a series by Dick Ficter, parishionerwith Rev. DinaJanuary 24, 2024 On the wall in our entrance hallway at home, there is an array of several small wooden crosses having different configurations which I passed by every day for years without a second look or thought. In addition, as an original member of Epiphany, Epiphany developed a […]

In honor of our first snowfall of the season, you are invited to a poem by Mary Oliver, First Snow. The snowbegan herethis morning and all daycontinued, its whiterhetoric everywherecalling us back to why, how,whence such beauty and whatthe meaning; suchan oracular fever! flowingpast windows, an energy it seemedwould never ebb, never settleless than lovely! and only now,deep […]

Edith Bergay, previous parishioner January 10, 2024 When Jim and I moved from Herndon in April 2020, we stayed in touch through the Epiphany newsletters. North Carolina provided us with a path for retirement, lower taxes and Jim with specialized medical care at Duke University Hospital. Jim died March 10, 2021.  The weekend of Dec 16, […]

Dick Fichter, parishionerwith support by Rev. Dina January 3, 2024 the manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the earth EPIPHANY the DAY How did Epiphany begin?The winter solstice was kept on Jan. 6 at some places during the first centuries of the Christian Era. In opposition to pagan festivals, Christians chose this day to […]

A Christmastide Reflection Christmas Day is in the rearview mirror. We are solidly into the 12 days of Christmas. Day 3 actually. As you move through these 12 days, as the world prepares for New Years’ Eve, we invite you to consider the Light that comes as described by the words of Jan Richardson’s poem […]

ADVENT: A MERGER OF LITURGY AND CULTURE a series by Dick Fichter, parishionerwith support by Rev. Dina THE FOURTH CANDLE AND THE CHRISTMAS CANDLEThe Final Coming  As you will recall from the beginning of this series, the definition of Advent from the Episcopal glossary of terms is that the name is derived from a Latin word for […]

THE THIRD CANDLEThe Liturgical Year and the Book of Common Prayer This Sunday there is a color change in the candle to light on the Advent wreath. The color of the third candle is rose or pink and not blue. It is sometimes called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is rose and not “pink” because rose is […]

ADVENT: A MERGER OF LITURGY AND CULTURE  a series by Dick Fichter, parishioner THE SECOND CANDLEThe Bible and Advent  Does the Bible describe Advent? A blog post from the New International Version website entitled, “Why Do Christians Observe Advent?” stated, “While the Bible doesn’t say anything about observing the tradition of Advent, this tradition has existed within the […]

ADVENT: A MERGER OF LITURGY AND CULTURE  a series by Dick Fichter, parishioner THE FIRST CANDLEFamily traditions Advent has always been an exciting time for me because of the joy and anticipation brought by having an Advent wreath at home, lighting it at dinner time with my family, and at church, sharing in its lighting and […]

What We Need is Here-Wendell Berry Geese appear high over us,pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,as in love or sleep, holdsthem to their way, clearin the ancient faith: what we needis here. And we pray, notfor new earth or heaven, but to bequiet in heart, and in eye,clear. What we need is here. Blessed Thanksgiving […]