Why Should You Pledge?
Newcomers to pledging, and even veterans of numerous stewardship seasons, sometimes ask why they should pledge. What does it matter whether they sign a pledge card (or pledge online), or drop cash or a check in the plate from time to time? One person might say that pledging is a way to give thanks; to another pledging is a demonstration of commitment; yet another wants to “do their part” to support Epiphany’s budget.
We all have something we are thankful for: a New England fall, fulfilling work, an enduring friendship, the smile of a new grandchild, the unconditional love of God. That gratitude fills us and often leads us to want to share our gifts.
Making and fulfilling a pledge over the year is also a way to express commitment to the Epiphany community, to the Episcopal Church, to the work of God’s Kingdom. Making that annual commitment ties ourselves to this place, to these people, and to what we as a community believe and do.
Finally, Epiphany’s leaders must operate the church on a sound financial basis. Understanding the revenue the church can expect enhances the vestry’s ability to plan responsibly for the coming year costs that include staff, worship, ministries, and the upkeep of our buildings. Our stewardship campaign happens the fall, because that’s when the vestry develops next year’s operating budget.
“What’s the right amount?” There’s no single answer. Your pledge is between you and God. We encourage you to give a gift that is meaningful, even sacrificial, and we encourage you, if you can, to increase the percentage of your household income that you commit each year. If it helps as you think about this, Epiphany has annual pledges of $100 and others that exceed $25,000. Our average annual pledge was $3900 last year, our median $2100. The chart below lays out the full range of 2021 commitments:
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If
we all discern carefully and make a pledge that is meaningful to us, we will be
able to achieve the vision for Epiphany that Reverend Nick and the vestry have
put before us. This vision, candidly, requires more resources than last year. |
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Our Epiphany: Faith in Action
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2022 Stewardship Campaign Progress
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Mission & Ministry Sunday on October 31
This Sunday, October 31, we have a full Sunday morning. We welcome the Rev. Liz Steinhauser, who will preach at both services. At 9:00 am, Rev. Liz and Rev. Nick will host a conversation in Hadley Hall about St. Stephen's Youth Program and Epiphany's shared ministry together. At 11:15 am, Rev. Nick and Nelia Newell, chair of the Stewardship Committee, will host a conversation in Hadley Hall about our vision and hopes for the coming year.
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Greeter Informational Meeting on October 31
Greeters welcome those arriving for services at the church door, drawing us together in friendship with a smile and warm greeting. This lovely ministry is an easy and rewarding way to meet parishioners and engage in our community. If you are interested in learning more, please come to a short informational meeting in the Suter Room immediately following the 10:00 service on this Sunday, October 31. If you are interested and don't want to go to a meeting, or you used to be a greeter and would now like to get back in the rotation, please email Carol Hollingshead.
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Last Chance to Nominate for 2022 Service!
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This Sunday, October 31, is the last chance to nominate someone for 2022 service. The Parish of the Epiphany needs leaders who are committed to growing their faith in Jesus Christ, excited about this parish community and the Episcopal Church, willing to roll up sleeves, pray, and oversee our common life. At our annual meeting in January 2022, we will elect one warden, one clerk, three vestry members, a treasurer, an associate treasurer, two people to attend the 2022 Diocesan Convention, and two people to represent the Parish of the Epiphany at meetings of the local Deanery (the 13 parishes in the Mystic River Valley).
Email your nominations for any of these positions to nominations@3crowns.org or use the online survey here to submit a nomination. A paper ballot box is also available at the back of the sanctuary. |
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November Birthdays & Anniversaries
Do you have a birthday or anniversary during the month of November that you would like noted 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 no later than Sunday, October 31. We will also be remembering November birthdays and anniversaries in worship on Sunday, November 7.
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Midweek @ Epiphany on November 3
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All are invited to our next Midweek @ Epiphany on Wednesday, November 3. Dinner will be held from 6:15 - 6:45, followed by formation for all ages from 6:45 - 7:30. Adults and teens (grades 8-12) can join Rev. Nick in the Upper Parish Hall for clergy-led Bible study, and children can join Bryn and Craig outdoors for creative programming. We look forward to seeing you!
This week's menu includes chili (with a vegetarian option), cornbread, rice, salad, and cookies. |
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Christmas Fair Is Just a Few Weeks Away
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Thank you for all your enthusiasm about the Christmas Fair. We can't wait, either. We will need a lot of volunteers on the day of the Fair, Saturday, November 20 to help with:
- Bake Table — start thinking about your favorite dessert to donate!
- Set Up and Break Down
- Kids' Store
- General Support
A SignUpGenius is going to be published this week. Please plan to volunteer for a few hours. It's fun!
Please contact us with questions and ideas. Thank you!
