eNews for November 14, 2025 | | | |
- Pledge Update
- Thanksgiving at Home Bags due 11/16
- Advent Devotional Booklets Available
- Atlanta Braves Quilt Bag Raffle
- Annual Council Recap
- Emergency Contacts Requested
- Building Security Note
- Walk in Love Shoe Drive - Shoes Due 12/7
- Appleton Ministries Offering - 11/30
- Advent Wreath Workshop - 11/30 by rsvp
| | |
The weekly parish notices are published Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m.
The submission deadline is Wednesdays at NOON. | | | | 2026 Stewardship Campaign | |
Our Theme: Seeking Shalom
Our Goal: $760,000
% Increase over 2025 giving: 3%
If you have not yet made your pledge, please consider doing so today as the Vestry will soon complete budget planning based on committed expected income.
|
3 Ways to Pledge
Click the button below or login to your Realm Account.
Return the pledge card (mailed October 9) by mail or drop it in the plate on Sunday.
Click here for a PDF version of the paper pledge card to return by mail or by plate.
| | | | |
Thanksgiving at Home
Bags are due THIS Sunday, November 16
Now through 11/16—Each year, Epiphany teams up with our friends at Emmaus House to support their annual Thanksgiving at Home initiative. With the recent interruption in SNAP benefits, our aid this year is more crucial than ever.
We’re asking for donations of bags packed with the ingredients listed below so that our neighbors in Peoplestown can make their favorite side dishes—while Emmaus House takes care of the turkeys and other essentials. Log into Realm to contact MaryAnn Anderson or Linda & Paul Parisi if you have any questions.
| | | |
Emergency Contacts
Emergencies rarely happen at church, but when they do, we would love to know who to contact on your behalf. There is a notebook in the parish hall for you to list your name and emergency contact. The information will be added to your Realm record, but only visible to staff.
| | |
For the next two Sundays, November 16 and 23, there will be a notebook out during coffee hour for you to list your name and emergency contact. Those will then be entered into your record in Realm.
If there is any other emergency information you would like us to have on file for you, email Shea directly and she can add that confidentially to your record. We look forward to partnering with you in this vital — and simple — step to enhance our parish’s care and safety for everyone.
| |
| |
Adult Formation
11:30 a.m. • parish hall
| | 11/16, 11/23—Beyond Welcome: Join us for the second of a three-session adult formation series exploring how our Christian faith informs a practice committed to immigrant justice. Each session will engage themes from Karen González's Beyond Welcome that bring familiar biblical stories into conversation with the realities of immigrant life. In this session we will discuss how Christian discipleship invites us to seek mutual empowerment that emphasizes reciprocity and agency. Today’s session will draw especially on chapters 3, 5, and 8 of González's book. | |
|
|
Formation Playlist: Missed a class? You can find recordings of the current series and previous classes on our YouTube channel.
Formation playlists >>
| | | | | | |
Advent Devotional Booklet
free in the narthex, limited supply
| |
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.
| | |
Art Ministry
now showing for November
| | |
Epiphany’s Art Ministry welcomes quilters Beth Milis and Charlotte Nix. Part of the exhibit includes a raffle for an Atlanta Braves Quilted Bag, by Beth Milis. See the display for details.
Remember, 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany.
| | |
Altar Arrangements & Sanctuary Light Sign Up
-
The Arrangements at the Altar are given to the Glory of God, and in memory of Shanna Jackson, by Linda Ryder-Wolf.
- The Sanctuary Light is 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 >>
| |
| | |
Annual Council Recap
The Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta met November 7-8 at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Annual Council is an opportunity each fall for delegates from around the diocese to gather for worship, to celebrate the many ways our diocese and its parishes are ministering to their communities, and to do the business of the Church at the diocesan level. We voted on the diocesan budget, elected clergy and lay members to Standing Committee of the diocese, elected delegates from our diocese to attend General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2026, and elected representatives to the Camp Mikell Board of Governors.
