EPIPHANY STAR Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.episcopalguntersville.org

April 2018

WELCOME EPIPHANY’S NEW STAFF MEMBER

TRACI LAMB

We are pleased to introduce Traci Lamb as Epiphany’s new Financial Assistant. Traci is a na-tive of New Jersey but has spent most of her life in the South. After thirty years in Jacksonville, Florida, Traci and her husband Mark moved to Guntersville in November, 2017 to live near the mountains and escape the heat and humidity of Florida.

Traci has over thirteen years’ experience in church administration, including all aspects of

the financial operations of the church. She also has an additional twen-ty years’ experience in general accounting and office management.

Traci has settled in to her new position and is now the primary person responsible for all financial transactions. Please welcome Traci by in-troducing yourself to her as you have the opportunity. Her hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Traci’s email

address is traci@epiphanyguntersville.org. She may be reached at the church office by calling 256-582-4897.

50TH WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Please join Bill and Kathy Thompson

in celebrating their 50th wedding

anniversary on Sunday, April 8, in

Sanderson Hall immediately follow-

ing the 10:30 service.

BRUNCH 9:00A.M. Join us for our Inaugural Easter Potluck Brunch and Egg Hunt on April 1st in Sanderson Hall. The church will provide the ham,

eggs & drinks while our members are asked to bring a dish to share based on your last name:

A-G Something Savory (casseroles, quiche or sausage balls)

H-N Something Sweet (danishes, doughnuts, cake)

O-Z Something Fruity (fresh fruit, salad, congealed salad)

We hope you will hop on over and join in on this Eggstraordinary event.

EGG HUNT 9:30A.M.

Children, toddler through 5th grade, are invited to hunt for goody filled eggs. Children will hunt the eggs in different areas

based on their age. Prizes will be awarded to those who find the golden egg in each age group.

FLOWERING THE CROSS

Spring flowers represent new life after the dead of

winter. Flowering of the cross on Easter morning is

a visual symbol of Christ’s resur-

rection from the dead. All are

invited to flower the cross during

Holy Communion on Easter morn-

ing at the 8:00a.m. and 10:30a.m.

services. Please bring a flower or

two to add to the cross. Flowers

should have narrow stems and be

cut to no longer than 4 inches.

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VESTRY LIAISONS

Sr. Warden-Rick Cooley

Jr. Warden-Sam Harrison

Building & Grounds

Rick Cooley

Melanie Dorman

Ray Klaver

Faith Formation

Jackie Camper

Sam Harrison

Tiffany Martin

Parish Life

Marsha Babb

Jackie Camper

Tiffany Martin

Kitchen

Melanie Dorman

Ray Klaver

Tiffany Martin

Memorial Garden

Melanie Dorman

Sam Harrison

Ray Klaver

Office and Communication

Marsha Babb

Doug Cooke

Jack Frost

Outreach

Rick Colley

Jack Frost

Jan Maxwell

Pastoral Care

Jackie Camper

Doug Cooke

Jack Frost

Stewardship

Marsha Babb

Sam Harrison

Jan Maxwell

Worship

Jackie Camper

Doug Cooke

Jan Maxwell

Epiphany Star

Fools for Christ

On Easter Sunday, we saw the turn of the calendar to April 1st, also known as “April Fools’ Day.”

I am reminded of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, where he proclaims that “we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” He goes on to say that “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom” and that we are “fools for Christ.” Paul considered all his knowledge, wisdom, and learning as foolishness when compared to his faith in Christ.

Paul speaks, of course, of the counterintuitive idea of Jesus as “the Christ” – the unex-pected Messiah. The Jews of first century Palestine sought a warrior king who would take up arms against the Roman oppressors and restore the glorious throne of King David. They certainly did not expect the Messiah to be an itinerant rabbi/healer who would end up crucified for crimes against the state.

Through Jesus, God would defy the expectations of the people. God would show us that the only way to redeem the world was to meet the “powers that be” with the power of love. Jesus would take the worst the world had to offer – suffering, pain, dis-honor, and disgrace – and be delivered through them by the power of the resurrection.

Foolishness...right?

But Christianity is built on a paradox. Paradox is the belief that two opposing and contradictory concepts or ideas can be simultaneously true. Think about that for a mo-ment.

