December 23, 2021

Merry Almost Christmas friends! Christmas is only two days away and tomorrow evening we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord at three services. At 4:00 pm we gather for Holy Communion and Family Service (you can expect a bit of holy merriment with the little ones); at 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm our services will be led by section leaders and a string ensemble. Please know that at the 10:00 service, we will be using incense. Both the 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm services will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel and you can join our services there if you are not feeling well or prefer to worship from home. Masks and social distancing will be required to attend, and seating will be available in the Sanctuary, Hadley Hall, and Upper Parish Hall.  

This Christmas, you may find yourself choosing to worship from home, in-person or at our 10:00 am Christmas morning service; you may be filled with joy and hope or exhaustion and sorrow. Wherever you are, whatever you are feeling, I pray that you know the peace of God that passes understanding through knowing that while we may be apart we are never alone. While we may be feeling anxious, there is hope because of the promises we celebrate, together, this holiday. Together, we walk into the new year with faith and hope and love. Together, with God, we make a way forward. Christ is with us; God is Emmanuel. I am wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas, friends. God bless you and keep you.

In Christ, 
Nick 

Please note that the parish office will be closed for Christmas from Friday, December 24 through Sunday, January 2. Our office will reopen at 9:00 am on Monday, January 3.

Please note that Rev. Nick will be away December 28-30. For pastoral emergencies, please call 781-729-1922 Ext. 5. 

A merry Christmas to you and your loved ones from the staff of Parish of the Epiphany! 

Volunteers are needed to deliver poinsettias following the 10:00 am Christmas Day service. If you can help, please pick up a plant and card at the conclusion of the service on December 25. The flowers are delivered to families who have lost a loved one, baptized a child, celebrated a marriage, or are home-bound. 

Please note that Bible study will be on break Sunday, December 26. We will return at 9:00 am on Sunday, January 2 in the Suter Room. All are welcome! 

Offering envelopes for the coming year will be available in the narthex at church on the Sundays of January 2 and 9 at both services. Please contact Peggy Roll with questions.

After the 10:00 am service on January 9, we will gather in Hadley Hall to give thanks and celebrate Craig Benner’s ministry among us. Please join us to wish Craig and Darren well as they head for New York City. We have plans for a personal gift as well as a contribution to the Music Fund in Craig’s honor. This fund, supported largely by memorial gifts, is made available to the Director of Music to fund music-related projects that might not otherwise be possible within Epiphany’s operating budget. We hope to replenish the fund for the use of Craig’s successors, in order to honor how Craig has healed and replenished us when he arrived at Epiphany nearly five years ago.

Contributions in Craig’s honor can be made by check, payable to Parish of the Epiphany (Memo: “Music Fund: Craig Benner”) or online (select music fund and enter “Craig Benner” in the memo box). Cards and notes are also welcome and can be left in the office. 

An opportunity to ponder, as Mary did, upon the mystery of our lives and our faith. Join us on Thursdays through January 6 from 1:00 – 2:15 pm in the Chapel. We will practice Lectio Divina with some well-loved scripture; followed by discussion of Kate Bowler's book, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved. Contact  Sandy LaPerche to RSVP for headcount.

On Thursday, January 13 from 6:30—8:00 pm, over 30 volunteers will gather for training and orientation in Hadley Hall at the Parish of the Epiphany to resettle families recently arrived in this country from Afghanistan. Seven congregations in Winchester have joined forces to place volunteers in organizations currently hosting Afghan families who were airlifted following the August withdrawal of troops from that country. Trainers and neighboring towns currently sponsoring families will present to a select number of volunteers who will learn not only needs of families but also cultural awareness of providing services in a respectful and sensitive manner.

Rev. Bob Davidson, convener of the Interfaith partners, asked for 4-5 Epiphany volunteers who would take a leadership role in Afghan resettlement to contact him with their willingness to attend the January 13 training. Eventually a larger number of Epiphany volunteers will be needed and donations of clothes, food, and money will be needed once families start to be resettled in Winchester. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer leader should contact Bob by email or 970-222-2390.

We will hold our Communion Enrichment program for children in grades 2-4 and their caregivers on Saturday, January 22 from 9:00 - 11:00 am at the church. The Communion Enrichment class is designed to help children better understand the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. These children will participate in the 10am service of worship on January 23. If you're interested in learning more or having your child participate, please contact Bryn Hollenbeck.