Church of the Epiphany eNews
Our Mission:"We welcome all for Christian worship, fellowship, and service, trusting God to transform our lives and the world."

in this issue

Broadway Series: The Sound of Music

This Sunday

Welcoming our New Rector , The Rev'd Jennifer Zogg

Transition News

Collection for the Children in TANZANIA

St. Mary's Children's Home Fundraiser

Stewardship throughout the Year

Thrift Shop

Next Sunday


 

Broadway Series: The Sound of Music

Few musicals have better captured a true story better ~ or the heart of the audience more ~ than "The Sound of Music." If you're like many, you may have caught yourself saying that it's, "One of My Favorite Things."

Join Phil Campbell in the next installment of our Broadway Series, tonight, Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. as he shares the music and the backstories of Maria von Trapp's life. And join Maria in her fearlessness and willingness to "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."

Please consider bringing goodies to share with others if possible. Contact: Phil Campbell, 508-761-4314 or philipgc@yahoo.com



Sermons Online

View the sermons preached each week at Epiphany, online www.youtube.com/epiphanyep/ This link is also located on the left side of this e-News labeled "Sermons", along with other links you may find useful.


Parish Goals

First goal: Spiritual practices
We will grow as Christians by learning and practicing spiritual habits that deepen our relationships with God and each other.

Second Goal: Stewardship
We seek to grow in gratitude, generosity and commitment to our church, each other and the wider community, by recognizing more fully our many gifts from God in our parish and in our own lives.

Third Goal: Church Beyond the Walls
We will ensure that Church Beyond the Walls continues to thrive as a worshiping community, by defining its future relationship with Epiphany, and by creating a plan for its sustainability.




            

And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2: 2-4

The preceding is an excerpt taken from this Sunday's First Lesson. This coming Sunday, we will celebrate Pentecost. The first outward sign that you will notice is a change in the altar hangings and vestments from the white of Eastertide to the fiery red of Pentecost.

Pentecost is a holiday on which we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus. Before the events of the first Pentecost, which came a few weeks after Jesus' death and resurrection, there were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called "the church". Thus, from an historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which the church started. This is also true from a spiritual perspective, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and enlivens it. Thus Pentecost is the church's birthday.

'The fact that the Spirit was given to a gathering of believers--- underscores the centrality of the church in God's work in the world--- the Holy Spirit is not only given to individuals, but also, to the gathered people of God.

Pentecost is a vivid illustration of the truth that is found throughout Scripture; the community of God's people is central to God's work in the world. Pentecost invites us to consider our own participation in the fellowship, worship, and mission of the church. It is a time to renew our commitment to live as an essential member of the body of Christ, using our gifts to build the church and share the love and justice of Christ with the world.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you the joy and excitement of announcing the call and subsequent acceptance of that invitation for the Reverend Jennifer Zogg to join our community of faith as the next Rector of Church of the Epiphany. I recounted how God had been at work in that process and that our joining together of Rev'd Jen and Church of the Epiphany in ministry was God's work, and that the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable.

How appropriate that Rev'd Jen's first week at Epiphany will begin during the week following Pentecost - 'the day that the Spirit brings the church into existence and enliven's it.'; that she should be called by the Holy Spirit to a church called Epiphany, and that her first Sunday should be Trinity Sunday, a Sunday that celebrates the most fundamental of Christian beliefs, a reality above all human comprehension, the eternal God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And finally that she should be called to East Providence, in a state whose motto is Hope.

Please plan to join us in community on Sunday, May 31, so that we can extend a warm and joyous welcome to Rev'd Jen as our new Rector at Church of the Epiphany. Karen Virtue and her Welcome Committee have been very busy coordinating a number of exciting events. Please ask Karen if there is any way you can personally assist.

Peace and blessings to you and yours,
Christopher Utter, Sr. Warden
Church of the Epiphany


  • This Sunday
  • The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
    May 24, 2015

    8 & 10:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist
    Celebrant: The Reverend Meaghan Brower

    Christian Education for All Ages, 9:15 a.m.
    Godly Play: Knowing Jesus in a New Way, 7
    Adult Forum: Tapping into the Spirit's Power, Gabe Giella
    Adult Bible Study: The Book of Revelation

    Scripture readings:
    Acts 2:1-21
    Psalm 104: 25-35,37
    Romans 8:22-27
    John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
    Read these lessons

    Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:

    8 a.m. Holy Eucharist

    Eucharist Minister-John Turner
    Lector-Jodi LeDuc
    Ushers-Kristin & Bill Chase
    Greeter-John Guild
    Coffee Hour-Mary-Beth McGrath & Tracy Halkyard

    10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

    Eucharistic Minister-Rhoda Bucci
    Crucifer-Andrea Bond
    Lectors-Bill Dench & Maria Valente
    Ushers-Bill Dench & Denise Messier
    Greeter-Cathy Cochran
    Altar Guild-Mel Inman & Karen Turner
    Counters-Janice Johnson & Maurice Holmes
    Coffee Hour-The Haggerty & Dee Families

  • Welcoming our New Rector , The Rev'd Jennifer Zogg
  • Sunday, May 31:
    * After the 8:00 Service: Fabulous Festive Coffee Hour
    * 9:15-10: 15 Coffee & Conversation with the New Rector. To facilitate a good discussion, please let us know what questions you would like to ask Jennifer. Index cards on which to write your questions and concerns will be on the table in the entrance of the church.
    * After the 10:30 service: Coffee and Juice only

    Sunday, June 7:
    * After the 8:00 Service: Regular/Light Coffee Hour
    * 9:15-10: 15 Juice & Conversation: The Children of the Parish (and children of all ages) will get to meet Jen and show her what they have been working on. All are welcome! (adults too) Special note to kids: please come, even if you don't attend Sunday school
    * After the 10:30 Service: Welcome Potluck Luncheon

    Please use the Welcome Luncheon signup sheets located on the table in the entrance of the church so we can know who is coming and what they are bringing. Stay Tuned for more details, events and activities. Please contact Karen Virtue at VirtueKaren66@gmail.com or call her at 508-328-2489 if you would like to get involved!

