Parish Notices for August 27, 2021 |
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- Invite Welcome Connect
- Services in September
- COVID Protocols Link
- Sacred Ground Series
- Islam 101 Videos
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- Youth Pizza Night
- Confirmands
- Parish Picnic
- Choir Returns
- Haiti Donation Deadline
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Invite Welcome Connect
by Annie Strahan
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Several years ago now, I attended the training for Invite Welcome Connect, a program of The Episcopal Church for welcoming newcomers into the church. I had settled in at my table feeling pretty secure in the belief that Epiphany does a good job of attracting and welcoming folks to worship with us, flipping through the materials, listening with one ear, when I heard Mary Parmer, the creator of the program say these words:
Is your church a friendly community or a community of friends?
And suddenly I was quite a bit less smug and complacent. It definitely struck a nerve. Not that I think Epiphany isn’t a friendly community…just that it is so much easier, more comfortable, more Episcopalian even to worship with a community of friends. To chat with the folks I already know. It made me mindful that it takes an intentional effort to make others feel welcome to join us in worship. And that being a friendly community really requires the cultivation of welcoming and engaging practices by the entire congregation.
The Membership/Newcomers committee is using the framework of Invite Welcome Connect to guide us in developing these practices. The ministry of Invite Welcome Connect equips and empowers individuals and congregations to practice hospitality and deepen connectedness.
Invitation is about inviting people into a relationship with our congregation and God. Certainly this means inviting others to Epiphany to worship. It also means communication, making sure that information about Epiphany is easily accessible, connecting activities at our church (for example, the Nativities exhibit) with information about our parish, and having strong relationships in our local community.
Welcome is the ministry of hospitality and covers everything from first impressions to follow-up with visitors. Welcome begins with seeing, acknowledging and welcoming visitors in an intentional way. We welcome through greeters and ushers, name tags, first impressions of the building and grounds, helpful signage, coffee hour, newcomer gatherings, and clergy contact.
Connection gives meaning to membership and helps a newcomer answer these questions: Where do I fit in? Can I make friends in this church? Does this church need me? Can I find a place to belong and serve? Am I safe here? Clergy are often the ones tasked with connection, but it is important for us all to have intentional conversations with newcomers. We need to listen to peoples’ stories and help them find the ministry/formation class/people that match their particular life phase, gifts, talents or passions.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our committee has been working throughout the spring and summer to assess ways that Epiphany is already meeting the goals of this ministry and to implement practices where we are lacking. Some of our new welcoming practices include:
- A Newcomers Gathering in the courtyard in April
- Revised pew cards for newcomers
- Welcome messages during the Zoom service
- A page on our website called “New to Epiphany” for visitors and newcomers.
- A Welcome table next to the name tags outside the Narthex, with name tags, pew cards and Welcome Bags for newcomers with committee members serving as Greeters at the 11:30 a.m. service
- Designated visitor parking spaces
We will be sharing more about Invite Welcome Connect in the upcoming months as we look for your help in this ministry. One small way all parishioners can help immediately is when you notice a new face in the narthex or pew, please introduce yourself by saying something similar to “Are you new to Epiphany or just to me?” And then alert a greeter, usher or staff about the new person.
Please reach out to Liefy Smith, vestry liaison, me, or any member of the Membership committee (Barbara Belcore, Tom Democko, Ann Fowler, Susan Messner, Sharon O’Flaherty, Katie Pedersen) with questions or if you would like to participate in any way.
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In June, we anticipated a joyful return to worship in the nave in July. Those of us who felt comfortable attending were so grateful to be back in the sacred space that we had missed so much. At the time, COVID numbers were declining, and we were hoping for a near normal worship and programming schedule beginning in September. This would have necessitated a change from Zoom to live-streaming on a platform that would significantly limit interaction.
Since that time, COVID numbers have been sharply increasing and several of you have told me that you feel safer continuing to worship from home. We also think that because we can accommodate those in our community who want to worship in-person in one service that we do not need to add a second in-person service. Being together, whether on Zoom or in the nave, feels important right now.
