1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

The Guiding Light
The Newsletter of
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
June & July 2015
The Church of the Epiphany is in partnership with
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Lincolnton
Partnership Vision Statement
Diocesan Vision Statement
Walk in the Way ~ Widen the Walls ~ Wake up the World
Two Episcopal churches, one partnership in Christ,
exploring new pathways to serve all God’s people.
Epiphany’s Vision Statement
St. Luke’s Vision Statement
To share the love of Christ with all people through
prayer, worship and Bible study; by caring for those
among us and by serving the wider community.
St. Luke’s is traditional yet modern, growing
in faith, a sacred place, open to all.
May, 2015
Dear Friends in Christ,
Several weeks ago, I started my own Facebook page for Epiphany. Look for it as Church of the Epiphany. I describe it as
a page where “The pastor-in-charge keeps you up-to-date on all the happenings at Church of the Epiphany in Newton,
NC. We are Newton’s best-kept secret!”
For those of you who may not be into Facebook or computers, here is something I recently posted:
When we say, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes All,” we mean it.
St. Paul declared, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer
male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
We take it a step further. “There is no longer black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor, healthy
or disabled; all of us are one, all of us are loved, all of us belong in Christ Jesus.”
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany invites ALL PEOPLE to join us as we worship the God of all.
We offer a worship service with beautiful music and a liturgy that has withstood the test of time.
We are ancient. We are modern. We worship God as God is revealed in Jesus Christ. We believe
that God is love and we want to share God’s love with YOU!
Burned out by church? Hurt by exclusivity? We are an inclusive, welcoming and affirming congregation. Ancient, yet ever striving to become new in Christ Jesus.
Continued on the next page...
1
Service Schedule Times
(Continued from previous page...)
Church of the Epiphany: 9:30 am - Holy Eucharist
St. Luke’s: 11:30 am - Holy Eucharist
I hope that each member of Epiphany will take
this statement to heart and strive to practice it,
offering a warm welcome to every person who
walks through our doors to worship or visit
with us. We are starting to use the phrase “Newton’s best-kept secret” in our advertising and
outreach materials. I encourage you to use it too.
Office Hours
Pastor Rosa Erickson is in the Epiphany office on
Tuesdays , 9am-1pm, and Wednesdays 2pm until...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
News & Events
St. Alban’s to Host Haiti Partnership
Meeting
Invite a friend, a relative, a co-worker to church,
a LGBT person, a rich person, a poor person, a
homeless person. Know someone who is separated or divorced? Maybe they’re struggling
with being alone or with the challenges and stigma a divorce can still bring to some people. Maybe they feel unwelcome at their church because
of the divorce. They are welcome at Epiphany;
they are recognized as a beloved child of God.
St. Alban’s - Hickory will be hosting the LaGonave - Haiti Partnership Annual Meeting July
23-26 with numerous opportunities for people
throughout the diocese of learn about opportunities to aid the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti in
its missions and ministry on the island of LaGonave. Contact St. Alban’s for more information:
(828) 324-1351
theoffice.stalbans@gmail.com
Someone has famously said, “Christianity is one
beggar telling another beggar where he found
bread.” We are all poor beggars who need Jesus
Christ the Bread of Life. Let’s make it our priority to tell all those other poor beggars where to
find that Bread.
If you miss a Sunday service, please
join us for Holy Eucharist on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM. We are
currently reading the Sermon on the
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Rosa +
Air Conditioners
Financial News
The air conditioning units in the parish hall have completely broken down. We’re going to the diocesan office
on Tuesday to make our case to the Episcopal Foundation
for a $14,000 grant for a new unit. Hopefully, we can get it
and replace the units. We are trying to rent the building
for parties and showers, but it’s not rentable without AC.
Epiphany and St. Luke’s voted to renew Pastor Rosa’s Letter of Agreement for six more months. (That’s
all Epiphany can afford to commit to at the moment.)
Pastor Rosa wrote and received a $14,000 matching
grant from the diocese for Epiphany. For every 50
cents we raise, the diocese will give $1. We only lack
$1850 to meet the goal! This is for operating expenses.
