy will be revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, in our worship space as folks gather outside of Sunday morning.

Also this week, a woman in our immediate neighborhood found herself in a very compromising position without necessary resources to keep her safe. She was without money, safe shelter, food and clothing. Having never been to Northern Virginia before, she did not know the immediate area. Nor did she know a single person other than the person who put her at risk. Wisely, she searched for the closest church and telephoned Epiphany. Her call enabled us to help her find safe shelter, and necessary protection that eventually led her to re-unite her with friends in another area of the state. Sunday morning we will not see our friend. But, because you support Epiphany with your financial offerings, your generosity has transformed her life from fear and shame to health and hope. She has seen the face of Jesus in your belief in Jesus working in the good work of Epiphany. Just blocks away, down the road, in you Epiphany, Jesus stays on the move outside of Sunday morning.

Epiphany sits on a pivotal corner in Fairfax County, with literally tens of thousands of cars driving by every day. Our prayer always is that as folks pass by, they will glance over at Epiphany and give thanks for Jesus on the move, not just on Sunday morning, but every morning, every night, every afternoon, with Jesus on the move with Epiphany reaching out to invite and include all. We are not just about Sunday morning!

Looking forward to our paths crossing over and over again as we invite friends, family and neighbors to keep watch for Jesus not on Sunday morning. Oh! Jesus was never opposed to attending worship either! Hope to see you then as well!

Many blessings,

Hillary