December 2, 2021

The Road Home

It’s beginning to look—and even better, feel—a lot like Christmas around here. The Christmas Fair was full of joy, treats, and friends. Advent greens covered Hadley Hall during our festive wreath making. The Christmas pageant costumes are being pulled out, and Advent music is floating through the halls. Children are wearing “I’ve been vaccinated” stickers (does that count as a sign of the holidays? It’s an amazing gift!). What a wonderful, joyous beginning! 

A few weeks ago, we celebrated our first live and in-person Evensong in nearly two years. The final choral piece, The Road Home, perfectly held the feelings of so many as we looked into Advent. Here are the words:

Tell me where is the road I can call my own,
That I left, that I lost, so long ago?
All these years I have wandered, oh when will I know
There’s a way there’s a road that will lead me home?

After wind, after rain, when the dark is done,
As I wake from a dream in the gold of day,
Through the air there’s a calling from far away,
There’s a voice I can hear that will lead me home.

We’ve waited for this season, friends. Last year we all worked hard—worship videos, choir videos, pageant videos, videos videos videos—and it was a testament to the strength and love of this community that we carried on. But this year, we can come home. Come, join us this Sunday as we light the second Advent candle. Come, be part of Adult Formation’s Advent offerings at 11:15. Come, join our children’s pageant rehearsals. Come, join us for a Midweek full of cheer on Wednesday evenings. Come, rehearse with the choir for Lessons & Carols. Come to the services, Bible studies, dinners, and pageants. This parish opens its doors wide to you, and we hope and pray you will come and join fully in this most wonderful season together. 

 
 

Sunday: Gabriel's Message & Advent Art

Join parishioner John McConnell on the second Sunday of Advent in Hadley Hall following the 10:00 am service as he takes us on a journey exploring a myriad of art and the message of the Advent season.

 
 

Sunday: Christmas Pageant Rehearsals Begin

It is with great joy that we begin our Christmas Pageant rehearsals this Sunday at 11:15 am in our sanctuary. We invite all children to be part of this fun, low-key retelling of the Christmas story. 

Would your child like a part in the Christmas Pageant? Please email Bryn (bhollenbeck@3crowns.org) to sign up. We need readers, sheep, shepherds, and angels. We are also looking for an adult (or teen) costume assistant and rehearsal helpers. 

The Christmas Pageant will be Sunday, December 19, during the 10:00 am service (call time: 9:15 am). Rehearsals will be Sunday, December 5 at 11:15 am and Sunday, December 12 at 11:15 am.  

 
 

2021 Poinsettia Dedications

Make Your Poinsettia Dedication Online!

Every year the sanctuary is decorated with beautiful Christmas flowers and greens in memory of loved ones or in gratitude for blessings received. To dedicate a poinsettia using our online form, please click the button above. Submissions must be received no later than Sunday, December 12, 2021 so that your dedication can be included in the Christmas bulletins. 

Please make checks payable to the Parish of the Epiphany and write Christmas flowers in the memo line. Checks can be dropped off at the parish office or sent to: The Parish of the Epiphany / 70 Church Street / Winchester, MA 01890.

 
 

Last Chance to Register for Advent Retreat

Register Now

"The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." The angel Gabriel’s life-changing announcement to Mary set in motion changes that continue to resonate in our hearts and in the life of the world. On Saturday, December 4 from 9:00 am — 12:00 pm, all are welcome to join Bethany House of Prayer colleagues Bernardine Ileto and Kimberly Green for our Advent retreat here at Parish of the Epiphany. Together, we will explore and reflect upon the life-changing “announcements” we’ve experienced over the past twenty months, and the pressing questions we feel today both personally and collectively. Please register using the button above, or contact the church office at 781-729-1922 to confirm your attendance.

 
 

Christmas Worship at Epiphany

All are welcome to celebrate the Eve of the Nativity with Parish of the Epiphany on Friday, December 24. We will offer a 4:00 pm Family Eucharist; a 7:00 pm Candlelight Festival Eucharist; and a 10:00 pm Candlelight Festival Eucharist (incense will be used during this service). Limited seating in the sanctuary at each service; additional seating in Hadley Hall and Upper Parish Hall once sanctuary is filled. Masks and social distancing are required.

