Parish Notices for December 6, 2020 |
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With Deep Thanks to our Outreach Committee
Submitted by Erin Braden, Vestry Liaison for Outreach
We offer prayers of thanksgiving this month for Epiphany’s Outreach committee, comprised of dedicated parishioners who have worked tirelessly on the reconciling work of the church in our community and in our world. We thank Co-Chairs Lisa Daily and Bev Lorenzo, long-time members Jeanette Hanson, Kathie Ryan, Mary Ann Schneider, Anne Warner, and newest member Lindsay Todd. We thank the many, many parishioners who have given of their time, talent, and treasure to Outreach efforts over the years. We are grateful for the inspiration and dedication of The Rev. Nicole Lambelet, whose deep wisdom and commitment to discerning our mission is enriching our Outreach vision and ministries.
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Our Outreach ministries have been informed by ongoing partnerships with social justice organizations working to alleviate poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The Outreach committee partners locally with ministries at Emmaus House, Gateway Shelter, Hagar’s House, Decatur Cooperative Ministries, Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry, Church of the Holy Comforter, and others. Bev and Ralph Lorenzo have led ongoing relationships with refugee families help ease their transition and resettlement in the United States. The Haiti committee of Phil Bolton, Lisa Daily, Stephanie Everett, Leah Felcher, Kim Finnegan, Chris Miller, Polly Nodine, Jimmy Rabb, and Dirk Zwemer are committed to developing economic development projects and relationships in Haiti.
We are grateful for the hard work and commitment of the Outreach committee and all the parishioners who engage in these ministries. Look for more committee member spotlights this month. Please join us in offering our prayers of gratitude for their work and for these opportunities for our parish to seek and serve Christ in all people.
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Sneak Peak
The Outreach and Formation committees are excited to be planning a deeper dive into mission at Epiphany during Adult Education starting in January, with a special focus during Lent. We look forward to exploring why we are called and to what we are called, with a look at models of community and engagement, as we seek to better understand how as Christians we can live in solidarity with the most vulnerable.
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Outreach Committee Member Spotlights |
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Bev Lorenzo, Co-Chair
Since her arrival at Epiphany almost ten years ago, Bev’s dedication and hard work have been instrumental in Outreach and feeding ministries, and in helping countless refugee families during their transition to life in the United States. Along with her husband Ralph, Bev marshals Epiphanites to furnish apartments and provide supplies, tutoring, and connections when new families arrive. She also maintains ongoing collaborative relationships to help connect refugees with services and supports. Bev has been a tireless tracker of the Outreach budget and expenses, ensuring that our commitment of parish resources goes to help fill the greatest needs in our community. Bev is retiring as committee Co-Chair at the end of this year, but will continue her work with refugees and other ministries. She welcomes parishioners to join that important and rewarding work. We are so grateful for Bev and all she contributes to our community.
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Lisa Daily, Co-Chair
Lisa has devoted herself to Outreach in its many forms since her arrival at Epiphany over 30 years ago, giving her time and many talents to social justice efforts in partnership with Emmaus House, Haiti’s Bishop Tharp Business & Technical Institute, and the Church of the Common Ground, among many other initiatives and areas of service to Epiphany. This year, Lisa has been a founding member of the Racial Equity Group and facilitator for the JustFaith Faith & Racial Equity series, in addition to helping lead the Outreach committee and ministries. We are so thankful for Lisa’s deep commitment to ensuring that Epiphany stays connected to our call to mission and the work of reconciliation in our community. Thank you, Lisa, for all you bring to deepening our Outreach work and vision.
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Pledge Update
As of today, 108 households have made a pledge for 2021 for a total of $407,520.92.
Follow up calls from Stewardship Committee and Vestry members will begin soon, so please pledge as soon as you are able.
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Pledge Online
If you have not registered for an account with Realm—our new church management software—go to https://onrealm.org/epiphanyatl and create a login. Once you've logged in, click Giving under the main menu on the left, and then click the GREY + Pledge button next to the + GIVE button. Enter the pledge information and click Save OR Save & Set Up Online Gift if you want to make a payment now or set up a recurring gift.
