October 20, 2022

Recently, I realized that Mitch Robbins was turning 40 when he nearly lost his life, but found his purpose on a cattle drive in Colorado. Knowing his age struck me hard, when I realized I am Mitch's age; I always thought Mitch was so much older — not my age. Maybe you know Mitch Robbins. He is Billy Crystal's character in the movie, City Slickers. There's an interesting thing that happens when you realize you've become that which you once thought impossible (in this case, old enough to have the midlife crisis, according to Hollywood).

It's a big deal to turn the page in life, or have it turned for you. It's exciting or uncomfortable, terrifying or exhilarating to be in a season of change in life. Perhaps you know what I'm talking about. Maybe it's watching your last child leave the nest or being faced with caring for your declining parent. Maybe the career change is happening or your mind and heart are shifting as you learn about some social reality you didn't quite grasp before. It's hard to be at a place in life where you don't know what the next step should be. Do I even have the strength or courage or excitement for this? I know we are in such a place right now as a parish. A page has surely been turned. There is newness and excitement, there is discomfort and hunger for what was, there are new faces and the absence of old friends.

It's okay for us to ask: "What now? What next?" It's okay for us to say: "I don't know." It's okay for us to feel excitement and discomfort at the same time or to hold worry and gratitude together. It's okay because we can trust both our joy and our vulnerability to God's faithfulness. We cannot know what the coming year will bring for our world, for our nation, for our communities, or our church. But we can trust that unknown future to the one from whom all good comes. God will not let us down because God does not let us alone. We are together and God is with us always. This is something I say a lot and you may think it is too simple to hold our lives. But it is, when believed and trusted with our whole hearts, the one thing, the one thing (as Curly says to Mitch), that makes all the difference.

Nick Myers 

This Sunday at 11:30 in Hadley Hall, join Jeremy Bruns and Dave McSweeney for the last of a three-part series on the spirituality and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This forum will be an exploration of the personal faith of Bach through a combination of conversation, audio excerpts, and musical performance of organ and vocal pieces. 

It has been a rite of passage over generations for youth to explore the tunnels and clock tower at Epiphany. Join us on Sunday, October 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm for some fun and ice cream! Please RSVP to Janelle.

Are you interested in learning more about Parish of the Epiphany? We invite you to our Newcomer Coffee Hour on Sunday, October 30 at 11:15 am, immediately following the 10:00 am worship service. Join us in Upper Parish Hall to find out more about who we are as a parish and how to get connected! 

There are four weeks left until our Christmas Fair, and you are needed to make it a success! Bring in donations of children's books (preschool through elementary) and small items which children (up to age 12) can purchase inexpensively and wrap for holiday gifts for their families. White Elephants are also needed. Please do not bring rummage, books, clothes, or electronics. All donations can be left on tables in the Hadley Hall vestibule.

There is still time to donate to the Silent Auction. Can you share a talent, donate tickets to a game, contribute to a theme basket? Donate items which can be combined with others to make a cooking or gardening or craft basket. Contact Sara Post with any questions. Thank you! 

Do you have a birthday or anniversary during the month of November that you would like remembered in 3 Crowns and the Sunday bulletin? If so, please send the details to Kathryn in the parish office by Wednesday, October 26. 

We are looking forward to fellowship hours on Sundays in October, 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. 

Join with friends in a weekly prayer and book group on Mondays from 10:00 - 11:00 am via Zoom. Deepen your experience of prayer and faith with books about Christian faith and spirituality from authors like Margaret Silf, Steven Charleston, Rachel Held Evans, Susan Pitchford, and Kathleen Norris. We meet for about an hour and members of the group take turns leading a time for Bible-based prayer and reflection using lectio divina or Ignatian prayer, the discussion of the book, and a closing prayer. Not experienced in leading this way? We'll help you. Interested? Contact Mary Street or Sandra LaPerche.

You are invited to attend the premiere showing of a new El Hogar documentary on Saturday, October 29 at 6:30 pm at Epiphany. "Esperanza – Hope in Honduras" is a beautiful and poignant film that masterfully captures the challenges El Hogar students and their families face. Produced and created by Honduran filmmakers, the film tells the story of two El Hogar students and their families showing their everyday resiliency and courage and the hope they experience at El Hogar.

Epiphany has had a long and close relationship with El Hogar over the past 25 years. We’ve sent over one hundred teens and adults to visit El Hogar and be transformed by what they experienced there. El Hogar, which provides an integral education from first to twelfth grade, and a loving home to children and youth from vulnerable situations in Honduras, is reopening its doors in 2023 for visiting teams!

Shown on the big screen in Hadley Hall, we will provide popcorn, snacks, and beverages. The whole event will last about one hour. The event isn’t a fundraiser, although there will be opportunities to learn more and get involved as you wish. All are welcome! Click to view the trailer. Please RSVP to Liz Kinchen. 

Each year on All Saints' Sunday, we remember family, friends, and loved ones who have died during the past year. To include the name of your loved one in the November 6 bulletin, please contact Kathryn in the parish office. We also invite parishioners to bring a photo of their loved one for our All Saints/All Souls altar of remembrance. These photos can be dropped off at the parish office or brought on Sunday, November 6 before the service begins.  

Our next opportunity for baptism will be Sunday, November 6. If you are interested in being baptized or having your child baptized at Epiphany, please contact Rev. Nick. 

On Sunday, November 6 at 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary, we invite you to a choral requiem for All Souls’ Day. Remember the souls of the faithful departed in this service sung by the Parish Choir, featuring the beloved setting by Gabriel Fauré. 

Our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive starts now! Our Epiphany congregation will continue our tradition of contributing to the Council of Social Concern food drive for Thanksgiving dinners for families. Last year we had a tremendous outpouring. May we count on you to assist again?

A list of suggested food items is available below. Local supermarket gift cards are needed too. (Please put gift cards with amount noted on card into envelopes.) Bring donations to the narthex (church lobby) on October 23, October 30, November 6, or the final Sunday, November 13. Gift cards can also be placed in the office or in the secure drop box left of office door.

The Council of Social Concern’s mission is serving individuals and families who are in need through their food pantry, early education and child care programs.

Ellen W. Rockefeller, Coordinator and member of Mission and Outreach Committee