January 20, 2022

On freezing cold January days, I like to find a patch of sun and curl up in it, cat-like, and dream of warmer times. Take a moment now to dream with me. Can you envision canoeing across some quiet water, surrounded by pine trees? Taking a hike through the woods with friends, just as the deep green summer leaves are starting to turn red on the edges? A picnic lunch with the sun warming our backs, or a camp fire with s'mores? How about morning prayers by the lake, or worship in an outdoor chapel?

What do you say? Who needs a weekend away? 

It was a year ago this week when Rev. Nick arrived and we sat down for our first meeting on a cold, dark January day. Vaccines were on the horizon but not yet available, and we had not held an in-person service or class in ten months, but we talked excitedly about our hopes and visions, and we sketched out pandemic-be-darned plans for reuniting our parish family. We’ve gotten to do a lot of what we talked about that day—Wednesday evening suppers, low-key evening worship services, festive coffee hours. And now, on this cold January day, I’m thrilled to announce that we are planning our first all-Parish retreat in many years. 

Please mark your calendars for September 23-25, 2022, and join for us a two-night Parish Weekend Away at the Barbara C. Harris Camp in New Hampshire. 

We’ve reserved lodge rooms and cabins, scheduled meals, and we’re just beginning to think about all the fun things we’ll do together on that late summer/early fall weekend: things our souls need like morning prayer, relaxing walks, time to talk, canoe rides, high ropes courses (for the thrill-seekers among us), fires, art, music, and worship in nature. 

Details, options, costs, and everything else you’ll need to know will be forthcoming over the next few months, and we’ll begin registration in May. We hope all parishioners—every age, every interest—will join in. 

May dreams of the September sun, good health, and the closeness of friends keep you warm and filled with light and hope in these days. 

With love,
Bryn

All children preschool through 6th grade are invited to join us for Church School this Sunday, January 23. We will continue to offer Zoom classes at 9:00 am on Sundays in January and February, as well as in-person classes during the first half of the 10:00 am service of worship in Upper Parish Hall. The Zoom link will be in Friday's Family Newsletter. 

Church School Bags will be delivered today and tomorrow to all registered families. (Not registered but want to be? Please email Bryn!) These bags are full of our Storymaker workbooks, fun activities, and prayer practices. We'll use these materials during Zoom; also please remember to bring your Stars Zine if you join us for in-person Church School. We offer a huge thank you to our many delivery volunteers, as well as our "8 O'Clockers" who helped Bryn with labeling and stuffing in the past week. 

Over 130 films have been made about Jesus since the advent of cinema, and like no other art form, these movies have influenced the perception and understanding of Jesus for Christians and non-Christians alike. This class will examine some of the most influential of these films and delve into how they have been shaped by the Gospels, Christian tradition, and the film’s own cultural context. But perhaps more interesting is the way they have fed back into the culture and influenced spirituality and theology on a large scale. We will begin with the silent era, move through to the wide screen Biblical epics, and on to more modern and subversive interpretations of traditional elements.

Even if you didn't attend last week's class, you are always welcome. The class will be a hybrid offering, hosted in the Chapel and via Zoom. Bring your popcorn wherever you are!

Join Rev. Nick and Rich Goldhor as we explore the story and theology of our Episcopal tradition. We will explore both the history and story, the theology and thinking, the vision and vocation of our branch of the Christian faith. This is a great space to ask questions and explore answers together about our church. This course is great for those new to the Episcopal Church, as well as those who are interested in deepening their understanding of and calling within the life of the Episcopal Church as a spiritual home.

Please click to view a recording of Session #1. Even if you didn't attend last week's class, you are always welcome. This course will be hybrid, hosted in Hadley Hall and available via Zoom. 

In this mini-course, we will explore various perspectives on prayer in our lives using Margaret Guenther’s book The Practice of Prayer as our initial guide. The course will be an interactive discussion based on our reading and experience. Many of us were raised to believe that prayer was practiced only in quiet, on our knees, possibly in church, but prayer can be and is so much more.

We will read and explore a select number of chapters in Guenther’s text, and use some of her suggested group questions for deeper discussion. Reading of the book will be helpful though not required to participate in the discussion. 

Even if you didn't attend last week's class, you are always welcome. This course is available only via Zoom. 

Join us via Zoom on Thursdays at 7:30 pm January 20 through February 24 for a contemplative book discussion on Breathing Underwater by Richard Rohr. Read Chapters 1 & 2 for January 20th. Please contact Sandra LaPerche with any questions.  

Do you have a birthday or anniversary in February that you would like noted in 3 Crowns and the Sunday bulletin during the first week of the month? If so, we invite you to send the details to Kathryn at office@3crowns.org by Sunday, January 30. 

The Employment Transition Group will be meeting again via Zoom starting on Tuesday, January 25 at 8:30 am. If you are searching for employment or are thinking about a transition sometime soon, we would like to invite you to join us. We offer a supportive, informal, non-judgmental environment and typically cover topics such as networking, use of the internet including LinkedIn, resumes, elevator speeches, and interview techniques. The Group will be facilitated by Robie White (job search veteran) and Jen Shire (HR professional in the technology and educational worlds). If you would like to join in or find out more about us, please contact Robie (robiewhite@msn.com) or Jen (jennifershire@gmail.com) for more information.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex, The Parish of the Epiphany

To the Clerk of the Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, Massachusetts

You are hereby directed to notify the members of the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester aforesaid qualified to vote in its affairs to meet electronically via Zoom on the thirtieth day of January, 2022 at 12:00 pm. 

To elect by ballot officers, delegates, and committee members of the Parish, as follows:

A WARDEN for the term of two years; three VESTRYPERSONS each for terms of three years; one VESTRY PERSON for term of one year; a CLERK, a TREASURER, and an ASSOCIATE TREASURER each for a term of one year; two DELEGATES to DIOCESAN CONVENTION for a term of one year; one alternate DELEGATE TO DIOCESAN CONVENTION for a term of one year; two DELEGATES to MYSTIC VALLEY DEANERY for a term of one year, and three MEMBERS OF THE PARISH NOMINATING COMMITTEE, each for a term of one year.

To hear and report on activities of Parish Officers, Clerical Matters, and Stewardship and Finance Committees.

You are directed to serve this warrant by posting an attested copy thereof on the door to the usual public entrances to the Parish Church fourteen days at least before the date of said meeting.

Hereof fail not, and make due return of said services at the time and place of said meeting.

WITNESS our hands at Winchester on this eleventh day of January, A.D., 2022.

On Sunday, January 30 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm, join us the evening of our Annual Meeting for Midwinter Candlemas and Cocoa! Enjoy community, cookies, and hot cocoa at this all-parish gathering in the Cloister Garden.