Do I Trust This?
When I was seventeen years old I went bungee jumping. I'm not certain what waivers I had to sign, but what I remember quite clearly is my looking down at the bungee cord and thinking: Do I trust this thing? It was intense, scary, thrilling, and I am pretty sure my mom didn't "sign off" on it.
A couple weeks ago, I had a "bungee jumping" kind of conversation with a young person not from church. They knew I was a priest and they asked me: What happens to us after we die? I'm familiar with being asked such questions, but looking down at that little one, as they looked up at me, I started to sense just a touch of that vertigo of uncertainty. "Oh, here I am, talking about something I trust and believe in, but I can't prove with any certainty!" It is unsettling and exhilarating — it can be fun to step into the mystery. Maybe you know what I mean.
Well, I told that young person what I believe and trust in: When we die we will be greeted by God's big and warm embrace — it'll feel like coming home, because we will be. I said: "And you know what, it really is a big and exciting mystery." They gave me a nod of approval and said, "Let's keep walking." And, we did.
You and I live in a world that is increasingly suspicious of, not just faith or trust, but of mystery itself. If we just have enough time and enough technology and enough brilliant minds, we'll figure it all out. It's a scientism and materialism that is both truthful and sterile. I'm not arguing against such things in any final way (I mean, if the Webb telescope doesn't bring you awe and wonder, I'm not sure what will!). Rather, it's to say that there is something very human-making about mystery. Mystery and wonder make us more human, not less so. Mystery and wonder, especially when it comes to religion and faith, is the fuel of spiritual growth. It's about moving us to experience those "bungee jumping" realities of life and asking ourselves: Do I trust this? Maybe it's the decision to trust someone with your vulnerability; maybe it's a choice to walk away from the safe and explore the unknown; maybe it's admitting your limits and asking for, clamoring for, crying for "help."
As we enter this new year together, I invite you into the mystery and the wonder that is all around you and within you — the strength, the openness, the possibility of honestly asking: Do I trust this? And then, maybe, taking that leap of faith.
See you Sunday, Rev. Nick
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January Birthdays & Anniversaries
Congratulations
to all of our Epiphany friends celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during the month of January!
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Sunday Ministries Training Day
Are you interested in serving as an acolyte, reader, LEM (Lay Eucharistic Minister), or usher? Join us this Sunday, January 8 following the 10:00 am service from 11:15 am -12:15 pm in the sanctuary for our training day.
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Youth Games & Ice Cream Night: January 8
This Sunday, January 8 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Epiphany youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to night games and ice-cream night. Join us as we kick off the new year! RSVP to Janelle.
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Pledge Envelopes Available in Narthex
Pledge envelopes are now available for pick in the narthex! If you pick up a pack of either weekly or monthly envelopes, please put you name on the envelope before putting in the offering plate to ensure your cash or check is credited to your pledge. Thank you!
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Forum Hour: The Book of Ruth: A Family Story
The
Book of Ruth is the story of a family. But when family stories are examined closely,
they can be surprising — even unsettling. Beginning January 15 at the Forum
Hour at 11:15 am, we will take a close look at the Book of Ruth, and see what
surprising things it may have to tell us about God, our ancestors in faith, and
ourselves.
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Giving Tree Gratitude
Epiphany parishioners wholeheartedly supported our partners and preferred charitable organizations this Christmas season with generous gifts suggested by the Advent Giving Tree. As a community we provided.
- 52 Target gift cards for the children and families at St. Luke's/San Lucas church in Chelsea
- 35 Target gift cards for the children at St. Stephen's church in the South End
- 17 Target gift cards, plus a number of articles of requested clothing, for children in the St. Stephen's Youth Program
- 36 books requested for the Blackstone School library in the South End
- 37 gift cards with a total value of $975 distributed to families served by the Woburn Council of Social Concern
- Individual donations to organizations supported by Mission & Outreach
Those who received our gifts are most grateful for our support this Christmas. The Mission & Outreach Committee is also grateful for the love that lives in our parish and joins us together in this mission.
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Communion Enrichment Class
We will hold Communion Enrichment
for children in grades 2-4 and their caregivers on Saturday, January 21 from
9:00 – 11:00 am at the church. The Communion Enrichment class is
designed to help children better understand the sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist. These children will participate in the 10:00 am service of worship
on January 22. If you're interested in learning more or having your child
participate, contact Bryn Hollenbeck.
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Annual Meeting: January 29
On
Sunday, January 29 at 11:15 am in Hadley Hall, all are invited to Parish of the
Epiphany’s Annual Meeting for a review of 2022, and to look ahead to 2023. The Annual
Meeting is the principal parish-wide event to celebrate our common life and to
experience our ongoing financial and organizational transparency.
