Weekly eNews for December 16, 2022 | |
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Dear Parish Family,
As we contemplate the end of 2022, we are necessarily looking to what 2023 might hold. This is the perfect time of year to reflect on where we have been and plan for where we’d like to go. We have been doing this together as a Parish, and the results from the recent Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) provide a framework for us to think about and plan for our future. In the CAT, we collectively identified four top priorities for Epiphany:
- To make necessary changes to attract families with children and youth.
- To reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church.
- To develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life circumstances and those living on the margins of society.
- To create opportunities for people to form meaningful relationships.
These are worthwhile goals and will take commitments of time and resources from each of us. To that end, we come to you now with an urgent request to complete a pledge for 2023 and/or to increase the pledge you have already made for 2023.
Based on the financial data available in early fall, the Stewardship Committee identified an annual pledge goal of $575,000. At the time of this letter, we have received 113 pledges totaling $466,512 – more than $100,000 below the budget goal. We are grateful to those who have pledged, and we urge you to pledge now if you haven’t yet. In November, the vestry reviewed a draft of the 2023 budget and began the hard work of carefully balancing obligations, enhancements, and aspirations for the Parish. It became clear that the original goal of $575,000 is not adequate to support the CAT-identified goals outlined above, to meet our operating expenses, or, and perhaps most importantly, to compensate our clergy and staff equitably based on Diocesan averages and the ever-increasing cost of living in the metro Atlanta area. We ask, therefore, that you join us in growing Epiphany’s annual pledge goal by $25,000 to $600,000.
If you have already pledged, thank you, and we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your pledge for 2023. As personal costs go up for each of us, they go up for Epiphany. As we continue to return to “normal” with more and more in-person activities, operating expenses will continue to increase. Any increase in your pledge can make a significant impact on what we can accomplish together. Pledges to Epiphany range from $130 to $30,000 with little change in average pledges over the last two years. If you have not increased your pledge in the last few years, we ask that you consider an increase of 5 to 7% or more, as you are able.
Here are a few stark realities for you to consider:
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If Epiphany’s pledged income goal of $575,000 is achieved (that’s what we achieved in 2021), we are facing a deficit of $21,000 in 2023. Several expenses contributed to our increased costs over the last year, including unanticipated repairs to aging kitchen equipment, increased energy rates, added technology to support live-streaming, the addition of paid benefits for the Director of Children and Youth Ministries, and finally the impact of a national inflation rate of approximately 7.4%.
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Epiphany’s Associate Rector position is budgeted to receive total compensation of $50,000 — the lowest of any full-time Associate Rector in the Diocese of Atlanta. The vestry would like to offer a more comparable salary that will attract the talent we need to build the parish while providing an equitable living wage.
- The budget under development is already very lean with little room for cuts.
We come to you after prayerful contemplation, with many hours spent in careful review of anticipated expenses and anticipated income. After all of this, your vestry has concluded that as a parish we must each ask ourselves to give more – to our shared work; to our dedicated clergy and staff; to our efforts to engage our community; to our children and youth; and to those who have less than we do.
If you wish to increase a pledge that you have already made for 2023, please email Susie Boyko the amount that you would like to increase your pledge by. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2023, please click here for the instructions on how to make a pledge for 2023.
With gratitude,
Your Vestry
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Year-to-date Financial Report as of November 30, 2022 | |
| November 30, 2022 | Budget | Actual | | Income | $562,377.86 | $552,378.16 | | Expense | $562,377.86 | $582,135.39 | | Net |
| ($29,757.23) | | | |
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If you have not yet made your pledge, 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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Advent • Christmas • Epiphany
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Liturgical & Event Calendar
December
18 Advent 4 • 10:00 a.m.
21 Longest Night Service• 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
24 Christmas Eve
Eucharist with Children’s Moment • 3:30 p.m.
Festival Eucharist • 5:30 p.m.
Festival Eucharist • 10:30 p.m. (Prelude @ 10:00 p.m.)
