Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 Rector s Ramblings By Rev. Bill Winters Editor: Rusty Ogden August 2011 www.epiphanyguntersville.org My dear parish family, Often times most people think that there isn t much happening at church in the summer. Well that isn t so. Without the summer hiatus there would be no time to prepare for what comes our way in September and the rest of the year. Summer gives the staff and committees time to gear up for all the exciting things Epiphany brings each year. This summer we did it a bit different. We kept Sunday School going throughout the summer. And I believe it has been a rousing success. Last Sunday we had a committee which scheduled a meeting during Sunday School and several wouldn t leave the class because it was that good. Things are changing at Epiphany. I, quite frankly, am amazed at all the great educational opportunities the Church is offering. First we have Education for Ministry (EFM). This year the class is full 12 students - and there is a waiting list. This is amazing, because not only does EFM take a yearly commitment lasting four years, it also costs real money (we do provide scholarships). Secondly, our adult Sunday School has taken off. It started over the winter with Kim Booth s class on Revelations and has continued right on through the summer. Even though being in Sanderson Hall is not the best place in the world to meet for several reasons. I began offering a class during Lent. I thought on a Thursday morning it would most likely flop. I WAS WRONG! There has been a strong response to the class. I have followed that up with a class which has just begun Falling Upward which works with a book by Richard Rohr on how our Christianity needs to mature. Now, the fall programs are beginning to emerge and we are discovering that there is difficulty fitting in all the courses we want to do. My thanks go to Lamar, and Kim and all who are working so diligently to assist us in growth in the Christian life. And let me also give thanks where thanks are due, to Shelly Harden and her crew for an excellent summer Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Children s Church. We experienced great participation throughout the summer. All this has been thrilling to an old rector s heart. And coming, hopefully in late September, the opening of our new Commons Building. The building may not have nice furniture in it, and other features to complete it, but we might be able to begin to do things. That means new classes, retreats, worship opportunities, movies, all sorts of new experiences. A great time to invite your friends and neighbors to see all the opportunities that Epiphany can provide for all ages. This is an exciting time at Epiphany. New, exciting, enlightening things are beginning to happen. Epiphany is being reborn with a new spirit. I believe it is the Holy Spirit! Blessing to y all. Bill Carol Jean Rives Forum on Spirituality First Retreat on November 4 &5 Robert Benson, from Nashville, TN, is scheduled to lead the inaugural retreat of the CJR Forum on Spirituality. Robert Benson has written many books and conducted retreats throughout the country. His special emphasis is on prayer and living the Christian life. All of his books will be available shortly in the library for any who want an early start. Pencil the dates on your calendar now. Blessing of the Backpacks Students return to school on August 15 and we want to send each pupil back to class with a backpack full of blessings. At the 10:30am service, August 14, Fr. Bill will bless the bags that our children will take to school. They will receive a gift bag and a blessing card to carry in their packs all year. Students should bring their backpacks.