The air handlers in the parish hall are in good shape compared to the ones in the sanctuary building, so I’m hoping
we can get the repairmen to put the old ones over there
when they’re done. That will help out in that building.
2
CEOC News
The Catawba Episcopal Outreach Committee (CEOC) has been revitalized!!! The first revitalization
meeting was held in March under the leadership of Beth Huggins.
The CEOC is a collaborative organization made of the three Episcopal parishes of Catawba County
— Ascension, Epiphany and St. Albans. The mission statement, in part, is “Our calling is to be the
hands, feet and heart of Christ working together in our community to meet the needs of the underserved and marginalized. We are unified in our desire to bring Christ’s love to those who are hurting
in Catawba County.”
Our ministry at Safe Harbor is a result of our collaborative efforts and discernment when the CEOC
was started about six years ago. Our current short-term ministry is the “2 Cents a Meal” program.
Everyone can be part of this effort. It is simple and can be accomplished by picking up a bag at church
and dropping 2 cents in the bag per person per meal and a daily devotional exercise. Funds will be
collected at the end of the summer and distributed, at the discretion of each church, to fight hunger.
We will meet again in September to explore long range ministry opportunities and decide the next
collaborative endeavor we will embark on.
At the meeting last week, we discussed projects that could be accomplished during the summer. One
suggestion was supporting the Meals on Wheels program by volunteering to deliver meals. After
talking with Jan Shaffer, the Director of the Meals on Wheels program at DSS, we find that they are
delighted that we are willing to help recruit volunteers. They are looking for 22-26 new volunteers
so they will be able to open a new route in West Hickory and serve 50 more people. If you are at all
interested in volunteering for this worthwhile cause, please see Gloria Jupin or Ann Lowery. Jan said
they could also use volunteers at their stationary site at the First Presbyterian church in Newton, either to help serve food to those who come to eat there, or to sit and talk with seniors and handicapped
individuals who live alone and would love to have someone to talk to during the meal. This is a way
for those of us who may have mobility issues ourselves to contribute to this program. Please give this
prayerful consideration and join the Meals on Wheels gang.
Vestry News
Bob McPherson, who has been serving on the vestry and as Junior Warden, recently resigned. Bob
would like to pursue other volunteer opportunities and Christian outreach.
Bob, we will miss you on vestry, but we wish you
the best. Thank you for your years of service!
Pastor Rosa + and Epiphany Vestry
3
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
June 2015
1
2
HC/A
11:00 am
8
CH/SS
HE
3
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Safe Harbor 11:30
am
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Safe Harbor 11:30
am
Pastor Rosa on
vacation
Pastor Rosa on
vacation
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin
Mary
7
Wednesday
9
10:00 am
11:30 am
St. Barnabas,
Apostle
14
CH/SS
HE
15
10:00 am
11:30 am
21
CH/SS
HE
16
HC/A
Vestry Meeting
6:00 pm
22
17
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
11:00 am
23
10:00 am
11:30 am
The Nativity of St.
John the Baptist
28
CH/SS
HE
29
10:00 am
11:30 am
Pastor Rosa on
vacation
30
St. Peter and St.
Paul, Apostles
Pastor Rosa on
vacation
Key for Calendar: CH= Coffee Hour; HB = Handbells Rehearsal; SS = Sunday School
HC/A = Home Communion at Abernethy Laurels; HE = Holy Eucharist
Pastor Rosa Erickson ~ Office Hours at Epiphany ~ Tuesday 9:00 - 1:00 pm & Wednesday 2:00 pm - until
DON’T FORGET!! SERVICE TIMES CHANGE BEGINNING ON JULY 5TH. HOLY
EUCHARIST BEGINS AT 9:30 AM, FOLLOWED BY COFFEE AND SUNDAY
SCHOOL.
4
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
July 2015
PLEASE NOTE
TIME CHANGE
FOR SUNDAY
WORSHIP!!!
