Parish Notices for September 23, 2022 | |
- Community Engagement
- Acolyte Q&A Sunday at 9 a.m.
- River Clean-up Sunday afternoon
- Adult Formation offerings for October
- Oktoberfest - 10/1
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- Pet Blessing - 10/2
- Ministry Fair - 10/9
- Weeding & Wineing - 10/15
- ERD Hurrican Relief
- Items lost, found and moved
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Greetings Epiphany!
Over the last year, we’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of reflection about what the church will look like on this side of the COVID 19 pandemic. While we've had some very practical discussions about mask wearing and how to resume eating together, we’ve also spent a fair amount of time wondering how or when to revive ministries that were necessarily more dormant for a time. Most recently, we used the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) to think about Epiphany’s history and the future God might be inviting us to walk toward. As you know, Epiphany has a long history of working for justice and engaging with our community through the works of mercy. The results of the CAT only highlighted that Epiphanites continue to want to have a genuine impact.
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One of the ways we've been attending to this desire is to transition what was formally called Outreach to a model of ministry that uses a Community Engagement approach. A Community Engagement approach comes to the work of ministry with two primary questions. First it asks: What is God doing in this person or in this community already? And second: What would it look like for me (or for us) to come alongside this person or this community and join up with the work that is already happening?
As we are working to more fully embrace this orientation in our ministry at Epiphany, we’ve broadened the groups that fall under “Community Engagement.” You will notice that some of the ministries included now have both an “internal” and “external” element to them. We hope to be a part of the Spirit’s work both inside and outside the walls of Epiphany and so we find resonance with this reorganization. A helpful image to visualize when you are thinking about the organization of these ministries is that of a hub and spokes. Each ministry team is like a “spoke” moving to and from the “hub” of those who gather (usually 1x per month) and offer leadership to each ministry area. At Community Engagement hub meetings, leaders are able to reflect on one
another’s ministry successes and challenges, support one another, and find ways to organize and plan together when the work overlaps in scope or vision. Moreover, Epiphany has even come up with a new logo and tagline to demonstrate how the pursuit of communing with God facilitates our connectedness to community.
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Art Ministry
Common Ground
Earth Guild
Emmaus House
DEAM
DCM
Feeding Ministries
Harvey Fund
Holy Comforter
Interfaith Ministries
Refugee Ministries
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I’m excited about the new look and about what our Community Engagement ministries are up to at Epiphany. In a few short weeks, you can learn even about them at the Ministry Fair on October 9. And starting October 16, there will also be an Adult Formation class on Sunday mornings which will feature our various ministries, the missional vision of Epiphany, and the principles of Community Engagement. We hope these offerings can serve as on-ramps to your involvement in the shared work of ministry.
With hope for the journey,
The Rev. Nicole Lambelet
Registration for the Community Engagement class and the other Adult Formation offerings we will begin in October can be found in the Adult Formation section of this newsletter.
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Acolyte Q & A Session - 9/25
Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
Are you, or do you know someone interested in becoming an Acolyte? If so, information sessions will take place on Sunday September 25 at 9:00 a.m. Acolyting is open to all those in 4th Grade and above (including adults).
Email: Linda Ryder Wolf
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Sunday Morning Worship
Masks required during worship
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Holy Eucharist - 10:00 a.m. in the nave
- The Healing Station is open in the side chapel.
- Childcare for newborns and children ages 3 and under is available in the nursery. Our vaccinated childcare workers wear KN95 masks.
Livestream Options: YouTube Link | Zoom Link
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Children up to 3rd grade gather during the last verse of the Sequence Hymn and follow the cross to Room 203 after the Gospel. They return at the Peace. Parents are welcome to join us!
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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Youth Group
Sunday Evenings from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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In lieu of our usual meeting, this week the youth will be participating in a River Clean-Up with Georgia Interfaith Power & Light at Clyde Shepherd Park, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. If you have not already signed up for this, you may sign up HERE (children & families can sign up HERE).
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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Season of Creation — September 11 - October 2 | |
Join us during the Season of Creation for a four week series entitled: "Listening to the Voice of Creation."
Formation program for 9/25
Our session for this Sunday will be led by Gayla Tillman from Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL). Gayla will lead a session entitled "Advocacy to Protect Creation" and will talk to us about the history of environmental injustice specific to our geographic location.
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Gayla Tillman is an organizer born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. They hold a degree in Africana Studies from Georgia State University. They have designed various trainings and helped host events centering an array of social justice issues.