Page 2 WE are gearing up for a great year of many different opportunities in the world of Christian Formation. Some of the choices will include studies of the following books: Adult Christian Formation By Lamar Auman Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg The Mulligan by Ken Blanchard If Grace is True by Philip Gulley We will also be continuing our study of the books of the New Testament in an effort to bring the teachings of the NT authors up to our day and time to discover how we can use these truths in our daily lives as we interact with folks who may sometimes make our blood boil. Father Bill will be offering an inquirer's class this fall for new comers or folks just wanting to brush up on some of the fun facts about why we Episcopalians do some of the things we do. Other Christian Formation activities such as EFM (Education for Ministry), the Dream group, the Centering Prayer group, and the Wednesday night "Moms" group are all thriving and you will be hearing more about them in upcoming bulletins. There is talk about getting a group together to attend Lessons and Carols at Sewanee on Sunday, December 4th. Please let us know, if you feel inspired to facilitate/teach a class, or if you feel that there is a subject that we should address in a new class, or if you have an idea for a book to study! We want to hear from you. As Jan Maxwell said the other day, Christian Formation helps us "stretch our hearts and minds". I believe it strengthens and hones our faith and prepares us for the challenges that the world throws at us. Come join us! A Pilgrimage to Normandy, the Loire and Paris May 3 13, 2012 Dear Friends, I have scheduled a trip to France to correspond with my 62nd birthday on May 5! We will land in Paris on May 4 th and then travel to Rouen, France, home of the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame, Rouen, and the place where they torched Joan of Arc. (I m hoping for some birthday candles, but I prefer to blow mine out and not become the candle itself.) During the day of May 5 th we ll visit Giverny the home of Monet s House and Garden. And then have a big celebration Even as cheap as I am, I ll buy a round for everyone! It is sure to be a party to remember the rest of our lives. Of course, my birthday is just an excuse for a marvelous trip to Paris, Normandy, the beautiful Loire Valley, magnificent Mont St. Michel, as well as the most famous cathedral of all in Chartres. Our pilgrimage begins when leave Atlanta on May 3 and continues through May 13, 2012. I have scheduled no prequel or sequel before or after the main trip, but I hope to spend 3 days extra May 13, 14, 15, in Paris before flying home. AHHH, springtime in Paris! Care to join Rita and me? The pilgrimage includes bed and breakfast accommodations, with private baths, dinner on five evenings (don t forget it includes my birthday bash) all transportation in France, and all admissions noted on the itinerary (except for the added on three days, if you stay over). Rita and I have decided to keep this pilgrimage small and intimate. I truly believe that s the way pilgrimages should be. We will accept only the first 25 or 26 pilgrims. That means that the price will be $2,564 - unless we fall uncharacteristically short of the 25. Register now by sending $500 per person to reserve your place. Make your check out to the Church of Epiphany, P.O. Box 116, Guntersville, AL 35976. Deadline for the $500 deposit is September 1. The price does not include airfare, but checking recently the price was around $1100 round trip. I will try to get Clive, our tour guide, to purchase tickets for us. We will have a BLAST!!! Truthfully my greatest birthday present is that I will be spending it with so many of my dear friends. Faithfully, Bill Winters
Page 3 Parish Retreat at August 20-22, 2010 Camp McDowell is "God's Backyard." When you see the beautiful 900+ acres of forests, canyons, and waterfalls; and once you experience the facilities, service, and events you will understand why Camp McDowell is such an important place to so many people. Have you been thinking about whether or not to go to the retreat? Attending the Parish Retreat each year can become a great tradition for your family. If you want to spend a weekend with your church family doing fun things like fishing, swimming, hiking, canoeing, playing all kinds of games from softball to card games, eating lots of good food, reading or just sitting on the front porch in rocking chairs and visiting, then you ll need to sign the registration sheets posted outside the Parish Office. MILLER COMMONS Each lodge has 11 motel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and individual heat/air conditioning units. Linens and towels are provided. Each lodge has a common/great room, kitchen, and covered decks and porches. TO REGISTER, you need to sign the cabin and meal registration sheets posted outside the Parish Office. There will be no specific room assignments prior to going, upon arrival you will choose your room as you check in. Cost & Meal Information is posted on the bulletin board or call the Parish Office at 582-4897. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 4 Payment due to Epiphany by Aught 18 If assistance is needed, please contact Fr. Bill. No refunds for changes or cancellations made after August 13