5
HE
CH/SS
12
HE
CH/SS
HE
CH/SS
7
HC/A
11:00 am
13
14
9:30 am
10:45 am
19
HE
CH/SS
21
HC/A
27
9:30 am
10:45 am
3
Saturday
4
Independence Day
8
9
10
11
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Safe Harbor 11:30
am
15
16
17
18
22
23
24
25
11:00 am
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Safe Harbor 11:30
am
Vestry Meeting
6:00 pm
26
2
Friday
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
20
9:30 am
10:45 am
1
Thursday
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
6
9:30 am
10:45 am
Wednesday
St. James the
Apostle
St. Mary
Magdalene
28
29
30
31
Healing Service &
Eucharist 6:00 pm
Key for Calendar: CH= Coffee Hour; HB = Handbells Rehearsal; SS = Sunday School
HC/A = Home Communion at Abernethy Laurels; HE = Holy Eucharist
Pastor Rosa Erickson ~ Office Hours at Epiphany ~ Tuesday 9:00 - 1:00 pm & Wednesday 2:00 pm - until
5
PARISH MINISTRIES - JUNE 2015
SAVE THIS LIST!
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
The Third Sunday
after Pentecost
The Fourth Sunday
after Pentecost
The Fifth Sunday
after Pentecost
The Sixth Sunday
after Pentecost
LECTOR
G. Jupin
A. Campbell
D. Turkovich
D. Brandon
CHALICE
D. Brandon
T. Lowery
Z. Robertson
W. Roper
USHER/
GREETER
J. Babilon
D. Turkovich
B/D Richards
D/S Brandon
B/J McPherson
COFFEE
B/J McPherson
A/M Roper
M/G Jupin
E. Godinho
P. Parsons
FLOWERS
OPEN
W/Z Robertson
OPEN
OPEN
ALTAR
GUILD
J. Collins
E Godinho
J. Harrington
M. Roper
J. Collins
E Godinho
J. Harrington
M. Roper
P. Dalton
A. Lowery
T. Lowery
D. Turkovich
P. Dalton
A. Lowery
T. Lowery
D. Turkovich
ACOLYTE/
CRUCIFER
L. Roper
W. Roper
Z. Robertson
C. Hartis
VESTRY
PERSON
G. Jupin
B. Richards
Z. Robertson
Z. Robertson
DATE
*** IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO SERVE AND ARE UNABLE TO BE HERE,
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A REPLACEMENT AND CALL
THE VESTRY PERSON ON DUTY FOR THE WEEK.
BIRTHDAYS
06/01
06/06
06/06
06/10
06/10
06/14
06/15
06/16
06/16
06/17
06/17
06/17
06/19
06/19
06/22
06/22
Phyllis Parsons
Dorothy Swart
Elizabeth Richards
Norris (Mac) McRee
Cynthia Bivens
Kyle Bivens
Megan Parsons Daughaday (Parsons’ daughter)
Adam Cortney
Adelyn Marie Bryant (Brandon’s granddaughter)
Elaine Godinho
Robert McPherson, III
Kylie Paige Mergner (Weinrich’s granddaughter)
Shawn Bryant
Jonathan Bell
Sabrina Robinson
Becky Brandon Bryant
06/22
06/23
06/26
06/29
Robert (Bob) McPherson
Thomas Carter Robinson (Robertson’s grandson)
Roberta Hungerford
Geoffrey Dorney
MARRIAGES
06/05
06/09
06/25
06/25
06/26
06/27
06/28
06/28
06/29
06/29
6
Chad and Phyllis Parsons
Andy and Cindy Sigmon
John and Gerry Rouser
David and Susan Brandon
Tony and Elaine Godinho
Trey and Sabrina Robinson
Becky (Brandon)& Shawn Bryant
Fletcher and Stephanie Ross
Don and Amy Campbell
Michael & Gloria Jupin
PARISH MINISTRIES - JULY 2015
SAVE THIS LIST!
