Parish Notices for July 8, 2022 |
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Membership Initiates Connect program for Newcomers and New Members
By Liefy Smith, Vestry Liaison for Membership
We hope you have heard about Epiphany’s Invite, Welcome, Connect program over the last 1 ½ years. Invite, Welcome, Connect is a call to make sure our parish welcomes newcomers and helps them become connected in the parish as well as bring new vitality to the church. Mary Frances Palmer, Founder and Director of IWC states: “We need to be agents of imagination in our communities and empower people to take risks, trying new things for the sake of the gospel.”
Phase 1 - Invite
A membership committee was formed and then we researched how Epiphany meets the check lists in each section of the Invite, Welcome, Connect guidelines. We started with Invite which included new visitor parking signs, good exterior signage and checking on the exterior appearance of our campus. The online component was accomplished in the welcome headliner with a new tab, New to Epiphany? Subjects include: Welcome, Take your first steps, What to expect, Get Involved, What If I am not Episcopalian?
Phase 2 - Welcome
We set up a welcome table, created welcome bags, and reinstated the Greeter Ministry. The pew card was redesigned. We hosted newcomer gatherings in April and November in 2021 and one last month. Custom Epiphany coffee mugs designed by Ann Fowler created gifts for new members along with a few goodies and a combined welcome letter from Stewardship and Membership. Amy and Shea compiled “A Visitor’s Guide to Worship” which is available on our welcome table and literature rack in the gallery, with the intention of making visitors from other denominations feel more comfortable.
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Phase 3 - Connect
This year the focus of our committee has been on Connect. We are excited to announce the program was initiated in May 2022! Our committee invited parishioners who are involved, friendly, and have a history at Epiphany to act as connectors to the new members /newcomers. Connect is about developing ways for connecting newcomers to the people and ministry that matches their particular life phase, talents and passion. Activities will ultimately be defined by each of the pairs- member/newcomer and connector and may include meeting for coffee or lunch and sitting together at worship or programs. Time involved to help each person/family might be in the range of 3 - 6 months. The main goal is to help them have a sense of belonging at Epiphany. Epiphany’s Connectors to date are: Paul Hinson, Alix Janke, Laura Keys, Susan Moody, Annie Strahan, Pam Tipton and Sherry Wallace (pictured with newcomer Marsha Bond at the ECW Ladies Tea). We are so grateful for your participation!
If you would like to be a part of this fun and welcoming work of Membership as a greeter, connector or helper, please contact Liefy Smith.
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Sunday Morning Worship
Masks required during worship
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Holy Eucharist - 10 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.
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The Summer Choir is open to adults and youth; we rehearse one anthem on Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. and then sing it during the 10:00 a.m. liturgy (no vestments, no weekday commitment, lots of fun and fellowship). Join us upstairs in the Music Suite. Contact: Julie Ryder.
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Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light |
- The Arrangements at the Altar are given to the Glory of God.
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The Sanctuary Light is given to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for Lisa Carlson, by Nancy Thompson.
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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 when you signup. Suggested donation is $75. |
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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. |
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We hope you will join us after the service for expanded coffee hour this summer.
Anyone is welcome to bring some simple breakfast items. Individuals may bring a dish or groups may sign up. We hope to see you then!
Please Note: The Vestry Person of the Day (VPOD) is responsible for making the coffee.
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Children's & Youth Formation on hiatus in July |
Children's and Youth Formation will be on hiatus for the month of July. We look forward to starting our 2022-2023 programming again beginning in August. Please note: We will still be offering nursery for children three (3) years and under during summer choir practice (9:15 a.m.) and our 10 a.m. Worship service.
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Epiphany’s Art Ministry welcomes mixed media paintings by Jen Singh. Jen’s show closes July 11. Please make your art payments by check to the artist by the July 10. Remember, 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany. The show is also on the Art Ministry Page.
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Second Sunday—Young Adults Lunch Together: This Sunday, July 10 at 12:30 p.m., Young Adults are invited to meet at Piedmont Park at the Double Decker Pavilion (between the athletic fields and the tennis courts). We’ll be joined by young adults from several congregations in our neighborhood and other Lutheran churches in Atlanta. Bring your own picnic lunch; non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
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Walking the labyrinth, we seek a sacred path, open to God's guidance, leading us forward. Come gather with us this Sunday, July 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the courtyard for a time of reflection, instruction on walking meditation, and gathering with others seeking a more grounded way of being in the world. Led by Bobbi Patterson, Elizabeth Ura and the Rev. Amy Dills-Moore.
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Morning Prayer takes place every weekday at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom. Login at 8:45 a.m. for coffee hour. Contact the parish office for the link.
Tuesday Morning Prayer/Holy Eucharist: The Men’s Breakfast 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. Note: This Month's Eucharist will take place on July 12 at 7 a.m.
Wednesday Services: Wednesday Noonday Prayer takes place at 12:00 p.m. in the nave. A Healing Service with Eucharist follows at 12:15 p.m.
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Young Adults at the Braves!
Friday, July 22 at 5:00 p.m.
