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Family Ministries at Epiphany:

Third Week of Advent
Week of December 17, 2023

Upcoming for Families at Epiphany

• Christmas Pageant Sign-Ups Still Open
• Church School: Sunday, December 17 at 10am
• Christmas Pageant Rehearsal: Sunday, December 17 at 11:30am
• Youth Christmas Party: Sunday, December 17, 6:30-8:30pm
• Midweek All-Parish Christmas Party and Dinner: Wednesday, December 20, 6:15-7:30pm

Dear families,

The third week of Advent is always a ride, isn't it? 

There's the pressure of Christmas preparations, of course--making sure the children's presents feel equitable, cooking and baking, cleaning for visitors--all the while keeping up our "normal" schedules.

It's also a week of complicated memories for me, as I mark the birthdays of both my late father and grandfather, and I know many of us have similar-if-different layers of memory, joy, and grief at this time of year.

And, in the midst of these things, the week is full of celebrations--multiple straight-out parties. It's a lot. 

I pray that you feel peace, comfort, and joy in these days. And I hope very much that you will join any or all of the happenings here at Epiphany that would feed your soul. Here are two of note--and yes, coming to both might feel bewildering, but isn't life?

• This Tuesday, Rev. Bob will be offering Strength for the Holidays: An Evening Presentation of Loss and Resilience. It is at 7pm in Hadley Hall.

• On Wednesday, the All-Church Christmas Party is on Wednesday, December 20 during our usual Midweek time. 

Joyous Advent,

Bryn

Please make note of the unique Sunday schedule we will have on Christmas Eve

• 8am: Spoken Service for 4th Sunday of Advent
• No 10am Service
• 3pm: Pageant Run-Through (please arrive a little early to get on costumes)
• 4pm: Family Christmas Eve Service with Pageant & Choristers
• 7pm: Christmas Eve Worship Service
• 10pm: Christmas Eve Worship Service

Youth Christmas Party: Sunday, December 17, 6:30-8:30pm

All in grades 6-12, join us for our youth Christmas celebration! We'll have dessert (hopefully decorating cookies!) and have a white elephant gift exchange (think creative, DIY, make up something), maybe time for one round of the much enjoyable night time hide and go seek at the church.

Midweek Christmas Party:  Wednesday, December 20

Join us on Wednesday, December 20 for an all-church, all-ages extra festive Midweek Christmas Party! 

This special Midweek celebration will include a holiday dinner (cooked by Chef Duane and Team), dessert, games, music, and Christmas cookie decorating. All are welcome!

Hadley Hall -- 6:15-7:30pm

Christmas Pageant:

Sign-Ups Now Open!

All children, please sign up now for your part in our Christmas Eve Pageant!

Our Christmas pageant will be on Christmas Eve at the 4:00 pm worship service. All children are welcome to take part! We hold rehearsals at 11:30 am following worship on Sundays in December. 

Please click below to sign your child up to participate in the pageant and to indicate their preferred role. Our speaking roles have been assigned, but there is always more room for angels, sheep, and shepherds! 

If you have questions about what role would be a good fit for you child, please email Bryn and we can discuss the options.

The Dwelling Place: Soup Kitchen Service Opportunity for Families

The Dwelling Place is a soup kitchen in Woburn open three nights a week serving hot meals to anyone who needs it. This is a great opportunity to be in solidarity with our neighbors and to address food insecurity.

On Friday, December 22, please signup to help cook a meal in the Epiphany kitchen. We will be providing a special Christmas meal for our neighbors.

First Sunday Intergenerational Worship: January 7

On the first Sunday of every month, we all worship together (there are no separate Church School classes) and the children & youth are invited to take part in special ways throughout the 10am service. This is an important way in which the children experience the service, and all ages love working together. First Sunday Worship is special and well loved. 

Would you child like to be a greeter, an usher, a reader ("lector"), or an element bearer on one of our First Sundays? These jobs are fun ways to help and take part in the service, and we teach children their simple roles "on the job" that morning. 

We invite you to sign up your child for a role on January 7 or February 4 here: First Sunday Worship Jobs Sign-Up

Full Family Calendar:

December

Bryn Hollenbeck, Director of Children's Ministries and Parish Life

Rev. Janelle Hiroshige, Associate for Youth and Community Partnerships

Jeremy Bruns, Director of Music

Rev. Nick Myers, Rector

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