Weekly e-News
from Epiphany Parish

October 5, 2021
From Rev Christen

Dear Epiphany Parish,

Over the weekend I watch an excellent documentary called My Name is Pauli Murray, about the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a Civil Rights icon, a lawyer, a poet, and the first Black woman to be ordained to the Episcopal Priesthood. Pauli’s work as a lawyer and Civil Rights activist was hugely influential in the desegregation of public schools, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights. And yet, despite the importance of her work, Pauli Murray is still relatively unknown, even in the Episcopal Church where she helped to shatter the ‘stained glass ceiling’ when ordained in 1977.

In November, instead of our usual book study, I invite you to watch this film and then join us for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, November 14th from 7pm-8pm to discuss Pauli Murray’s life and work. Please email office.epiphany@verizon.net if you would like to sign-up for this zoom discussion. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.


Also, did you know that Pauli Murray has her own feast day in the Episcopal Church? In our Holy Women and Holy Men calendar of saints, we celebrate Pauli Murray on July 1st each year.

I look forward to discussing the life, work, and ministry of this important person on November 14th.

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen 
Pumpkin Patch 2021 Update

The pumpkins have arrived!
The Patch is Open:
Monday - Thursday 12 - 6pm
Weekends & Holidays 9am - 6pm

Pumpkin Patch Attendants will be needed to help sell pumpkins.
Please sign up HERE.
Mil Milgros Handiwork Sale
Sunday, October 17th 11:00am-1:00pm
at the Pumpkin Patch

Handmade jewelry, ornaments, bags, scarves and more will be available to support Mil Milgros work with women and children in the western highlands of Guatemalans.

For more information on the impact Mil Milgros has on the Guatemalan people visit their webpage - Here.
Confirmation Class to Begin this Fall:
This fall we will be running a Confirmation Class for students who are interested in being Confirmed in the Spring. This class is for Students in grades 9-12 who are interested in learning about God, deepening their faith, and getting a better understanding of the church. Students in 7th and 8th grade may also sign up if they are ready and interested in confirmation. If you have a student who is interested in taking confirmation classes (even if they aren’t sure about confirmation at this point), please email Rev. Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com by Sunday, October 10th. After that date, we will send out a survey to families of the confirmands in order to schedule classes and plan the logistics. Also, if you are an adult who is interested in baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church, please let Rev. Christen know so we can discuss the possibility of an adult class this year. 

Youth Group to Start this Sunday:
The Walpole Youth Group is a youth group that is shared between 4 churches (Epiphany Parish, United Church in Walpole, South Walpole United Method Church, and Union Congregational Church) for youth in grades 6-12. The first meeting of the Walpole Youth Group will take place THIS SUNDAY from 5pm-6pm at South Walpole United Methodist Church (1886 Washington St, South Walpole). If your youth would like to attend or if you would like more information, please email Rev. Christen at Christen.Epiphany@gmail.com to sign up! This fall youth group will meet every other week from 5pm-6pm and will be both in-person and indoors. Masks will be required inside for everyone, and social distancing measures will be in place. We are looking forward to gathering again after a break this summer!

This Bread and This Cup: Communion Class for Children and Parents:
This late Fall/Winter we are going to be running a class for children called "This Bread, This Cup." First Communion is not traditionally practiced in the Episcopal Church, however, there is a desire for children to learn more about this important sacrament. The "This Bread, This Cup" curriculum is geared for children about ages 6-8. It is a workbook that parents and children will do together at home. There will also be two in-person gatherings at the church to put what the children are learning into practice. After the class is over, we will recognize the participants during our 10:15am service. Please email Office.Epiphany@verizon.net by November 1st if you and your child are interested in participating in the ‘This Bread, This Cup’ Communion Class at Epiphany Parish. We will send out a survey after that time to schedule the gatherings.  
common cathedral
Sunday, October 24th
We are signed up for: 50 granola bars, 50 pieces of fruit, 2 canisters of ground coffee, 2 pounds of sugar.
common cathedral has requested to bring only soft fruit (like bananas, oranges, grapes) no hard fruit (like apples). Please bring more bananas than oranges if able.
common cathedral provides food, community, worship, and so much more to folks in Boston who are experiencing homelessness. Epiphany Parish has supported common cathedral in many ways throughout the years. common cathedral has adapted their programs during the pandemic in order to continue to safely support the members of their community. They are also asking that you please also consider a monetary gift to support this meaningful and very needed ministry: https://commoncathedral.org/donations
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Morning Prayer via phone - 8:30 AM
Sunday Worship In-door, In-Person or on Facebook Live at 10:15 AM

The Bulletin & Prayers of the People will be emailed on Friday.
Notes from the Office
Prayer Hours - The Sanctuary will be open on Wednesdays from 10:00am-2:00 pm for prayer. Please enter from the driveway side door.
Altar Flowers - Flower bouquets have returned to the altar. If you would like to have flowers placed on the altar in memory of a loved one please email the office at office.epiphany@verizon.net. A sign up sheet is also located in the undercroft outside of the kitchen.
Prayer of the People - Don't forget to update your Prayer List requests.

Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 8:30am
Sunday Morning Worship - Indoor & Facebook Live at 10:15am
Sunday, October 10th - Youth Group Meeting 5-6pm
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - virtually every third Tuesday via Zoom
Wednesday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 7:15
Wednesday - Sanctuary open for Prayer - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fridays - AA Meeting - Undercroft 8:00pm

PUMPKIN PATCH - Open Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 6:00pm
Weekends and Holidays 9:00am - 6:00 pm

Office Hours
The office is open on Wednesdays 10-2:00pm.
Please call or email to arrange a time to meet in person for different days or times.
Please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.‌
Need help?  
Please CLICK HERE for a list of resources and support for mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse disorders.
Food insecurity: Contact the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333; open 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the crisis (TTY line: 1-800-377-1292).
Financial Assistance: There are also some funds available at Epiphany Parish to help members of our community in a financial emergency. Please reach out confidentially to Rev. Christen (978-758-7270) if you have any questions or need financial support. If you are struggling to buy food or medicine, pay bills, buy gas, or struggling in any other way, please do not suffer in silence. We are all in this together and Epiphany Parish is here to support you in whatever ways we can.
‌Epiphany Parish Welcome Statement
Epiphany Episcopal Parish welcomes all those who seek a spiritual connection to God. We embrace the young and the old; the seasoned and the newcomer; the married, single, separated, divorced and widowed; those of all sexual orientations and gender identities; those from any economic, ethnic, cultural or religious background; and those of all abilities. We not only welcome diversity at Epiphany, we celebrate it.
Epiphany Email Policy
 Fraudulent emails are continuing to become more common and more sophisticated, please note that Rev. Christen, Epiphany Parish staff, and/or the members of our Vestry will never solicit money, gift cards, or personal information via email. If you have any questions or concerns about an email request you receive from a leader or staff person in our parish, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office at 508-668-2353.‌