“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; you stretch forth your hand…your hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:8

Dear Friends:

To quote Charles Dickens, “these are the best of times and the worst of times.” Let’s trust in God’s working sustaining, healing help in this time and move forward with prudence and peace. As you know, our situation as the church continues to be a moving target. Yesterday, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control, suspended in person public worship through “the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day.” Then, in accordance with the federal government it is recommended that the United States “avoid gatherings of more than 10 people”. Epiphany will honor these guidelines. 

At the same time, according to Bishop Curry, “it is important to emphasize that suspension of in-person gatherings is not a suspension of worship.” Our Bishops and Bishop Curry, fully support and encourage online worship. Epiphany will continue to offer live stream worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. As well, in a meeting with Rt. Rev. Bishop Goff yesterday afternoon, “groups of 10 and under can meet and should continue to meet.” Therefore, we will continue to hold small groups with those meetings that are internal to the life of Epiphany. We are stating clearly that folks need to wash hands upon entering the building and at departure. All are cautioned to sit six feet apart. Of course, should anyone feel sick, or be compromised in anyway due to health, or age, please do not plan to attend a small group meeting. But, do plan to attend online worship. 

On Sunday, simply log into: https://epiphanyec.org/live/ and click on the worship bulletin and live stream worship. 

God is teaching us much in this challenging time. While recognizing the deep importance of people of faith gathered as a community, online meetings and worship may well continue to serve as an alternative for some. As well, receiving Holy Communion will only be available through one kind in person. This leads us to challenges for how to receive Holy Communion with the most holiest of days coming before us. With Bishop Goff and her staff, we are learning of innovative ways in which folks can receive Holy Communion, safely, while still maintaining the integrity of the sacrament. We’ll be zoom meeting with Bishop Goff again this morning to learn more. 

Finally, the church will continue, thanks to you. Your giving is more important than ever. Your staff and lay leaders continue to give every effort to imagining and keeping the church fully vibrant in new and creative ways. Dana Hale, our Children, Youth and Family Minister, is recording Godly Play video lessons for your use at home. Epiphany’s Preschool families are receiving activities and teachings to apply at home for active households. We’ll plan to zoom next week’s Women’s Bible Study. Hot Meals will maintain the fewer than 10 persons criteria in order to supply much needed meals for our seriously at-risk homeless friends. Prayers and reflections are regular posts throughout the community. Practically, the church continues to be deep cleaned for the few small groups, staff, and visitors who are present. Our joint Food Pantry Tuesday night ministry is taking added precautions in packaging food and delivering it to folks as they drive through. Requests for more food for the school pantry shelves are being made to sustain the Food4Thought ministry. All this is possible with your help.

Please, give generously of your financial gifts online: https://onrealm.org/EpiphanyEpiscopal/-/give/now 

Creative ways of being the church for the next while will certainly awaken us to different ways of who we are as the church. More than ever, your kindness in growing the church is most appreciated. 

Please, should you have thoughts, questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at clergy@epiphanyec.org; or 703-466-5200 ext. 102 or my cell phone 804-467-4212. I welcome your words of wisdom. We are learning as we go along. 

God continues to work in this challenging time. God does see the best of us all in the worst of times. May we trust in our most all-powerful God who believes in us as good. Pray for those known to us and those not known. Thank you for being the church. Thank you Epiphany! 

Let us pray:

This hour we turn to you, O Lord, in full knowledge of our frailty, our vulnerability, and our great need as your mortal creatures. We cry to you, as one human family, unsure of the path ahead, unequal to the unseen forces around us, frightened by the sickness and death that seem all too real to us now. Stir up your strength and visit us, O Lord; be our shield and rock and hiding place! Guide our leaders, our scientists, our nurses and doctors. Give them wisdom and fill their hearts with courage and determination. Make even this hour, O Lord, a season of blessing for us, that in fear we find you mighty to save, and in illness or death, we find the cross to be none other than the way of life. All this we ask in the name of the One who bore all our infirmities, even Jesus Christ our Risen and Victorious Lord. Amen.
(as attributed to The Rev. Dr. Kate Sonderegger). 

Many Blessings,

Hillary