December 2025
Well, here we are at the final month of year for what seems to be the fastest year ever. We’re also at the start of a journey with a new shepherd. A sweet example of yin and yang.
As we enter this final level of transition here at Epiphany, it is a significant event that brings both challenges and opportunities. It is essential for the new priest to feel welcomed and supported during this period – not that this should be a problem, as Epiphany is known for our warmth! For Deacon Anne to feel at home and loved as a priest of Jesus Christ most likely will also be quite easy for her here.
This period is a time for growth and reflection: it’s allowing Anne to embrace her new environment and responsibilities and we to embrace and support her as needed. This is an exciting time for Epiphany to celebrate our new shepherd and she us. At midmonth, we celebrate even more with Anne being raised to the priesthood.
Let us continue to lift in prayer, asking for continued guidance, wisdom and patience as we navigate the changes and challenges of this new journey. Let us also not forget to raise many prayers of gratitude to the Holy Spirit for where we have come to.
God’s Peace. Merry Christmas and Blessed 2026 to all.
Jim Fisher
Sr. Warden
Happenings around Epiphany
There are still some tags on the Angel Tree if interested. Please return all tags by early December 14th.
December 14th Annual Tucker House Christmas Luncheon
Finger foods, sandwiches, etc. are needed. Please see Carol Fernandez.
Dec. 17th The Ordination of Deacon Anne Zobel at Epiphany
This service (Wednesday, December 17th @ 6 p.m.) is special, as elevation to the priesthood is the second degree of Holy Orders, and we will have many guests attending. It will be followed by a lively reception! The sign-up for reception food looks great. Please have a look to see if there is something that you would like to offer to the fellowship table.
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service @ 11:00 p.m.
Please join us for what is always a lovely and uplifting service, followed by breakfast provided by MJ’s Tavern. This service is also a special service for Anne, as she is excited to be celebrating her first Christmas service.
Jumping ahead to January 6th, 2026, our namesake day:
The Epiphany Service is at 6 p.m. Light fare for the fellowship table to follow.
A Christmas Message
“…the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
We have come to the end of another challenging year, yet the light of Christ continues to shine and break through the darkness in the world, and the darkness still has not overcome the light. This is cause for celebration. We may not be celebrating with all the people we used to share Christmas with; we will be celebrating nonetheless, because, no matter what is happening in our world, we will raise songs with the angels on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. We are people of faith and joy that rejoice in the light. We hold dearly to the hope that each Christmas brings. The light of Christmas does and always will shine in a world of darkness, and that light must penetrate our hearts, because we are called to be the light of Jesus to our world, so that one person at a time, one soul at a time, we share and shine that light that this world desperately need.
God’s Peace and Merry Christmas.
Schedule for December
December 7th
- Deacon Service with Reserved Sacraments
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Lector: Marcia Cronin
- Usher: Susie Pedigo
December 14th
- Deacon Service with Reserved Sacraments
- Organist: Joe Ritchie
- Altar flowers: Jim Fisher
- Altar: Kevin LaPointe
- Lector: Marcie Kidd
- Usher: Tom Gilleland
December 17th (Wed.) 6 p.m.
- The Ordination of Anne Zobel
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Altar: Ariel Fernandez
- Lector: TBD
- Ushers: Kathy Moore and Kevin LaPointe
December 21st
- The Rev. Anne Zobel
- Organist: Pat Spoettle
- Altar: Ariel Fernandez
- Lector: Jim Fisher
- Usher: Jackie Rochelle
December 24th, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE @ 11 P.M.
- The Rev. Anne Zobel
- Organist: Pat Spoettle
- Altar: Jim Fisher
- Lector: TBD
- Usher: Kevin LaPointe
December 28th
- The Rev. Anne Zobel
- Organist: Scott Foxwell
- Altar: Jim Fisher
- Lector: Brian Pritchard
- Usher: Kathy Moore
Godwink: A new word for those little coincidences that aren’t coincidences but come from divine origin.
Godwinks are always a sign of hope. – Squire Rushnell