Epiphany Star
Newsletter, Church of the Epiphany
May 2021
Clergy Clatter

Everyone seems to have a favorite season of the year. Mine is spring. The days are longer and warmer. Utility costs are down. The full moons are haunting, especially this week’s “Pink Moon”. Flowers are blooming and trees and shrubs are turning green. Easter is in the mix, with its wonderful music and messages of hope and redemption. Spring is a happy time.
 
One of my spring chores is cleaning up my yard, which is not a simple task. I have no grass, so I don’t have to worry about that. Many, many years ago I faced the fact that I did not have time in my life to tend to a yard. I had grown up taking care of my mother’s complicated and immaculate yard. And before I was old enough to get a work permit and a job, I cut lawns throughout our neighborhood - $.75 cut – with a reel push mower, if you know what that is. When I bought my house 44 years ago, the yard had a lot of trees, and a lot of landscaping, and I made the conscious decision to let it reforest and see what happened. The end result is a yard that has to be cleaned up in the spring, and then just trimmed and maintained through the summer. I like that.
 
Each spring when I start my clean up, I find surprises. This year it is a weed that I have never seen before. It is everywhere. Its leaves are sort of like those of a dandelion, with a very long stalk, and a cluster of very small yellow flowers at the top. It pulls up by hand very easily. But the amazing thing is how quickly it regenerates. Within three days, new leaves, stalk, and blossoms are all over the place – again. Heaven knows what would happen if I let it “go natural.” I’m sure some of you know exactly what it is. It’s not ugly, doesn’t have thorns, doesn’t smell bad. It’s just there – everywhere.
 
So my wonderful springtime surprise this year is a pest. I find that sort of amusing in the greater scheme of things. I mean, we have a pandemic turning our lives upside down. I have a parish to worry about. I have housing projects to keep me awake at night. I have pets that challenge a sane existence. I have ample things about which to worry, and here I am putting my “frustration energy” into a strange little plant, of which I don’t even know the name.
 
It’s springtime. God bless it, it’s wonderful, beautiful springtime. And I will give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of springtime.


Richard +
Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 15, 2021, 7am to 2 pm, will be the Epiphany Church's Famous Yard and Bake Sale. Boxes have been set up in the Parish Hall for the deposit of items for the yard sale. Food Items and items with oil and gasoline will be accepted no earlier than May 14th, all other items must be at the church by Wednesday May 12th.
Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors!
May Service Schedule

May 2, 2021 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - 10 am - Service outside (weather permitting):

  • State of the Parish Address - Rev. Richard Bridgford
  • Celebrant - Rev. Julia Ashby
  • Lectors - TBD
  • Altar - Jim Fisher
  • Usher - Dan Swain
  • Health & Safety Officer - Vaughn Coffman
  • Organist/Pianist - Joe Ritchie
  • Vocals - James Coaxum
  • Video & Editing - Emmett "Buddy" Pate

May 9, 2021 -  Sixth Sunday of Easter - 10 am - Service outside (weather permitting):

  • Homily - Rev. Julia Ashby
  • Celebrant - Rev. Richard Bridgford
  • Lectors - TBD
  • Altar - Jim Fisher
  • Usher - Tom Gilleland
  • Health & Safety Officer - Vaughn Coffman
  • Organist/Pianist - Joe Ritchie
  • Vocals - James Coaxum
  • Video & Editing - Emmett "Buddy" Pate

May 16, 2021 - Seventh Sunday of Easter - 10 am - Service outside (weather permitting):

  • Homily - Rev. Richard Bridgford
  • Celebrant - Rev. Julia Ashby
  • Lectors - TBD
  • Altar - Jim Fisher
  • Usher - Jackie Rochelle
  • Health & Safety Officer - Vaughn Coffman
  • Organist/Pianist - Joe Ritchie
  • Vocals - James Coaxum
  • Video & Editing - Emmett "Buddy" Pate

May 23, 2021 -  The Day of Pentecost - 10 am - Service outside (weather permitting):

  • Homily - Rev. Richard Bridgford
  • Celebrant - Rev. Julia Ashby
  • Lectors - TBD
  • Altar - Jim Fisher
  • Usher - David Jones
  • Health & Safety Officer - Vaughn Coffman
  • Organist/Pianist - Joe Ritchie
  • Vocals - James Coaxum
  • Video & Editing - Emmett "Buddy" Pate
(Grace Strid internment following the service)

