The journey begins

In the summer of 1985,  what was then Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax Virginia, entered into a discussion with the (Episcopal) Diocese of Virginia about establishing a mission in the Western part of Fairfax County (an area in which there was little Episcopal presence).  Before the end of the year, about fifteen people from Truro began a process of discerning, through weekly meetings for prayer and Bible study, the establishment of that mission.

By February 1986 it was decided to establish this mission and the first Eucharist was held in Franklin Intermediate School. The Reverend B. Clifton Reardon (affectionately known as ‘Father Bill’ was appointed vicar (A term used to denote a priest who ‘stands in the place of a bishop’.  In the Episcopal Church a bishop is considered the ‘rector’ of that church until such time as the mission becomes a parish).

After the first year the Episcopal mission church of the Epiphany was granted parish status and ground breaking for the church building took place in March 1988 our first service was held in the building in February 1989.  In April 1989, a Service of Consecration for the building was celebrated with great joy.

A TIME OF GROWTH

In the ensuing years Epiphany Episcopal Church grew - increasing attendance, establishing a vibrant Sunday School, and establishing an extensive outreach program.

After many years of this exciting ministry, Fr. Bill took a sabbatical in June 1995 and then retired in December of that year. 

During the interim between rectors we were blessed by the ministry of The Reverend Churchill Gibson who led us through the inevitable challenges that occur during a change of priests, and supported and encouraged the strengthening of our ministries.

In June of 1997, The Rev. Robin Rauh was called as Rector. Soon after, The Rev. Luke Lucas became Associate Rector.

The need for more classroom space and an outreach kitchen to feed the poor became apparent in 2000 as well as the need for a youth center, twenty-four hour prayer chapel, and new Sanctuary so we began a campaign to raise new funds for an addition.  The campaign, entitled ‘Building on Christ’s Cornerstone ‘, culminated with the dedication of the addition in 2006.

A TIME OF CHANGE

Beginning with the rectorship of Fr. Rauh the parish began to experience a time of change in which the teachings of the Episcopal Church were challenged and over the course of several years questions of continuing within the Protestant Episcopal church arose.  These questions culminated in the decision by those who no longer felt they could support the teachings of the Church to leave the Episcopal Church and align themselves as a mission of the diocese of Nigeria and CANA.  The majority of the members voted officially to disassociate themselves with the Episcopal Church.  Those who chose to remain Episcopal found themselves in a difficult position as they no longer had a place to worship or meet (Epiphany CANA retains possession of the building in an ongoing legal dispute).

GOING FORWARD

After experiencing a short time of disappointment and wandering members of The Church of the Epiphany – Episcopal gathered and decided it was time to move forward.

We are The Church of the Epiphany - Episcopal meeting in Oak Hill Elementary School (in Herndon) in the Diocese of Virginia.  While we meet in a school, our community remains strong and vibrant and we proudly claim our Episcopal heritage. 

OUR FUTURE

Like the early Christian communities we gather each week to hear the Good News of God in Christ and share the sacraments’ then we are sent forth to share the good news of God’s Grace and Love with all we meet.

We hope to find a more permanent location to meet in the near future and are planning that future with excitement and joy.  We have begun an adult Christian Education program on Sundays and have an ongoing program on Wednesdays during Lent.  Plans are also being made to provide an education program for children and youth. 

We continue to increase our outreach to others by supporting several programs with our time, talent, and treasure (please see the outreach tab on our main menu).  One of our new projects is an ingathering of non-perishable food on the first Sunday of the month where all are encouraged to bring canned goods, paper products, diapers or other staples as a part of their offering.

Worship is very important to us so we work to make our worship experience meaningful and filled with praise and joy.  One of the things we love to do is sing (we have a talented accompanist who is a student at George Mason University) and make a joyful noise to the Lord.  Currently we are a choir of the whole but we hope to form a small choir to lead us.  We also welcome young people who may wish to serve as acolytes.

As you can see, the journey of the The Church of the Epiphany - Episcopal has not ended but has begun a new and very exciting phase.  Starting from the beginning is like the beginning of a new day and we embrace that day with all its joys and challenges and will go boldly forth.

Our future is in His hands – join us and become part of this exciting journey. 

On the 22nd of March 2009 the vestry of the Church of the Epiphany - Episcopal decided that they would continue as a parish with plans to find a more permament. home, start a Sunday School Program and grow as a community of God's Love and Grace. Please consider joining us as we begin the next wonderful adventure in our journey.