In order to live in the resurrection, Jesus had to die. In order to win salvation, Jesus had to lose on the cross. Jesus was fully human, and yet fully divine.

Consider the words of Jesus from the Gospels: “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first” or “he who wishes to gain his life must lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will gain it.”

The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most well-known sermon, em-body the paradox of Christianity. Jesus states that it is the meek, the poor, the peace-makers, and those who weep...who are blessed.

As we look forward to the Easter season, we are invited to consider the paradox of Jesus. Through his weakness, we see God’s strength. Through his justice, we come to know his mercy. Through his death, we are invited into eternal life.

St. Paul called us to be fools for Christ. We are to set aside the so-called wisdom that the world offers, and place our lives in God's hands. To have faith. To trust. To believe. Yours in Christ, Fr. Aaron+ Easter Season, 2018

SUDDENLY AND UNPREPARED: PLANNING FOR THE END OF THIS LIFE

Beginning Sunday, April 15th, 9:30-10:15, we will offer a five-week Adult Christian Education opportunity dur-ing Sunday School entitled “Suddenly and Unprepared: Planning for the End of This Life.” The title comes from a petition found in The Great Litany from The Book of Com-mon Prayer:

“From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from vio-lence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared,

Good Lord, deliver us.”

Our goal is to provide good information and healthy con-versation for parishioners and their families when prepar-ing for “End of Life” issues and concerns, specifically from a Christian, Episcopal, and church-centered perspective. We will welcome guest speakers from a range of disciplines, including presentations on hospice care, wills and estate planning, working with a funeral home, as well as details about planning a funeral at Epiphany and our own Memo-rial Garden. Please join us.

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COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT

POSITION OPEN

The Church of the Epiphany has an opening for a part-time Communications Assistant. The applicant should possess administrative and communications experience. Of utmost importance is a person of integrity, confidentiality, and trustworthiness. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational, writing, editing and design skills, knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook) or an ability and willingness to learn new technology.

Epiphany’s policy for office staff positions is to hire outside of the parish. If you know of someone who is interested in this part-time administrative position, they should provide a résumé to the church office, email to shari@epiphanyguntersville.org, or call Shari Harrison @256-673-3458.

We are saddened by the death, March 11, of Arlyne Black. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to Bill Black and family.

Rest eternal grant to her O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon her.

We are saddened by the death, March 20, of Wayne French. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to Charlotte French and family. Rest eternal grant to him O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon him.

SAVE THIS DATE

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

10:00 a.m.— 12:00 Noon

THE OUTREACH MINISTRY ALONG WITH THE

ALVES OUTREACH FUND WILL SPONSOR

THIS YEAR WE WILL FILL 15,120 BAGS OF FOOD, SO

BRING YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND A FRIEND TO HELP

REACH OUR GOAL!!

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April 20, 6:00p.m. until noon on April 21

Youth in 6th-12th grades

For more information see page 5.

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WEEKLY

Sunday School – Sundays 9:30 a.m.

6th - 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) – Wednesdays 6:30p.m. –

7:30p.m.

6th - 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) – Sundays 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.

6th – 12th grades – Youth Loft Woodall Commons

APRIL

1 – No EYC, Easter

20 – Youth Lock-in, 6:00p.m.

21 – Rise Against Hunger Event

22 – No EYC

Mark Your Calendars for MAY Events

13— Youth Sunday/Graduation Sunday

YOUTH

LOCK-IN

April 20, 6:00p.m. until noon on April 21

Youth in 6th-12th grades

Calling all superheroes! Episcopal Youth Community

(EYC) is hosting a superheroes themed lock-in! Come

dressed as your favorite superhero, wear a superhero

shirt or come as you are for a fun evening of fellowship,

games and fun! We will rise bright and early the next

morning to join others in the Rise Against Hunger event

to assemble 15,120 bags of food.

What to bring: Pillow, sleeping

bag/blanket, air mattress/

sleeping pad (you will be sleep-

ing on the floor), toiletries,

clothing appropriate for the

weather, one can of silly string,

2 liter bottle of soda or other

beverage and the Youth Release

and Community Covenant Form

found here or by going to

www.churchoftheepiphany.dioala.org and choosing the

Youth tab.

