September 23, 2021

 

Change Is Happening

Change is happening. In our house, we've noticed some changes. Leaves are changing to autumn colors; Saturdays are now changed by soccer; our garden is changed by cooling weather; my father-in-law, Rev. Bob, will soon be changed by knee-surgery; mornings will be changed as Bethany begins a position with MGB. Change is happening over here!

Yesterday, we had our first Midweek @ Epiphany gathering. About 80 people of all ages joined together for a wonderful dinner outside under lighted tents, formation for all ages, and simply a time to connect and share our lives with one another. While Midweek might be a change to the rhythm of our lives, I'm wondering if it also speaks to a change in us. A hunger we've had for relationship, connection, laughter, and shared faith. I certainly sense a change in me, noticing the energy, gratitude, and joy such a time together brought to me. We are mindfully changing how we've been as church during these past 18 months. I know that I've gotten used to a different rhythm of churchsome of it not for the better. I'm ready to change my view towards a new chapter, new engagement, to being church in both familiar and changed ways as we seek to be a more intergenerational, connected, and growing church. Growing churches are filled with people who are growingin faith, hope, and love.

This Sunday, we continue some changes by returning to the familiar and rebuilding ourselves in new ways. Church School begins this Sunday in the Bishop Garden under tents; at 3:00 pm I'll host an ice cream social with youth (6th-12th grade) to talk about our hopes for a Director for Youth; join us at 5:00 pm in the Cloister Garden for outdoor worship and Communion.

Change is happening. And through it, God invites us to be changed.

See you Sunday,
Nick

 
 
 

Youth Gathering: Ice Cream with Rev. Nick

RSVP Now!
 

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join Rev. Nick for frozen hoagies (think ice cream) this Sunday, September 26 at 3:00 pm in the Cloister Garden. Nick really wants to hear your voices as Epiphany begins the process of hiring a full-time youth minister. Please come, spend some time together, hear about the new position, and share your hopes for who and what it can be.

 
 

Outdoor Worship for All Ages

This fall, we invite all, and especially young children, to join us for a series of short, 30-minute outdoor worship services in the Cloister Garden. Our first service for young families this autumn will be held this Sunday, September 26 at 5:00 pm. We hope you will join us!

 
 
 

Christmas Fair Meeting: Volunteers Wanted

Please consider attending our Christmas Fair meeting on Sunday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m., immediately after the 10:00 am service. Now that summer is over, we have lots of work to do to make the 2021 Fair happen. Join us to help with lunch, white elephant, bake table, knits, silent auction, kids room... doesn't that sound fun? Whether you want a leadership role or just have a few hours to spare, we want your help!

Please contact Laura or Sara with questions or ideas.

Thank you,
Laura Krotky, lkrotky180@gmail.com
Sara Post, snsp17@gmail.com

 
 
 

Office Staffed Limited Hours Weeks of
September 27 & October 4

Epiphany's Parish Administrator, Kathryn Dominguez, will be on vacation September 25 - October 11. Please be aware that the parish office will be staffed by volunteers for limited hours, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday - Thursday the weeks of September 27 and October 4. Many thanks to volunteers Marie Johnson, Laurie Minniti, Joan O'Connor, and Pat Aldrich for their help! 

 
 

Church School Registration Now Open:
Become a Storymaker!

Register Now!

This year, all children are invited to become Storymakers. Our Storymakers curriculum creatively retells stories from the Old and New Testaments through art, fun facts, theater, hands-on projects, and social-emotional prompts. Through beautifully illustrated and engaging “zines” (like “magazines”), we’ll explore biblical stories central to the Christian faith and think about what these ancient stories mean to us, personally. Families are invited to choose one of these options:

In-Person, Outdoor Church School on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am
Meet us under canopy tents in the church garden! During our hands-on classes, we’ll hear Bible stories in creative ways, explore and make art, and explore our own feelings and responses to these stories  — all within a loving and supporting community of teachers and children. We invited children in pre-K through 5th grade, as well as 6th graders as special helpers this year. At the end of our program, around 10:40am, families can opt to have their children join them in worship for communion, or remain outdoors with quiet activities until the conclusion of the service.

