August 24, 2023

I always find this time of the year to be particularly nostalgic. Summer is winding down, and these days, the mornings have a slight crisp to the air reminiscent of the upcoming fall. How is it that summer is already almost over? I wish I could hold on, but whether we are ready or not, the seasons come and go.

This season tends to be full of transitions. Even though I am no longer a student, fall always seems like the start of a new year! Kids are entering new grades at school. Some of you might be starting new jobs or different roles in work or life. Some of you have welcomed new little ones into your family. Some of you are saying goodbye to children as they leave for new schools in the fall. Some of you have been traveling to new places and some of you to old places. And at Epiphany, our program year begins with a bit of a homecoming for Rally Day on September 10th. The calendars are starting to fill, and there’s anticipation in the air!

All of these are reminders of the passage of time, inevitably accompanied by change. 

Now I don’t want to give away the whole sermon on Sunday, but the Old Testament lesson tells the story of two of my favorite Biblical heroes — Shiphrah and Puah. They are the Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh. They were ordered to kill all Hebrew boys. They did not follow these orders and allowed the boys to live. The scripture commends them for their faith! They are praised for their civil disobedience and resistance of abusive power systems.

As we know, the role of a midwife is to help birth something new (normally a baby). But what if we were to expand this imagery to our time together at Epiphany? I believe much of the church's work is to be like a midwife because the Spirit of God is always birthing something new. In the midst of change and transition, we are called as Christians to cultivate new life. Part of this role is relinquishing control, looking to areas where we might not normally look, and acknowledging that sometimes things will hurt. It’s not easy and not always comfortable! But the joy of new life is worth it. 

We don’t know yet what this new year at Epiphany will hold. Perhaps this time next year, we can look back with gratitude at all the new life we cultivated.

With hope,
Rev. Janelle

Please note the church building will be closed Tuesday, August 29 through Friday, September 1 for our annual floor cleaning. There will be no access to the building during this time. For administrative assistance during the building closure, please contact us at office@3crowns.org.  

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

All youth (6th -12th grade) are invited to a BBQ on September 9th to kick off the new year! It will start at 5:00pm and we will be gathering at the Clark’s backyard in Arlington. Please RSVP to Rev. Janelle.

On Sunday, September 10 following the 10:00am service, all are invited to our annual Rally Day celebration. Join us for lunch catered by Bella Isla, as well as crafts, games, a bounce houses for big and little kids, and a dunk tank! 

If you’re in your 20s, 30s, or early 40s, join us on September 11th from 7:00-9:00pm for a time of fun and community with this growing demographic at Epiphany. Location TBD. Please RSVP to Rev. Janelle.

The Chorister choir program at Epiphany is for children with unchanged voices in grades 2-8. This program provides professional musical training to children at no financial cost to parents, in a challenging and fun environment. In addition to making friends and having fun, benefits also include:

• Professional training in singing and music-reading skills.
• Development of leadership and intellectual skills.
• Learning the value of teamwork and self-mastery.
• Spiritual formation through the singing of sacred music.
  

Previous musical experience isn’t necessary for admission— choristers will learn everything they need to know at Epiphany. This choir rehearses weekly on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:15pm; a snack and optional skills session is offered from 4:15-5:00pm on Wednesdays prior to the rehearsal. The Choristers sing in church at the 10:00am worship service on the first Sunday of each month (October through June), at the annual Lessons & Carols Service, during the Family Christmas Eve Service, and at other scheduled services and events during the year.

Rehearsals begin on September 6. For more information or to arrange a brief vocal evaluation for your child, please reach out to Jeremy, Director of Music at Epiphany.

Education for Ministry is preparing to launch on Sunday, September 17 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Epiphany chapel. EfM prepares participants to use theological and biblical studies to deepen the place of faith in their lives and the world. The EfM seminar will meet weekly through the academic year.

Registration is now open to gather a group of 8-12 members which is ending by Rally Sunday on September 10th. Participants will also be drawn from neighboring Episcopal parishes. For more information contact EfM mentor Rev Bob Davidson at frbobdav@msn.com 

Join Rev. Nick in this course that begins in October and runs through early June. This twice a month course on Sundays explores Christian faith and life and invites each participant to discover their faith in deeper and more authentic ways. This course is for those new to the Christian faith, those exploring the Episcopal tradition, or those interested in more fully claiming a faith with integrity and joy. Contact Rev. Nick for more information.

Are you interested in helping with our Church School this coming year? On Tuesday, September 12 from 7:00-8:30pm, you are invited to our fall semester Church School volunteer training and orientation. 

We will get to know one another; talk about the goals and structure of our church school classes; discuss some tips for working with young children; familiarize ourselves with our class spaces; and even experience some of the lovely practices together. 

Please reach out to Bryn, our Director of Children's Ministries, if you are interested in participating. Church School classes begin on September 17.

Over the coming months we'll combine the support of friends, the guidance of experts, and the loving presence of God in our new Parent Book Groups.

Infants through Upper Elementary

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. This well-respected (and well-loved) book was written by a neuropsychiatrist and a parenting expert. It helps readers to "understand some basics about the young brain you are helping to develop and grow."  

Tweens and Teens

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. This new and much-talked about book is written by well-know adolescent psychologist Lisa Damour. In a very clear and accessible way, Damour explains teen brain development: emotions, judgment, anger, self-esteem, and independence.  

The Whole Brain Child first book group:
Tuesday, September 19   |   7:30-8:30pm  |  The Rectory

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers first book group:
Wednesday, September 27  |  7:30-8:30pm  |  Suter Room

For more information, or to express your interest in being part of either book group this fall, please email Bryn (Director of Children's Ministries and Chair of our 4th Soil Parenting Project). 

All of our wonderful caregivers will be traveling at various points over the next month and half, and we wish them all lovely vacations and times of rest. This will affect our summer nursery schedule, and some weeks our nursery will not offer drop-off care. 

• August 27: Drop-off care with reduced numbers, for ages 9+ months 
• September 3: No drop-off care

Infants Under 9 Months
In order to provide drop-off care for infants under 9 months of age,  two childcare providers must be present. Weeks when we have only one childcare provider on duty, infants must be 9 months old to be dropped off. This is because we want to be sure that infants can be tended and kept safe from the multiple toddlers in the room. Thank you for your understanding! 

The Summer Choir assists in leading the music at our 10:00am services, and anyone (entering 2nd grade or older) is invited to sing. Simply be in the choir loft at 9am on any Sunday you choose, and we will prepare the music for that day. Contact Jeremy at jbruns@3crowns.org with any questions.