For many of us, summer is a season to step away from the usual pace of our daily routines for rest, renewal, and recreation. It is a time to reconnect with family and friends and to appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

Yet for many in our community, summer also brings significant challenges. Rising temperatures can create serious health risks for vulnerable neighbors, and with schools out of session, many children lose reliable access to the meals they depend on during the school year. As we renew our Baptismal Vows at Pentecost, we are reminded of our commitment to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.

While we take time to enjoy the gifts of this season, may we also remain mindful of the needs that surround us and steadfast in our call to love our neighbors. Whether through acts of compassion, advocacy, or service, each of us has a role to play in building up the community around us. I am grateful for the many ways the people of Epiphany continue to live out these values, and I pray that this summer may be a time not only of rest and renewal, but also of deepening our shared commitment to God’s work in the world.

Carmie+

Epiphany’s commitment to creation care extends beyond our recent solar installation. As part of our ongoing efforts to lower our carbon footprint, we routinely compost food waste right here on our campus. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, composting reduces greenhouse gases, enriches soil, conserves water & helps prevents erosion, replaces the need for chemical fertilizers and extends landfill lifespan.

Read more about the benefits of composting here >>

We are currently seeking volunteers who can help transfer food waste generated by our meal ministries from the freezer to our composter and help monitor and maintain the composting process. This little job makes a big difference and training will be provided to interested volunteers!

Please contact Carol Bartlett or the Rev. Carmie McDonald if you’d like to help.

Many of you know that the Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) helps address food insecurity through its food pantry and lunch program which serves our unhoused neighbors in need. Epiphany supports both of these programs through monthly financial donations and twice-yearly pantry drives. Last year DEAM distributed more than 69,000 pounds of food and served more than 11,000 lunches.

But did you know that DEAM also supports utility continuity by providing financial assistance to qualifying residents to help pay gas, electricity, and water bills? This aspect of DEAM’s ministry is particularly important in the summer and winter months, as many of our neighbors live in housing that does not protect them from the extremes of heat and cold.

According to Epiphanite and longtime DEAM volunteer Doug Runnion, this year DEAM has been able to increase their giving in this essential area and to partner with First Baptist to provide assistance with cell phone continuity – an essential for those seeking employment, shelter, and emergency and other services. Thank you for your generous giving during our annual Stewardship Campaign that helps make this possible.

If you would like to know more about DEAM and how you can help make a real difference in our neighbors’ lives, please contact Doug Runnion or the Rev. Carmie McDonald.

Visit their website here >>

By Laura Keys

One of the recent recipients of a Harvey Fund grant was Our House. Established in 1988 to address the needs of homeless women and children, it provides free early childhood education and childcare at three locations, serving up to 190 children each day. In addition to that, it offers a variety of support services to parents, including transitional housing for up to 18 families, job training leading to certification in the areas of childcare and kitchen services, access to medical care, counseling of various kinds and financial support if needed in establishing the family in permanent housing. When Tyese Lawyer, the director of Our House, came and spoke to the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) on April 14 , we were confirmed in the conviction that this was truly an organization fitting the stated goal of the Fund to assist those served in achieving self-sufficiency.

Visit their website here >>

Epiphany Youth and their families are invited to deliver and share dinner with our neighbors at Gateway Shelter on Friday, June 12. Please contact Taylor Irwin for more information or visit epiphany.org/rsvp to sign up.

DEAM is currently seeking greeters and food pantry volunteers for the summer. This is a great way for students to support our partners at DEAM and get some community service experience. Please visit deamdecatur.org/volunteers to sign up.



DEAM will also host its June pantry drive next month. We will be collecting canned vegetables (especially greens), canned soup, and multi-packs of peanut butter crackers. We hope to collect 75 of each. Wooden bins for your donations are in the gallery by the front door. Also, if you have travel toiletries to share, you can drop those in the bins as well.