Weekly eNews for November 25, 2022 | |
Dear Epiphany family,
This Sunday, we enter into the season of Advent. Hope, peace, joy, and love are common themes associated with Advent. Those sometimes feel hard to come by in our world and in our own weary hearts. What does hope look like when cynicism creeps in or when our hearts are grieving? How can we embrace peace when there is so much injustice around us? How do we embody love when there is so much division? How do we live in joy in the face of all that breaks our hearts?
We must be honest about all that still needs healing in our lives and in our world. Being troubled in our souls sets us up to receive Advent hope and Advent possibilities more fully.
When Christ became incarnate in human flesh and was born in a manger, God’s people were troubled and suffering under an oppressive empire. They were weary and longing for God. Into those difficult times came Immanuel - God with us. It was not just a historical event. God is with us now.
You will see later in this newsletter the many ways you can experience Advent here at Epiphany, where you can be reminded of the hope, peace, joy, and love that are ours in Christ. I am grateful to be walking through this season with you.
Grace and peace,
Amy
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Advent • Christmas • Epiphany
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FORMATION | Advent Formation for Parents—Parenting for a Better World
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The Parenting for a Better World class, led by Susan & Jarrod Moody and Cristin & Jeremy Davis will meet two more times before the end of the year. Please join them on December 11 and December 18 at 11:15 a.m. in the Lower Level Classroom. You do not have to have read the book to participate in this wonderful and engaging class.
Contact: Susan Moody
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Dear Epiphany Family,
Thank you so much for the outpouring of love you shared with me and my family last Sunday. The delicious Mexican food, your handwritten cards, kind words and hugs were beautiful signs of your care and appreciation for the ministry we have done together over the last years. Thank you for inviting me into your lives. It has been a tremendous privilege and blessing to serve as your priest. I will miss you all terribly!
Many have asked when I'll be coming back to visit Epiphany, which I receive as a desire to stay connected. One of the challenges priests and parishes face is knowing how to stay in relationship following a vocational transition. In the Episcopal Church, when a clergy person leaves a parish they cease to be a priest and pastor for that parish. This is a shared norm across our communion. I'll be honest, this is a difficult part of this calling! But, I think there is wisdom in these boundaries. In practice, this means that I won't be attending Epiphany church events, nor will I be available for weddings, funerals, or pastoral visits. These practices are important because they allow both the departing and incoming clergy persons to transition fully into their new ministry roles. For more information on the policies of the Diocese of Atlanta on clergy transitions, please see this document. Though I am leaving, I will carry your love and the memories of our shared work with me.
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My many gratitudes are too abundant to be encompassed in a letter. Still, the letter St. Paul wrote to the Phillipians feels appropriate as I close out my time with you. He writes: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that the one who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6)
In Christ's love,
Nicole
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Grace | Gratitude | Giving has been our theme for the 2023 Stewardship Campaign.
We want to thank everyone who has made a pledge so far. Your generosity enables us to do all that we do and hope to do at Epiphany.
If you have not yet made your pledge, now through mid-December, please consider offering your gift of a confirmed giving for 2023 via a pledge. The Vestry will complete budget planning based on committed expected income. Pledge cards are available in the narthex and gallery, or you can make your pledge online by click the button.
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Thank you to Tom Democko, Margo Timberlake, Brandon Laird, Joy Boyden, Laura Gary, David Draper, Laura Gary and Larry Wilcox for sharing your stories for a meaningful Stewardship season. | | | | |
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Epiphany Car Magnets: Celebrate your love of Epiphany with your very own car magnet of our Stain glass Star! The 5” round Magnets are $8.00 each. Buy two for $15.00, three or more for $7.00 each. They will be available at the church on Sundays and can be purchased via the link below. If you prefer, you can bring your check to pay for the magnets instead. | | |
Year-to-date Financial Report as of October 31, 2022 | |
| October 31, 2022 | Budget | Actual | | Income | $511,252.60 | $492,684.31 | | Expense | $511,252,70 | $531,087.71 | | Net |
| ($38,403.34) | | | |
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FINANCE | Fiscal End of Year To-Dos
Deadlines for Payments and Reimbursements
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12/16—Submit Reimbursements: If you have expenses that should be reimbursed in this fiscal year, they must be submitted and approved by Friday, December 16. Any expenses submitted after the December 15 will be applied to the 2023 budget.
