eNews for December 5, 2025 | | The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON. | |
- Advent Devotional Booklets Available
- Walk in Love Shoe Drive - Shoes Due 12/7
- Advent | Christmas | Epiphany Schedule
- Nativities Display now open
- Cooking Baking - 12/6
- Advent Lessons & Carols - 12/7
- Feast of St. Nicholas - 12/7
- Family Eucharist Service - 12/9
- Young Adult Cookie Swap - 12/14
- Christmas Flowers & Music Sign Up - 12/15 deadline
- Holy Baptism 1/11 - Sign up by 12/15
- Service of Light - 12/21
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Advent Lessons & Carols
5:00 p.m. with a reception following • cookie decorating will be happening!
12/7—The Epiphany Choir, Hildegard Ensemble, Beginning Choristers, Junior Choir, and Epiphany Ringers will present Advent Lessons & Carols on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in a liturgy much like Christmas Lessons & Carols made popular in the 20th century by Kings College, Cambridge. The promise of the coming Messiah is told in lessons from the Old and New Testaments interspersed with Advent carols, hymns, and choir anthems. The service takes place in the nave followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
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Cookie Baking
Saturday 12/6 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. • parish hall
12/6—Children and youth and their parents are invited to join us in Epiphany’s kitchen and parish hall to bake cookies and talk about Advent together! We will decorate the cookies the following evening after Lessons & Carols.
| | Walk In Love Shoe Drive ENDS SUNDAY | | | | |
This Sunday is the DEADLINE to drop off shoes for our Annual Shoe Drive for our friends at Church of the Common Ground (churchofthecommonground.org). Bring by your donations of new men's and women's shoes of any size during office hours this week or on Sunday, December 7.
NOTE: There is a particular need for men’s sizes 10 to 13. Our youth will be packing them up for delivery, so please take shoes out of their boxes and tie their shoelaces together to make it easier for them.
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Adult Formation
11:30 a.m. • parish hall
Staying Centered through Spiritual Practice
Spiritual practices are deliberate actions, repeated over time—often in community—that engage our senses, draw us into awareness of God's presence, and open our hearts to God's vision for creation. Throughout the fall, we’ve been exploring different practices that help us stay centered in difficult times. Please join Ann Fowler and the Rev. Amy Dills-Wright as we pray with the image of Mary, Untier of Knots.
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Formation Playlist: Missed a class? You can find recordings of the current series and previous classes on our YouTube channel.
Formation playlists >>
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Feast of St. Nicholas
Sunday, 12/7 at 11:30 a.m. • Room 203
12/7—On Sunday, December 7, our children's formation classes will celebrate the feast of St Nicholas! Children ages 3 to 5th grade are welcome to join this event taking place in 203.
Youth are invited to attend and to help stuff children's shoes with clementines and chocolate coins.
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Advent Devotional Booklet
free in the gallery, limited supply
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If you are looking for an Advent devotional to read as a spiritual practice during Advent, pick up one of the Living Compass booklets in the gallery: Living Well Through Advent 2025: Practicing Generosity With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
Prefer a digital practice? A free PDF version is also available at livingcompass.org. You can also sign up to receive a daily email of each reflection for free.
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Altar Arrangements & Sanctuary Light Sign Up
- The Arrangements at the Altar and the Sanctuary Light are given to the Glory of God.
Altar Arrangements & the Sanctuary Light can be given in honor of an anniversary, birthday, or in memory of a loved one. Click the button link to reserve dates that have meaning for you.
Click here to choose a date >>
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The Nativities Display
now on view through January 6
In our narthex, 23 nativities are arranged to illustrate the birth story in Luke and in our gallery, 35 nativities are arranged to illustrate the birth story in Matthew accompanied by scripture and hymn texts. This is just a part of a larger collection that began with a bequest of a collection that was bequeathed to Epiphany in 1995 by Dr. William Lemonds in loving memory of James Lattimer Anderson Belcher.
A curated selection of additional nativities from the larger collection are on display in the parish hall, including a collection of nativities that children are invited to handle.
If you can help pack them back up on Wednesday, January 7 or Thursday, January 8, please sign up.
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Family Eucharist & Service Project
All activities take place in the parish hall
12/9—We look forward to seeing you for this family and kid focused celebration of the Eucharist. Please arrive at 5:00 p.m. for the service project, 6:00 p.m. for pizza (RSVP at epiphany.org/rsvp), and 6:15 p.m. for the start of the service.
Sign up for Pizza on 12/9 >>
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Funeral Service for Brenda Sherrill
Saturday 12/6 at 3:00 p.m. • St. Luke's Episcopal Church
12/6—The Celebration of Life service for Brenda Sherrill, mother of the Rev. Alex Sherrill (who was our seminarian a few years ago) will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA on Saturday December 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm. A reception will follow in St. Luke’s parish hall.
The service can also be live-streamed here.
Brenda’s obituary can be found here.
| | Group Meetings Next Week & Ongoing Programs Schedule | | |
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Epiphany Book Group—2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. • location varies
12/8—The Epiphany Book Group meets monthly either on Zoom or in the parish hall. Location is listed with each book title. Contact Linda Ryder-Wolf for more information.
