Episcopal Church of the Epiphany1101 Sunset Drive - P. O. Box 116Guntersville, AL 35976256-582-4897 www.EpiphanyGuntersville.org

September 2011

Editor: Rusty Ogden

The 11th Anniversary of Bring a Friend Sunday, September 18

Now is the time to begin inviting friends and family to the 11th annual Bring a Friend Sunday. What can be better than to invite a friend to share God’s message to all.

There are invitation cards available in the back of the church to assist you with inviting family and friends. Please make use of them. They are an effective tool at your disposal.

The Hospitality Committee is preparing a lasagna and salad lunch for members and guests after the 10:30am service. The meal is completely free, but we would like each of you to bring your favorite dessert just before the service to insure that it is placed just right.

We will be giving a small or mini loaf of bread to all visitors. If any of you can make a few loaves and bring them to the church on Friday, Septem-ber 16 before 12pm, or Saturday, September 17 between 10am and 12pm, we will wrap them as gifts.

Epiphany Star

Dear Parish Family,

Our youth director, Lauren Wainwright, has been hired by St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church in Acworth, Georgia as their youth director. She will begin work on September 15. I know that you join me in congratulating Lauren on her new position in the church. We wish her nothing but God’s best.

While I will miss her being on my staff, the realities of fewer children at Epiphany made this eventuality difficult to avoid. I sincerely thank Lauren for the more than two years she has worked with our young people. I hope you will also.

I realize that September 11th is Rally Day at Epiphany, but we also need to throw Lauren a party in celebration of her ministry. I’m not sure what she can use, but I’m sure some cash to assist her with her move would be most welcomed. I will set up a fund with Martha, and then we will give what we collect to Lauren at her party in thanksgiving for her work among us. Make checks payable to Epiphany for tax deduc-tion purposes. Lauren will also meet with the youth at 5pm that eve-ning to say good-bye.

Beyond this, youth ministry, because of my long history with it, has always been extremely important to me and I desire to keep our commitment strong and vital. So, with this in mind, I have moved with some speed to hire a new part-time youth director. I have hired someone I believe will be excellent in that position - Shelly Hardin. She will begin her new position on September 11th. Shelly already has the advantage that she knows many, if not all, of our

young people. I believe she really was the natural choice. I have asked Shelly to attend Lauren’s farewell meeting with the youth on Sunday evening to demonstrate our stability and commitment to our fine youth program. Shelly’s job title will become Youth and Christian Education Director and as mentioned previously she will be part-time staff. She will continue to be in charge of our children’s Sunday School program, and Children’s Church. Obviously, with her new title, she will also head up VYP, EYC, as well as our Youth Sunday School

When you see Shelly next congratulate her and wish her good luck. She will need all of our help and prayers to be successful in her new endeavor.

So there it is, a new wrinkle in the ministry of Epiphany. I truly appreciate the fine work of Lauren with youth ministry and the gifts that she brought us. Now it is Shelly’s turn to continue the excellence we have seen for so many years in our youth and children’s programming.

If anyone has any questions concerning these new moves come to my office and let’s talk.

God bless Lauren. God bless Shelly. God bless Epiphany. And, God bless our children and young people.

Faithfully,Father Bill

Lauren Wainwright Leaving Epiphany

Linda Katz

We are seeking items to be auctioned. It can be artwork, jewelry, furniture, vacation pack-ages or something that is new and different to us. If you have an interesting item to donate, please contact the office.

Barbara Sedberry is chairing the food table and needs hors d'oeuvres. There is a sign up sheet on the nave bulletin board.

As most of you are aware, the auction is Epiphany's largest fundraiser and biggest party each year. Your auction team is diligently working to maintain this record.

We thank you for your continued prayers and support as the big day approaches.

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Featuring

Baked GoodsFrozen Foods

Customized Christmas OrnamentsVintage Jewelry

Accessories TableIndependent Vendors

Soup Lunch

We need your help to make this bazaar a rousing success.

The jewelry table will need your gently used jewelry. Please, nothing broken, an earring missing its mate, and so forth.

