Bob Cottingham

Epiphany and Christ Church Have Courage

The Cottingham family, almost from the founding of Church of the Epiphany on Pierson Street, has been one of the cornerstones of Epiphany. Bob junior’s father and late mother, Robert and Cottingham have been among Epiphany’s patriarchs. Bob junior currently serves as the chair of our Finance Team and was a former member of the Consolidation Task Force that helped bring our two congregations together in 2016.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.-JEREMIAH 29:11

I continue to attend Epiphany and Christ Church because I want to be a part of its future. It is true that many of us have attended our respective pre-consolidation churches for many years, but we are in a new place and are looking forward to the future with hope and a new excitement. With courage, Epiphany and Christ Church have strengthened our congregations. As we faced the challenge of discerning the path forward, we remembered our past and embraced the future as a new church community. Worshiping together each Sunday and throughout the week has been unifying. As a community, we are involved in numerous ministries and activities. Epiphany and Christ Church supports an active food pantry, Sunday school, choir and praise dancers to name a few. I am hopeful for the future.

I am a member of Epiphany and Christ Church because apart, we realized we have more to celebrate together; and I want to be in the community we are building to be of service and spread the Word of God. In the tradition of the African-American church, established by African-Americans, we address the needs of the congregation and our neighbors each and every day.

The quiet 8:00 am Sunday and mid-day Tuesday services give me a chance to quietly reflect upon what God’s mercy has done for me. With faith and through God’s guidance we are all working to serve others, and we are eagerly seeking to know what God has in store for us down the road. As Father Harmon says: “We are the new Israel,” and we need to take on the challenges and take advantage of opportunities necessary to continue to serve God’s people. This is why I remain a member of Epiphany and Christ Church.

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