Parish Notices for December 18, 2020
Advent • Christmas • Epiphany
A Virtual Tour of the Nativities Exhibit
Since 1995, our collection of Nativities has been exhibited to the public during Advent every year - except during the 2004 renovation.

Due to the pandemic, our creches are staying packed up in the attic once again. However, Sara Cushing took the photo inventory and created a wonderful 13 minute virtual tour of 93 of them. So please enjoy a moment of respite with the collection by clicking the image below.
Advent Journeys
Ann Fowler, Senior Warden and Director of Education Services at Emmaus House
One of the most joyful experiences I’ve had recently was creating “Stations of Advent” with children from the Emmaus House neighborhood. The stations, similar to Stations of the Cross, depict events leading up to the birth of Christ. Elementary school students in the Community Cares after school program made two sets of Advent stations with me; one for the grounds of Epiphany, and another for the gardens near the Emmaus House Chapel. Viewers are invited to use a guide adapted from “Journey Through Advent: Devotional Stations of the Nativity” by Nancy H. Wynen, (www.emmaushouse.org/advent) while reflecting on the scenes. The guide for the meditative journey is also available as a QR code on the welcome sign.
In order to hold our in-person art class safely during the pandemic, the children and I met outdoors, wore masks, and stayed socially distanced from each other as we spray painted designs over repurposed political yard signs. The signs were donated by the Rev. Kim Jackson, recently elected State Senator for District 41. This was fitting since Kim has ties to both Emmaus House Chapel and Epiphany. She served as interim vicar of the chapel and traveled to Ghana with Epiphany’s youth group in 2019.
I hope you enjoy experiencing the Advent Stations as much as we enjoyed making them. I plan to hold more Emmaus House “pop-up” outdoor art classes in 2021 when the weather is nice. One goal is for Emmaus House children and youth to be able to sell artwork to churches and the general public soon. Stay tuned for another project in the new year: Stations of the Cross carved with the Emmaus House CNC router!
Stations for Advent
Closes this Sunday, 12/20 at 4:30 p.m.
The outdoor Advent Stations exhibit created by the children of Emmaus House closes Sunday, 12/20 at 4:30 p.m. The guide for the journey of reflection can be found below and is also available as a QR code on the welcome sign in the Memorial Garden.
Christmas Worship Services
Christmas Eve
7:00 p.m. - Online
Worship with congregational carols, anthems by the Epiphany Choir and Epiphany Ringers. Bring a candle to light during the singing of Silent Night. Use Sunday login.

Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. - Online
Christmas Lessons and Carols with congregational carols and an anthem by the Epiphany Choir. Use Sunday login.
NOTE: The Reservation list for the Outdoor Services is CLOSED.
Help Make Luminarias
Sunday December 20, from 3:30-4:30 p.m
Luminarias or farolitos are small paper lanterns made by filling paper bags with sand and candles. On Christmas Eve and other festive times they are often used to line yards, fences, sidewalks, and roofs.

We'll plan to decorate our driveway and outside meeting space for our outdoor service, but we'll do more than that if lots of folks show up. Remember to wear a mask and bring a shovel or trowel! 
Christmas Flowers & Music - Deadline today at noon
Online: Click here to donate. Select either the Christmas Music and/or Christmas Flowers as the fund. Send the in memory or thanksgiving intention by email to the parish office.
 
Mail: You can still mail your check to the church by send the "in memory or thanksgiving" intention by email to the parish office today.
Epiphany Pageant 2021
This year for the Epiphany Pageant, we will combine two loved traditions—Nativities and the All Ages Pageant.

