Parish Notices for September 24, 2021 |
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Each stage of the pandemic seems to have particular words or phrases associated with it. We figured out "quarantine." We learned to "pivot." We got used to the words “these unprecedented times.” Earlier this year we felt hopeful that an end was in sight. We learned to practice the phrase “for now.” Here in this stretch of the pandemic, the words I’m hearing most are “weary, ragged, never ending”. So many people I know are feeling raw emotionally for reasons they can’t always explain, weary in a way that sleep won’t help, lacking energy to do the things they need to do but feel like they can’t. We see it in our volunteers at church, too.
What we need, as someone put it in a meeting I was in last week, is nurturing and nourishment. We need more gentleness with each other. We need each other. We need the sense of belonging that our perceived separation has caused. We need to remember that we are here for each other and that we don’t have to go it alone.
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If you don’t feel safe worshipping in the church right now, come to online worship. We have kept that service on Zoom so you can feel the grace and nurture of being in the presence of each other, even if it’s not the same as physical proximity. Seeing the faces of all these people I love each Sunday feeds my soul. Seek out other ways of being together. Arrange to meet up with a church friend on the benches in the courtyard to catch up. Arrange to meet us for Communion in the memorial garden. Try a new spiritual practice that helps you feel connected to the God who loves you through all the changes and chances of life. If you are feeling worn down, pay attention to that and seek out some ways to care for that weary part of you. And if you’re not sure how to do that, reach out to Nicole or myself. We would love to talk to you about it. May you remember your place of belonging here at Epiphany and may you find the nourishment you need in the endless well of God’s love.
Grace and peace,
Amy+
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Sunday, September 26 will be a busy Sunday in the Season of Creation.
In Adult Formation, Dr. Kyle Lambelet will lead us in the third and final session of "Ecoapocalypse," leading us in a discussion on "Practices for the end." You won't want to miss this important conversation, or our debrief of the series on October 3. You can join the adult formation classes online on our Sunday morning Zoom link or in-person at 10:00 a.m. in the parish hall.
Also on Sunday 9/26, Children and Families will have a special opportunity to engage in the Season of Creation with our new seminarians at the Family Meet and Greet from 10-11 a.m., and the entire parish community is invited to join in our River Clean-up Service Project with the Decatur Ismaili from 3-5 p.m. There are just a few spaces left, so be sure to sign up today!
During this Season of Creation, some of our parishioners are sharing reflections on environmental care. We will feature John Wierwille's reflection in our bulletin this week. Past reflections can be viewed at the links below.
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We welcome the Rev. Tom Mustard as preacher at both services this Sunday.
Tom graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary, Class of 1977, and served a number of parishes in the Diocese of South West Virginia before retiring from St. John's Episcopal Church, Bedford, in 2008. In that Diocese he served on the Commission on Ministry and as President of the Standing Committee and a Deputy to three General Conventions of the Episcopal Church.
In 2011, Tom and his wife Honey moved to the Village at Deaton Creek, a 55 active retirement community in the Braselton/Hoschton area. He volunteered as Assisting Clergy for 8 years at St. Mary and St. Martha of Bethany in Buford before moving to Park Springs, Stone Mountain, in 2020.
The move to Stone Mountain was to be closer to their daughter Molly and her family, the McAuliffes (Mike, Molly, Max and Mason) who are active members of Epiphany.
We are so glad that Tom and Honey have joined our Epiphany community!
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Worship Service at 9 a.m.
Online via Zoom
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Login at 8:50 a.m. to greet one another. Use the link to the right or the one on our home page. |
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Dial: 646.558.8656
Meeting ID: 532 385 901
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If you are worshipping on Zoom and would like to schedule a time to receive communion outside at the church, please contact one of the clergy and we would be happy to arrange that. |
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Adult Formation
10 a.m. Sunday Mornings
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During the Season of Creation, Dr. Kyle Lambelet will lecture and lead us in discussion during at the 10 a.m. hour in a series entitled "Ecoapocalypse." This series will draw upon theological traditions of apocalyptic reflection to analyze our current climate crisis. We will finish the series with our own discussion about what we've learned and how it might inform our common life at Epiphany on 10/3. We hope you will join us online or in person for this timely conversation!