12/31—Make Year End Gifts & Pledges Payments for this year (2022): Pledges and contributions need to be received at the church or postmarked by December 31 and stock contributions must be delivered to the church brokerage account by December 31 to be recorded for 2022.
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Parishioners are invited to express their gratitude to clergy and staff for their work this year by making an offering online or by check. To give online click the button and select the Staff Christmas option from the pull-down menu. To give by check, please list “Staff Christmas” in the memo line. | | |
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GIVING | Track Your Giving in Realm
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Our online ministry platform called Realm, isn’t just a church directory or a way to register online for events. Members can also manage their giving and check pledge status at any time through the website or the smart phone app. If you’ve not created a login for Realm yet, Contact the parish office.
Contact: Shea McNutt, Parish Administrator
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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. Our 3rd quarter donation was $58.63. Cumulative to date total is $1,083.19
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WORSHIP | Sunday Morning Service
10:00 a.m. in the nave
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Masks are recommended, but not required.
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The Healing Station is open in the side chapel.
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Childcare for newborns and children ages 3 and under is available in the nursery. Our vaccinated childcare workers wear KN95 masks.
Livestream Options: YouTube Link | Zoom Link
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CANCELLATION | Children's Chapel
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Children's Chapel will not take place this Sunday.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Appleton Ministries Offering
Sunday, November 27
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11/27—The Thanksgiving Offering for Appleton Ministries is collected the Sunday following Thanksgiving and designated for Appleton Episcopal Ministries–a diocesan ministry that supports the Freedom School Macon, a food pantry, a domestic abuse shelter, weekend lunch programs and other community ministry projects through the Middle GA Convocation. All cash offerings will be designated to them today. You can also give online at https://www.epiphany.org/ways-to-give or via check, marking “Appleton Ministries” in the memo field. | |
CANCELLATIONS | Formation and Youth Group
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, no formation classes will take place Sunday morning and the Youth Group will not meet on Sunday Night.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Art Ministry
Now Showing in the Gallery
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Epiphany’s Art Ministry welcomes back artists from the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter. All proceeds from this exhibit go to the Senior Art Ministry at this parish. Please make checks out to Holy Comforter.
A little background about Holy Comforter
Holy Comforter has been in Southeast Atlanta for over 100 years. In nearly every decade of that history, urban growth has changed the face of the neighborhoods around Holy Comforter, leading them to ask again and again, “Who is my neighbor whom God is calling on me to love?”
It is critical to understand that Holy Comforter does not run a program to help persons with mental illness; rather these people are the church gathered at Holy Comforter. These are the members of the Body of Christ who pray daily, who are fed by the Eucharist, who acolyte and serve, sing, run the altar guild, make pastoral care visits on Sunday, who bring their gifts for the service of everyone. These people, who are often alienated in society, are knit together by the love of Jesus Christ at Holy Comforter.
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The Arrangements at the Altar for today and the Sanctuary Light for this Sunday are given to the Glory of God | |
The arrangements for Sundays and the Sanctuary Light can be given as a memorial, thanksgiving or on a special occasion. The color and selection of flowers is based on the appropriateness of the liturgical season. The Sanctuary Light is a visible sign of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament held in reserve in the Tabernacle and burns for seven days.
To be listed in the Sunday bulletin, sign up by noon on Wednesdays.
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PASTORAL CARE | Community of Hope's Circle of Care
4th Mondays, 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall
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11/28—Members gather 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 or home communion by one of the trained caregivers, please contact Ann.
Contact: Ann Fowler, Leader
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PASTORAL CARE | Walk with Me—A One Act Play
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Nave
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11/28—The Community of Hope is proud to sponsor Walk with Me, a short one-act play written and performed by acclaimed actress and Epiphany member Carolyn Cook. Walk with Me is a story of a woman caring for her mother, who lives with dementia. Anne McSweeney, a licensed clinical social worker, will also be present to share her perspectives on resources and ways to support both caregivers and the person with dementia. The free performance will take place in the Epiphany nave on Monday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. There will be time for discussion after the play, and printed information for caregivers will be available.
