Epiphany Parish is celebrating her 125th Anniversary: our Quasquicentennial! This "brute of a word" means "125th," but where does it come from, and how on earth are you supposed to say it? Pronouncing the behemoth word actually isn't all that difficult. "Centennial" is a fairly well-known word: "sen-ten-ee-uhl." Tack on "kwos-kwi-" to the front, and you have it: "kwos-kwi-sen-ten-ee-uhl."

For an entire year we will be looking at our past, defining how we are currently proclaiming the Good News and discern where God may be calling this parish for the next 125 years.

Our year long celebration kicks off Sunday January 8, 2012 and will culminate with a celebration with the Bishop on January 6, 2013.

How do we want to see where God is calling us? This is a question the vestry has been asking and working on with our church consultant. I hope that we can gather in small groups in each others homes and learn to share our stories and learn how God is calling us to be and do for the next 125 years.

How do we want to celebrate this wonderful blessing? Is it a dance, a picnic, a series of events? Is it an opportunity to celebrate with the other churches of Walpole and the Diocese?   So many wonderful and exciting questions! If you are interested in participating in Epiphany's Quasquicentennial please contact our Senior Warden, Joe Cormier, or me.

It is amazing to think back on January 9, 1887 (the first Sunday after Epiphany), when a group of men, women and children held the first service at "Lionhurst," the home of Col. William Moore (now the Thomas Alexander Funeral home on Common Street). It was named Epiphany Mission by a unanimous vote. On July 1, 1887, the church was incorporated with the name Church of the Epiphany. This was a little fact that I rediscovered when working with the Sunday School Children and finding our cornerstone (laid on September 21, 1895).

There is a wonderful collect/prayer that we say during the season of Epiphany.

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I love that phrase, "to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News..."  What is God calling us to do and be in the next 125 years? As we celebrate this year we will look at our past, defining how we are currently proclaiming the Good News and with the power of the Holy Spirit, discern where God may be calling this parish for the next 125 years.

Join me in celebrating 125 years of Faithfulness: our Quasquicentennial!

Yours in Christ,

Alan+

by Joe Cormier, Sr. Warden

Stewardship Roundup

First, I want to thank everyone who has made a pledge for the upcoming year. I understand that making a pledge is, to some extent, having faith that you can fulfill that pledge. That is more difficult for some than others, but making a pledge shows that Epiphany is an important part of your life. I realize that I personally have been communicating information about Stewardship quite a bit over the past 6 weeks. I did so because keeping Epiphany financially healthy is important. Money is often a subject that people don't like to discuss. But, the subject of money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times and it was one of the most frequent topics discussed by Jesus.

Our goal was to obtain 85 pledges totaling $125,000. As of December 28th, we've received 74 pledges totaling $111,767. Yes, it's true that we have not yet reached our goal. But, there's still time left. If you have not yet made a pledge, I urge you to seriously consider doing so. We will accept pledges for 2012 at any time.

Of the 74 pledges, most were either new pledges or pledges that increased or stayed the same from last year. That is GREAT news! And the total pledged of $111,767 is up almost $10,000 from last year, which should also be celebrated! Our average pledge is also up from last year. While we have not met our goal, it's clear we're moving in the right direction.

Thanks again to all those who support Epiphany. We continue to be a vibrant growing church and it's because all of you donate your time, talent and treasure.

~ Joe

Vestry members present: Fr. Alan, Joe Cormier, John Parnagian, Jay Barrett, George Ford, Elaine Glebus, Mardi Finegan, Pam Driscoll, Heather Scardocci, and Ted Parkman

Rector's Report - Fr. Alan reported

• Fr. Alan is on the committee to review the performance of Bishop Tom Shaw...this is the first such performance ratings for Bishops. The work will take place over a one year period.
• The Pastoral team is up and running...the group sets dates each month for Fr. Alan to attend and this helps coordinate his schedule to bring communion to home-bound parishioners.
• Fr. Alan raised concern about speaking on behalf of the Parish on secular issues not pertaining directly to Epiphany...the Vestry voiced similar concerns and agreed with his decision to abstain from commenting or taking sides.

Finance Committee/Ministry Reports -- Ted Parkman

• The net operating deficit for the year is $12,837 through 11/30/11
• Pledges are $5,308 short of the budgeted amount through 11/30/11
• Year to date through 11/30/11, operating receipts are $7,306 less than budget, and operating expenses are $5,751 less than budget.

