Weekly e-News
from Epiphany Parish

October 12, 2021
“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above…” James 1:17, NRSV
 Dear Epiphany Parish,
  Every message about our pledge campaign begins with Gratitude. Our theme this year, Every Perfect Gift, speaks to all the ways in which we have been blessed by God and how that inspires us to give back to our neighbors, our church, the world.
  In 2021, Epiphany was extremely blessed by our parishioners as we were able to raise over $83,00 in pledges. While this was shy of our goal of $102,000, which would have been consistent with the prior year, the shortfall was offset by the combination of a PPP loan and lower expenses largely driven by not having in person services. As we are now returning to in person services (hallelujah!), our goal this year is to make progress towards returning to our pre-pandemic campaign proceeds.
  That said, the past year has continued to be one of challenge and uncertainty, but also of renewal and hope. Many of us have found ourselves at times feeling a return to something resembling “normal”, while at other times feeling like we are on the precipice of another stark setback. We find ourselves in many different places - financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please be assured as we enter our stewardship campaign, that this is well understood and our request is that you carefully and thoughtfully consider what you are able to give and know that if your circumstances change and you want to adjust your pledge in the future you can always do so.
  In our efforts to make pledging as flexible and convenient as possible, we are once again offering the option to submit your pledge electronically. Click here to make your pledge electronically today! Hard copy pledge cards will still be mailed out in just a few weeks and remain an option for those that prefer to mail or bring the pledge card in.
  Every dollar that we raise has a face behind it, a story, a purpose, a mission . As you consider pledging your gift, I ask that you consider how you have been blessed, and how you will bless this church and our neighbors. What is the story of your gift, how will it unfold?
 
Sincerely,
Andrea Roberts
Pumpkin Patch 2021 Update

The Patch is Open:
Monday - Friday 12pm - 6pm
Weekends 9am - 6pm

Pumpkin Patch Attendants will be needed to help sell pumpkins.
Please sign up HERE.
Mil Milgros Handiwork Sale
Sunday, October 17th 11:00am-1:00pm
at the Pumpkin Patch

Handmade jewelry, ornaments, bags, scarves and more will be available to support Mil Milgros work with women and children in the western highlands of Guatemalans.

For more information on the impact Mil Milgros has on the Guatemalan people visit their webpage - Here.
Confirmation Class to Begin this Fall: This fall we will be running a Confirmation Class for students who are interested in being Confirmed in the Spring. This class is for Students in grades 9-12 who are interested in learning about God, deepening their faith, and getting a better understanding of the church. Students in 7th and 8th grade may also sign up if they are ready and interested in confirmation. If you have a student who is interested in taking confirmation classes (even if they aren’t sure about confirmation at this point), please email Rev. Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com by Sunday, October 17th. After that date, we will send out a survey to families of the confirmands in order to schedule classes and plan the logistics. Also, if you are an adult who is interested in baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church, please let Rev. Christen know so we can discuss the possibility of an adult class this year. 

Youth Group: The Walpole Youth Group is a youth group that is shared between 4 churches (Epiphany Parish, United Church in Walpole, South Walpole United Method Church, and Union Congregational Church) for youth in grades 6-12. This year we will meet every other Sunday from 5pm-6pm at South Walpole United Methodist Church (1886 Washington St, South Walpole). Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 24th. If your youth would like to attend or if you would like more information, please email Rev. Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com to sign up! Masks will be required inside for everyone, and social distancing measures will be in place. 

This Bread and This Cup: Communion Class for Children and Parents: This late Fall/Winter we are going to be running a class for children called "This Bread, This Cup." First Communion is not traditionally practiced in the Episcopal Church, however, there is a desire for children to learn more about this important sacrament. The "This Bread, This Cup" curriculum is geared for children about ages 6-8. It is a workbook that parents and children will do together at home. There will also be two in-person gatherings at the church to put what the children are learning into practice. After the class is over, we will recognize the participants during our 10:15am service. Please email Office.Epiphany@verizon.net by November 1st if you and your child are interested in participating in the ‘This Bread, This Cup’ Communion Class at Epiphany Parish. We will send out a survey after that time to schedule the gatherings.  
common cathedral
Sunday, October 24th
We are signed up for: 50 granola bars, 50 pieces of fruit, 2 canisters of ground coffee, 2 pounds of sugar.
common cathedral has requested to bring only soft fruit (like bananas, oranges, grapes) no hard fruit (like apples). Please bring more bananas than oranges if able.
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
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

Morning Prayer via phone - 8:30 AM
Sunday Worship In-door, In-Person or on Facebook Live at 10:15 AM

The Bulletin & Prayers of the People will be emailed on Friday.
Notes from the Office
Prayer Hours - The Sanctuary will be open on Wednesdays from 10:00am-2:00 pm for prayer. Please enter from the driveway side door.
Altar Flowers - Flower bouquets have returned to the altar. If you would like to have flowers placed on the altar in memory of a loved one please email the office at office.epiphany@verizon.net. A sign up sheet is also located in the undercroft outside of the kitchen.
Prayer of the People - Don't forget to update your Prayer List requests.

Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 8:30am
Sunday Morning Worship - Indoor & Facebook Live at 10:15am
Youth Group - Every other Sunday 5-6:00pm - October 24th
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - virtually every third Tuesday via Zoom
Wednesday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 7:15
Wednesday - Sanctuary open for Prayer - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fridays - AA Meeting - Undercroft 8:00pm

PUMPKIN PATCH - Open Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 6:00pm
Weekends 9:00am - 6:00 pm

Office Hours
The office is open on Wednesdays 10-2:00pm.
Please call or email to arrange a time to meet in person for different days or times.
Please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.
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.
Epiphany Parish Welcome Statement
Epiphany Episcopal Parish welcomes all those who seek a spiritual connection to God. We embrace the young and the old; the seasoned and the newcomer; the married, single, separated, divorced and widowed; those of all sexual orientations and gender identities; those from any economic, ethnic, cultural or religious background; and those of all abilities. We not only welcome diversity at Epiphany, we celebrate it.
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.