Epiphany Chatter

June 2025

So, here we enter the start of the midway point of the year. The unofficial start of summer began Memorial Day weekend, just days ago. The weather of the past week has been more like very early spring- no complaints – with chilly and beautiful days – gardens stay vibrant longer – we are having a true spring.

We enter June as the sixth month in the Gregorian calendar with 30 days in it. It is the first month of the astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of youth and protection. Her name (Latin luno) comes from the root word for “young” (luuen) and goes back to the idea of vital energy and fertility.

Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and varies between June 20, 21 and 22. The word solstice means “sun-stopping” (from the Latin solstitium), because the Sun seems to be standing still in the sky.

Midsummer is also called Midsommar or Sankt Hans after the Christian martyr Saint John the Baptist. The Christian Church celebrates his day on June 24th, exactly 6 months before Christmas. Saint John is said to “prepare the way for Christ”, as the sunlight decreases after Midsummer and increases after Christmas.

Pentecost/Whitsunday falls on June 8th, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It marks the 50th day after Easter and it is considered to be the birth of the Church.

June 14th – Flag Day commemorates when, in 1777, the Continental Congress determined the composition of the nation’s banner: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

June15 – Father’s Day and Trinity Sunday

A popular quote for Father’s Day is “Dad: A son’s first hero, a daughters first love.”

Trinity Sunday celebrates Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Bible reveals God as one being in three persons: passages like Matthew 3:16-17, where Jesus is baptized, the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends, and Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs his followers to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, demonstrate this. Key passages that support the Trinity include: “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Juneteenth commemorates the day (June 19, 1865) when the news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally, after a long delay, reached the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, who then learned that slavery had ended in the United States. The delayed announcement became a symbol of the persistent struggle for freedom and equality; it is a symbol of the African American community’s struggle and their resilience in the face of adversity. This holiday is also a perfect time for educating and reflection on the history of slavery and its lasting impacts…. still.

Zodiac signs of June:

Gemini (The Twins) May 21 – June 21

The vibes of Gemini are dynamic, playful, and intellectually stimulating. They bring lively energy to any situation, making life more interesting and vibrant. With a Gemini around, you’re never bored. Now, when pushed too far, expect sharp, quick-witted remarks, as their anger will manifest a forceful and unyielding response.

Cancer (The Crab) June 22 – July 22

The vibes of Cancer are all about comfort, compassion, and connection, making them the emotional anchors in any setting. Cancer is deeply intuitive, often sensing the needs and emotions of others without a word being spoken. They embrace the warmth of home and heart. They have a nurturing and emotional nature, strong family ties, loyalty and they often prioritize the well-being of others. They are genuinely moody by nature, and their emotions can go from 1 to 100 in a fraction of a second, and then back to normal in equal speed.

June Birthstones – Pearl symbolizes the value of heavenly blessings and spiritual truth. Alexandrite brings balance between the physical and the spiritual world and enhances intuition & self-esteem. Moonstone is a powerful gemstone with strong connections to the moon, intuition, and femininity. It enhances intuition, promotes emotional balance and facilitates spiritual growth. All of these gemstones represent health and longevity.

Birth flowers are the rose (Rosa) and honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium).

Happenings around Epiphany

We had a Church Yard Clean-Up Day on May 10th. An energetic group arrived early on what was a spectacular day of clearing, cleaning and tidying up everything from the Epiphany name wall gardens to the clutter of leaves from under our Grand Lady Magnolia; planting of hydrangea and leftover Easter lilies; weeding and thinning out of plantings; removal of the Spring bulbs and Lynne Pipis’ Fall-planted daffodils dead foliage; dividing the Hosta plants; and trimming the azaleas along the tower sidewalk. The rain garden was tidied up, but the remainder was left for the “rain gardens caretakers” for another day. A big shout out and “Thank You” to all who took some time to help maintain the outside of our beautiful and blessed church.

Narthex Cross – As many of you may know, the exterior Narthex Cross was in need of some attention and care. Thank you to Wes & Molly Irby for their donation. Wes organized a rebuild of the cross, as well additional attention to detail, and the new cross is in place for many years to come.

Bookshelf Organizing – Susie Pedigo continues her organization. No book will have a chance of being out of place either and there are plenty of them around here. Thank you, Susie, for taking up this project that was quite overdue.

Rogation Sunday/Memorial Day Cookout – What a beautiful weather day for a cookout. The Rev. Peg Buelow presided over the service and led us in chant to The Great Litany as we beat the bounds and threw grass seed once again for our annual event. Chris Boswell and Jackie Rochelle managed the grilling and kitchen along with Carol Fernandez. As usual, plenty of tasty dishes for sides were brought in to share from the congregation. Thank you all.

Clean The Bay Day – June 7th 9 a.m. to Noon – Corner of Rialto Place & Villa Circle – Just over the Lafayette Blvd bridge to your right. See Carter for additional details and info.

Transition Team Note – Our hopes here at Epiphany remain strong in the belief that the Holy Spirit in its time will move to bless this wonderful church with a priest in charge. I also hope that each of you continue to pray and put out into the universe wonderful, positive energy to help guide that someone here. This Little White Church on the Corner is special to so many of us and each of you continues to support the weekly services, financials and our fellowship together. We also continue to count the blessings of having our organists and supply guest priests, who truly make a difference. Thank you all.

When the Holy Spirit lays something in your heart, move without hesitation. You have no idea who may depend on your immediate obedience.