The A P R I L 2 0 1 6 Newsletter
MOMENTS
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called the children of God ~Matthew 5:9 —Mother Ann Johnson
Do you remember the iconic Coca-Cola® commercial from the 1970s that featured young people from all over
the world holding hands and singing, “Let there be peace on
earth and let it begin with me”? A beautiful image and a
beautiful dream. It’s a dream we need to dream again today.
The media constantly exploits our emotions and draws
our attention to violence. The local TV news always begins
with stories murders, arson, explosions, car crashes and
other distressing events. In just one recent issue of the
“Arizona Daily Sun” there were stories featuring the result of
the destruction by ISIS militants of the artifacts in the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria; families mourning the loss of a
child in the Easter bombings in Pakistan; Belgian police
searching for the bombers in the Brussels attacks; man shot
after drawing his weapon at the US Capitol; and DPS investigating a fatal shooting by police in Winslow. On that day
the news section of the paper only had 8 pages!!
What can we do the give peace a chance? Mark Ford
addressed this in his series in “There’s MORE”. The clergy
of the city addressed it in their weekend preach-in during
February called, “The Courage to Make Peace”. Politicians
rail against gun violence, police brutality, gang activities,
and the murder rate. But all of this rhetoric doesn’t seem to
be making much difference, unless we choose to do something ourselves.
As Christians we can draw possibilities for peace from
our tradition. St. Augustine said, “Never fight evil as if it
were something that arose totally outside of oneself.” We
can blame anger, hatred and violence on others, but we
must first resolve the anger, hatred and passion for violence
that resides in each of us. We must still our souls, hearts
and minds to a state of non-reactivity, non-judgment and
love.
Jesus talked about peace throughout his ministry. In
the Sermon on the Mount he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” To his disciples he said, “Peace be with you.” We
“pass the peace” every Sunday. So let us take some of that
peace into ourselves and change the way we interact with
the world.
We have a choice to react to violence or with peace.
We can start by stilling our souls through prayer and meditation. We can learn to breathe deeply to release stress and
anger, instead of blowing off steam. We can choose to heal
relationships that have been broken by swallowing our pride
and trying one more time. We can forgive, instead of holding on to resentments. We can take as a model the Lord’s
Prayer when we ask God to “forgive us our trespasses, as
we forgive those who trespass against us.” We can look for
the face of God in every person, even those who a source
of constant irritation.
Peace can begin with each of us. It’s up to us to take
the first step.
“The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ. Amen”
Look Inside and Find:
Canterbury News…………p. 5
Children/Youth News….…p. 6
Cursillo News……………..p. 8
Deacon’s Corner……...pp. 2-3
Pastoral Care…………....p. 7
Primetimers…...…………..p. 9
Stewardship…………pp. 10-11
Thank You Corner……….p. 9
There’s M.O.R.E.………...p. 4
Volunteer Opportunities....p. 3
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EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
Deacon’s Corner—The Rev. Scott Deasy
Every day, Kathy and I receive a reflection written by Glenn
McDonald, Director of Mission Integration for Ascension
Health System, the entity managing a hospital in Indianapolis
at which we practiced. This is a reflection from early March
that caught my imagination. I hope that you will enjoy it.
Almost 500 years ago, during the time of Shakespeare, there
were no televisions or movie theaters. There were also no
video games, pizza joints, destination vacations, cruises, or
team sporting events in gigantic arenas. What could average people do for entertainment?
They could attend live theater, of course – if they could afford it. It cost four pennies to experience a three-hour production at Shakespeare’s famed Globe Theater in London.
The vast majority of Londoners, however, would never be able to find four pennies in their couch. Most didn’t have
couches, for that matter.
Shakespeare, an astute businessman, made a bold decision. He welcomed those who could pay just one penny. These
humble customers would drop their penny into the money box (it was secured in a place that eventually became known
as the box office) and then walk into the theater. The one-penny customers couldn’t afford an actual seat, but they did
have permission to stand right by the stage. Ultimately they even came to have their own identity. They were known as
the groundlings.
The groundlings could actually reach out and touch the actors. This turned out to be rather exciting for everyone concerned. It was definitely in the actors’ best interest to be on good terms with those in the cheap seats – or rather, those
who had no seats.
Scholars believe that something like 40% of those who attended Shakespeare’s plays had no more than a fifth grade
education. That’s why most Shakespearean plays begin with a bang: cackling witches, illicit sex, flashing swords, and
the like. It was important to grab the groundlings’ attention from Minute One and never let it go.
