The Importance of Reunion
In my life, I’ve noticed there are three reunions underway: personal, professional, and spiritual. Or is it actually one reunion? I tend to organize things separately “in piles” in my brain in order to feel as though “I have it together.” For me, this tendency can lead to a missed opportunity for integration if I don’t take the next steps to explore connections between those piles.
My sister was visiting from Seattle recently; it was her first trip back to New England since the pandemic started. It was wonderful to be with her again. I’m grateful to all of you who welcomed her warmly at church that Sunday – and the family reunion party that we had at my brother’s house later that day was filled with joy and laughter. I recalled to Brett during the car ride home, “That was the best family party; it was perfect.”
Last week, I participated in a day long, in-person “offsite meeting” at work. This meeting involved colleagues I have not seen in person since the pandemic, including my manager. I was struck by the genuine happiness in the room as we worked together to determine some future priorities. From my perspective, being together for those hours restored a camaraderie and momentum that had been missing over this last period; honestly that felt more valuable than the content of what was discussed.
Last month, the vestry met for an in-person retreat, where a similar scenario played out – we spent time together over a few meals, re-connecting and laughing. On the first evening, we spent a few minutes sharing a core value about ourselves, providing a window into our lives. The next day, we agreed that one of our immediate priorities should be to continue to explore ways for the parish to be together, and you’ll be seeing more about that in the coming weeks.
The Danish comedian and musician Victor Borge said “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” The joy and laughter that I experienced during these brief reunions were a great way to bridge the distance that appeared due to being apart. For me, it’s a terrific reminder of my need to be in community with you. I look forward to continuing our reunion.
With blessings to you and your loved ones.
Dave McSweeney
Warden |
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The Rev. Bob Davidson
The Wardens and I are pleased to share the news that the Rev. Bob Davidson will act as Assisting Clergy among us at Epiphany. Bob is my father-in-law and has been licensed to preach and preside within the Diocese of Massachusetts as a retired clergy person. The role of an Assisting Clergy is to assist in the liturgical and worship life of the parish and support other areas of our shared ministry together. The role of an Assisting Clergy is not a paid ministry position. Bob will assist with preaching and presiding at Sunday worship on occasion, help provide sacramental ministry to parishioners, and offer his gifts as a trained Social Worker to support the care and social justice ministries of the parish when needed. Bob earned a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Kentucky in 1978 and was ordained in the Diocese of Colorado, having served in both parochial and community ministry partnerships. |
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Sunday Morning Bible Study
In-person Sunday morning Bible study is back! Please join us at 9:00 am in the Suter Room. We gather to reflect on this week's readings and how we might apply the lessons to our lives. Our conversations are full of wisdom and laughter – no preparation is necessary. Feel free to contact Jake Montwieler with any questions. |
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August Birthdays and Anniversaries
Do you have a birthday or anniversary in August that you would like remembered 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. We will also be commemorating August birthdays and anniversaries in worship on Sunday, August 1. |
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Parent Night Check-in
All Parish of the Epiphany parents are invited to a Parent Night Check-in on Thursday, July 22 at 8:15 pm. We'd love to know how you all are doing and feeling, as we enter summer and navigate this new (hopefully better!) stage of reopening! Please join us via Zoom. We hope to see you there! |
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Baptisms and Confirmation
If you or someone you know is interested in baptism or Confirmation, please contact Rev. Nick Myers at nmyers@3crowns.org or call the parish office at 781-729-1922. Visit our website to learn more about baptism or Confirmation at Parish of the Epiphany. |
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Monday Evening AA Meetings Resume
As of July 12, Alcoholics Anonymous will resume their Monday evening meetings from 6:00 - 7:00 pm and 7:30 - 8:30 pm in Hadley Hall. We are grateful to once again be able to provide space for this recovery community. |
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Outdoor Worship for Young Families
This summer we invite all families with children aged preschool through sixth grade to join us for a series of new outdoor worship services. These short, 30-minute services are created especially for children and their caregivers to worship together.
Our next Outdoor Worship for Young Families will be held in the Bishop Garden this Sunday, July 11, at 5:00 pm. Pre-registration is encouraged; please sign up here by Friday, July 9. Our fourth and final family worship service will be on Sunday, July 25 at 5:00 pm. We hope you will join us! |
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Wonderful News! You're Invited to the Epiphany Christmas Fair!