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December 8: Appetizers & Dessert at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Wallace & Jeff McGrath.
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January 12: A Spool of Blue Thread, by Anny Tyler (Zoom).
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February 9: A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (Zoom).
Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
12/9—The Men’s Breakfast Group gathers for breakfast and discussion following the 7:00 a.m. Tuesday service and are typically on their way by 8:00 a.m. Contact John Yntema with any questions.
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW)—2nd Tuesdays • parish hall
12/9—For this month, the ECW will meet at 10:30 a.m. to make sandwiches for Emmaus House. There is not a meeting or program. Afterwards, we will adjourn to Melton’s App & Tap for lunch. All women of Epiphany are invited to attend.
Choirs for Children & Youth—Tuesdays
12/9—Beginning Choristers meet from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
12/9—Junior Choir meets from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.
Register your child for choir >>
Trivia Group—Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Wild Heaven Avondale
12/9—All are invited to join the Epiphany Trivia Group. Trivia begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends by 9:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Edie Brush or Jacob Geiger.
Choirs for Adults & Youth—Wednesdays
12/10—The Epiphany Ringers rehearse from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft.
12/10—The Epiphany Choir rehearses from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in the Music Suite.
Contemplative Book Group—five-week book study Thursdays • Room 201
12/11 (Week 2)—Join us for discussion of Richard Rohr’s book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage as we learn to live compassionately in a time of violence and despair. Using the Hebrew prophets as models, Rohr sets out a wholehearted model of movement from rage to pathos and lamentation, and then to compassion for the world’s suffering.
Click here to sign up for this book series >>
Caregiver Support Group—2nd Fridays at 11:45 a.m. • Zoom
12/12—The Caregiver Support Group meets on second Fridays of the month at 11:45 a.m. on Zoom. Parish members who are caring for a loved one gather to talk about their experience and support one another. The group is co-facilitated by parishioner Nancy Thompson, a Georgia-licensed psychologist, and by parishioner Anne Bucey, a trained spiritual advisor. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Nancy Thompson.
Looking Ahead
12/16—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—This month 3rd Monday
12/16—Epiphany & Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201
12/16—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—Last Mondays of the month
12/17—The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
Click here for a description of these groups and programs >>
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Social Justice Action Group—Virtual Group
This social advocacy group promotes social and cultural change. The group identifies community events in which we can participate, and also provides a curated list of local community happenings via Realm Groups. If you’d like to be part of this virtual group, join via Realm to view current opportunities of social justice action in our area.
| | | Upcoming Services & Events | | |
ECW Christmas Craft & Bake Sale
purchase homemade goodies & crafts
| | | | 12/14—The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will hold their annual Christmas Craft & Bake Sale Sunday December 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please stop by the parish hall before or after the 10:00 a.m. service. The proceeds from the bake/craft sale support our service projects during the year. Login to Realm to contact Kathleen Rinehart if you would like to contribute an item to this event. | | |
Adult Formation
Sunday, 12/14 at 11:30 a.m. • parish hall
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12/14—Advent Gifts of the Magi: Join us as we explore the rich history of the Magi story in art. From early Christian mosaics to Renaissance masterpieces and modern interpretations, we’ll examine how changing theological, cultural, and political contexts have shaped the representations.
We’ll also look at the Magi’s enduring connection to the Advent season—how their journey symbolizes anticipation, revelation, and the widening circle of those drawn to the Christ child.
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Advent Mini Quiet Day
Choir Loft from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
| | | | 12/14—Advent is a season of quiet wonders: questions, awe, despair, curiosity. Come. You are welcome: Sunday, December 14 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. to join others in quiet and shared reflection and prayer. Let’s discover ‘how it’s working out’ – the season, you, family, decisions, life with God. Guided by the Rev. Dr. Bobbi Patterson. | | | | |
Young Adults Cookie Swap
Sunday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. • Parish Hall
| 12/14—The young adult group will celebrate the season with a cookie swap on Sunday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring two dozen cookies and a container to take goodies home. For more details, reach out to Jordan Moody. | | | | |
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
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12/15—Deadline to sign up is Monday December 15—The sacrament of Holy Baptism for adults, infants and children will be administered on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Contact the parish office at parishadmin@epiphany.org if you or a member of your family desires to be baptized.
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Emmaus House Seniors Luncheon
hosted by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
| 12/18—The ECW we will host a luncheon for the Emmaus House Seniors. This is an annual event and a lot of fun for the seniors and the ECW Members. Login to Realm to contact Kathleen Rinehart if you would like to help with this event. | | | | |
Youth Advent Party
Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m.