Dr. Kyle Lambelet teaches and researches at the intersection of political theology, religious ethics and social change. His first book ¡Presente! Nonviolent Politics and the Resurrection of the Dead (Georgetown University Press, 2020) explores the moral and political dimensions of nonviolent struggle through an extended case study of the movement to close the School of the Americas. His current research examines the apocalyptic dimensions of talk about climate change, and how apocalyptic political theologies can offer resources for pastoral and political engagement in the midst of endings.
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Worship in the Nave at 11:30 a.m.
Registration and Masks 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).
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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.
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Joint Service Project with the Ismaili Community
Sunday, September 26 from 3 - 5 p.m.
Registration for the Service Project with the Ismaili Center on September 26 from 3-5 p.m. is now open. We will be partnering with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in a cleanup of the South Fork Peachtree Creek. Emory biologist Chris Beck will give a small introduction to the Atlanta Watershed prior to the clean-up. Due to space restrictions, registration is limited to 20 people. More details about location and what to bring can be found on the registration page.
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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.
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The Arrangements at the Altar for this Sunday are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Emily Brown Kocis, by Amanda Kay Seals; and in memory of Barbara Ann King, by her niece Kimberly Boswell.
The Sanctuary Light is given this week to the Glory of God and in memory of Jarratt Speer and Paul Soule, by Linda Ryder-Wolf.
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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.
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Morning Prayer at 9 a.m.
Weekdays via Zoom
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Youth Formation
Sundays at 10 a.m. Room 201
This semester we are exploring the work of discernment as it relates to ourselves, our community, and our nation. Parents are invited to attend. Following the presentation, youth and their parents will break into separate age-based small groups for deeper conversation. There will be a middle school group, a high school group, and a parent group.
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Youth Ministries In-Person Evening Prayer
*Due to our river clean up, we will not have evening prayer on 9/26.*
Except for the first Sundays of the month*, 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.
*First Sundays are Pizza Night with the youth at Holy Trinity Parish.
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Youth Monthly Pizza Nights
First Sundays at 5:30 p.m. at Fellini's.
The Epiphany Youth meet with Holy Trinity Parish's youth group at the Decatur Fellini's (333 Commerce Dr.) on the first Sunday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We're asking each youth to bring $10 to help offset the cost of food.
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We will gather with Holy Trinity off-campus (location TBD) on October 30 for a Halloween themed scavenger hunt.
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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.
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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. |
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Join us for 10:15 a.m. on September 26, and October 24. Register in Realm or at epiphany.org/rsvp.
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Register Now for the Annual Parish Retreat at Kanuga the weekend of October 22-24 and help us re-imagine what a parish retreat can be in 2021! Kanuga offers some wonderful ways to feed the spirit whether it is in nature, in liturgy, or simply in communion with each other. |
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October Ismaili Events
In addition to teaming up with the Ismaili for the South Fork Peachtree Creek clean-up, the Ismaili have invited Epiphany members to tour the Ismaili Jamatkhana from 3-5 p.m. on October 3, and members of the community will visit and tour Epiphany on October 30 from 10-12 p.m.
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Community of Hope Training Begins in October
Sign up by Sunday, September 26
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Starting October 4, Epiphany will host a 14-week Community of Hope (COH) training for lay pastoral caregivers on Mondays from 6-8:30 p.m. Graduates of the program will be trained to make pastoral visits to Epiphany members who are experiencing various forms of loss, grief, illness, life changes, loneliness, or isolation. COH caregivers may also serve outside the church in nursing homes, hospitals, or prisons, at Hagar’s House, DCM, or Emmaus House, or to be with people who are in crisis no matter where they are.
What sets Community of Hope apart from other pastoral care programs is its emphasis on the spiritual growth and community formation of the caregivers. Epiphany clergy and other facilitators will teach modules from the Community of Hope curriculum, which is rooted in Benedictine spirituality and based on the classic clinical pastoral education model used in many hospitals to train caregivers. Participants are encouraged to make this experience a journey into wholeness and to explore a “rule of life." They will practice sacred silence, Christian meditation, compassionate listening, and Lectio Divina, all within the context of Benedictine spirituality. This experience builds community and develops spiritually centered pastoral caregivers.
