December 2024
We now enter the 4th and final “BER” of the year. The “BER” months are packed with holidays and festivals, each more joyous than the last. September is the quietest of the bunch, but it’s just the calm before the storm. For me, I call from “Halloween to Epiphany” the Marathon. October brought us Halloween and the magic of the beginning of Autumn. November brings us Thanksgiving, family, friends, feasts and reflection on what we are grateful for. And December? Well, December is the grand finale, with Advent, Christmas and New Year’s Eve – a month-long celebration of love, giving and togetherness.
The “BER” months are a foodie’s paradise with each month offering its own comfort food and memories. September: the apple season – pies, crisps, cider. October: pumpkins, soups, pies and spiced lattes and Halloween candy. November brings us the star of the show for Thanksgiving dinner – the turkey, with dressing, mashers and cranberry sauce. December rounds everything off with Christmas cookies, roasted meats, mulled wine and festive treats from all around the world. Each of these months invite us to indulge, savor and share the flavors that define the season.
December brings with it a heightened sense of charity and goodwill. It’s the time of the year when people come together to help those in need, whether through food drives (Tucker House Luncheon, Food Pantry), charitable donations or just simple acts of kindness. There’s a special joy in the air that comes with knowing you’ve made someone else’s day a little brighter.
The” BER” months culminate in the ultimate celebration of new beginnings – New Year’s Eve. As December comes to a close, we all start to reflect on the past year and look forward to the one ahead. It’s time for setting goals, dreaming big and making future plans. Counting down to midnight, surrounded by loved ones, is unmatched and the turning of the calendar represents a fresh start, full of possibilities and hope. The “BER” months, with all their festivities, warmth and memories, build up to this moment of renewal, making it even more special.
I hope your “BER” months have been well to you and that some of these “BER” chatters have given you a chuckle or insight. Get your 2024 penny at the ready for the New Year and chuck it over your shoulder on New Years Eve and take in a very deep 2025 breath with excitement, hope and faithfulness.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2025 New Year to all!
Jim Fisher
Co-Warden
Happenings around Epiphany
Two new vestry members were elected last month and will be attending the upcoming Vestry meeting on December 12th. Congratulations to Joan Feret and Marcie Kidd. We look forward to your service. We will also be thanking Ariel Fernandez and Jackie Rochelle for their vestry service as they step down.
Poinsettia forms are in the back of the church. Please fill out and return by December 22nd. The cost of each is $25.00.
December 8th – The Reverend Canon Win Lewis will preside and celebrate service with us, and, after the service, he will have a question and answer period during fellowship until noon, as there is a Transition Team meeting with Advent Church headed by him at 12:30 p.m. here in our Parish Hall.
Also, as so many of us are out of town on December 1st, we will have cake and celebrate December Birthdays and Anniversaries at fellowship on the 8th, rather than the 1st.
December 15th – The annual Tucker House Luncheon
Finger foods, sandwiches, treats and volunteers “the day of” are needed. Please see or call Carol Fernandez for additional information.
Angel Tree Tags
The Angel tree is up and tagged. Please take one or as many as you would like and return with a $10.00 gift car, as the back of the tag indicates. Give it to Carol or Ariel or place it on the secretary’s desk. Reminder: write the room # and name on the card envelope and also tape the original tag to the envelope.
Thank you in advance for your kindness.
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service will be presided over and celebrated with Bishop Susan Haynes @ 8:00 p.m. The service will be the same as past years with only the time change being noticeable. Light fare with fellowship will follow the service.
It is wonderful and a lovely gift to have the bishop with us on the eve of Christmas. We can look forward to Epiphany strong showing up and sharing our love with each other.
The Chrismon Tree
The Chrismon tree is up and ready to be decorated with the lovely and quite old handmade Chrismon ornaments from past members of the Church of the Epiphany Women’s Guild.
Borrowing from an article in Southern Living by Patricia Shannon.
The word “Chrismon” draws from the words “Christ” and “monogram,” translating to “symbols of Christ.” Historically, there have been times when Christians were not free to worship in public, or even acknowledge their faith. These symbols were a way for the followers of Christ to recognize their faith in a more covert way. Example: a fish might be used in an underground passageway to point toward a place of worship, so visitors knew where to go or simply mark they were among friends. In 1957, Mrs. Harry W. Spencer of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, Virginia, was inspired to use these Christian symbols, or Chrismon’s, in lieu of colorful balls and non-religious décor on her church’s Christmas tree.
Traditionally the ornaments are handmade. Part of the beauty in the tradition seems to be taking the time to select the symbols and create the ornaments. For those taking part, it is a labor of love that prepares the hearts and builds anticipation for the Advent season and birth of Christ. The ornaments are traditionally white and gold. The white symbolizes the perfection and purity of the Lord, while gold points to His nobility and glory. The white lights are a reminder that He is the light of the world, and the evergreen symbolizes our own eternal life, a gift of Christ’s sacrifice for us.
- The Star Chrismon range from the five-pointed star to the 8-pointed Natal Star Cross, with the former representing the five wounds of Jesus and the latter representing the Bethlehem star and the four New Testament gospels.
- The Triangle: represents the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- The Cross: Like the various Chrismon stars, each cross Chrismon delivers its own special meaning from the anchor cross, the Fleur-de-lis, the Celtic cross, the Jerusalem Cross and the Latin cross – to name a few.
- The Dove: used to represent the Holy Spirit.
- The Lamb: signifies Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
December Schedule
December 1st
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Scott Foxwell – Organist
- Len & Tina Wright – Altar
- Marcia Cronin – Greens
- Brian Pritchard – Lector
- Tommy Gilleland – Usher
December 8th
- The Rev. Canon Win Lewis
- Joe Ritchie – Organist
- Kevin LaPointe – Altar
- Jim Fisher – Greens
- John Childers – Lector
- Jackie Rochelle – Usher
December 15th
- The Rev. John Baldwin
- Pat Spoettle – Organist
- Kevin LaPointe – Altar
- Jim Fisher – Greens
- Jim Fisher – Lector
- Kevin LaPointe – Usher
December 22nd
- The Rev. Peg Buelow
- Pat Spoettle – Organist
- Kevin LaPointe – Altar
- Jim Fisher – Greens
- Jerry Cronin – Lector
- Kathy Moore – Usher
December 24th
- The Rt. Rev. Bishop Susan B. Haynes
- Pat Spoettle – Organist
- Kevin LaPointe – Altar
- Jim Fisher – Flowers
- Jim Fisher – Lector
- Kevin LaPointe – Usher
December 29th
- The Rev. Berkley Ford
- Scott Foxwell – Organist
- Kevin LaPointe – Altar
- Jim Fisher – Flowers
- Gayle Greene – Lector
- Susie Pedigo – Usher