www.3crowns.org

The Parish of the Epiphany

Family Newsletter
for week of December 5, 2021
The Second Sunday in Advent

Sun 5-Dec  :  10:00am  :  Church School (Upper Parish Hall)

Sun 5-Dec  :  11:15am  :  Pageant Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

Sun 12-Dec  :  10:00am  :  Church School 

Sun 12-Dec  :  11:15am  :  Pageant Rehearsal

Wed 15-Dec  :  6:15-7:30pm  :  Midweek Dinner, Fellowship, and Formation for All Ages

Sun 19-Dec  :  9:15am  :  Pageant Call Time (Sanctuary)

Sun 19-Dec  :  10:00am  :  Worship with Christmas Pageant

Fri 24-Dec  :  4pm, 7pm, 10pm  :  Christmas Eve Services

Dear friends,

This is an exciting weekend for our children here at Epiphany. In Church School we'll be lighting our second Advent candle, and learning about Angel Gabriel bringing big news to Mary. And of course, we begin our Christmas pageant rehearsals! If you haven't signed up, please email me a quick note to let me know your children are coming, and if possible what role they'd like to play. 

On Sunday morning after Church School and worship end, please have a quick snack at Fellowship Time, and then families should join us in the sanctuary at 11:15am. 

This year we ask that a parent or care giver accompany each child for rehearsals and the pageant. Your child will be sitting with you in your family's pew until it is time to come forward for their part, and you'll be learning the timing and cues along with us. This will help us maintain as much social distancing throughout the service as possible. Thank you for your help as we keep everyone healthy!

Warmly,

Bryn

Pageant FAQ

What parts can we choose from? What haven't been filled?

Shepherds (unlimited)

Sheep (unlimited)

Angels (unlimited)

When is the deadline to sign up?

There's no deadline. We always welcome last-minute joiners--even the morning of! However, key parts (Readers, Holy Family, Gabriel) have been assigned. If you can let us know to expect you, it will help us to plan and to get costumes ready. 

Will we be social distancing and masking during the pageant?

Masks will be worn throughout the pageant. Readers may remove their masks only during their reading, when at the microphone. All other characters must wear a well-fitted mask continuously, which covers both nose and mouth. 

The congregation will be social distanced in the pews, and children will sit with their families except during their part of the pageant. During the pageant we will not be able to maintain social distancing of 6’ for participants, although we’ll do the best we can. However, we are aiming for our pageant to be short (well under 15 minutes total), so no children should be close to another child for very long. 

Will the pageant be recorded and live streamed?

Yes, the pageant will be recorded and live streamed. The pageant is part of our 10:00am worship service, and will be recorded, streamed, and stored on our YouTube channel as all our services are currently. 

Do we need to make both rehearsals?

Ideally, everyone joins us for both short rehearsals. This is more important for readers and named characters (Mary, Joseph, Gabriel). However, it’s ok if that doesn’t work for your family. Please let Bryn know when you can’t make it.

What ages are welcome to participate?

All ages! If your toddler is too little to walk up front and stand in place alone, parents are very welcome to don a shepherd or angel costume and go with them! If your teen wants to take part in the pageant, terrific!

May my child be a pig/goat/bear/cow instead of a sheep?

Sure thing! We may need help with the costume, but a diverse stable is a happy stable. 

May my son be an angel or my daughter be a shepherd?

100% yes, of course! Every child should request the part that makes them happy. 

Do you need grown-up help?

Always! We need help at rehearsals and with costumes, especially. Please email Bryn if you can be part of our pageant team.

Christmas Pageant Costume Apprentice Needed

We are looking for a "Costume Apprentice" to join Sara this year as we suit up all our angels, sheep, and shepherds. Are you interested in learning the ins and outs of our pageant costume collection? It's great fun helping everyone find the perfect wings, and Sara's faithful curating of the collection over the years means we have an organized and complete wardrobe. Please let Bryn know, and it would be great if you can make our two rehearsals (12/5 and 12/12 at 11:15am) and pageant (12/19 beginning at 9am).  Thank you!

Youth Outing Postponed

Please note that we had to postpone our youth lunch and outing to Boda Borg. We are postponing out of an abundance of caution with illness in our community this week. We will reschedule as soon as possible!

The Changing Seasons & Indoor/Outdoor Programming: This Week's Update

With colder morning temperatures, we are going to begin our Church School time indoors. All ages will gather in Upper Parish Hall. For circle time our 3rd-5th graders will move to the Garrett (next to Upper Parish) for 15 minutes, so they can best hear each other, where we will have the windows open and an air purifier running. They will then return to the Upper Parish Hall for the prayer, craft, and movement portions of our morning. 

Masks that fit securely over the nose are required throughout the entire class. Please confirm with your child that they do not have any illness symptoms before joining us. Thank you!

Please always send your child with a warm coat, hat, and gloves, in case we decide to have some outside time.

Please know you are very welcome to email or call Bryn to talk about ideas or concerns as we continue to navigate formation during the pandemic. We are constantly reassessing and adjusting, and your input is critical as we do so. 

A Welcoming Episcopal Community

70 Church Street, Winchester, MA  01890
781-729-1922
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