The crew running the baked goods will begin calling you soon to ask for your divine concoctions. Be ready to say, Yes! There is also a sign up sheet on the bulletin board outside the office.

New this year is an accessories table.If you have gently used handbags, wallets,

billfolds, scarves, men’s ties, hats, gloves, belts, handkerchiefs, etc., please bring them to the office.

If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Babb at 256-571-2300 or Rusty Ogden at 256-582-4897.

October 13 - 6:00 p.m.

RALLY DAYSeptember 11

Rally day kicks off the fall Sunday School and chil-dren's church fall semester.

Ministries will have a booth or display in Sanderson Hall. This is a great time to explore how you can volunteer or minister to your church. They will also have delicacies to eat at each booth.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS RESUMESeptember 21

Worship at 5:30pmDinner at 6pm

Programs and Choir Practice at 6:30pm.

The price of dinner is $5 for adults, and $3 for children under ten. Sheila Myrick is once again our most excel-lent chef. Sign up sheets for meals will be on the bulle-tin board outside the Nave soon.

A nursery will be available starting at 6:15pm.

November 19

EPIPHANY ACCEPTS CREDIT CARD’S IN

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBERThanks to Susan Armstrong, and the Live Auction and Holiday Bazaar, Epiphany will be able to accept credit cards throughout the month of October and November. This means that if you desire to purchase something at the Auction or Bazaar on your credit card and receive points on your card, we will be able to do this transaction.

It also means that if you want to use your credit card to finish out your pledge, debt reduction pledge, or even Commons Building pledge this is possible in October and November.

Or, if you want to give a gift to the Common’s Building and use your Credit Card, here you go. The credit card access is not meant to be pushy, but because so many people said they enjoyed earning the bonus points that credit cards offer.

The service costs money so we will only be financially able to offer it in October and November.

Cards accepted are:

My Dear Parish Family,

September has come and fall is in the air (at least in the early mornings). School has started once again, and now it is time to return to worship at Epiphany. We have missed many of you throughout the long summer, but now our activities will soon be back in full throttle.

God has truly blessed this parish with so many wonderful people. While we come from very diverse backgrounds, culturally, religiously, politically, some-how by the grace of God we find our-selves at Epiphany. I take that diversity seriously, even though sometimes it can be a bit maddening. Epiphany would be so much easier if we all held the same views and signed the dotted line, but thankfully we don’t. So, I take our diversity seriously and thankfully, because Epiphany is one of the few places where we can indeed worship our God in unity and love each other with-out measure. Frankly, our inclusive-ness is not for everyone, but to me it is

creative and Spirit filled. I believe our doors must and always will be open to all who come to us. We continue to strive to become a house of prayer to all people.

Read ON! Included in this News-letter are some exciting dates to remember. Rally Day, September 11th, Bring a Friend Sunday, Sep-tember 18th (start asking your friends to come now – a marvelous lasagna dinner following service prepared by Barbara Panazze and the Hospitality Committee), our Stupendous Epiphany Auction on October 13th and a schedule of pro-grams that are sure to excite any-one.

Epiphany is alive and well. Much is happening. Plug in now, bring your friends to share the joy of Epiphany living

God’s richest blessing to you all,

Bill+

FR. BILL INVITES YOU TO FRANCE FOR HIS BIRTHDAY

I have scheduled a trip to France to correspond with my 62nd birthday on May 5, 2012!We will land in Paris on May 4th and then travel to Rouen, France, home of the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame, Rouen, and the place where they torched Joan of Arc. (I’m hop-ing for some birthday candles, but I prefer to blow mine out and not become the candle itself.) During the day of May 5th we’ll visit Giverny the home of Monet’s House and Garden. And then have a big celebration – Even as cheap as I am, I’ll buy a round for eve-ryone! It is sure to be a party to remember the rest of our lives. See Martha Ross in the office, 256-582-4897, this month for sign up and deposit

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Confirmation for Adults and YouthBegins Sunday September 25

An approximately 10 week course will begin on September 25 during the Sunday school hour at 9:30am. Father Bill will teach this class upstairs in the EFM classroom. The class is offered to any and all adults seeking confirmation or reception in the Episcopal Church, any eighth graders seeking confirmation, or any one seeking to know more about the Episcopal Church. This class will go over the Episcopal Churches history, doctrine, understanding of scripture, polity (how we govern ourselves), understanding our worship life, Prayer Book and even a class on our funny words.

