From the Interim Rector| August Manifest 2022
We are almost there. Less and less of our new home looks like a construction site and more and more of it is welcoming us to begin fully occupying the 35,000 sq. ft. that we rebuilt to expand the life, ministry and mission of the Church of the Epiphany. The last hurdles are mostly administrative, meaning waiting for final inspections from the Department of Building and the FDNY. Those should be happening in the next couple of weeks.
Even after we move in, there will still be some finish work continuing. But the heavy construction period is all but wound down. It is my sincere hope that we will be able to have our first Eucharist in the Sanctuary on September 4 at 10:30 AM. I realize that it is a long weekend and many people will be away, but the real celebration of the amazing work you have accomplished as a parish over the last four years occurs on Saturday, October 8 at 10:30 AM. At that time Bishop Dietsche will consecrate and dedicate our new home. It will truly be a day of celebration as after the service there will be a reception and open house so that people will be able to explore this new home from cellar to roof, accessing each floor and the roof by elevator. Or stairs for those more energetic.
There’s a Christmas poem that seems particularly appropriate for this moment in our shared journey of faith. And, since we are named for the Epiphany which brings the twelve days of Christmas to a close, it seems tailor made for us.
When the song of the angels is stilled.
When the star in the sky is gone.
When the Kings and Princes are home.
When the shepherds are back with their flocks.
The work of Christmas begins.
To find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
Our work is nearly completed so that our true work can begin.
Faithfully yours,
Roy+
