Parish Notices for August 20, 2021
New & Updated
  • Sacred Ground Series
  • Confirmands Gift update
  • Little Forest Preschool
  • Art Show also online
  • Racial Justice Group updates
A Sacred Journey on Sacred Ground
by Nicole Lambelet
Unlike the lines I plotted in middle school math class, daily rhythms rarely progress in orderly fashion across the quadrants of life. The longer I live the more confident I become that life is mostly labyrinthine. Though I expect it to happen now, I can still be disoriented by turns in the road that reveal I am nowhere close to the place(s) I understood myself to be going. Labyrinths—like life—blow open our illusions of arrival. They shake us loose from our attachment to particular destinations. They invite us to see the process as a sacred journey. Perhaps this is why labyrinths are so often utilized in spiritual practice.
 
It’s not surprising then, that the labyrinth is also the logo for “Becoming Beloved Community—the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.” Indeed as Christians we know that the arrival of healing and justice is often elusive because the work of establishing right relationship with God and neighbor is always ongoing. When it comes to the work of racial justice in the context of our country in particular, labyrinths remind us that pursuing healing from our past and acting for the sake of new life and greater justice is a work that is always before us.
 
Next month, we have the opportunity to participate in a sacred journey with our friends from Holy Trinity Parish through a 10-part film-based dialogue on race and faith, called Sacred Ground. Sacred Ground is an initiative of Becoming Beloved Community and it is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

This series is open to all in our parish and is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day—all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
Our first session will be a joint retreat—Epiphany and Holy Trinity—on Saturday, September 25, from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. After the retreat, we will split into smaller Dialogue Circles (study groups) for nine sessions meeting approximately every other week. Groups will meet four times before early December, and then resume with five more sessions between January and March. You can anticipate sessions lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. Your dialog circle will be based upon your availability, indicated on your registration form. Prior to each session participants will need to prepare by completing reading and video assignments. The series includes two core books by Debby Irving, and Jesus and the Disinherited by Dr. Howard Thurman. There is no fee for the program, just the cost of the books.
 
We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us this year in the ongoing journey toward racial healing and justice. The deadline for registration is September 10. If you are interested in coming along for the journey with Sacred Ground click the registration button below.
This Sunday
Sunday Morning at 9 a.m.
Online via Zoom
Login at 8:50 a.m. to greet one another. Use the link to the right or the one on our home page.
Sermon recordings are posted Monday afternoons to epiphany.org/sermons and archived for a year.
Dial: 646.558.8656
Meeting ID: 532 385 901
Please join us for "Islam 101" this Sunday
Offered both online and in-person at 10:15 a.m.
Our three week series about Islam and the Ismaili community concludes this Sunday. This series an important starting point for our community as we look forward to partnering with the Ismaili Community in Decatur in the fall. We hope you might come learn with us as we explore the origins of Islam in the seventh century, the basic tenets of faith, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, the development of Sunni and Shi’a sects, and the important role of Ismaili Muslims in America and our world today.
This Sunday, August 22, we will host a special guest panel to explore the role of Islam and inter-faith service efforts in our world today. No previous knowledge required—just come with an open mind and heart!

Panelists:
  • Epiphanite Jim Hoesterey, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Emory
  • Riri Khariroh,  Executive Director of the Alliance of Peaceful Indonesia
  • Rahimjon Abdugafurov, PhD post-doctoral fellow in Islamic Legal Studies at Emory University
  • Sahil Gilani, Director of Programs at Catholic Charities, Dallas
Sunday's Adult Formation takes place in-person and online at the same time at 10:15 a.m. The in-person class will take place in the Parish Hall. The online class will take place on Zoom using the link for the 9 a.m. Sunday Service.

Dial: 646.558.8656
Meeting ID: 532 385 901
Missed a class? Video recordings are uploaded each week to Epiphany's YouTube Channel.

Sunday Morning at 11:30 a.m.
Indoor Eucharist - Registration Required

To allow for social distancing, there will be a limit of 80 people in the congregation. Registration is required.