At-Home, Family-Led "Church" School — Anytime that Works for You!
At-home formation is family-centered and family-led. We’ll give you the same materials we’re using for in-person church school, as well as weekly emails with support, like background information and questions to ask. If in-person church attendance doesn’t work for your family this fall, or if your family wants to sit together through the entire church service, this is a great option!

Please register your children so we can create the right environments and get materials into everyone’s hands. Church School starts September 26. Please email Bryn with any questions.

Helpers Needed
Would you like to assist during our outdoor classes? We need grown-up helpers, anywhere from “once in a while” to “regularly.” Please email Bryn if you’re interested. We’d love to have you! 

 
 

Blessing of the Animals

On Sunday, October 3 at 5:00 pm, we invite you to our Blessing of the Animals service in the Cloister Garden. This short service will be a time of prayer, song, and blessing of our animal companions. All pets need to be under proper control and comfortable around other animals. If you would prefer to bring a photograph of your pet, a blessing will be offered for them. A time of fellowship, popsicles, and pet biscuits to follow.

 
 

Indigenous Peoples' Day Family Celebration

Come by Wright Locke Farm on Monday, October 11 between 10:0 am -12:00 pm for Winchester's first ever Indigenous Peoples' Day Family Celebration. There will be family-fun activities, including read-alouds about Indigenous people and cultures, crafts, farm tours, and much more. This event is free, but registration is limited and required to allow for social distancing. Registration is required; please sign up here.

 
 

Seventh Annual Cider Fest

On Sunday, October 17 at 11:15 am, immediately following the 10:00 am Holy Eucharist, we invite you to our seventh annual Cider Fest! Celebrate fall with Epiphany friends, and enjoy fresh apple cider donuts and cider. We hope you will join us for this beloved Epiphany tradition! 

 
 

Communion Enrichment

This year Parish of the Epiphany will be offering a Communion Enrichment class designed to help children better understand the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This class will be for children in grades 2-4, including those who began the program in 2020 shortly before the shutdown. If you're interested in learning more or having your child participate, please contact Bryn Hollenbeck, Director of Children's Ministry. 

 
 

This Week's Calendar

Click here to access the complete parish calendar.


Thursday, September 23

5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom

7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom 
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in Hadley Hall 
7:30pm Healing Ministry Team Meeting via Zoom 
9:00pm Compline
via Zoom

Friday, September 24

10:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry in the Sproat Room 


Sunday, September 26

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 
10:00am Church School in the Bishop Garden 
11:15am Coffee Hour in the Cloister Garden 
11:15am Christmas Fair Leader Meeting in the Suter Room
3:00pm Youth Ice Cream Gathering with Rev. Nick in the Cloister Garden 

5:00pm Outdoor Worship Service for All Ages in the Cloister Garden


Monday, September 27

5:30pm Sustainability and Creation Care Group Meetings via Zoom 

6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall

7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall

Tuesday, September 28

8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom 
9:30am Staff Meeting in the Suter Room
1:00pm Nomination Committee Meeting via Zoom

Thursday, September 30

2:00pm Funeral for William Brown, Jr. in the Sanctuary, Hadley Hall, and Cloister Garden
5:30pm Men's Group via Zoom

7:00pm Healing Prayer via Zoom 
7:30pm Parish Choir Rehearsal in Hadley Hall 
9:00pm Compline via Zoom

 

For More Information

For pastoral emergencies, please contact Rev. Nick by dialing 781-729-1922 Ext. 5. 
Click to view our Family Newsletter for parents, youth, and children. 
Click to find information on our worship services
Click to learn more if you are new to Epiphany.
Sign-up for online pledge payments here.

 

70 Church Street, Winchester, MA  01890
781-729-1922
www.3crowns.org

A WELCOMING COMMUNITY