Published: Monday, January 5, 2009
Marysville church offers another helping of spirit
It's a make-up Christmas service for those who got snowed in
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Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
The Rev. Mary Allen (center) runs through quick instructions for the Epiphany service at St. Philip's Episcopal Church on Sunday morning. The church is hosting a special Epiphany service Tuesday night for those who missed the Christmas Eve service because of the snow.
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Judy Bechtol (left) and Audrey Gilbert, both from Arlington, prepare for St. Philip's Episcopal Church's Epiphany service.
MARYSVILLE -- Christmas Eve comes only once a year, but at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, it's getting an encore.
If nothing else, it's an opportunity for holiday revelers to experience some Christmas spirit, said Rev. Mary Allen.
Allen refers to it as "getting their Christmas fix."
"The winter storms we had were so brutal for a lot of people that they just couldn't get out the door and to church for Christmas Eve service," Allen said.
She heard the same story over and over: how the parishioner missed the carols, or had looked forward to the candlelight service. If only there were some way to have that Christmas Eve service now.
It was then that she had, well, an epiphany. Turn the traditional Episcopal Epiphany service into a make-up day for Christmas Eve.
The idea began in another Episcopal church in Oregon where Allen's sister is also a priest. From a family of priests, Allen was excited to bring the idea of melding a Christmas Eve service and an Epiphany service into a new tradition that celebrates both.
"The main idea behind the service is if you missed Christmas Eve service because of the snow, here's another chance at singing carols by candlelight," Allen said.
The service schedule includes caroling, the telling of the coming of the wise men, and Communion in place of a sermon. Then a reading from the New Testament will commence as attendees light their candles.
For Allen, it's a tradition she grew up with and she's happy to give it to her parish.
"We've had a huge outpouring of support -- so many people are excited," Allen said. "After having to cancel our 10 p.m. Christmas Eve service because of the snow, seeing so much enthusiasm is encouraging to me."
Parishioner Lloyd Trout is more than ready to get back into church to recapture some of that Christmas spirit.
"It's a wonderful idea, even if there wasn't any snow this year," Trout said. "It's not often that we're given the chance to experience Christmas a second time."
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
Epiphany service
St. Philip's Episcopal Church presents a special Epiphany service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 4312 84th St. NE, Marysville. Call 360-659-1727 or visit www.saint-philips.org.
If nothing else, it's an opportunity for holiday revelers to experience some Christmas spirit, said Rev. Mary Allen.
Allen refers to it as "getting their Christmas fix."
"The winter storms we had were so brutal for a lot of people that they just couldn't get out the door and to church for Christmas Eve service," Allen said.
She heard the same story over and over: how the parishioner missed the carols, or had looked forward to the candlelight service. If only there were some way to have that Christmas Eve service now.
It was then that she had, well, an epiphany. Turn the traditional Episcopal Epiphany service into a make-up day for Christmas Eve.
The idea began in another Episcopal church in Oregon where Allen's sister is also a priest. From a family of priests, Allen was excited to bring the idea of melding a Christmas Eve service and an Epiphany service into a new tradition that celebrates both.
"The main idea behind the service is if you missed Christmas Eve service because of the snow, here's another chance at singing carols by candlelight," Allen said.
The service schedule includes caroling, the telling of the coming of the wise men, and Communion in place of a sermon. Then a reading from the New Testament will commence as attendees light their candles.
For Allen, it's a tradition she grew up with and she's happy to give it to her parish.
"We've had a huge outpouring of support -- so many people are excited," Allen said. "After having to cancel our 10 p.m. Christmas Eve service because of the snow, seeing so much enthusiasm is encouraging to me."
Parishioner Lloyd Trout is more than ready to get back into church to recapture some of that Christmas spirit.
"It's a wonderful idea, even if there wasn't any snow this year," Trout said. "It's not often that we're given the chance to experience Christmas a second time."
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
Epiphany service
St. Philip's Episcopal Church presents a special Epiphany service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 4312 84th St. NE, Marysville. Call 360-659-1727 or visit www.saint-philips.org.
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