A celebration of Epiphany

The fire crackled and flames reached skyward from the small, circular tub outside Messiah Lutheran Church in Mechanicsville.

Those gathered sang "Shine, Jesus, Shine" as they fed the growing fire with branches of greenery.

Members of Messiah Lutheran and All Souls Episcopal churches came together yesterday afternoon for a service of light and celebration of the Epiphany.

"From my perspective, I think one of the nice things about it is, it reinforces that we're all one Christian faith, one family of faith," said the Rev. Louis A. Florio Jr., pastor at Messiah Lutheran.

The churches were celebrating the end of the Christmas holiday and the beginning of the Epiphany season, the public manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. Epiphany is celebrated until the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, leading up to Easter. Some Epiphany services celebrate the three kings' visit to the infant Jesus or the baptism of Jesus.

"The two dates on our calendar that are the most important are Christmas and Easter," said the Rev. David W. Perkins, vicar of All Souls in Mechanicsville.

The 12 days of Christmas began Dec. 25 and culminate on the beginning of Epiphany on Jan. 6, allowing people "to really get that feel of Christmas lasting the full 12 days. That it's not over in a flash," said Mary "Boo" Elmore, children and youth coordinator at All Souls.

"His light has begun, and what an exciting thing it was," Elmore said. "The burning is to burn the old and refresh the new."

About 20 people, about half from each church, attended the service, which focused on light. That theme carried over to the parking lot, where the greenery was burned.

Florio said the service provided the two congregations with the opportunity to come together in friendship and worship.

Florio and Perkins said they hope the two churches can build on the event next year, attracting more churches to participate.

"I think this could be a great community-type event," Florio said.
Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .