The Parish of the Epiphany

Family Newsletter
May 24 2020
The Seventh Sunday of Easter

Dear Epiphany Families,

I treasure the unparalleled beauty of full Spring in New England. Mid-May is creation in all its glory, a celebration of life and art and hope.

Mid-May often feels like a sudden explosion of color, but this year I've paid more attention to its slow promises. Through March and April it whispers hang in there. As part of my commitment to self-care during the pandemic, every morning since mid-March I've gone for a long walk through our neighborhood before buckling down to homeschool. I've watched the early buds change and made friends with every flowering tree and shrub in a mile radius. I've seen them in the sun, in the rain, and even in the snow (though I could have done without that last one). In the last few days, I've smelled the lily of the valley and lillacs, even through my mask. Mid-May is my own "Allelulia!"

This Sunday the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas is our guest at Epiphany, and she is the Missioner for Creation Care in our Diocese. Her visit couldn't be more timely. Come and hear the Glory of the Lord as created around us, and our faithful responsibility to these treasurers. Children know this intuitively--this is a perfect time to learn with and from them.

Peace be with you, Bryn

bhollenbeck@3crowns.org

This Week's Pajama Church:

Sunday School: LIVE Together at 9:30am on Zoom this Sunday May 24

My friends, this is our week -- let's be TOGETHER on Zoom. We'll play, we'll catch up, and we'll continue to learn about this Easter season. Preschool through 5th grade please join us!

Click this link Sunday, May 24 at 9:30am to join us. Parents, please come too!

Note to parents: It was wonderful to ALMOST see you last week -- my heart was filled with joy as I saw your names pop up. This week we'll still plan to begin with a scavenger hunt: something white, something wooly (or soft), a sign of spring, and a small "gift" (something they've given or received). Shhh -- I'll give the kids this list when we're together on Sunday morning. They will also need a piece of plain blank paper and something to write with. Our Sunday School time will last 15-20 minutes, and we'll start promptly at 9:30. Thank you for trying this (again!) with us!

You can also watch our Children's Lesson on Caring for God's Beautiful Creation Care here on YouTube anytime! This ties in with our visit from Rev. Bullitt-Jonas.

Church Worship Service

Please join us for the live stream of worship at 10am on Sunday. Here are some related materials children can use during the service to help them hear, listen, and understand.

Creation Care Coloring Sheets

Word Find: Did you hear these words during our Gospel reading? These words are in the Book of Acts, Chapter 1.

After the church service on Sunday our guest preacher will lead our adult formation program -- please encourage your tweens and teens to join us, and upper elementary students with an interest in Creation Care are very welcome as well. Join the zoom here after the service ends (usually a touch after 11am). Parents of little ones, this is a great opportunity to take part in adult formation with no worries about the volume of your household!

Calling All Graduating Seniors

Seniors, we want to celebrate with you as you graduate from high school. Please email Bryn by Sunday, May 24, to let her know in which ways you would like to participate in the service on June 7.

This Week's Family Devotions:

On Sunday we will meet our guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, who will speak to us all about Creation Care. This week, let's focus our devotions and prayers on the magnificent earth God has created and what we can do to care for this treasure.

Monday: It's Memorial Day! Be in nature and Praise the Lord for God's creation and those who have protected it--and us--through the years.

Tuesday: Read the Creation Story in the Bible. Focus on the importance of everything in God's holy creation. Try this coloring sheet to remember.

Wednesday: Find a book in your collection that talks about nature or our environment and read it together. Here is an excellent book list for children's reads that focus on creation care -- some from a faith perspective and some that are secular.

Thursday and Friday: This is a great free printable Workbook from the Junior Defenders of Wildlife (aimed at Elementary and Upper Elementary children). It focuses on the Northeast. While learning about the world around us, pray as a family about how you can care for creation.

Youth: Genesis and YPF

Youth please join us this Sunday, May 24, for the education program after our 10am service. The Reverend Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas is our visiting preacher, and she is the Missioner for Creation Care for our Diocese. She is a climate care activist and will talk to us all about what we can to combat climate change. Middle and High Schoolers, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect faith and activism. Join the zoom here at around 11am.

Check out this article the Rev. Dr. Bullitt-Jonas wrote about 6 Lessons Conoravirus Can Teach Us About Climate Change.

Our church is also creating a Sustainability and Creation Care Committee, as part of our Mission and Outreach teams. Would you like to be involved? We want--and need--your help. Please reach out to Bryn and she will put you in touch with the right people.

Genesis

Genesis, we are meeting next Sunday, May 31, at 7pm. The zoom link will be coming to your parents.

YPF

YPF will meet over Zoom this Sunday, May 24 from 6-8pm. Chris and Heather are looking forward to seeing you! You'll get the zoom link in an email from them.

Mission and Outreach

Please read up on what our amazing, active, and dedicated Mission & Outreach team is doing to love and care for all people during the pandemic. Click here to learn more. If you are reading this, you are invited to get involved!

Are you particularly interested in work surrounding Creation Care and sustainability? Please get in touch with parishioner Josh Reynolds!

Did you know

Every Monday Parish of the Epiphany sends out a parish-wide newsletter, called The Three Crowns. You can find issues here.

There is a Bible Study for grown-ups (and teens) at 9am each Sunday via Zoom. Click here to join.

Local Support for Parenting Children Through This Crisis: Health and Wellness -- and Celebrations!

Once again I recommend Dr. Rachel Kramer’s excellent webinars on parenting during the pandemic. This week focused on grief surrounding missed milestone and celebrations. Dr. Kramer recommends that parents reflect on our own disappointments right now, and discern how these missed events and milestones may feel different or the same to our children. With young people, she recommends that we resist talking about relative suffering and focus on listening and compassion.

This is Memorial Day weekend, and with that might come many disappointed expectations or traditions. But this is a great opportunity to show our children how we can be flexible and find new ways to have special times. Here are some ideas:

ice cream delivery (our family discovered that several local places will bring us fancy ice cream sandwiches--we are all in!)
a picnic
a hike
yard games (make your own bean bag toss or target game, or find a Frisbee in your garage)
decorate your house or create a side walk mural commemorating the holiday
write letters to active duty service members
bake a traditional Memorial Day dessert -- or even better, make something for a neighbor, friend, or someone who lives alone
watch the Memorial Day Concert on PBS

Please excuse the type-os. Four more weeks of home school, friends.

A Welcoming Episcopal Community

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