Weekly e-News
from
Epiphany Parish


January 19, 2021
There will be communion this Sunday.
To schedule your communion wafers pick up CLICK HERE.
FROM REV CHRISTEN'S DESK
Dear Epiphany Parish,
On my heart and mind this week is the upcoming presidential inauguration tomorrow--an event that has been surrounded by threats of violence and disruption. I am praying for a peaceful event and a peaceful transition of power in our country. If you would like to join me, I recommend praying the Prayer for Sound Government from p. 821 of our Book of Common Prayer. 
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and
justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen.

There is a diocesan-wide Inauguration Eve prayer service tonight at 7pm on zoom hosted by our Cathedral of St. Paul. More information can be found below if you would like to attend. Simply register using this link at least 5 minutes before the service to receive the zoom invitation: Inauguration Eve Prayer Vigil Registration
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen

There is an open vestry meeting tonight at 7pm via zoom. All are welcome to attend this business meeting of our church. If you would like to attend, please email Rev. Christen at christen.epiphany@gmail.com to receive the zoom link. The vestry meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Rev. Christen will be taking some time off from Monday, January 25th--Monday, February 1st. If you have a pastoral emergency during that time, please call either one of the wardens or leave a voicemail with the parish office at 508-668-2353.  
Upcoming Vestry Meeting
The next vestry meeting of Epiphany Parish will be tonight 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 tomorrow Wednesday, January 20th.

Our February Dates for Common Cathedral donations are:
February 10th and February 24th. Folks can drop off fruit and granola bars on Tuesday February 9th and February 23rd. We are signed up for 50 pieces of fruit and 50 granola bars each time.

The donation will be brought into common cathedral the next day.
There will be a white 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 Third 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.‌ ‌ ‌