May 30, 2021 - First Sunday after Pentecost - 10 am - Service outside (weather permitting):

  • Homily - Rev. Julia Ashby
  • Celebrant - Rev. Richard Bridgford
  • Lectors - TBD
  • Altar - Jim Fisher
  • Usher - Jennifer O'Connell
  • Health & Safety Officer - Vaughn Coffman
  • Organist/Pianist - Joe Ritchie
  • Vocals - James Coaxum
  • Video & Editing - Emmett "Buddy" Pate

An abridged video will be on YouTube and will be available on our Facebook and Web Page a few hours after the Sunday service, so tell a friend, and share the love!

The Altar Guild has 2021 Episcopal Church Year Calendars for sale. See Jim Fisher to purchase one.
Vestry Highlights
Apr. 8, 2021


  • Reported that Rachael and Rebecca Ward funerals will be May 8th at 11:00 am at Forest Lawn.

  • Reported that Grace Strid will be interred in Epiphany's Columbarium on May 23rd (Pentecost).

  • Reported that John Moscoe and Todd Bissonnete have transferred back to Epiphany.

  • Reported that Bishop Haynes is holding a Zoom meeting with clergy and vestries on May 8th (same time as Ward funerals).

  • Discussed holding hybrid vestry meeting (in person and Zoom simultaneously). Tabled.

  • Approved adding a "Contribute Button" to online items.

  • Approved continuing 1 service at 10:00 am through September 5th. Outside when practical and comfortable.

  • Approved Yard Sale outside on May 15th.

  •  Next meeting May 13, 2021
If you are interested in being an Usher, please contact Kathy Moore at kmoore1234@cox.net or phone 757-647-6606
Congratulations to Joe Ritchie who has been selected as the 2021 Advisor of the year at Old Dominion University. We're very proud of you, Joe, and glad to have you on our team.
If you haven't picked up your 2021 Pledge envelopes, please call the Church office to arrange pick up or delivery.

Stewardship Report

Thank you so much for your continued financial support of Epiphany. Your generosity has allowed us to stay current on paying salaries, utilities, insurance and has made it possible to continue our video ministry filled with beautiful music. The videos are enjoyed by hundreds of households each week.

Your pledges will pay for approximately 70% of our 2021 budget. If your financial situation allows, please consider tithing from your federal stimulus check when it arrives. Your extra gift would help Epiphany’s finances during a challenging time. 

Thank you,

Stewardship
In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Sheila Brinck
Jerry Cronin
Kevin LaPointe
Sherry Pebworth
Mike Scott

We pray for the repose of the soul of Nell Steckman



Online worship in Southern Virginia

Churches in Southern Virginia are offering a wide range of opportunities for regular online worship - Sundays and weekdays, from Eucharist to Compline to "Pop-up Prayers". Click here for a listing of ongoing virtual worship opportunities.

May Birthdays

3     Arden Porter
6     Ann Bolen
14   Kaylee Fernandez
16   Dan Swaine
16   Len Wright
16   Bodie Foster
17   Cassidy Fernandez
18   Nolan Marshall
20   Kenneth Barrineau
22   David Jones
23 Gail Irby
27 Kathy Moore
31 Joan Feret
May Anniversaries

9 John Childers & Mike Diaz
17 Julia & Chan Ashby

 
New Members

Please welcome, Todd Bissonnete, John Moscoe, and Emmett "Buddy" Pate.
Time for Vestry nominations!

There are 3 Vestry openings. If you know of anyone who you would like to represent you on the Vestry, or would like to nominate yourself, click on the link below for the Vestry Nomination Form, fill it out and mail or drop off the filled form at the church office mailbox. Elections will be held May 2nd during the 10am service.
Check out the pictures
 
Following our outside service Sunday, the Parish Hall will be open to enable you to look at the vast collection of pictures the Anniversary Committee assembled, depicting 100 years of parish life. Feel free to enter and look. Masks required! Please observe social distancing. Pictures will be up for a while, so if this Sunday doesn't work, visit at a later time. 


For the latest schedule of events, visit our website at
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