Mark your calendars!!

Once again, Epiphany will be hosting Happening for high school youth across the diocese March 2-4, 2012. Happening is not a new form of spirituality, nor is it just another weekend retreat for our youth. It is a personal encounter with the living Christ, as expressed in the tradition of the Episcopal Church. Throughout the weekend, Happeners work and play, sing, share, pray and worship.

As parish host, we will be required to provide meals and open our homes for the youth to use showers. Over the coming months we will be soliciting volunteers, food and monetary donations for this event which will bring between 75-100 youth and staff to our parish. This is a great opportunity for us to consider making our resources and homes available and show Epiphany's amazing hospitality to all those in the diocese. Please keep an eye out for more ways to volunteer soon.

Blessing of the Animals Coming In OctoberOn October 9 we will honor St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, by blessing our beloved pets. The service and blessing takes place at 3:00 p.m. on the lawn of the church. Please have them leashed, tethered or caged. We have blessed all sorts of critters, so no matter what species your best friends may be, bring them to receive God’s blessing.

Mission Team Spotlight

Best of the Blessed!A dinner theater event to benefit the

Guntersville Christian Women’s Job Corps

When and Where: Saturday, October 1st, 2011, 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30

The Church at Lake Guntersville, 4525 Wyeth Drive, Guntersville

Purpose: To provide a night of fun, feasting and entertainment; to showcase local musical talent; to raise money for the Guntersville Christian Women’s Job Corps

Ticket Information: Tickets are $50. (No tickets at the door)

Contact Lee Hoggle (256-558-3571) for tickets

CWJC Mission Statement: Present women with God’s Word and teach attitudes and habits that are needed to find and keep a job and teach life skills that foster good relationships and wise decision-making for themselves and their families.

About Guntersville CWJC. Established in 2007, The Guntersville Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) has graduated 61 women and began a new session on Aug. 15. Classes meet Tues, Wed, Thurs, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for 15 weeks. These classes are free and taught by vol-unteer Christian instructors. Money from this fundraiser will provide instructional materials and childcare. The Site Coordinator is Shelia Banks, 572-8969. (for more information check out the web site atwww.cwjcofguntersville.org.)

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A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. John 13:34

Kairos #54 will be occurring at St Clair Prison October 27 –30. Epiphany is facilitating the staff training meetings at San-derson Hall on each Tuesday evening leading up to the Kai-ros weekend.

Rush and Barbara Sedberry are serving on the Kairos staff and are seeking willing spirits to assist in several areas:

Everyone’s prayers are needed for Kairos # 54, staff, support-ers and soon to be named inmates/pilgrims. Please add Kairos #54 to your daily prayers.

A prayer chain sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board for those willing to commit to pray during specific 30 minute time slots over the course of the weekend. Please select the slots you feel called to cover and fill in the info. Each tab will be used as a link in a continuous chain that will wrap around the meeting room as a demonstration of those praying for the pilgrims. Very powerful! It’s OK to have multiple people signed up for the same slot but we would like to fill all slots.

Home baked cookies are needed. We will serve 600 dozen. No sprinkles, granular sugar topping, berries, fruits or icing tops are allowed per Department of Corrections rules. Choco-late chip, butterscotch, nuts and most other things are accept-able. Cookies must be thoroughly cooled before placing in plastic baggies so they won’t stick together. Lumps of cook-ies will be discarded by DOC. It’s OK to freeze them as long as they are cooled and don’t stick together in the process.