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Vestry met last Sunday, and we made the decision, under the current circumstances, to continue our worship schedule as it is for now. Weighing the risks of COVID infection with the mental and emotional risks of social isolation is hard right now. For that reason we want to continue to offer you multiple ways to connect with your church family. We will worship on Zoom at 9 a.m. and worship in person in the nave at 11:30 a.m. We will continue to evaluate the situation throughout the fall and make changes as circumstances warrant them. |
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If you are worshipping on Zoom and would like to schedule a time to receive communion outside at the church, please contact one of the clergy and we would be happy to arrange that. |
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Thank you for the ways you continue to care for each other and continue to be the church during these strange times.
Grace and peace,
Amy+
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Sunday Morning at 9 a.m.
Online via Zoom
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Login at 8:50 a.m. to greet one another. Use the link to the right or the one on our home page. |
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Dial: 646.558.8656
Meeting ID: 532 385 901
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Adult formation will not meet on 8/29 and 9/5. Adult Formation will continue during the Season of Creation on 9/12 with a series on Ecopocalypse from Candler School of Theology Professor of Formation and Ethics, Dr. Kyle Lambelet. |
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Sunday Morning at 11:30 a.m.
Indoor Eucharist - Registration Required
To allow for social distancing, there will be a limit of 80 people in the congregation. Registration is required.
Masks should be worn by all during worship. Fully vaccinated clergy, lay worship leaders, choir, and lectors may go without a mask while actively leading worship. There will be singing by the choir and the congregation. Communion remains in one kind (bread only).
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Registration: Click on links provided on our website, in this newsletter, or from your Realm account online or your smart phone app. For those who have created your Realm logins, the fields will auto-fill for you once you select your name. Guest registration is also an option.
A pop up confirmation notice appears when you complete your registration, and a confirmation email is immediately sent. If you don’t receive a confirmation notice or email, try again and be sure to click the last button marked REGISTER.
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The Arrangements at the Altar for this Sunday are given to the Glory of God and in memory of her parents, William H. Hall Jr and Doris W. Hall, by Pam Hall.
The Sanctuary Light is given this week to the Glory of God.
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The color and selection of flowers is based on the appropriateness of the liturgical season. However, you may request a particular flower or color be used on the signup. Suggested donation is $75.
The light is a visible sign of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament held in reserve in the Tabernacle and burns for seven days. Suggested donation is $6.
Sign up by noon on Wednesdays to be listed in the weekly Friday email.
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Members of Epiphany’s youth program will be taking part in the Diocesan Confirmation Service for all the parishes in the East Convocation, of which Epiphany is a part.
The liturgy will take place at Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur on Sunday at 4 p.m., however space is limited to confirmands and their family members. Here are the options for participating online.
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Please hold these young people in your prayers as they receive the sacrament of confirmation on Sunday.
Gabbie Deocampo
Max Finnegan
Maia Higgins
Dorsey Howarth
Mary Ryan Howarth
Maggie Reetz
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Morning Prayer at 9 a.m.
Weekdays via Zoom
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Login around 8:45 a.m. for Virtual Coffee Hour. The Zoom Link is not public. Email the parish office to receive the login information.
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Tuesday Men's Group at 7 a.m.
The Tuesday Men's Group meets each Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. for Morning Prayer (Holy Eucharist 1st Tuesdays) followed by a time of fellowship before heading on their way for the day. Contact: John Yntema.
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Wednesday Noonday Prayer & Eucharist
In the nave
Noonday Prayer takes place at 12 p.m. in the side chapel. Healing with Eucharist follows at 12:15 p.m.
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Sacred Ground Series
Sign up by September 10
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The Sacred Ground dialogue series on faith, justice, and racial healing will begin on Saturday, September 25, with a group retreat from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. After the retreat, we will split into smaller study groups for the remaining nine sessions of the curriculum during the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022. The registration deadline for Sacred Ground is September 10. For more information on the program or to register please visit the weekly newsletter or contact the Rev. Nicole Lambelet or Erin Braden.