In their former role at Georgia Conservation Voters, they were the Civic Engagement Organizer. They worked at the intersection of environmental justice and civic engagement to work towards energy equity and justice, clean water, and accessible climate solutions.
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Scenes from Creation
A display of artwork and photography from Epiphany's own parishioners, is on display in the gallery. Thank you for sharing the many ways you have captured the wonder of God’s creation.
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Caring for Creation
by Sylvia Yaw
Have you ever thought about how many times “water” is mentioned in the Bible? According to Duke’s Ed website, 722 times. Referencing spiritual, ritual, purification, destruction, holy, and many other ways. Water is a gift from God. It sustains us and the Earth around us. Our responsibility, as good stewards and caretakers of the Earth, is to care for and protect our water.
Click here to learn more >>
Knowledge and action are powerful!
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Adult Formation Offerings from October 16 – November 20 | |
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Wrestling with Job
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Room 201
Dr. Carol Newsom, Epiphanite and Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Scholar will teach this class. During our five weeks together, we’ll look at key parts of the book, discover how to make sense of its perplexing structure, and discuss together the challenging–even radical–claims it makes about God, the cosmos, and choosing how to live in a world that has tragic dimensions. There is a limit of 12 participants.
Click here to register for Wrestling with Job >>
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Sunday Morning Formation
The three classes listed below will be offered during the formation hour on Sunday mornings at 11:15 a.m.
In order to determine room placements based on class size, please register for the class you plan to attend.
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Community Engagement: This class will be taught by the Rev. Nicole Lambelet and other Community Engagement leaders. It will explore the missional vision of Epiphany and methods and principles of Community Engagement. Why is Community Engagement important to the work of the church? How do we do it? What does it mean for us to be a witness to God’s restorative love and justice? Not only will we think through these questions in the class, participants will learn more about Epiphany’s current community partnerships and ministries throughout the course.
Click here to register for Community Engagement >>
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Faith After Doubt: This Adult formation class will be led by the Rev. Amy Dills-Moore and Paul Hinson and will meet on Sunday mornings from 11:15-12:15 p.m. to explore the book Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It, by Brian McLaren.
Click here to register for Faith After Doubt >>
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Parenting for a Better World: This Adult Formation Class will discuss the book, Parenting for a Better World: Social Justice Practices for Your Family and the Planet, edited by Ellen Ott Marshall and Susana Synder. This class will be discussion based and facilitated by seasoned Epiphany parents Susan & Jarrod Moody and Cristin & Jeremey Davis.
Click here to register for Parenting for a Better World >>
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Children & Youth Programming Registration
Programming Registration is now LIVE
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Please register your child or youth using the link below if they plan to attend any of the following offerings:
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Nursery (Sunday mornings during service & formation) - Newborn until 3 years old
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Godly Play (Sunday morning formation) - 3 years of age until 3rd grade
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“Surveying the Scriptures” (Sunday morning formation) - 4th & 5th grade
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Youth Formation (Sunday morning formation) - 6th through 12th grade
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Youth Group (Sunday evening formation) - 6th through 12th grade
Click here to for the registration link >>
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Interested in Cooking for Youth Group?
This year, we're hoping to bring back meals at youth group (at least 2x/month), because breaking bread together is a valuable way to build community. If you are interested in providing meals for any of the youth groups this semester, please fill out the form located at epiphany.org/rsvp.
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Children's & Youth Choirs return
Tuesday, October 4
Registration is now open for our children & youth choirs, which will begin on Tuesday, October 4! Please click HERE to learn more and to sign up for these choirs.
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Volunteer!
Children & Youth Ministries is seeking willing volunteers to invest in and spend time with Epiphany's younger members! If you're interested in hearing more about these opportunities, please reach out to Emily Elder.
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Children & Youth NEWS
Want more details about everything happening in Children & Youth Ministries?
Sign up for the Children's Newsletter, which is published on Tuesdays, or the Youth Newsletter, which is published on Wednesdays or both. Let Emily Elder know which ones you would like to receive.
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Join the Epiphany Choir
Wednesday Rehearsals at 6:45 p.m.
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Our all-volunteer choir provides musical leadership for the 10:00 a.m. liturgy and feast days with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m. Membership is open to fully vaccinated adults and youth.
Email: Julie Ryder, Organist & Choirmaster
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Children and Youth Choirs Return! | |
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It’s been over 2 years since we’ve been able to meet, but now we are ready to return to our new normal. Just as in Epiphany choir, we will mask while we sing for everyone’s safety. Please register your children and youth using the link below.
The singing begins on Tuesday, October 4 and we can’t wait to see you!
Epiphany’s Children’s and Youth Choirs:
Beginning Choristers (5:00-5:30 p.m.): an entry-level musical experience for children in pre-K (age 4) – 2nd or 3rd grade. Children will develop elementary music and choral skills through games, singing, and activities.
Junior Choir (5:30-6:15 p.m.):
Our children’s treble choir for those in 3rd grade – unchanged voices (typically 7th-8th grade). Members of this choir learn and expand on their knowledge of the rudiments of music and continue to develop their singing voices. These choristers explore their ability to sight-sing, and emphasis in rehearsals is on music and liturgy education. Basic handbell ringing will also take place periodically.
Email: Julie Ryder, Organist & Choirmaster
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Visit to St. Paul's Episcopal Church - 9/25 | |
The next Epiphany Racial Justice Group (ERJG) Sunday Service visit will be to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 25. Their website advises that the service starts at 10:00 a.m. and masks are required. We will meet in front of the church at 9:45 a.m.
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World Rivers Day - Annual River Cleanup
Sunday, September 25 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
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In celebration of World Rivers Day, the annual Interfaith River Clean Up will this time be helping to clean-up a section of the river at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and Mason Mill park.
The clean-up at Clyde Shepherd is specifically for youth and young adults (ages 12-25+) who want to connect with other interfaith youth. Georgia Interfaith Power and Light and Interfaith Atlanta will join Emily Elder and others to provide adult supervision.* We will gather at the pavilion at the entrance to Clyde Shepherd (2580 Pine Bluff Dr, Decatur, GA 30033) at 3:00 p.m.
*There are a limited number of spots for this clean-up, so please register as soon as possible and let us know if you register but can no longer make it.
Click here to register to clean-up at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve >>
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Children supervised by adults and all others are invited to participate in the clean-up at Mason Mill Park. We will gather near the Old Decatur Waterworks (1400 McConnell Dr, Decatur, GA 30033) at 3:00 p.m.
Click here to register to clean-up at the Mason Mill Park >>
| GIPL will have a limited supply of work gloves and tools, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. | |
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Non-Food Pantry Drive for October
The Food Stamp program does not cover non-food items such as hygiene or cleaning products, so the ECW sponsors a drive for Emmaus House in March and October each year.
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For the month of October we are collecting Diapers and Diaper Wipes.
Please leave your donations in the bins in the gallery.
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Feeding Ministry - 10/4
Monthly on 2nd Fridays
| The Feeding Ministry cooks at Epiphany and then serves the meal at Gateway Shelter on 2nd Fridays. Please sign up by Mondays of the week to cook. | |
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You can help with one or more of the following activities:
- Wednesday - Food Shopping
- Thursday - Chopping Veggies
- Friday - cooking from 2:00–5:00 p.m., serving from 5:00–7:00 p.m. or helping clean up after the volunteer dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Click here to participate with this ministry >>
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ERJ Book Discussion - 10/12
Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Room 201
Katharine Hilliard-Yntema will be leading the discussion of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee.
This book is one of Time Magazine’s 100 must-read books of the year. You can learn more about the book, the author and also find a link to a spin-off podcast here. All are welcome to join us for this discussion.
Contact: Kay Lee or Lisa Daily.
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Items lost, found, moved, and a Thank You | |
IRA Distribution
We greatly appreciated the IRA distribution that we received by automated deposit on August 18, but we do not who gave it to us. If this is the method you use for your gifts to Epiphany and suspect this might be your transaction, please let our bookkeeper Susie Boyko know.
Financial institutions rarely identify givers gifts like these or stock transfers, so please let us know when to expect something.
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Picnic Leftovers
These items have been in the kitchen since the Fall picnic. Please claim them by the end of the month. Afterwards, they will go in Lost & Found which gets donated each quarter or whenever it fills—whichever comes first.
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St. Fiacre has been leveled
Thanks to Bill Graves, Dave Thompson and John Yntema for getting St. Fiacre—the patron saint of gardening—back on even footing.
The St. Fiacre statue was added to the Memorial Garden as part of the Memorial Garden Renewal Project in 2011 when the sidewalks were expanded and the water feature, bird houses, benches and mini-lychgates were added. He was moved to the opposite wall from his original location when the marble was added for the memorial plaque expansion, but was listing to one side a bit.
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A Thank You from Eric Olson
I would like to thank all of the well wishers and card senders honoring my 90th Birthday this past week. Thanks also go to Amy and Nicole for the
beautiful blessing honoring this event. I am very blessed to be a member of this wonderful congregation for so many years.
