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National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive
 The 2017 National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 13. The Bread of Life Food Pantry will be receiving all donations made by Rumford and central East Providence residents. Volunteers are needed to work at the Pantry in shifts from noon to 7 p.m. to unload, sort and inspect the donations. Shifts range from one hour to all day. If you would like to volunteer, you may do so here: Sign-Up Sheet. You may also sign up by contacting Newman Church Senior Minister Timoth Sylvia at 401-434-4742, or [email protected] or Maurice Holmes at [email protected]
Becoming a People and following a God of---Creativity, Compassion & Connection.
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.
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Dear Epiphany, 
As food for thought this weekend, I share with you a quotation from the Christian Century magazine in its April 26 issue about the power of poetry to express what we seem to be mostly failing to articulate these days - truth.
"Scripture begins and ends with poetry and contains swaths and snatches of it throughout its vast remainder. The rites of Christian worship across the centuries have endured in part because they are poetry in the mouth, poetry in the ear, poetry to live by---The reasons for the deep draw to poetry are no doubt many, but perhaps in this cultural moment we are discovering a particularly salient one: the failure of arguments. Propositional speech and expository writing have always been limited in their power to move and convince, which is why the best orators and authors throughout history have won over their audiences with poetic speech-language rife with image, metaphor, ambiguity, and lyricism and uninterested in didacticism and moralizing. For Christians who recognize the dreariness of staking one's life solely on a list of propositions to be assented to, poetry turns out to be 'like fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.' "
The great book of poetry common to Jews and Christians are the psalms. They help us find voice for our prayers, our longings and our joys. May we be "won over" by their poetic speech to the truth of God's loving kindness toward us and all creation. From Psalm 31 for this Sunday:
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
Yours in Christ,
Rev'd Jen
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| This Sunday |
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The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 14, 2017
8 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer Zogg
Christian Education classes, 9:15 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Read these lessons Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Server-Arthur Manning
Lector-Linda Mendonca
Ushers-Neal Harrington & Carl Mayse
Greeter-John Guild
Healing Prayer Team-Janice Johnson
Coffee Hour-The Halkyard & Pilato Families
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Servers-Theresa Mello, Liam Dee & Will Haggerty
Lector-Suellen Franze
Ushers-Scott Haggerty & Denise Messier
Greeter-JoAnn Valentine
Healing Prayer Team-Virginia Rocha & Shirley Baker
Coffee Hour-Julie Trudeau
Altar Guild-Carolyn DeOliveira & Shirley Baker
Counters-Kevin Kelley & Edie Menard
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| Meet your Muslim Neighbor |
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The Epiphany Advocates group is sponsoring a field trip on, Saturday, May 20, 2-4 p.m., to visit a local mosque for an afternoon open house as part of the RI Council for Muslim Advancement's program. Last year we met Imam Ikram who came to speak to us about his congregation and now we can visit their community to understand more about Muslim life and worship. Youth and families are especially encourage to attend this educational experience. Contact Jr. Warden, Karen Virtue with questions and sign-up on the clipboard on the entrance table today! |
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| Epiphany Representatives Attend Conference by RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty |
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On May 11, Rev'd Jen and Vestry member, Linda Mendonca, attended RIICRP's annual conference to learn about anti-poverty initiatives in RI. About 300 people attended, representing many faiths including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Mormonism. We learned that 13.9% of Rhode Islanders live in poverty, including 20% of the state's children. We heard an inspiring keynote address by the Rev. Dr. James Forbes reminding us that poverty has always mattered to God from Genesis throughout the Gospels, and if it matters to God, then it matters to us! It is not our war on poverty he reminded us, but the "Spirit's war on poverty." That is to say, we are not alone in our efforts to reduce poverty - the work is always God's and we participate in it through the Holy Spirit. There are many community organizations working throughout RI on various facets of and contributing factors to poverty including racial and economic disparities, housing, health and education challenges. As Jesus says in Matthew 25, "Just as you have done to the least of these, so you have done to me." May we renew our commitment to the work of alleviating poverty and changing the structures of society that perpetuate it. |
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| FROM THE OFFICE |
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Rev'd Jen will be away on a Study Trip to Israel from May 17- June 3. If there is an urgent pastoral need, please contact the office (401-434-5012) and you will be directed to the phone number of the clergyperson on-call by our Parish Administrator or through Jennifer's voicemail message. |
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| The Day of Pentecost Choir |
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The Choir is welcoming singers who would like to join in singing at Pentecost - Sunday, June 4 at the 10:30 service. We will offer J. S. Bach's beautiful Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring along with Susan Thomas from the RI Philharmonic playing the flute. Mary Therese will rehearse the choir on Sunday May 14 in a brief session right after church at around noon, and then again on Sunday May 28 directly after church at around noon. Please come join us! |
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| Summer Worship Schedule |
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ONE SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST at 9:30 a.m.
(July - Labor Day Weekend)
Your Vestry voted unanimously last month to continue our pattern, begun last year, of joining together during the summer for worship. July Sundays will be similar to 8 a.m. services and August Sundays will include music like 10:30 a.m. services. Mass on the Grass will take place Sunday, September 3 (Labor Day Weekend). |
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| Broadway Musical Series: The King and I |
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One of Rodgers and Hammerstein's finest musicals, The King and I is based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam. Their relationship is one of frequent conflict but also a love which neither can admit. Join Phil on Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. as he shares the King's reply to Anna when she asks, "Shall we dance?" As always, goodies to share with fellow attendees are appreciated. |
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| Upcoming dates: |
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- Rev'd Jen travels to Israel, May 17-June 3.
- Last day of the Christian Education school year, June 11
o Youth-led Worship & Parish Potluck Lunch! - Summer service schedule begins July 2, 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
- Holy Hiking - Our summer hiking series is back! Saturdays, July 22, August 26, October 14.
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| Nursery is now Staffed! |
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We are pleased to announce that the nursery downstairs will now be staffed between 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. with parent and youth volunteers. If you have a child aged 1 - 4 years you are welcome to drop them off before worship and pick them up in time to join you to receive Holy Communion. We hope this will facilitate your families experience of worship knowing there is a safe and caring place nearby for your active little one to play. |
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| Volunteer Opportunity! |
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Mulch Help Needed! We are seeking volunteers to spread mulch around the church and the rectory on Saturday, June 3, at 9 a.m. Refreshments will be available. Please consider this one-time commitment --- your time and effort will be most appreciated for this Springtime project! There is a sign-up sheet in the entrance of the church. For further information, contact Property Team Member: Bruce Lambert, [email protected].
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| Next Sunday |
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The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 21, 2017
8 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Reverend Ned Gammons
Christian Education classes, 9:15 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:7-18
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Read these lessons Liturgical Ministers for next Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Server-Ian Miller
Lector-Tammi Miller
Ushers-Kristin & Bill Chase
Greeter-Judy Phillips
Healing Prayer Team-Susan Mason
Coffee Hour-Kristin Chase & Karen Virtue
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Servers-John Eastwood, Nastara Allen & Caroline Haggerty
Lector-Susan Murphy
Ushers-The Pilato Family
Greeter-Theresa Mello
Healing Prayer Team-Denise Messier & Carol Marsland
Communion Bread (both services)-The Virtue Family
Coffee Hour-Charlie Bodell, Kerry Lonergan & Virginia Rocha
Altar Guild-Betsy Kelley & Cal Loven
Counters-Kevin Kelley & Dawn Campbell
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