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How Are You? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble. Psalm 46
A few Sundays ago, during the State of the Church session
we held in Hadley Hall, Rev. Nick remarked that asking each other how we are
doing is taking on new meaning, maybe even a new urgency as we continue our journey
together as a community of faith. Sharing that we are not OK is actually OK, and an important step
on this path as we reflect on what has happened over the past 18 months of
pandemic time, and as we discern what’s ahead.
Last time I wrote the lead article in our newsletter, I shared
some aspects of how I’m not OK, balanced by how I am OK. Several weeks later, I’ll admit that there have
been many days when I’ve been feeling less OK. Withdrawn, tending toward isolation. And, reflecting further, those are days that I’m feeling less connected to
my faith life and, by extension, to all of you. The good news is that God always promises us with the opportunity to
return and renew.
One of the things that attracted me to Epiphany and has
remained constant since joining in 2012 is that as a community we can
experience wholeness and brokenness and hold them both. We have such a deep well of strength,
capability, and love for each other; I continue to be amazed and inspired by it. I know
that God is in that, and that is of great comfort.
Since Nick’s arrival in January, he has been engaged in
finding creative ways for us to be together in community; his energy has
created a great deal of forward momentum. Seeing our community turnout in large numbers at Rally Day, the
following Sunday for State of the Church, and for our first Midweek @ Epiphany is
a testament both to his leadership and to you. As always, I remain grateful for you!
Dave McSweeney
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Midweek @ Epiphany on October 6
All are invited to our next Midweek @ Epiphany on Wednesday, October 6. 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 roast chicken & potatoes, salad with fall vegetables, mac & cheese, and cookies.
Can You Help?
With the amazing turn-out for our first Midweek, we're looking for some additional help during these Wednesday gatherings. Could you come early to help set tables, serve food, or help clean up after dinner? These shifts are short, fun, and a wonderful way to support this new ministry. |
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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!
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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.
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Nominations for 2022 Service Are Open
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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, three vestry members, one clerk, a treasurer, an associate treasurer, two people to represent the Parish of the Epiphany at meetings of the local Deanery (the 13 parishes in the Mystic River Valley) and two people to attend the 2022 Diocesan Convention (as well as alternates), and two nomination comittee members.
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 near the main entrance to the church, in the narthex.
Nominations will be accepted until October 31.
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Sunday Fellowship
As you may have noticed, treats have returned to the 11:15 fellowship hour, making our Sunday mornings even more hospitable! We would like to grow our team of enthusiastic bakers and shoppers. Would you be willing to take a Sunday this fall? Home-baked treats are always appreciated, but we have a budget, so purchased fruit or goodies are welcome, too.
If you can help out, simply pick a date on the SignUpGenius, or send Jane White a quick email. Most Sundays simply involve placing your platters of treats on the table provided at the beginning of coffee hour. Four Sundays (Ciderfest, All Saints’, Advent 2, and the pageant) ask for two people, because the job is a little bigger, and a server will likely be needed. The Diocese has issued food and drink guidelines, which place some limitations on what and how we can serve while the virus is still around us. Jane will share those once you have signed up.
Thanks for helping out!
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Reflections on a Pandemic:
Epiphany Multimedia Storytelling Display
The Communications Committee invites the entire parish to help us create a multimedia display where parishioners can share their experiences of the pandemic over the past 18 months in whatever way they want: through poems, artwork, prayers, laments, photos of what they did during COVID etc. We will contrast these reflections to photos from our archives before COVID, carried throughout the display.
The gallery of reflections will be presented along the walls in Hadley Hall and in the Cloister Garden in time for viewing while attending the Christmas Fair on November 20, 2021.
- Depending on what we receive, we hope to include displays similar to the ones that the Winchester Chamber of Commerce presented for the August Art on the Park, on the Town Common
- We will also collect words that people share, and create a Wordle collage to include in a press release and in social media.
One example of a reflection might be a timetable collage of photos representing experiences you shared during the pandemic. Another could be a child’s artwork, a favorite prayer, a poem that expresses the highs and lows of life in quarantine, or a video of some of the unique experiences you shared with friends and family.
If you are interested in participating, please send your thoughts, ideas, and submissions to Kate Reynolds and be prepared to send us your final creation by November 10. We look forward to hearing from you!
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October Birthdays & Anniversaries
Congratulations to all those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during the month of October!
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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.
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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!
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Fundraising Event for El Hogar
Please join us on October 23 at 7:30 pm for Esperanza, a joyful, immersive, virtual multi-media event to benefit El Hogar. If you are new to Epiphany, you may not know that our community has been a long-time partner with El Hogar, which offers a home, an education and a family to children born into extreme poverty in Honduras. Many of our adults and youth have served on service trips to El Hogar, sponsored students, and supported the transformative work that takes place there. Come and meet students and teachers, and learn about the exciting changes that are underway at El Hogar.
Click here to see in just one minute why you should join us on October 23.
To register, click here. Register early to receive your pre-event gift in time! Please contact any of us with questions.
Liz Kinchen, Eileen Marks and Betsy Walsh
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This Week's Calendar
Click here to access the complete parish calendar.
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
Sunday, October 3
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, Hadley Hall, and via YouTube
10:00am Church School in the Bishop Garden
11:15am Coffee Hour in the Cloister Garden
12:00pm Altar Guild Lunch in the Cloister Garden
5:00pm Blessing of the Animals in the Cloister Garden
Monday, October 4
6:00pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
7:30pm AA Meeting in Hadley Hall
Tuesday, October 5
8:30am Employment Transition Group Meeting via Zoom
9:30am Staff Meeting in the Suter Room
1:00pm Epiphany Visitors Meeting in Hadley Hall
1:00pm Nomination Committee Meeting via Zoom
6:00pm Property Committee Meeting in the Suter Room
7:00pm Prayer Team Meeting in the Sproat Room
Wednesday, October 6
6:15pm Midweek @ Epiphany in the Cloister Garden, Hadley Hall, and Upper Parish Hall
Thursday, October 7
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 |
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70 Church Street, Winchester, MA 01890
781-729-1922
www.3crowns.org
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