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A Reflection from The Rev. Megan McDermott
Continuing Epiphany
“Epiphany” can sometimes feel like an intimidating or grand word, but I suspect epiphanies are more common than we think. If we look closely at our lives, we can identify moments (whether big or small) when our understanding of something – perhaps about God or ourselves – shifted, deepened, widened, or awakened. Epiphanies can be life-changing, but how, I wonder, do we handle their aftermath?
Twentieth-century Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton had a famous epiphany about the connection between all human beings in the year 1958 while in Louisville, Kentucky, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets. He wrote: “I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people…that we could not be alien to one another...they are all walking around shining like the sun.”
In her book The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, Sophfronia Scott calls attention to Merton’s writing about another Louisville trip the following year: “Hated the town. It was hot and stupid. Hated all the advertisements." Sophfronia Scott finds a relatable life lesson in Merton’s change of heart: “I forever have to seek compassion and miracles, transcendence and revelation….compassion or transcendence or revelation will not be automatically in my heart because it was there a year, a month, or a week ago.”
Like Thomas Merton, we too can find our love, energy, and conviction dulled by the mundane frustrations of day-to-day life. On January 6th, Episcopalians (along with many Christians) celebrate a feast day called Epiphany. Appropriately, though, this is just the beginning of a season which extends this year to February 15th. We have multiple Sundays to recognize how God has “caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (Book of Common Prayer). Our church calendar reminds us that epiphanies of Jesus’ identity – of God’s light and love – must be lived into in an ongoing way.
On that final Sunday “after Epiphany”, we’ll hear Jesus tell disciples who witness his glory: “Get up and do not be afraid” (Matthew 17:7 NRSV). After our own epiphany moments, we might need similar encouragement to keep on moving. May the Epiphany season ahead help us see our own epiphanies, and the epiphanies of Scripture, as more than one-time-events, but as roots from which our practices of prayer, fellowship, and service can continue to grow.
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Midwinter Choristers Choir Camp
Registration is Open!
All children in grades 2–10 (treble voices) are invited to an exciting weekend of music, fun, food, and fellowship Friday, January 30 - Sunday February 1! Join All Saints Choristers and renowned conductor Walden Moore, currently serving as Interim Co-Director of Chapel Music at Yale University. There is no fee for this, but donations are welcome. No prior choir experience is needed and everyone is welcome!
For more information or to register, please contact Scott Hayes at music@allsaintsrichmond.org
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Women's Social: January 7 at 6pm
The Women of All Saints are invited to the Annual Twelfth Night Potluck on January 7 at 6pm, in Thornton Hall. An entrée (ham) will be provided, please bring a side dish. Side dishes will be coordinated as sign-ups are received, and flexibility is greatly appreciated. Enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship with entertainment provided by our always-delightful All Saints Mummers Guild, featuring many familiar faces. RSVP to Kris Koebler.
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Youth Group Lock-In: January 10-11
The next youth group gathering will be a church lock-in on January 10-11 at All Saints. Youth in middle and high school are invited to participate. If you would like more information or if you would like to be added to the youth email list, email Nick Brata.
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Men's Club Dinner: January 19 at 6pm
The Men’s Club will gather on Monday, January 19 at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall. Join them for dinner and a special guest speaker. A recommended donation of $20 per person is requested. Please RSVP here or call the church office at 804-288-7811.
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Lunch Packing: January 31
Save the date for our next lunch packing event on January 31 at 9am. We will need volunteers to shop (expenses reimbursed), make sandwiches and pack the lunch bags, and deliver the lunches to the area shelters. Questions? Email Winston with any questions.
You can sign up here.
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Evensong: February 1 at 5pm
Join us for the first Evensong of 2026 on Sunday, February 1 at 5:00 PM! This beautiful service will conclude All Saints’ Mid-Winter Choristers Camp, directed by guest conductor Walden Moore, and will feature music sung by camp participants alongside the Schola. The prelude will be offered by the TAM Trio—Sharon Miller (piano), Kate Tibbets (cello), and Christine Anderson (violin). The service will be followed by a community dinner open to all.
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Altar Flower Dedications
Honor a loved one with a Sunday flower dedication. Signup on the bulletin board in the Cloister Hallway outside of the church. There are lots of dates available for 2026! Recommended donation is $100. After you signup, please email Winston with your flower dedication and flower preference/color.
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Vestry Nominations
The Vestry invites nominations for 2026 vestry candidates to be voted on at the Annual Parish Meeting on February 22, 2026. Please confirm willingness to serve before submitting names to the nominating committee: John Bell (johnhrbell@gmail.com), Blair Bruch (bruchgang2@gmail.com), and/or Matt Anderson (andersonmp@gmail.com). We ask that you submit names by January 31.
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Welborne Volunteer Slots for 2026
Welborne is looking for All Saints volunteers to help at their food pantry (920 Maybeury Drive) on the first Monday of each month. All Saints has the privilege of distributing bags of groceries at Welborne to people in our community the first Monday of each month. Volunteers are expected to come at 4:30 and work until 6:30, delivering groceries to prescreened patrons in their cars. Most volunteers are expected to lift and carry bags of groceries while some add meats, fresh fruit and veggies, and other sundries to the bags, as needed.
This is a great way for teens to earn volunteer hours. Middle schoolers must have a parent present while high schoolers do not, although it’s a great parent/teen project. Dress warmly in the winter since you’ll be outside.
Signup here for a Monday in 2026.
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Campaign Updates
Thank you to everyone who has pledged to the annual and/or capital campaign! Total pledged to Capital Campaign: $3,351,853 - 45% Parish Participation 71% to our need of $4.7 million. Total pledged to Annual Stewardship $633,120 - 138 Parish Families Pledging. To meet our 2026 ministry needs, our goal is $800,000. We are also hoping to have 200 pledging families).
Pick up your annual pledge card at the campaign table in the cloister after church or visit: allsaintsrichmond.org/pledgeonline to make your annual pledge. If you would like to schedule a visit or make a pledge for the capital campaign, please reach out to the church office.
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Welborne United Methodist Food Pantry Donations
Welborne is in need of food donations for their food pantry. Please consider picking up a few items during your next grocery trip and donating them to the green shed outside of the All Saints Playground.
Click here to view Welborne's Facebook page where they post updates as well as their current weekly needs.
If you are interested in volunteering at Welborne, please email Karen Sundlun at sundlun@verizon.net
CURRENT FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:
Fruit cups
Canned fruit
Cereal
Spaghetti sauce (no glass)
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Get In Touch with Us!
All Saints Staff
Nick Brata, Director of Youth Ministries
Natallia Chyhryna, Financial Administrator
The Rev. David Curtis, Deacon
Scott Hayes, Director of Music
Winston Hazlegrove, Parish Administrator
The Rev. Megan McDermott, Assistant Rector
Whitney Reid, Director of Children & Family Ministries
The Rev. Ben Robertson, Rector
Robert Rosenbrook, AV Coordinator
Daniel Stipe, Principal Organist
Melissa Taylor, Preschool Director
Tyronn Wilkins, Building & Grounds
All Saints Vestry
Matt Anderson, Clerk
John Bell
Blair Bruch, Senior Warden
Bill Burgoyne
John Delandro, Junior Warden
June Lehman
Will Washburn
Errol White, Treasurer (Ex-Officio)
Claiborne Winborne
Jim Wyatt
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