September 28, 2023

Last weekend, 90 of us ranging in age from not-yet-walking to walking-slower-than-we-used-to converged on the Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center for our Parish Weekend Away, a weekend of time together. Rev. Nick started off Saturday morning with an invitation to think about Jesus’ words to his disciples at his final meal with them: “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15). What does it mean to be friends to one another? And what does it mean for Epiphany to be a place where we are a friend to those around us and those around us are a friend to us? The memories and stories that we shared extended well beyond the 90 of us who were there this weekend. I doubt there is anyone reading this who did not somehow figure in someone’s thoughts and stories.

The weekend was not all thoughtful conversation about friendship; there were plenty of ways to learn and play with old and new friends, and we have a treasure trove of new photos for the parish newsletter and website! Amid the fun, I discovered that doing something different with someone was an opportunity to get to know them better and was reminded of what a gift this community is. Thank you to each of you for being the person that you are.

The weekend was also a reminder of the willingness of so many in this parish to volunteer your time and the gifts that so many of you have to plan, to teach, and to put on an amazing event. Thank you not only for all that you did, but for your welcoming smiles and joy!

On Sunday we will kick off our stewardship campaign and we hope that we will all take the time in the next month both to celebrate this community that we love and to consider how we will each financially support our life together. It is not easy to have conversations about money, but an important gift that we can give one another is to learn how to have open conversations about what we need to put together a 2024 budget that will continue the exceptional staff and programming that are so integral to who we are and who we are becoming.

Your friend, 
Nelia Newell

This evening, Winchester Rotary will be hosting a service event in Hadley Hall in support of Rise Against Hunger, which packs hundreds of shelf-stable, nutritionally-complete meal kits that are shipped overseas. You can volunteer for any amount of time between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Please click here to sign up or to make an online contribution. 

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to an evening of laser tag at Xtreme Craze in Woburn this Saturday, September 30! We will meet at the church for pizza at 6:00 pm and head over to Xtreme Craze for laser tag. Pick up will be at 9:15 pm at the church. We ask for a donation of $20 per student, which is a discounted rate for pizza and laser tag. Youth are welcome to bring a friend! 

Please reach out to Rev. Janelle if you have any questions. Please RSVP as soon as you can so we can get the right reservation!

This Sunday, we begin our annual Stewardship Campaign. During this time, we invite everyone to prayerfully consider making a financial pledge to support our mission and life together. Your pledge supports our annual budget and enables us to offer programming and staff to help lead our mission in this place. Please pick up a pledge envelope today on your way out of the church. 

Our first Word & Table service of the program year will be held this Sunday, October 1 at 5:00 pm in Hadley Hall. Offered on the first Sunday of each month, Word & Table is a casual, contemporary, and creative service based on our familiar Episcopal liturgy. 

Education for Ministry (EfM) began its 2023-24 Academic Year this past Sunday with participants from five different nearby parishes and a new co-mentor, Shruti Kalkarni, along with Rev. Bob Davidson. The first year explores Christianity’s roots in Judaism through the Hebrew Bible. Registration remains open through this Sunday, October 1 but all twelve slots may be filled by then. Contact Rev. Davidson for more information. Click here to view a brochure about EfM. 

Epiphany gardeners have been growing fresh vegetables in the Bishop Garden this summer to support "Gardens for Good," which provides fresh food for those with food insecurity through the Council of Social Concern in Woburn and the En Ka Food Pantry in Winchester.

If you have vegetables from your own garden that you’d like contribute to feed Gardens for Good, bring your harvest to 19 Glengarry Road in Winchester; Dotty Burstein is the resident. She has set up boxes to receive the vegetables. There's a clipboard where you record who you are and how much of which vegetables you are dropping off. The food is delivered 9:00 am on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday mornings before 9:00 am, so please drop off your harvest those mornings or the previous evening.

On Tuesdays October 3, October 24, and November 14 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, join fellow parents along with leaders in the areas of family, child development, and spirituality as we engage in discussions around raising our children and teenagers. Rev. Nick, Dr. Brain Litzenberger (a psychologist who specializes in adolescence, anxiety and depression, parenting, transitions and much more), and Dr. Angelina Hawley-Dolan (PhD in Developmental Psychology and co-founder and Head of School at Aster Montessori) will join us as we think about parent identity, anxiety, growth, and well-being. The Parent Conversation Series is part of our 4th Soil Parenting Project Grant. 

All are invited to our first Midweek @ Epiphany of the program year on Wednesday, October 4. Each Midweek begins at 6:15 pm with dinner and fellowship, followed by formation opportunities for adults, youth, and children. We are kicking off this season of Midweek with Octoberfest. The menu will include roast pork loin, German potato salad, and braised red cabbage. There will be pizza for the kids, as well as vegetarian options. Click here to sign up to help prepare dinner! 

As the Diocese of Massachusetts, we are in the process of seeking a new diocesan bishop. Bp. Alan Gates will retire towards the end of 2024. As part of this process, there are a series of listening sessions to gather input from the people of our diocese regarding our vision for our future and the qualities we seek in our new bishop. Your voice is needed. Please see the dates/times/locations of the listening sessions, and register to attend, by clicking this link and filling out the form. In-person sessions will include light refreshments. Registration for the in-person sessions is not required but appreciated in order to plan refreshments and seating. Registration is required for the Zoom sessions so that you receive the Zoom link.

Join Rev. Nick in this course that begins in October and runs through early June. This twice-monthly course on Sundays at 2:00 pm –3:30 pm explores Christian faith and life and invites each participant to discover their faith in deeper and more authentic ways. This course is for those who are interested in more fully claiming a faith with integrity and joy. Register for the course by clicking here. The first gathering is on Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 pm. For more details, contact Rev. Nick.