Donations for meals are needed. It costs approx $150 to feed each pilgrim for the 4 day Kairos. $25.00 to $150 is solicited but all donations are appreciated. Cards stating “this meal provided by,” with donors names, will be placed on each pil-grims plate at each meal. Again, Very powerful!

Checks should be made out to Kairos of Alabama and may be dropped by the office or given to Rush or Barbara whichever is more convenient.

Thank you for your love and support, Please contact Rush and Barbara at 256-302-8001 as necessary.

Sunday Morning Ministry to Inmates in City JailFour ministry teams are taking turns providing Sunday morning devotion to the inmates at the Guntersville City Jail. The devotion consists of singing songs and reading a passage from a monthly devotion series. The devotion begins promptly at 7:00 on Sunday mornings in the Guntersville Town Hall. October is Epiphany’s turn. Contact Lee Hoggle at 256-558-3571 if you would like to participate.

Interested in providing a simple meal for our EYC group on Sunday nights at 5pm?

You can cook or donate $35 for food.See Shelly in the church office for more details or fill out the

sign up sheet on the EYC bulletin board.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS

Adult Christian Formation

September 21—Blessings In A Backpack This unique program is designed to feed elementary school children. This is a Mission Team Spotlight.

September 28—Guntersville RecyclingLisa Bellin from the City of Guntersville will be giving a presentation to raise awareness to our recycling efforts.

Beginning in OctoberOne of our Wednesday night adult classes will study the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. For those of you who plan to read the book, please SIGN UP, at the bulletin board outside the nave, for the class so that we can order the appro-priate number of books. Reading the book is not a class requirement as the class will be structured so that you can join in the discussion around the book.

While this book study will serve as the backbone of our fall program and take us into Advent, we will have other opportunities in October and November to hear and learn from our Outreach and Mission teams during our Wednesday night programs.

The Wednesday Night Women's Group invites you to join our weekly get-together. Our informal classes are mainly discussions and laughter about woman-hood, motherhood, and everything in between. You do not have to be a mother....but womanhood is required! For more info, see Meredith Jackson or Shelley Hardin.

All the many and diverse elements of Epiphany define our individual and corporate Christian identities and are how we "pay attention to God".

Christian Formation is about the formation of our Christian identities.

Christian Formation is also about "transformation" ... Transformation of ourselves, our beings, our identities, on this side of death, into an identity that reflects a spark of Christ’s life in our world. Please plan to join us on our journey this fall during one or more of our many "formation" opportunities.

Sunday Morning, 9:30 AM, Bible Study Wednesday—10:30AM, Centering Prayer Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 PM Thursday—10AM, Fr. Bill's Study Group Thursday—6:30PM, Centering Prayer

With God's help, these will be transformative opportunities for us all.

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EYCNow that school has started back, it is time for EYC to return!! We have a few changes coming this Fall to our youth programs at Epiphany. Beginning on September 11th, we will have only one EYC for all those in the 6-12th grades. We will meet on Sunday evenings from 5-7pm. As usual, this will include dinner, games, and activities.

Shelly Hardin is looking for adult mentors/volunteers who will consider being at our meetings maybe once a month...maybe not even that. She can schedule you for a particular Sunday every month or can fill you in as needed.

Very Young Persons (VYP) is for all those in K-5th grades

We plan to have two Sunday school classes, one for 3 year olds thru Kindergarten, and the other for 1st grade thru 5th grade students. Sunday school is from 9:30am until 10:30 and Children's church follows at 10:30am.

Wednesday nights will begin meeting on September 21st.

We can always use teachers and helpers for Sundays and Wednesday nights, so if you feel called to help children with their spiritual journeys, please contact Shelly Hardin at 256-505-4995 or call the office.

Mark your calendar for the Fall Festival Wednesday, Oct 26, 5:30-7:30, Wear Costumes!

On Sunday night, September 18th, we will be heading to the bowling alley in Boaz. We will meet at the church at 5:00pm and return by 7:00pm. The EYC will pay for the costs of bowling and dinner.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR NURSERY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

If you would like to volunteer to work in the nursery on Wednesday nights, please contact Shelly Hardin at 256-505-4995 or call the office. You should be at least 16 years old. We will only have two or three children. There is a paid worker but there should always be two workers in the nursery. You will receive a free meal at the 6pm Wednesday night dinner.

