Happy Hump Day!!!
   
    
September 14, 2016
 
Dear Friends:
 
All too often, when reading the gospel of Luke, I'm raddled by Jesus' demands on us as followers.  In the past several weeks, Jesus has put us in our place at a dinner party, reminding us to take the lesser seat, be humbled.  He challenges us to give up our possessions, even our immediate families, and carry a cross.  He insists that we risk all our assets at the cost of saving just 1%!  Sunday in worship Luke's gospel will tell us of Jesus condoning dishonesty and exploitation so that we will grab hold of God's redeeming, forgiving love.  I'm telling you, all this grace and mercy in difficult situations, it's tough!  Jesus just will not let up on believing in our ability to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. 
 
Thank God.
 
Because, the truth is, while we believe, and we want to follow Christ, we want to follow on our terms.  We trust in God in Christ, but with our boundaries, with our criteria, not God's.  Jesus asks a great deal of us.  Jesus wants our all.  We are his and he expects us to step up to the plate.  And, in the story from Luke 16:1-13 of the dishonest steward, God's economy is just lopsided.  Love and forgiveness eek through while complementing counterfeit gods of greed and self-gratification. 
 
It's a tough one.  If we've been cheated, we want to retaliate.  If we're being passed over, neglected, not considered, we want vengeance.  Instead, Jesus commends the dishonesty of a crafty bookkeeper who somehow turns thievery around so that all benefit. 
 
Thank God.
 
This is how God in Christ works in our life.  Just when we think we're justified or have earned a right to shame or chastise, Jesus grabs hold of us reminding us that "whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much..."  In other words, for Jesus, a little of us is enough to sow love, pardon injury, repair discord, seek light in the darkness, and joy in the sadness.  Over and over again God's grace breaks through in the life of Epiphany as we move about sometimes raddled, hurried and trying so very hard to be God's people in a world that is all too often, just messy.  I love you, Epiphany, for how you pick up and keep moving forward. 
 
Grace abounds as each Sunday another household comes to make Epiphany their church home.  Love pours out as children find comfort and security within our common walls.  Forgiveness weaves in and out of tender relationships that involve honest conversation and truth telling.  Epiphany you are "children of light" casting a glow of God's hope throughout the community.  In you, God blesses so many. 
 
On Sunday, our journey shining in the light of Christ continues as we commission Sunday School 2016-2017.  The Children and Family Ministry Team excels in their care and commitment to our children.  Permanent teachers are in place to give kids the value of consistent mentoring and leadership.  There is always room for assistants with these permanent teachers.  So, jump in and sign up at the Sunday School table to serve as a helper.  Remember to offer up a generous thank you to teachers and helpers who believe so deeply in the Christian formation of our kids. 
 
On Sunday Epiphany will also have a chance to say hello to Lisa LeJune, our new Parish Administrator.  Lisa lives in the neighborhood with her husband and two teenage daughters, is a faithful, active member of Vienna Presbyterian, and comes to us with a solid administration background, happy to learn about the Episcopal Church.  Stop by the office and introduce yourself to Lisa Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. after you greet her on Sunday morning.  Remember also to give our beloved Sally Campbell a gigantic thank you for shepherding us through this time of transition and for training Lisa!  
 
On Sunday Newcomers are enthusiastically invited to a Newcomer reception just following worship.  We're excited to share our stories, get to know one another and learn how Epiphany can be a church home for those among us most recently. 
 
In the next weeks more and more of what's ahead for 2016-2017 will be told.  We'll begin our annual giving season, the "Celebration of the Joy of Giving" as we fully embrace our role in the Diocese of Virginia, no longer as a Dayspring church.  Our growth continues as we plan to add an 
8:30 a.m. Rite I Holy Eucharist Worship service each Sunday as well as monthly Celtic Worship at 5:00 p.m. the third Sunday of each month. There is much in Jesus' call to be faithful. 
 
Thank God.
 
 
Many blessings,
 
Hillary