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Community of Hope's Circle of Care
Monthly on 4th Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
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The Community of Hope's Circle of Care members gather monthly on 4th Mondays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. to pray, learn, and provide each other with mutual support as they reflect on their emotional and spiritual responses to pastoral encounters. If you or a loved one would like to receive a pastoral visit by one of the trained caregivers, please contact Ann Fowler.
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The Grief Pastoral Care Group
Monthly on 1st Thursdays at noon
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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. Please contact Megan or Nancy before attending for the first time.
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Parish Events & Groups Meetings | |
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Oktoberfest - 10/1
Saturday, October 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Oompah Oompah Oompah!!
Parish Life invites you to join them in the Courtyard to share in food, drink and celebrate Epiphany's loving spirit of community. Our Chef-in-Residence, Joel Fowler and his trusty crew, will be in charge of grilling the sausages and a veggie option will be available.
German beers will be served, so bring your stein, along with German wines and kid friendly apple juice and cider. There is a charge for the entree options the sausages and the spirits. We ask you to bring your favorite German styled side dish or dessert to share.
We look forward to seeing you at this event. Polka anyone?
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St. Francis Animal Blessing
Sunday, October 2 during the 10 a.m. service
Pets of all sizes and stripes are invited to sit (leashed or crated) alongside their people in the pews at the 10:00 a.m. service as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a Blessing of the Animals. St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of nature and the environment—was a lover of God’s creation and on his feast day we will bless our animals and offer our gratitude for the joy that pets and other animals bring to our lives.
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Pet Committal of Ashes
Sunday, October 2 at 12:30 p.m.
The service will take place in the Pet Memorial Garden located in the meadow (grassy area by paved parking lot) at 12:30 p.m. If you would like to inter your pet's ashes, please rsvp.
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Fall Family Photos
Professional photo sessions will be available by reservation for parish members on three Sunday afternoons: October 2, 9 and 16
The Membership Committee and the Art Ministry invited Zoe Aparicio Mendoza—who recently exhibited in the gallery—to provide this opportunity to the parish at a discounted price.
Each reserved 20 minutes photo session costs $75 and includes digital files of 4-5 poses that will be sent directly to each household. One shot from each shoot will also be included in the photo directory also coming out later this fall.
Notes about Pets: As October 2 is the St. Francis Animal Blessing, pets will be included in the photos on that day only.
Registration will be sent out this afternoon.
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ECW: You Don't Know What You're Missing! | |
Epiphany’s ECW Chapter (Episcopal Church Women) is considering an additional monthly meeting opportunity for women who cannot attend the regular meeting on the second Tuesday morning of each month, September-May. If you would like to be involved but can’t make a daytime meeting due to work or other responsibilities, please contact Alison Taylor to suggest a weeknight or Saturday time which would work for you. Some interest has already been expressed regarding a Thursday night meeting.
ECW offers lovely companionship as well as fun and meaningful projects including a tour of the Greek Church across the street from Epiphany on October 11 at 11:00 a.m. We also host a warm and well-loved Christmas luncheon for the Emmaus House elders, a Christmas bake sale, a spring women’s luncheon, occasional book study, other service projects and just time to visit with our sisters. We keep things simple--you can help as much or as little as you like and we always have a good time.
Email: Alison Taylor
Email: Robin Hairston to RSVP for the tour of St. Elias Orthodox Church
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Ministry Fair
Sunday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall
Join in celebrating all that we love about Epiphany. Get to know more about our ministries. Discover all there is to participate in at Epiphany. Find your passion and connect with others who share it! Yummy snacks waiting for you at the Ministries Fair. Save the date!
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Weeding & Wineing - 10/15
Please join Sabra Hanson and other Epiphany garden people for some “Weeding and Wineing” on Saturday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m. to beautify the Memorial Garden for All Saints Day (November 6). Beer and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. No green-thumbs required! Bring gloves.
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Parish Retreat at Kanuga
There are a few spots still available.
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Join us at Kanuga for the Annual Parish Retreat the weekend of October 21-23, 2022!
Kanuga is an Episcopal Conference Center located near Hendersonville, NC. It is a full service conference facility in the middle of beautiful mountains and natural beauty. Kanuga offers some wonderful ways to feed the spirit whether it is in nature, in liturgy, or simply in communion with each other.
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Baptism on All Saint's Sunday
Sunday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m.
