Holy Cross 
We’re within the third portion of the cycle of the Christian year that began with
Advent, continued with the 12 days of Christmas and now conclude with the season
known as Epiphany. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning
‘manifestation’ or ‘appearing’. It refers to Jesus being manifest to all the people of
the earth as the Christ, the messiah, God incarnate in the person of God’s child. Thus
the collect for Epiphany says:
“O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the
earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence…”
Remembering the Magi, in this way shapes what we believe about the community of
God’s peoples. It is not a closed community, available only to a select few among the
peoples of the earth. The community of God’s peoples, the church, is to be open to all
persons, making Christ manifest and present in all the earth, for all to know and
share. For Christ is the light of the world.
It is within the context of Epiphany that your vestry and staff will be gathering for a
one-day retreat on February 15th . We deeply desire your prayers for our time
together that your leadership may begin to discern how Holy Cross can deepen her
commitment as a “church, open to all persons, making Christ manifest and present in
all the earth, for all to know and share. For Christ is the light of the world.” NLJ+