The Parish of the Epiphany

Family Newsletter
for week of November 7, 2021
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Sun 07-Nov : 10:00am : Church School (Upper Parish Hall)

Sun 14-Nov : 10:00am : Church School

Sun 14-Nov : 5:00pm : Outdoor Worship for All Ages and Food Drive

Wed 17-Nov : 6:15-7:30pm : Midweek Dinner, Fellowship, and Formation for All Ages

Sat 20-Nov : 10:00am-4:00pm : Christmas Fair

Dear friends,

This Sunday we will celebrate the Parish's first baptism in almost two years. When we talk about baptism we use phrases like adopt, initiate, bond, inherit, and share. During the baptism our priest says the newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." We as a congregation also renew our baptismal covenant, and we vow to welcome, to love, and to support the newly baptized within our church family and the faith.

I love that we are all a part of this sacrament. This Sunday, the Church Schoolers will be invited to the sanctuary after the sermon, to sit up front while watching and participating, and of course, to ring our bells in celebration and recognition of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Please note that our Church School time will end after the sermon, when we come downstairs for the baptism, and there will not be an extended time option this week. Parents are always welcome to bring their children into Hadley Hall, the Cloister, or back to Upper Parish (where we will leave out art materials) themselves if they feel the need, although the presence, sounds and movement of children within our worship services are always loved and valued. (And please note that our sanctuary has a wonderful new air purification system and high ceilings.) Additionally, children will have special bulletins, coloring, and hand material available to them for the remainder of the service.

Please stay for a time of fellowship, celebration, and cake after the conclusion of the service.

Warmly,

Bryn

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 10-15 minutes, so they can best hear each other. The Garrett is large enough for 6' social distancing (made easier by the placement of big comfy chairs), and 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. Most Sundays we will strive to spend at least a little time in the Bishop Garden--even if our "sit down" portions need to be indoors so we don't freeze.

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.

Our younger parishioners are starting to be vaccinated against Covid-19--Praise the Lord! Seen here: the youngest Hollenbeck smiling (really, under the mask) after his first dose on Wednesday.

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Now through November 14!

Epiphany will continue our tradition of celebrating this season of gratitude by contributing to the Council of Social Concern's Thanksgiving food drive. Last year we had a tremendous outpouring. Can we count on you to help again?

A list of suggested food items is below. Local grocery store gift cards in $15, $20, and $30 amounts are also needed so families can buy turkeys and other perishables. Please put gift cards with the amount noted on the card into sealed envelopes.

Bring donations of food and gift cards to the church lobby or Outdoor Worship by Sunday, November 14. Thank you for your support!

Christmas Fair: A Favorite Tradition for Adults and Kids

Our Christmas Fair is on Saturday, November 20. Please join the fun in Hadley Hall. This is a favorite event for adults and kids, alike. Our Kids Store is an entire space just for kids. In the store, kids shop for Christmas presents, do a few crafts, read (or buy) a book or two, and generally have a great time.

We are still organizing and looking for help. Look for a volunteer Sign Up Genius soon. And please consider donating to the Bake Table, White Elephant, or a Silent Auction item.

If you need ideas or have questions, please contact us.

Thanks and we can't wait to see you on Fair day.

Your Co-Chairs,

Laura Krotky 781 325-2320

Sara Post 617 979-4195

Outdoor Worship for All Ages

Please mark your calendar for all these short, half-hour services of worship in the Cloister Garden. ALL ages and all households are invited for this child-friendly, simple but meaningful time of singing, eucharist, creative prayer, and a homily.

Our Outdoor Worship schedule this fall is:

November 14

November 28

Baptism: What's Happening?

Are you curious about this sacrament? Here's a helpful definition and summary of baptism from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians:

This is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (Book of Common Prayer, pp. 298, 858). In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant. The water of baptism may be administered by immersion or affusion (pouring) (BCP, p. 307). Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism may be used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly baptized into the household of God. Baptism is normally administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast. The Catechism notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents and sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (BCP, pp. 858-859). Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saints' Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany).

Communion Enrichment: January 22

We will hold our Communion Enrichment program for children in grades 2-4 and their caregivers on Saturday, January 22 from 9:00-11:00am. Please mark your calendars. More information and registration will come in early winter.

A Welcoming Episcopal Community

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