The sacrament of Holy Baptism for adults, infants and children will be administered during All Saints’ Service on Sunday, November 6 at the 10:00 a.m. service. If you or a member of your family desires to be baptized, please contact the parish office.
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Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
Second Tuesdays at at. 10:00 a.m.
10/11–The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) meet on 2nd Tuesdays. This month w are gathering at 10 a.m. for our meeting and then we are taking a tour of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox church across the street from us at 11 a.m. All women of the parish are invited join us! If you are planning to take the tour, please email Robin.
Email: Robin Hairston
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The Living Contemplatively Spirituality Group
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
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The Living Contemplatively Spirituality Group meets together on Zoom on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. This time they are reading and discussing The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister.
Contact: The Rev. Amy Dills-Moore
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Daughters of the King (DOK)
Fourth Sundays at 11:15 a.m.
The Epiphany chapter of the DOK meet on 4th Sundays at 11:15 a.m. in the Side Chapel after services. The DOK are a lay order whose goals are prayer, service and evangelism.
Email: Judy Jarady
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Diocese & The National Church | |
ERD Hurricane Relief Fund
Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is mobilizing with partners to provide assistance to those affected. Your donation to the Hurricane Relief Fund will support survivors in places like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.
Visit episcopalrelief.org for more information >>
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Allan Folk School at Mikell
Registration is now open for the Fall 2022 session of The Allan Folk School at Mikell. Please join us from Friday October 28 – Sunday October 30, 2022 for a fantastic weekend of arts, crafts and fellowship.
Click here for the link to register >>
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Required Trainings for Staff & Lay Leadership
If you are not sure which courses to take or what your training status, contact the parish office.
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Dismantling Racism training is offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. Currently, the training is only being offered online via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In-person trainings have not yet resumed.
Click here for dates and to register >>
Safeguarding Training: Click the link to register for Safeguarding God's Children (SGC) or Safeguarding God's People (SGP) trainings. The link below is for the Zoom trainings. In-person trainings are restarting. Check with the parish office for any available dates if that is your preference.
Click here for dates and to register >>
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Mary McCall Cash • Sara Dangle • Loren Williams • Wende Crowe • Pam Hall • Keith Fox • Julie Dodge • Zoey Laird • Floyd Parker • Lane Burnett • Judy Jarady • Evan Vega • Sally McClintock • Larry Wilcox • Jennie Richardson • Colleen • Ann Rowles • Sally Brockington
For friends and family: Sera Cavusgil, friend of Sara Cushing • Janice Wilcox Lews, sister of Larry Wilcox • Kim, Blake & Sophia, friends of Tracey Laird • Chuck Clark, brother of Susan Williams • The Rev. Kesner Ajax, friend of Lisa Daily • Brendan Beatty, son of Peggy Shaw • Joan Weigle, mother-in-law of Sara Cushing • Kirk Tcherneshoff, brother of Amy Shipp • Anne Cavett, daughter-in-law of Wayne & Judy Urban • Liz, friend of Larry Wilcox • Janice Wilcox Lewis, relative of Larry Wilcox • Sophia Baginski, friend of David Draper • Russell Saxon, nephew of Kathie Ryan • Keren Clay, neighbor of Susan & Richard Messner • Rosalind, sister of Katharine Yntema • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers
For those who have died: Kathy Williams, aunt of Kate Wierwille • The Rev. Wm McCord “Mac” Thigpen, III, former rector of St. Bartholomew’s •Brad Eddings, friend of Tracey Laird • Maggie Cushing, stepmother of Sara Cushing
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Jewel Allen • Alma Fuller • Ron Hutcheson • Rod MacLeod • Tom Mundy • Idamay Shaw • Pat Spivey • June Sparks • Wayne & Judy Urban • Kathy Walmsley
For those in the armed forces: Henry Laird • Stewart Mundy
For those celebrating Birthdays for the week of 9/25-10/1: Rick Montgomery • Katherine Stoner • Connie Bradley • Nora Carr • Cooper Councill • Henry Gary • Peter Morich • Leonard Teel • Oliver Teel • Lea Williamson • Finley Williamson • Piper Boatright • Kavya Gross •
For those awaiting the adoption of a child: Jessica & Duane Burns
For those awaiting the birth of a child: Claire & Cody Chaffins • Kaylie & Evan Gibbs • Magda & Doug Kertscher
Did we miss your anniversary or birthday? Send your full date of your anniversary and/or your date of birth to the parish office at parishadmin@epiphany.org so that we can update our records.
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The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.
www.epiphany.org | 404.373.8338 | info@epiphany.org
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