DATE
July12
July19
July26
August 2
The Seventh Sunday
after Pentecost
The Eighth Sunday
after Pentecost
The Ninth Sunday
after Pentecost
The Tenth Sunday
after Pentecost
LECTOR
D. Richards
Z. Robertson
W. Roper
A. Lowery
CHALICE
A. Campbell
G. Jupin
D. Brandon
T. Lowery
USHER/
GREETER
A/M Roper
B. Sigmon
P. Winstead
J. Babilon
D. Turkovich
E. Godinho
P. Parsons
COFFEE
B/D Richards
A. Campbell
Z. Robertson
B. Sigmon
P. Winstead
J. Babilon
D. Turkovich
FLOWERS
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
ALTAR
GUILD
S. Brandon
G. Jupin
W. Williams
S. Brandon
G. Jupin
W. Williams
F. MacDowell
P. Parsons
J. Trammell
F. MacDowell
P. Parsons
J. Trammell
ACOLYTE/
CRUCIFER
J. Byrd
L. Roper
Z. Robertson
W. Roper
VESTRY
PERSON
D. Turkovich
P. Winstead
J. Babilon
G. Jupin
*** IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO SERVE AND ARE UNABLE TO BE HERE,
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A REPLACEMENT AND CALL
THE VESTRY PERSON ON DUTY FOR THE WEEK.
BIRTHDAYS
07/01 Edward Bornemann
07/01 Drew Cortney
07/03 Hansford Leake
07/05 Lowri Rose Johnson (Campbell’s granddaughter)
07/06 Nancy Shanks
07/07 Patrick Keisler
07/09 Nora Darby
07/09 Angela Trujillo
07/11 Mac Wheeler
07/12 Nannie Leake
07/12 Luther Barringer
07/13 Hayden Lexie Hartis
07/15 Gloria Jupin
07/22 Heather Hartis
07/23 Christopher Hartis
07/23
07/24
07/27
07/29
07/29
07/29
07/30
07/31
William Dean Ketelaar
Jacob Rouser
Sarah Elizabeth Campbell
Cindy Reynolds
Joy Cuomo
Michael MacDowell
Michael Jupin, Jr.
Raeanne Kummer
MARRIAGES
07/01 Bob & Janice McPherson
07/03 Norman & Gloria Batz
07/05 Reginald & Valerie Leath
07/09 Tom & Mother Beth Lilly
07/09 Billy and Dona Richards
07/22 Steven & Nicole Godinho
7
In our Prayers
We pray for healing and strength:
Mary Babik, Dolly Ben-Davies, Jane Biggerstaff, Kristen Black, The Rev. Gus Boone, Zelma Clemmons, Charlie & Pat Dalton,
Linda Frady, Jessy Fupril, Bill Guy, Cindy Hagler, Chip Hardin, Tom & JoAnn Harrington, David Hawkins, Mike & Gloria
Jupin, Fred & Connie Keisler, Mac McRee, Bill Nedrich, Stephen Ackley Ortiz, John & Diane Paton, Cindy Reynolds, Laurie
Rinker, Walt Robertson, Michael Roper, Joseph Rumore, Lorraine Sawyer and Family, Nancy Shanks, John Sigmon, Cozette
Sinclair, Frances Tate, Michael William, Wanda Williams.
We pray for our military:
General John Allen, Brelah Oxendine Braddy, David Brandon, Jr., John & Maura Clark, Matthew Colangelo, Stephanie
Colangelo, Zachary Elledge, Steven Godinho, Aaron Helms, Jeffery Lynn, Corey Masters, Levi Moretz, Chris Stokes, Matthew Weinrich, Garth West. Law Enforcement: Mike Bailey, Daniel Love
We pray for the United States of America:
All who hold public office in our federal, state, and local governments, that they be open to God’s guidance and upheld by
God’s grace in their important work.
We pray for our clergy:
Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; Porter, our Bishop; Rosa, our Pastor, and all Priests and Deacons in our Diocese of Western North Carolina
We pray for the Catawba Episcopal Outreach Committee and Safe Harbor Rescue Mission.
We pray for all those who are searching for work.
We pray for those who are homeless or living in poverty.
We pray for The Corner Table and its mission to provide nutritious meals to people in need.
We pray for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and for the St. Luke’s - Epiphany Partnership.
8
9