Strange as it may seem, the best way to evaluate the success of a play (or the skill of its cast) was to measure the drool
of the groundlings. As those standing up front became mesmerized by the action, saliva would sometimes drip from their
open mouths onto the stage. Long before OSHA came into the world, such puddles of drool could be major hazards for
the actors. Cast members feared going downstage – at the Globe, “downstage” literally meant walking down a gentle
slope toward the audience – and slip-sliding away.
It’s always been bad luck to say to an actor, “Good luck!” Instead, you might express the hope that he or she would perform so well that the groundlings would work up a major slobber – because of which the actors might slip, fall, and hurt
themselves. This accounts for the origin of the expression, “Break a leg!” As Shakespearean scholar Elliott Engel
points out, the only person who appears to have taken this expression as actual advice is Tonya Harding.
This article continues on page 3
EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
Deacon’s Corner, continued from page 2
3
“Groundling,” of course, was not a term of affection. It was shorthand for those who were deemed ignorant, boorish, or
uncivilized. History is replete with such terms. The ancient Greeks spoke of Hoi Polloi (literally, “the people”), meaning
the majority of the population who were dismissed as simpletons. Rabbis of Jesus’ time spoke of Am ha’aretz (“the people of the land”), referring to uneducated Jews who couldn’t be expected to understand or keep the Law. We still talk
about “the great unwashed,” “the rabble,” or Rednecks. In most human societies, those who picture themselves as deserving the luxury suites have invented terms for those relegated to the bleachers.
What stands out in the ministry of Jesus is that he spent almost all of his time with the groundlings. Eleven of the 12 disciples he recruited came from Galilee, the first century equivalent of Podunk. Only Judas, who betrayed him, came from
the more uppity region of Judea.
There isn’t a single incident in the Gospels in which Jesus pursued what we might call a celebrity conversion. He offered
grace to everyone, showing no favoritism to the well-heeled or influential. “The first shall be last, and the last shall be
first,” he announced. It’s clear that Jesus expected Self-Made People to find it hard to receive his offer of his love, while
the groundlings would embrace the Good News and change the world. Which is exactly what they did.
It should break our hearts to ponder how much energy we invest in categorizing other people: those who matter, those
who don’t, those whom I need to cultivate, those whom I need to avoid. As theologian Francis Schaeffer taught: With
God, there are no little people, and there are no little places.
May God give us the grace never to look down on one of his one-penny saints. After all, the Gospels suggest that they’ll
have the best seats at the Great Banquet in heaven, while the rich will drool with envy.
Are YOU looking for a new way to help Epiphany?
Consider one or more of these:
Acolytes—those who carry the cross (or torches)
and help with services—contact Biz Lemke
Chalice bearers—those who serve the chalice of
wine at Communion—contact Ann Wymore
Holy folders—those who meet once a week to fold
and stuff our weekly bulletins—contact Rita Brown
Hospitality committee members—those who help with special events, dinners, etc.—
contact Connie McDonald
Kitchen angels—those who help between cleaning days—contact Lori Lemke
Memorial Garden—those who maintain our beautiful Garden—contact Kathy Deasy
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EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
IN APRIL!
APRIL 3
Biola University Choirs
The Men’s and Women’s Choruses will be
joining us this morning for a special presentation at 9:15!
APRIL 10
Evening the Odds
Bill Moyers interviews Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, dedicated to defending the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. He is author of Just Mercy, a New York
Times bestseller chosen by NAU for all incoming 2015 freshmen to read last
year. According to Nicholas Kristof, NY Times reviewer, "Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America's Mandela" Kathy Deasy will moderate the discussion of this video
interview. Copies of the book will be available.
APRIL 17 & 24
The Innocence Project
Colleen Maring, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at NAU, serves as
Director of the Arizona Innocence Project. She prepares and supervises students
who investigate real cases of wrongfully convicted individuals in Arizona’s prisons—
individuals who are factually innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted.
Her current research projects include improving minority-race prisoners’ access to
post-conviction legal assistance, studying conditions at immigration detention centers
in Arizona, and exploring Constitutional limits on police and private use of drones.
Join her for a fascinating look into these topics and more.
EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
You are invited!!! Join us at Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministry in Flagstaff
on May 6 from 6-8 PM during the Flagstaff First Friday ArtWalk for
Canterbury Journeys: A Student Photo Show
Refreshments will be available. Photos will be available for purchase. Donations welcome.
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EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
“Not Just for Kids” KorNer
Hello Epiphany,
Wow! I cannot believe we are through Lent and Easter Day
already!
In April we will continue all our Youth Education Programs;
M.O.R.E. Jr., Children’s Chapel and Teen Confirmation, as
well as are other programs: Sunday Night Live, Youth Sunday, and our Youth Activity. See the schedule in the next
column and put it on your refrigerator!
