Imagine a family gathering just the way you always hoped it would be. 

On a rain threatening but not enough to stop us Saturday afternoon; Epiphany let out a collective deep breath from all the changes in our year of transition and simply had a party. 

This years Epiphany Summerfest/Street Fair/Fund raiser---whatever name you choose—captured that feeling of last years party, savored it for a golden moment or two and then took it up to the next level with the sudden realization of: “Hey look! We did it! We all pulled this off! And hey---it was really fun! 

One could see the fun coming Friday night as Holcomb and Schwartz’s---both young and old—began making water balloons. Treasures of all shapes and sizes, crafts, toys, music, books and movies began a slow steady trek inside the parsonage; Misty and Corey---our two stunningly effective leaders—calmly steering the ship, answering questions, making sure everybody had what they needed. Greg putting the toddler town fence up---making sure there was somebody there who knew how to do stuff that nobody else knew how to do. 

Then Saturday morning; the rhythm of the tables brought out and placed in the blocked off street. The actual living history of the church brought to life by the fact that the folks with names like Zbinden and Klosa and Dieball and Maznaritz and many many others were right there carrying the tables, setting up the craft displays, working away and giving all us recent members of this very extended Christian family the very needed and blessed reminder that all transition times pass. 

Golec at the grill like a rock knowing exactly what he is doing--turning out perhaps the best hamburgers and brats that many of us had ever had in our lives; kids running around doing kid stuff, bargains galore at that book and music sale, grown ups doing grown up stuff, Aunt Julie’s special snow cones somehow getting better and better as the day wore on, the terrific sounds of that band---a moment when Maria and I both heard a guitar riff introduction to a song called “Willin” done originally by a man named Lowell George. . .  long gone and passed  from this earth---but somehow smiling down on our little family gathering and us ---together--being willing. 

The thanks for this even would fill volumes and there would still be somebody left out. Everything, from the hamburgers, to the beer to the hand sanitizer to the donated goods, the silent auction items and crafts to the insurance for the event came from one of us members of the church family. Our new friends from Makom Shalom turned out in force not just to enjoy but to work the event and marvel in person, shoulder to shoulder over a beer on Bradley Street  at how the values of Epiphany---the welcome, the openness, the social justice and love for faith mirror their own  

Like still waters and green pastures--- a moment of true joy in a family gathering that was really fun. 

Praise God! 

Roger Wright