spring_forest_sunrise.jpg
Weekly e-News from Epiphany Parish
June 16 - 23, 2020
From Rev. Christen's Desk
Dear Epiphany Parish,
 
Today, I wanted to give you all an update about what you can expect for our future return to in-person worship.  A few weeks ago, our Diocese published a set of re-gathering guidelines to help parishes begin to plan how they will resume in-person worship. These guidelines can be found HERE .
 
Earlier this month, I called together a parish Regathering Advisory Committee. We have begun meeting and along with support from our Diocese, have started thinking through what needs to happen in our building, in our worship, and in other practices in order to keep everyone safe when we do begin to gather in-person again. The members of this committee are George Ford, JoAnn Barrett, Nancy and John Parnagian, Kerry Donlan, Angela and Josh Shoulders, and me. Pam Cormier is also volunteering on a diocesan level as a ‘Regathering Shepherd’ to help parishes in our region comply with Diocesan health and safety guidelines. I am so proud of the way that our parish community is stepping up to help make sure we can support one another as we begin to resume in-person worship.
 
As businesses and industries begin to open again, after three months of isolation, and life seems to return slowly to normal, it is important for us all to remember that this pandemic has not ended. People are still getting sick and dying from COVID-19 and the risk is still very real. As always, our ultimate concern right now is to live into our baptismal vow of loving our neighbor as ourselves. That means, when we do gather again for in-person worship, it will be after much careful planning and preparation. This may happen on July 5, if community spread of COVID-19 has continued to drop in our area and we are prepared to gather safely, but it may also happen later than that. We will continue to communicate openly about plans and expectations throughout the coming weeks. Before our first in-person service, there will be a zoom forum to explain some of the changes and new procedures that will be implemented. Also, we are committed to continue to offer virtual ways of connecting for folks who are unable to attend in-person for any reason going forward.

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.
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 .


Virtual Coffee Hour - June 21

The next Epiphany Parish Digital Coffee Hour will be on
June 21, 2020 at 11:15 AM
To join, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 843 5669 7427
Password: 123

Outreach Opportunities - Walpole & Beyond

NEW! -- ‘Regathering Shepherds’ Needed
Our Diocese is looking for volunteers who have an interest in public health ministry to help other parishes in our diocese prepare for resuming in-person worship. No experience is needed and all volunteers will be trained in our Diocese’s regathering guidelines. All volunteers should be in a low-risk category for COVID-19 and will be assigned to work with parishes in their region to help them understand the Diocesan re-gathering guidelines and how they should be implemented in each parish’s local context and physical space. If you have questions or are interested in serving the church in this way, please email Rev. Christen.

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 21

The Third 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.