Contact: Ann Fowler, Leader
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PARISH GROUP | Tuesday Men's Breakfast Group
Tuesdays, 7 a.m. in the Nave
| 11/29—Each Tuesday morning, we begin at 7:00 a.m. in the chapel with Morning Prayer (Holy Eucharist 1st Tuesdays), and end our time together with a simple breakfast and fellowship. If you would like to learn more, or have any interest in helping provide food for Men's Breakfast, please email John Yntema. | |
MUSIC | Children & Youth Choirs
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11/29—Beginning Choristers (pre-K-2nd grade) meet Tuesday evenings from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the Music Suite upstairs.
11/29—Junior Choir (3rd grade-unchanged voices) meet on Tuesdays evenings from 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. in the Music Suite upstairs.
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Tuesdays at Epiphany: In coordination with Epiphany's Children and Youth Ministries and Community Engagement, there is also a service project for children, youth, and/or families on Tuesday evenings. | | | |
PARISH LIFE | The Nativities Collection
We're doing it differently this year
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Our original collection of Nativities was acquired by a bequest from Dr. William Lemonds in loving memory of James Lattimer Anderson Belcher in 1995. Other nativities have been given by parishioners and friends of the parish over the years, bringing our collection to just over 300 nativities.
For the past 25 years during the season of Advent, we’ve shared our collection with the public as an exhibit, with selected nativities in the narthex and gallery to illustrate the birth stories of Luke and Matthew accompanied by scripture and hymn texts. All the rest of the continually growing collection was displayed in the parish hall.
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As it has been a challenge over the last several years to gather enough volunteers to set up, take down and staff the welcome table for the full exhibit, a couple of decisions were made. One – we would no longer add to the collection. Two – for this year, we are going to just have a display of nativities for the parish of the stories of Luke and Matthew in the narthex and gallery, once again accompanied by the scriptures and hymn texts.
Since we are not having to staff an exhibit this year, it was also decided that the display of the stories of Luke and Matthew could stay up through the Feast of Epiphany on January 6. We still need volunteers to set up the 23 nativities for Luke and the 35 nativities for Matthew.
We are looking for volunteers over two days to help set up the exhibit – Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 1. Then we’ll need folks to help pack it all back up on Monday, January 9. If you would like to sign up for a shift, please sign up.
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MUSIC | Adult & Youth Choirs
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Epiphany Ringers: Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft
11/30—This ensemble rings during worship services approximately once every 6 weeks. All the positions are filled at this time, but you can always let Julie know of your interest.
Epiphany Choir: Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m. in the Music Suite
11/30—Our all-volunteer choir provides musical leadership for the 10:00 a.m. liturgy and feast days. Membership is open to fully vaccinated adults and youth.
Contact: Julie Ryder, Organist & Choirmaster
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PASTORAL CARE | The Grief Pastoral Care Group
1st Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
| 12/1—The group meets each month 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. | | |
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CHILDREN & YOUTH | Advent Cookie Event
1st Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
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12/3—All children, youth, and families are invited to join us on Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. to drink hot cocoa, fellowship, and make cookies for children to decorate at Lessons & Carols the next day.
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Annual Shoe Drive
Now through December 11
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Epiphany continues its tradition of collecting shoes for our friends at the Church of the Common Ground. Donations of new men's and women's shoes of any size will be accepted, especially men’s sizes 14-17 and women’s sizes 4-6 and 11-14. They are particularly in need of men’s shoes.
We will be collecting shoes through December 11.
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On December 11, the youth will organize the shoes and prepare them to be taken to Common Ground’s office.
Please take shoes out of their boxes and tie their shoelaces together. You can drop shoes off at the church on Sundays between 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and during weekday office hours.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Toy Drive for Emmaus House
Drop off unwrapped gifts by Sunday, December 18
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For decades, parishes, friends and organizations have helped Santa by donating gifts to be delivered to more than 500 children in Peoplestown on Christmas Eve each year. Once again, Emmaus House is asking us to collect unwrapped gifts using their holiday guide for suggestions.