Everyone is invited to share pieces from their nativity during our Pageant, which will be part of the Epiphany Service via Zoom. You are also welcome to dress up as the character if you would like.
Sign-up for each piece you would like to share; we may assign/limit parts based on what will create a balanced presentation. There will be rehearsal to test our technology on the evening of January 5. If you have any questions, please email Christen Erskine or the Rev. Nicole Lambelet,
Financial Update
Pledge Update

As of today, 123 households have made a pledge for 2021 for a total of $427,190.92.
Pledge by Email or Mail
Click here to access a PDF that you can fill out, save and then email to our bookkeeper Susie Boyko. Or, print the form and mail it to the church.
Pledge Online
If you have not registered for an account with Realm—our new church management software—go to https://onrealm.org/epiphanyatl and create a login. Once you've logged in, click Giving under the main menu on the left, and then click the grey + PLEDGE button next to the blue + GIVE button. Enter the pledge information and click Save OR Save & Set Up Online Gift if you want to make a payment now or set up a recurring gift.
Financial Summary for November
2020 Pledges & Year End Gifts
Pledge payments and contributions must be received at the church or postmarked by December 31. Stock contributions must be delivered to the church brokerage account by December 31 to be recorded for 2020. Click here for the stock form
Reimbursements for 2020
If you have any expenses that should be reimbursed in this fiscal year, they must be submitted and approved by Tuesday, December 15. Any expenses submitted after the December 15 will be applied to the 2021 budget.
Staff Gifts
Every year during the holiday season parishioners are invited to contribute to the staff’s Christmas bonus as a token of appreciation.

You may give online through your Realm Login or from this link https://www.epiphany.org/ways-to-give (select Clergy/Staff Gifts from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Church of the Epiphany with “Clergy/Staff Gifts” in the memo line.
Outreach Committee Member Spotlight
Each month, Epiphany is highlighting one of our committees or groups that work behind the scenes in so many different ways. In the month of December, we continue to offer our deep thanks and appreciation to the Outreach Committee. We are highlighting committee members who have devoted themselves to the reconciling work of the church in our community and in our world. These are just a few of their many activities. Thank you for all that you do in our community!
Lindsay Todd has jumped right in as our newest Outreach Committee member, having moved from Chicago where she was involved with ministries to support survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Lindsay is working with the committee to plan Lenten formation opportunities, in addition to helping with interviews of long-time committee members.
Anne Warner coordinated our relationship with Decatur Cooperative Ministries and our feeding ministry at Hagar’s House, a shelter for families with children who are experiencing homelessness, for many years. She has always gone above and beyond to make sure families had what they needed, in addition to serving on the board of DCM. Anne has recently moved to Maryland, and we will miss her terribly!
Online Worship
Sunday Worship @ 9:00 a.m.
Login at 8:50 a.m. to greet one another. Remain online afterwards for Small Groups Virtual Coffee Hour. Formation classes start at 10:15 a.m. (Class info listed below.)

Links can also be found on the worship services page of our our website. A Zoom account is not needed.
Sermons from Sunday are uploaded Monday afternoons to epiphany.org/sermons and archived for a year.
Weekday Morning Prayer @ 9:00 a.m.
Login around 8:45 a.m. for Virtual Coffee Hour. The Zoom Login is a private link. Email the parish office to receive the link and meeting ID.

Wednesday Noonday Prayer @ 12:30 p.m.
Login around 12:20 p.m. to greet on another. The Zoom Login is a private link. Email the parish office to receive the link and meeting ID.
In Person Worship
if you would like to reserve some Personal Prayer Time in the Nave, email the parish office
Outdoor Worship Opportunities
Registration Required. More information and COVID protocols are listed on the sign-ups.

In the event of inclement weather or if temperatures fall below 45° we will cancel the outdoor service by way of email at 9 a.m. Check your email on the day of the service if the weather is uncertain.
Sunday Morning Worship @11:30 a.m.
12/20 - Spaces still Available
12/27 - Registration Now Open

Wi-Fi outside is spotty, so print the bulletin at home and bring it with you.
Online Formation
Adult Formation for Advent
Love Crosses Borders - Sundays at 10:15 a.m.
 
Anton Flores-Mainsonet, the Director of Casa Alterna and co-founder of El Refugio will join us for a combined formation hour on the last Sunday of the Advent season on 12/20. This has been a thought-provoking and inspiring time together! Please plan to join us even if you missed the prior sessions. You won't want to miss it!
Meeting ID: 532 38 5901
Classes are posted to our YouTube channel.
Modern Families in January
We will be discussing This Book is Anti-Racist, by Tiffany Jewell. The book examines the concepts of social identity, race, ethnicity, and racism, providing language and phrases to interrupt and disrupt racism. It is written for everyone, from young people to families and teachers. We will focus on how to raise anti-racist children as we work on deepening our own racial awareness and building a community that truly honors everyone.

