Parish Notices for January 28, 2022 |
|
Annual Meeting Report
Year in Review Slideshow
Harvey Fund Update
Guest Formation Presenter
|
|
RSVP TODAY for New Face of Gender
Vestry on Retreat
Endowment Grants
|
|
We had a nice online turnout for the Annual Meeting this year. Vestry members were elected, retiring members thanked for their service. The Rev. Amy Dills-Moore and outgoing Senior Warden Shelle Bryant gave their reports. The draft budget was presented and our finances discussed - spoiler alert: we are in the black. And it ended with a slideshow of our Year in Review. |
|
If you missed the meeting and would like to read the full annual report, click the button below. It includes Amy and Shelle's reports, as well as a report from all the ministry leaders and program chairs in the church. It really is the best way to fully be in the know of everything that goes on around here in the course of year. For example, the recent appearance of these blue faucets are explained. |
|
|
If you'd like to view the slideshow (or perhaps again for those who attended), click on the image below. |
|
Annual Meeting is a great time to celebrate all that is happening in the life of our church but there’s never enough time to highlight every ministry in the parish. The Harvey Fund, administered through the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), is doing great work in serving the needs of those in our community and and we wanted to highlight their work for you this week. The Harvey Fund distributed over $100,000 in grants to organizations in our community and around the world in 2021. These charitable gifts are in addition to what we allocate in our budget for the work of community engagement. See the article below from Laura Keys, ECW President, to learn more about the amazing work of the Harvey Fund. |
|
The Harvey Fund
by Laura Keys, ECW President
|
In 2010, in memory of her partner Catherine, Nancy Baer established the Catherine D. Harvey Legacy Fund with a gift of $80,000. She specified that the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) administer earnings from the fund to assist families or individuals achieve self-sufficiency. Nancy also set some limits: the money was not to be used to benefit members of Epiphany or for college level aid. We have done our best to use this generous gift in accord with Nancy’s stipulations by supporting Rockdale House for Men, Rockdale House for Women, Jerusalem House, Holy Comforter, Shepherd Center, Decatur Cooperative Ministries, Interfaith Children’s Movement, Our House, Rainbow Village, Episcopal Relief Foundation, Veterans Heart of Georgia, Hagar’s House, Navajoland, and Habitat for Humanity.
When Nancy died in 2016, she left her house and its contents to the Fund, boosting the total by over $600,000. With that huge increase, we instituted some protocols and practices to comply with Epiphany’s financial policies. One of those protocols was to establish an advisory board composed of the current ECW president, immediate past president, ECW treasurer, the Vestry liaison for Outreach, and an at-large parish representative. We also set up mechanisms for receiving, reviewing, and dispersing grants.
Gifts that we have made during the past several years from the earnings have gone to Emmaus House, Amani Women’s Center (refugee project in Clarkston), Project Transformation North Georgia (summer academic support for at-risk children), Clarkston Community Center, Global Village Project, Our House (shelter and resource center for women and children), Nicholas House (shelter and resource center for families), Automotive Training Center (apprentice mechanics program for at-risk youth), New American Pathways, Episcopal Relief and Development (for disaster and COVID relief in the U.S. and Haiti), Motherhood Beyond Bars (support for caretakers of babies of incarcerated women aimed at preserving families), and Refuge Coffee.
One of our dreams is to find a partner or partners to offer scholarships for technical or licensing programs, providing an individual or family with a future that includes meaningful, rewarding work. That seems like a way to offer generations of people the chance for a better life. In appreciation of Nancy’s great gift, keeping in mind always the goal of respecting the dignity of every human being, we expect to continue supporting a wide range of initiatives to assist all sorts and conditions of God’s children.
|
|
Temporary Change in our Worship Schedule |
This Sunday - January 30
10:00 a.m. - Worship Service on Zoom
11:15 a.m. - Formation on Zoom
For the month of February
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. - Abbreviated Eucharist in the parish hall
10:00 a.m. - Worship Service on Zoom
11:15 a.m. - Formation on Zoom
|
|
|
|
Button links for Sunday Worship and Adult Formation
These buttons are also on the homepage for easy access.
|
|
Join a few minutes early to greet one another. |
|
|
Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light |
|
NOTE: While we are returning to Worship on Zoom through February, there will be no arrangements at the altar. The Sanctuary Light, however, will continue to burn.