Two of the Resolutions brought before Annual Council were submitted by Epiphany delegate Loren Williams. The first was R25-1 Encouraging National Litigation Against Harmful Administrative Actions. It was not passed by Annual Council but generated meaningful discussion. The second was R25-2 Raising Awareness of Episcopal Public Policy Network, which passed by overwhelming majority. We are grateful for Loren's work. You can read more about these and other resolutions brought to the Council here. https://episcopalatlanta.org/2025-annual-council/resolutions/
Saturday morning's worship is led by youth of the diocese. Epiphany's Ann Davis was part of the worship team, playing guitar, and she also serves on the Diocesan Youth Commission. Taylor Irwin, Epiphany's Director of Youth, Children, and Families, also helped lead Saturday morning's worship. The youth then led us in a service project Saturday afternoon benefiting El Refugio.
Epiphany is allotted four lay delegates and one alternate and representing Epiphany at this year's Council were David Draper, Randy Shearin, Sally Walker, Loren Williams, and Ann Fowler as an alternate. If you would like to serve in the future, please let Amy or Carmie know.
| | Financial Report Year to Date | | | | |
Walk in Love Annual Shoe Drive
now through December 7
| Now through 12/7—Epiphany continues its tradition of collecting shoes for our friends at Church of the Common Ground (churchofthecommonground.org). Donations of new men's and women's shoes of any size will be accepted, and there is a particular need for men’s sizes 10 to 13. | | We will be collecting shoes through December 7. 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. You can drop shoes off at the church on Sundays between 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and during weekday office hours. | |
|
The latest edition of the Community Engagement Quarterly was sent out yesterday. If you missed it, click the image to see the edition.
Highlights include that the vestry voted to donate $10,000 to address food insecurity in our community; opportunities to give through our parish programs and other ways Epiphany is at work in our community; and how the ECW is making a difference through Harvey Fund.
| | | |
Building Security
Over the past several weeks, the double red doors and the double doors to the parish hall from the courtyard have been left either propped open or unlocked during business hours, as well as after church on Sundays. This poses a safety risk for our staff, parishioners, and visitors. If you unlock or prop open a door for a meeting or an event, or while loading or unloading a vehicle, please take care to secure the door again when your event is over or when you are finished. Thank you for helping keep our community safe!
| | | |
Announcement Deadlines
11/19—Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday and staff vacations, bulletin and newsletter announcements for the week of November 24 and December 1 are due by noon on Wednesday, November 19. Reminder that 40 words or less for the bulletin is preferred. Longer versions may run in the Friday eNews. Email submissions to the parish office.
| | Group Meetings & Ongoing Programs Schedule | | |
|
Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
11/18—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.
Choirs for Children & Youth—Tuesdays • Music Suite upstairs
11/18—Beginning Choristers meet from 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
11/18—Junior Choir meets from 5:15 - 6:00 p.m.
Register your child for choir >>
Epiphany & Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201
11/18—This group focuses on practicing Celtic Spirituality, where we gather to discuss and experience the beauty of nature and celebrate the divine in all creatures, including ourselves. Virtual option available for most meetings. Led by the steering group of Carol Bartlett, Nan Ross, and April Maa. Contact April for more information or to be placed on the email list. To learn more about Celtic Spirituality in general, one resource is www.earthandsoul.org.
Trivia Group—Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Wild Heaven Avondale
11/18—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.
sic Suite
The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
11/19—Give yourself a mid-week-treat and join friends and friends-to-be for lunch at 1:00 p.m. at the Thinking Man Tavern on Howard Avenue in Decatur. No agenda. No reservation needed. Just fun. Log into Realm to contact Laura Keys if you have any questions.
Choirs for Adults & Youth—Wednesdays
11/19—The Epiphany Ringers rehearse from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft.