Please consider supporting a local black-owned bookstore such as Brave and Kind Books in Decatur.
Youth Formation
There will be no more virtual Youth Formation meetings for the remainder of the calendar year.
Children's Formation
Children's Formation will meet every Sunday between now and Christmas.
Children and their parents are invited to join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. via Zoom for Children's Formation. Once you enter the meeting please be sure your child/children's first names are on the screen.


Meeting ID: 890 5875 0509
Other Online Gatherings
Children's Ministries
SMA: Epiphany's "Shadrach Meshak and bednego" group invites all 3rd-6th graders to join us on Zoom on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. for community building, games, and a time of reflection about the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

NOTE: There is a New Zoom Link for this event and you must register in advance for this meeting. Click here to register.
Youth Group News
  • Online Youth Group: We will not meet online on December 20 or 27. Gatherings will resume on January 3.

  • In-Person Youth Group: Our next in-person youth group will be January 10. Sign ups will be available next week.
Grief Pastoral Care Group
The Grief Pastoral Care Group meets 1st Thursdays at noon via Zoom for a healing and faith based conversation around grief and loss. Led by parishioners Megan Fraijo-Paul and Nancy Thompson, both trained psychotherapists. Email either Megan or Nancy to join the group.
Flex & Stretch and Chair Yoga
The Flex & Stretch classwhich is the basic SilverSneakers classmeets on Zoom on Fridays and the Chair Yoga program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All at 11 a.m. Email Ellen Mintzmeyer for the login.
Parish Notices
Thank you, Epiphany Family, for your generosity!
This year, the communities of Emmaus House and Church of the Common Ground were particularly hard hit by the pandemic and needed our generosity more than ever. We are happy to report that we came through with 70 gift cards plus a number of balls and stuffed animals for Emmaus House Christmas gifts and 65 pairs of men’s and women’s shoes for Church of the Common Ground. Thank you!
Join the Racial Justice Book Club
As part of racial justice work, Epiphany is forming a book club to:
 
  • educate and inform ourselves on the history of racial injustice
  • better understand the challenges of changing racial inequities and seeking racial justice, and
  • work toward pragmatic and effective ways to be better anti-racist advocates.
 
The book group will meet on the last Wednesday of every month, starting on January 27, 2021 from 6:45 - 8 p.m. (75 minutes). A Zoom link will be sent prior to each meeting.
 
Lisa Daily and Kay Lee will lead the discussions for the first 2 months. After, other participants will take a turn selecting the book and leading the discussion.
To get started, we will read:
 
White Rage, by Carol Anderson, in January;
Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson, in February;
The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander, in March;
Dear White Christians, (2nd edition, 2020), by Jennifer Harvey in April.
 
If you are interested in participating, email Lisa Daily. Please consider ordering your books from Black owned, local bookstores which you can find through an Internet search of “black owned bookstore Atlanta.”
 
Contact Lisa or Kay Lee, if you have any questions.
You are Invited ...
... to make a difference in the life of a child. Do you like to laugh? Can you listen? Do you like stories? Can you log into Zoom? Then yes, you! You are invited to join the Children's Ministries team in a new way during this virtual ministry time.
Children need people in addition to their parents to grow in faith. Let us know that you have two hours a month to hang out and share your faith with Epiphany children as part of a team; email Christen Erskine or the Rev. Nicole Lambelet to learn more.
Epiphany Art Ministry Presents...
Artwork by parishioner
Cristina Montesinos

December 2020
View the Exhibit online 24/7
The exhibit is online with pop-up images including titles and prices.

View the Exhibit in-person
Stop by the church Monday afternoons from 2 - 5 p.m. and follow the protocols posted on the above link.

Learn more about Cristina and see more of her work at cristinamontesinos.com.
Epiphany receives 25% of sales.
Sign up for Realm
If you haven’t created a login yet to the new online church database, the Invitation Email link you were sent has since expired.
But there are multiple ways to create your login:

Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code below
Virtual Passing of the Plate
While we are not able to worship in the same space at this time, please remember that Epiphany is a living church, and still needs your financial support.