25 Sunday—Christmas Lessons & Carols • 10:00 a.m.
January
1 Feast of the Holy Name • 10:00 a.m.
6 Feast of the Epiphany • 6:00 p.m.
Feast Day Feast • 7:00 p.m.
8 Baptism of our Lord, Holy Baptism • 10:00 a.m.
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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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CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES | Children's Chapel
Children up to 3rd grade gather during the last verse of the singing of the psalm and follow the cross to chapel after the Gospel. They return at the Peace. Parents are welcome to join them.
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FORMATION | Adults
Sunday at 11:15 a.m., locations vary
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Advent 4 | December 18
The Way of Mary: Pondering the birth of Jesus in Art—Parish Hall
Led by Liefy Smith and the Rev. Amy Dills-Moore
Parenting for a Better World—Lower Level Classroom
Led by Susan & Jarrod Moody and Cristin & Jeremy Davis
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Presentation Slides from Advent 3 Class
Several folks have requested the slides from last Sunday's class The Way of Mary: Pondering the Annunciation in Art presented by Ann Fowler and The Rev. Amy Dills Moore.
Click here for a PDF of the presentation >>
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FORMATION | Children & Youth
Sunday at 11:15 a.m., Upstairs in Room 203
This weekend is the last Sunday of children's & youth formation for 2022. Children and youth will meet in their regular classrooms at 11:15 a.m.
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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 gift guide for suggestions.
Epiphany will be collecting items through Sunday, December 18.
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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Deadline to donate toys is this Sunday - 12/18 | | | | |
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Epiphany Star Magnets
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Epiphany Star car magnets can be picked up before or after services in the Gallery (near the name tag towers).
Don't have one yet? The five-inch magnets depicting our stain glass Epiphany star are $8 each. Buy two or more for $15, three or more for $7.
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YOUTH | Youth Group
This week's youth group (12/18) is an ugly sweater Christmas party from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Davis's home (909 W. Howard Ave in Decatur). We'll play Christmas-y games, watch a Christmas movie, and enjoy a hot cocoa bar and snacks. Feel free to bring any refreshments to share!
*Please drop your youth off at the Davis home using the alley in the back, since West Howard is a busy street; youth will enter through the back door.
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PARISH LIFE | The Nativities Collection
On display through Sunday, January 8
| This year, only the creches that tell the stories of Luke and Matthew have been put on display, accompanied by the scriptures and hymn texts. You can view them in the narthex and gallery through January 8. If you’d like to help with taking them down on Monday, January 9, click the button below. | |
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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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WORSHIP | Altar Arrangements & the Sanctuary Light
Sign up by noon on Wednesdays to be listed in the Sunday bulletin
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- The Arrangements at the Altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Rob Ashmore, by Susan Ashmore and in thanksgiving for the lives of Elizabeth Marshall Keys and Virginia Scott Watson on the occasion of their birthdays.
- The Sanctuary Light is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Diane Mundy, by Dan Mundy and in remembrance of the birth of Joanne Hambalek, by Barbara Belcore.
| 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. | | | |
EARTH GUILD | Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
By John Wierwille
The lectionary gives us two birth stories this year. Matthew this Sunday and Luke next Sunday. They emphasize different themes. In Matthew the word is Emmanuel. God with us. Really. In the flesh.
Matthew is all about the Incarnation, about God being with us in the most real and concrete ways. God inhabited a human body with skin, hair, blood, bone. God had dirt under fingernails and drank thirstily from the offered cup. God has been soaked by rain and scorched by sun. God has picked wildflowers and caught sight of fluffy fox tails disappearing into the woods.
Among the many, many reasons to care about our planet is our Christian belief in the Incarnation, our claim that a baby in a manger in Bethlehem was the embodiment of the Divine in a unique and entirely incomprehensible way. Our claim that God, in Jesus, has been a real, physical part of creation; somehow Creator and created; made of the stuff of earth; interconnected with all other living things from the past through this very moment… And this one. And the next. And all the others, too. Gives way to wonder.
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WiFi Upgrade
The WiFi at the church has been updated to a business class system. There is now great streaming coverage throughout the entire building. Please let the parish office know if you have any trouble using the internet while in the building.