Page 4 Please join us for a Bridal Shower Honoring Alicia Adkins Daughter of Rick and Velvet Cooley Saturday August 13 2011 2:00 P. M. Church of the Epiphany 1011 Sunset Drive Guntersville, Alabama Hosted by Velvet Cooley Amanda Gosselin Ann Thomas Alicia is registered at: Bed Bath & Beyond Kohl's Belks Wal-Mart We are saddened by the loss, June 21, of one of our former members, Pat Anderson, of Guntersville. The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to her husband, George, and their children, Sandy and George, Jr.. The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to: Joyce and Roger Rehfeld and family in the loss, June 29, of Joyce s brother, Richard Liston of Pinehurst, NC. Cal and Paula Dabney and family in the loss, July 4, of Cal s mother, Mattie Dabney of Bedford, Texas. Gene Black and family in the loss, July 7, of Gene s father, Emmitt Black of Anniston. Jennifer and Jason Moore and family in the loss, July 24, of Jennifer s grandfather, Hat Taylor of Guntersville. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord. Please join us for a Bridal Shower Honoring Beth Packard Daughter of Shaun and Bitsy Packard Sunday August 28, 2011 2:00 P. M. Church of the Epiphany 1011 Sunset Drive Guntersville, Alabama Hosted by Katherine Baucom Doris Benson Shirley Chupp Anita Duncan Meredith Jackson Kim Lindstrom Kelly Potts Martha Ross Barbara Warnes Charlotte Webb Beth is registered at: Bromberg Target Crate and Barrel Rock House Bennett William Piechota was born in the early morning of July 18 to Rob and Jessica Piechota. Proud grandparents are Bill and Rita Winters. We would like to thank the anonymous patron for their gift of 12 Alleluia III books to the choir. These spiral editions will enhance our service to you and for this we are very grateful. Thanks be to God. Kay Benefield and Velma Atkins
Page 5 Mission Team Spotlights Chef/co-owner Hristos Drake serves saganaski, Greek flaming cheese, at The Sicilian Restaurant in Arab August 11, 6pm The Sicilian Restaurant 222 N. Main St., Arab 256-931-5825 Price range: $6 to $18 Parking: Limited in front, at Wilkes Tires next door after 5 p.m This is not a fundraiser and you do not need to sign up. Just show up at the Sicilian to share good food and a fun evening out with your Epiphany family. BRING A FRIEND SUNDAY WELCOMES VISITORS & NEWCOMERS Now is the time to invite your friends and family to attend the 11 th Annual Bring-A-Friend Sunday on September 18. The Church promises an uplifting service of worship and song. This is an opportunity to invite a friend to share God s message to all. We have arranged a full course lunch for members and guests after the 10:30 service. The meal is free, but we would like for you to bring your favorite dessert to share. If you have a gift for baking small loaves of bread to give to our visitors, we would greatly appreciate it. If you wish to bake ahead of time, we can freeze the bread until Friend Sunday. August 5-6, 2011 Downtown Albertville, Alabama Blessings in a Backpack 5K & fun run Children s inflatable water park Entertainment all day Arts & Crafts Classic Car Cruise-in Food Vendors For more information & schedule of events log onto www.mainstreetmusicfestival.com Sunday Morning Ministry to Inmates in Guntersville City Jail For the past few years four ministry teams have been taking turns providing Sunday morning devotion with music to the male and female inmates at the Guntersville City Jail. The devotion time consists of singing a few songs and reading a story/passage from a monthly devotion series. The inmates are then encouraged to share their thoughts, hopes, and fears. The ministry team members offer encouragement and hope. The devotion begins promptly at 7:00 each Sunday morning in the Guntersville Town Hall. Each ministry team is responsible for the devotion three months per year. Contact Lee Hoggle at 256-558-3571 if you would like more Please pray for this important day in the life of this parish. Many people who are now integral members of Epiphany first came on bring a friend Sunday. May God bless this special day. If you wish to participate with the Hospitality Team, call the church or Maggie Muegge at 256-582-0112. Marshall County Christmas Coalition will be holding signups around the county September 6 th 9 th and we need volunteers to help clients fill out the paperwork. Volunteers are asked to work a three hour shift. If you would be willing to help, please contact: Guntersville, Lee Hoggle at 256-558-3571 Albertville, Susan Armstrong at 256-302-3801.
