August 11, 2022

Not only is summer vacation time (!!), it is also planning time. Many people around Epiphany have spent time thinking about the fall and getting ready to put ideas into action. You’ve heard about some of the new things in Dave McSweeney’s July 14 3 Crowns piece, but there are also the things that have become part of the fabric of our Epiphany community like Midweek and other activities and ministries.

In addition to planning, I also find that summer also gives me time to think about the ways that I’m committed to Epiphany and the activities that I gravitate towards. Two things I focused on earlier this summer were supporting some of the Rally Day planning and getting our Stewardship campaign ready to kick off (September 18, an earlier start).  

Rally Day brings back great memories of a warm day last September when we saw people we hadn’t seen for a while, enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by Bella Isla, and kept track of lots of laughing kids making their way through the bouncy house. All of that will be back on September 11 along with a few new things (I guess we’ll have to wait to see what New England weather decides for the sunny part). Mark your calendar and plan to be there! I’m looking forward to the bouncy house again (really!).

Planning for the Stewardship Campaign has also turned out to be a chance to explore my relationships and what I see as my ministries at Epiphany. At our first meeting in June, Rev. Nick gave us each a copy of Henri Nouwen’s A Spirituality of Fundraising. When we met in July, we took turns sharing our reactions and experiences after reading the book. The answers were varied and made it clear that there is a lot to explore here. I find Nouwen to be an author that I have to absorb in small pieces and chew on for a while. The thing I’m currently ‘chewing’ on is his concept of fundraising as ministry: “Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.” The questions I’m pondering are:

• How would it change the impact of our stewardship campaign if everyone involved truly experienced it as a form of ministry?
• How would it change my relationship to God and Epiphany if I fully lived into treating my pledge as “participation in our vision and mission”?

If anyone finds themself intrigued by the vision of fundraising, consider joining us on the Stewardship Committee — we’d love to have you.

I’m looking forward to the fall and to kicking it off with Rally Day!

Nelia Newell

Lay Eucharistic Visitors

Have you ever noticed something different about the conclusion of a Sunday service? You will hear something like this… “In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.”

That’s called “The commissioning of a Eucharistic visitor” and occurs as a lay person leaves the altar to bring the feast of communion to a Parishioner at home.

The Lay Eucharistic Visitors travel to anyone who is unable to attend church services; those who are in nursing homes, homebound because of illness, surgery, family responsibilities, or simply unable to attend church services on a regular basis. An LEV visit provides time for prayer, worship, and a link to the larger parish family. We deliver the ubiquitous spirit of the congregation represented by the nourishment of the sacrament. Both giver and receiver join in the communion of faith.

Epiphany Visitors

We “church goers” seem to be creatures of habit. That is, we usually attend the same service and sit in the same area, if not the same pew of the sanctuary every time we gather in the church. We connect with “neighbors” with a smile, wave or greeting of peace. So, when one is absent, we notice and miss them. These absences can be permanent due to illness, family crises, transportation issues, a move, etc. While we can stream church services, we miss the personal interaction with clergy, staff and friends.

Epiphany Visitors is a group focused on maintaining connections with those members of our parish who are unable to participate in parish activities as frequently or easily as they would like. Visiting a parish member at his/her home is a wonderful gift to me as a visitor. Sitting and talking more extensively with people in their homes, who previously I had known mostly through just a smile, nod, wave or quick “Hello” is a joy and a privilege. Sharing stories, laughing, talking about interests, seeing family photos has transformed that wave into friendship. It is what completes us as social, human beings, connects us with our community and what we all need to keep us from feelings of isolation and loneliness.

If you have missed being able to congregate because of illness, isolation, or general discomfort with Covid concerns, know that there are those who would be honored to come to you, or someone who you might know of, to celebrate our connection through Christ. Contact Lay Eucharistic Visitors and/or Epiphany Visitors at office@3crowns.org.

Access to the church campus is currently only available only through the Central Street door and the Church Street handicap accessible door due to forecourt/Cloister construction. There will be no access via Hadley Hall/breezeway doors or the Tower entrance. Access will be restricted during construction, likely for three weeks. Sunday fellowship after the 10:00 am service will take place in the Bishop Garden.

Children in grades 2-8 are invited to join Choristers! Rehearsals are weekly on Wednesdays from 5:15-6:15 pm (a snack and optional skills session will also be offered from 6:15-7:00 pm on many Wednesdays). They will receive music theory and vocal training free of charge as part of being a chorister. This choir will sing in church monthly during the season, in addition to other engagements as announced. Contact Jeremy at jbruns@3crowns.org with any questions or to enroll in the program.

Through Labor Day weekend, the Summer Choir will assist in leading the music at our 10:00 am services, and anyone entering second grade or older is invited to sing. Simply be in the choir loft at 9:00 am on any Sunday you choose, and we will prepare the music for that day. Contact Jeremy at jbruns@3crowns.org with questions. 

We are looking forward to fellowship hours on Sundays in August, and would greatly appreciate your help! Please click on the button below to contribute a baked good, a gluten-free snack, fresh fruit, or your help with serving and clean-up.