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A Zoom account is not needed. Links can also be found on the worship services page of our our website.
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Sunday Worship @ 9:00 a.m. |
Login at 8:50 a.m. to greet one another. Remain online afterwards for Small Groups Virtual Coffee Hour. Formation classes start at 10:15 a.m. (See listings below.) |
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Weekday Morning Prayer @ 9:00 a.m.
Login around 8:45 a.m. for Virtual Coffee Hour. The Zoom Login is a private link. Email the parish office to receive the link and meeting ID.
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Wednesday Noonday Prayer @ 12:30 p.m.
Login around 12:20 p.m. to greet on another. The Zoom Login is a private link. Email the parish office to receive the link and meeting ID.
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Outdoor Worship Opportunities
Registration Required. More information and COVID protocols are listed on the sign-ups.
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Sunday Morning Worship @11:30 a.m.
12/6 - Spaces still Available
12/13 - Registration Now Open
Wi-Fi outside is spotty, so print the bulletin at home and bring it with you.
Youth Evening Prayer Sundays @ 5:30 p.m.
12/13 - Registration Now Open
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ADULT FORMATION FOR ADVENT |
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Love Crosses Borders - Sundays at 10:15 a.m.
Anton Flores-Mainsonet, the Director of Casa Alterna and co-founder of El Refugio will join us for a combined formation hour through the Advent season — December 6, 13, and 20.
Currently the Friend-in-Residence at Atlanta Friends Meeting, Anton left his tenure-track faculty position at a private college in 2006 to follow a call to a life of solidarity with newcomers from Latin America, especially unauthorized and unwelcomed immigrants. We hope you will come learn more about Anton's story and the God who crosses borders as Anton leads us through a series called Love Crosses Borders. Please plan to join us for this exciting series!
Meeting ID: 532 38 5901
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Age specific formation groups for youth are offered on Sundays. To register your youth for a link, please email our Youth Director, Matt Schramm. In addition to enjoying meaningful connection with their peers, youth and their teachers will be working their way through the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) curriculum which is focused on developing and integrating faith to all areas of life.
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Children and their parents are invited to join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. via Zoom for Children's Formation. Once you enter the meeting please be sure your child/children's first names are on the screen.
Children's Formation will meet every Sunday between now and Christmas.
Meeting ID: 890 5875 0509
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Epiphany Family Advent Kits
Celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas
Sunday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. join us via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89058750509) to hear a story about St. Nicholas and learn more about the ministry of the Bishop of Myra who gave gifts for God.
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SMA Epiphany's "Shadrach Meshak and Abednego" group invites all 3rd-6th graders to join us on Zoom for three weeks this December. We will plan to gather on Zoom December 9, 16, and 30 at 6:30 p.m. for community building, games, and a time of reflection about the seasons of Advent and Christmas. We can't wait to see you!
NOTE: There is a New Zoom Link for this event and you must register in advance for this meeting. Click here to register.
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Youth Game Night: Youth are invited to play the online game "Among Us," this Sunday, December 6 from 5 - 6 p.m. Click here to register.
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Christmas Youth Night: In-person youth group will be held on Sunday, December 13. We will have a bonfire, ping pong, and group games. Middle Schoolers will gather from 5 - 6 p.m., and High Schoolers from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Click here to register.
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The Christmas meeting will be December 7. We will make some final decisions about books to read in 2021. Please "bring" a poem to read to the group if you are inclined. |
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The choice for January is Transcription by Kate Atkinson. According to Wikipedia, "The novel focuses on the activities of British orphan Juliet Armstrong throughout World War II and afterwards, and how she begins a career as a low-level transcriptionist for MI5, before rising through the ranks."
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Grief Pastoral Care Group |
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The Grief Pastoral Care Group meets 1st Thursdays at noon via Zoom for a healing and faith based conversation around grief and loss. Led by parishioners Megan Fraijo-Paul and Nancy Thompson, both trained psychotherapists. Email either Megan or Nancy to join the group.