Masks should be worn by all during worship. Fully vaccinated clergy, lay worship leaders, choir, and lectors may go without a mask while actively leading worship. There will be singing by the choir and the congregation. Communion remains in one kind (bread only).
Registration: Click on links provided on our website, in this newsletter, or from your Realm account online or your smart phone app. For those who have created your Realm logins, the fields will auto-fill for you once you select your name. Guest registration is also an option.

A pop up confirmation notice appears when you complete your registration, and a confirmation email is immediately sent. If you don’t receive a confirmation notice or email, try again and be sure to click the last button marked REGISTER.

Realm: If you have not created your Realm login yet or need help with registration, email or call the parish office.
Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light
The Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light can be given in honor of an anniversary, birthday or in memory of a loved one.
The Arrangements at the Altar for this Sunday are given to the Glory of God and In memory of Ann Guinta and in honor of Mary Palmer, by Kim & Karla Finnegan.

The Sanctuary Light is given this week to the Glory of God and in memory of Ruben Oscar Schulz by Amy Shipp & Eric Schulz
The color and selection of flowers is based on the appropriateness of the liturgical season. However, you may request a particular flower or color be used on the signup. Suggested donation is $75.

The light is a visible sign of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament held in reserve in the Tabernacle and burns for seven days. Suggested donation is $6.
 
 
Sign up by noon on Wednesdays to be listed in the weekly Friday email.
Weekday Worship
Morning Prayer at 9 a.m.
Weekdays via Zoom
Login around 8:45 a.m. for Virtual Coffee Hour. The Zoom Link is not public. Email the parish office to receive the login information.
Tuesday Men's Group at 7 a.m.

The Tuesday Men's Group meets each Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. for Morning Prayer (Holy Eucharist 1st Tuesdays) followed by a time of fellowship before heading on their way for the day. Contact: John Yntema.
Wednesday Noonday Prayer & Eucharist
In the nave

Noonday Prayer takes place at 12 p.m. in the side chapel. Healing with Eucharist follows at 12:15 p.m.
Children & Youth Ministries
Keeping Families Informed
If you would like to get more details about the Children & Youth Ministries Programs, email the parish office to subscribe to their weekly email.
Confirmands Gift Goal Achieved

Last week we asked for donations so that we could gift our youth confirmands with prayer books with their names engraved. Because of COVID our students have had to wait extra long for their confirmation service, and because of this we wanted to bless them with something special. 

We have met the goal and were even able to bank a little towards next year!

Our youth will be confirmed at the combined services with churches from our entire convocation on Sunday, August 29 at 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish.
Monthly Family Meet & Greet
Knowing that not all of our families are feeling comfortable with a return to indoor worship or formation, we will be starting a monthly gathering for children and families outside on the Epiphany playground! We’ll have coffee and snacks, songs and a short story or devotion appropriate for the whole family.
For starters, mark your calendars for 10:15 a.m. on Sunday August 29, September 26, and October 24. Register in Realm or at epiphany.org/rsvp.

Youth Formation
Begins Sunday, September 12 at 10 a.m.
Youth Formation this fall will take place Sunday mornings from 10 - 11 a.m. Parents are invited to register and attend with their youth.The first 15 minutes of every session will be dedicated to a presentation on the weekly topic. These topics range from mental health to climate change. Following the presentation, youth and their parents will break into separate age-based small groups for deeper conversation.

Please indicate on the registration form found at the link below whether you are interested in attending formation with your youth.
Youth Ministries In-Person Evening Prayer

Evening Prayer is held on Sundays from 5-6 p.m. The first half is dedicated to games and social time, while the second is set aside for prayer and formation.
Children's Weekly Bulletin
Click the link below for this Sunday's Children's bulletin. Hard copies and crayons are available from the ushers for those attending in person.

The bulletins include word searches, white space for imaginative drawing based on prompts, word scrambles, connect-the-dots, and lots of creative coloring opportunities.
Parish Announcements
Little Forest Preschool
Since 2018, our grounds have been home to Little Forest Preschool. With space inside for inclement weather, they spend most of their time on our Playground and up on Byrdland.
A Word from their Director
Deborah Long, Founder & Director
At Little Forest Preschool, we believe that connecting fully with nature will inspire children to become environmental stewards of the future.

