All are invited to the Epiphany’s beloved, annual holiday tradition on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Browse through a variety of unique and beautifully crafted, warm, and cozy gifts, and support this tradition spanning three decades.

In addition to items created by skilled and talented parishioners at the knit and craft tables, works of art by parish artist John McConnell will be on display. Returning this year are gifts by Studio on the Common, mittens by Cashmere Resewn, jewelry by Mei Mei of Lexington, pottery by Christa Bennett, and jewelry by Linda Preston. Choose from costume jewelry and White Elephant treasures of the past, among many other finds. Our non-profits this year include Holy Nativity Convent (candles), Haiti Peace Quilts, the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, Unite with Light, and Food for Fido. To entertain the kids while you shop, check out the Kids' Store for a "kids only" holiday shopping experience (no adults allowed!) where children can purchase family gifts, some crafts, and children’s books.

This year’s Silent Auction will have items such as tickets to sporting and cultural events plus festive baskets. We will also sell homemade apple pies, lemon curd, jams, and bread and butter pickles. All this in addition to cookies, breads, and treats for the holidays available at the bake table which make great housewarming gifts. The café will offer a delicious menu and a pleasant place to gather with family and friends. 

Growth and change are everywhere at Epiphany! With new and familiar faces, new and expanded offerings, and evolving and deepening missions, we are a dynamic, Christ- centered community.

In recent weeks, we have frequently discussed the simple idea that Stewardship is everything we do — with our time, talent, and treasure – after we say “yes” to God. Lay leadership, a key element to sustaining this vibrancy at Epiphany, focuses on the time and talent facets of Stewardship.

In the fall of each calendar year, we open the nomination process to discern who will join the lay leadership at Epiphany. Leadership opportunities for 2024 take many forms — Vestry, Clerk, Treasurer, Associate Treasurer, Diocesan Convention Delegate, Deanery Representative, Nominating Committee, and Property Committee.

Over the next few weeks — between now and Thanksgiving — you are invited to share nominations for leadership roles next year. You can nominate yourself or someone else as an invitation to consider a calling not previously considered.

You can submit a nomination online or by using the ballots and ballot box at the back of the church.  Click here for descriptions of each role.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any member of the nominating committee (below), and you are very welcome to share your nomination directly with us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

With gratitude for the service of so many,
Jared Cumming, Carol Hollingshead, Darwin Keith-Lucas, Joan O’Connor, and Reverend Nick

For the past year, Mission & Outreach has been discerning where God might be calling us next, in this new chapter that is unfolding here at Epiphany. After much thought and discussion, we are excited to embark on a journey, a Journey to Justice. Mission & Outreach (M&O) will now be called Journey to Justice (J2J). We feel it is time to have the courage to let go of old priorities and to trust God leading us to new understanding and new action. We will embark on a journey from charity to justice, from learning and understanding to action and partnership, and from personal faith to taking out faith into the world. Monthly gatherings will kick off after the 10:00 am service on Sunday, October 22 and will consist of a topic presentation and thoughtful discussion that will help guide us along our journey. Interested in joining? Contact Betsy Walsh or Rev. Janelle.

As part of our launch of Journey to Justice, on October 22, we will welcome the Rev. Edwin Johnson as our preacher. Edwin serves as the Director of Organizing at Episcopal City Mission, an organization that builds relationships and collective power across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for racial and economic justice as the expression of God’s transforming love. 

This Sunday, October 1, we begin our annual Stewardship Campaign. During this time, we invite everyone to prayerfully consider making a financial pledge to support our mission and life together. Your pledge supports our annual budget and enables us to offer programming and staff to help lead our mission in this place. Please pick up a pledge envelope on Sunday on your way out of the church. 

Epiphany gardeners have been growing fresh vegetables in the Bishop Garden this summer to support "Gardens for Good," which provides fresh food for those with food insecurity through the Council of Social Concern in Woburn and the En Ka Food Pantry in Winchester.

