Epiphany Lutheran Church Senior Pastor’s Annual Report – 2009

Dear Friends in Christ:

The story is told along the rocky shores of New England about a community of fisher folk who lived near a point of land from which a hidden reef jutted far out into the ocean.  The local people knew how to avoid the dangerous rocks beneath the foam of the waves, but boats from other places were often caught off guard; their hulls would be cracked and broken on the reef.  Shipwrecks happened so often that the local people got together and built a little rescue house near the shore, and when the alarm would sound, people would come and drag rescue boats and ropes and life preservers out to the wrecked ships and bring back as many of the crew as they could.  Soon, they became known as the bravest and most successful rescuers on the coast; their fame had begun to spread far and wide.  They took pictures of themselves with the crews they had saved, and mounted the pictures and pieces of broken ships on the walls of their rescue house.  They made the rescue house bigger and a bar was added, and some chairs and a juke box.

Not long after, they moved most of the rescue equipment outside, and began to meet inside at night to remember the many feats of heroism they had performed.  Every evening there was music and laughter and people slapping each other on the back; so much so that one night, they were barely able to hear the alarm signaling another ship had fallen prey to the hidden rocks of the reef.  The ship floundered, and its crew cried for help, but no one left the light and warmth of that little rescue house, and soon the noise of the gathering drowned out the noise of the alarm and the pleas for help.  The entire crew perished.  I understand that the rescue house is now a very nice restaurant of the same name, and its fame is known up and down the coast as a place where one can get a fine meal.  I also understand that about a half mile down the beach, another little rescue house has since been built, where a few more people from the village are still willing to answer the call for help when it sounds.

I am sure you understand this parable is really a story about churches and their mission and purpose.  It applies to every church and especially our own.

There is much happening in our community today which “feels” like an alarm is being sounded.  The prevalence of poor and hungry people, sick persons, drugs, alcohol, violence in the home, gang-related violence, teenage dropouts and pregnancies, and the changing family structures is in need of immediate response from community agencies, schools, and churches.  Are we willing to be a part of that response?  Or will we simply make a little more noise inside the safety of our gatherings that helps drown out the pleas for help that go up all around us?  In obedience to our Lord’s command to love one another as he has loved us, we must be prepared to hear those pleas and to respond.

Thanks be to God that our church has made great strides in responding to those cries for help.  It begins the moment you enter our sanctuary.  You look at our tables and see appeals, pictures, programs – all devoted to answering the call for help.  If you venture into our breezeway you will see other evidence of our response: tubs set aside for clothing, food, eyeglasses, even soup labels and soda can pop tops.

And then on any given week day – you may venture down the fellowship hallway and see the remnants of a children’s bowling game or perhaps a stray piece of clothing or a line of recently painted artwork.  Upon closer inspection you may note the artwork is emblazoned with the prints of little hands.  And if you pay attention you will note that our outreach is not limited to Rockdale and Newton Counties.  Our combined benevolence gifts to the Synod and ELCA make a real difference in our nation and our world.

Each and every month we distribute far and wide our monthly newsletter, Epiphany’s Epistle.  A couple months ago I ran into one of my colleagues from another denomination in a local restaurant.  He asked me a question about the Epistle or should I say a question about the size of our parish.  “Well we worship on

average about 260 over the course of a year.  Our membership totals around 650 but if you count the folks who attend, contribute, but don’t join our church, it would be close to 700 I think”.  “You’re kidding?”  “No”.  “With that few people how do you do all you do in that newsletter we receive?”

I cannot think of a greater compliment nor a greater challenge.

The members of our church understand that membership does not equal discipleship.  We are members of Rotary, Kiwanis, Gold’s gym, LA Fitness et al….but we are first and foremost disciples of Christ.  And how we flesh that discipleship out is up to our people.  Each gifted in order to share those same gifts.

Looking back on our last year we have seen tremendous growth in our mission and ministry here.  I am encouraged and often sustained by the faithfulness of so many in our parish.  There is much to be excited about in being a part of this church.  In part I believe that it is because of the caring and capable staff we have here at Epiphany.  Please take time to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.  Pastor Nathan has finished his first year with us and continues to grow in his leadership and pastoral care.  I am indebted to Pastor Nathan for his profound faith and the new vision that he has brought to our ministry: from youth and young adult ministry to mission trips and outreach to homeless families.  Our office staff, Barb Drasher and Kim Johnson continue to amaze me with their gifts of organization, pastoral care and the professionalism they bring to our ministry.  They are truly blessings as they keep the congregation (and the pastors) informed and aware of the events and the needs of our ministry.  

 Our music area has been blessed with the gifts of Robert Bolyard and Cory and Jessica Westby.   Not only do their prodigious musical gifts consistently shine through – their humor and affability make this area of our corporate life together meaningful and fun.

I am also indebted to Jenny Lyons and Karen Schroeder and all their workers and volunteers for their vision and leadership in establishing and maintaining our Pre-school and Parent’s Morning Out programs.  What joy we have through their hard work.  How can you quantify the gift of beginning your day with little ones who simply smile and reach out their little arms to be picked up?

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the tremendous leadership we have received from former Council president Doug Longbottom, as well as all our council members and leaders in ministry.  I also want to acknowledge the hard work of people like Ed Stegherr, Bruce Ahlstrand, Mona Longbottom, Joanne Astalos, and Marie Danford, and their co-workers, too many to name, who work tirelessly in areas that we so often take for granted: Church Property, Sunday School, Stephen Ministry, and Fellowship. 

Lastly, and most of all I must thank all of you for the answer that I give in response to the question:  “How do you do all you do in that newsletter we receive?”  “I don’t do it – our members do.”  I am so proud of this place and our people.  And I am keenly aware of the ever-increasing needs in our community.  How do we continue to respond to the pleas for help while at the same time feed and nurture our own needs?  I do not know the answer but along with you I know where to find it: Jesus Christ.

Shalom,

Pastor John