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Flex & Stretch and Chair Yoga |
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The Flex & Stretch class—which is the basic SilverSneakers class—meets on Zoom on Fridays and the Chair Yoga program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All at 11 a.m. Email Ellen Mintzmeyer for the login.
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Emmaus House Children have created outdoor artwork—similar to our Stations of the Cross—as an outdoor exhibit we can journey through during Advent as we reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Christ. |
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The Stations are now in place on the grounds of the church and you are invited to to follow them on a meditative walk. The guide for the journey can be found below and is also available as a QR code on the welcome sign.
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Modern Family Group Bonfire |
Come join the Modern Family Group and for a bonfire December 10 at 7 p.m. in the church parking lot! All are invited to attend. Click here to sign up or learn more.
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Christmas Flowers & Music |
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Select either the Christmas Music and/or Christmas Flowers as the fund. Send the in memory or thanksgiving intention by email to the parish office.
Mail: Complete this form and mail it to the church with a check made out to Church of the Epiphany.
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Submissions must be received in the parish office no later than 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, December 16, for acknowledgement in the Christmas bulletins.
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... to make a difference in the life of a child. Do you like to laugh? Can you listen? Do you like stories? Can you log into Zoom? Then yes, you! You are invited to join the Children's Ministries team in a new way during this virtual ministry time.
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Children need people in addition to their parents to grow in faith. Let us know that you have two hours a month to hang out and share your faith with Epiphany children as part of a team; email Christen Erskine or the Rev. Nicole Lambelet to learn more.
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If you haven’t created a login yet to the new online church database, the Invitation Email link you were sent has since expired. |
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But there are multiple ways to create your login:
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Epiphany Art Ministry Presents... |
Artwork by parishioner
Cristina Montesinos
December 2020
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View the Exhibit online 24/7
View the Exhibit in-person
Stop by the church Monday afternoons from 2 - 5 p.m. and follow the protocols posted on the above link.
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Epiphany receives 25% of sales. |
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Epiphany is continuing its tradition of donating Christmas gifts for children in the Emmaus House community and shoes for those without homes served by Church of the Common Ground.
As with most things, our giving will look a little different this year due to the pandemic. There are two opportunities to donate Christmas gifts through Epiphany:
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Emmaus House Christmas Gifts for Children:
This year, they are looking for ONLY $25 gift cards to Target and Walmart to be given to parents to buy gifts for children and teddy bears, stuffed animals, and balls to be given to young children while gift cards are being distributed.
Church of the Common Ground Shoe Drive:
Donations of any size new men’s and women’s shoes 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.
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How to Donate:
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Donate funds online at https://www.epiphany.org/ways-to-give and we will use the money to buy gift cards and shoes. Please choose “Outreach” as the fund, and note “Emmaus House Christmas” or “Shoe Drive” in the memo line.
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Gift cards, stuffed animals, balls, and shoes (unwrapped) may be brought to the church THIS Sunday until 1 p.m. and dropped in the large wrapped box at the front door.
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If this weekend does not work, you may drop off items at the front door of the church on Monday afternoon, at the latest. Please be sure to ring the bell and let Shea know you are dropping off.
Deadline: This Sunday, December 6
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Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code below |
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Virtual Passing of the Plate |
While we are not able to worship in the same space at this time, please remember that Epiphany is a living church, and still needs your financial support.
This is our virtual version of that important and meaningful activity. Sometimes we are all moved in spontaneous and emotional ways to express our joy, gratitude, or appreciation to this wonderful parish. Those moments of giving are an important part of our spiritual and financial life. This is another way to offer you the chance.
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The arrangements for Sundays and the Sanctuary Light can be given as a memorial, thanksgiving or on a special occasion.
The arrangements are used for both the online and outdoor worship services. You may request a particular flower or color be used.
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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Dates for 2021 have been added to the signup for the Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light. You can go ahead and sign up for all the dates that have meaning to you through December of next year.