If you would like to sign up to give the Sanctuary Light in honor of an anniversary, birthday or in memory of a loved one, click the link below. Sign up by noon on Wednesdays to be listed in the weekly Friday email.
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
Adult Formation: We continue our series on the Gospel of Luke this Sunday with a special presentation from New Testament scholar Dr. Donghyun Jeong. The class will meet on Zoom at 11:15am. We look forward to you joining us as we continue to learn about the love of Jesus and the task of discipleship presented in Luke's Gospel.
Donghyun Jeong (PhD, Emory) has been teaching New Testament courses at Emory University and Mercer University, as well as in several churches and continuing education programs. His publications have appeared in prestigious academic journals such as Journal of Biblical Literature and Novum Testamentum. As a candidate for ordained ministry (PCUSA), he enjoys building bridges between faith communities and the academy.
Children’s Formation will NOT take place in January due to lack of staffing over pandemic concerns.
Youth Formation: Due to the recent surge in COVID cases and the weather-related interruption last week, we will be unable to complete our Discernment Sessions as planned. The three-part series will be for later in the year. Instead, we will be doing a one time lesson on the Baptism of Jesus. Formation will take place from 11:15 am. - 12 p.m. zoom. The link will be included in next week's youth newsletter. Email Mat Schramm to sign up for the Youth Newsletter.
|
|
Youth Group
Except for the first Sundays of the month*, Youth Group 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 set aside for special events--game nights, pizza nights, and joint events with Holy Trinity Parish.
|
|
The New Face of Gender - 1/31
Monday, January 31 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
|
This presentation will be offered in-person and online. |
As part of our Baptismal Covenant, we strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. Please join Epiphany parishioner Amy Shipp (she/her) and her colleague, Beck Schillizzi (they/them), for an engaging presentation on gender diversity. Through videos, activities, and discussion of personal experiences, you will learn to use gender affirming language, increase your understanding of gender identity and expression, and identify the impact of discrimination on the well being of transgender people within your community. Amy and Beck have presented together on this topic for the past five years to a variety of audiences at the local, state, and national level. Workshop participants have included social work graduate students, mental health professionals, and school counselors. |
Amy Shipp (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience serving children and families, with a particular focus on children who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. She is currently the Director of Advocacy Services at the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. Amy serves as a consultant to Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia and their statewide child sex trafficking response team, where she provides training and peer support for family advocates throughout the state, and she is active in the statewide human trafficking task force. Amy is also a part-time instructor in the MSW program at the University of Georgia School of Social Work and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Social Work Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. |
Beck Schillizzi (they/them) is a clinically focused Master of Social Work graduate with over 10 years of experience providing intersectional advocacy and support for marginalized communities with a specialty in LGBTQ populations. After earning their MSW, Beck worked for Veritas Collaborative where they provided treatment to adolescents with severe eating disorders. During their time at Veritas, Beck provided staff training on topics including crisis management and LGBTQ issues. Most recently, Beck was employed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta where they served as Membership and Social Justice Coordinator. Currently, Beck works as a stay-at-home parent in Tallahassee, FL. |
|
|
Vestry In-House Retreat - 1/28-29 |
Please pray for your Vestry while they are on their annual retreat this weekend. They will be staying in-town again this year, having their time together socially distanced in the parish hall. |
|
Newly elected Vestry members - class of 2024 |
|
L-R: Susan Ashmore, Kaylee Gibbs, Paige Howell, April Maa |
|
All Health is Global - 1/29 |
The Global Mission Commission of the Diocese of Atlanta will present an online conference "All Health is Global" on Saturday, January 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. When we are aware of the issues, we understand where the church can serve. We have been keenly aware of how connected we are with our brothers and sisters around the world, as we have all faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual conference will explore opportunities for us to serve within our churches and beyond. Headlining this important event will be Dr. Carlos del Rio, Executive Associate Dean of Emory School of Medicine and Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. Other sessions are led by Sean McConnell, of Episcopal Relief and Development, and Dr. Susan Smith, of Georgia Mountain Health Systems and former missionary to Tanzania. Register for the event at https://episcopalatlanta.org/event/all-health-is-global/.
|
|
Morning Prayer at 9 a.m.