Save the Dates: April 2016
Sunday April 3 Second Sunday of Easter
* 9:15 to 10:15 am M.O.R.E. Jr.
* 10:30 Children’s Chapel
* 6 to 8 pm Sunday Night Live at Mari’s house.
Sunday April 10 Third Sunday of Easter
* 9:15 to 10:15 am M.O.R.E. Jr.
* 10:30 Children’s Chapel
* noon-1:30 Teen Confirmation
* 1:30 Mission Trip Fundraiser: we will carpool over to
Sandy Swaby’s house. If you are not in Confirmation Class,
meet us at 1:30 in the Epiphany parking lot. Please come
and help us raise $$ for our trip, we have at least $2000,
and need to raise lots more $!
Sunday April 17 Fourth Sunday of Easter
* Youth Sunday: we will host Coffee Hour and celebrate
April Birthdays
* noon-1:30 Teen Confirmation
Friday April 22
* 4-5:30 pm Teen Confirmation
April 3 Resurrection Stories
April 10 Starting Over
April 24 New Heaven/New Earth
Sunday April 24 Fifth Sunday of Easter
* 9:15 to 10:15 am M.O.R.E. Jr.
* 10:30 Children’s Chapel
* 6 to 8 pm Sunday Night Live at Mari’s house.
Saturday April 30 Youth Activity
* 10 am Meet at Epiphany to go to Heritage Park Zoo in
Prescott to hang out with some critters. We will get there
about 11, eat a packed lunch and spend a couple hours
there. We be back to Flagstaff about 4-ish. I will need a
couple of parent drivers, so we can carpool. The park is
located at 1403 Heritage Park Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301. The
cost is 13-64 yrs old $10, 3-12 yrs old $6.
See you at church and God Bless,
Mari Soliday
Children’s Ministry Director
EPIPHANY MOMENTS
LAMB OF GOD
Terri Wilson R. N., Pastoral Care Director
We have amazing liturgy in the Episcopal Church,
and many of us can recite parts of the service by
heart. It is beautiful and uplifting, but unfortunately
it can also be recited rapidly from memory, without
intentional thought. I think this is why, at the end of
each staff meeting, Mother Ann asks us to recite
the Lord’s Prayer slowly and with intention. I think
this is another example of why it is important for us
to use Rite I some of the time. We are not as familiar with Rite I, so it causes us to slow down and
really pay attention to what we are saying.
I had a recent experience which caused me to slow
down and really think. I was reading Matthew
26:36 – 46. This scripture describes the events
leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion as he prayed in the
Garden of Gethsemane. I had read this scripture a
million times, but I don’t think I totally understood it
until that day. I think it was in my mind and on my
lips, but I hadn’t really digested it, because I didn’t
understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice. I was
raised in a Protestant church that did not offer Stations of the Cross, so that discipline was not part of
my faith journey. My understanding of Christ’s sacrifice was superficial: my love for Christ is real and
strong; but like many, I found the brutality of the
crucifixion hard to handle, so I would intellectualize
it, gloss over it, attend the Good Friday service, but
wait impatiently for Easter. What I learned is this:
no matter how uncomfortable the crucifixion story is
to read or hear, it is impossible to experience the
true impact of Easter without it. I am not surprised
at this revelation, because humans tend to avoid
pain and suffering at all cost.
Jesus knew what was about to happen to him. He
was in human form, living a human life, experiencing everything a human experiences, but without
APRIL 2016
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sin. He prayed several times that this cup might
pass from Him. I understand that Jesus died for
our sins, but I did not realize that He “became our
sin” even though I have recited these words more
times than I can count. He took upon himself all our
sins, past, present and future. He who knew no sin
became sin for us. I imagine that the sin was
heavy, vile, and dark; and since God is Holy and
cannot be in the presence of sin, Jesus was totally
separated, cut off from his Father. This is the part
that terrifies me: I have been a Christian all my life,
so to be separated from God for any length of time
is unimaginable. Jesus trusted God and was obedient. He became our sin offering. It is personal:
the Holy Lamb of God died for each and every one
of us.
Since true righteousness is not possible for us to
attain on our own, God made Him who knew no sin
to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). It was on
the cross that Jesus exchanged our sin for His perfect righteousness, so that when we stand before
God, He will no longer see our sin, but will see the
righteousness of his Son, the Lamb of God that
takes away the sin of the world.
By the time you read this, we will be celebrating the
Easter season. It is my prayer that your heart will
be overflowing with gratitude, love, and thanksgiving for Him who
died for us so
that we might
enjoy eternal
life with Him.
