Weekly e-News
from Epiphany Parish
April 20, 2021
Do you know the theme for this year's Earth Day?
Check 'Notes from the Office' below for the answer.
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Communion Wafer Pick Up for Virtual Worship - Click Here
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From Rev Christen
Dear Epiphany Parish,
Last Friday, I received my second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
As of this week, all adults age 16 and older who live, work, or study are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. I have such hope that over the next several months, as more and more folks are vaccinated, we will be able to do more and more in-person as a parish community. If you need help making or getting to a vaccine appointment or if you know of someone who needs help, please email or call the parish office. We are here to support you!
During this time of transition, we will continue to worship outside when the weather is good and online when the weather is bad. We will continue to always offer an online option for worship.
All year we’ve been praying for the scientists and people working on vaccine development, the folks involved in the trials, and now for everyone distributing and receiving vaccines. We’ve also been praying for everyone who has died from COVID-19 and for their friends, families, and communities that are left behind in grief.
It has been a long, hard year and it isn’t over yet. Please continue to do all the things that will keep you and your community safe. If you have questions or concerns about receiving a vaccine, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to share my experience with you and why I decided to get the vaccine to help protect myself, my family and friends, and this parish community.
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen
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A Word from the Church - Diocesan News
Letter from Bishop Gates
April 20, 2021
Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders of the Diocese,
I am grateful to announce that the Standing Committee has approved plans for me to have an upcoming sabbatical leave. This summer marks seven years since my arrival to serve as bishop. I will be away from June 13 through October 11, representing a three-month sabbatical, together with summer vacation.
Continuing pandemic concerns will likely prevent any ambitious plans for global pilgrimage or study travel, as had originally been imagined last year. Rather, I look forward to a time for deep rest, reading, reflection and re-creation – a sabbatical in the mode of true “sabbath renewal.”
During my absence, full oversight and leadership in the diocese will be taken up by our bishop suffragan, the Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris, who will work with all governing bodies and the staff of the diocese to assure continuity of episcopal guidance. I offer my thanks in advance to Bishop Harris, and to all those who will shoulder extra responsibilities to make my absence possible.
As it happens, the first day of this sabbatical – June 13 – marks the beginning of my 35th year in ordained ministry. I am profoundly grateful to the Diocese of Massachusetts for the opportunity to mark this moment with a time for renewal and re-dedication. I hope that over these months you will hold me in your prayers; you will most surely be in mine.
Faithfully and fondly,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
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Barbara C. Harris FAMILY CAMP Fabulous Family Weekends at the BCH Center
The Barbara C. Harris Center invites you to unplug, relax and delight in the beauty of God’s creation. Enjoy a long weekend of delicious meals, arts & crafts, hikes, swimming, boating, field games, worship, s’mores and much, much more! Families may choose to stay in a private lodge room or cabin. Inter-generational and age-appropriate activities will be offered. Episcopal clergy from all over New England will serve as chaplains and lead Sunday’s outdoor Eucharist. Come and join us for a time of rest and renewal.
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Sacred Ground Update
Sacred Ground has covered so much in the first seven sessions. When we first began, I thought all the racial issues were dealt with in the past, through the civil rights movement and equal opportunity laws. I did not see it in my world. This is what drove me to participate. However, with each month we have peeled away a little more history of how this is not the case. I only knew one side of the story. Our sessions, through videos and readings, have shown the other side.
The Alamo was part of Mexico. Americans took it over, and the lands north of the Rio Grande, to displaced the Latinos, just as the Native Americans were run off their prime land. These two groups of people, who originally inhabited the land, now had no citizenship rights.
The laws making true freedoms impossible for minorities throughout history was mind-boggling to me. I had no idea that the Chinese were such a big part of farming in California, owning ¾ of the farms in the 1800’s. They introduced 8 varieties of oranges, shrimp, sugar beets, strawberries, celery and started the vineyards. This was after they had to file 170 court cases against unfair laws.
An eyeopener for me was the post-Civil War laws during the Reformation. Prisoners were loaned out to companies to do the work the slaves had done. The problem was that the laws to get to jail were primarily focused on the blacks. It was basically another form of slavery.
I was shocked at our Supreme Court, who ruled against a Japanese man, living and raising his family as Americans. He wanted to become a citizen. The Court decided he was not white based on a scientific chart showing who is white, and Asians were not. Shortly later a man from India, wanted to become a citizen. He saw the Courts decision and he was on the chart as white. But the same Supreme Court decided he wasn’t white enough!
We saw how the GI Bill, to help veterans get housing after WWII, only had helped white families. The banks would only lend money based on a map that showed where safe loans would go. The ‘red-lined’ areas where black families would buy into didn’t qualify for the loans. The real estate agents also scared the white families by stating black families were moving into their neighborhood. They would then buy the house at a low rate and sell the same house at higher rate to a black family. The house would then lose its value as the white families moved out so the black families could not build equity. Without equity the minority families could not get ahead as the white families did.
Being Irish, I was surprised to learn the poor conditions the Irish were up against in Ireland. It wasn’t just the potato famine that brought families here. An article showed how the Irish came over and were know as the ‘white negros’. They could only get undesirable jobs like the black folks. But because their skin color was white, they were able to melt into society and become ‘white’ over time. Something the black people could not do.
Our sessions have shown us the past problems for minorities due to the lack of ‘whiteness’ of their skin. It allows us to see how it is still affecting our society today. Two men, one black and one white, both with the same education, background and jobs were sent out to get an apartment. The black man was told the apartment was already rented, the white man went in and got the apartment.
Sacred Ground shows that racism towards minorities was a big part of our past, but sadly still exist today. My blinders are off!
Cindy Falcone
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common cathedral - Next drop off - Tomorrow, April 21st
Upcoming dates: Tuesday May 4th & May 18th
Donations of bananas and oranges can be dropped off on the Wednesday. Please drop off items between 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM in the white box the driveway entrance. We are signed up for 50 pieces of fruit. 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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Fourth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer via phone - 8:30 AM
Sunday Worship In-Person, Outdoor or on Facebook Live at 10:15 AM
Please sign up in advance for attendance in-person or for wafers if worshiping virtually.
The bulletin will be emailed on Friday and is also available on our webpage.
The Prayers of the People will now be included in the Friday email.
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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
Earth Day - April 22, 2021 - This years Earth Day theme is: Restoring our Earth!
Earth Day was first observed in 1970. Do you know what book, published in the 1962 by Rachel Carson on the effects of pesticides on the planet, brought attention to the subject of pollution to the American public?
For the answer and more history of Earth Day- Click here. If you don't want to go to the site the answer is at the bottom of this section.
Visit the official Earth Day site to become an active participant and let your voice be heard - Click here.
Did you find our Egg yet? This project continues through the Easter season. Send pictures to the office email for posting on the website. So far we have had 11 visitors! The clues are available at this link: https://illuminatedmyth.wixsite.com/website-5. Happy Hunting!
Annual Meeting - The Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 6th with the rain date of June 13th. Hard copies of the Annual Report will be available.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 8:30am
Sunday Morning Worship - In-Person & Facebook Live at 10:15am
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - virtually every third Tuesday
Wednesday Morning Prayer - by Phone at 7:15
Wednesday - common cathedral drop off - April 21st
Wednesday - First of the month - Sacred Ground
Saturdays - Wafer/Envelope Pick Up - 10:00am - 12:00PM
Office Hours
Please note that due to the continuing COVID pandemic the office hours are still 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 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: As recently as April 8th, 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.
Answer: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson brought the issue of pollution to Americans!
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Epiphany Parish| 508-668-2353| 62 Front Street, Walpole, MA 02081
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