Weekly e-News from
Epiphany Parish

April 13, 2021

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.

Communion Wafer Pick Up for Virtual Worship - Click Here
Sunday In-Person Worship Sign Up - Click Here

From Rev Christen
Dear Epiphany Parish,

Today as I write this letter, the news is full of coverage of the death of Daunte Wright in Minnesota who was shot by a police officer who mistook her gun for a taser. This comes during the ongoing trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd last spring.
I’m heartbroken for Daunte Wright and his family, George Floyd and his family, their communities, and for anyone who lives in fear that they will meet violence simply because of the color of their skin.

This year, Epiphany Parish has begun good work towards learning about the history of racism and oppression in our county. Eleven members of Epiphany Parish have joined together to form a Sacred Ground Circle along with 21 other folks from St. John’s in Westwood and Church of the Advent in Medfield. All year we’ve been learning, discussing, and praying together.

We are currently discussing what is next for Epiphany in our racial justice work. Please stay tuned for an invitation to be a part of a newly forming Becoming Beloved Community committee that will be commissioned to help Epiphany ‘Tell the Truth, Repair the Breach, Proclaim the Dream, and Practice the Way of Love’ (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/beloved-community/).

We are people who believe that prayer is important. But our prayer needs to lead us towards action. Today, I invite you to pray, but also to act to help bring about a more just and peaceful world for all people.

Let us pray: “Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 823)

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen
Lenten Book Club - Zoom Meeting Sunday, April 18th at 12:00
 
Topic: Getting Involved with God Book Study
Time: Apr 18, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 857 8349 8873
Passcode: 327390
A Word from the Church - Diocesan News

Episcopal Bishops of African Descent issued an open letter in Holy Week speaking out against racism and anti-Asian violence. Find the full text of the letter here.

Retreat: “Healing from Internalized Oppression” coming up April 23-24
The Episcopal Church Office of Black Ministries is offering an online retreat, “Healing from Internalized Oppression,” open to all people of color, clergy and lay, in the Diocese of Massachusetts. It will take place Friday, April 23, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The retreat is being offered in collaboration with the seven historically Black churches in the diocese, the diocesan Office of the Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries and the Racial Justice Commission. This virtual training is a healing experience curated for and by Black and Indigenous People of Color to explore, engage and heal from racial traumas perpetuated by and within the community. Participants will learn about the need to overcome shame and speak bravely and boldly about harm and healing in the pursuit of unity in Christ. Register online here. An event flier to help share word of the retreat is posted here. FOR INFORMATION: The Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries (jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 400)

Life Together accepting applications for 2021-2022 fellows:
Do you know anyone ages 21-32 with a commitment to social justice and spiritual formation who might be interested in living in an intentional community and serving in the Boston area? Life Together is now accepting applications for its new cohort, beginning in August 2021.Life Together strives to create a supportive space for the next generation of prayerful and prophetic leaders to grow and thrive. The 10-month fellowship matches young adults with mission-based nonprofit organizations, schools and churches in the Greater Boston area. Fellows live in intentional communities, receive training in shared leadership and community organizing, participate in facilitated racial justice conversations and take part in diverse spiritual practices. Life Together is a queer and trans affirming community committed to dismantling white supremacy and oppression.
Interested applicants can apply to Life Together or one of its sibling Episcopal Service Corps programs across the country here.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the August 2021 cohort has been selected. Learn more about Life Together here.

Barbara C. Harris FAMILY CAMP Fabulous Family Weekends at the BCH Center
The Barbara C. Harris Center invites you to unplug, relax and delight in the beauty of God’s creation. Enjoy a long weekend of delicious meals, arts & crafts, hikes, swimming, boating, field games, worship, s’mores and much, much more! Families may choose to stay in a private lodge room or cabin. Inter-generational and age-appropriate activities will be offered. Episcopal clergy from all over New England will serve as chaplains and lead Sunday’s outdoor Eucharist. Come and join us for a time of rest and renewal. 
For details - Click Here
common cathedral - Next drop off - Wednesday, April 21st
Donations of fruit (bananas and oranges) can be dropped off on the Wednesday. Please drop off items by 6:00 PM in the white box the driveway entrance. We are signed up for 50 pieces of fruit. 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. Please do not drop off your fruit early as we want to make sure it is fresh when it arrives! 
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
Third Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer via phone - 8:30 AM
Sunday Worship In-Person Outdoor at 10:15 AM
Worship will also be found on Facebook
Please sign up in advance for attendance in-person or for wafers if worshiping virtually.

To sign up for in-person worship - CLICK HERE.

The bulletin will be emailed on Friday and is also available on our webpage.
The Prayers of the People will now be included in the Friday email.
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.
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.
Outreach Opportunities - Walpole & Beyond
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
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.
Vestry Meetings - The Vestry of Epiphany Parish meets the third Tuesday of every month (virtually) at 7:00pm on Zoom. All are welcome! Please email Rev. Christen for the zoom link at christen.epiphany@gmail.com.
Notes from the Office
Epiphany Email Policy: As recently as April 8th, 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.
Easter Boxing - project continues through the Easter season. Send pictures to the office email for posting on the website.
The clues are available at this link: https://illuminatedmyth.wixsite.com/website-5.
Happy Hunting!
Annual Meeting - The Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 6th with the rain date of June 13th. Hard copies of the Annual Report will be available.

Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 8:30
Sunday Morning Worship - In-Person at 10:15 & Facebook Live
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - virtually every third Tuesday
Wednesday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 7:15
Wednesday - common cathedral drop off
Wednesday - First of the month - Sacred Ground
Saturdays - Wafer/Envelope Pick Up - 10:00am - 12:00PM

Office Hours
Please note that due to the continuing COVID pandemic the office hours are still irregular. Please call and we will arrange a time to meet in person. All phone messages and emails will be picked up Monday through Thursday mornings. Please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.