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EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
The next Arizona Cursillo Weekend is July 14-17, 2016, at Chapel Rock.
“But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And His gifts
were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and
teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ.” Ephesians 4:7, 11-12
What is Cursillo?

an opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality

a deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus and how we can serve Him.
 an experience of living and sharing with others in a loving and caring Christian community and realizing that this can be extended into our own environment
 a continuing community that gives support and encouragement to help Christians carry
out their Baptismal Vows.
The Weekend:
Cursillo includes a three-day weekend that begins on Thursday evening and concludes on
Sunday. The weekend includes fifteen talks, five meditations and a Eucharist every day.
The Cursillo weekend is not a retreat, but an opportunity to meet clergy and laity seeking to
strengthen our faith. It provides an environment to experience the reality of the gift of God’s
love through shared prayer, individual meditation, worship, study, fellowship, laughter,
tears, and unconditional love.
After the Weekend:
Each person returning from a weekend is encouraged to join in the activities “the Fourth
Day” Community. The purpose of this community is to give strength and support to each other as we grow in faith and develop our unique gifts of ministry.
What’s expected of participants?
 To be open and willing to respond to what you experience, to share your feelings with
others, and allow them to share theirs with you.
 To make a genuine effort to discover where you are and where or how you can grow in
your Christian life.
 To feel secure in the knowledge that you are accepted where you are and as you are, and
to know that a specific response is not expected of you.
EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
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Primetimers will be taking a break from our
gatherings until our new Rector has arrived.
Watch this space for more information!
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
to all who made our Lent, Holy Week, and
Easter celebrations so meaningful:
* Allan Budd, who coordinated Stations of
the Cross most Fridays
* Margaret Barlow, who coordinated the
women to read on Good Friday
* Rabbi Mindie Snyder and Dr. Mohamed
Mohamed for their insightful Wednesday
evening presentations, and Missy Ivey for her role as moderator
* The Hospitality Committee, and all who volunteered and provided for the soup-suppers
* Judi Frerichs and the Altar Guild for their tireless behind-the-scenes work
* Charly Spining, Mary Anne Bruner, the Chancel Choir, Sara Dechter & the Handbells for
all the wonderful music
* Mari Soliday and the Youth, who led Stations of the Cross one Friday, helped the Altar Guild
make palm crosses, and added to the celebration on Easter Day
* The Holy Folders, who folded and inserted information into countless bulletins
* Rich
Hull and the Men who made such a delicious breakfast for Easter morning
* Those who contributed toward the beautiful flowers at Easter
* Mother Ann, Deacon Scott, and Deacon Janetta, whose serving, preaching, and teaching continues to
inspire us all
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EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
Ten Tips for Stewardship in April: Earth Day is April 22
1. Take a true day of rest once a week —
it will change your life!
2. Join the Creation Care “green team” at Epiphany. Gather some friends
and meet with David Spence to plan how you can care for God’s creation.
3. Lead a Sunday school class, Bible study, or small group on creation care .
4. Be like Epiphany and switch to reusable dishes, cups, mugs, etc. for coffee
time, potlucks, and church dinners. While this does require more time in cleanup,
it offers us a very tangible way to become involved in the church’s creation care
initiatives. Kitchen Angels help during the week, between regular cleaning days!
5. Plant trees to commemorate births, baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, or the
passing of a loved one. Trees live for decades, provide valuable shade, enhance
the beauty of your community, and serve a crucial role in cleaning our air.
EPIPHANY MOMENTS
APRIL 2016
11
6. Participate in a community garden. Community gardens can provide valuable fresh food, especially in larger cities where access to local, fresh food can be
hard to find. Involve your neighbors (including those who don’t attend your
church) and have fun with it!
7. Join or plan an environmental cleanup project in your area. This could be
something as simple as walking around your community picking up trash.
8. Get an energy audit. Lots of utilities and performance contractors do audits
today. Reducing your church’s energy usage will not only help the environment,
but will save your church money in the long term.
9. Recycle at church. We have a wonderful bin that was created by David
Spence – it’s outside the office doors, and you can leave batteries, light bulbs, or
glass, which the City doesn’t usually recycle!
10. Pray for ways YOU can help the Church take a leadership role in caring for
God’s creation.
MOMENTS
FIRST CLASS
POSTAGE
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Flagstaff
APRIL 2016
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
423 NORTH BEAVER STREET
FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
423 N. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
928-774-2911
The Rev. Ann Johnson, Interim Rector
www..epiphanyaz.org
email: [email protected]
FAX: 928-774-2813
Visit our website at: www.epiphanyaz.org
and check out our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/Epiphany-Episcopal-Church-Flagstaff-AZ-89538824792/