Epiphany will be collecting items through Sunday, December 18.
The in-person Children's Christmas Festival at Emmaus House will be on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Emily Badgett if you would like to help transport the gifts to Emmaus on Sunday, 12/18, or afterward on 12/19 or 12/20.
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EARTH GUILD | Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent
By John Wierwille
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, Advent occurs at the darkest time of the year. In Sunday’s lectionary reading from Paul's letter to the Romans, Paul calls the church to wake up and live in the faith. "You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.'' (Romans 13:11-12).
Advent is a time to wake up and to face the truth about ourselves and our relationships. It is a time to review the way we live and make more space for God.
Give thanks to God for all the ways we can step into, embrace, better use, and preserve the creation for each time we do we come closer to joining in the work God is doing in this world.
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CHILDREN'S MiNISTRIES | Childcare Note
Occasional volunteers needed
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We are looking for a few adult parishioners to serve as nursery volunteers once or twice a semester. We have several wonderful regular childcare workers that watch our youngest members during the service, but they occasionally need a weekend off. Please contact Emily if you are interested in helping serve in this way.
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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FLOWER GUILD | Advent Wreath-Making Workshop
Reservation Required
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12/4—The Epiphany Flower Guild will lead an Advent Wreath-Making Workshop after the service on December 4 in the parish hall. This is the second Sunday in Advent since the first Sunday will be Thanksgiving weekend. A short reflection about the history of the advent wreath and the themes of advent will take place prior to the event.
The workshop will cost $20 for materials which include everything that is needed for making an advent wreath: (1) oasis wreath, (4) candles with holders, and greenery. We will accept reservations until all 20 spots are full. Click the RSVP button below.
Contact: Polly Nodine, Flower Guild Chair
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LITURGY | Lessons & Carols
5:00 p.m. with a reception following • cookie decorating will be happening!
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12/4—The Epiphany Choir, Beginning Choristers, Junior Choir, Hildegard Ensemble and Epiphany Ringers will present Advent Lessons & Carols on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in a liturgy similar to Christmas Lessons & Carols made popular in the 20th century by Kings College, Cambridge. The promise of the coming Messiah is told in lessons from the Old and New Testaments interspersed with Advent carols, hymns, and choir anthems. The service takes place in the nave followed by a reception in the parish hall. | |
PARISH GROUPS | Epiphany Book Group
1st Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall
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12/5—In December we will meet, not to discuss a book, but to share treats and have some fellowship during the holidays. Contact: Linda Ryder-Wolf / linda.wolf.1962@gmail.com.
Here are our book selections for the first quarter of 2023:
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January: The Nightwatchman by Louise Erdrich
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February: Our Unfinished March by Eric Holder
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For March: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
All are welcome to join us.
Contact: Linda Ryder-Wolf, Leader
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | The Feeding Ministry
2nd Fridays of the month
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12/7-9—Volunteers cook at Epiphany and then serves the meal at Gateway Shelter on 2nd Fridays. Please RSVP to help prepare, cook or serve the meal. Sign up by the Monday Prior to the cook.
Contact: Anne Kerner, Ministry Co-Chair
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FORMATION | The Living Contemplatively Spirituality Group
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
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12/8—This time we are reading and discussing The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister. Contact: The Rev. Amy Dills-Moore.
Contact: The Rev. Amy Dills-Moore
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PARISH GROUPS | ECW Christmas Craft & Bake Sale
Sunday, December 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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12/11—The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will hold their annual Christmas Craft & Bake Sale Sunday December 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. They will have homemade goodies and a few craft items for sale. Please stop by the parish hall before or after the 10:00 a.m. service.
The proceeds from our bake/craft sale support our service projects during the year.
