Epiphany United Church of Christ

sunday school

The rapidly growing Sunday School Program at Epiphany UCC provides a safe, nurturing environment that fosters creative engagement with the teachings at the core our faith. The Program includes education in Biblical stories, history, charity, love and acceptance of all God’s people, and social outreach to the community and to the larger world. We believe children are God’s gift to the world, and we encourage them to participate as vital members of our congregation. We support them in making a positive difference through action in our world.

Some of the facets of Epiphany’s Sunday School program include:

Nursery for babies and toddlers
Small group classrooms for ages 2-14, with age appropriate teachings.
Children’s Sermon as a regular part of the service, shared with the larger church community.
Communion classes and church-wide participation in Communion, with parents deciding when their children are ready to take part.
Weekend family church camp in beautiful Saugatuk, Michigan each summer.
Congregation-wide Christmas pageant.
Strong music program with performances by the children on holidays.
Direct yearly outreach by the children in the Heifer and Romanian mission projects.
Confirmation class at eighth grade, led by the Pastor
Ongoing opportunities for interested parents to join the Sunday School teaching staff.
College Scholarship Program
our roster of children included 90 from birth through Confirmation class in 2006

Music

Joe Burt (Director):

Born in Mississippi, grew up in central Alabama, Joe Burt has been a Chicago resident since the mid-80s. He holds degrees in architecture, sacred music, voice, theory and composition from Auburn University, Samford University, and Northwestern University. Joe has spent 18 years as a college professor in the humanities and music. His performance skills are in voice, piano, and organ. Additionally, he sang professionally in opera, oratoria, musical theater and recital and presently maintains a studio for voice, piano and theory/composition.

A church musician from the age of 14, Joe enjoys “blended” worship that merges the liturgical traditions with contemporary elements of the worship music of today. He is a lover of the Sacred Harp music of the south.

Joe is a recognized composer whose work has been honored by a Pulitzer nomination, a National Endowment Award, the Faricy Prize, the Southeastern Composers League, The Bradley University prize in contemporary music. His works have been performed by the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony, Mobile Symphony, Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, Bradley University Chorale, Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus, Midwestern Composers Consortium, among others.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Joe is an avid sailor.

The Choir:

After Pentecost (June 3) the Epiphany Choir will take a much deserved break. However, the choir is always looking for more members! If you would like to help the church while enjoying God’s gift of song in a positive, uplifting environment please consider joining the choir when it starts up again this fall. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to sing. We need your voice!

Rehearsal is at 9:00 on Sundays. To sign up, please email Joe at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the church!