Laura Krotky lkrotky180@gmail.com
Sara Post snsp17@gmail.com |
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Evensong Returns on November 7 at 5PM
Please plan to join us for a service of Choral Evensong on All Saints’ Sunday. 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 office 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.
The choir will sing Herbert Brewer’s Evening Service in D, prayers, and responses by Herbert Sumsion and Richard Shephard’s beautiful setting of Isaac Watts’ text Give Us the Wings of Faith.
Give us the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above,
how great their joys, how bright their glories be.
We ask them whence their victor came: they, with united breath,
ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, their triumph to his death.
They marked the footsteps that he trod, his zeal inspired their quest;
and following their incarnate God, they reached the promised rest.
Our Leader claims our praise for his own pattern given;
while the long cloud of witnesses, show the same path, the path to heaven.
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Online Presentation on Nonviolence by Episcopal Peace Fellowship
On Sunday, November 7 at 4:00 pm, all are invited to the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's free, one-hour online presentation by Dr. Michael Nagler, author of The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature and founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence.
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Mission & Outreach:
Service Opportunities in
the Wider Community
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"Neighbors Serving Neighbors" —
Epiphany's Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our Epiphany congregation will continue our tradition of celebrating this season of gratitude by contributing to the Council of Social Concern Thanksgiving food drive. Last year we had a tremendous outpouring. Can we count on you to help again?
Bring donations of food and grocery store cards into the narthex (church lobby) by Sunday, November 14. A list of suggested food items is below. Grocery gift cards in $15, $20, or $30 amounts are also needed, so families can buy turkeys and other perishables. Please put gift cards with the amount noted on the card into sealed envelopes. They can be mailed directly to the Parish of the Epiphany or dropped off in the office. If included with grocery items, please put card in envelope and clip or tape to top of bag.
The Council of Social Concern serves individuals and families who are in need through their food pantry, early education, and child care programs. Thanking you in advance.
Ellen W. Rockefeller, Coordinator
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Thanksgiving Donations for Students at
St. Stephen's Youth Programs
For 14 years, Parish of the Epiphany hosted a “Turkey Wahoo” at St. Stephen's Youth Programs (SSYP), an afternoon of Thanksgiving-themed crafts, games, fun, and food. In 2020 and sadly again this year, the lingering pandemic has and will force us to instead provide 60 bags of groceries so that the students and their families may enjoy an abundant and culturally familiar meal at home. Please click here to choose what you would like to donate and please bring your food items with your pledge on Ingathering Sunday, November 21.
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Serve at St. Luke's Food Pantry
There are several opportunities each week to serve at the St. Luke's Food Pantry (201 Washington Ave, Chelsea):
- Fridays from 9:00 - 11:00 am — unload the truck, shelve and bag food
- Fridays from 2:00 - 5:00 pm — bag non-perishable food
- Saturdays from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (divided into 2 shifts) — assist with food distribution to clients
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Chelsea Restaurant Partnership
Learn more and donate here to help provide 125 delicious, hot empanadas each week for those waiting to receive groceries at St. Luke’s. Bella Isla Cafe, a small, Puerto Rican woman-owned business, provides the empanadas and is grateful for the order each week.
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This Week's Calendar
Click here to access the complete parish calendar.
Thursday, October 28
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom
7:30pm Healing Ministry Team Meeting via Zoom
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in Hadley Hall
9:00pm Compline via Zoom
Saturday, October 30
11:00am Jane Miga Funeral & Reception in the Sanctuary and Hadley Hall
5:45pm Haiti Missions Team Dinner in Hadley Hall
Sunday, October 31
8:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary
9:00am Bible Study in the Suter Room
9:00am Coffee Hour in the Cloister Garden
9:00am Forum with the Rev. Liz Steinhauser in Hadley Hall
10:00am Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary, Hadley Hall, and via YouTube
10:00am Church School in the Bishop Garden
11:15am Coffee Hour in the Cloister Garden
11:15am Forum on Stewardship with Rev. Nick & Nelia Newell in Hadley Hall
11:15am Greeters Informational Meeting in the Suter Room
Monday, November 1
2:00pm Maria Osserman Interment Service in the Memorial Garden
6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
Tuesday, November 2
8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom
9:00am Midweek Dinner Preparation
9:30am Staff Meeting in the Suter Room
1:00pm Epiphany Visitors Meeting in Hadley Hall
1:00pm Nomination Committee Meeting via Zoom
4:00pm Circle of Life via Zoom
6:00pm Property Committee Meeting in the Suter Room
7:00pm Prayer Team Meeting in the Sproat Room
Wednesday, November 3
4:00pm Midweek Dinner Set-up
6:15pm Midweek @ Epiphany in the Cloister Garden, Hadley Hall, and Upper Parish Hall
Thursday, November 4
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom
7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom
7:30pm Healing Ministry Team Meeting 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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