Parish Notices for December 11, 2020 |
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Advent • Christmas • Epiphany
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The Season of Advent continues. The stations created by the children of Emmaus House—similar to our Stations of the Cross—are an outdoor exhibit we can journey through on our campus as we reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Christ. |
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The Stations begin in the Memorial Garden 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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Epiphany Family Advent Kits |
Epiphany Family Advent Kits are still available; please contact Christen Erskine if you would like to schedule porch delivery or to pick one up. Children@epiphany.org
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Christmas Worship Services |
Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m. - Outdoors
In-person Eucharist with instrumental music of the season.
7:00 p.m. - Online
Worship with congregational carols, anthems by the Epiphany Choir and Epiphany Ringers. Use Sunday login.
Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. - Online
Christmas Lessons and Carols with congregational carols and an anthem by the Epiphany Choir. Use Sunday login.
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Help Make Luminarias for Christmas Eve! |
On Sunday December 20, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Rev. Nicole will be onsite to welcome anyone who would like to join her in constructing luminarias for our outdoor Christmas Eve service.
Luminarias or farolitos are small paper lanterns made by filling paper bags with sand and candles. On Christmas Eve and other festive times they are often used to line yards, fences, sidewalks, and roofs. We'll plan to decorate our driveway and outside meeting space for our outdoor service, but we'll do more than that if lots of folks show up. If you plan to come, please RSVP. Remember to wear a mask and bring a shovel or trowel!
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Christmas Flowers & Music |
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Submissions must be received in the parish office by 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, December 16, for acknowledgement in the Christmas bulletins.
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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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2020 has changed things this year, but it has not taken away our celebrations! This year for the Epiphany Pageant, we will combine two loved traditions—Nativities and the All Ages Pageant.
Everyone is invited to share pieces from their nativity during our Pageant, which will be part of the Epiphany Service via Zoom. You are also welcome to dress up as the character if you would like.
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Sign-up for each piece you would like to share; we may assign/limit parts based on what will create a balanced presentation. There will be rehearsal to test our technology on the evening of January 5. If you have any questions, please email Christen Erskine or the Rev. Nicole Lambelet,
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Pledge Update
As of today, 115 households have made a pledge for 2021 for a total of $417,010.92.
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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 blue + 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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Every year during the holiday season parishioners are invited to contribute to the staff’s Christmas bonus as a token of appreciation.
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You may give online through your Realm Login or from this link https://www.epiphany.org/ways-to-give (select Clergy/Staff Gifts from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Church of the Epiphany with “Clergy/Staff Gifts” in the memo line.
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If you have any expenses that should be reimbursed in this fiscal year, they must be submitted and approved by Tuesday, December 15. Any expenses submitted after the December 15 will be applied to the 2021 budget. |
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2020 Pledges & Year End Gifts |
Pledge payments and contributions must be received at the church or postmarked by December 31. Stock contributions must be delivered to the church brokerage account by December 31 to be recorded for 2020. Click here for the stock form
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Outreach Committee Member Spotlight |
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Each month, Epiphany is highlighting one of our committees or groups that work behind the scenes in so many different ways. In the month of December, we continue to offer our deep thanks and appreciation to the Outreach Committee. This week we are highlighting three more long-time committee members who have devoted themselves to the reconciling work of the church in our community and in our world. These are just a few of their many activities. Thank you for all that you do in our community! |
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Jeanette Hanson has served in outreach ministries for many years. She coordinates our feeding ministry at Gateway/Evolution Shelter and Holy Comforter, and has contributed her time and many talents to Emmaus House ministries like Thanksgiving at Home and Christmas outreach.
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Kathie Ryan has coordinated our service with Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) for 16 years, serving on their coordinating council and managing Epiphany’s food drives twice per year. Kathie is retiring from this role at the end of the year, and we are grateful for her dedication.
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Mary Ann Schneider has been active in Outreach with Epiphany since her family joined in 1987. She helps Peoplestown residents with benefits and housing for the Lokey Help Center, the poverty rights program of Emmaus House, and has coordinated lunches for members experiencing homelessness at Church of the Common Ground.
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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. (Class info listed below.)
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Links can also be found on the worship services page of our our website. A Zoom account is not needed.
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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.
In the event of inclement weather or if temperatures fall below 45° we will cancel the outdoor service by way of email at 9 a.m. Check your email on the day of the service if the weather is uncertain.
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Sunday Morning Worship @11:30 a.m.
12/13 - Spaces still Available
12/20 - 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 rest of the Advent season. Remaining dates are December 13, and 20. Please plan to join us even if you missed the first session, we had a thought-provoking and inspiring time together last week. On December 13th Anton will lead us in a discussion on harvesting joy in a session he has titled: Joy Crosses Borders.
Meeting ID: 532 38 5901
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Modern Families in January |
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We will be discussing This Book is Anti-Racist, by Tiffany Jewell. The book examines the concepts of social identity, race, ethnicity, and racism, providing language and phrases to interrupt and disrupt racism. It is written for everyone, from young people to families and teachers. We will focus on how to raise anti-racist children as we work on deepening our own racial awareness and building a community that truly honors everyone.
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Youth Formation
There will be no more virtual Youth Formation meetings for the remainder of the calendar year.
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Children's Formation
Children's Formation will meet every Sunday between now and Christmas.
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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.
Meeting ID: 890 5875 0509
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SMA: Epiphany's "Shadrach Meshak and bednego" group invites all 3rd-6th graders to join us on Zoom on December 16, and 30 at 6:30 p.m. for community building, games, and a time of reflection about the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
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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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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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Virtual Youth Group: We will not have virtual youth group on the 20th or the 27th. Virtual youth group will resume on January 3rd.
Meeting ID: 532 38 5901
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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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... 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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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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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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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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Give in Honor of Someone
The Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light can be given as a memorial, thanksgiving or special occasion.
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The Altar 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 here 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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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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Required Trainings for Staff & Lay Leadership
If you are not sure of your training status, contact the parish office.
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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The staff continues to work mostly from home. They check their email and voicemail messages regularly.
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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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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Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) |
ERD 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. They also work around the world and here in the US responding to and rebuilding after disasters. |
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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 subscribe to Connecting, the Dioceses' monthly newsletter featuring diocesan-wide news, events, announcements, and inspiration.
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Click here to see all the news and stories from around the Diocese.
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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, Pat Merchant,Tom Mundy, Wayne Richardson, Ann Rowles, Claire & Logan Shults, Stephanie Thompson
For friends and family: 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; Erin Scranton, sister of Beth Galvin; Deborah Orvin, aunt of Jeremy Davis; Laura Salsich, niece of Laura Keys
For those who have died: Jackie Boles, Bill & Carolyn Allen, parents of Jewel Allen
For those celebrating anniversaries for the week of 12/13–19: Rachela Davidson-Leghorn & Chris Leghorn, Lisa & Randy Stewart, Laura & John Keys
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 12/13–19: Amanda Sprinkle, Jack Councill, George Janke, Ralph Lorenzo, Gabriel Guyton-Edmiston, Kathie Ryan, Mary Katharine Williamson, Jessie Montgomery, Reese Weatherford, Isabelle Braden, Sam Burnett, Sytha Cheatham, Everett DiBello, Kitty Snyder
For the birth of a grandchild – Jack Richard Webb – the 5th grandchild of Colleen & Peter Morich, who was born on Wednesday, December 2.
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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