On Saturday, December 25, we invite you to join us for a Festival Eucharist at 10:00 am as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

On Sunday, December 26, celebrate the Holy Eucharist with us at 10:00 am. Please note that there will be no 8:00 am service. 

 
 

December Birthdays & Anniversaries

Congratulations to all those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during the month of December! 

 
 
 

Strength for the Holidays on December 7

On Tuesday, December 7 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, we invite you to "Strength for the Holidays: An Evening Presentation on Loss and Resilience." This presentation will be held in Hadley Hall and led by the Rev. Bob Davidson, Epiphany's Assisting Priest and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Hospice Chaplain. 

During a time of festive holiday celebrations, many struggle with the absence of loved ones and partners creating a void many fail to understand. All are welcome to learn more about coping tools and ways to be present to loss and memories of happier times.

Members of the public are welcome. 
Social distancing and mask-wearing will be observed throughout the presentation.

 
 

Christmas Fair a Resounding Success

 
 

The Christmas Fair raised more than $16,000 in one day! 

Christmas Fair shoppers were lined up outside of Hadley Hall long before the 10:00 am opening. The crowds kept coming all day long. By 4:00 pm, we counted 600 shoppers. That doesn't include the 80 volunteers who generously and enthusiastically signed up to help. It was a whirlwind of a day! 

Our popular bake table, knit table, and silent auction tables were very well attended. Our vendors had a wonderful day, too. One seller remarked, "I had to race to my store three times to get more merchandise for my table!" Best of all, the day gave our community an opportunity to meet old friends and kick-start the joy of the holiday season. Many thanks to everyone who made this event so memorable!

Please enjoy photos from Fair day here.

Laura and Sara

 
 

Where Are the Tapestries?

 

Adoration of the Magi, Jeremiah, and Isaiah Tapestries

As we prepared the church’s sanctuary for the 2021 Lenten season, the Altar Guild noticed damage to the tapestries that adorn the high altar. To provide information for a professional assessment, we began initial research to determine the historical and artistic significance of the pieces.

The tapestries were hand-woven in the French Aubusson style at Herter Looms, a New York City company founded by the painter Albert Herter (1871-1950). Artist Ethel Maria Parsons Paullin designed Epiphany’s three tapestries. Dedicated in January, 1928, the tapestries were a gift of John E. Page in memory of his father, Eben B. Page.

The Museum Textile Company, a conservation and restoration company, conducted an on-site assessment of the tapestries in June, and confirmed moth damage. The tapestries and altar frontals were sent to Historic New England in Haverhill, MA, for fumigation (a two-month carbon dioxide treatment). The tapestries have returned to Epiphany, but will remain in protective plastic until conservation and restoration can be completed. 

The Museum Textile Company submitted a full evaluation and recommendation for our historic tapestries. The report states the tapestries are in “good condition overall,” with minor fading expected for artifacts that are a century old, and they show no evidence of prior restoration. Estimated costs for professional restoration, repair, and fitting of new recommended hangers is approximately $42,000.

We hope that once funds are available, we can proceed with the repair of these works of art. If you are interested in making this project possible, please contact Rev. Nick directly at the church offices.

With thanks,
The Epiphany Altar Guild

Prayer and Communion Service at the Gables

All Gables residents are invited to a monthly gathering of song, scripture, prayers and the sacrament of Holy Communion beginning on Wednesday, December 15, from 11:00 - 11:45 am. Sponsored by Parish of the Epiphany and led by the Rev. Bob Davidson, all residents are welcome to come to this monthly gathering in the Theatre. 

 
 

Advent Lectio and Book Discussion

An opportunity to ponder, as Mary did, upon the mystery of our lives and our faith. Join us on Thursdays through January 6 from 1:00 – 2:15 pm in the Upper Parish Hall. We will practice Lectio Divina with some well-loved scripture; followed by discussion of Kate Bowler's book, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved. Contact  Sandy LaPerche to RSVP for headcount.

 
 

Hymns of the Season, Singing Our Faith
on December 12

Join our Director of Music and Organist Craig Benner on the third Sunday of Advent in Hadley Hall following the 10:00 am service as we explore the hymns of the Advent season and sing our faith together. It promises to be a wonderful and enriching time together.