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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 click the blue button to 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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Deadline to submit names is this Monday - 12/19 | | | | |
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PARISH GROUP | Tuesday Men's Breakfast Group
Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m. in the Nave
| 12/20—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 | Choirs for Children & Youth
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12/20—This week, the Beginning Choristers (pre-K-2nd grade) will meet in the Choir Loft in the nave from 5:15 - 5:45 p.m. No Rehearsals next week or for the month of January.
12/20—This week, the Junior Choir (3rd grade-unchanged voices) will rehearse from 5:30-6:15 in the Choir Loft in the nave. No Rehearsals next week or for the month of January.
Contact: Julie Ryder, Organist & Choirmaster
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FAMILIES | Tuesdays at Epiphany
Tuesdays from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. • Parish Hall
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The service project group will NOT meet for the rest of December or for the month of January.
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children's & Youth Ministries
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LITURGY | Noonday Prayer & Eucharist
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
| 12/21—A Noonday healing service is offered on Wednesdays followed by Eucharist. Please join us in the Side Chapel. Please note there will NOT be a service on Wednesday, December 28. | |
LITURGY | Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
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The Christmas season is often marked by expressions of joy and happiness; families gathering; and churches worshiping, looking toward the hope found in the coming of the Christ child. However, this time of joy and expectation can also deepen the pain and isolation experienced by those who are grieving.
In response, one act of pastoral care at this time of year is to offer a service known as The Longest Night Service. It’s a worship service meant to speak to the needs of those who are in grief, and is scheduled around the winter solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the calendar year), which occurs around December 21 each year.
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The Grief Group will be having a Longest Night Service on Wednesday, December 21, at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom, led by The Rev. Amy Dills-Moore, and Nancy Thompson. We invite any others who are grieving to attend with us. To receive the link for the service, contact Nancy Thompson.
Contact: Nancy Thompson
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MUSIC | Choirs for Adults & Youth
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Epiphany Ringers: Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft
12/21—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
12/21—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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LITURGY | Christmas Eve Services—Saturday, December 24
All liturgies will be live-streamed
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3:30 p.m. The Celebration of the Nativity of Jesus with a moment for children, music of the season by the Epiphany Children’s & Youth choirs, and Holy Eucharist—Childcare for ages 4 and under will be provided at this service only.
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5:30 p.m. The Celebration of the Nativity of Jesus with music of the season by the Epiphany Ringers and the Hildegard Ensemble, and Holy Eucharist.
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10:00 p.m. An extended prelude begins at 10:00 p.m. and will feature the Epiphany Choir and congregational carols.
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10:30 p.m. The Celebration of the Nativity of Jesus with incense, music of the season, and Festival Eucharist.
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LITURGY | Christmas Day Service at 10 a.m.
This year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday
| 12/25—On this festive day, we continue to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a service of Christmas Lessons & Carols. Come and continue our gratitude for birth of Christ in word, music, and Eucharist. This service will be live-streamed. | |
LITURGY | Volunteers for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services
Open to all members of the parish
| Due to either illness or travel plans, our usual roster of folks who serve at our services is running low for Christmas. If you would be interested in serving as a Reader, and Usher or other capacity - please click the button below. | | | |
Feast of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas spend time with our children last Sunday during the formation hour.
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Emmaus House Seniors Visit
On Tuesday, the Episcopal Church Women hosted their annual luncheon for the group.
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Family Eucharist
Tuesday night, there was a Family Eucharist in the Parish Hall.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings | | |
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FINANCE | Year End Gifts & Final 2022 Pledge Payments
| 12/31—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. | |
Contributions and Pledges must be postmarked by December 31 | | | | |
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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. You can give online through your Realm login (select Clergy/Staff Gifts from the drop-down menu) or click the button below, or write a check to Church of the Epiphany with “Clergy/Staff Gifts” in the memo line. memo line. | |
NOTICE | Office & Building Closures
| 12/26-1/2—The Parish Office will be closed from December 26 through Monday January 2. Outside of worship services, no other services or programs will take place during that time. | |
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 meet in 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 | Epiphany Book Group
2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom ONLY for January and February
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1/9—All are welcome to join the Epiphany Book Group on the second Monday of the month. We will be meeting only on Zoom for the months of January and February. In March, the discussion will by hybrid - both in person and on Zoom.
