SPECIAL ANNUAL TRADITIONS
Epiphany Party
Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “coming into light.” The day of Epiphany is January 6 and centers on the visit of the Magi. The children reenact the procession of the three wise men on the Sunday preceding Epiphany. The children and adults then make crowns and share a King’s Cake.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday. To “shrive” someone, in old-fashioned English, is to hear their confession of sins, to assure them of God’s forgiveness, and to give them appropriate spiritual advice. On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians make a special point of self-examination, considering of what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life they especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with. Often they consult on these matters with a spiritual counselor, or receive “shrift.” Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday because on that day a thrifty cook uses up the fats that have been kept around (the can of bacon drippings, or whatever) for cooking, but that will not be used during Lent. Since pancakes are a standard way of using up fat, pancakes became the traditional Shrove Tuesday meal in England. At Epiphany, our Pancake Supper, prepared by the men, is a time of fellowship and fun, a final frivolous celebration before the somber Lenten Season begins.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and is marked as a day of repentance. Ashes are placed on the heads of worshippers as a symbol of repentance. Ashes on the Square is 11:00am - 1:00pm; Holy Eucharist with Ashes is Wednesday, 5:30pm.
Lenten Soup and Study
Each Wednesday evening during Lent, we meet in the evening for soup and bread, a Lenten program of study and sharing, and Evening Prayer.
Holy Week
On Palm Sunday we begin with procession carrying branches of palms. Then we read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ in parts (various people reading different roles), and prepare ourselves for the events of the Paschal Triduum—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (beginning with the Great Vigil).
On Maundy Thursday evening we gather for footwashing (a few members of the parish have their feet washed by the priest), a commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the stripping of the Altar. We leave the church in darkness and silence, recalling Jesus’ being taken away in the evening for his trial and crucifixion.
On Good Friday evening our liturgy begins with the clergy entering in silence. We read, again in parts, the Passion (this time from John’s gospel), pray the Solemn Collects written for this day, and recite anthems by way of veneration of the cross. This service ends in silence, just as the evening before. Some people remain for the The Stations of the Cross, a visual means of following the footsteps of Christ’s Passion.
On Easter Eve sometime after sunset we celebrate the first Holy Eucharist of Easter by means of the Great Vigil of Easter. This liturgy begins by starting the new fire outside the front doors, lighting first the Paschal candle and then everyone’s hand candles, and processing into the darkened church. We listen to readings about God’s redeeming acts in the world, particularly among the children of Israel, then we sing out the first Alleluias of Easter, light the altar candles, and bring up the lights in the church. If there is a candidate, we celebrate Holy Baptism; if not, we renew our own baptismal vows. We celebrate Holy Eucharist and then gather in the parish hall for a festive Easter meal.
Rogation Sunday
The word “Rogation” comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning “to ask,” and was applied to this time of the liturgical year because the Gospel reading for the previous Sunday included the passage, “Ask and ye shall receive” (Gospel of John 16:24). The Sunday itself was often called Rogation Sunday as a result and occurs on the Fifth Sunday after Easter. Farmers traditionally had their fields blessed by a priest at this time, remembering that God bestows every good and perfect gift: the rich soil, the smell of fresh-turned earth, the keenness of the winter’s frost, the rumble of the machine, the gleam of a cutting blade, the blistered hand, the sweat of the brow, the skill of those who plow, the lowing of the herd. All this reveals the mind of the Creator. Following our regular Sunday service, we bring dirt from our gardens or pastures and water from our creek or tank to the home of a parishioner where all is blessed. We then celebrate with a picnic-type lunch.
Fall Festival
The Fall Festival is a carnival that Epiphany puts on each year with other churches. It consists of homemade games, booths, dunking for apples, face painting, table games, pumpkin decorating, and a haunted house. Everything is free—including popcorn and hot chocolate. Festivities begin at 5:30 and continue until 8:30PM. At 8:00 the booths close and everyone is invited for hotdogs, costume judging and other prizes.
Blessing of the Animals
Many of us simply can’t live without them. Two-legged or four legged—even eight-legged or no-legged—most are the creatures that enrich human lives and show us by example what it is to love unconditionally, trust wholeheartedly, be patient and good humored with one another and with us, and live authentically and joyfully in the moment. To celebrate the animals in our lives and to emphasize their importance to us as spiritual beings, we sponsor the annual Blessing of the Animals in Early October. The Blessing coincides with the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. The Rev. Michael Long presides over this event that welcomes all, regardless of species and/or religion or spiritual belief. We offer hands-on blessings for all critters that attend, and also bless photographs and paper prayers for those animals who were unable to attend or who have passed on. Trampus Ivers, DVM, administers vaccinations at reduced rates.
Rummage Sale
Each September the women of the Church sponsor a Rummage and Bake Sale. Proceeds support community outreach.
Quiet Day Retreats
In the midst of our busy lives we have little time for silence. The Quiet Days, sponsored by the Daughters of the King, are opportunities to give God back some of our time, and to think on the holiness and absolute power of God, into whose presence we should come with humility and reverence. “Be still, and know that I am God.” One Christian wrote, “It is seldom that God finds a soul quiet enough to speak to. When a pan of milk is quiet, the cream rises to the top. So it is with us.” The silence of our Quiet Days can be used as a time of preparation for our whole of life as Christ’s soldiers and servants, and that is our prayer and hope at the Church of the Epiphany. These are held twice a year.
Community Vacation Bible School
Each summer Epiphany joins four other churches in the county for Vacation Bible School. We assist with teaching, snacks, and dinners.