11/19—Our all-volunteer Epiphany Choir rehearses from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in the Music Suite.
| | | | |
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.
| | |
|
Looking Ahead
11/24—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—Last Mondays of the month
12/4—Grief Pastoral Care Group—1st Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. • Zoom
12/4—Fireside Sit & Sip—Once a month at 7:00 p.m. • Courtyard
12/8—Epiphany Book Group—2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. • varies
-
December 8: Appetizers & Dessert at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Wallace & Jeff McGrath.
-
January 12: A Spool of Blue Thread, by Anny Tyler (Zoom).
-
February 9: A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (Zoom).
12/9—ECW—2nd Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. • Kitchen and lunch out
12/10-12—Gateway Shelter Meal Ministry—2nd Fridays • Parish Hall/Kitchen
12/12—Caregiver Support Group—2nd Fridays at 11:45 p.m. • Zoom
12/14—Contemplative Practice—2nd Sundays at 4:00 p.m. • Choir Loft
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 >>
| | | | Upcoming Services & Events | | |
Office & Building Closure
11/26-28—Staff will not be present on Wednesday, November 26 and the office will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
| | |
Appleton Ministries Offering
11/30—The Thanksgiving Offering for Appleton Ministries is collected the Sunday following Thanksgiving and designated for Appleton Episcopal Ministries. This Diocesan ministry funds food pantries, community feeding programs, tutoring programs and community ministry programs throughout the Middle GA Convocation. All cash offerings will be designated to them that day. You can also give online at www.epiphany.org/ways-to-give or via check, marking “Appleton Ministries” in the memo field.
| | |
Advent Wreath Making Workshop
reservation required
| | | | 11/30—The Flower Guild will lead an Advent Wreath-Making Workshop after the service in the parish hall. The cost is $20 for materials which includes everything that is needed for making an advent wreath: (1) oasis wreath, (4) candles with holders, and greenery. | | |
The Nativities Display
Help set up our annual display
12/2-4—This year, in addition to the main exhibit in the narthex and gallery of the stories of Luke and Matthew, we will be setting up a smaller curated selection of the rest of our collection in the parish hall.
We are looking for volunteers to help set up the display the first week of December. Then we’ll need folks to help pack it all back up on January 7 and 8.
| | |
Contemplative Book Group
Next five-week study starts Thursday, December 4 • Room 201
12/4—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. Using what he calls “sacred criticism,” Rohr shares a distinct approach to confronting evil and injustice that acknowledges the wholeness of history, our interconnectedness, and the reality of a divine and universal love.
Click here to sign up for this book series >>
| | |
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.
| | |
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.
| |
|
Advent Lessons & Carols
5:00 p.m. with a reception following • cookie decorating will be happening!
12/7—The Epiphany Choir, 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.
| | |
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 >>
| | |
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 | | | |
|
For members who are bidding our prayers: 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: Sally Williams, daughter of Susan & Loren Williams • Betty Gardner-Tuzzalino, aunt of Loren Williams • Isabel Mintzmyer, great niece of Ellen Mintzmyer • Alan & Lucy Hinman, parents of Johanna Hinman • Tom & Jennie Smith, family of Pam Tipton• 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: Brenda Sherrill, mother of Alex Sherrill
For those celebrating anniversaries the week of 11/16-22: Bonnie & Chris Kissler • Nelson & Lola Oyesiku • Kaki & Adam Woodlief • Kim & Elliott Boswell
For those celebrating birthdays the week of 11/16-22: Elliott Boswell • James Bryan • Dick Price • Marjorie Timmer • Jacob Barber • Jacob Geiger • Paul Parisi • Charlie Slater • Rick Timmer • Chip Dukes • Julie Boulée • Kurt Erskine • Kenan Morrissey • Levi Peacock-Marcewicz • Jessica Boatright • Eric Schulz
For our Haitian siblings and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
For social justice: For individuals and families increasingly fearing the loss of food assistance. Strengthen all who advocate for food security and move the hearts of leaders to act with compassion and urgency.
For our fragile and beautiful Earth: The Ginkgo tree, turning a beautiful golden yellow in the fall.
| | | | 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.
| | | | |
