Weekly e-News from Epiphany Parish
June 23 - 30, 2020
From Rev. Christen's Desk
Dear Epiphany Parish,
 
I hope that everyone has been able to stay cool during this hot weather we have been having! There are two virtual events this weekend that I want to draw your attention to. 
 
The first event is an Epiphany Parish, ‘Journey by Stages’ forum that will take place on Sunday, June 28 at 11:15am . At this parish-wide gathering, the Re-gathering Advisory Committee will give an update on their work so far, share a little bit about what in-person worship will look like when our building opens, and get some feedback from the parish. This forum will be followed by a parish-wide survey to collect even more feedback before we email out our final plans for in-person worship. We hope that as many people from our parish community as possible will attend this form either by video or phone. If you need assistance connecting, please let us know! We want you to be able to attend.
 
The log-in invitation is:
 
Topic: Epiphany 'Journey By Stages' All-Parish Forum
Time: Jun 28, 2020 11:15 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
  Meeting ID: 863 7824 1954
Password: 123
 
Or you can join this meeting by phone:
       +1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 863 7824 1954
Password: 123
 
The second virtual event is an opportunity for middle school and high school students to speak to the church about dismantling racism, with Bishop Alan Gates and Bishop Gayle Harris.  This virtual gathering will take place on Sunday, June 28, 1:00 pm . Registration is required:  Click Here to Register .
 
All ages are welcome to attend--with those over the age of 20 invited to attend and listen, and those under 20 invited to tell us what we need to hear. Questions to be discussed are:
 
  • What do you want to tell the church? What was missing from the statements made by church leadership?
  • Where do you see a need for justice and reconciliation in the church? What do you expect from the church?
  • What do you think is the role of the church in dismantling racism? What support do you need from the church?
  • What are you willing to commit to the church?
 
If your Middle School or High School student(s) would like to attend, please register to receive the zoom invitation—and also let me know so that I can look for them to say hi on the zoom call! 

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen

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; available in 160 languages, 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.
common cath ed ral - Sign up to donate food for June 25!

We are again seeking donations of fruit and granola bars to be dropped off at Epiphany on Wednesday & Thursday, June 23 & 24. There will be a bin at the side entrance for you to drop off your contributions.

Thank you to all who donated this past time - if you did not have an opportunity to do so, this is your chance!

This time we have signed up for a total of
50 granola bars and 50 pieces of fruit!

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.

common cathedral also has a wish list on Amazon! If you would like to donate something click here to be directed to that wish list.
Young People in the Diocese of Massachusetts Speak Out Against Racism: A Virtual Town Hall with the Bishops
 
An opportunity for middle school and high school students to speak to the church about dismantling racism, with Bishop Alan Gates and Bishop Gayle Harris
 
Sunday, June 28, 1:00 pm  
Registration required – Click Here

In the last few weeks, we have heard and witnessed many necessary and overdue conversations about race, violence, and policing in America. As is the case with most movements for justice throughout history, young people have been on the forefront of this movement today. In the Diocese of Massachusetts, we have heard from our bishops , from the bishops of the seven dioceses in New England , as well as from the Presiding Bishop . In order to determine our next steps in the work of dismantling racism, we must also listen to our young people, and it is only together that we can make meaningful, long-term progress towards racial justice and reconciliation.
 
With this in mind, on Sunday, June 28, young people and church leaders will come together for a virtual, moderated “town hall”-style conversation with Bishop Alan Gates and Bishop Gayle Harris about dismantling racism. All ages are welcome to attend--with those over the age of 20 invited to attend and listen, and those under 20 invited to tell us what we need to hear.
 
Middle and high school youth groups are encouraged to meet (online!) in advance, if possible, and discuss the following questions, preparing to share their thoughts, reflections, and prophetic calls to action with the assembled group: 
  • What do you want to tell the church? What was missing from the statements made by church leadership?
  • Where do you see a need for justice and reconciliation in the church? What do you expect from the church? 
  • What do you think is the role of the church in dismantling racism? What support do you need from the church? 
  • What are you willing to commit to the church?
 
Registration is required.
If you have any questions, please contact Youth Missioner H. Mark Smith .
Congratulations, Jay!

Epiphany member Jay Barrett was awarded the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Duke University School of Nursing at the Duke University School of Nursing Alumni Awards Ceremony that took place last week.

