March 3, 2022

Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Friends, I know we are all carrying a lot these days. There is both joy and uncertainty mingled together as the pandemic becomes something new. And now, we share the weight of an unfolding war waged by Russian leadership that is categorically immoral and evil. As I mentioned in my Ash Wednesday sermon, war always has the power to decimate not only human bodies, but also our humanity. I imagine that if you're anything like me, you're not "alright." And I don't know about you, but I do feel a bit of a spiral back towards feelings of despair and disengagement that were so familiar at the height of the pandemic. I hope that you know that if you are overwhelmed, anxious, or languishing — that you're not alone. I want to invite you to be particularly present (in person or online), this Sunday as we welcome Dr. Brian Litzenberger to Epiphany for a talk with me at the 10:00 am service. Then, at the 11:15am faith forum in Hadley Hall, we'll begin a five-week series called Grace and Grief: Healing Together. We are going to be talking about all things health and wholeness for our spiritual, mental and emotional lives. No secrets here: We don't have all the answers, but the questions and conversations together will help point us in a life-giving direction. The forum will not be offered virtually as we want to create a safe space for everyone involved. 

Jesus invites us to come to him, to seek comfort and care and, perhaps most important, companionship. Notice, the promise is not that the burden disappears, it is that it will be shared, made light-er, and that together, we can find some rest and renewal. This Sunday, I hope you can be a part of our shared worship and the beginning of a conversation as we discover God's grace amidst our grief, and healing — together.

See you Sunday,
Nick

Join Rev. Nick and Dr. Brian Litzenberger each Sunday during the season of Lent after the 10:00 am service for a forum series that will help us explore the many feelings of grief and loss and disorientation that we've experienced through the pandemic. Nick and Brian will host conversations to engage both the theology and practice of moving from trauma to healing. These sessions are open to all ages, as Dr. Litzenberger is particularly engaged with parents, youth and young people in his practice. This series begins on Sunday, March 6th as Dr. Brian and Rev. Nick offer a conversational sermon at the 10:00 am service, followed by the forum in Hadley Hall.

All are invited to a service of Choral Evensong on the first Sunday in Lent, March 6 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 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. 

Epiphany's Parish Administrator, Kathryn Dominguez, will be on vacation March 9-14. Please be aware that the parish office will be staffed by volunteers for limited hours, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on the following dates: Wednesday, March 9; Thursday, March 10; and Monday, March 14. The office will be closed on Friday, March 11.

If you would like to include an announcement in next week's 3 Crowns or in the bulletin for March 13, all submissions must be received no later than 9:00 am on Tuesday, March 8. 

Many thanks to volunteers Marie Johnson, Laurie Minniti, Joan O'Connor, and Pat Aldrich for their help! 

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

We are announcing a new Children’s Choir for boys and girls currently in grades 2-7. The choir will meet for rehearsals on non-Midweek Wednesdays beginning March 9 from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Upper Parish Hall, and will learn the basics of good singing as well as how to read music. After rehearsals on March 9, 23, and April 6, the goal is for the choir to sing in church on Palm Sunday, April 10. Following this there will be a bit of a break in rehearsals due to Holy Week, post-Easter break, and back-to-back Midweek offerings! Following another round of rehearsals on May 11, 25, and June 8, the goal would be to sing again in church on Sunday morning June 10 (The Feast of the Holy Trinity) as we transition into summer schedules.

Adult chaperones will be on hand, and parents/guardians are welcomed (though not required) to hang around and observe the action! Pre-registration isn’t necessary, but it would be helpful in terms of planning. If you know that your child(ren) will participate, or if you simply have questions or desire more information about the program, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Many thanks and all best wishes for now,
Jeremy Bruns, Interim Director of Music & Organist

If you missed Altar Guild co-chair Kathy Hodges's presentation on the tapestry restoration project last Sunday, we invite you to take a look at her presentation slide deck.

"Freedom from anxiety, worry, and tensions at home and work, comes when we give ourselves to something greater. We need to seek wisdom rather than simply facts, to think before speaking, and in turn create respectful communities." 

Join us for six Thurdsays, March 17 — April 28 (skipping Holy Week). There are two options to participate: 12:45 - 2:00 pm in person in the Chapel at Epiphany or from 7:30 - 8:30 pm via Zoom. We will be discussing two chapters per week. Please RSVP to Sandy LaPerche to receive the weekly Zoom link and reflection questions. Used books are available in the Suter Room (church library). (Reimburse Sandra $10 when you see her — no hurry.)  

On Saturday, March 19, Parish of the Epiphany will be hosting a daylong retreat for middle and high school students, organized by the Diocesan Youth Council. The event’s theme, The Human in All of Us, invites participants to put aside their stress and anxieties and reconnect with their own humanity, their soul and center; and at the same time, recognize the humanity in others. The event will include workshops on wellness, small-group time to share experiences of other young people, speakers, and an invitation to participate in a service project to support unhoused people in our diocese. All middle and high school students are invited to attend. More information and a link to register can be found here. 

Let there be lights in the dome of the sky! On Friday, March 25 (rain date: Saturday, March 26), middle and high schoolers are invited for an evening of stargazing, science, and snacks. We’ll meet at 6:00 pm at the foot of Whipple Hill in Winchester and make a short hike up to set up our stargazing equipment before sunset, and plan to wrap up with a brief Night Prayer around 8:00. You can fill out this interest form to stay in the loop for this event, or reach out to Eva Dalzell with any questions.

We need many helping hands, including yours, to make our fun Midweek @ Epiphany gatherings happen. There are volunteer slots available on Sundays after church and on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, afternoons, and evenings — click on the button below to sign up whenever it's convenient for your schedule!