Dear Friends in Christ,

This year’s Annual Giving Campaign Theme is “Changing Lives in Changing Times.” This theme strikes both a personal note for me as well as for our entire Buildings and Grounds (B&G) ministry team. Despite the changing times, the B&G ministry team has successfully weathered the pandemic by working closely together while we have been apart. Sometimes it was one working alone to paint the inside rooms, refresh painting outside the building, or weed the garden beds; other times it was a group of two or more to do needed building plumbing or electrical maintenance and repairs or to mow and trim the expansive lawn; and sometimes a larger group was commissioned to work together on a single project like spreading playground mulch for the preschool. 

Importantly, our ministry has stayed connected to review critical tasks and assignments even when we could not meet in person. It truly has been a labor of love because we value the importance of being together and continuing Epiphany’s mission. We worked together even as we worked alone to assure that our building and grounds remained well kept and inviting for all. 

This leads me to further describe our theme as reflected in Isaiah:

“Look! I am doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.” (CEB) – Isaiah 43:19

We are reminded that God continually does new things. And, yes, this is in all the activities within our 40,000 square foot building and the impressive grounds which we all can rightly identify as the “Church on the Corner.” 

The history of our parish shows that we have the power to transform lives inside and outside of our building, with God’s help. Our Outreach Ministry uses the church kitchen for the Hot Meals program and offers the collection box for the Food Pantry, helping those in need while also transforming the lives of the Epiphany volunteers who do God’s work. Our church facility has been the focal point for a flourishing and growing preschool program, transforming and touching each child that walks through our doors. Epiphany is the meeting place for parishioners as well as others such as Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and a broad range of religious and community groups. Plus, our parish is the official voting precinct site for national, state and local elections. We are community!

We are so grateful that even during this pandemic God has worked in wonderous ways to support our parish. While church maintenance needs and use of new technologies are important, we are reminded by scripture that no matter how big the task at hand is, it is God’s will that we seek to fulfill. 

Your continuous financial support, along with the many talented staff members and volunteers, has help keep and maintain the vitality of our building and grounds. We are leading in our community by steadfastly seeking to honor the glory of God. As Rev. Mary has noted, “We strive to put our own wills and desires second – it’s God’s will that we seek to fulfill.” We all are hopeful that one day, things will be back to what some will call “normal.” It may not be same as it once was, but change will take place because God will guide us to support our mission and ministries at Epiphany. 

THIS Sunday is Giving Sunday! We will offer prayers of thanksgiving for our pledges and pray for the planning ahead for 2022. Please have your pledge submitted by this Sunday if you are able. You can view the electronic Giving Packet (same as the paper form you got in the mail) and pledge online at: EpiphanyEC.org/pledge 

Thank you for your love, prayers and pledges of time, talent, and financial support. Together, your commitment will help to ensure that we here at Epiphany will continue to be a community for “Changing Lives through Changing Times.”

Blessings to you All,

Myron Laible 
Junior Warden