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Our introductory series on Islam ended last week. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the series and especially to Jim Hoesterey for his expert leadership in making our time together so meaningful. Much gratitude also to Paul Hinson who edited the sessions and made them available for future use on our YouTube channel (link below). Finally, please remember to mark your calendars for September 26, that afternoon we'll participate in a service project with the Ismaili Community in Decatur. Be on the lookout for more details soon.
By way of reminder, there will be no adult formation on 8/29 and 9/5. Adult Formation will continue during the Season of Creation on 9/12 with a series on Ecopocalypse from Candler School of Theology Professor of Formation and Ethics, Dr. Kyle Lambelet.
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Missed a class? Video recordings of our Adult Formation classes are uploaded to Epiphany's YouTube Channel.
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Youth Monthly Pizza Nights
Starting September 5
Beginning September 5, we will start meeting with Holy Trinity Parish's youth group at the Decatur Fellini's (333 Commerce Dr.) on the first Sunday of every month from 5-6 p.m. We're asking each youth to bring $5 to help offset the cost of food.
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Youth Formation
Begins Sunday, September 12 at 10 a.m.
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Youth Formation this fall will take place Sunday mornings from 10 - 11 a.m. Parents are invited to register and attend with their youth.The first 15 minutes of every session will be dedicated to a presentation on the weekly topic. These topics range from mental health to climate change. Following the presentation, youth and their parents will break into separate age-based small groups for deeper conversation.
Please indicate on the registration form found at the link below whether you are interested in attending formation with your youth.
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Youth Ministries In-Person Evening Prayer
Except for the first Sundays of the month*, Evening Prayer is held on Sundays from 5-6 p.m. The first half is dedicated to games and social time, while the second is set aside for prayer and formation.
*First Sundays are Pizza Night with the youth at Holy Trinity Parish.
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Children's Weekly Bulletin |
Click the link below for this Sunday's Children's bulletin. Hard copies and crayons are available from the ushers for those attending in person.
The bulletins include word searches, white space for imaginative drawing based on prompts, word scrambles, connect-the-dots, and lots of creative coloring opportunities.
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Monthly Family Meet & Greet |
Knowing that not all of our families are feeling comfortable with a return to indoor worship or formation, we will be starting a monthly gathering for children and families outside on the Epiphany playground! We’ll have coffee and snacks, songs and a short story or devotion appropriate for the whole family. |
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Join us for 10:15 a.m. on Sunday August 29, September 26, and October 24. Register in Realm or at epiphany.org/rsvp.
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Parish Picnic
Bring Your Own Lunch Kick-Off Sunday
Sunday September 12 at 12:30 p.m.
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Mark your calendars for another BYOL gathering on Kick-Off Sunday, September 12 after the 11:30 a.m. service. Please join us and bring your picnic lunch along with chairs or blankets. Desserts will be provided by Parish Life. Gathering will be held in the paved parking lot beside the memorial garden. See you there! Contact Polly Nodine
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The Epiphany Choir Returns! |
After providing virtual hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs over Zoom during our time away, the Epiphany Choir (in the form of the Summer Choir) has been presenting in-person offertories and musical leadership on Sunday mornings since Pentecost.
The Epiphany Choir will return to worship on Sunday, September 12 and regular Wednesday night rehearsals resume on September 8 from 6:45-8:30 p.m. in the music suite. Additionally, the choir’s annual in-house retreat (“treat”) is tomorrow, August 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Epiphany Choir is an all-volunteer group and membership is open to fully vaccinated adults and youth. Please contact Julie Ryder for more information.
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Haiti Earthquake Relief
Deadline to donate through Epiphany is TODAY
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Epiphany is collecting donations to make a contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) for earthquake relief efforts in Les Cayes.
- If you wish to donate online, please click the button below.
- If you prefer to write a check, please indicate that your contribution is for "Haiti Earthquake relief effort" and mail it to the church at 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.
