This Sunday - WEATHER PERMITTING

January Meetings & Events

Update on Possible Inclement Weather

The weather forecast is warning of possible inclement weather this weekend. We will send an email to the parish no later than 8:00 a.m. Sunday about whether services and programming will take place in-person. 

If weather makes it unsafe to meet in person (and we have power), we will meet instead on Zoom for both the worship service at 10:00 a.m. and the annual parish meeting which will meet at 10:45 a.m. If Sunday morning services move online, all other activities that afternoon will be canceled. Hopefully that will not be necessary and I will get to see you in person Sunday morning for worship and our annual parish meeting. 

We pray for all those who suffer the effects of the winter weather and all those will serve our local community in the midst of it. 

Grace and peace,

Amy

Annual Parish Meeting

Sunday, January 25 • parish hall

All members of the parish are encouraged to join us in the parish hall at 11:30 a.m. for this important meeting in the life of our church. The Rev. Amy Dills-Wright and members of the Vestry will report on the state of the parish in 2025 and look ahead to what’s planned for 2026. We will also elect new vestry members and thank the retiring ones.

Adult formation will not take place. Children & Youth are meeting upstairs.

Vestry Nominees

Beth Floyd

Beth Floyd lives in Kirkwood with her Australian Shepherd, Buddy. She was raised Baptist before becoming an Episcopalian in her 30s. She was first a member at Epiphany from 1985-1990 before moving to Birmingham for 20 years. After returning to Atlanta in 2012, she attended All Saints before returning to Epiphany briefly prior to Covid. She returned to Epiphany again in 2024 and is happy to be “home.” Beth has a daughter, Sarah, who was baptized at Epiphany in 1986. She also has a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren who live in Grant Park. Beth loves singing in the Epiphany Choir and ringing with the Epiphany Ringers. She is also on the Altar Guild and enjoys cooking for the Gateway community and volunteering in other areas when possible. Beth retired from 12 years with PepsiCo in 2024. She is an avid walker, passionate cook and baker, and enjoys having free time to just be.

Kelli Gantt

I began attending Epiphany in 2011 when my twin boys, Brendan and Ian Rickell, were born. They were also baptized at Epiphany in 2011. Since then, I’ve been a long-time Godly Play volunteer and have enjoyed serving in various ministries. I’m an active Sit and Sipper and love spending time with our youngest parishioners. I was baptized at Holy Innocents in Sandy Springs and confirmed at The Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marietta. For work, I am the Specifications Manager at Lord, Aeck, Sargent Planning and Design, an architecture firm in midtown. I live in Decatur with my husband Yanto Rickell, our sons, and our sweet Basset Hound mix, Tallulah.

Paul Hinson

Paul Hinson has been a member of Epiphany since 2016 and became an Episcopalian in 1976 through adult confirmation by then Bishop of Atlanta Judson Child, formally “escaping” a more dogmatic tradition. Since arriving at Epiphany, Paul has served in numerous capacities in ministry, including the Community of Hope, Adult Formation Committee, AV Guild, Greeter Guild, Solar Task Force, and Newcomers Committee. He has also served on the vestry where in his final year he was elected junior warden. Paul is a graduate of Education for Ministry (EFM), a program of the episcopal seminary at the University of the South. and theology and the life of the mind is important to him and is presently one of the primary lay leaders behind Epiphany’s adult formation programming. He co-leads ongoing weekly book studies, has taught Adult Sunday School, and has preached two sermons from the pulpit. Paul is retired from a career working as a paralegal in insurance defense litigation field for Atlanta law firms. He lives with his husband Daniel, a retired former Home Depot exec (also known as “Punkin”(!). They live in Vinings but Paul assures us that the trip to his beloved Epiphany is worth the drive.

Nick Theyerl

Nick Theyerl began attending Epiphany when he moved to Atlanta in 2021. He met his wife, Makayla, when they were both pursuing their masters degrees at Emory University. They were married at Epiphany in 2024. Nick was baptized in the United Methodist Church in his home state of Illinois and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church as a young teen. He currently works for the General Board of Global Ministries, the relief and development organization of the United Methodist Church. He sings in the Epiphany choir, serves as a lay pastoral caregiver in the Community of Hope, and is active in the Epiphany Young Adults group.

Dear Epiphany family,

As we enter this new year, I want to thank you for your generosity during our Stewardship season. Your gifts and pledges will enable us to fulfill our mission of ”… carry(ing) out Christ’s work of reconciliation in our broken world...[n]ourished by worship and witness, learning and teaching, fellowship and service, we strive to live out the Gospel’s radical values with gladness of heart.”

Inspired by our Adult Formation series from this past spring, our Stewardship theme, Seeking Shalom, called us to go far beyond the simple idea of “peace.” It pointed to God’s boundless love for the whole cosmos—including all the people and processes and structures with whom we might disagree—and our call to embody that same love of God – to bring Shalom to “every nook and cranny.” None of the significant problems facing our communities can be solved from a distance. Indeed, joining God in the work of Shalom requires risking proximity – drawing near in service, and living generously as a parish community. 

Thank you for your love for our beloved community. We hope you will attend the Sunday’s Annual Parish Meeting to hear our campaign outcome.

Your Stewardship Ministry Team.



Pam Tipton (Chair), Marion Curry (Ministry Fair Chair), Jacob Geiger (Vestry Liaison), Edward Bauer, Carol & Zander Brietzke, Mike Curry, Brent Henderson, Laura Keys, and Nick Theyerl.

Formation for All

Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

The Adult Formation series of Bible & Poverty will not take place on Sunday due to the Annual Meeting. The series will resume on Sunday, February 1.