Congratulations, Jay!!!!!
Daily Stand Out for Justice

We continue to Pray and Act for an end to racism in our country. There will be a daily vigil from 5:00pm-6:30pm on the Walpole town common to support Black Lives Matter. Click HERE for more information.

All are welcome.
All attendees are asked to please wear a mask and practice physical distancing. 
Worshiping with Us, Virtually

Many of you have come to enjoy worshiping with 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.

So now you have two ways to join us for worship. 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 .
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 .

Errand Angels
Please sign up to be an Errand Angel! There are many folks in our parish that do not want to be in public right now. We have created an online sign-up sheet to collect a list of parishioners who are willing to run errands for people who are unable to run errands for any reason right now. If you are healthy and feel comfortable running errands for others over the next few weeks, please sign up HERE .
 
If you need an errand run for you for any reason, please call or email Rev. Christen and she will put you in touch with someone who can help.
 
common cathedral
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. In December, half of the money we raised at our celebration of New Ministry service went to common cathedral and more recently, we collected socks, underwear, and toiletries to be handed out at their City Reach overnight. common cathedral has been adapting their programs over the past few weeks in order to continue to safely support the members of their community. And now they are asking for help. They need partners to donate homemade sandwiches, fruit and granola bars. If you can help sign up HERE . Any food that is prepared in your home needs to follow strict ServSafe guidelines. All donations need to be dropped off at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street by 9am on the day that you sign up for.
 
They are also asking that you please also consider a monetary gift to support this meaningful and very needed ministry:  https://commoncathedral.org/donations
 
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
 
Donate Masks, Gloves, and Other Protective Gear
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is asking for anyone who has extra masks, respirators, and/or other protective gear to donate them to the city for medical staff at hospitals to use. If your business uses these items, please consider donating them. You can call the City Mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500 to find out how to donate them.
Note from the Treasurer
 
I hope this note finds you all well. It has been a trying time for all and for some more than others.
 
As you are aware, even though we are not meeting in person at Epiphany, we have expenses and obligations that need to be paid. We are monitoring all spending and trying to be prudent.
 
I want to thank everyone who has continued to financially support Epiphany by sending in their pledges and donations. We have members who have been sending their pledges in weekly and someone who has been sending a weekly anonymous cash donation.  I especially want to thank those who find that during this difficult time that they are financially willing and able to provide additional support beyond their pledge. All of this has been essential in keeping us going.
 
God bless you all and keep you safe.
 
Susan Cosman , Treasurer
Weekly Announcements

Altar Flowers ~ It is unclear when we will be able to resume the use of altar flowers. We have talked to our florist and their wholesalers are closed, so they are unable to get the flowers to make the arrangements. As soon as we hear that there are flowers available we will resume getting arrangements. Liz in the office will be in touch with anyone who has requested flowers for the coming weeks and will set up new tentative dates for you.
+ + + + +
Cancellations (weather or otherwise) ~ Cancellations will be communicated via e-mail and a notice on our website. We make every effort to hold regular Sunday services, and we never want you to travel if you do not feel safe doing so. And although we encourage sharing, please do not share your germs with your church family & friends - if you are sick, please stay home. If there is any question as to whether church is cancelled please check your e-mail and the church website before venturing out.
What you need to know this week:
Weekly Calendar

All in-person parish gatherings have been suspended for the near future. Please see the COVID-19 Response tab of this website to learn how you can join us for virtual worship services.



For Worship on June 28

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Click here for this week's
lectionary readings 
(We are using the Track 2 readings)
 


From the Office

E-Mail & Sunday Announcements Deadlines
Announcements and notices for the Weekly e-News e-mails must be received in the office by noon each Monday - call or e-mail the office.
To have your announcement included in the Sunday bulletin, please have it in the office by noon on Wednesday.
 
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.
 
Office Hours
The office is not maintaining regular office hours during the quarantine period. Staff will be picking up the mail and checking e-mail and phone messages.

full view
Welcome to Epiphany Parish
We gather with joy in the power of Jesus’ name, to care for one another and to include all people through our fellowship, education & outreach.
 
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:   As fraudulent emails are becoming 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.
EPIPHANY PARISH
62 Front Street
Walpole, MA 02081
508-668-2353
epiphany-walpole.org