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PARISH GROUPS | Emmaus House Luncheon, hosted by the ECW | 12/13—The ECW we will host a luncheon for the Emmaus House Seniors. This is an annual event and a lot of fun for the seniors and the ECW Members.Contact: Robin Hairston, President | | |
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GIVING | Christmas Flowers & Music
Submit names by Monday, December 19
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If you would like to make an offering in thanksgiving or memory of someone for Christmas, please complete the Submission Form. From there you can choose to make your donation via online giving, or if you can also mail a check payable to Church of the Epiphany noting Christmas Flowers and/or Christmas Music in the memo line.
To be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletins, submissions must be received in the parish office by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19.
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PARISH GROUPS | Daughters of the King (DOK)
4th Sundays at 11:15 a.m. in the Side Chapel
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The DOK will not be meeting for the months of November and December. The Epiphany chapter of the DOK lay order meet monthly for prayer, service and evangelism. To learn more about the order, visit doknational.org.
Contact: Judy Jarady, President
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PARISH GROUPS | Episcopal Racial Justice Book Group
Book Selection for January & March
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1/11—The next Episcopal Racial Justice Book Group discussion will be held on Wednesday, January 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Room 201. We will discuss Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism - and How to Do It by Celeste Headlee.
Here’s is an excerpt from a description of the book found on Amazon. “In this urgently needed guide, the PBS host, award-winning journalist, and author of We Need to Talk teaches us how to have productive conversations about race, offering insights, advice, and support. This is the book for people who have tried to debate and educate and argue and got nowhere; it is the book for those who have stopped talking to a neighbor or dread Thanksgiving dinner. It is an essential and timely book for all of us”
In March, the ERJ Book Group will discuss The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. Date to be determined.
Contact: Kay Lee, President
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PASTORAL CARE | As the Days Lengthen - SAVE THE DATE
February, 19 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
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2/19—Epiphany’s Community of Hope presents As the Days Lengthen: Contemplative Prayer—and the Joyful Season of Lent. Join us on February 19 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. for an afternoon of Reflection and Soul-Nurture with Carl McColman. Visit tinyurl.com/joyfulseason for more information and to register for the event.
Contact: Ann Fowler, Leader
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Dave Thompson • Mary McCall Cash • Wende Crowe • Pam Hall • Julie Dodge • Zoey Laird • Judy Jarady • Evan Vega • Sally McClintock • Larry Wilcox • Colleen • Ann Rowles • Sally Brockington
For friends and family: Mary Parks, friend of Terri Lawrence • Kay Hopkins, friend of Jewel Allen • Rachel Wolf, daughter of Linda Ryder-Wolf • Rhonda, Marcin, Kami & Sydni, friends of the Moody family • Harold Amslem, brother-in-law of George Councill • Janet Gary, mother of Bill Gary • Kevin Lewis, friend of Terri Lawrence• Keisha Ramsey • Sophie Murray • Kirk Tcherneshoff, brother of Amy Shipp • Sophia Baginski, friend of David Draper • Russell Saxon, nephew of Kathie Ryan • Keren Clay, neighbor of Susan & Richard Messner • Rosalind, sister of Katharine Yntema • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers
For those who have died: Elizabeth Keys, daughter of John & Laura Keys • June Sparks • James LaDow, friend of Linda Ryder-Wolf
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Jewel Allen • Alma Fuller • Ron Hutcheson • Rod MacLeod • Tom Mundy • Floyd Parker • Pat Spivey • Wayne & Judy Urban • Kathy Walmsley
For those in the armed forces: Henry Laird • Stewart Mundy
For those celebrating anniversaries for week of 11/20-26: Bonnie & Chris Kissler • Nelson & Lola Oyesiku • Kaki & Adam Woodlief • Kim & Elliott Boswell
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 11/20-26: Jessica Boatright • Jack Tillman • Ty Maiberger • Jason Rooks •Eric Schulz • Shona Harbert • Carolyn Cook • Nduva Hartman • Zane McKinney • Sue Haley • Rowen Morrisey • Peggy Palmiter
For those awaiting the adoption of a child: Jessica & Duane Burns
For those awaiting the birth of a child: Kaylie & Evan Gibbs • Magda & Doug Kertscher
Did we miss your anniversary or birthday? Send the full date of your anniversary and/or your date of birth to the parish office at parishadmin@epiphany.org 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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