If you have vegetables from your own garden that you’d like contribute to feed Gardens for Good, bring your harvest to 19 Glengarry Road in Winchester; Dotty Burstein is the resident. She has set up boxes to receive the vegetables. There's a clipboard where you record who you are and how much of which vegetables you are dropping off. The food is delivered 9:00 am on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday mornings before 9:00 am, so please drop off your harvest those mornings or the previous evening.

As the Diocese of Massachusetts, we are in the process of seeking a new diocesan bishop. Bp. Alan Gates will retire towards the end of 2024. As part of this process, there are a series of listening sessions to gather input from the people of our diocese regarding our vision for our future and the qualities we seek in our new bishop. Your voice is needed. Please see the dates/times/locations of the listening sessions, and register to attend, by clicking this link and filling out the form. In-person sessions will include light refreshments. Registration for the in-person sessions is not required but appreciated in order to plan refreshments and seating. Registration is required for the Zoom sessions so that you receive the Zoom link.

In the past few weeks, around 150 migrant families from Haiti and Central America have been placed in a few hotels in Woburn, MA. It is estimated that there are 75 kids under the age of five and many along the way. Families have been asking for “Umbrella strollers” which are lightweight, foldable strollers, that they can store in the hotel rooms. This is a tangible way to welcome our new neighbors!

Epiphany will collect gently used umbrella-style strollers or you can purchase these strollers and have them shipped directly to Woburn. If bringing in a stroller, drop-off is in the Genesis room in the basement. *Note that it is very important that the stroller is an Umbrella stroller, and is small, foldable, and lightweight. We cannot accept strollers that do not meet this criteria. If unsure, ask Rev. Janelle. 

These are examples of appropriate and affordable options to purchase new strollers:

Here is an Amazon link. 

Here is a Walmart link. 

Please ship new strollers directly to United Methodist Church, 523 Main Street, Woburn 01801. 

Faith Circles are welcoming, trustworthy places where we open up to each other, share our hopes and fears, and explore our Christian faith and doubts in meaningful, transformative ways using Scripture and other resources and practices.

Faith Circles invite you to grow in friendship and community and be encouraged in your own faith journey by sharing and receiving welcome in meaningful ways. Faith Circles are hosted by trained co-leaders who strive to make true the wonderful promise of Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew: "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." We hope you’ll care for yourself and one another by joining a Faith Circle this program year.

Faith Circles

• Meet two times a month (October to June), and we ask you to commit to your group for that period of time.
• Are small groups of 8-10 members, including trained co-leaders.
• Are offered at a variety of times, days of the week, and locations.
• Are a safe space to build relationship and explore faith through conversation, prayer, and sharing.
• Welcome the sharing of doubts and wonderings, as well as our joys and sorrows.
  

The sign-up link will be available in a future 3 Crowns. Questions? Contact Rev. Nick.

Matthew in his gospel reminds us that a house built with strong and durable materials will be able to stand firmly against howling winds and rising streams, Matthew 7:24-27. Our sturdy church has physically withstood such forces for 120 years, but not without some wounds. Our sanctuary awaits major repairs, some as basic as stopping rainwater from dripping inside! And our program and outreach missions can also benefit from improved and stronger foundations. 

As some may have heard, the vestry has voted to begin work on a capital campaign, expected to be launched this fall. Work is underway to discern what such a campaign can and should include. The rewards of a campaign can fund important repairs to our campus and can also address important and long-term spiritual programs and mission interests, perhaps through an expanded endowment. Expanding the endowment has the promise of helping to create a durable house, both physically and spiritually, long into the future. There will be opportunities for input, feedback, and direction as we move forward. 

Suzanne Owayda, James Wagner, and Ellen Wilson have answered the call to lead the charge, followed by an enthusiastic group of committee members: The Reverend Nick Myers, Jonathan Foot, Bruce Glabe, Ted Kellogg, Eileen Marks, and Warren McFarlan. Community Counseling Service (CCS), a professional firm that has led many campaigns in the diocese, has been hired to assist us. 

Please keep the Capital Campaign Committee in your prayers and stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Yours in Christ,
Your Vestry and The Capital Campaign Committee