Weekly e-News
from
Epiphany Parish


January 12, 2021
There will be communion this Sunday.
To schedule your communion wafers pick up CLICK HERE.
FROM REV CHRISTEN'S DESK
Dear Epiphany Parish,
 One hardly knows what to say after the week that we’ve all just lived through. From an insurrection in our nation’s capital, to record (and increasing) numbers of COVID deaths across our county, this past week has been a traumatic one for so many. 
I certainly have no brilliant words of wisdom today. However, when times are difficult, I find myself leaning on two practices that are foundational to my life. I share them with you here in case they are helpful to you:

1. Live into the covenant that we each made (or was made on our behalf) at our baptism:
  • Continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
  • To persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
  • Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
  • Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.
  • Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
What does breaking bread, prayer, resisting evil, loving your neighbor, and striving for justice and peace look like in your life today? Maybe it is publicly denouncing racism and white supremacy wherever you come across it. Maybe it is talking to family members and friends about the dangers of conspiracy theories. Maybe it is double checking the sources of what you post online. Maybe it is praying regularly for those who have died from COIVD by name. Even though things feel a little bit out of control right now, there are many things that each one of us can do as we live into our call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

2. Be intentional about getting rest.
At a recent youth group meeting, many of our youth talked about having difficulty sleeping lately and I suspect that might be true for many of us. Our bodies and brains hold onto stress and trauma even when we aren’t consciously aware of it. It is so important to sleep. To take breaks from the news and from social media often. To get support for unhealthy coping mechanisms. To talk about our emotions and feelings with people we trust. To double down on our spiritual practices. This season is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important to be intentional about resting our bodies and our minds so we can deal with the stress of the next few months. 

Be well. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen

A number of church leaders have issued statements after the riots and attack on January 6th. Below are links to statements from our Bishop Diocesan the Rt. Rev. Alan Gates and our Presiding Bishop the Most Rev. Michael Curry.
Many Blessings, Michael Barrett!

Parishioner Michael Barrett left last Sunday for Parris Island, South Carolina to begin Marine Corps basic training. Seen here with his mom, Jo-Ann, Michael grew up at Epiphany Parish and leaves with all of our prayers and blessings.  
Martin Luther King Jr. Observance
Epiphany Parish will be participating in the Annual Walpole Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on Monday, January 18, 2021. This pre-recorded service will be aired on Walpole Media T.V. several times throughout the day and will be available to watch on demand. More information about how to watch will be sent out in the Friday e-news letter this week.
Upcoming Vestry Meeting
The next vestry meeting of Epiphany Parish will be Tuesday, January 19th from 7pm-9pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend this open meeting. To access the zoom link, please email Rev Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com to let her know that you would like to attend. 
Communion Host Pick Up
Our 10:15 am virtual worship service will include a celebration of Holy Communion. 
Consecrated hosts (wafers) will be distributed to all who wish to receive communion throughout the week to be consumed at the Customary point our worship on Sunday morning.

Communion Wafers will be available for pick-up on
Friday, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
&
Saturday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

A table will be set up just inside the driveway-side door of the church with small bags containing bulletins and consecrated host for all who have requested them. There will be more information in the bags about how the hosts should be consumed on Sunday morning. 
How to sign-up to receive Communion this week:
Please sign-up for communion online by clicking HERE.

You can also email the parish office at office.epiphany@verizon.net or call us at 508-668-2353. 
If you leave an email or a voice mail message, we will need to know your name and the total number of people in your household who will be receiving communion.
All requests for communion must be made by Thursday at 1:30 pm so we can have a bag ready for you to pick up.

We can also deliver communion bags if you live a reasonable distance from the church. Please call our parish office at 508-668-2353 by Thursday at 11am for more information about delivery.
common cathedral
We are seeking donations of 50 pieces fruit to be dropped off at Epiphany on Wednesday, January 20th.