By Lamar Auman

WANTED: NEW VESTRY MEMBERS

A Nomination Committee has been formed by the current vestry to search for prospective candidates for next year’s vestry. The Nomination Committee includes Susan Armstrong, Sue Beiter and Gary Beasley. If you or someone you know is interested in election to the vestry, please submit their name to any of the listed people or to the office. Remember that election to the vestry is a three year term.

Please check with your nominee before submitting their name to make sure that they are willing to serve.

A candidate for the vestry must:

be a confirmed or received member of Epiphanybe a member in good standing:

received communion in the church at least three times in the past yearpledge to the General Fund of Epiphany

make a firm commitment to attend monthly vestry meetings (meets third Monday of every month).attend the yearly Vestry Retreat held at Camp McDowell (scheduled for February 10—12, 2012).commit to one month a year as Vestry Person of the Month to lock

all doors and make sure lights are off after all services. have a positive attitude toward the spiritual and physical well-being

of the parish.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION NOMINATIONS WANTED

We need four delegates and two alternates for the Alabama Diocesan Convention which will be held at in Huntsville on February 17 and 18, 2012. Nominees for voting delegate must be members in good stand-ing, known by the treasurer and attend services regularly. Please check with your nominee before submitting their name to make sure that they are willing to serve.

The following vestry members are completing their third year of service. When you see them, give them a big THANK YOU.

Parish Elections will be held October 23

Each candidate for vestry and convention needs to get a bio to Rusty Ogden in the office. Matters of interest in the bio are where you were born, how long a member of the church, what service you attend, and what activities you have participated in since becom-ing a member of Epiphany. This information will be handed out to the parish in suitable places. Rusty will use your directory picture with the bio. Please have information to Rusty as soon as possible but no later than Sunday, October 16. Failure to do this will not mean that a person can’t run for vestry but that they will go into the election without information being given to the parish which may hurt their chances.

Susan Armstrong

Gary Beasley,Senior Warden

Sue Beiter

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122nd Annual Fall Conference

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands: Our Mission and Ministry in the World”

October 6th and October 7th, 2011

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Montgomery, Alabama

The $35 Registration Fee includes: talks by a nationally known speaker, a wine and cheese reception with silent auction and live music, a catered dinner, welcome bag surprises, plus lunches, snacks, wonderful worship and fellowship!

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Embassy Suites Hotel We have a special conference rate of $119.00 per night plus tax which includes a full breakfast buffet. Please use group code: ECW to make reservations by the September 4 cut off date. Please call 334-269-5055 or 1-800-Embassy or www.embassysuites.com

E-mail: rustyogden@bellsouth.netChurch epis_ala@bellsouth.netFax #: 256-582-4899www.EpiphanyGuntersville.orgFacebook: The Episcopal Church

of the Epiphany

TRANSFERSFrom Holy Spirit, Gulf ShoresVirginia D. Spencer309 Harrogate CircleArab, AL 35016256-603-1026

NEW ADDRESSLee Towlesc/o Susan Newman211 Edna Ruth LaneMcDonough, GA 30253

Lauren Wainwright256-477-2166Lauren.wainwright@hotmail.com

We are saddened by the loss, August 1, of one of our former members, David Fancher Hard of Birmingham. The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to his partner, Paul Hard, and the Fancher family.

The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to Chris and Meredith Jack-son and family in the loss, August 3, of Chris’ grandfather, Odis Malone of Guntersville.

We are saddened by the loss of one of our members, Judy Sears, on August 16. The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and support to Judy’s children, Ben, Dean, Patty, Diane and Ginny.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord.

CONGRATULATIONSBrian and Becky Moses have a new son, Matthew Robert, born August 5.

Sisters, Mikayla, Emily and Rachel are thrilled to have a little brother.