We believe in creating opportunities for children to experience fun, freedom, love and belonging and meaningful routines that feel like a family.

Our school community is built of love, care and support! Serving ages 2-8, we spend each day entirely outside unless weather is dangerous. For more information please see our website littleforestatl.com or email littleforestatl@gmail.com
Now Showing for the month of August
Epiphany Art Ministry presents Travel Photography by Bill Deneke
The Rev. Bill Deneke has always enjoyed international travel and culture. Bill’s photos of people and scenes in Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Russia are featured in the exhibit at Epiphany in August.

View the Exhibit online 24/7. Click any image below to open the Gallery View.
 
View the Exhibit in-person on Sunday mornings in between services and on weekdays at limited hours. Please call ahead to make sure the building is open. Masks and social distancing are required at all times.

Remember - 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany.
 
Payment - Make checks out directly to the artist. No cash please.
Neighbors Small Group
Tuesday Evenings at 7 p.m.

The Neighbors Small Group will meet on Zoom each week to discuss the book Neighbors: Christians and Muslims Building Community by Deanna Fierre Womack. Facilitated by parishioners Evan Gibbs and Paul Hinson. Email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet to RSVP or for more information.
The schedule for the whole series is as follows:

August 24: Discuss Chapter 6 (18 pages)
August 31: Discuss Chapters 7 & 8 (32 pages)
September 7: Discuss Chapter 9 & afterword (24 pages)
Parish Fall Retreat - SAVE THE DATE
October 22-24, 2021 at Kanuga

KANUGA IS OPEN AGAIN and our Epiphany Retreat is a GO! We’ve got our traditional fall weekend reserved for October 22-24 and premium cabins as well as a few rooms at the Inn. Some things will be different this year – we’re preparing to 're-Imagine' the weekend retreat for a post-pandemic era! So, mark your calendars for October 22-24, consider joining the Kanuga Committee to help us ‘re-Imagine’ the retreat, and check back for more information in the coming months. Email Ann Williamson if you are interested in serving on the planning committee.
EFM is Zooming!
Because of the uncertainties of the next year, Education for Ministry (EFM) will meet on Zoom for the 2021-22 school year. This makes it a great opportunity to get to know people outside of our usual geography and ways of thinking, and perhaps even some people from other countries! EFM is a four-year extension program of the School of Theology of the University of the South. It is partly academic readings, but the heart of EFM is theological reflection, or “TR.“ In a TR, participants discuss issues of faith, what they believe, what they question, how it relates to their everyday lives, and how they keep faith alive. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. The cost of the program is $350 per year. The meetings will be held from early September through May. For further information, email Esther Harbert.
Pastoral Emergencies
Please call the parish office at 404.373.8338 and leave a message for Amy (ext. 14) or Nicole (ext. 16). They receive message alerts and will return your call.
Ongoing Groups
Second Sundays
Young Adults! Join us on the Second Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. in the courtyard. We'll eat, pray, and ping-pong together. Email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet with questions.
Daughters of the King will NOT meet this month
The Daughters of the King (DOK) meet online on 4th Sundays at 2 p.m. The DOK is open to all women in the parish interested in fellowship and study. Email Barbara Ryder if you would like to receive the Zoom link each month.
 
Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays
The Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Hall. Email Linda Ryder-Wolf if you have questions.

  • August 30 (the next week is Labor Day): Last Hope Island by Lynne Olson
  • October 4: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
  • November 1: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
Racial Justice Group Pausing Meetings to Participate in Sacred Ground Series
Called by our baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being, the Racial Justice Group (RJG) is focused on lifelong learning and action steps we can take as individuals and as a church community to help achieve racial equity and justice. All are welcome. Beginning in September, the RJG will pause its 2nd Tuesday of the month meetings, so its members can participate in the Sacred Grounds series. Email Erin Braden or Kay Lee with any questions or suggestions. We welcome your thoughts.
Racial Justice Book Study Group meets 4th Wednesdays
You are invited to join Epiphany’s Racial Justice Book Study group on the fourth Wednesday in August and September from 6:45 - 8 p.m.
 