Here are our book selections so far for 2023:
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January: The Night Watchman, by Louis Erdrich
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February: Our Unfinished March, by Eric Holder
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March: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, by Phaedra Patrick
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April: Living Faith, by Jimmy Carter
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May: Mercy Street, by Jennifer Haigh
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June: The Moonstones, by Wilkie Collins
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September: The Murrow Boys, by Lynne Olson
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October: Hag-Seed, by Margaret Atwood
Contact: Linda Ryder-Wolf, Leader
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PASTORAL CARE | The Grief Pastoral Care Group
1st Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
| 1/5—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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LITURGY | The Epiphany Pageant Service
Friday, January 6 at 6:00 p.m.
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1/6—Participate in Epiphany's Pageant on Friday, January 6! Are you interested in playing a part in Epiphany's annual pageant on our Parish's feast day?
We need both adults and children willing to participate. Please email Emily Elder if you are interested.
Contact: Emily Elder, Director of Children's & Youth Ministries
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The Rehearsal for the Epiphany Pageant will take place on Tuesday, January 3 from 5:00-6:15 p.m. in the nave. | | | | |
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PARISH LIFE | Feast Day Feast - SAVE THE DATE
Friday, January 6, following the Pageant
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1/6—Parish Life will host a Chili & Tex-Mex Potluck Dinner following the Epiphany Pageant. Chips and salsas, drinks and a King Cake will be provided.
A sign up will be posted soon.
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LITURGY | Sacrament of Holy Baptism
For all ages
| 1/8—The sacrament of Holy Baptism for adults, infants and children will be administered during the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord on Sunday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. If you or a member of your family desires to be baptized, please contact the parish office. | |
PARISH GROUPS| The Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
2nd Tuesdays and 2nd Thursdays of the month
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1/10—The ECW Day Group meets on 2nd Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the parish hall followed by lunch out. Contact: Robin Hairston
1/12—The NEW ECW Evening Group’s first meeting will take place on Thursday, January 12 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Come to meet current ECW members and learn about the amazing things we do. Contact: Alison Taylor
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | The Feeding Ministry
2nd Fridays of the month
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1/11-13—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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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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1/16—The Parish Office will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. | |
PASTORAL CARE | Community of Hope's Circle of Care
Last Mondays, 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall
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1/30—COH will not meet in December. 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 | 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.
Contact: Ann Fowler, Leader
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Maggi Ewing • Chris Miller • Rob Godsall • Susan Scott • Beth Towers • The Rev. Ruth Healy • Dave Thompson • Mary McCall Cash • Wende Crowe • Zoey Laird • Judy Jarady • Evan Vega • Sally McClintock • Larry Wilcox • Colleen • Ann Rowles • Sally Brockington
For friends and family: Sarah Werkman, friend of Erin Braden • Fran Bloc, mother of Erin Braden • Charlie Roberts, friend of Robin Hairston • Ellen Gossett, friend of Robin Hairston • Marilyn, daughter of Esther Harbert • Lindsey Brickhouse, friend of Robin Hairston • Abby Knapp, great niece of Doug Runnion • Alice Cantwell, great aunt of Cristin Davis • 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 • 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: Priscilla Mellow, grandmother of Cristin Davis • Marion Crow, father of Wende Crow
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 the week of 12/18 - 24: Lisa & Randy Stewart • Laura & John Keys • Kelli Gantt & Quinten Rickell
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 12/18 - 24: Kitty Snyder • Ron Hutcheson • Dan Matthews • Elizabeth Walker • Jess Burns • Bill Graves • Chris Kissler • Bob Ballou • Cyndi Carpentieri • Magda Kertscher • Martin Shelton
For those awaiting the adoption of a child: Jessica & Duane Burns
For those awaiting the birth of a child: 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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