Epiphany Gift Announcement: Epiphany New for Dec. 13-22

Third Sunday in Advent - December 15, 2024

This Year's Epiphany Gift

In Uganda, it is impossible to order many electronic parts online and have them delivered to your door a couple of days later, (or ever). This is a real challenge for Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) department of Computing and Technology. Students need a host of small motors, development circuit boards, cameras and controllers to build their hands-on skills with electronics and robotics.

At Epiphany, we have a decade-long tradition of setting aside a portion of the offering from our Christmas Eve worship services to make a gift as a congregation. This year, our goal is to support UCU’s department of Computing and Technology by purchasing $5,000 worth of motors, circuit boards, cameras and controllers they have specifically requested. Then, Uganda Christian University Partners - the University’s U.S. support organization - will take on physically carrying the items we purchase to Uganda. These items will not only benefit students at UCU, but also be used in the University’s program of robotics camps for secondary school students.

“During our recent trip to UCU, I was deeply impressed by the practical training the University offers and its deeply Christian ethos as it does that work. I was also shocked by how difficult it was for them to get some basic items into the country. I am glad we can play a role filling this gap this year,” said the Rev. Peter Frank, Epiphany’s rector.

To participate in this year’s Epiphany gift, attend Epiphany on Christmas Eve and give as part of our offering. The first $5,000 given to the church will go to this project.

God Bless,

P.S. Epiphany goes Christmas Caroling in December every year. We make a particular point to visit members of our church who can't get to church. Please sign up below to carol with us. Kids are welcome! If you know someone who would appreciate a visit from our carolers, please send an email to Don Holt.

Stewardship Update for December 8

Thank you to all who offered their 2025 stewardship pledges. So far, we have received 58 pledges. Last year, we received 61 pledges in total. If you have not yet pledged, there is still time. Place your filled-out pledge card in the offering plate this Sunday or on a coming Sunday. Extra pledge cards and stewardship packets are available on the table in the entryway.

Christmas Caroling: Sign Up and Sing

We will gather in the church Fellowship Hall this Saturday Dec 14 at 4:15pm to divide into groups who will carol fellow church members and friends, especially those who can't get out.

We leave the church at 4:30 with printed carols and maps to go out and bring tidings of great joy! Please come with a cheery heart, a flashlight, and be ready to sing and celebrate with your friends. Contact Don Holt at (donholtjr@aol.com) or cell: 540-222-9712.

Hurry Up and Wait

Christmas Eve at Epiphany

Epiphany will gather for Christmas Eve worship at 5pm and 9pm on December 24. The 5pm service will be updated from past years with more involvement from Epiphany’s young members and our contemporary musicians. The 9pm service will be a traditional Christmas Eve service with the choir, organ and bell choir. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be on December 29.

WFCM Christmas Food Drive Complete!

Wonderful news! Thanks to your generous cash donations, we now have enough funds to purchase the food needed for the Christmas boxes! As a result, we won’t be posting a sign-up form for additional food contributions for this event. A dedicated team of volunteers will handle the purchasing and packing of 25 food boxes, which are scheduled for delivery during the week of December 15. We deeply appreciate your kindness and support this holiday season—it makes a meaningful difference for hundreds of families facing food insecurity in our community. Thank you!

Free Liturgical Calendars Available

Most days are a holiday on the Anglican Liturgical Calendar. You can follow along through 2025 by picking up a free copy of this basic guide to the Christian church year in the entryway on Sunday.

Seniors Lunch at IHOP

Take a break from a busy holiday schedule and enjoy lunch at half price. Epiphany seniors will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, at the Chantilly I-HOP for deeply discounted meals and great conversation. This is a great opportunity to get to know new people and touch base with friends you haven’t seen in a while. For more info, call Vonda Sines at 703-850-1230.

Stand in the Gap

The Stand in the Gap ministry is one of the ways we pray for our leaders (clergy, staff and Vestry) of our church. It is time to sign up once more for a four month period to pray for our Vestry and Staff from January-April. Thank you to those who have participated in the last four months. Will you consider signing up again to pray, or perhaps you have taken a break and it is time to come back to this ministry. Perhaps you have never participated in this program - consider trying it for this next session. There are no meetings and you pray wherever you are.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Brad Johnson at bravhorn22@aol.com or call/text 703-599-2709. Our leaders really need your prayers.

2025 Epiphany Pilgrimage to Turkey

The Meeks will host an interest meeting in the library on Sunday, December 22 after the second service where they will share information about the pilgrimage they are leading to Turkey October 9-19, 2025. Even if you are vaguely interested, come hear the details and be ready to ask your questions. We will have at least one more meeting in January (date TBD).

Tellers needed

We're looking for a few dedicated volunteers to assist with counting our weekly offerings. This would be after communion. If you're able to volunteer monthly or occasionally to help ensure accuracy in our financial records, please contact Amie Boncher at 703-593-3366.