The second quarter financial statements are available for you to pick up in the nathex.

Automatic Pledge Payments - Forms are now available to sign up for automatic fund transfers of your pledge payments.  Contact the church office to have a form sent to you.

There is a bishop search survey available that all are encouraged to fill out.  This survey will help the diocese in their search for our new Diocesan Bishop and can be found on line at www.episcopalmn.org or call the church office to get one.  This survey is available until August 19.  If you have any questions, call Ted Nelson.

There will be a Buildings and Grounds meeting next Monday, August 11 at 6 in the library.  Everyone is welcome and the meeting should last no more than an hour.

Attention – Note the change of date for the upcoming Wayzata Yacht Club dinner.  It has been rescheduled from August 19 to August 26th at 6:00 pm, sponsored by the Gourmet Club.  Please bring a dish to share (appetizer, main dish, side dish, dessert) and your own of beverage.  Silverware and plates will be provided.  Call Beth Rosenberger for information.

Sunday School Teacher Sign Up: There are opportunities for teaching at all age groups.  Please consider teaching and sign up on the Christian Formation board in the narthex.
Wednesday evening services starting at 6:00 pm will resume in August:
Wednesday August 13 Holy Eucharist
Wednesday August 20 Contemplative Prayer
Wednesday August 27 Healing Holy Eucharist

Piano and voice lessons will be offered here at Epiphany beginning this fall in September.  Please contact our organist, Ben Jeitz, for more details.  651.487.3723 (home)  410.980.2685 (cell) jeitzb@yahoo.com

Archdeacon's Disaster Relief Appeal  - In response to weather-related disasters in our region, The Ven. Irma Wayman has issued a call for special relief contributions. She will donate up to $5000 of matching funds to the effort by matching $1 for every $4 raised to help these victims. Outreach has agreed to give $500 for this effort. You are encouraged to join us by supplementing our contribution with your personal donation. Make checks payable to Church of the Epiphany and note "Archdeacon's Disaster Relief Appeal 2008" in the memo.

The Big Youth Group outing to Valley Fair is Wednesday, August 27.  We will leave the church at 9:00 am and return at 6:00 pm.  To sign up, fill out a permission slip that can be found in the August Witness or on the table in the narthex and send/bring it to the church office along with $21.50 for entrance to the park.  The deadline to sign up is Sunday, August 24th.  You will need to bring extra money for lunch.  Contact Dee Froelich with any questions.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunities-  August 25 - 29 to work on 3 houses in Brooklyn Park from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. If you would like to help, call Harry Dixon.  This is a wonderful way to help others.

NEAR - This is the final week for collecting school supplies, .BUT please continue donating food items, especially breakfast and lunch items. The kids are still home from school!

Share the Harvest will continue through the summer and fall.  Donate any extras from your harvest and place them on the table in the Narthex. Help yourselves to any of the goodies and leave a donation in the basket. All proceeds go to the Heifer project.

We are looking for someone to fill the Busy Bags that we provide for the little ones in church each Sunday.  This would entail replenishing the bags each week with coloring sheets and crayons.  This is a very easy job but at the same time a very important one for our families with small children.  If you’re interested or have any questions, call Diane Wiehle.

EfM (Education for Ministry) will be starting at Epiphany, Monday evening from 7:00-9:30 pm starting September 8.  There is a cost each year of $350.  Scholarships are available.  If you are interested, come to our informational open house on Monday, August 25 from 7:00-9:00 pm and talk with Mother Neysa and myself and let us tell you more!  EfM is not limited to members of Epiphany, so get your best friend to sign up with you.  Contact Karin Willodson for more information at k.willodson@comcast.net of by phone at 612-805-0480.

Last Chance to sign up for Vacation Bible School which starts tomorrow and runs through Thursday, from 6:30-8:30 pm each night.  Registration forms can be found on the table in the narthex.  Call Bob Youds with questions.  To find out more about the Power Lab VBS program go to www.group.com/vbs/ and select the Power Lab button under 2008 VBS Programs.

The August project is “Ready for Success”.  This is a program which helps low income women obtain appropriate clothing and accessories to return to the work force or obtain better jobs.  It is particularly important that they have the right outfits to make a good impression at job interviews.  Having a nice outfit also improves a woman’s confidence.  During August we will collect NEW undergarments (bras, panties, pantyhose, socks, etc.) and accessories (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, scarves, purses) or checks to purchase these items.  For more information please see the Stewardship Bulletin Board or contact – Sandy Connor or Diane Wiehle.

The Civic Awareness Committee is scheduled to meet on August 20 at 6:00 pm at the church.  The meeting will be to discuss the fall forum topic of health care in Hennepin County.  The committee will set dates for forum events and solicit ideas for speakers to come to Epiphany to lead discussions on this topic.  All members of the congregation are urged to attend the planning meeting if you have specific input on this fall’s forum topic or if you would like to join the committee and help plan this and future forum events for Epiphany.  Civic Awareness Committee seeks to bring topics of current community events for discussion and reflection by members of the Epiphany congregation.  Each year at the church annual meeting a survey is conducted to determine forum topics for the year.  Contact Craig Reid or Mother Neysa if you have questions.