We are thrilled to announce the Christmas Fair is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 in Hadley Hall. This annual favorite takes on greater meaning this year as an opportunity to gather as a community of friends after a very long and isolating pandemic.
So let’s gather at the Fair!
We need lots of help to make this event a success. Please contact Laura Krotky or Sara Post, your happy Fair Co-Chairs, to donate and volunteer. We are asking for: - Silent Auction Items
- White Elephant Donations
- Homemade Treats to Fill our Delicious Bake Table
- Volunteers to make apple pies, donate food for lunch, work at the Fair
- And so much more!
Look for more information in upcoming newsletters, including a SignUpGenius for volunteers and donations.
Thank you,
Laura
781-325-2320
Lktroky180@gmail.com
Sara
617-797-4195
snsp17@gmail.com
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Come Join the Fun in August!
For our 16th summer, Epiphany will again partner with the B-SAFE (Bishop’s Summer Academic and Fun Enrichment) program run by St. Stephen’s Youth Programs in the South End of Boston. This means we will:
- Provide and serve lunch to 60 children (ages 5-11), 32 teen CITS, and 8 adult staff for three days, August 2-4, onsite at St. Stephen’s, 419 Shawmut Avenue, Boston.
- Welcome the B-SAFE group to Winchester for a morning of swimming and sand. play at Shannon Beach on Mystic Lake, for games and crafts on the nearby fields, for a cookout and an afternoon with a magician at Epiphany on Thursday, August 5.
- Pack and deliver 50 bags of groceries for families of B-SAFE campers experiencing food insecurity.
- Have fun and begin to build relationships across age, race, economics, and geography.
We encourage individuals and families to join in the fun in whatever way works best. Please use the following links to sign up: - To donate food - click here
- To volunteer - click here
Please contact Betsy Walsh for more information or if you have questions. Thanks for supporting our partnership with St. Stephen’s Youth Programs!
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Continuing Support Needed in Chelsea
Through our long standing partnership with St. Luke's - San Lucas Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Epiphany remains committed to supporting their efforts to provide food and other items for those in need in Chelsea. There are three ways that you can help. - Volunteer your time on Fridays from 2:00 - 6:00 pm. St. Luke's and the City of Chelsea are distributing food from St. Luke's on Saturday mornings to about 350 families currently. Help is needed on Fridays to bag frozen foods for distribution on Saturday.
- Donate to the Bella Isla Cafe Partnership through our GoFundMe site. For 13 months, Epiphany raised money to cover the cost of 150 certificates ($6 value) from Bella Isla cafe that were distributed every Saturday morning at St. Lukes. This allowed recipients to enjoy a hot meal AND helped a minority woman-owned business remain open during the pandemic. Last week, we shifted to a new phase of our partnership. Instead of certificates, we are now offering hot beef empanadas, made at Bella Isla, to those receiving groceries. This was very well received last week and will continue indefinitely. This costs about $400 each week. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated.
- Donate personal hygiene items for distribution on Saturdays at St. Luke's. These items are delivered to St. Luke's on the first Saturday of the month. Please drop your items at Roz Nazzaro's house (1 Dunham St, Winchester) or at Tracy Podol's house (9 Falmouth St, Belmont).
Please contact Betsy Walsh if you would like to volunteer on Fridays or if you have questions about our partnership with St. Luke's and/ or Bella Isla Cafe.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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This Week's Calendar
Click here to access the complete parish calendar.
Thursday, July 8
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom
9:00pm Compline via Zoom
Sunday, July 11
8:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary
9:00am Bible Study in the Suter Room
9:00am Coffee Hour in the Cloister Garden
10:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary and via YouTube
11:15am Summer Punch in the Cloister Garden 5:00pm Family Worship Service in the Bishop Garden
Monday, July 12
2:00 Stephen Minstry Leadership Meeting in the Suter Room 6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
Tuesday, July 13
8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom
9:30am Staff Meeting in Hadley Hall
12:00pm Noonday Prayer via Zoom
5:00pm Circle of Life via Zoom
7:00pm Mission and Outreach Commitee Meeting in the Suter Room
Thursday, July 15
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom
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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