Family Ministries at Epiphany:
Week of September 24, 2023

Upcoming for Families at Epiphany

Parent Book Group: Sept Sept 27
Youth Faith Circle: Sept 27
Rise Against Hunger (Service Project for Families): Sept 28

This Sunday: No Church School

Reminder that there is no Church School this Sunday, September 24. This is because many of our teachers and helpers are at the Parish Weekend Away in Greenfield, NH. This annual retreat is for all ages, and is a lovely time to connect. If you're not able to join us in NH this year, we hope you consider it in 2024.

Church School resumes on October 7. Classes for preschoolers through fifth graders are held the second through fifth Sundays of the month, during the 10am service of worship. We have two classes: one for those in preschool through first grade, and one for those in second through fifth grade.

Church School Registration

Please take one minute to register your children now. Registration is important so that we know of allergies, parent emergency numbers, and so forth. Please reach out to Bryn, Director of Children's Ministries, for more information.

Youth Faith Circle:

Begins September 27

The Youth Faith Circle is new small group opportunity for youth to gather on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays for a meal and time to be together. All 6-12th graders are invited to join leaders Rev. Janelle, Ellen W, and John J. We begin on September 27.

This will be a time with intentional faith formation, a sense of community and consistency, and a way for your youth to have caring adults in their lives.

Please reach out to Rev. Janelle, Associate Minister for Youth, for more information.

Youth Faith Circles Dates

September 27, October 11, October 25, November 8, November 29,

and December 13

Parent Book Groups: Parents of Adolescents First Gathering this Wednesday

This fall we'll combine the support of friends, some excellent books, and the loving presence of God in our new Parent Book Groups.

For parents of infants through upper elementary aged children, we are reading: The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Please get in touch with Bryn if you'd like to join our second meeting.

For parents of tween and teens, we are reading: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour.

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers first book group:

Wednesday, September 27 | 8:00-9:00 PM | Suter Room

NOTE NEW TIME

Both of these books can help us to understand and communicate well with our children, so we can build fuller, healthier, and more loving relationships with them; and in our new book groups, we'll offer support, discussion, and friendship along the way.

Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packaging Event

On Thursday, September 28, people of all ages are invited to a service event in support of Rise Against Hunger, which packs hundreds of shelf-stable, nutritionally-complete meal kits that are shipped overseas.

The event, hosted by Winchester Rotary and held at Epiphany in Hadley Hall, will include jobs for everyone — even small children! (One of Bryn's kids helped with this at age four. While dressed as Batman. It was great.)

You can come for any amount of time between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Please sign up below.

Rise Against Hunger Registration

Midweek: Wednesday Evening Dinners for All Begin October 4

Midweek @ Epiphany offers a home-cooked (and incredibly delicious) dinner for all ages on Wednesday evenings. Come at 6:15pm for dinner, and stay from 7 to 7:30 for a short, creative, and interactive program of Bible study, art, and music. This is truly an intergenerational experience, with toddlers through teens and adults.

First & Third Wednesdays

Parent Conversation Series

Raising children--healthy, happy, responsible children--is not easy, but you're not alone. Join fellow parents along with leaders in the areas of family, child development, and spirituality as we engage in discussions around raising our children and teenagers. Rev. Nick, Dr. Brain Litzenberger (a psychologist who specializes in adolescence, anxiety & depression, parenting, transitions and much more), and Dr. Angelina Hawley-Dolan (PhD in Developmental Psychology and co-founder and Head of School at Aster Montessori) will join us as we think about parent identity, anxiety, growth, and well-being. The Parent Conversation Series is part of our 4th Soil Parenting Project Grant.