Over the past few months, Amy and I have heard from many of you that you have changed your news consumption habits. People are limiting what and and how much news they consume in order to keep from feeling overwhelmed by the rapid rate of change and the uncertainty it brings. During times like these, we can feel powerless to do anything to change the world around us. “I just wish I could do something” has become a familiar refrain recently.

Friends, I am writing with some good news today. There is something we can do to change the world around us: We can love. Every act of compassion we offer to another person or to creation is a form of micro-resistance against unjust systems that divide and oppress.

Epiphanites have been living out that love in so many beautiful ways recently. The Harvey Fund distributed more than $31,000 in grants to six worthy non-profit organizations. (See article below for more information.) Our January DEAM pantry drive collected 338 individual protein bars, 644 packs of crackers, 46 jars of jelly, and 43 cans of fruit. You’ve donated 38 pairs of shoes for our neighbors worshipping at Church of the Common Ground. Our ECW has made and delivered approximately 400 sandwiches to Emmaus House, and our meal ministries have provided meals for 250 people at Gateway Shelter and Holy Comforter since the beginning of the year. Even our youngest members have been involved, packing snack bags for DEAM and making Valentines for our friends at Gateway.

Atlanta-based spiritual director Kimberly Broerman recently shared the following poem, “Here’s Some Good News.” For those of you who are discerning how and where you are called to do something to change the world around us, we invite you to let love be your starting place and your guide.

Peace,

Carmie

by Carol Bartlett

Six local nonprofit organizations recently received grants from the Catherine D. Harvey Fund, one of the jewels at Epiphany. It was established in 2010 in memory of Catherine Harvey and is ably administered by the Episcopal Church Women. It is wonderful to learn about groups that satisfy the goal of the Harvey Fund: “To provide direct support to assist with meeting the basic needs of individuals and families and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential for self-sufficiency.”

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Jumpstart Automotive Training Center helps young adults 15-25 with training to be able to work in the automotive repair industry. ($5,090)

• Motherhood Beyond Bars offers help to the families who receive infants born to women in prison. These families are often called upon with little notice. MBB offers supplies, money for phone calls, and emotional support. ($7,000)

• Refugee Women’s Network offers support to refugee and immigrant women. The grant will help fund their Chef’s Club program. Students will receive “Servsafe Certification,” and will be able to work in the food industry. ($5,000)

• Emmaus House (an old friend of Epiphany) runs a program called “Supports for Success” that helps residents find employment, offers job training, and provides financial assistance to help residents maintain stable housing. ($7,000)

• Nicholas House operates a family shelter. This grant will support their work of sheltering families and helping them gain stable housing. ($2,000)

• Amani Women’s Center runs a sewing school for refugee and immigrant women. The women learn to sew professionally and receive a sewing machine upon graduation. ($5,000)

You might be interested in contacting one of these organizations to learn about volunteering or making a donation on your own!

Join us for Path to Solar: A Panel Discussion

Sunday, February 23, 2025

11:30 - 12.15 a.m. | parish hall

Over the past several years, Epiphany’s Earth Guild has taken steps to reduce our community’s carbon footprint. We’ve moved away from single-use plastics and are opting for reusable and recyclable alternatives, installed motion activated light sensors, replaced our lightbulbs with LED bulbs, planted pollinator-friendly gardens using native plants, installed nearly 100 trees on the campus, and started composting food waste. We are now exploring solar as the next step in our ongoing efforts to care for creation.

Last December, we visited our neighbors at Oakhurst Presbyterian who recently installed solar panels on their historic building to learn more about their experience. We invite you to join us for adult formation this Sunday as we continue to discuss the possibility of bringing solar energy to Epiphany. Our panel discussion will feature Adam Hoyt, Senior Solar Consultant with Alternative Energy Southeast and Kathy Hancock who was instrumental in bringing solar to nearby Oakhurst Presbyterian. There will be plenty of time for Q&A and we hope you’ll be part of this important conversation.

Epiphany volunteers have worked for many years to support refugee families displaced by war and unrest in their native countries and have welcomed families from Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Syria, and Afghanistan. 

Since last month the context of our ministry has changed, as refugees are being denied entry into the country, those already living here have lost access to essential services, and more is being done by our government to remove people living in this country without legal immigration status. In the face of these changes, one thing remains the same: Our faith calls us to welcome the stranger. 

Earlier this month, Epiphany volunteers began discerning how we might be called to act on behalf of refugees and migrants in these difficult times. If you would like to be part of this emerging ministry, please contact Carmie McDonald for more information.

Amani Women’s Center to be Featured in March Show

Epiphany’s Art Ministry is excited to welcome the Amani Women’s Center (AWC) as our featured show for the month of March. The mission of the AWC is to empower and educate refugee women through culturally-tailored programs that contribute to their economic security and overall well-being.

In 2005, while working as a public health professional in the Clarkston community, AWC founder Doris Mukangu saw a major need among the underserved African Women Refugees and decided to do something about it. She started with health education, helping refugees navigate the daunting health system, and gradually added other services and programs such as the Amani Sewing Academy. In understanding how to work with cultural sensitivity and competency within this hard-to-reach population, Mukangu demonstrated and used the appropriate tools to empower the refugee women with skills and in languages they understand.

Refugees and immigrants arrive in their environment very optimistic about endless possibilities in their new home. Many receive benefits for only 3 months, after which, they are on their own. Hence, the relevance of grassroots organizations like Amani Women Center that play a major role in helping refugees survive and thrive. In 2007, together with the help of a core team that believed in her vision, AWC became an official 501-C3 non-profit organization based in Clarkston.

The AWC was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Catherine D. Harvey Fund which is administered by Epiphany’s Episcopal Church Women.



Please look out for more information on the AWC’s upcoming show at Epiphany!