Weekdays via Zoom
|
Weekday Morning Prayer takes place each morning at 9 a.m. on Zoom. Login at 8:45 a.m. for coffee hour. THE LOGIN LINK IS NOT PUBLIC. Email the parish office to receive the login information.
|
|
Tuesday Morning Prayer 7 a.m.
Holy Eucharist 1st Tuesdays
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.
|
|
Wednesday Noonday Prayer & Eucharist
In the nave
Noonday Prayer takes place at 12 p.m. in the parish hall. Healing with Eucharist follows at 12:15 p.m.
|
|
Choir Rehearsal
Wednesdays in the Music Suite
The Epiphany Choir rehearses weekly on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m. in the Music Suite. New members are always welcome. Contact: Julie Ryder
|
|
The Grief Pastoral Care Group - 2/3 |
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. Contacts: Megan or Nancy. |
|
|
The Flex & Stretch class— which is the basic SilverSneakers class—meets online on Thursdays and the Chair Yoga program meets on Tuesdays and Fridays. For the link, email Ellen Mintzmeyer.
|
|
Endowment Grant Submission Period is Now Open
Application Deadline is Wednesday, February 23, 2022
|
|
The 30-day period for requesting disbursements from the Epiphany Endowment Fund opened on the day of the annual parish meeting, January 23, 2022.
The guidelines for distributions, pursuant to the Epiphany Endowment Fund’s Plan of Operation, are:
- Capital improvements, debt reduction, or the building program of the Church of the Epiphany;
- Scholarships or grants to members of the Church of the Epiphany for the purpose of attending college, seminary, nursing or medical school; for church-related camping or leadership conferences; or such other training which enables members of this congregation to grow in Christian faith and service to God’s people;
- Outreach into the community including, but not limited to, grants to Episcopal colleges and seminaries, social service agencies, institutions and agencies to which this parish relates, and to special programs designed for those persons in our area who are in spiritual and/or economic need; projects of the Episcopal Church at home and overseas.
|
|
Join us Sunday mornings February 6 - April 3 for a series entitled: Returning to Our Roots: Exploring Who We Are as Episcopalians. Led by the Rev. Amy Dills-Moore and the Rev. Nicole Lambelet along with several guest presenters from around the diocese and beyond. The class with explore the history of Global Anglicanism, current issues within the Episcopal Church, and the basic theologies and spiritualities indicative of our tradition. Participants in this series will be eligible for confirmation on March 26. Contact: The Rev. Nicole Lambelet. |
|
Society of Saint Anna the Prophet - 2/5 |
The Society of Saint Anna the Prophet, a vowed, dispersed community of Episcopal women over the age of 50, will hold The Holy Eucharist and Vow Ceremony service at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. Installation of our second Superior, Peggy Courtright, also will occur during the service. All are invited!
SSAP was founded in 2005 in Atlanta by our first Superior, the Rev. Nancy Baxter, and is recognized as a Christian Community under the canons of The Episcopal Church. The mission of SSAP is Godly aging, and ministry with the young and old, particularly with those not able to participate in a parish church.
Inspired by Anna, the only elder woman mentioned in the New Testament, we are lay and ordained, single, married, partnered and widowed, retired and still employed. We are dedicated to diversity in our membership . We live in our own homes, in care centers and at a distance. Our vows to simplicity, creativity and balance are life changing.
For more information or to contact us, visit our website at www.annasisters.org, or write to Marilyn Hughes, Director of Provisionals and Novices at SSAP, P.O. Box 15118, Atlanta, GA, 30333. Applicants must be confirmed Episcopalians, over the age of 50, with a heart for ministry to elders and children, a passion for discovering the gift of their own aging and a longing for intentional community.
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church is at 1790 LaVista Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329.
|
|
Epiphany Book Group - 2/7 |
February: An Invisible Man Ralph Ellison.
March: Main Street by Sinclair Lewis.