Baked Potato Luncheon
Twice a year, the Youth of the church prepare baked potatoes with all the fixin’s to raise money for scholarships for our graduating seniors
Epiphany Party
Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “coming into light.” The day of Epiphany is January 6 and centers on the visit of the Magi. The children reenact the procession of the three wise men on the Sunday preceding Epiphany. The children and adults then make crowns and share a King’s Cake.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday. To “shrive” someone, in old-fashioned English, is to hear their confession of sins, to assure them of God’s forgiveness, and to give them appropriate spiritual advice. On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians make a special point of self-examination, considering of what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life they especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with. Often they consult on these matters with a spiritual counselor, or receive “shrift.” Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday because on that day a thrifty cook uses up the fats that have been kept around (the can of bacon drippings, or whatever) for cooking, but that will not be used during Lent. Since pancakes are a standard way of using up fat, pancakes became the traditional Shrove Tuesday meal in England. At Epiphany, our Pancake Supper, prepared by the men, is a time of fellowship and fun, a final frivolous celebration before the somber Lenten Season begins.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and is marked as a day of repentance. Ashes are placed on the heads of worshippers as a symbol of repentance. Ashes on the Square is 11:00am - 1:00pm; Holy Eucharist with Ashes is Wednesday, 5:30pm.
Lenten Soup and Study
Each Wednesday evening during Lent, we meet in the evening for soup and bread, a Lenten program of study and sharing, and Evening Prayer.
Holy Week
On Palm Sunday we begin with procession carrying branches of palms. Then we read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ in parts (various people reading different roles), and prepare ourselves for the events of the Paschal Triduum—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (beginning with the Great Vigil).
On Maundy Thursday evening we gather for footwashing (a few members of the parish have their feet washed by the priest), a commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the stripping of the Altar. We leave the church in darkness and silence, recalling Jesus’ being taken away in the evening for his trial and crucifixion.
On Good Friday evening our liturgy begins with the clergy entering in silence. We read, again in parts, the Passion (this time from John’s gospel), pray the Solemn Collects written for this day, and recite anthems by way of veneration of the cross. This service ends in silence, just as the evening before. Some people remain for the The Stations of the Cross, a visual means of following the footsteps of Christ’s Passion.
On Easter Eve sometime after sunset we celebrate the first Holy Eucharist of Easter by means of the Great Vigil of Easter. This liturgy begins by starting the new fire outside the front doors, lighting first the Paschal candle and then everyone’s hand candles, and processing into the darkened church. We listen to readings about God’s redeeming acts in the world, particularly among the children of Israel, then we sing out the first Alleluias of Easter, light the altar candles, and bring up the lights in the church. If there is a candidate, we celebrate Holy Baptism; if not, we renew our own baptismal vows. We celebrate Holy Eucharist and then gather in the parish hall for a festive Easter meal.
Rogation Sunday
The word “Rogation” comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning “to ask,” and was applied to this time of the liturgical year because the Gospel reading for the previous Sunday included the passage, “Ask and ye shall receive” (Gospel of John 16:24). The Sunday itself was often called Rogation Sunday as a result and occurs on the Fifth Sunday after Easter. Farmers traditionally had their fields blessed by a priest at this time, remembering that God bestows every good and perfect gift: the rich soil, the smell of fresh-turned earth, the keenness of the winter’s frost, the rumble of the machine, the gleam of a cutting blade, the blistered hand, the sweat of the brow, the skill of those who plow, the lowing of the herd. All this reveals the mind of the Creator. Following our regular Sunday service, we bring dirt from our gardens or pastures and water from our creek or tank to the home of a parishioner where all is blessed. We then celebrate with a picnic-type lunch.
Fall Festival
The Fall Festival is a carnival that Epiphany puts on each year with other churches. It consists of homemade games, booths, dunking for apples, face painting, table games, pumpkin decorating, and a haunted house. Everything is free—including popcorn and hot chocolate. Festivities begin at 5:30 and continue until 8:30PM. At 8:00 the booths close and everyone is invited for hotdogs, costume judging and other prizes.
Blessing of the Animals
Many of us simply can’t live without them. Two-legged or four legged—even eight-legged or no-legged—most are the creatures that enrich human lives and show us by example what it is to love unconditionally, trust wholeheartedly, be patient and good humored with one another and with us, and live authentically and joyfully in the moment. To celebrate the animals in our lives and to emphasize their importance to us as spiritual beings, we sponsor the annual Blessing of the Animals in Early October. The Blessing coincides with the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. The Rev. Michael Long presides over this event that welcomes all, regardless of species and/or religion or spiritual belief. We offer hands-on blessings for all critters that attend, and also bless photographs and paper prayers for those animals who were unable to attend or who have passed on. Trampus Ivers, DVM, administers vaccinations at reduced rates.
Rummage Sale
Each September the women of the Church sponsor a Rummage and Bake Sale. Proceeds support community outreach.
Quiet Day Retreats
In the midst of our busy lives we have little time for silence. The Quiet Days, sponsored by the Daughters of the King, are opportunities to give God back some of our time, and to think on the holiness and absolute power of God, into whose presence we should come with humility and reverence. “Be still, and know that I am God.” One Christian wrote, “It is seldom that God finds a soul quiet enough to speak to. When a pan of milk is quiet, the cream rises to the top. So it is with us.” The silence of our Quiet Days can be used as a time of preparation for our whole of life as Christ’s soldiers and servants, and that is our prayer and hope at the Church of the Epiphany. These are held twice a year.
Community Vacation Bible School
Each summer Epiphany joins four other churches in the county for Vacation Bible School. We assist with teaching, snacks, and dinners.
Baked Potato Luncheon
Twice a year, the Youth of the church prepare baked potatoes with all the fixin’s to raise money for scholarships for our graduating seniors