eNews for January 16, 2026 | |
- Children's Chapel during the service
- Formation for All Ages at 11:30 a.m.
- Youth Group at 5:00 p.m.
| | January Meetings & Events |
- DEAM Pantry Drive for January
- Office Closed for MLK - 1/19
- Annual Parish Meeting - 1/25
- Epiphany Endowment Grant Period opens 1/25
- Men's Fellowship Dinner - 1/25 - RSVP
- Family Eucharist - 2/10 - RSVP
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Prisontown Performance - 2/15 - RSVP
- Shrove Tuesday - 2/17 - RSVP
- Ash Wednesday - 2/18
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Formation for All
Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
Adult Formation—Sundays 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: 1/18, 2/1, and 2/8.
Children's Formation—Sundays at 11:30 a.m. • locations vary
Visit epiphany.org/rsvp to register your children and youth for formation.
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Room 206—Godly Play for children 3 years old through 2nd grade.
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Room 205—Children in 3rd through 5th grade—a lectionary based curriculum for older children
Youth Formation—Sundays at 11:30 a.m. • lower-level classroom / donut den
The Youth (6th - 12th grade) curriculum, Current: Seeking God Together, explores 13 spiritual practices that can deepen and transform our relationship with God and others using interactive, age-appropriate strategies to help children and youth connect with God and the church as whole.
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Youth Group
5:00-6:30 p.m. • donut den
Youth Group this week is an iconography workshop with Ann Fowler! Ann has prepared customized icons for the youth using images of their pets. Liefy Smith and Page Love Smith will also join us at the beginning of youth group to discuss the upcoming youth art exhibit.
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Altar Arrangements & Sanctuary Light Sign Up
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The Arrangements at the Altar are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Kathleen Rinehart for her friendship and devoted service to Epiphany on the occasion of her birthday, by Laura Keys.
- 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 >>
| | | | This Week at Epiphany & Other News | | |
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.
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Office Closure
1/19—The office will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
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Choirs for Children & Youth Resume
Tuesday, February 3
Choir rehearsals for Children & Youth will resume on Tuesday, February 3. Times are listed below. 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.
| | Group Meetings & Programs Taking Place This Week | | |
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Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
1/20—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.
Epiphany Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201
1/20—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. Led by the steering group of Carol Bartlett, Nan Ross, and April Maa. Contact April for more information, to be placed on the email list, or to receive a link to the virtual meeting. In-person meetings are in Room 201. To learn more about Celtic Spirituality in general, one resource is www.earthandsoul.org.
Trivia Group—Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Wild Heaven in Avondale Estates
1/20—All are invited to join the Epiphany Trivia Group on Tuesdays at Wild Heaven in Avondale. Trivia begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends by 9:00 p.m. Contacts: Edie Brush or Jacob Geiger.
The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
1/21—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. Contact: Laura Keys.
Choirs for Adults & Youth—Wednesdays
● 1/21—The Epiphany Ringers rehearse from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Loft.
● 1/21—Our all-volunteer Epiphany Choir rehearses from 6:45 - 8:30 p.m. in the Music Suite.
Contemplative Book Group—five-week book study Thursdays • Room 201
1/22 (Week 5)—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 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. Register at epiphany.org/rsvp.
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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 provides a curated list of local community happenings via Realm Groups. If you’d like to be part of this group, join via Realm Groups to view current opportunities of social justice action in our area.
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Looking Ahead
1/26—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—Last Mondays of the month
2/5—Grief Pastoral Care Group—1st Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. • Zoom
2/8—Contemplative Practice—2nd Sundays at 4:00 p.m. • Choir Loft
2/9—Epiphany Book Group—2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. • For February: A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (Zoom)
2/10—ECW—2nd Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. • Kitchen and lunch out
2/13—Caregiver Support Group—2nd Fridays at 11:45 p.m. • Zoom
| | | | Upcoming Services & Events | |
Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 25 • parish hall
1/25—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.
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Epiphany Endowment Grant Submission Period Opens January 25!
Application deadline is February 25, 2026.