Proud grandparents are Bob and Penny Moses.

CONGRATULATIONSBarbara Gardner became a great grandmother for the second time when her granddaughter, Marianne, gave birth to a daughter, Chloe Elizabeth Dow.

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HELP NEEDED

Rusty Ogden, and J. R. & Susan Foster would like to train some new people on washing dishes in the church kitchen on Wednesday nights. If you would be inter-ested in helping, please contact Rusty in the church office.

Children's Logic:

"Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher.

The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant."

The teacher took the lad aside to correct him.

"Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.

"Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."

Breakfast ReturningSheila Myrick will start serving breakfast every Sunday at 8:45am beginning September 25. Breakfast is for a voluntary do-nation but a good rule of thumb would be Wednesday night din-ner prices of $5 and $3.

CODE: BSA—Brotherhood of St. Andrew; CP—Centering Prayer; DOK—Daughters of the King; DG—Dream Group; HC—Holy Communion; HE—Holy Eucharist; SS—Sunday School; Birthdays

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Thomas HarwellTrena Houston

Zeke Jones

2

Roger RehfeldAnn Thomas

Autumn Thompson

3St. William

Seafood Festival

Shelly Hardin

4Discretionary Fund Sunday

HE 8 & 10:30amSS 9:30am

No Children’s Church Taizé Service 5pm

Debbie Moss

5Labor Day

6 7CP 10:30am

Deacon’s Mass 11:30am

Choir Practice 6pm

8DG 12pm

CP 6:30pmStations of the

Cross 7pmAllison Benson

Meredith Jackson

9

Diane Kowalsky

10BSA 8am

Altar Guild workday 9am

Andy Hunter

11HE 8 & 10:30am

SS 9:30amOutreach Meeting 9:30am

Rally Day 10:30amChildren’s Church 10:30am

EYC 5pmUltreya 6pm

Larry Pfeiffer

12DOK 11:15am

EFM 6pm

Sue HartLiz Riehl

13Kairos 5:30pm

Boots Groff

14CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

Choir Practice 6pm

John HoustonTiffany Martin

15Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Gary BeasleyAl Morita

Jake Woodall

16

Lee JonesJason Moore

17Garden Workday

8am

Joe HardyKyle Keck

18Bring A Friend Sunday

HE 8 & 10:30amSS 9:30am

Children’s Church 10:30amBAFS Luncheon 11:45am

EYC 5pmCeltic Service 5pm

19EFM 6pm

Kathryn BaucomSam Harrison

20Kairos 5:30pm

21CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

HC 5:30pmDinner 6pm

Programs & Choir 6:30pm

22Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Anne Hyatt

23

Erin McAllister

24BSA 8am

25HE 8 & 10:30amBreakfast 8:45am

SS 9:30amConfirmation Class 9:30amChildren’s Church 10:30am

EYC 5pm

Hunter Gaines

26EFM 6pm

Vestry 7pmDOK 7pm

Randy Panazze

27Kairos 5:30pmAuction Team meeting 6pm

28CP 10:30am

HC & Healing Service 11:30am

HC 5:30pmDinner 6pm

Programs & Choir 6:30pm

29Fr. Bill’s Study

Group 10amDG 12pm

CP 6:30pm

Rachel AmburnVelvet CooleyShelia Myrick

30

Gene Black

October 1Beth Packard

6:30pmOctober 8 Alicia Adkins 2:00pm

Vestry Person for September

Meredith Jackson 256-558-0237

October November December

6—ECW Annual Conference 6—UTO Fall Ingathering 18—Christmas Pageant

9—Blessing of the Animals 3pm 11 & 12—Carol Jean Rives Forum 24—Family Christmas Service 5:30pm

13—Live Auction 19—Holiday Bazaar Festival of Carols 10:30pm

23—Parish Elections 23—Thanksgiving Service 7pm 1st Eucharist of Christmas 11pm

26—Fall Festival 27—First Sunday of Advent 25—Nativity of Our Lord 10am

Dates to remember

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Upcoming Weddings