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First Sunday of Advent |
First Sunday of Advent - Stushieart And from all of us at the Church of the Epiphany, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving. |
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An Important Update on Worship, from the Interim Rector |
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Of the many things Covid-19 is teaching us one of the most important lessons we are learning is that we must remain both vigilant and adaptable to the ever-changing realities of this pandemic—most especially infection rates. I am sure you have heard the same news I have been hearing these last weeks: The current infection rate across the country, and in New York City, has surpassed last summer’s peak. And, in all likelihood, it will continue to climb through the winter months. The Wardens, Mo. Elise and I have been in conversation about what this means for Epiphany and whether we should continue with in-person worship given these projections. Also, earlier this month I invited those who have attended in-person worship to a Zoom meeting where the Wardens, Mo. Elise and I could hear their thoughts regarding whether or not to continue gathering in person given these new realities. Based on that meeting, and discussion with the Wardens and Mo. Elise, it seems prudent that we suspend in-person worship effective this Sunday, November 29th. We will return to the former schedule of Zoom Morning Prayer at 10:30 AM followed by either coffee hour or Epiphany Talks. Sunday school for our children will also continue to be offered via Zoom.
As we continue to make our unprecedented journey through this global pandemic we will be constantly evaluating when it will be possible to offer in-person worship again. In the meantime, I very much hope to see you via Zoom each Sunday as we begin another, more ancient journey—that of Advent. I would also remind you that there are additional opportunities to gather with your Epiphany family during the week and I hope you will take advantage of those opportunities as you are able. We may be physically separated from one another for a time, but we are still nevertheless a community in Christ, committed to the proclamation of the Gospel through our shared life, ministry and mission. Nothing will change that for, in the words of St. Paul, we “are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). I am blessed to be able to “walk in them” with you. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this parish. Today and in all the days that are yet to unfold. Faithfully yours, Roy+ |
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From the Associate Rector |
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Dear friends, Advent is coming, Advent is coming! When I was a child, we always had an Advent Wreath on our kitchen table. Throughout the Advent season, we’d light the candle(s) each night and say a prayer at dinner time. I would always get really excited when we’d get to the pink candle, both because pink was my favorite color, and because it meant that we were getting really close to Christmas! As an adult and a liturgical leader, I now get less excited when we get to the pink candle and more stressed than anything. Is everything ready for our Christmas services? Will the Christmas Pageant come together? Have I finshed my gift shopping? Etc. The pandemic adds a whole new later of stress for this year. To help manage that stress, I invite you to join me to dwelve even deeper into some Advent practices. First, please join us in making an Advent wreath for your own home this year – kits are available, please see the full details below to claim yours. Alternately, we also have paper Advent Wreaths that kids (or adults!) can cut out, color, and assemble. I also invite you this year to join me in an unusual project – a Reverse Advent Calendar. While a traditional Advent Calendar has one opening a door or box to find a gift behind it (sometimes chocolate), this year we are all invited to assemble a box (or boxes) and fill them with things for others. This can be a box with a coat in it to donate to a coat drive, a box with a toy to give to Toys for Tots, or a gift you are giving to a family member or friend. You could even give someone chocolate! Snap a photo of this box or gift and send it to me, or write me a note describing your box. As I receive these, I will assemble a visual image of our Epiphany Reverse Advent calendar so we all can see how we’ve journeyed through to Christmas. Let me know if you need ideas of where to donate things, and I will do my best to help. Faithfully, Elise |
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Epiphany Talks - Gratitude and the Psalms |
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Epiphany Talks: Gratitude and the Psalms, led by Marion Williams 11:45 am this Sunday!
Fifth Century Christian contemplative master John Cassian wrote that the power of the Psalms is that they carry with them “all of the feelings of which humans are capable”. (Bourgeault, 15) A more contemporary writer, Daniel Polish, contextualizes this thought into the realm of spiritual development when he writes in his book Keeping Faith with the Psalms that “Part of being a person of faith involves not only the desire for intimacy with God but also the questions that flow from our relationship with God. The book of Psalms offers us glimpses of ways we can answer these ultimate questions and from these glimpses build structures of faith in which we can live out religious lives”. (Polish XII) During these weeks of the Thanksgiving holiday, Marion will present several Psalms of Thanksgiving for the group to read, listen to, and contemplate how these poetic songs of thanks may inform our lives and hearts today. The group will then participate in joint effort to write their own Psalm. Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2127372720?pwd=R0hlWmxDL3ZucnU1WDRHemFLbGErUT09 Meeting ID: 212 737 2720
Passcode: 2127372720
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Online Bible Study with a Special Guest - This Monday at 7:00 pm! |
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Our Online Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark continues Monday night at 7:00 pm on Zoom, and continues weekly through December 7th! The Gospel of Mark will be the featured gospel in our new liturgical year beginning in Advent. Our sessions conclude with Compline, the service of night prayer from the Book of Common Prayer. Neither advanced preparation or perfect attendance is required - join with an open heart and mind to study and pray as a community. This Monday, November 30th we will welcome a special guest, Dr. Karoline Lewis, the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. An author and contributor to many books on Biblical Preaching, Professor Lewis will give us a helpful overview of the Gospel. Please join us to welcome her, even if you haven't been able to attend the prior sessions.
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Prayer List |
Birthdays this Week: Happy Belated Birthday to Ellie Plonner! Birthday blessings this upcoming week to Chris Ashley, Theo Darringer, Michael Errico, Jason Gray, Louise Hagetter, Conrad Harper, Rebecka Hawkins, Judith Kent Healing and Special Needs: Bettie, Charlie, Fr. Roy, Brian, Sally, Richard, Ellen, Jane, Richard & Lynn, Jennifer, Magaly, Gib, David Christopher, Laura, Melissa, Martin, Neil, Dudley, Fran, Judy, John, Jean, Tarara, Dawn Evans, Mervat Menwer & Marcia Ellis, Maria & David, Flip, Jack, Frank, Peter, Peg Gautier, Nicole, Tomas, Ruth, Mary Ellen Delaney & Family, Hermie, Eddie, Bob, Adele, Ama, Betty, Mark, Avron, Heather, Marion, Lorraine, Mary, Ryan, Won Ok, Carolyn, Scott, Judith, Nathan, Jennifer, Jonathan, Gloria, Hare, Hyun-Wu, Ann, Jim, Deborah, Joan, Lawrence, Alvin and Carol, Adrienne, Ethan, Dean, Shelley, David, Owen and family, Kennie, Nandika, Marine, Epifania, Genny, Marcy, Robin, Linda, Cathie, Annette, Lorol, Marion and the Hedges family, Janet, Jennie, Marion, Richard
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