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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 >>
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Epiphany Men's Fellowship Dinner
Sunday, January 25, at 6:00 p.m.
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This time join us for Gumbo!
1/25—The Epiphany Men’s Fellowship Dinners (EMFD) group will have their next gathering on Sunday, January 25, at 6:00 p.m. No agenda—just a gathering to prepare a meal and enjoy conversation.
The menu for this meeting will center around Gumbo. Cost including drinks, is $30 per person. Register by Friday, January 23, so we know how much food is needed. For questions or suggestions, contact Brian Wright or Joel Fowler.
Donation Request: We are asking everyone to bring a new pair of sweat pants and/or a sweat shirt for those in need at a local psychiatric hospital.
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Visit to Church of the Common Ground
Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m.
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All are invited to join!
2/15—On Sunday, February 15, the Epiphany youth group will be providing lunch and participating in worship with our friends at Church of the Common Ground. All are invited to join us for this event. We will meet during formation hour to pack lunches, eat a meal, and carpool to Woodruff Park. The service begins at 1:00 p.m. We will arrive back to the church around 3:00 p.m.
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Prisontown Performance at Epiphany
Sunday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m.
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Please mark your calendars and get tickets to join us on Sunday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m. for a performance of the play Prisontown, part of Out of Hand Theater’s 25th Anniversary season, Imagining an America for ALL. It is a beautiful play to experience up close and the topic is especially timely. All are welcome!
Prisontown tells the story of a writer who goes to Lumpkin, GA, home to one of the nation's largest immigration detention centers, and witnesses the barbarity of the nation's immigration crisis, and a small town torn by poverty and the prison industry. Written by and starring former Out of Hand Associate Artistic Director, Lee Osorio.
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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).
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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.
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PARISH LIFE/ YOUTH MINISTRIES
Pancake Supper & Mardi Gras Potluck - Tuesday, February 17
Served from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
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The Epiphany Youth will be preparing a pancake supper to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, and to raise money for our summer programming.
One serving is 3 pancakes (with toppings) and 2 pieces of bacon or 1 vegetarian sausage. There will be a gluten-free option available as well.
Please RSVP so that we know how much batter and bacon/veggie sausage to buy and cook. We also encourage you to bring a topping or a side—the theme is cajun food, for Mardi Gras!
RSVP for the Pancake Supper
| | | | ** PLEASE NOTE: If you plan to just enjoy the pancakes, you do NOT need to bring a dish to share. And you do not need to RSVP for pancakes if you are just planning to sample the Cajun fare. | | |
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Pancake Volunteers Needed
We need a minimum of 5 adult volunteers who can help with chaperoning, organizing, and cleaning.
Volunteers need to be at the church from 5:45-6:30 p.m.
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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.
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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.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Richard Shirah • Kim Boswell • Larry Wilcox • Mike Curry • Wes, Kelly & Lillian Wright • Laraine Fraijo-Paul • 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: Pearl & Tom McHaney, friends of Sara Cushing • Alan Hinman, father of Johanna Hinman • Joey, sister of Evelyn Stewart • Joan Siefker, mother of John Wierwille • Claiborne Jones • Nancy Hopkinson, mother of Susan & Jarrod Moody and grandmother of Jordan & Jessica • Barbara Geiger, mother of Jacob Geiger • Sally Williams, daughter of Susan & Loren Williams • Mark McCord, cousin of Pam Tipton • Kay Harris, mother of Rebecca Webb • 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 • Ann Rowles • Pat Spivey • Beth Towers • Michael Towers, Jr. • Wayne & Judy Urban • Larry Wilcox • Colleen
For those who have died: Paul Vickery, friend of Linda Wolf • Hugh Smith, father of Lynda Smith
For those celebrating birthdays the week of 1/18-24: Darrell Grizzle • Stephanie Thompson • Andrea Carpenter • Dexter McKinney • Kathleen Rinehart • Chris McGraw • Matilda McNeely • Derek Yeager • Philip Anderson • Boyd Braden • Harvey DiBello • Keith Poole • Joe Follman • Kayleen Hartman
| | | | 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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