Weekly e-News
from
Epiphany Parish
February 16, 2021
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Did you know that in Iceland, Ash Wednesday can look like Halloween?
See below in 'Notes from the Office' for details.
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FROM REV CHRISTEN'S DESK
Dear Epiphany Parish,
It was fun to be able to worship on Zoom this past Sunday! I loved being able to see everyone as we worshiped together, and it was lovely to be able to check-in and catch-up during our virtual coffee hour. While live-streaming to Facebook will be our default way of worshiping over the next few months, we will make sure to have a few more of these special services over zoom.
A few things that you need to know this week: Tomorrow, February 17th, is Ash Wednesday. We will be having a live-streamed service of Ash Wednesday at 7pm on Facebook Live. Our regular Wednesday Morning Prayer service will still take place over the phone at 7:15am that day. All are welcome to join us!
If you would like to receive ashes for Ash Wednesday, you can pick them up at the church tonight (Tuesday) from 5pm-6pm so you can self-administer ashes tomorrow during our live-streamed service.
Finally, it has been exciting and relieving to see so many folks in our parish starting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you need help getting to your vaccine appointment or if you are eligible to receive the vaccine and you need help figuring out the how to get an appointment, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me or the parish office. There are folks in our parish who are willing to give rides and to put you in touch with resources that can help you navigate the system.
Tomorrow begins the season of Lent, but before we enter the 40 days of Lent, I want to leave you with two images of the Transfiguration that I referenced in my sermon on Sunday.
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Apse mosaic of the Transfiguration from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, 565–66
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen
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Message from the Treasurer
Pledge envelopes for those who requested them will be available during wafer pick up and ash pick up times. (Today 5-6:00PM and Wednesday, February 17 between 10:00AM-1:00PM and Friday & Saturday pick ups too!) If you are unavailable to pick up at these times, please contact the office at 508-688-2353 or email at office.epiphany@verizon.net and other arrangements will be made to get the envelopes to you.
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Woodworking Help Needed
Do you own tools? Are you handy at woodworking? Rev. Christen is looking for someone to help make 14 large wooden crosses for a Lenten Stations of the Cross project. Please email christen.epiphany@gmail.com for more information if you are interested in helping out! |
Ash Wednesday – Tomorrow, February 17th at 7pm
On Ash Wednesday, February 17th, there will be a virtual opportunity to worship with the Epiphany Parish community on Facebook Live. Ashes will be available for advance pick-up at the church for self-imposition of ashes during the virtual service. The link to sign up to pick-up ashes can be found here:
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common cathedral
Our remaining February Date for common cathedral donations is:
February 23rd.
Donations of fruit and granola bars can be dropped off on the Tuesday.
Please drop off items by 6:00 PM.
We are signed up for 50 pieces of fruit and 50 granola bars each time.
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 as 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. 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
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The First Sunday of Lent
This will be a service of Holy Communion, so if you live locally, we encourage you to sign up to pick-up consecrated wafers at the church to receive communion during the service.
If you are not able to pick-up wafers in advance, please join us anyway!
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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; 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.
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.
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Outreach Opportunities - Walpole & Beyond
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
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.
Vestry Meetings - The Vestry of Epiphany Parish meets the third Tuesday of every month (virtually) at 7:00pm on Zoom. All are welcome! Please email Rev. Christen for the zoom link at christen.epiphany@gmail.com.
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Notes From the Office
Ash Wednesday in Ireland - The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is normally reserved for indulgence and revelry (think: Mardi Gras), but in Iceland, the fun doesn't stop there. The first day of Lent in Iceland, called Öskudagur, is similar to Halloween in the U.S. Kids dress up in costumes and tour their neighborhoods singing songs in exchange for candy. The holiday even makes room for mischief—in one fading tradition, kids will sometimes pin "ash bags" (often filled with grains instead of ash) to the backs of their peers when they aren't looking. (via https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/574643/ash-wednesday-facts)
Annual Meeting Postponed - All ministry reports are due by February 21st. Our 2020 annual meeting which would typically be held in early February will be postponed until late spring when we can meet in-person (either indoors or outside). More information about nominations will be coming soon. In the meantime, we are working to put together the 2020 Annual Report which will be emailed out to the parish in March.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 8:30
Sunday Morning Worship - on Facebook at 10:15
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - virtually every third Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00
Wednesday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 7:30
Ash Pick Up - February 16 &17th 10:00 - 1:00PM
Wednesday February 17th - Ash Wednesday - Virtual Facebook Live Worship 7:00PM
Fridays - Wafer Pick Up - 5:00pm - 6:00 PM
Saturdays - Wafer Pick Up - 10:00am - 12:00PM
Office Hours
Please note that due to the continuing COVID pandemic the office hours are irregular. Please call and we will arrange a time to meet in person. All phone messages and emails will be picked up Monday through Thursday mornings. Please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.
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.
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Epiphany Parish| 508-668-2353| 62 Front Street, Walpole, MA 02081
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