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To donate directly to ERD, click on this link >>ake Relief in Les Cayes
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Now Showing for the month of August |
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Epiphany Art Ministry presents Travel Photography by Bill Deneke
The Rev. Bill Deneke has always enjoyed international travel and culture. Bill’s photos of people and scenes in Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Russia are featured in the exhibit at Epiphany in August.
View the Exhibit online 24/7. Click any image to open the Gallery View.
View the Exhibit in-person on Sunday mornings in between services and on weekdays at limited hours. Please call ahead to make sure the building is open. Masks and social distancing are required at all times.
Remember - 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany.
Payment - Make checks out directly to the artist. No cash please.
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Neighbors Small Group
Tuesday Evenings at 7 p.m.
The Neighbors Small Group will meet on Zoom each week to discuss the book Neighbors: Christians and Muslims Building Community by Deanna Fierre Womack. Facilitated by parishioners Evan Gibbs and Paul Hinson. Email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet to RSVP or for more information.
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Remaining Schedule:
August 31: Discuss Chapters 7 & 8 (32 pages)
September 7: Discuss Chapter 9 & afterword (24 pages)
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Parish Fall Retreat - SAVE THE DATE
October 22-24, 2021 at Kanuga
KANUGA IS OPEN AGAIN and our Epiphany Retreat is a GO! We’ve got our traditional fall weekend reserved for October 22-24 and premium cabins as well as a few rooms at the Inn. Some things will be different this year – we’re preparing to 're-Imagine' the weekend retreat for a post-pandemic era! So, mark your calendars for October 22-24, consider joining the Kanuga Committee to help us ‘re-Imagine’ the retreat, and check back for more information in the coming months. Email Ann Williamson if you are interested in serving on the planning committee.
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Because of the uncertainties of the next year, Education for Ministry (EFM) will meet on Zoom for the 2021-22 school year. This makes it a great opportunity to get to know people outside of our usual geography and ways of thinking, and perhaps even some people from other countries! EFM is a four-year extension program of the School of Theology of the University of the South. It is partly academic readings, but the heart of EFM is theological reflection, or “TR.“ In a TR, participants discuss issues of faith, what they believe, what they question, how it relates to their everyday lives, and how they keep faith alive. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. The cost of the program is $350 per year. The meetings will be held from early September through May. For further information, email Esther Harbert.
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Please call the parish office at 404.373.8338 and leave a message for Amy (ext. 14) or Nicole (ext. 16). They receive message alerts and will return your call. |
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Second Sundays
Young Adults! Join us on the Second Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. in the courtyard. We'll eat, pray, and ping-pong together. Email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet with questions.
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Daughters of the King will NOT meet this month
The Daughters of the King (DOK) meet online on 4th Sundays at 2 p.m. The DOK is open to all women in the parish interested in fellowship and study. Email Barbara Ryder if you would like to receive the Zoom link each month.
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Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays
The Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Hall. Email Linda Ryder-Wolf if you have questions.
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August 30 (the next week is Labor Day): Last Hope Island by Lynne Olson
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October 4: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
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November 1: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
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Racial Justice Group Pausing Meetings to Participate in Sacred Ground Series
Called by our baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being, the Racial Justice Group (RJG) is focused on lifelong learning and action steps we can take as individuals and as a church community to help achieve racial equity and justice. All are welcome. Beginning in September, the RJG will pause its 2nd Tuesday of the month meetings, so its members can participate in the Sacred Grounds series. Email Erin Braden or Kay Lee with any questions or suggestions. We welcome your thoughts.
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Racial Justice Book Study Group meets 4th Wednesdays
You are invited to join Epiphany’s Racial Justice Book Study group on the fourth Wednesday in August and September from 6:45 - 8 p.m.
Walking With The Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis.