The donation will be brought into common cathedral the next day.
There will be a bin at the side entrance of the church from 10am-6pm for you to drop off your contributions.
Thank you for delivering your donation by the end of the day on Wednesday,

Thank you to all who have been donating food regularly - if you did not have an opportunity to do so, this is your chance!

And although we appreciate anonymous drop-offs/donations it really does help if you sign up by e-mailing the office (office.epiphany@verizon.net) to let us know what you plan to bring. Please do not drop off your fruit early as we want to make sure it is fresh when it arrives! 
common cathedral provides food, community, worship, and so much more to folks in Boston who are experiencing homelessness. Epiphany Parish has supported common cathedral in many ways throughout the years. common cathedral has adapted their programs during the pandemic in order to continue to safely support the members of their community. They are also asking that you please also consider a monetary gift to support this meaningful and very needed ministry: https://commoncathedral.org/donations
The Second Sunday after Epiphany
Virtual Worship with Communion
Click here for this week's lectionary readings 
Don't forget to sign up for communion wafers.

Please join us on Sunday mornings via Facebook Live. Although you do not need a Facebook account to view our services, some have found the experience a bit of a challenge. In response, we have created a YouTube channel and we will be posting a video of the 10:15am service each Sunday by 11:45am.

Click here to watch us on Facebook Live at 10:15am (the video is also available anytime on Facebook by following the same link). OR you can view the video on YouTube by clicking here. OR view us on Walpole Media on Wednesdays at 11:30. Verizon Channel 31 or Comcast Channel 8.
Link for full COVID - Regathering Information available - HERE.
Need help?  
Please CLICK HERE for a list of resources and support for mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse disorders.
Food insecurity: Contact the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333; open 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the crisis (TTY line: 1-800-377-1292).
Financial Assistance: There are also some funds available at Epiphany Parish to help members of our community in a financial emergency. Please reach out confidentially to Rev. Christen (978-758-7270) if you have any questions or need financial support. If you are struggling to buy food or medicine, pay bills, buy gas, or struggling in any other way, please do not suffer in silence. We are all in this together and Epiphany Parish is here to support you in whatever ways we can.
Outreach Opportunities - Walpole & Beyond
Diocesan COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund ~ The Diocese of Massachusetts has established a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to help meet emerging, urgent needs in congregations and affiliated organizations, and in support of collaborations with ecumenical, multi-faith and community partners. The fund will address critical community needs and congregational sustainability during the time of the pandemic. The fund is now open to receive online gifts at www.diomass.org/give-now.
Give blood ~The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe shortage of blood because many blood drives have been cancelled around the country in recent weeks. If you are eligible to give blood and wish to do so, you can make an appointment online here: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
From the Office
Weekly Calendar - Worship will be virtual until further notice. All parish gatherings will meet virtually.
Hospital Visitation - At this time Rev. Christen is only visiting the hospital or other care facilities in times of extreme emergency or for end-of-life needs. If you or a loved one is in need of a hospital visit please contact Rev. Christen at christen.epiphany@gmail.com.
Feeling a call (or a tug, or a pull) - to get involved in the life of our Parish, but don't know where to start? Please contact Rev. Christen at christen.epiphany@gmail.com to learn about the many opportunities to serve.
Vestry Meetings - The Vestry of Epiphany Parish meets the third Tuesday of every month (virtually) at 7:00pm on Zoom. All are welcome! Please email Rev. Christen for the zoom link at christen.epiphany@gmail.com.
Office Hours
Please note that due to the current heating issues at Epiphany Parish, the office is closed as of December 17, 2020 until further notice. All phone messages will be picked up Monday through Thursday mornings. Please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.
Epiphany Email Policy:  Fraudulent emails are continuing to become more common and more sophisticated, please note that Rev. Christen, Epiphany Parish staff, and/or the members of our Vestry will never solicit money, gift cards, or personal information via email. If you have any questions or concerns about an email request you receive from a leader or staff person in our parish, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office at 508-668-2353.‌ ‌ ‌