 
 

Pageant Celebration on December 19

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we enter more deeply into the promises of the season with our annual Children's Pageant at the 10:00 am service. Following the service, we will gather for a festive fellowship hour in Hadley Hall. All are encouraged to join in this celebratory reception.

 
 
 

Lessons and Carols on December 19

On December 19 at 5:00 pm, join us as we hear the story of Christmas told in scripture and song at our festive service of Lessons and Carols. Limited seating in the sanctuary; additional seating in Hadley Hall and Upper Parish Hall once sanctuary is filled. Masks and social distancing are required.

 
 

Mission & Outreach:
Service Opportunities in
the Wider Community

Advent Giving Tree

Advent Giving Tree (Real and Virtual)
Joyfully, our traditional Giving Trees are back this year. One is at the back of Hadley Hall and one in front of the church nave. The trees are covered with tags describing suggested donations to be made to organizations supported by Mission & Outreach. Please take tags from the trees and follow the instructions to make donations. In addition, the information on the tree tags appears below and you can simply make your donation, as described, without collecting a tag. Your prayerful support of these missions and the families they serve would be greatly appreciated during this Christmas giving season.

St. Stephen’s Youth Program
Purchase a $20 Target gift card to be given to a child at the St. Stephen’s Christmas Eve service. Put the gift card in a signed Christmas card with “St. Stephen’s” on the envelope and place in the gift card collection box in the Epiphany office by December 22.

St. Luke’s/San Lucas Food Pantry
Purchase toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste) to be distributed at the Food Pantry. Put the toiletries under the Giving Tree in Hadley Hall by December 15.

Council of Social Concern, Woburn
Purchase gift cards (value $10 to $100) from Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Gamestop, Amazon, Visa or Mastercard. Put the cards in the gift card collection box in the Epiphany Office. Cards returned before 12/3 will be donated to individual families to buy Christmas gifts. Later cards will go to the Children’s Center classrooms.

Blackstone School Library 
Order children’s books requested by the new Theater teacher. The books will be picked up by a Blackstone volunteer and delivered to the library.

El Hogar Ministries
Donate directly to El Hogar.

Haiti Nursing Foundation
Donate directly to the Haiti Nursing Foundation.

Kids4Peace
Donate directly to Kids4Peace Boston.

Quest Adventures  
Donate directly to Quest.

(Winchester) Network for Social Justice
Donate directly to the Network for Social Justice.

 
 

This Week's Calendar

Click here to access the complete parish calendar.


Thursday, December 2

1:00pm Advent Lectio in the Upper Parish Hall
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom 
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 
9:00pm Compline via Zoom 


Saturday, December 4

All Day Video Production in the Upper Parish Hall 
9:00am Advent Quiet Day Retreat in Hadley Hall, the Sanctuary, and the Chapel 

Sunday, December 5

8:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary 

9:00am Bible Study in the Suter Room

9:00am Coffee Hour in Hadley Hall and the Cloister Garden
10:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary, Hadley Hall, and via YouTube 

10:00am Church School in the Upper Parish Hall 
11:15am Coffee Hour and Advent Formation with John McConnell in Hadley Hall 
11:15am Christmas Pageant Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 

Monday, December 6

6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall


Tuesday, December 7

8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom 
9:30am Staff Meeting in the Suter Room
1:00pm Epiphany Visitors Meeting in the Suter Room
1:00pm Nomination Committee Meeting via Zoom
4:00pm Circle of Life via Zoom 
6:00pm Property Commitee Meeting in the Upper Parish Hall 
6:00pm Director of Music Search Team Meeting via Zoom
7:00pm Strength for the Holidays Presentation in Hadley Hall 
7:00pm Prayer Team Meeting in the Sproat Room

Wednesday, December 8

7:00pm Sacred Ground Meeting in the Suter Room


Thursday, December 9

1:00pm Advent Lectio in Upper Parish Hall
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom 
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 
9:00pm Compline via Zoom 

 

For More Information

For pastoral emergencies, please contact Rev. Nick by dialing 781-729-1922 Ext. 5. 
Click to view our Family Newsletter for parents, youth, and children. 
Click to find information on our worship services
Click to learn more if you are new to Epiphany.
Sign-up for online pledge payments here.

 

70 Church Street, Winchester, MA  01890
781-729-1922
www.3crowns.org

A WELCOMING COMMUNITY