If you are interested in joining the Community of Hope, please contact Ann Fowler, 404.808.1864, by September 26. On that Sunday a blessing of COH participants will occur during Epiphany services, followed by an informational luncheon at Ann’s home.
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Now Showing for the Month of September |
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Epiphany Art Ministry presents acrylic and water paintings by Patty Young
“My work is intentionally imprecise and inexact because I see the world as broadly sketched and in many cases, undefined.”
Patty will be in the Gallery before and after the 11:30 a.m. service. Please take a moment to greet her and view her work.
View the Exhibit online 24/7. Click any image 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.
- 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany.
- Make checks out directly to the artist. No cash please.
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Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 2 at 5 p.m.
Oompah Oompah Oompah!! Parish Life invites Epiphanites of all ages to Oktoberfest on October 2 from 5-7 p.m. Rain date will be October 3. We will gather in the Courtyard observing COVID-19 protocols. We will share food, drink and celebrate Epiphany's loving spirit of community. The Rev. Nicole Lambelet will be joining us to bless this family friendly event. Our Chef-in-Residence, Joel Fowler and his trusty crew, will be in charge of grilling the sausages and a veggie option will be available. German beers will be served, so bring your stein, along with German wines and kid friendly apple juice and cider. Donations will be accepted for the sausages and the spirits. We ask you to bring your favorite German styled side dish or dessert. And for a religious connection, we may have pretzels. After all, pretzels were first made by Italian monks and the twisted knot is meant to symbolize the arms folded in prayer. We look forward to seeing you at this event. Polka anyone?
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St. Francis Animal Blessing
Sunday, October 3 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Pets of all sizes and stripes are invited to worship on Zoom at 9 a.m. or sit (leashed or crated) alongside their people in the pews at the 11:30 a.m. Eucharist as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a Blessing of the Animals. St. Francis of Assisi–the patron saint of nature and the environment–was a lover of God’s creation and on his feast day we will bless our animals and offer our gratitude for the joy that pets and other animals bring to our lives.
If your pet does not travel well or get along with others, or if you prefer to worship safely from home, we invite you to send a photograph to Julie Ryder by September 29 at noon. (If you prefer not to worship with pets in the pews, you are invited to join us for our worship on Zoom at 9 a.m. that day.)
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Following the 11:30 a.m. service on October 3, there will be a Pet Committal of Ashes Service in the Pet Memorial Garden in the Byrdland meadow next to the church. If you would like to inter your pet's ashes, please RSVP. |
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We use Realm, an online ministry platform for online giving, directory, and event registration.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for an account to manage your personal information, control your giving, register for events, and keep in touch with the people and groups that matter to you.
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Tutoring help needed for Emmaus House children |
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Emmaus House needs volunteers to tutor first and second grade students in reading at the Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (BAMO), an Atlanta public school in the Peoplestown neighborhood.
While many students encountered learning loss during the pandemic, our most vulnerable students experienced the steepest setbacks. We would like to help bridge the learning gap in our community with the Support for Students tutoring program. Tutors will work with students once or twice a week for approximately an hour, using lessons prepared by BAMO’s reading specialist. The schedule for first grade students is from 9-10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., and for second grade students from 9-10 a.m. or 10:15-11:15 a.m.
An orientation, training, and tour of the school will occur in the last week of September. The Support for Students program will begin the week of October 4. If you would like to help Emmaus House children learn to read, please contact Ann Fowler at annfowler@emmaushouse.org or 404.808.1864. Volunteers must complete a child abuse mandatory reporter course and pass a background check.
For 54 years, Emmaus House has focused on respecting the dignity of every human being we serve through economic and educational development. Support for Students is an integral part of our two-generation strategy to help families transition out of poverty.
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Opportunities to Help Refugee Families
We have all seen the immense need to support incoming refugee families, especially from Afghanistan, and are eager to help. Epiphany works with New American Pathways to co-sponsor refugee families, and we plan to collaborate with St. Catherine’s to support an incoming family this fall.
