“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
Dear Friends:
As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus Christ born among us once again, what do we envision? A tiny babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, surrounded by an adoring Mary and obedient Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and farm animals attentive to the miracle. What we don’t typically read into the vision is that Jesus was homeless. Threatened by the thought of the one true king, Herod is out to destroy Jesus. So Joseph and Mary, along with baby Jesus, depart from Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown. Off they escape to Egypt and then up to Israel and finally they settle in Nazareth in the region of Galilee. Much of Jesus’ life he finds himself homeless and dependent upon the faithful community along the way.
According to Fairfax County Government statistics, we are second only to Washington, D.C. in the greater DMV region, when it comes to homelessness. The area’s homeless population constitutes about half single adults and half families. Most of the homeless adults are employed; many are veterans; many suffer from mental illness. The combination of expensive housing costs and low income is the result of most homelessness. Those working at a minimum wage will find it literally impossible to afford housing in Northern Virginia, according to Fairfax County Government, “even if you work 24 hours per day, 7 days a week”.
The Hypothermia Shelter is a faith-based effort in collaboration with FACETS, a county area nonprofit organization striving to end homelessness. Churches throughout the area house those in need especially to protect them from the inclement and cold weather. Guests are greeted and treated with dignity and respect as the various faith communities welcome the guests each evening with a hot dinner, a warm place to sleep, and an early morning breakfast. In these past years Epiphany has been serving as a Hypothermia Shelter since 2014, thanks to you and the hundreds in neighboring churches, synagogues and temples. We welcome our guests this Sunday December 22 at 5:00 p.m. They will find a home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Epiphany before departing Sunday December 29th.
Help our guests know the joy of Christmas by participating in the Hypothermia Shelter next week. We hear repeatedly from our guests how grateful they are to have a Christmas home with Epiphany. They’re always thankful for the meals, the space in which to lay their heads and the warmth. But, mostly what our guests value is the time you spend with them. Sign up to play cards, board games or work puzzles in the evening after dinner. Sit with guests as they write Christmas cards. Your presence is a true present to them. You restore their dignity by showing that you care enough to know them and be with them. There is no greater gift offered to them. Come, be a part of Hypothermia and have your Christmas transformed. Check out the sign up at: http://epiphanyec.org/shelter/ to learn of the many ways you can help with the Hypothermia Shelter.
On Sunday Advent IV carries us into Christmas week. We’ll gather for 8:30 traditional worship and 10:00 a.m. Advent Lessons and Carols. A delicious, hot turkey stew is being served during Fellowship hour and following we’ll be greening the church and preparing for our Hypothermia guests who will arrive at 5:00 p.m. Gather Christmas Eve Family Worship at noon with the Praise Band and/or Traditional Worship with a brass quartet at 9:00 p.m. Christmas morning we’ll be in the chapel at 7:00 a.m. for our drive by Wednesday morning prayers. Finally, Christmas day at 10:00 a.m. we’ll celebrate with Holy Eucharist.
As these final days of Advent bring us into Christmas, I hope you have known peace throughout the season with the daily reflections and Centering Prayer offerings. Peace be with you in the days ahead. And, finally, thank you for being face of Christ to all in your path as you go along in this time.
Many blessings,
Hillary