Walking With The Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis.
August - Parts One through Four
September - Parts Five through Seven

The purposes of our Book Study are to:
  • educate and inform ourselves on the history of racial injustice
  • better understand the challenges of changing racial inequities and seeking racial justice, and
  • work toward pragmatic and effective ways to be better anti-racist advocates
 
Please consider ordering your books from Black owned, local bookstores, which you can find by searching for “black owned bookstores Atlanta.” Email Lisa Daily for the Zoom link. Contact Lisa Daily or Kay Lee, if you have any questions.
 
Please take note that after our September meeting, the RJBG will pause its meeting so as to allow time for members to participate in the upcoming Sacred Ground series. 
Grief Pastoral Care Group meets 1st Thursdays
The Grief Pastoral Care Group meets on Zoom 1st Thursdays at noon for a healing and faith based conversation around grief and loss. Led by parishioners Megan Fraijo-Paul and Nancy Thompson, both trained psychotherapists. Email Megan or Nancy for more information.
Flex & Stretch and Chair Yoga
The Flex & Stretch class—which is the basic SilverSneakers class—meets online on Fridays and the Chair Yoga program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All at 11 a.m. Email Ellen Mintzmeyer for the Zoom link.
Finances
Ways to Give

The easiest way for you to give to Epiphany is through Realm, our secure online community. You can make one-time donations or manage your giving as a recurring transaction in a secure, easy-to-use environment. Contribution statements are always available via your profile.
 
Realm Login
If you have not yet created a login to our online church ministry tool, Email the parish office and you will be sent an invitation email
 
Visit epiphany.org/ways-to-give to learn about the different was to give to Epiphany. You'll also find links to more information about Realm. Finally, if you have not already made a financial pledge to support Church of the Epiphany this year, there's also a link about how to make a pledge on the Ways to Give page.
Prayers of the People
  • Send prayer requests to the parish office.
  • Names of our friends and family remain on the list for four weeks.
  • The Anniversary & Birthday List for the month can be found here.
For members who are bidding our prayers: Jewel Allen • Joy Boydon • Sally Brockington • Alma Fuller • Beth Galvin • Barbara Holmes • Judy Jarady • Henry Laird • Ellen Mintzmyer • Sally McClintock • Neela Ram • Ann Rowles • Paul Thompson • Evan Vega

For friends and family: Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers • Betty Porter, relative of Christen Erskine • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Rosalind, sister of Katharine Hilliard-Yntema • Nicky Cullen, friend of Linda Ryder-Wolf • Diana, sister-in-law of Brenda Lloyd • Richard & Maryanne Theyerl, parents of Nick Theyerl • Laura Kate, great-niece of Laura Keys • Brad Akers, nephew of Pat Graves • Sakina Khawari and her family in Afghanistan, goddaughter of Marcy McCall Cash

For members who desire our continuing prayers: Ron Hutcheson • Rod MacLeod • Chris Miller • Tom Mundy • Terry-Lee Ross • June Sparks • Pat Spivey • Kathy Walmsley

For those of who have died: Ronnie Troglione, uncle of Lisa Carlson

For those celebrating anniversaries for the week of 8/22-28: Bill & Pat Graves

For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 8/22-28:Mary Haworth • Connie Kneisel • Elizabeth Teel • Brandon Laird • Ryan Gaffney Stone • Boone Wiesner • Charlotte Hill • Sarah Matthews • Tom Felcher • Mitch Jones • Kevin McGoldrick • Jacob Schneider

For those celebrating a birth: Henry William Wagner, son of David & Kathleen "Beano" Wagner, who was born on August 18.

Did we miss your anniversary or birthday? Send your full date of your anniversary and/or your date of birth to the parish office so that we can update our records.
The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.