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What We Are Doing (updated as of Nov. 9, 2007)
This Sunday (November 11th) Before and After Worship
Epiphany's two Servant Teams will co-host an "Alternative Christmas Market", at which we will be presenting materials, gift ideas and information which encourage ways of gifting other than that promoted by our commercial consumer culture. The Market, which will be set up in the Dogwood Room next to the Sanctuary, will include donation Christmas cards in support of various ministries, items to help with conservation of our resources, fair trade products, and gifts from '10,000 Villages' which provides support directly to craftpeople in developing countries. The Market will be open from 5:30 - 6:00, and again following worship. Light refreshments will be served following worship!
Note: Epiphany's Adult and Youth Education classes will not meet.
Report from Epiphany's Visioning Committee
At last week's worship service, the Visioning Committee presented to the congregation a new governing structure approved by the Steering Committee. A new "Council" of five members (our two co-pastors and three elders) will replace the current Steering Committee, which is composed of ten members. Committees will be formed, based on congregational interest, to undertake church initiatives. For example, members may wish to form an Outreach Committee to continue our work with Interfaith Hospitality Network. This new governing structure will allow more individuals to participate at the committee level and will take effect at the beginning of 2008.
The main responsibility of the Council is to provide spiritual and strategic guidance to the various committees and servant teams, as well as administrative and operational oversight for the church as a whole. (A partial list of Elder Responsibilities is listed below). The congregation will vote on a slate of three elders on December 2, and those elders will be affirmed by the congregation on December 9. If you would like to serve as an elder, please contact Mac Stroupe by Sunday, November 11th. If you have questions or would like to know more about the elder positions, please contact Jim Baulding, Cathy Propst, Andrew Spainhour, or Mac Stroupe.
Elders of Epiphany
Persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and commitment to the abundant life depicted in the way of Jesus. Their approach to life should demonstrate the Christian gospel in the church and in the world, reflecting the themes of justice, mercy and humility. The actual duties of elders within the Council will include the following:
- Reflect continually on what God is doing in the world for change, renewal, and reformation for all of God's people;
- Welcome new members into Epiphany and keep an accurate roll of membership;
- Reflect and consider Epiphany's mission as it relates to the largerChurch of Jesus Christ;
- Offer oversight and guidance to provide for the worship of God;
- Support and sustain committees of Epiphany and Servant Teams through conversation and the reaching of consensus, to the end that the larger goals of justice, grace and humility are served;
- Provide oversight and guidance for program staff, such that weekly activities are carried out with proper diligence;
- Reflect on ministries of importance not being met by our committee structure or Servant Teams and encourage discernment within the larger membership of Epiphany;
- Establish and review an annual budget, insure that monetary donations are being properly distributed and that the congregation is regularly informed of financial matters;
- Serve new members of the Council by providing for education and mentoring, as well as continuing education for all Council members;
- Provide for the stewardship of the property of Epiphany, including the use of buildings and facilities;
- Sustain a continuing relationship to the higher governing bodies of the church as well as the expression of Church through the community and larger world;
Sundays at 5:00 pm
Children's Education class - Join us for lively interaction with life, faith, and each other!!
Adult class - Using a curriculum called "The Thoughtful Christian" and led by Chris, this class covers a variety of contemporary subjects, as well as scriptural study. If you are interested in participating, please contact Chris or Lou and we will make sure that you receive copies of the studies.
Epiphany's
Sounding of the Call
Sunday, September 16 at 6pm
What has excited you the most
about your Christian service
in the world?
Where is your heart and your faith
informing your action?
Would you like
to partner with your brothers and sisters
in living out
your call to service?
What is meant by "Call" ?
At the heart of each one of us
is a desire and a longing
to find a way
to give of ourselves to others.
Such longing can lead to an
inner conviction,
which then compels a response
that is active and intentional.
Our response to a sense of ?call'
can be lived out either individually,
and/or in partnership with others.
God calls us with these words:
"Love one another as I have loved you."
Trying to answer this call
is perhaps our greatest challenge
and our greatest freedom.
At Epiphany, we seek to help one another
discern our calls and live into them.
Jesus was 'called' by God.
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When we think about Jesus' ministry,
we can visualize Jesus issuing a call
to a group of men to become disciples.
They followed, and became part of Jesus' ministry.
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During worship on Sunday, September 16,
members of our church who desire to do so
will have the opportunity to either
issue a call or respond to one.
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Epiphany's mission for the coming year
will be to support one another
in developing and implementing these ?calls'.
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This is a ministry which is truly Grass Roots
with an opportunity to experience shared leadership.
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Just think, we are embarking on something
that is new and different for us but, at the same time,
it is a way that is modeled for us
through the ministry of Jesus.
Questions and Answers
What happens after the Sounding of the Call?
"Servant teams" will be formed by those who respond to a call.
Does everyone at Epiphany have to be on a Servant Team?
No! Each person in our church community can be supportive of this approach to mission without feeling any pressure to respond.
Can people who are not involved with Epiphany be part of a Servant Team?
Certainly!
How exactly will Epiphany's leadership support the Servant Teams?
Epiphany's outreach budget will be developed to support the Servant Teams. Also, we will provide guidance in the formation of the Servant Teams, to encourage the building of community and to support the objectives of the call.
Does this change Epiphany's worship or study opportunities?
No! We will continue to meet regularly for worship and study.
Will Epiphany continue to be involved with outreach programs like we've done in the past, such as IHN, Crop Walk, Winter Walk, Dining for Friends, etc.?
As long as there is interest and volunteer support for these important ministries, we will continue to do so.
What kind of Calls have been imagined?
Examples are:
- Living simply so others may simply live
- Addressing hunger in the community
- Organizing an Aids support team
- Developing a puppet ministry
- Long range planning for Epiphany
- Sabbath keeping
- Finding our Prophetic voice
How many Servant Teams will there be for next year?
As many or as few as there are calls for!
There is no correct answer!
If I might be interested in Calling for a Servant Team, what do I do next?
Contact Lou and Chris!
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