March 2, 2023

Maybe you've had this thought once (maybe many times; don't worry, I won't tell). It's true: your priest is not perfect. In fact, sometimes they just don't seem to get it. This is so much the case, that the Bible has a story about priests who just don't get it. We'll hear one this Sunday, as we listen to the story of Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus says some things that really confuse Nicodemus. So much so, that it might feel like Jesus is giving up on the guy. After all, he comes to Jesus at night — apparently worried about what his other priestly friends might say. Nicodemus just doesn't understand Jesus. There are times that I struggle with Jesus too. I find some of Jesus' teachings about forgiving our enemies, loving all our enemies, not worrying about the things of life/this world to be particularly hard. I suppose it's why the story of Nicodemus is one of my favorites. I get Nicodemus — and it's not just because I'm a priest. No, what I really love about Nicodemus and Jesus is that this isn't the last time Nicodemus appears in the gospel story. When Jesus has been crucified, Nicodemus shows up again. This time, though, he does not come at night, but in the light of day and he makes clear that he loves this Jesus, even if he has not always understood it all. What he does know is that Jesus and the promise of God's love is the answer to all his restlessness under the dark of night. I take that to be reassuring. It means that your priest doesn't have to be perfect (Thank God!) — and you can bet they won't be. It is the love of God alone that is perfect.

This Sunday, I'm excited to have the Rev. Isaac Everett join us to preach at both services and share at our Faith Forum after the 10:00 am service. Isaac is the Executive Director of CRECHE here in Boston, and he'll share with us and invite us to imagine how we can live more deeply into God's perfect love through the power of community, kinship, and making home for all. I'm looking forward to it and seeing you there!

See you Sunday,
Nick

Congratulations to all of our Epiphany friends celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during the month of March! 

Join Rev. Nick and our guest, Rev. Isaac Everett, this Sunday after the 10:00 am service in Hadley Hall as we join together to discuss how our faith invites us into deeper community and kinship in our fractured world. Isaac (he/him) is the Executive Director of the Charles River Episcopal Co-Housing Endeavor (CRECHE), a nonprofit launched by the Diocese of Massachusetts in 2018 to create and support a network of faith-rooted, affordable, long-term intentional communities. Isaac has lived in an intentional community himself for over a decade, and was part of the founding team that conceived and created Creche along with Epiphany's own Thea Keith-Lucas. Isaac will be joining us to talk about the role of the church in housing justice, intentional community, new movements of monasticism, and his work with CRECHE.

All are invited to a service of Choral Evensong this Sunday, March 5 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. 

The Malden Warming Center provides a warm and safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness during the winter months. They are currently on the lookout for these items:

• Hoodies/Sweatshirts
• Sweatpants
• Coats
• Winter Boots
• Backpacks
• Small or Medium Suitcases with wheels
• Thermal Underwear

Let’s care for our unhoused neighbors! Leave donations in the back of the church in the shopping cart in the Nave until March 5. Rev. You can learn more about the Malden Warming Center here. 

Please note that the youth service morning at St. Luke's–San Lucas Food Pantry in Chelsea originally scheduled for Saturday, March 11 has been cancelled, as the pantry does not need any additional volunteers that day. However, please take a look at our upcoming youth offerings here! 

On Sunday, March 12, we invite you to give generously to the Bishops’ Annual Appeal. This diocesan-wide fundraising effort goes to support ministries that directly serve the needs of our communities in transformative ways. To give by credit card, go to www.diomass.org/bishops-appeal, or make your check payable to “Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts,” with “Bishops’ Annual Appeal” in the memo line. We encourage you to explore all of our shared outreach ministries here and give as you are able on Sunday, March 12 during this special offering.

Join Rev. Nick and our guest, Chris Sumner, on Sunday, March 19 after the 10:00 am service in Hadley Hall as we join together to discuss how our faith invites us into deeper community and kinship in our fractured world. Chris is the new Executive Director of St. Stephen’s Youth Programs (SSYP) and will share with us his vision, passion, and faithfulness to creating community and life in Christ’s name. Chris brings over 30 years’ experience leading youth development and faith-based organizations in the Boston area. Most recently, Chris served as Chief Operations Executive of The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center and Executive Director of Operations with Jubilee Christian Church. 

Join Rev. Nick and our guest, Wynn Walent, on Sunday, March 26 after the 10:00 am service in Hadley Hall as we join together to discuss how our faith invites us into deeper community and kinship in our fractured world. Wynn is the Executive Director of Locally Haiti and will share with us a new and impactful vision for international partnerships in development in Haiti. Wynn first traveled to Haiti after the earthquake of 2010 to assist with relief efforts. He intended to stay for two months, but over the course of the next two and a half years, he lived and worked full-time in Haiti, developing a deep appreciation for the importance of Haitian leadership and self-determination. Be sure to attend the Locally Haiti reception at Epiphany on Saturday, March 25 at 4:00 pm to learn more about this incredible organization.