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There is a longer than usual delay to be matched with families right now, due to COVID-19 restrictions and quarantine requirements, but we hope to have more information and a specific timeline soon. There will be many opportunities to help support these new arrivals, from gathering supplies to donating furniture to helping when they arrive.
Please let Erin Braden or the Rev. Nicole Lambelet know if you would like to help with the planning team. We will send out more details as soon as we can. In the meantime, please save any household items or furniture that may be useful. NAP and other refugee resettlement organizations will be taking furniture and we will have a spot to bring items to church, so please stay tuned!
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The SNAP Food Stamp program does not cover non-food items such as personal care, hygiene or cleaning products. Therefore, the ECW sponsors a pantry drive for Emmaus House twice a year in March and October.
This time for the month of October, we are collecting feminine hygiene products. Bins will be by the front door. If you would like to contribute, but are not frequenting stores during the pandemic, you can donate $10 to the church and we will shop for you. Please mark Emmaus House in the memo field.
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A formation community at Candler School of Theology sponsored by the Black Student Caucus and Black Church Studies Program is seeking a countertop convection oven or microwave. If you have one you would like to donate, please email Rev. Nicole Lambelet.
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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 with Mary and all the saints.
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Daughters of the King meet 4th Sundays
The Daughters of the King (DOK) monthly meeting is on hiatus.
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Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays
The Epiphany Book Group meets 1st Mondays at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. All are welcome. Email Linda Ryder-Wolf if you have questions.
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October 4: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
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November 1: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
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Episcopal Church Women meet 2nd Tuesdays
The Episcopal Women (ECW) meet on 2nd Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in Jones Hall. This month, after the meeting we will adjourn to Melton's App and Tap for lunch on their patio. Contact Laura Keys.
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Racial Justice Group Meetings and Programs
The Racial Justice Group (RJG) and the RJG Study Group have paused their meetings while their members participate in the Sacred Ground series.
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HVAC to the Future
Pledge to replace our broken HVAC system today
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We’re going to need more than 1.21 Gigawatts of power to replace our broken, outdated and inefficient Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system ... we need your pledge!
These critical HVAC systems keep the nave, church offices, narthex and bathrooms cool during the summer and warm during the winter. A functioning HVAC system also protects our church building from long-term damage from mold and mildew, and extends the life of expensive and delicate equipment…like our organ!
We estimate these projects will cost $250,000 - $350,000, and generous parishioners have already donated the first $130,000. If 100 more Epiphanites each pledged $1000 … we’d be close to our goal!
Please prayerfully and thoughtfully consider what amount you may be able to contribute. Your pledge today can be paid over two years, and is an investment in Epiphany for years to come!
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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.
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Send prayer requests to the parish office.
- 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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For members who are bidding our prayers: Jewel Allen • Vicki Bolton • Joy Boydon • Sally Brockington • Alma Fuller • Barbara Holmes • Henry Laird • Rod MacLeod • Ellen Mintzmyer • Sally McClintock • Diane Mundy • Neela Ram • Ann Rowles • Larry Wilcox
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 • Kathy Black Brannon, friend of Barbara Belcore • Kathy Ziegler, friend of Larry Wilcox • Tammy Thomas, friend of David Thompson • Rosalie Shipp, step-mother of Amy Shipp • Eileen & Larry, mother of Lisa Carlson and her mother's partner • Roseanne English, neighbor of Barbara Ryder • Paul Hendricks, Epiphany's sexton • Bonnie Wolf, friend of Nancy Thompson, aunt of Brittany Allen
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Ron Hutcheson • Chris Miller • Tom Mundy • June Sparks • Pat Spivey • Kathy Walmsley
For those of who have died: Sue V. Moore, friend of Judy Jarady • Stephanie Lairson, cousin of Doug Kertscher
For those celebrating anniversaries for the week of 9/26-10/2: Bob Thompson & Lou Bedrossiar
For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 9/26-10/2: Katherine Stoner • Connie Bradley • Nora Carr • Cooper Councill • Henry Gary • Peter Morich • Leonard Teel • Oliver Teel • Lea Williamson • Finley Williamson • Ian Dicristina • Piper Boatright • Kavya Gross • Jack Brogan
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.
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The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON.
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