April: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmmerer
|
|
|
Episcopal Church Women - 2/8 |
The Episcopal Women (ECW) meet on 2nd Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in the parish hall. This month, after the meeting we will adjourn to Melton’s App and Tap for lunch on their patio. Contact: Laura Keys.
|
|
Feeding Ministry - 2/9-11 |
The Feeding Ministry cooks at Epiphany and then services the meal at Gateway Shelter once a month. Please volunteer to help with one or more of the following activities:
- Wednesday - Food Shopping
- Thursday - Chopping Veggies
- Friday - cooking from 2–5 p.m., serving from 5–7 p.m. or helping clean up after the volunteer dinner at 7 p.m.
|
|
Second Sundays for Young Adults - 2/13 |
Every Second Sunday of the month at 6:15 p.m. young adults are invited to gather at Epiphany for a potluck meal, community time, and prayer. Come join us on February 13! Contact: The Rev. Nicole Lambelet. |
|
Godly Play Training - 2/25 |
Christ Church Norcross will host the Core Godly Play Training, February 25 and 26, and March 5 from 8:30-5:30 p.m. each day. If you are interested in getting trained in Godly Play and/or volunteering in the Godly Play classrooms at Epiphany this spring, email The Rev. Nicole Lambelet.
|
|
Refugee Family Arriving Soon! |
We expect to be matched with our refugee family in the next week or two! There are many ways to be involved and we need your help.
Here are just a few examples of how you can participate:
- Give money so the family can shop and choose items they need.
- Donate to provide internet service for the family for school connectivity, virtual tutoring and communications.
- Help adults or children learn English one day a week for an hour or so, virtually or in person.
- Help children with their homework one day a week, virtually or in person.
- Drive family members to medical and other appointments, as needed.
- Donate/provide a Chrome book or computer for the family and school age children.
- Check in with the family every week by phone or email.
Please contact Erin Braden or Lisa Daily to find out more and get involved. We would love to have you join this life-giving ministry!
|
|
Required Trainings for Staff & Lay Leadership
If you are not sure of your training status, contact the parish office.
|
Dismantling Racism is offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click here for dates and to register.
Safeguarding Training: The New Inclusion Module OR the Healthy Boundaries and Preventing Abuse Module via Zoom is required for people who need re-certification for either Safeguarding God's Children or Safeguarding God's People as well as people who have never had either training. Click here for dates and to register.
|
|
- The alarm automatically arms in the evenings. If you need to be in the building in the evening for an unscheduled reason, please let the office know.
-
Please do not share your door code with anyone. If you do not yet have a new door code for your area of ministry, please contact the parish office.
|
|
We use Realm, an online ministry platform for online giving, directory, and event registration.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for an account to manage your personal information, control your giving, register for events, and keep in touch with the people and groups that matter to you.
|
|
|
|
-
Send prayer requests to the parish office.
- Names of our friends and family remain on the list for four weeks.
-
The Anniversary & Birthday List for the month can be found here.
|
|
|
For members who are bidding our prayers: Jewel Allen • Joy Boyden • Sally Brockington • Rod MacLeod • Sally McClintock • Eric Olson • Jarrod Moody • Colleen • Neela Ram • Jennie Richardson • Ann Rowles • Idamay Shaw • Pat Spivey • Jane Stutz • Larry Wilcox
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 • Laura Sinyard, niece of Laura Keys • Susie Boyko • Keren Clay, neighbor of Susan & Richard Messner • Dan & Yolanda Belcore, brother and sister-in-law of Barbara Belcore • Alicia Archibald, friend of Sara Cushing • Lee, Nadine, Sophie & Malcolm, family of Nicole Pritchard, neighbors of Kay Lee & Bert Bender • Luis Ayala, friend of Michele MacLeod and Audrey Banfield • Bill Conkell, neighbor and friend of Richard & Susan Messner
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Alma Fuller • Tom Mundy • June Sparks • Pat Spivey • Kathy Walmsley
For those who have died: Joan Hunter, friend of Carol Moser
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 1/30-2/5: Georgia Gary • Steve Tipton • J. P. Boulée • Lydia Nagorka • Audrey Banfield • Luke Mason-Puckhaben • Henry Morrison • Laura Thompson • Ray Krawczyk • Nancy McCord • Max Meyer • Susan Moody • Ripley Prikkel • Trey Lucas • Carol Moser
For those awaiting the birth of a child: Megan & Laraine Fraijo-Paul
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.
|
|
|
|
The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
