Epiphany and the season of the Sundays after Epiphany close out the Christmas cycle which began with Advent.  Traditionally, the feast of Epiphany celebrates the Magi’s visit to the child Jesus.

The central symbol is the star which shone, attracting the attention of gentile peoples throughout the world.  An epiphany is a showing, a manifestation. The star shines not just in Palestine, but outside as well.  The Messiah comes not only for the people of Israel, but for all the peoples of the world.

For this reason, the season of the Sundays after Epiphany focuses on outreach.  In January we will gather items  for LWR Health Kits, display the quilts made for LWR’s disaster relief work, and examine our global mission efforts through the ELCA.  In February we will focus on our efforts at local outreach.

Clean hands, good grooming, bright and shining smiles - you can help bring them about through the gift of health kits.

It's time to start putting together Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits.  Each Personal Care Kit should contain the following:

• One light-weight bath-size towel (maximum 52” X 27”), dark color recommended
• Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping
• One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging*
• One sturdy comb, remove packaging
• One metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging

*Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic bags or wrap

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn. Do not enclose the Kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

Place the items in the designated box in the entrance way of the church.  The deadline for delivering the personal care kits is February 14th.  We don't have a lot of time to do this, so please get your kits together as soon as possible.

The South Brevard Sharing Center is in dire need of food. Please remember them when you go grocery shopping. These Buy One—Get One Free sales are perfect for this.

At a recent congregational council meeting, Pastor Paul Lutze, Assistant to the Bishop, spoke about the transitioning process of locating and calling a new pastor.  He also indicated that the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a resource document that describes in great detail the transition process.

If you are interested in reading this document, here is a link to it:
http://www.fbsynod.com/transition-process