Old Business / Open Action Items Status

2012 Sabbatical Committee Update

• The committee is now 5 members strong
• Fr. Alan will meet with the committee after a meeting/discussion with diocese

 Stewardship Committee Update - Joe Cormier

• As of Sunday December 18^th a summary of the pledges received were 70 totaling $106,797 with an average pledge amount of $1,526

 Village Fair Planning

• Fr. Alan has made contact with two Carnival representatives
• Erich Gotthardt and George Ford will chair this event
• Fair date needs to be flexible to work around other area events

 125^th Year Anniversary Celebration

• Some communication grant money can be used for this event
• This year long event will need a chair person(s)
• The kick-off date is January 8^th culminating with a visit from the Bishop later in the year 2013

 Preliminary 2012 Budget - Ted Parkman pass out the preliminary budget for review

• The final version will be reviewed and voted on by the Vestry at the January 17^th Vestry meeting

 Allergy Committee

• The Allergy Policy is complete, but needs to be reviewed for any exceptions and/or corrections before acceptance by the Vestry in January

 George Ford

Clerk of Epiphany Parish

We are still accepting 2011 donations.  You can still bring your 2011 pledge up to date or make an additional donation to the church.  We would like to thank those who have already given this year. The fruit of your generosity makes a difference in the life of your church and its programs. For tax savings to reflect year 2011, gifts must be postmarked by midnight on Dec. 31, 2011.

"The IRS has stated that a charitable gift made by check is complete at the time the check is delivered or mailed, provided the bank eventually honors the check." Therefore a check would be considered a 2011 charitable contribution even though the nonprofit did not receive the check and the funds did not clear the bank until January 2012.

February 13 ~ Epiphany's night at Breaking Bread

Walpole Families of Faith is a group made up of members from the six main churches in Walpole. The group was formed to share resources and outreach for our community and the world.

Our largest event in Walpole is Breaking Bread, a community meal for area residents looking for nourishment and/or companionship. The meal is served each Monday evening at the United Church, just across the common from Epiphany (they have a great kitchen and dining area). We served our first meal to a handful of guests in the Fall of 2010 and are currently serving 55-65 guests each week.

The community has responded positively to our efforts and Epiphany officially serves the meal once each quarter. We are scheduled to serve again February 13 and can use all the help you can offer. Some of us gather at 4:00pm to cook the meal and set the tables, others arrive at 5:00pm to prepare to serve, and then we all share cleanup with those who arrive at 6-6:30.

Many of our guests are elderly who live alone and truly enjoy a "night out" with friends. The thanks and appreciation the guests show to us is a blessing that I hope you can all share.  

Mark your calendars and please seek me out if you have any questions or would like more information about Breaking Bread or Walpole Families of Faith.

Thank you ~ Jay Barrett

Christian Meditation Workshop

February 18th with Dr. Ann Searing

Is your life was calm, enriched and centered?

   Do you wish to have interior peace?

      Do you know when God is speaking to you?

         Do you know how to listen to God's voice?

If not this workshop is for you. Dr. Searing has over forty years of experience in spiritual guidance and enrichment programs. This workshop is designed for Christians with little or no experience in Christian meditation. It will help us to be ready to observe the season of Lent - a time for spiritual growth.

The workshop will be held at South Walpole United Methodist Church, 1886 Washington Street in South Walpole on February 18th from 9:00am to noon, followed by a pot luck lunch.

The registration fee is $25 for adults. Youths 15-17 are welcome to come for free. No experience is necessary. Please contact the church office at (508) 668-2530 to register or for more information.

January

Charles E Barrett (1963)

William V Price (1965)

Raymond G Loring (1968)

George Levya (1974)

Pearl Safford (1974)

Karl G. Meyer Jr. (1975)

Nathan Guy (1976)

Leon Davis (1981)

Mary McGaw (1981)

Dennis McGuire (1982)

Charlotte Salzer (1982)

Barbara Bamforth (1986)

Rita Brown (1987)

Ruth Dix (1989)

Marguerite Ayoub (1990)

Barbara Peterson (1992)

Madalene Jerome (1992)

Robert Gustafson (1997)

Lillian Langmead Barbour (1997)

Fran Hall (1998)

Doris Watson (1998)

Ada M. Carmichael (1998)

Harold V. Bridgeman (1998)

Eleanor Kehoe (2001)

Ann Clapp (2002)

Kenneth William Arthur (2003)

Rev. John Griswold (2005)

Bertha Argentero (2007)

Frederick Pickett Stearns (2008)

February

Wayland A. DuBois (1975)

William A. Emswiler (1975)

Arthur Willey (1976)

George E. Tyner, Sr. (1980)

Newell Jones (1981)

Edward Thom (1981)

Grace Buttler (1988)

Madeline Alcott (1992)

Louis Peterson (1987)

Alma E. King (1995)

Marjorie Ann (Knell) Nuzzolo (1996)

Rosemarie Garland (1998)

Ronni Kennedy (1998)

Cynthia Pruyn Green (1999)

Martha Lennon Fowle (1999)

William W. Munro (2001)

Louise Glazebrook (2001)

Charlotte Luippold (2002)

Mary Cann (2002)

John Cosman (2002)

Maryellen Hignett (2005)

Elizabeth O. Jones (2005)

Kathy MacLeay (2005)

Wallace C. Duncan (2007)

Robert Russell Fraze (2007)

Alice Hussey Squires (2011)