A Contemporary Canterbury Tale
an Epiphany Episcopal Parish History Series by Dick Fichter, parishioner
– format and editing by the Rev. Dina Widlake, rector
Part 1 of 4 (1985-2004)
Written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century, The Canterbury Tales tells the story of a group of 31 pilgrims who meet while travelling from London to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. One definition of a pilgrimage is: a journey that has a religious or spiritual significance.

The following several weeks, Hump Day messages will tell, bit-by-bit, the story of a group of ever-expanding pilgrims who met and travelled through time and place. Together, with God’s help, they established Epiphany Episcopal Church, and grew, developed, and struggled for its presence from 1985 through today. The people of Epiphany have traveled far in a short time. This was and clearly is a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey. 

This four-part Hump Day Message series tells a rich history for this young parish. Epiphany Episcopal, Oak Hill (Herndon), is less than 40 years old. The series is divided into three general time periods: 1985-2004; 2005-2006; 2007-2012. And it gives a nod to the strengths and character of God’s people here at Epiphany today born from and shaped by this pilgrimage.
Did You Know?
The Episcopal Church of the United States is a loosely hierarchical church. It is part of the Anglican Communion which is headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the early 2000s the archbishop was interested in the developments affecting the Episcopal Church in the United States.

There are three dioceses in Virginia. Each diocese is a territory headed by a bishop. Epiphany Episcopal Church is one of 179 congregations that are part of the Diocese of Virginia. Our bishop, called the Bishop Diocesan, is Bishop Mark Stevenson.
In the summer of 1985, what was then Truro Episcopal Church in the City of Fairfax, Virginia entered into a discussion with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia about establishing a mission in the Western part of Fairfax County (that is where we are!). Before the end of the year, about 15 people (15 pilgrims) from Truro began a process of discerning, through weekly meetings of prayer and Bible study, the establishment of that mission.

By February 1986 it was decided that a mission would be established and the first Eucharist was held in Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The Reverend B. Clifton Reardon, affectionately known as ‘Father Bill,’ was appointed vicar.
Did You Know?
Father Bill’s wife, Marilyn worships and plays and with us week-to-week! Look for her Sundays or at church activities and say hello!
After the first year the Episcopal mission, “Church of the Epiphany” was granted parish status and groundbreaking for the church building (now the great hall) took place in March 1988. Our first service was held in the building in February 1989.

In the ensuing years Church of the Epiphany (Epiphany) grew – increasing in attendance, establishing a vibrant Sunday school, and establishing an extensive outreach program. The membership of Epiphany was theologically diverse and reasonably characterized by the saying “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity.” Epiphany followed the liturgy and adhered to the traditions and heritage of the Episcopal Church. People were welcomed regardless of their marital status, sexual orientation, phase of life, social status, or color.

Father Bill retired in 1995. In June, 1997, the Reverend Robin Rauh was called as Rector. Soon after this call, the parish began to experience a time of change in which the teachings and authority of the Episcopal Church were challenged by both the clergy and some of the laity.

Over the next decade the church leadership steered the church toward a more literal reading of scripture, a less inquisitive mindset for engaging a diversity of ideas, and a strong fundamentalist focus. Church activities became more inwardly than outwardly focused. Many who were active members decided to leave Epiphany for other churches (Episcopal or otherwise). Some members were asked to leave, for example, those who were going through divorce.

The atmosphere within the church increasingly became focused on worthiness. Church processes became much more rigid. For example, the vestry nomination committee only presented candidates that it considered to have demonstrated a prayer life that made them worthy candidates by the parish standards, rather than standards of the Episcopal Church.

Then, in 2003, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church of the United States. (Read more HERE). And that consecration seemed to accelerate tensions to a breaking point.

Next week: The Schism (2005-2006)

Watermelon Wednesdays continue tonight, 6pm – 8pm. A grill will be hot and the watermelon will be cold. Bring just yourself and a chair. If you want, bring something to throw on the grill and something to share.

The Final Embodied Night Prayer (ENP) is July 30 at 7pm. Bring comfortable clothes, a mat if you have it, and an open heart. Close the weekend and open the week by settling into the heart of God. The focus for the ENP is Home.

Worship every Sunday at 10am is a service of Holy Eucharist and is in person and livestreamed.