August - Parts One through Four
September - Parts Five through Seven
The purposes of our Book Study are to:
- educate and inform ourselves on the history of racial injustice
- better understand the challenges of changing racial inequities and seeking racial justice, and
- work toward pragmatic and effective ways to be better anti-racist advocates
Please consider ordering your books from Black owned, local bookstores, which you can find by searching for “black owned bookstores Atlanta.” Email Lisa Daily for the Zoom link. Contact Lisa Daily or Kay Lee, if you have any questions.
Please take note that after our September meeting, the RJBG will pause its meeting so as to allow time for members to participate in the upcoming Sacred Ground series.
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Grief Pastoral Care Group meets 1st Thursdays
The Grief Pastoral Care Group meets on Zoom 1st Thursdays at noon for a healing and faith based conversation around grief and loss. Led by parishioners Megan Fraijo-Paul and Nancy Thompson, both trained psychotherapists. Email Megan or Nancy for more information.
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Flex & Stretch and Chair Yoga
The Flex & Stretch class—which is the basic SilverSneakers class—meets online on Fridays and the Chair Yoga program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All at 11 a.m. Email Ellen Mintzmeyer for the Zoom link.
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Ways to Give
The easiest way for you to give to Epiphany is through Realm, our secure online community. You can make one-time donations or manage your giving as a recurring transaction in a secure, easy-to-use environment. Contribution statements are always available via your profile.
Realm Login
If you have not yet created a login to our online church ministry tool, Email the parish office and you will be sent an invitation email
Visit epiphany.org/ways-to-give to learn about the different was to give to Epiphany. You'll also find links to more information about Realm. Finally, if you have not already made a financial pledge to support Church of the Epiphany this year, there's also a link about how to make a pledge on the Ways to Give page.
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Send prayer requests to the parish office.
- Names of our friends and family remain on the list for four weeks.
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The Anniversary & Birthday List for the month can be found here.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Jewel Allen • Joy Boydon • Sally Brockington • Alma Fuller • Beth Galvin • Barbara Holmes • Judy Jarady • Henry Laird • Ellen Mintzmyer • Sally McClintock • Neela Ram • Ann Rowles • Paul Thompson • Evan Vega
For friends and family: Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers • Betty Porter, relative of Christen Erskine • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Rosalind, sister of Katharine Hilliard-Yntema • Nicky Cullen, friend of Linda Ryder-Wolf Richard & Maryanne Theyerl, parents of Nick Theyerl • Laura Kate, great-niece of Laura Keys • Brad Akers, nephew of Pat Graves • Sakina Khawari and her family in Afghanistan, goddaughter of Marcy McCall Cash • Bill MacAnn, friend of Jewel Allen • Chris Belcore, brother of Barbara Belcore • Kathy Black Brannon, friend of Barbara Belcore
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Ron Hutcheson • Chris Miller • Tom Mundy • June Sparks • Pat Spivey • Kathy Walmsley
For those of who have died: Iris Eskew, grandmother of Amanda Dean • Hubert Thompson, uncle of Bob Thompson • Phil Bluehouse, Epiphany’s guide on our J2A pilgrimage to Navajoland
For those celebrating anniversaries for the week of 8/29 – 9/4: Catherine & Brennan Breed • Patricia & Dick Price • Matt & Carolyn Cook • Angela Fox & Charles Hooker
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 8/29 – 9/4: Katy Bassett • Mary McCall Cash • Shereetha Jackson • Mary Ellen Stockton • Ruth Olson • Cliff Edge • Paul Hinson • Alison Taylor • John Thomas • Wayne Urban • Larry Wilcox • Kay Lee • Maia Schneberger • Logan Boswell • Craig McDonald • Jennie Richardson • Tommy Weigle • Marc Wisniewski • Abram Burns • Brady Davis • Eli Freeman • Luke Freeman • Will Haraway • Molly McAuliffe • Rebecca Woodruff
For those celebrating a birth: Henry William Wagner, son of David & Kathleen "Beano" Wagner, who was born on August 18.
Did we miss your anniversary or birthday? Send your full date of your anniversary and/or your date of birth to the parish office so that we can update our records.
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he weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.
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