September 2025
Sometimes a sermon can ruffle the feathers of those in the pews on Sunday mornings and is usually followed with some negative feedback: that is to be expected, especially if the listener has taken to believe it is a jab at their party of choice. “I don’t want to hear politics in church” is the usual response and a majority of congregations agree with that stand – we, too, here at Epiphany, stand firmly on that premise.
My take on the mentioning of current events with the Gospel in a sermon is not that it is politics – it is a responsibility. If love, injustice, mercy and forgiveness – the teachings of Jesus – conflict with our political views, the problem isn’t Jesus. We all fall short, desperately short, of how Jesus calls us to live. Decency isn’t political, it’s what makes us human.
Neither party has a monopoly on truth or even good policy but there used to be this collective sense of basic decency and maturity. This blatant lying and childish antagonism we see from the current administration is indecent and it lacks basic dignity. Jesus was political – not partisan, but political. His witness and message stood deliberately counter to the politics of oppression and violence of his day. There is a sickness in this country, not just with politicians or policies – the kind of sickness that takes root in the people who claim to follow the way of Jesus, who become silent or worse, complicit, when power brutalizes the vulnerable here and around the world. Let’s be honest: many of American Christianity don’t just ignore where we are under this administration – they helped build it, cheered it on, baptized it in the name of law and order and “we are not-in-a-normal-moment-of-our-history”. It rhymes with the history of 1930’s Germany and history is now watching what the church will do.
Jesus has already named our test and it’s not attendance or creed. Matthew 25: whatever you do to the least of these you do to me and, just as important, whatever you refuse to do you refuse me. We cannot claim to follow the way of Jesus and ignore his face in the ones that our system calls disposable. Followers of Jesus decide what Christianity means – not in theory or theology books, but in whose side you stand on when violence is done to the ones that they tell you don’t matter. If your faith doesn’t lead you toward the oppressed, it’s not Christ – it’s empire.
The duty of the church is to stand before every administration, regardless of party, and point to justice and mercy and the image of God in which everyone of us was made, regardless of race, creed, gender orientation or religion.
The Greek word for gentiles is ethnias – meaning ethnicities. The Gospel is about how to live well with one another when we are different from each other. In the Episcopal Baptismal vow, we promise to work for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being: it is not easy work and none of us do all that well. So, when preachers talk about current events, especially calling for mercy and justice and dignity for the most vulnerable among us, they are not supporting a political platform; they are pointing to the way God calls us to live – not just with the people we like, but with all God’s people, every human being. When we love each other, we are in the arms of God.
Are we not re-crucifying Jesus by not following His way and His teachings?
In appreciation to my brothers in Christ, Pete Nunnally & Joe Smith, for inspiration.
Jim Fisher
Sr. Warden
Fun Stuff
September means “seventh”, derived from the Latin word septum. The name reflects the original position as the seventh month on the early Roman calendar, which began in March.
September symbolizes transition from summer to fall, renewal, and the harvest season, marked by cooler weather and the equinox.
The birthstone is sapphire ( from the Latin word: sapphirus – wisdom). The sapphire brings inner peace, focus and good fortune to the wearer. The flowers are the Aster and Morning Glory. Aster symbolizes love, wisdom, and faith, while Morning Glory symbolizes love, affection and the ephemeral nature of life, reminding people to cherish each moment.
The zodiac sign is Virgo through September 22nd. Virgo’s are analytical, practical, hardworking and meticulous. They are problem solvers and critical thinkers that thrive on order and efficiency.
The zodiac sign is Libra beginning September 23rd. Libras are known for being peaceful, fair, diplomatic, and focused on balance and symmetry. Often seen as mediators, they are good at seeing both sides of a situation and are drawn to beauty and art.
Happenings Around Epiphany
Vestry returns from summer break on Thursday Sept. 11th. 6:30 meal and 7:00 meeting.
Annual Fall Yard Sale on October 18th.
Thank you for the donations up to now. September typically is a month of cleanup and clean out, so hop to those attics, garages, and closets. While you start preparing your home for the upcoming holidays, Epiphany benefits from you.
The parish hall will have a makeover with a fresh coat of paint this month. Painting of the upstairs hallway also will be done as we will be moving the framed pictures upstairs from the parish hall. John Greene is heading up the project. Jim & Kevin are joining forces and, if there is anyone else that would like to help, please check in with John for additional info. Additionally, if anyone would like to throw a donation towards the supplies, make certain to put “Paint Party” in the memo section of your check. Thank you.
We finished the month of August with our annual Labor Day Cookout, with the weather being fantastic. As always, the fellowship table was filled to the edges with many of your favorite side dishes accompanying the meats grilled by Chris and Jackie. Thank you to everyone for a pleasant event.
Schedule for September
September 7th
- The Rev. Berkley Ford
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Altar flowers: Marcia Cronin
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Lector: Gayle Greene
- Usher: Jackie Rochelle
- Dedication: Mary Shaffer
September 14th
- The Rev. John Baldwin
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Altar flowers: Jim Fisher
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Lector: Jerry Cronin
- Usher: Kevin LaPointe
- Dedication: Brian & Junie Pritchard
September 21st
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Organist: Pat Spoettle
- Altar flowers: Joyce Williams
- Altar: Ariel Fernandez
- Lector: Gayle Greene
- Usher: Kathy Moore
- Dedication: Mary Evelyn Scheible
September 28th
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Organist: Pat Spoettle
- Altar flowers: Jim Fisher
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Lector: John Greene
- Usher: Susie Pedigo
- Dedication: John & Gayle Greene