  • Transition News
  • Next Sunday, May 31, our new Rector, The Reverend Jennifer Zogg will celebrate her first Sunday at Epiphany.

    Nametags: During this transition time at Epiphany it is especially important that parishioners make every effort to wear their nametags while at church. This will be helpful to the Rev'd Meaghan Brower who will be with us this week and for our new Rector, Jen Zogg, who begins on May 26. If you need a nametag please add your name to the list on the table in the entrance of the church or email Beth in the office at beth@epiphanyep.org.

    All policies and procedures will continue as they have been, throughout the transition, until our new Rector is in place.

  • Collection for the Children in TANZANIA
  • Maryalice has asked us to collect children's books for youngsters three and four years old. Books with mostly pictures, colors and shapes. The fewer words, the better. She suggested that Dr. Seuss books would be good. There will be a box in the Parish Hall for this collection which will continue through Sunday June 28.

    She has also requested 6 deflated soccer balls with pumps. In order to make certain that we don't collect too many soccer balls, please speak directly with Maurice Holmes or contact him at mholmesjr@aol.com or 401-433-3192. It will help us to keep the number of soccer balls within the range she has requested.

    Contact Maurice Holmes if you have any questions.

  • St. Mary's Children's Home Fundraiser
  • The fundraiser for St. Mary's Children's Home was a success! We raised $630 for this very worthy cause, thank you to all those who participated to make this event a success. Thank you also, to all the commissions for their generous basket donations. A heartfelt thank you to Karen Virtue for all her hard work in the kitchen.
    Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  • Stewardship throughout the Year
  • Help Wanted
    There are many positions at Epiphany that would welcome your time and talent. Please review the listings below and find the position that is a right fit for you:

    Outreach Commission: Meets the first Thursday of the month in the living room at 7:00 pm
    Blood Drive Coordinator: This person would be responsible to contact the RI Blood Bank and schedule one or two blood drives at Epiphany each year.
    Bread of Life Food Pantry: Volunteers are needed to bring the food collected at Epiphany to Newman Congregational Church during the week that follows the first Sunday of each month. There is also a need for people to work at the pantry on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. If feeding the hungry is something that you want to become involved in then this is the place for you.
    If you are interested in any of these positions or would like more information about them, contact Maurice Holmes at (401) 433-3192 or mholmesjr@aol.com

    Worship Commission: Meets the first Wednesday of the month in the parish hall at 6:00 pm>br> Eucharistic Ministry: people to assist the priest on the altar during services and people to take the Communion out to those who are unable to come to church. Contact Adrienne Diaz at (401)585-8643 or adriennediaz75@yahoo.com
    Acolytes: Crucifer and candle bearers for services. Contact Maria Valente at (401) 837-0489 or valente_maria@yahoo.com
    Healing Ministry: we all pray to God for healing and help, the healing team needs more members so that we can have at least two people available at each service to offer healing prayer to those who wish it. For more information contact Susan Mason at (401) 784-0024 or revalanmason@yahoo.com or Carol Marsland at (401) 723-6198 or marsrich@earthlink.net

    Education Commission: Meets the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 in the multi-purpose room.
    There is always a need for teachers; the time commitment varies and there is some training provided. Godly Play is for pre-K through third grade, Tweens are 4th grade through 8th grade
    There is a need for one or two people to be retreat planners/facilitators this will be a new position; the time commitment will vary.
    In November and December there is a need for a pageant director the time commitment is about 2-4 hrs. per week leading up to the pageant and about 10 hours the week of the pageant. For more information contact Karen Virtue at (505) 328-2489 or virtuekaren66@gmail.com

    Finance Commission: Our treasurer, Kristen Dee is looking for one more person to be on the finance commission, if you are interested in being on this commission contact Kristen at (508) 455-1378 or kld7@gmail.com

    Stewardship Commission: Meets the first Monday of the month in the living room at 6:00 pm We are looking for someone to join the stewardship commission and take charge of setting up the annual ministry fair if this is something that you like to do contact Janice Johnson at (508) 761-8622 or momj6213@comcast.net

    Fellowship Commission: The Fellowship Commission is currently operating without a chairperson. If you like to organize events, and offer hospitality then this might be the position for you. Contact Christopher Utter for more information at (401) 351-6510 or ajax-golden@verizon.net

    Buildings and Grounds Commission: Meets the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Living Room Bruce Lambert is always looking for people to be on this commission and to volunteer for the many projects that need to be done. If you can give an hour or a day or more contact Bruce and he will have a job for you. (401) 434-1779 or bwlambert1@verizon.net

  • Thrift Shop
  • The Church of the Epiphany Thrift Shop will be closing for the summer with the last day being Saturday, June 27. They will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. You may continue to drop off your donations throughout the summer. Please leave them in front of the Thrift Shop doors.

  • Next Sunday
  • The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
    May 31, 2015

    8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
    10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Baptism

    Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer Zogg

    Christian Education for All Ages, 9:15 a.m.
    Godly Play: Parable of the Sower
    Adult Forum: Coffee & Conversation:
           Getting to Know our New Rector, Jen Zogg
    Adult Bible Study: The Book of Revelation

    Scripture readings:
    Isaiah 6:1-8
    Psalm 29 or Canticle 2 or 13
    Romans 8:12-17
    John 3:1-17
    Read these lessons

    :: (401) 434-5012