Children & Youth Formation will not take place on Sunday. Instead, during the Annual Meeting, all children and youth are invited to Room 203 to participate in the Interfaith Children’s Movement (ICM) “Have a Heart” letter-writing campaign. We’ll learn about ICM’s mission and write cards urging legislators to support the health and dignity of Georgia’s children.

Epiphany Endowment Grant Submission Period Opens January 25!

Application deadline is February 25, 2026.

1/25—Applications for the Epiphany Endowment Grant are available online and in the gallery tract rack and can be submitted beginning January 25. Grants may be for capital improvements; scholarships or grants to members; or community outreach projects.

Click here for the application form >>

Youth Group

Sundays at 5:00 p.m.

Youth Group will meet tonight for dinner and a game night! Youth are also invited to use this time to work on their art exhibit projects and bios. 

January DEAM Pantry Drive

Epiphany stocks the pantry at the Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) twice a year in January and June.

For the month of January, we are collecting cereal, soup, canned fruit.

Our goal this time is to collect 50 of each. Wooden bins for your donations are in the gallery by the front door. Also, if you have travel toiletries that you want to clean out, you can drop those in the bins as well.

The Society of St. Anna the Prophet

Vow Ceremony will take place at Epiphany on Saturday, January 31

The Society of Saint Anna the Prophet (SSAP), a vowed, dispersed community of Episcopal women over the age of 50, will celebrate The Holy Eucharist and Vow Ceremony at Epiphany on Saturday January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. All are invited. The mission of the SSAP is ministry with elders and the young. The Annas are committed to Godly aging and to living within the vows of simplicity, creativity and balance.

For more information or to contact them, visit our www.annasisters.org, or email their Director of Provisionals and Novices at dpn@annasisters.org.

Adult Formation Resumes

Sunday February 1 at 11:30 a.m. • parish hall

Bible & Poverty: This series explores biblical views on and responses to material poverty. We are examining the causes and dimensions of economic inequality in the biblical world and how that reality is addressed by various parts of Scripture, from the Law and Prophets to the Gospels and Epistles. In addition, we are considering the nature and scope of the problem of poverty in America today, including how we can cultivate more just, effective, and transformative responses to poverty in our own churches and communities. Facilitated by Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio, Executive Director of the Candler Foundry. Remaining Sessions: 2/1, and 2/8.

Acolyte Training

Sunday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. • nave

2/1—On February 1, during formation hour, all acolytes are encouraged to attend acolyte training with Cecilia & Tom Democko. This training is a great chance to review an acolyte's roles during the service and to connect with those you serve with. For details, or if you are an adult or youth who would like to join this ministry, contact Cecilia Democko.

Choirs for Children & Youth Resume

Tuesday, February 3

Choir rehearsals for Children & Youth will resume on Tuesday, February 3. Times are listed below. New members are welcome! If you have not done so already, please register your child for choir at this link.

2/3—Beginning Choristers meet from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m. 

2/3—Junior Choir meets from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. 

Family Eucharist & Service Project

Tuesday, February 10 • all activities in the parish hall



2/10—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 this link), and 6:15 p.m. for the start of the service.

Contemplative Book Group

New Book Study starts Thursday, February 5

2/5—The Contemplative Book Group will begin a new study on February 5 at 11:00 a.m. on the book A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness by Christine Valters Paintner. This book study will run for six weeks. We'll meet in Room 201.

Prisontown Performance at Epiphany

Sunday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a reception and discussion after the performance, when El Refugio will guide a short conversation and offer thoughtful ways to take action toward a more just world.

Tickets are $23 for students/seniors and $33 for general admission. Promo codes are available for educators/school employees (code: EDUCATOR), members of the Atlanta Artist Industry (code: ATLART), and Atlanta Nonprofit (code: ATLNONPROFIT).

Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday, February 17

Come to the parish hall at 5:30 p.m. to help decorate the Alleluia Banner. All ages welcome! Then join us at 6:00 p.m. for pancakes (cooked by our Youth) and/or potluck Cajun (you bring it). There will be King Cake for dessert. The Burning of the Palms Liturgy will follow in the Courtyard at 6:45 p.m.

PARISH LIFE/ YOUTH MINISTRIES

Pancake Supper & Mardi Gras Potluck - Tuesday, February 17

Served from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 18 at noon and 7:00 p.m.

3/5—We will observe the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday services at 12:00 & 7:00 p.m. in the nave and online.

Quarterly Dinner for Holy Comforter

Wednesday, February 18

2/18—Holy Comforter is a unique worshipping community in the heart of Atlanta. About 60% of this congregation lives with mental illness. We prepare a meal during the afternoon and take the meal to the church, leaving at 6:00 p.m., and serve after the 6:30 p.m. service. After serving, the volunteers join the parishioners for dinner. Sign up to participate at epiphany.org/rsvp. Contact: Jeanette Hanson.

Youth Art Show in the Gallery this Spring

Submissions Due 3/15—This spring the Epiphany Art Ministry will include an exhibit featuring work from the Epiphany Youth! Youth are invited to bring up to three pieces of artwork in any medium. Funds will be split 50% to the artist / 50% to the Youth Group fund. All submissions are due by Tuesday, March 15. For questions, contact Liefy Smith or Page Love Smith.

Vacation Bible School

June 27, July 11, July 25

This year’s VBS will take a new shape! Families with children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to gather for three Saturdays this summer for a shared experience of storytelling, service, and Sacrament. Join us on June 27, July 11, and July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information about youth counselors and adult volunteer opportunities.

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.