Weekly e-News from Epiphany Parish
November 10, 2020
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FROM REV CHRISTEN'S DESK
Dear Epiphany Parish,
This past Saturday, Tom Schneider and I attended the 235th Diocesan Convention, representing Epiphany Parish. Although convention needed to be held virtually this year, it was good to be together and do the work of the church. I wanted to share a little bit with you about the actions of convention.
As always, the work of convention is to elect officers to various positions around our diocese, approve a budget, vote on resolutions that are brought to convention, and hear updates about what is going on in the Episcopal Church in Massachusetts and around the world.
This year, three resolutions were brought forward to convention for a vote. Here is a summary of each resolution:
A Call for Repentance and Reparations: This resolution invites the congregations and institutions of the Diocese of Massachusetts to prayerfully and purposefully to explore their historic involvement in and present wealth derived from the forced labor of enslaved people. It also supports the formation of a Reparations Committee of the newly formed diocesan Racial Justice Commission and requests that the Reparations Committee prepare a toolbox of resources and expertise to assist congregations and individual Episcopalians in the examination of their assets and their history. In addition, the Reparations Committee of the Racial Justice Commission is asked to explore models and best practices for the creation of a Reparations Fund in acknowledgment of and repentance for the sin and legacy of slavery.
Response to Presiding Bishop Curry's Declaration of a Climate Emergency: This resolution calls on the bishops to issue a proclamation that will go out as a press release and a letter to congregations of our diocese, declaring a climate emergency. It also states that the 235th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts encourages the communities, clergy, and laity of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, to expose the greed at the root of the destruction of God’s Creation, through preaching, education, and outreach.
A Call to Address the Neglect of the Seven Historically Black Churches of the Diocese and to Strengthen Their Interrelationships: This resolution commends the newly-formed Racial Justice Commission to appoint a committee of representatives from the seven historically Black churches in our diocese to address the neglect—through overt and systemic discrimination; unequal treatment; and the disparate impact of circumscribed decision-making—of the seven historically Black churches by our diocese that among other things will advise the diocese in all decisions that will affect the welfare of more than one Black Church. This committee will communicate its discoveries and recommendations for the way forward for the seven historically Black churches of our diocese to the Racial Justice Commission within six months for concrete implementation. In addition, this resolution commends all clergy and lay persons in our diocese to work to systemically dismantle racism, and the Bishop’s Office to equip and empower congregations to build relationships by providing opportunities for safe, courageous conversations among all churches.
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen
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6-month Lay Discernment Program “Discerning My Path”
“Discerning My Path” is a new lay discernment opportunity launching in January 2021 for anyone yearning for a deeper relationship with God and wondering about what they have to offer the world and how to listen deeply enough to hear God’s desire. The Diocese of Massachusetts joins other New England dioceses in Province I in partnering with Bexley-Seabury Seminary to offer this six-month lay discernment program. In addition to monthly online meetings in small groups, participants will engage with spiritual reading, videos and articles on discernment, spiritual practices and the ministry of the baptized. Cost is $200; financial assistance is available upon request. An online informational meeting for those who would like to learn more takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7-8 p.m. E-mail Martha Gardner (as below) for Zoom information. FOR INFORMATION: Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation (mgardner@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 403).
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Save the Date, Sunday November 22, 2020
On Sunday, November 22nd at 6pm, there will be another Zoom Agape Meal on the theme of Gratitude.
This year, Thanksgiving will look very different for a lot of people. Come and join fellow parishioners that week to reflect on gratitude and share some time in prayer and fellowship.
More information will be coming in the next couple of weeks.
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Walpole Multi-Church Youth Group
The next meeting of the Walpole Multi-Church Youth Group will be held virtually this Sunday.
All 6th-12th graders are welcome.
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common cathedral
Sign up to donate fruit and granola bars!
We are again seeking donations of fruit and granola bars to be dropped off at Epiphany on Tuesday, November 17th to be brought into common cathedral the next day. There will be a bin at the side entrance of the church from 10am-6pm for you to drop off your contributions.
Thank you to all who have been donating food regularly - if you did not have an opportunity to do so, this is your chance!
We have signed up for 50 pieces of fruit and 50 granola bars! We are looking for 5 people to sign up to each donate 10 pieces of bananas and/or oranges and 5 people to sign up to each donate one box of 8-12 granola bars.
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. Please do not drop off your fruit early--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. 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.
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As Part of our Worship Procedure
Please RSVP for Sunday, November 15, 2020
In-Person Outdoor Worship- HERE
Link for full COVID - Regathering Information available - HERE.
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
In-Person & Virtual
(We are using the Track 2 readings)
You can also 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.
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. OR view us on Walpole Media on Wednesdays at 11:30. Verizon Channel 31 or Comcast Channel 8.
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Becoming Beloved Community
Becoming Beloved Community is the vision and commitment of the Episcopal Church that, “frames a path for Episcopalians to address racial injustice and grow as a community of reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers who share a passion for the dream of God”. The path has 4 distinct and yet overlapping areas:
1. Telling the Truth about our Churches and Race
2. Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community
3. Practicing the Way of Love in the Pattern of Jesus
4. Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions
Epiphany Parish will be creating a ‘Becoming Beloved Community Leadership Team’ to help us begin to think through ways that our parish can live more deeply into the work of racial justice and this dream of God. If you are interested in learning more about serving in this way, please email Rev. Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com. To learn more about the Becoming Beloved Community vision, please click HERE: https://episcopalchurch.org/beloved-community
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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.
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Outreach Opportunities - Walpole & Beyond
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.
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
From the Office
Weekly Calendar ~ Outdoor Worship are held on Sundays, weather permitting.
Please Note: All in-person parish gatherings should still meet virtually unless permission has been granted.
Multi-Church Youth Group ~meets every Sunday, alternating between Zoom and live meetings in Bird Park!
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 open 10-2:00 Tuesday through Thursday. Please follow our Covid - Regathering regulations, including wearing a mask and social distancing. Announcements and notices for the Weekly e-News e-mails should be received in the office by ten oclock each Tuesday - call or e-mail the office.
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.
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