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Staying in Work Exchange: Live-In Support |
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Seeking Live-in Housemate to assist two young adult women (ages 22 and 27) with mild developmental disabilities for overnight safety in exchange for free room and board. Ideal for student/young person disability-friendly or interested in gaining clinical experience. Free Room and Board. Click here for more information.
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Amazon Shoppers...
If you're shopping for gifts, sign up for Amazon Smile and choose Epiphany as your charity and a small percent of your purchase will benefit the church: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-0838713
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Pastoral Emergencies: Please call the church at 404.373.8338 and leave a message for Amy (ext. 14) or Nicole (16). They will receive a message alert and call you back.
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Staff: The staff continues to work mostly from home. They check their email and voicemail messages regularly.
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Building Sign-In Required: The building is closed to in-person worship and meetings, however, if you need to enter the church building for any reason, please sign in and out using the logbook at the entrance.
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DIOCESAN & EPISCOPAL NEWS |
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Required Trainings for Staff & Lay Leadership
If you are not sure of your training status, contact the parish office.
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Dismantling Racism is offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click here for dates and to register.
Safeguarding Training: The New Inclusion Module OR the Healthy Boundaries and Preventing Abuse Module via Zoom is required for people who need re-certification for either Safeguarding God's Children or Safeguarding God's People as well as people who have never had either training. Click here for dates and to register.
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Imagine Church is a monthly series offering a renewed approach to online worship through music, visual art, and spoken word. It takes place on the 4th Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. Watch on Facebook or the Imagine Church Watch page.
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Click here to find the latest postings from our bishop including:
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For Faith, Bishop Wright's weekly email devotional
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For People, Bishop Wright's podcast.
Click here to subscribe to Connecting, the Dioceses' monthly newsletter featuring diocesan-wide news, events, announcements, and inspiration.
Click here to see all the news and stories from around the Diocese.
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Episcopal Relief & Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.
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Adam Gaeddert, Rebecca Woodruff, and their daughter Clara were overjoyed to welcome Eleanor James Gaeddert on Sunday, August 23.
The family is doing well and looks forward to the day when they can introduce baby Eleanor to the Epiphany community!
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- Names of our friends and family remain on the list for four weeks.
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The Anniversary & Birthday List for the month can be found here.
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Send prayer requests to the parish office.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Rob Ashmore, Sally Brockington, Lily Burnett, Sam Burnett, Kyle D'Mellow, Rob Godsall, Jeanne Hatcher, Barbara Holmes, Jim Hoesterey, Henry Laird, Sandy Land, Tom Mundy, Wayne Richardson, Ann Rowles, Claire & Logan Shults, Stephanie Thompson
For friends and family: Carolyn Allen, mother of Jewel Allen; Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers; Betty Porter, relative of Christen Erskine; Bruce Moon, relative of Paul Hinson; Vickie Burnett, aunt of Sy Burnett; Steve Perkins, brother-in-law of Beth Kelhoffer; Richard Hoesterey, father of Jim Hoesterey; Tavon Betts, friend of Ann Fowler; Julie Wiegand, neighbor of Lisa Gray; Daniel Belcore, brother of Barbara Belcore; Melanie Bryan, mother of Michael Bryan; Beth Galvin’s sister, Erin Scranton
For those who have died: Joan Bender, mother of Bert Bender; Bill Allen, father of Jewel Allen
For those celebrating anniversaries for the week of 12/6-12: Roberta Long & Bob Ballou
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 12/6-12: Miranda Gore, Barbara Belcore, Benjamin Burris, Mackenzie Haraway, Andrew McBath, Quinn Carpentieri, John Councilman, Jack Hammond, Lucas Shelton, Emily Thompson, Paul Thompson, Randall Moody, Emily O’Mara, Winnie Stockton, Charles Sterne, Elizabeth Ura, Bob Burnett
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Jackie Boles, Arlen Gray, Ron Hutcheson, Rod MacLeod, Chris Miller, Tom Mundy, June Sparks
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The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
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