Weekly e-News from Epiphany Parish
May 16, 2023
From Rev Christen

Dear Epiphany Pariah,

Last week Bishop Alan Gates, our bishop diocesan, announced his retirement at the end of 2024 and called for the election of his successor. The letter sent out to the diocese is below along with a link to an article that was published on the Diocese website.
-Rev. Christen

May 10, 2023
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, … to give you a future and hope.
~Jeremiah 29:11
Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts,
Sometimes the plans we discern for a point still in the future require preparation in the present. So it is that I have communicated to the Standing Committee of our diocese my intention to retire at the end of 2024, and have asked the Committee to undertake the process leading to the election next year of my successor as bishop diocesan.
It has been and remains my profound honor to serve as your bishop. Our life together is full of both joys and challenges as we strive to deepen our Christian community with one another and act as agents of God’s mission in the world. To do so with such faithful colleagues as you–clergy and lay people alike–is a privilege beyond the telling.
At the end of 2024 I will have been bishop for over a decade, and will have marked 37 years of ordained ministry. That will be the right time for me to turn my sights toward personal and family pursuits, and to make way for new episcopal leadership. It has been nearly 40 years since our diocese has had an episcopal transition unmarked by significant tragedy or grief. It is my earnest desire that we effect a smooth and joyful transition, from a place of gratitude and eagerness.
The Standing Committee will communicate with you soon, sharing initial word of upcoming process. The Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, who heads the church’s Office of Pastoral Development, will meet later this week with our Standing Committee and diocesan staff to provide guidance for the work ahead. Please hold your Standing Committee and staff in prayer! 
Meanwhile, I remain your bishop, and we have plenty to do in our corner of the vineyard! Discerning priorities for mission; reimagining congregational life in response to a changing world; promoting deeper collaborations; engaging broadly with antiracism; serving as more faithful stewards of creation; all of this demands our best efforts, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and will not be put on hold. I am profoundly grateful to the Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher for joining me as assistant bishop to provide episcopal leadership in our diocese in these two years. We are blessed by Bishop Gallagher’s experience, joy and devotion.
As is my wont, I conclude with Paul’s affirmation: Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. [Ephesians 3:20-21]
I remain, yours faithfully and fondly,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
Epiphany Parish News
Dutton Scholarship - Seeking Applications for the Dutton Youth Scholarship Fund!

The vestry voted to expand the Dutton Acolyte Scholarship to recognize any youth within 2 years of graduating high school who have supported Epiphany Parish. The Dutton Scholarship is a one-time award for High School graduates who are continuing their education. The amount of the scholarship is determined by the vestry each year depending on eligible funds. Last year, one $2,000 scholarship was awarded.
 
All youth who are graduating high school this year or have graduated high school within the past 2 years and who have served Epiphany Parish consistently as an acolyte, or have consistent participation in 2 or more of the following activities, are eligible to apply:
 
Consistent serving as an acolyte, consistent teaching or assisting in Sunday School, participation in YLA and/or Diocesan Youth Counsel, lay reader, volunteer at Barbara C. Harris Camp, youth representative on vestry, leadership role in youth group, consistent participation in outreach activities such as Breaking Bread or Pumpkin Patch, or administrative duties.
 
To apply, applicants are required to write a letter describing the impact participation in the above activities has had on them and their plans for continuing their education. Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Priest-in-Charge, the acolyte director, and a Vestry representative(s). 
Applications may be emailed to office.epiphany@verizon.net and must be received by Wednesday, May 31st.
Youth Group -The Youth Group meets every other Sunday. The next meeting will be Sunday, May 28th from 5-6:30pm at Epiphany Parish.

Graduation! - Is someone in your family graduating this Spring? 
If you, or a family member, are graduating please get the information (graduate's name, school, degree, etc.) to the church office by Monday, May 22nd so we can recognize them in the e -News and bulletin in the following weeks.
Diocesan News

Celebration of new ministry with Bishop Gallagher
You are cordially invited to join for a
Service of Celebration of New Ministry with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Joy W.T. Gallagher
in her new role as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Massachusetts
Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 3 p.m.
at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 525 River Street, Mattapan
A festive reception will follow. All are welcome! 
If attending, RSVP by May 22 to David Ames at dames@diomass.org so that hospitality can be well planned.
+
Congratulations to Margaret Lias (sponsored by Emmanuel Church, Boston) formally at Epiphany Parish will be ordained to the diaconate on June 3rd at the Cathedral Church of St Paul in Boston.
Sunday, May 21st
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Rite I with Holy Communion - 8:00am
Rite II with Holy Communion - 10:00am - Live streamed

Altar Flowers
All remaining May flower requests are available
Join us each Sunday after the 10:00am service for
Coffee Hour for an informal time of fellowship!
We are looking for folks to host Coffee Hour! It's easy and if you provide the treats we can help you make the coffee! Sign up in the undercroft or at the link below:
Notes from the Office
common cathedral - Monthly Drop off - Tuesday, June 13th- We are signed up for: 50 granola bars, 50 pieces of fruit, 2 canisters of ground coffee, 2 pounds of sugar.
common cathedral has requested to bring only soft fruit (like bananas, oranges, grapes) no hard fruit (like apples). Please bring more bananas than oranges if able.
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.
Weekly Calendar
Sunday Morning - Rite I - 8:00am in person
Sunday Morning - Rite II - 10:00am in person & live streamed on Facebook
Youth Group - every other week 5-6:30pm - May 28th
Monday Bible Study - 7:00-8:00pm
Tuesday Open Vestry Meetings - every third Tuesday
Wednesday Morning Prayer - 7:15am by Phone
Wednesday - Sanctuary open for Prayer - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fridays - AA Meeting - Undercroft 8:00pm

*Office Hours* - Office Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Please call or email to arrange a time to meet in person for different days or times. As always, please contact Rev Christen directly if you have a pastoral emergency.‌
Safe Church Training - The staff and the vestry members of Epiphany Parish are required to take the Safe Church Training. If any other members of the parish would like to also take the training, please email the office and an invite will be sent to get you started on the online training.
‌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
 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.