This is our virtual version of that important and meaningful activity. Sometimes we are all moved in spontaneous and emotional ways to express our joy, gratitude, or appreciation to this wonderful parish. Those moments of giving are an important part of our spiritual and financial life. This is another way to offer you the chance. 
Give in Honor of Someone
The Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light can be given as a memorial, thanksgiving or special occasion.
The Altar Arrangements are used for both the online and outdoor worship services. You may request a particular flower or color be used.

The Sanctuary Light is a visible sign of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament held in reserve in the Tabernacle and burns for seven days.

To be listed in the Sunday bulletin, sign up here by noon on Wednesdays.
Dates for 2021 have been added to the signup for the Altar Arrangements and the Sanctuary Light. You can go ahead and sign up for all the dates that have meaning to you through December of next year.
Amazon Shoppers...

If you're shopping for gifts, sign up for Amazon Smile and choose Epiphany as your charity and a small percent of your purchase will benefit the church: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-0838713
Required Trainings for Staff & Lay Leadership
If you are not sure of your training status, contact the parish office.

Dismantling Racism is offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click here for dates and to register.

Safeguarding Training: The New Inclusion Module OR the Healthy Boundaries and Preventing Abuse Module via Zoom is required for people who need re-certification for either Safeguarding God's Children or Safeguarding God's People as well as people who have never had either training. Click here for dates and to register.
Church Building Remains Closed
The staff continues to work mostly from home. They check their email and voicemail messages regularly.

Pastoral Emergencies: Please call the church at 404.373.8338 and leave a message for Amy (ext. 14) or Nicole (16). They will receive a message alert and call you back.
Building Sign-In Required: The building is closed to in-person worship and meetings, however, if you need to enter the church building for any reason, please sign in and out using the logbook at the entrance.
Diocesan & Episcopal News
Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD)
ERD works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. They also work around the world and here in the US responding to and rebuilding after disasters.
Imagine Church is a monthly series offering a renewed approach to online worship through music, visual art, and spoken word. It takes place on the 4th Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. Watch on Facebook or the Imagine Church Watch page.
  • Click here to subscribe to Connecting, the Dioceses' monthly newsletter featuring diocesan-wide news, events, announcements, and inspiration.
  • Click here to see all the news and stories from around the Diocese.
Prayers of the People
  • Names of our friends and family remain on the list for four weeks.
  • The Anniversary & Birthday List for the month can be found here.
  • Send prayer requests to the parish office.
For members who are bidding our prayers: Rob Ashmore, Sally Brockington, Lily Burnett, Sam Burnett, Kyle D'Mellow, Rob Godsall, Jeanne Hatcher, Barbara Holmes, Jim Hoesterey, Henry Laird, Sandy Land, Pat Spivey,Tom Mundy, Wayne Richardson, Terry-Lee Ross, Ann Rowles, Claire & Logan Shults, Stephanie Thompson

For friends and family: Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers; Betty Porter, relative of Christen Erskine; Richard Hoesterey, father of Jim Hoesterey; Tavon Betts, friend of Ann Fowler; Julie Wiegand, neighbor of Lisa Gray; Daniel Belcore, brother of Barbara Belcore; Melanie Bryan, mother of Michael Bryan; Erin Scranton, sister of Beth Galvin; Deborah Orvin, aunt of Jeremy Davis; Laura Salsich, niece of Laura Keys; Carolyn, friend of Holly Slater, Greg Akers, nephew of Pat Graves

For those who have died: Jackie Boles, Fred Mote, friend of Sara Cushing and Dan Deocampo

For those celebrating birthdays for the week of 12/20-26: Ron Hutcheson, Dan Matthews, Elizabeth Walker, Jessica Burns, Bill Graves, Chris Kissler, Bob Ballou, Cyndi Carpentieri, Magda Kertscher, Martin Shelton, Katharine Hilliard-Yntema, Miles Thompson

For members who desire our continuing prayers: Jackie Boles, Arlen Gray, Ron Hutcheson, Rod MacLeod, Chris Miller, Tom Mundy, June Sparks
The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at 5 p.m.