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Evensong: January 29
All
are invited to a service of Choral Evensong on January 29 at 5:00
pm. Choral Evensong is the most particularly Anglican service in all of
Christian worship. Originating from monastic hours, it consists of the
distinctive parts of the ancient offices of Vespers and Compline. The Parish
Choir offers canticles, prayers, and anthems so that everyone’s devotions at
the end of the day may be enhanced by music, scripture, and candlelight.
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Sacred Ground: Small Groups on Racial Justice
We are excited to announce the formation of two new anti-racist learning groups at Epiphany, using the Episcopal curriculum called Sacred Ground. Sacred Ground is a small group discussion series on race, built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. Sacred Ground is part of the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation and justice in our personal lives, ministries and our society. It is open to all, and is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. For more information, please click here.
A pilot group at Epiphany recently completed this course, finding it to be challenging, thought-provoking and emotional at times. They will serve as facilitators for these new groups. One group will meet virtually on Mondays via Zoom beginning January 30, while the second will meet in person at Epiphany on Tuesdays beginning January 31. Each group will be limited to 12 participants and will meet from 7:00 - 8:30 pm for 10 sessions over approximately 12-14 weeks, with some weeks off for school vacation, etc. The curriculum for each group will be the same and includes approximately 1.5/2 hours of outside reading/viewing each week in addition to group meetings. To sign up, please email the parish office or call 781-729-1922. If you have any questions about the course content, please contact Suzanne Owayda or Rev. Nick Myers. We are eager to share this material and deepen our beloved Epiphany community’s commitment to and understanding of racial justice.
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El Hogar Immersion Trip: Summer 2023
We are returning to Honduras for an immersion trip this coming summer! Tentative dates are set for July 1-9, 2023. If you are interested in more details, please join Rev. Nick on Sunday, February 5 for an informational meeting in the Chapel after the 10:00 am service.
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Exploring Our Faith: Grades 6-12 Invited!
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to Exploring our Faith, Sundays after the 10:00 am service from February 5 - April 2 (skipping February 19). For those interested in being confirmed (must be 10th grade or older), these classes will be required and fulfill all confirmation qualifications. Please email Janelle if you are interested in being confirmed. Pizza will be provided!
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Nate Ramsayer Valentine's Day Concert
On
February 12 at 5:00 pm, treat your sweet to an early Valentine’s Day offering
by vocalist Nate Ramsayer, who offers a program of jazz, Broadway, and pop
favorites. Paired with a modest offering of chocolates and champagne, this
promises to be an enjoyable mid-winter treat! Admission is free, but advanced reservations
are recommended to ensure there is adequate chocolate and champagne. Reserve
seats by contacting 781-729-1922 or office@3crowns.org.
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Help with Fellowship Hour This Winter
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We are looking forward to fellowship hours on Sundays in January, and would greatly appreciate your help! Please click on the button above to contribute a baked good, a gluten-free snack, fresh fruit, or your help with serving and clean-up.
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Baptisms on March 19
If
you are interested in baptism, please contact the Rev. Nick Myers. Our next opportunity for baptism will be on
Sunday, March 19 at the 10:00 am service. For more information, or to complete our
baptism inquiry form, please visit 3crowns.org/baptism.
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Youth Hut Hike
Save the date for our Youth Hut Hike trip on June 26-28 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We will have a guide from the Appalachian Mountain Club and this will be an opportunity for community building while enjoying God’s creation. Interested? Email Janelle.
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This Week's Calendar
Click here to access the complete parish calendar.
Thursday, January 5
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in the Upper Parish Hall 9:00pm Compline via Zoom
Sunday, January 8
8:00am Holy Eucharist: Rite I in the Sanctuary 9:00am Fellowship Hour in Hadley Hall 9:00am Bible Study in the Suter Room 9:00am Parish Choir Warm-up in the Sanctuary 10:00am Holy Eucharist: Rite II in the Sanctuary and via YouTube 10:00am Church School in the Upper Parish Hall and the Suter Room 11:15am Fellowship Hour in Hadley Hall 11:15am Sunday Ministries Training Day in the Sanctuary 6:30pm Youth Games & Ice Cream Night in Hadley Hall
Monday, January 9
4:00pm Circle of Life via Zoom 6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
Tuesday, January 10
8:00am Holy Eucharist in the Chapel 8:30am Bible Study in the Suter Room 8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom 10:00am Staff Meeting in the Suter Room 1:00pm Epiphany Visitors Meeting in Hadley Hall 7:00pm Stephen Ministries Meeting in the Chapel
Wednesday, January 11
5:15pm Choristers Rehearsal in the Upper Parish Hall 6:15pm Optional Extra Choristers Rehearsal in the Upper Parish Hall
Thursday, January 12 5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in the Upper Parish Hall 9:00pm Compline via Zoom
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70 Church Street, Winchester, MA 01890
781-729-1922
www.3crowns.org
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