“But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she has…” Mark 12:44

Dear Friends,

Poverty is defined as an inefficiency, a scarcity. What kind of price do you put on your time? Research shows that those with well paid jobs are known to often benefit with disposable income. Sadly, however, those who are compensated well financially find they have little recreational time to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Why? Because their time is crowded with work responsibility. At the same time, those who truly struggle financially find their time is at a premium. The rich can save time by throwing money at the inconveniences of life, such as cleaning the house, washing clothes, and seasonal yard work by hiring the poor. The poor cannot afford the conveniences of life because their time fills compensating for the conveniences of the rich. Regardless, we learn quickly that poverty is a social concern, a class issue. One way or the other, both, the rich and the poor suffer from the poverty of time. Consequently, we all suffer from poverty.

On Sunday, we’ll take a look at the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44 who in giving all that she has, releases her poverty to God. While we recognize the poor widow’s meager offering classifies her social status, it is truly the rich who suffer from poverty. The widow gratefully sacrifices all she has. The rich give what is as a means to put attention on their ability to give. The widow may be poor in resources. But, truthfully, she is free in the poverty of spirit. Knowingly, the widow in her poverty surrenders all that she has and all that she is to God depending fully on God’s richness in her life. The “haves” of society ridicule her a as social outcast in her dependency on God. Could it be that to share in spiritual poverty is, in fact, a richness? The rich conveniently throwing in the money in the collection box are yet to know the poverty of spirit. On Sunday, we’ll talk about what might be our poverty.

We’ve had a big week. Yesterday’s election was for many a call to a deeper dependence on God in Christ to take further action in claiming God’s world here and now. Over these next months and years, as faithful followers of God in Christ, we continue to discern how God is calling us to action. We do know we cannot sit still in the spirit of indifference. Our time is too precious. As well, as children of God, we’re called to be active healers of poverty; to engage in civil discourse; to rise in the strength of God; to overcome division and alienation. As Epiphany, we shined last Friday at Annual Convention for The Diocese of Virginia, truthful with the hundreds of folks, and with our now retired Bishop Shannon Johnston, that while we may well suffer from poverty of building repairs, we also rejoice in trusting in God’s great goodness as we move forward to make God’s kingdom known on this corner and beyond.

Thank you for your transforming generous giving on Sunday in the submission of your pledge commitments for Epiphany’s 2019 operating budget. A preliminary rough count indicates that Epiphany, thus far, has pledged about $178,000 from nearly 50 pledging households. Have you forgotten to pledge? Feel free to give your pledge to Susan Simmons Scott Meyer, or Keola Nosaka on Sunday, and thank you!

Again, on Sunday we’ll pack 200 meals for Fairfax County School kids immediately following worship. The youth, sixth grade and older, will then join for Sunday Circle where the planning for Youth Sunday scheduled for January 27th will continue.

Mark your calendars also for the Bishop’s Visitation January 13. Should you wish to be received, or confirmed into the Episcopal Church, or baptized into the church, let me know and we’ll get you ready in time for the Bishop’s visit.

Finally, many of you have met David Browning who will be with us on Sundays until January. David is preparing to be ordained as an Episcopal priest and is learning just a little bit more before the Bishop lays hands on him in the next several months. Please say “hello” to David, and help him feel welcome. David and Gwynn, our seminarian until spring of 2020, are here to grow in their calling to the priesthood. May God work in you all in helping them both respond!

As always, the joy of serving with you fills my heart with gladness. See you Sunday, if not before.

Many blessings,

Hillary