April, 2009 update on Epiphany

Rector’s Reflections for April, 2009

Some among us have asked that they be better informed about Epiphany. Others say we have too many.. I am the author of most of the emails Debbie sends out and I ask her to send them because many have wanted more information. That is our primary means of distributing information at Epiphany along with the News and Notes you receive in the Sunday Bulletin. Please look carefully at the beginning of each email and then delete the ones you are not interested in. Every week we have a Sunday Prep to help us prepare prayerfully for our Worship on the Lord’s Day. It also has brief announcements of special events.
I am also going to try now to write a brief “report” every month or two called Rector’s Reflections to help inform you all about our life together.
As you know we closed the Lafayette congregation at the end of February. While that was difficult for us all and especially for those who worshipped there, it has been a great blessing to see so many of those people in other locations. They have gone primarily to Broomfield and the new North Boulder start and then a few to Longmont and to Erie. Those “receiving” congregations have all welcomed these folks with open arms. Thank you.
I believe we in Epiphany are primed for growth. Growth individually, growth as congregations, and, growth as welcoming communities who reach out to others. God is so good that even though we lost six households in the transition, numbering 20 people, we have gained five new households numbering 16 people. We have also seen the financial picture stabilize a bit, though we are aware there are still some of you who have lost your job, been cut back in your hours or pay or taken a hit in your investments. Thank you to all of you who hold your commitment to support God and His work as the foremost priority in your stewardship of all God has given you. His work through Epiphany and on many oversees and domestic mission fields continues because of your faithfulness and partnership in this amazing ministry and mission!
I also always want to say that I am so very blessed to work with the other clergy and lay leaders of Epiphany. Each one and their families are a blessing beyond my greatest hope and I thank God for their tireless and sacrificial offering of themselves in God’s service and on your behalf. We are greatly blessed to have each one.
Beyond Epiphany, I have been named a “Missional Partnership Leader” for the Rocky Mountain Network. In that role I oversee Epiphany which is seen as an emerging Network in the Anglican Mission. I serve along side of and “under” Father Rob Paris who is an assistant Rector of Wellspring AMiA Church in Englewood, Colorado and also our new Network Leader. All of us on the Leadership Team serve with / under Bishop Sandy Greene.
As a Missional Partnership Leader I also am beginning to work with very small groups of three to ten people in distant places to see if we can start new congregations where they live. I am presently working with emerging groups in Vail, Grand Junction and Salt Lake City. These groups may or may not develop into viable congregations. It is very early in our exploration of that possibility. I also am once again working along side Father Tom Johnson and Deacon Dwayne Borgstrand in Casper, Wyoming and Cody, Wyoming respectively. There is a strong church in Casper and Glenrock and an emerging work in Cody.
I count myself blessed beyond measure to serve you as your Rector and friend.
God Bless you and fill you with joy in serving our King.
Gerry+