“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Dear Friends: 

We’re “better together” than we are apart. You’ve been hearing this a lot lately from the good folks of Epiphany: We’re “better together” than we are apart. We remember Jesus’ good words from Matthew’s gospel, “when two or three are gathered, I will be in the midst of them”. Jesus is in the midst of Epiphany; especially in doing faithful ministry to those in need.

Last Sunday evening, with Celtic worship, our own Sally Savas offered up some sacred words about the glory of serving better together with the Food Pantry. As you know, we share this weekly ministry with our neighbors across the street, Community of Faith United Methodist Church. This partnership with Community of Faith has happily gone along for nine years according to Sally. The Food Pantry sustains some 85-90 families weekly with fresh greens and vegetables, dairy products, meats, canned goods, baked goods and even fresh flowers to brighten anyone’s table. Much of the food, Sally reported, comes from the Scouts annual Food Drive. In fact, when last counted in November 2019, 19,861 pounds of food were collected by the scouts to help with the under-resourced folks in our surrounding area. As well, we’re grateful for our neighbors. Thanks to their generous hearts shoppers are able to choose from delicious products from the Giant, Mom’s Organic Market, Trader Joe’s, Food Lion, Famous Dave’s, KFC, Nando’s, Chipotle, Starbucks, and Dulles Airport.

Sally is the queen of hospitality. She won’t tell you this when she lovingly reports the good news of “better together” through the work of the Food Pantry. But, Sally is one of the first people shoppers meet when they enter the doors of the pantry every Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. She always has a warm smile, a friendly greeting, and a huge hug for every toddler and school age child who comes in each week. It is Sally’s spirit infecting everyone, turning a food bank into an evening of good cheer that makes the Food Pantry into a time of laughter, comfort and holy relief for guests and servers alike.

Sally reminds us that the Food Pantry is open to any and all. “Anyone who needs food may come. They do not need to meet any specific requirements to qualify. Our guests for the most part are working individuals but just need a little help to make ends meet. We also see many older folks living on a fixed income. Occasionally we see people in very dire situations living on the streets or in their cars. A couple of weeks ago we got our first snow on Pantry day. One of our guests who doesn’t have transportation was so in need of food that he walked for three hours in the storm to get to the pantry. Fortunately we were able to get him a ride home.”

“Better together” is never more true than with the weekly Food Pantry. As Sally reports, “there is much work to be done before COF is turned into a grocery store on Tuesday evenings. Everything associated with the Food Pantry is done by volunteers. Our volunteers are from Epiphany and COF, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, High School Students, The Young Men’s Service League, the NCL Bluebells as well as many neighbors and friends. One of the children who comes to pantry is six years old and loves to help break down the extra boxes at the end of the evening. No one is too old or too young to help. One of our volunteers donates children’s books and sets up a table each week where the children can choose books to take home.” Seventeen Epiphany folks help out each week, and there is always room for more folks to minister to the guests of the Food Pantry. Thank you all, and especially to Sally Savas for serving with such generous spirit to make a difference in the lives of so many, week after week.

Are you hearing the call to serve “better together” with the weekly Food Pantry? Let Sally Savas know and she’ll be happy to shepherd you through a Tuesday night. Contact the Outreach ministry: outreach@EpiphanyEC.org

Or, perhaps you’re wondering how God is calling you to use your gifts. What we first find to be impossible becomes so possible when we come together to serve. Learn how you can use your gifts at the “Better Together” Ministry Fair on Sunday February 23rd immediately following worship. The Pancake Pals of Epiphany will be serving some pancakes with a purpose to fuel you as you work your way through the various ministries. Give it a try. Truthfully, sharing your gifts may well be just the help someone else needs to make their ministry dream a reality! Because we are, my friends, just so much “better together”.

The scouts are the best demonstration of “better together”. We’ll give thanks for their ministry in worship on Sunday as we celebrate annual Scout Sunday. We’ll learn from Jesus as he teaches us that we are “the salt of the earth…the light of the world” as we once again pack 200 meals for the Fairfax County school kids immediately following worship under the direction of the father son team, Brian and Toby Russo! Immediately following packing youth will gather for Sunday Circle. Vestry, staff, trustees and ministry team leaders are gathering for our Mutual Ministry Review with the Rev. Dr. Mary Thorpe, Canon to the Ordinary with The Diocese of Virginia to share in a working lunch and visioning exercise. We are Epiphany, always looking at what God is calling us to do and be as the church on the corner.

We’re blessed and busy at being “better together”. Now is the time to step out and discover how God is calling you to share your gifts in making God’s world known. Thank you for believing in God’s great goodness in yourself and in all of us together as Epiphany! We can make a difference. We do make a difference!

See you Sunday if not before, most beloved ones.

Blessings,

Hillary