2017 Epiphany Lutheran Church Capital Appeal
by Carlin Heimann, Council President
Foundation and Growth
Since its humble beginnings at Dr. John Hole Elementary School in 1959, and shortly thereafter turning an apple orchard and farmhouse into a place of worship, Epiphany Lutheran Church has grown to be a place of opportunity for all those who seek a closer relationship with God. That opportunity continues to grow today through worship, education, outreach, and ministry – all supported by the physical things that enable it: two beautiful campuses with sanctuaries, classrooms, libraries, ministry rooms, gathering spaces; and yes, even garages, parking lots, vehicles, maintenance equipment…the list goes on. Our physical…”Capital”…items support everything we as a church mean to our worshipers and our community.
…and Growth
As the Epiphany family has grown over the years, building expansions have been necessary every ten years or so to keep up with its worship, education and outreach needs. Over the past five years, we have seen steady growth in our worship attendance – up 10 % in these five years. Austin Campus worship attendance has grown these years from about 45 to over 120. It is common when 20 or more kids come up front for the children’s sermon. Add in the babes in arms, and it is not unusual to have a third of the congregation under the age of six on a given Sunday.
The recent survey and interviews conducted by Pastor Robert Driver-Bishop revealed that our congregation members want to continue to grow in ministry and outreach within the church and our community, and are overwhelmingly supportive of a capital appeal to lay the foundation for that growth.
The Capital Appeal
The idea of a Capital Appeal has its origins in the “2025 Vision” for Epiphany that the Church Council and congregation produced in 2015. The Appeal took further shape as we looked at the physical growth required to support near and long-term membership, ministry and outreach that God has planned for us. The recent interviews emphasized that need.
These factors led us to four focal points for a Capital Appeal, in no particular order: