The banns of marriage, commonly known as "the banns" from an old English word meaning "to summon", are the public announcement in a Christian parish that a marriage is going to take place between two specified persons.  The original Catholic Canon law was decreed at the Council of Trent in 1563, probably as a way to discourage Catholics from marrying non-Catholics.  Even during and after the Counter-Reformation, the practice was continued in both Catholic and some Protestant churches (incuding the Church of England) up until as late as the mid-1980's.   Banns were normally read from the pulpit or published in the parish bulletin for three weeks before the marriage was to take place.   It is no longer required by either the Roman Catholic church or any Protestant denomination, and most priests and ministers have long since discontinued the practice.  But, it is one of those "fun" and "quaint" curious little practices which sets us Anglicans apart from some of our bretheren...and so, just for fun:

I publish the banns of marriage between Pamela Jones of the Parish of Epiphany, Tallassee, in Alabama; and Jere VanEtten, of the Parish of Epiphany, Tallassee, in Alabama, to take place on October 23, 2010.  If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two presons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it.

This is the first time of asking.

The Search/Nominating Committee for the eleventh Bishop of Alabama reminds all members of the diocese that they have an opportunity to assist with the search process by completing a brief online survey.  the surbey is available at http://bishopsearch.dioala.org under the "Survey" link.  Survey questions cover the present state of the diocese, its challenges and opportunities for the next decade, and the strengths, skills and personal qualities desired in the next Bishop of Alabama.  Responses will be analyzed and used to help shape the diocesan Profile.  The survey will remain open throughout the month of August.  The survey may also be downloaded for printing.  Completed printed surveys should be mailed to the Search/Nominating Committe4e, PO Box 3010, Auburn, Alabama by the end of August.

...will kick off Christian Education at Epiphany on September 12th.

  Look for details,

be there,

and plan on having fun!

Jennifer Moore will be teaching our Sunday school classes for young folks this year, starting  on Sunday, September 12th.   Jennifer has lots of great ideas, fun projects, and exciting plans for the year to come...

The "little folks" class will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Nursery.

 Maurice McCord will be teaching our "Big Kids" Sunday school class this year for young folks from grade 6 through High School.  This class will be using the "Living the Good News" lessons, based on the lectionary...so that the young people will be studying the lessons which will be used in worship that Sunday. 

The "Big Kids" class will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the nave of the church.

"Embracing An Adult Faith" is a five-session video/reflection series featuring Marcus Borg, Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and one of the leading Biblical scholars of our time.  The class will revisit some of Christianity's most fundamental questions:  Who is God?  What place does Jesus hold in contemporary Christian faith?...and more.  The five sessions will engage us in discussion of God, Jesus, Salvation, Practice, and Community. 

Fr. Larry will be facilitating the adult Sunday School class which will meet in the "Little House" at 9:30 am. 

We are very excited that this year, for the first time, we will have an Education for Ministry group at Epiphany.  (EFM) is a four-year course of theological education offered by the School of Theology of the University of the South (Sewanee).   The course work involves Biblical study, liturgics, church history, spiritual direction, theology, and reflection in small groups which meet weekly under the guidance of a trained mentor (or mentors)  The mentors for the Epiphany EFM group will be Fr. Larry and Pat Sharpton.  As of this writing, we have seven or eight members for the group, but there is still time to sign up if you are interested.  There is material about EFM and a prospectus for EFM in the Narthex.

Fr. Larry and Pat will be going through mentor training August 19-21, and following that training, we will have a meeting of all those interested in EFM so we can order materials from Sewanee and plan meeting times for the group.

...is an awesome retreat designed to meet the spiritual needs, issues,and concerns of young people in grades 7, 8 and 9.  The retreat helps young teens grow in their relationship with God and each other.  A series of talks given by high school young people, clergy, and adults deals with issues such as "Who is Jesus?", "Peer Pressure and Prayer", and "What Do I Believe?" and other topics.  The high school staff are the leaders of the weekend.  The schedule is flexable, but very intentional.  Participants and staff learn and grow spiritually while haveing the time of their life.  New Beginnings will be October 1-3, at Camp McDowell.  There are brochures and applications available at the church.

One of the great gifts our young people give us at Epiphany is their participation in the worship services as acolytes.  Acolytes assist the ministers, carry the cross, Gospel book and candles in the processions, and serve as "assistants" to the priest.  

All young folks at Epiphany are welcomed, and encouraged, to be acolytes.  We will be having an acolyte training session on August 28th, to show you how to acolyte, re-train some of the young folks who have been serving at Epiphany in the past, and talk about the responsibilities that are involved in this ministry.

Many, many years ago...Bishop Miller asked me to be the Diocesan Spiritual Director for a new ministry he wanted to bring to Alabama..."Happening."   I reluctantly accepted (how do you say "no" to a Bishop?) and it was one of the best things ever. 

 "Happening" is a retreat for young people of High School age...a weekend filled with talks, activities, worship, and sharing which builds a spiritual relationship with God and others that is absolutely remarkable. 

"Happening" revolves around a series of talks given by young people of high school age...and a few talks by clergy who serve as spiritual directors for the weekend.  The talks are about those things that young people have questions about...and need answers for, as they face the challenges of being a teenager in today's complex world.

"Happeners" spend their weekend in the community of others in a host parish.  "Happening" number 57 will be held at Trinity, Wetumpka, on November 5,6, and 7th.  If you are interested, there are applications available at Church...or you can ask me about the experience.  

Fr. Larry +  

Our "First Wednesday" covered-dish dinners and time to be together in fellowship will resume on the first Wednesday of September...September 1, at 6:30 p,m. in the "Little House".