Young Adults will meet at Truist Park, find a place to eat dinner together, and then watch the Braves play the Angels! The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has purchased group tickets, which you can buy from them. Click here to RSVP and pay for tickets, or speak to Pr. Jenny at Redeemer if you have questions. (You can also join for just dinner or just the game, if you prefer).
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Upcoming ERJG Activities
7/17—ERJG Sunday Service Visit to Saint Michael and All Angels: Our next Sunday service fellowship visit will be to Saint Michael and All Angels (6780 James B. Rives Drive, Stone Mountain) on Sunday, July 17. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. We will meet there at 10:15 a.m.
8/3—ERJ Book Group discusses The Church Cracked Open: We are grateful and excited that our own Rev. Amy Dills-Moore will lead the discussion of The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and the New Hope for Beloved Community, by the Rev. Stephanie Spellers. (6:45-8:00 p.m., Room 201)
9/10—ERJG Day Trip to Montgomery: Plan to join us for a day trip to Montgomery to visit both the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. A registration link will be available once transportation and costs are finalized. If interested, you are strongly encouraged to read Just Mercies by Bryan Stevenson.
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7/12—The Book of Forgiving book group meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Room 201 and is led by Ellen Mintzmyer and Susan Ashmore. The book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter the Rev. Mpho Tutu, is a manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.
7/24—The Epiphany chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) meet on 4th Sundays at 11:15 a.m. in room 201. The DOK are a lay order whose goals are prayer, service and evangelism. Contact: Judy Jarady.
7/25—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.
8/2—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.
8/12—The Feeding Ministry cooks at Epiphany and then serves the meal at Gateway Shelter on 2nd Fridays. 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.
The Episcopal Women (ECW) monthly meeting is on hiatus for the summer and will resume meetings in September. Contact Laura Keys.
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.
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DEAM Pantry Drive Results
Our June drive for the Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) food pantry totals are:
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Shelf Stable Milk
Total = 89
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Canned Fruit
Total = 105
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DEAM provides short-term assistance to families in Decatur, both financial for emergency expenses (e.g. utilities and prescriptions) and food. Epiphany supports DEAM with a monthly monetary donation. January and June are our months for donating goods to DEAM's pantry. Epiphany members also volunteer in the DEAM office and pantry located at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Decatur.
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If you shop on Amazon, consider accessing Amazon through http://smile.amazon.com and designating Church of the Epiphany Atlanta as your charitable beneficiary.
70 Amazon customers have made Church of the Epiphany Atlanta as their beneficiary. This quarter our donation was $37.14.
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The Education for Ministry (EFM) Zoom group got off to a good start last fall, and will continue again for the 2022-2023 school year. There are 4 states represented in the group—including GA, with Epiphany’s own Sara Cushing—and one group member from Turks & Caicos. Despite the format, the group has bonded well, but would be able to easily welcome new members. All 4 years are invited to join. |
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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, contact Esther Harbert.
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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.
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.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Floyd Parker • John Yntema • Lane Burnett • Dave Schneberger • Lisa Gray • Judy Jarady • Sally Brockington • Bob Burnett • Ron Hutcheson • Evan Vega • Jane Stutz • Jewel Allen • Sally McClintock • Rod MacLeod • Larry Wilcox • Jennie Richardson • Colleen • Ann Rowles • Stephanie Thompson
For friends and family: Jerre McGrath, sister of Jeff McGrath • Archie T. Miller, father of Chris Miller • Meredith Melinder, daughter of Peter & Julie Dodge • Alisha Thompson, sister-in-law of Nicole Lambelet • David & Jenn Gillis, brother-in-law and sister of Terri Lawrence • Sophia Baginski, friend of David Draper • Russell Saxon, nephew of Kathie Ryan • Peggy Bryant, mother of Patrick Bryant • Diana Lawrence, niece of Terri Lawrence • Keren Clay, neighbor of Susan & Richard Messner • Nicky Cullen, friend of Linda Ryder-Wolf • Rosalind sister of Katharine Yntema • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Betty Porter, relative of Christen Erskine • Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Alma Fuller • Tom Mundy • Idamay Shaw • Pat Spivey • June Sparks • Wayne & Judy Urban • Kathy Walmsley
For those who have died: Daryl Kaplan, friend of David Draper • Doris Jean Gentry, aunt of Shea McNutt • Kenney, friend of Nicole Lambelet
For those in the armed forces: Henry Laird • Stewart Mundy
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 7/10-16: Mary Lou Bassett • Bryan Bassett • George Stockton • Caroline Driebe • Andrea Strahan • Beverly White • Wallace Bryan-McGrath • Lisa Carlson • Alex Costello • J. P. Loughlin • Jeanne Hatcher • Ella Thomas • Mark Banfield • Maggi Ewing • John Kelly • Laurel Weidmann-Smith • Emma Zeller
For those awaiting the adoption of a child: Jessica & Duane Burns
For those awaiting the birth of a child: Claire & Cody Chaffins • Megan & Laraine Fraijo-Paul • Kaylie & Evan Gibbs
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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The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.
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