On May 13th, we will be offering prayers for members who are graduating from high school, college or other certifica-

tion programs. If you have family members that will be graduating this spring, please send their full name, their de-

gree/major/certification and the school they will be attending or are receiving their degree from to Shelly Hardin at

EpiphanyYouth@EpiphanyGuntersville.org by May 4th. Please feel free to include any awards/scholarships your family

member has received.

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May June

1 — Stewardship Meeting 15 — Vestry Meeting 4 — 6 Epiphany’s Art Camp 17 — Father’s Day

8 — B & G Meeting 19 — DOK Quiet Day 5 — Stewardship Meeting 19 — Vestry Meeting

10 — Finance Meeting 20 — The Day of Pentecost 9 — Beans & Rice/Epiphany

Café

22 — 24 Hydro Fest

12 — Beans & Rice/Epiphany

Café

25 — Epiphany Star Articles

Due

12 — B & G Meeting

13 — Mother’s Day

Graduation Sunday

Youth Sunday

27 — Trinity Sunday

28 — Memorial Day

Office Closed

14 — Finance Meeting

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CODE: CC—Children’s Church; DOK—Daughters of the King; EYC—Episcopal Youth Community;

DAV—Disable American Veterans; HE—Holy Eucharist; Men’s B&B—Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study;

Lib — Library; MMBC — Monday Morning Book Club; RITI—Room in the Inn; SH— Sanderson Hall; SS—Sunday School;

VYP—Very Young Persons; WC— Woodall Commons; Birthdays

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 EASTER SUNDAY Discretionary Fund

Sunday HE 8 & 10:30 Easter Potluck Brunch 9:00

Easter Egg Hunt 9:30

SS & Nursery 10:30 Lectionary 9:30

CC 10:30 EYC 5:00

Martha Ross

2 OFFICE CLOSED

EFM 6:00

3 Ladies Bible

Study 11:00 a.m. Lib

4 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

5 Reunion 9:30

Parlor

VYP 6:00 Lib

6 B & B 7:00 HR

Lamar Auman Giselle Hembree

7

Cindy Chorba Jackson Moore

8 HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30 Outreach 9:30

CC 10:30 EYC 5:00

Amy Meredith

9 MMBC 10:00

LIB

DOK 11:30 Parlor

EFM 6:00

10 Ladies Bible

Study 11:00 a.m.LIB

Stewardship 5:00 Lib

Buildings & Grounds 6:00 Lib

11 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

Kathy Cooke

12 Reunion 9:30

Parlor

Staff 10 Lib

Finance 6:00

Bob Hembree

13 B & B 7:00 HR

14 Brotherhood 8 Lib

Beans & Rice 10-12

Epiphany Café 10-12

SH-Kitchen DAR—WC

9-12

15 HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

End of Life Program 9:30SH

CC 10:30 Coffee Hour—DOK Celtic Service w/HE

Reception 5:30 EYC 5:00

16 MMBC 10:00

LIB

EFM 6:00

Sid Ross Lee Towles

17 Ladies Bible

Study 11:00 a.m.LIB Vestry Meeting

6:30 Lib

18 Healing Service 11:30 Centering Prayer 1:00

Eucharist 5:30 Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

Haley Gates

19 Reunion 9:30

Parlor Stations of the Cross-Cursillo

7:00 Nave

20 B & B 7:00 HR

Youth Lock In WC

21 Rise Against

Hunger Packing Event

9-12

22 Stewardship of Creation Sun-

day HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

End of Life 9:30 SH CC 10:30

23 MMBC 10:00

Lib DOK 11:30

Parlor EFM 6:00

24 Ladies Bible

Study 11:00 a.m.LIB

News Articles Due

25 Healing Service 11:30

Aaron out after 12 Centering Prayer 1:00 Evening Prayer 5:30

Jim Coleman Nursery 5:30 Dinner 6:00

Programs 6:30

26 Reunion 9:30

Parlor

27 B & B 7:00 HR

Dawn Alves Hootie Woodall

28 Brotherhood 8 Lib

Sherry Mayberry

29 HE 8 & 10:30 Breakfast 8:45

SS & Nursery 9:30 Lectionary 9:30

End of Life 9:30 SH CC 10:30 EYC 5:00

30 MMBC 10:00

LIB

EFM 6:00

Scott Beard