Episcopal Youth Event Page 6 Camp McDowell Special Sessions By Kyle Atkins Lauren Wainwright Clay Hardin at EYE with the Alabama delegation E.Y.E is a gathering of youth from all of the Episcopal dioceses from the United States as well as other countries. It is held in different cities all over the country every three years. This year it was in St. Paul, Minnesota, far from sweet home Alabama. I d like to thank Father Bill for paying for the event registration and the Outreach committee for paying for my plane ticket. After a day of trains, planes and automobiles we made it to Bethel University in St. Paul. The first night we met other youth from all corners of the country. The next morning we had a service with the presiding bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. It was an amazing experience just to watch and listen to her speak. Then at the Eucharist, the 50 bishops in attendance spread out to give all 1000 youth and their adult leaders Eucharist. To our surprise Katharine, the presiding bishop, came in front of our group for us to take Eucharist directly from her. That was by far the highlight of the trip. Each day we had workshops and reflection groups. At night, after dinner, we gathered together for music and to listen to a speaker. All of the speakers spoke about mission, which was the theme throughout our week. We met great people and made many new friends. Of all the people we met and of all the dioceses we interacted with, we heard that Alabama has the best diocese in the country. In one summer our diocese puts on more events than some dioceses put on in a decade. Although we there were only six people from our diocese, we had many more that stayed in Alabama to run events like Sawyerville, Special Session at Camp McDowell and other camps. Not that I need to remind anyone, but you should all be proud to be from the diocese of Alabama. Thank you again for you support. Peace, Clay Hardin Lee Auman & Zeke Jones with a camper. The campers, counselors and staff of Special Sessions 2011 wish to express our gratitude and send a huge THANK YOU to the congregation and clergy of Epiphany in Guntersville for their time and more than generous support this summer. Your donations were designated to provide all the materials for the arts and crafts projects, camper scholarships, and the remainder towards general camp operational expenses. Art-wise, the community had a blast creating individual artworks on stretched canvases, painting and decorating wooden Christmas ornaments, beaded necklaces and bracelets (a continued historic campers' favorite) ornate and intricate multicolored rubber stamp and stencil creations, and assembling a large fabric tapestry that will hang in the soon to be built Bethany Village addition at Camp McDowell. Other unique pieces and projects were also brought into existence along with posters, signs and other decorations used throughout the week. Leftover paint and other miscellaneous supplies were donated to the summer camp art department, integrating your contributions not only to the Special Sessions community, but also to the remaining summer camp programs as well. From the pool, to the dance hall, on horse back, in canoes, good times, laughter, and tears were had by all during a multitude of other activities and events. To go into proper detail would require a heavy tome, and since a picture is worth a thousand words check out the year book and photos available online at www.dioala.org. Once again thanks a ton for your participation in helping create another fantastic and special week at Camp McDowell! ANNUAL CHURCH AUCTION Our annual church auction is on the calendar for October 29, 2011. It is time for all parishioners to put on your thinking caps and help us come up with some really nice, desirable items we can use in either the live or silent auction. You always do!! We are seeking an auction committee to team up and assist us to bring in items, and set up this year s auction. In the past, the auction team has been over-the-top wonderful! If you have an interest or feel inspired to work with us, please let us know. It is really a lot of fun, rewarding, and a great way to get to know everyone. With God s guidance and your prayers, we look forward to another successful auction. Joe and Linda Katz Penny Moses & Velma Atkins dispense meds.
Page 7 E-mail: rustyogden@bellsouth.net Church epis_ala@bellsouth.net Fax #: 256-582-4899 www.epiphanyguntersville.org WE NEED EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION We had difficulty checking up on people after the tornados to see if you were alright and to let you know what we could do for you. Please send me your cell phone number and a neighbor s or family member s name and cell phone number (with their permission of course). We will not give out these numbers but plan on having a contact team in case of emergencies. This is part of the new emergency plan by The Task Force that you will hear more about later. Rusty Ogden, Communications Director rustyogden@bellsouth.net If you would like to learn more about the Kairos Prison Ministry, eight team building meetings will be held here at Epiphany beginning August 16 and held every Tuesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m and there will be one overnight at Camp Sumataunga, which is located in Gallant, Alabama (near Gadsden). The meetings are being facilitated by Russ Henderson and you can contact him for further information. russhenderson@gmail.com EYC POOL PARTY Lamar and Kelly Auman invite all Jr. and Sr. EYC'ers ( 6th thru 12th grades) to their home for a Back to School pool party on August 14 at 2:00 p.m. See Lauren Wainwright for directions. We have a new Facebook page. Please go to Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and sign on, even if you are signed on to the Church of the Epiphany Facebook page. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience but this is a better way to do Facebook. When enough people have signed on, we will delete the other one. One day, God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior going on. He sent one of his Angels to Earth to look into it. When the Angel returned, he told God "Yes, it is bad on Earth: 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not". God was of course not pleased so he decided to e-mail the 5% that were good because He wanted to encourage them and give them a little something to help keep them going. Do you know what the e-mail said? OK... I was just wondering because I didn't get one either! WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT EPIPHANY What does this mean in the bulletin Before worship ~ speak with God During worship ~ let God speak to you After worship ~ speak to one another "Silence is observed before the service" When you arrive at church on any Sunday you will most likely receive a warm greeting from a member of the Welcome Team. As you walk towards the Nave, please remember that all sounds carry very easily, especially those in the hallway. Please remember that parishioners in the Nave are in pews and perhaps in prayer or quiet contemplation. Please lower your voice to a whisper or observe the silence. Our coffee hour after church is the perfect time to meet, greet, and catch up with one another. Thank you for your consideration.
