Family Newsletter:

Week of September 4, 2022

Family Calendar

Wednesday, Sept 7 : 5:15pm : 1st Choristers Rehearsal (meets every Wednesday)

Sunday, Sept 11 : 10:00am : Rally Day Picnic & Blessing of the Backpacks

Tuesday, Sept 13 : 6:30pm : Church School Training (for adult volunteers)

Saturday, Sept 17 : 5:00pm : Youth Kick-Off at Boda Borg (grades 6-12)

Sunday, Sept 18 : 10:00am : Church School Begins (meets 2nd-5th Sundays)

Dear families,

September, with all its newness, is here!

Earlier this week the Epiphany staff gathered for a full-day working session. This was the first time our new fully-formed staff met together--rector, music, youth, children, administrator. What a blessing to work, eat, and laugh together!

Having a full staff will mean so much for families here at Epiphany. Partnering with all of you, we can jump into the new program year with renewed energy and with big dreams for all this community can do and be together.

As you'll see below, there are many things beginning here in the next several weeks. Our new Director of Music, Jeremy, launches Choristers this coming Wednesday. I encourage you to come and try it--it is a wonderful mix of high quality music education, friendship, faith-building, and fun. Janelle, our new Associate for Youth, is leading a youth pizza dinner and Boda Borg outing (Boda Borg is one of my favorite places!). I'm leading a new Church School Training on Tuesday the 14th, and ask all who are even a little interested in supporting Church School to come, meet the team, and see how wonderful this ministry is for grownups. Our first Church School is Sept. 18 at 10am.

And of course, Rally Day is next Sunday, September 11. Rally Day is so much fun! Come celebrate this new year with us.

Love & Blessings,

Bryn

Choristers Begins September 7

Does your child like music? Would they value the opportunity to learn to sing?

The Chorister choir program at Epiphany is for children entering grades 2-8. Previous experience isn’t needed—they’ll learn everything they need to know in the weekly rehearsals, which will be on Wednesdays from 5:15-6:15pm (a snack and optional skills session will also be offered from 6:15-7:00pm on many Wednesdays), beginning September 7th. They will receive professional music theory and vocal training free of charge as part of being a chorister. This choir will sing in church monthly during the season, in addition to other engagements as announced. There will also be an elaborate point system for the choristers based on attendance, effort, advancement through the music theory training, and rewards offered at various points throughout the season (sometimes announced in advance, but not always!).

This program isn’t just for Epiphany parishioners—children are welcome and encouraged to bring friends along to try out the program as well (in fact, that is one easy method for earning bonus points!). It is perfectly acceptable to try out the program for a few weeks without committing to the entire season. If you have any questions, or if you would like for Jeremy to briefly meet with your child(ren) and assess the vocal and musical aptitude, please reach out to Jeremy Bruns, Director of Music & Organist at jbruns@3crowns.org.

Rally Day is September 11

All are invited to join in the Rally Day festivities on Sunday, September 11. Rally Day officially kicks off our 2022-2023 Program Year. After the 10am Service of Worship, we will celebrate a new year in community with lunch (by Bella Isla), arts & crafts, games, a bouncy obstacle course, and (new this year, and Nick's idea) a Rector Dunk Tank.

Church School Training: Tuesday, Sept 13

All grownups and teens interested in helping with Church School--in any role--are invited to join us for a fun evening training session on Tuesday, September 13, from 6:30-8:30pm.

The training will be an opportunity for us to

get to know each other and feel part of a connected & supported ministry group
understand the curriculum, and the goals of our ministry
get practical information, strategies, and tips--on the lessons, and the kids
see more clearly what the different roles in our ministry are
ask questions and work together to make our Church School as welcoming, comfortable, and rewarding as we can--for us adults and for the magnificent children we serve.

The training does not commit you to serving in the Church School. Please join us even if you are just curious! RSVP to Bryn so we know to expect you.

Youth Kick-Off on September 17: Boda Borg!

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join Janelle and the youth leaders for a program year kick-off at Boda Borg on the evening of Saturday, September 17. Boda Borg offers a series of "quests" in which small teams figure out clues (sometimes intellectual, sometimes physical) in order to open doors and advance through challenges. Quests have unlimited chances, so they are perfect for trial-and-error thinking, and teams need kids with all sorts of different skills, interests and perspectives in order to be successful. It's terrific fun!

We'll gather for pizza at the church beginning at 5pm, and carpool over to Boda Borg at 5:50pm. We'll return to the church by 9pm. Please reach out to Janelle for more information and to sign up.

Church School Begins September 18

Our faith formation program for children begins on Sunday, September 18. Our two classes (preschoolers through first grade, and second through fifth grade) meet on the second through fifth Sundays of each month, during the 10am service of worship. Read more about our two classes below!

On the first Sunday of each month, faith formation will take place in the 10am service of worship. It's so important for children to experience worship and for grownups to experience worship alongside children. During these First Sunday services, children will be given special roles--greeting, ushering, reading, acolyting--as well as special materials to help them understand, enjoy, and appreciate our liturgy.