“You are the light of the world…shining…for all the world to see.” Matthew 5:14

Dear Friends:

Launch Sunday is this Sunday, September 8th. What are we launching? A brightly spirited fall list of offerings for everyone! We’re excited to be Shining Our Light!

First, Sunday School launches Sunday for children beginning at preschool age through sixth grade. Come at 9:45 a.m. Meet your teachers. Learn about Jesus. Find new friends. Then, join your family in worship in time to share in The Lord’s Supper.

Second, immediately following worship, Food4Thought launches for the school year as we pack 200 meals for Fairfax County school kids who suffer from food scarcity. Come, line up and pack. Don’t blink, you’ll miss Food4Thought. The packing takes twelve minutes! Third, immediately following Food4Thought packing, we’re launching a pancake feast for all! Kids, don’t miss pancakes! We’re leaving the decorating up to you! Then, youth grades seven through twelfth attend Sunday Circle following pancakes. We’ll be talking about upcoming Confirmation teaching on Sunday mornings.

Last, but not least, on Sunday we’re launching our annual giving campaign, “Shining Our Light”. We’re excited about this year’s campaign. God continues to bless Epiphany as we go and grow to be all God calls us to be on this corner and beyond. Just earlier this summer you generously surpassed the “Raise the Roof” goal for a new, and very necessary, roof in your thoughtful and expediate giving. Your good work led to an even stronger belief that God’s shining light, needs to shine even brighter through the life of Epiphany. So, last month your governing leadership, the vestry of Epiphany crafted a statement of giving, in an effort to encourage us all in the continuation of an enthusiastic culture of giving:

WE BELIEVEin intentional giving and being accountable stewards for God’s mission. We believe in giving with a generous spirit. We believe in one God, who we trust will provide through us and for us.

WE COMMITto be intentional and consistent with our giving, to pay God first with our time, talent, and treasure, and to trust in how God provides in all parts of our lives.

WE INVITEyou to make a specific commitment for 2020 to offer your gifts and resources to love and serve the Lord.

Over the weeks you’ll hear a bit from vestry, and others, as they share the good news of how God’s Light is Shining in their giving of their time, talent and treasure. Join your leadership. Be all in. Agree to be a witness and share the good news of God’s light shining through you! Receive your giving packet on September 15th in worship. Give prayerful consideration to how you want to contribute to Shining Our Light. Give generously toward God’s good work with Epiphany.

There’s more launching. Over these next weeks, take a look at your Fall Road Map. Episcopal 101 for adults wishing to learn more about The Episcopal Church as well as being confirmed, received, and reaffirmed are invited to participate in a three week class September 22, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. October 6 from 6:30-8:00 (following Celtic Worship), and October 20 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Another adult offering includes “What is Required?” with our resident scholar and theologian, John Rybicki. “What is Required?” begins September 15 from 6:00-7:30 p.m., September 29 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and completes October 27 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. John will share his expertise on Jesus’ call to discipleship; why does it matter for us as Christians in a post-Christian world; how the early Church fathers understood discipleship; what salvation means with faith, not works, as our grounding premise. To be sure, John will provoke and inform. You won’t want to miss this offering! Let me know of any questions you may have regarding Adult teachings this fall: clergy@epiphanyec.org

In worship on Sunday we’ll once again listen to some tough demands from Jesus in Luke’s gospel, and the apostle Paul from prison as he writes to the church in Philemon, reminding us that all, not some, are rooted in God’s love.

God bless you, Epiphany. As we grow and go, our Sundays are full. Come, participate in the warmth, the love, the welcome and the healing balm of God Shining our Light throughout! We are a most blessed community! Invite others to share in the gift God bestows upon us as Epiphany!

Many blessings,

Hillary