Page 8 CODE: HC Holy Communion; HE Holy Eucharist; SS Sunday School; CP Centering Prayer; DG Dream Group BSA Brotherhood of Saint Andrew; DOK Daughters of the King; ECW Episcopal Church Women; Birthdays A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Lisa Pate 2 3 Retreat registration deadline 4 Fr. Bill s Study Group 10am DG 12pm CP 6:30pm Cricket Adams Bob Amburn Marty Likos 5 Paula Dabney Lilli-Grace Reeves 6 Transfiguration of Our Lord 7 Discretionary Fund Sunday HE 8 & 10:30am SS 9:30am Installation of DOK officers 10:30am Children s Church 10:30am Taizé Service 5pm 8 DOK 11:15am David Roadruck 9 Jilli Sparks 10 Judith Brown Jack Hyatt 11 Fr. Bill s Study Group 10am DG 12pm Epiphany Eats Out 6pm CP 6:30pm Doug Cooke 12 Naomi Mohr Jonathan Wilks 13 BSA 8am Alicia Adkins Bridal Shower 2pm Barbara Warnes 14 HE 8 & 10:30am SS 9:30am Outreach 9:30am Children s Church 10:30am Blessing of Back Packs 10:30am EYC Pool Party 2pm Ultreya 6pm 15 Vestry 7pm Lucy Alves Sam Jones 16 Hospitality 7pm Kairos 5:30pm John Kennedy Becky Phelps 17 Hack Ross 18 Retreat payment due Fr. Bill s Study Group 10am DG 12pm CP 6:30pm Bonnie Barker Jeannine Wilder 19 J. B. Brantley Ray Klaver Morgan Pence 20 Parish Retreat 21 Morning Prayer 8 & 10:30am SS 9:30am Celtic Service 5pm 22 DOK 7pm 23 Kairos 5:30pm 24 Ministry Council 6pm 25 Fr. Bill s Study Group 10am DG 12pm CP 6:30pm 26 27 BSA 8am Bryce Blair Jennifer Moore Denise Barry Bill Moss Ruth Taylor Buck Woodall Barbara Sedberry Pat Woodall 28 HE 8 & 10:30am Breakfast 8:45am SS 9:30am Children s Church 10:30am Beth Packard Bridal Shower 2pm John Clanton 29 Ann Branum Wyatt Martin Joe Sanderson Summers Taylor 30 Kairos 5:30pm Skip Harborth Nancy McAllister 31 Robin Moore Katherine Woodall Vestry Person for August Bob Moses 256-486-3198 September October November 3 St. William Seafood Festival 1 Beth Packard wedding 4 Carol Jean Rives Forum 5 Labor Day Office Closed 6 & 7 ECW Annual Conference 11 Veterans Day 11 Rally Day 8 Alicia Adkins wedding 19 Holiday Bazaar 18 Bring A Friend Sunday 9 Blessing of the Animals 23 Thanksgiving Service 21 Wednesday Night Programs 17 Fall Break 17 19 24 Thanksgiving Day Office Closed 25 Grand Opening of Commons Building 23 Parish Elections 25 Office Closed 29 Live Auction 27 First Sunday of Advent Year B