| 12/21—On Sunday, December 21, last youth group of the year will be the annual Youth "Advent" Party (previously, the Youth Christmas Party)! Youth are invited to wear their favorite ugly sweater or cozy pajamas and to join us in the donut den for a night of crafts, movies, candy, and hot chocolate! | | |
Service of Light
Sunday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. • in-person & live-streamed
| | | | 12/21—The Christmas season is a time of joy and expectation but it can also deepen the pain and isolation experienced by those who are grieving. The Service of Light is a worship service with Holy Eucharist meant to speak to the needs of those experiencing grief and loss. It offers a time of prayer and meditation and a reminder that we are not alone. This service is hosted by the Grief Group, the Pastoral Care Committee and Community of Hope, all of whom provide care to Epiphany parishioners who would like pastoral support. The service will also be live-streamed. | | |
Education for Ministry
Courses starting in January
| Esther Harbert is looking for a co-mentor for an EFM group that would start in January 2026 and end in December 2026. We will only meet for 36 out of 52 weeks in 2026. If interested, please contact Esther. | |
Liturgical & Event Calendar Through Epiphany | | | | Holiday Giving & Volunteer Opportunities | | | | |
Donate a Nativity Scene
now through December 14
| The Episcopal Church Women are asking for small gentle used nativity scenes that will be used as table decorations for the Emmaus House Christmas Luncheon that the ECW hosts each year for the Senior Program participants. The nativities will be raffled away to participants along with other items at the end of the event. There is a basket in the narthex for your donations. | | |
Toy Drive for Emmaus House
bring unwrapped gives by December 15
| This Christmas, we have the opportunity to share God’s love with the children and families of Peoplestown. Our donations of unwrapped gifts or gift cards for infants through teenagers can help bring joy to the over 500 children served by Emmaus House. Bring unwrapped gifts to Epiphany by December 15. | | | | | |
Christmas Flowers & Music
submit names by Monday, December 15
| If you would like to make an offering in thanksgiving or memory of someone for Christmas, please fill out the form at epiphany.org/Christmas-flowers-music. From there you can choose to make your donation via online giving, or if you can also mail a check payable to Church of the Epiphany noting Christmas Flowers and/or Christmas Music in the memo line. | | To be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletins, submissions must be received in the parish office by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 15. | |
Gifts for Life
give a gift with lasting impact
This holiday season, consider giving gifts that make a lasting difference for communities impacted by injustice, poverty, disaster, and climate change. Through Episcopal Relief & Development’s Gifts for Life, you can help transform lives around the world.
Here are a few meaningful ways to give:
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Support sustainable livelihoods by donating a goat, pig, or flock of chickens to help families build steady sources of food and income.
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Empower women and strengthen communities by funding vocational training or providing resources for a family garden.
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Help children thrive by supplying nutritious food for early learners or educational materials for preschoolers affected by HIV/AIDS.
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Give as a group by joining friends and family to purchase one of ERD’s disaster relief or food security packages.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Kim Boswell • Carol Fuller • Chris Braden • Larry Wilcox • Brandon Laird • Joy Boyden • Jewel Allen • Mike Curry • Wes, Kelly & Lillian Wright • Laraine Fraijo-Paul • Evelyn Stewart • Chris Miller • Ellen Mintzmyer • Philip Anderson • Bruce & Ann Fort • Louise Bedrossian (wife of Bob Thompson) • Barbara Belcore • Esther Harbert • Veta Smith (mother of Cecilia Democko) • Sally Brockington
For friends and family: Polly Becton, friend of Page Love & Steve Smith • Bret Gurley, mother of Stephen Gurley • Joseph Johnson Jr., nephew of Kathleen Rinehart • Hugh Smith, father of Lynda Smith • Greta Corcoran, mother of John Corcoran • Sally Williams, daughter of Susan & Loren Williams • Isabel Mintzmyer, great niece of Ellen Mintzmyer • Alan & Lucy Hinman, parents of Johanna Hinman • Mark McCord, cousin of Pam Tipton • Kay Harris, mother of Rebecca Webb • Ray Piper, husband of Charlotte Piper • Danny Nodine, brother of Larry Nodine • Mark Thornhill, uncle of Kurt Erskine • Louise Peters, grandmother of Tristen Webb • Sherri Sharpe, cousin of Terri Lawrence & Julie Ryder • Dave Tipton, brother of Pam Tipton • Isabel, granddaughter of Mike & Beth Towers
For members who desire our continuing prayers: Jewel Allen • Mary McCall Cash • Wende Crowe • Pat & Bill Graves • Esther Harbert • Robin Hairston • Rod MacLeod • Sally McClintock • Chris Miller & Ron Hutcheson • Tom Mundy • Ann Rowles • Pat Spivey • Beth Towers • Michael Towers, Jr. • Wayne & Judy Urban • Anne Warner • Larry Wilcox • Colleen
For those who have died: Maggie Blake Deck, great grandniece of Doug Runnion• Betty Gardner-Tuzzalino, aunt of Loren Williams • David Curry, brother of Mike Curry
For those celebrating birthdays the week of 12/7-13: Barbara Belcore • Ben Burris • Lucy Davidson • Carol Bartlett • Emily Thompson • Randall Moody • Charles Sterne • Elizabeth Ura
For our Haitian siblings and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
| | | | Did we miss your anniversary or birthday? Send the full date of your anniversary and/or your date of birth to the parish office so that we can update our records. | | | |
The weekly deadline for submission of announcements for the Friday Morning eNews
and the Sunday bulletin is Wednesdays at Noon. Please send your submissions
ready to go to the parish office.
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