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- Sing in the Summer Choir!
- Expanded Coffee Hour - Sign up to host
- Parishioner Art Show Artists Wanted
- Faith & Film Concludes - 8/9 | RSVP
- Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception
- Potluck for Families with "Littles" - 8/21 | RSVP
- Youth Group Mini-Golf - 8/23 | RSVP
- Parish Retreat - 9/18-20 | RSVP
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Dear Epiphany Family,
Last week we had a wonderful time celebrating and honoring Taylor Irwin for her service here at Epiphany. In her farewell sermon, Taylor explored the parable of the mustard seed. We are grateful for all the seeds she planted in her time here and for her invitation to see ourselves as seeds that are still growing in the good soil of God’s love in this community.
This week we are excited to continue our growth together by welcoming two new staff members. Edie Brush will serve as our Interim Director of Children's Ministry and Tristen Webb will serve as our Interim Director of Youth Ministry in a paid part-time capacity through early January 2027. You can read more about them below. As we spend the next few months discerning together what we want our youth and children's ministry to be going forward, we are grateful for these lay leaders who are already engaged with our children and youth and active in the wider parish.
Stay tuned for more conversations around the future of our children and youth ministry including a parish meeting on September 6 to hear about the listening sessions we have had with parents and teachers of our children and youth. We want to involve our entire parish in discerning a path forward in supporting our families and their children.
Remember to express your gratitude to Edie and Tristan when you see them on Sunday for their willingness to step in at this important time. I look forward to seeing you then.
Grace and peace,
Amy
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Edie Brush
Interim Director of Children's Ministry
Edie Brush serves as the Interim Director of Children's Ministry at Epiphany, where she works with the church's youngest members to discover what it means to be beloved children of God. She is passionate about creating an inclusive environment where every child feels seen and valued. Edie grew up in the Episcopal Church and has been a member of Epiphany since 2018. Edie graduated from the University of Georgia with her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2023. She completed her graduate practicum work at the Marcus Autism Center's Complex Behavior Support Unit and is a Behavior Analyst at Easterseals of North Georgia, supporting young children with autism in Headstart classrooms. In her free time, Edie enjoys spending time outside with her dog, Ella, watching college football (Roll Tide!), and spending time with friends and family.
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Tristen Webb
Interim Director of Youth Ministry
Tristen joined Epiphany in the summer of 2024 and began serving youth as a volunteer in January 2025. He moved to Decatur from Athens, GA, where he also served as a youth volunteer at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church. In addition to serving as our youth director, he also serves at Holy Innocents Episcopal School as aftercare and substitute teaching staff. His youth experience also includes time at various summer camps, including as co-founder of the Henry Youth Performance Ensemble in Henry County and as the director of academic summer camps at Summer Academy at UGA. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing tabletop role-playing games with friends, and bookbinding. When he can, he visits artist markets to sell his journals. Some of his favorite books have been The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, Low Anthropology by David Zahl, and Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin. He also loves teaching newbies how to play Dungeons & Dragons. Tristen lives in North Decatur with his wife, Rebecca.
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Youth Group
Youth group is on summer hiatus this Sunday. Youth are invited to join us next week for our diocesan river tubing event in Ellijay! See article in Upcoming Events.
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Sing in the Summer Choir
Join us any Sunday now through August 30
The Summer Choir is open to adults and youth; we rehearse one anthem on Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. and then sing it during the 10:00 a.m. liturgy (no vestments, no weekday commitment, lots of fun and fellowship). Join us upstairs in the Music Suite.
Contact Julie Ryder if you have questions or want more information.
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Expanded Coffee Hour
Sign up to Host a Sunday!
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The Vestry is hosting today's expanded coffee hour. Please join us in the parish hall after the service for goodies, and coffee, tea, and juices.
There is just ONE OPEN DATE left in need of host - 8/23. Groups or individuals are welcome to sign up to bring some simple breakfast items.
Individuals and families may bring a dish or groups can sign up. Parish groups are welcome to set up displays, handouts, or fliers to promote their ministries.
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Altar Arrangements & Sanctuary Light Sign Up
- The Arrangements at the Altar are given to the Glory of God.
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The Sanctuary Light is given to the Glory of God and in memory of her grandmother Alberta who brought her closer to God, by Barbara Belcore, and in memory of her mother, Patricia Belcore, by Barbara Belcore.
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 >>
| | | | Recent Events & Other News | | Last Saturday, Holy Trinity Parish hosted the last of the Summer Saturdays VBS programs. Click the image to see all the photos from the day. | | Last Sunday, our Annual Back Pack Blessing took place during the service. Children, adults, and educators returning to the classroom came up for a blessing. | | Last Sunday, Taylor Irwin was honored for her time with us during the Expanded Coffee Hour. Click the photo to see all the photos from the day. | | |
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in serving with Epiphany’s Children and/or Youth during the 2026-27 school year? If so, please reach out to Edie Brush at children@epiphany.org and/or Tristen Webb at youth@epiphany.org.
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Calling All Creatives!
Parishioner Art Show Coming Soon
8/3 Deadline—Epiphany’s Art Ministry is excited to invite our adult parishioner creatives to exhibit and sell work for the month of September in the Epiphany Gallery.
Work can include photography, ceramic, painting, woodwork, etc.
| | | Contact Page Love Smith or Liefy Smith by August 3 to reserve your place in the show. | | 8/8—Middle and High School students are invited to tube the Cartecay River in downtown Ellijay with friends from across the diocese. If you are interested in registering or learning more, click the link below. | | Meetings & Programs Taking Place This Week | | |
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Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
7/28—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 Dave Thompson with any questions.
Epiphany Trivia Group—Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Universal Joint in Oakhurst
7/29—All are invited to join the Epiphany Trivia Group on Wednesdays at Universal Join in Oakhurst. Trivia begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends by 9:00 p.m. Contacts: Edie Brush or Jacob Geiger.
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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
8/6—Grief Pastoral Care Group—1st Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. • Zoom
8/6—Fireside Sit & Sip—1st Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. • Courtyard
8/9—Contemplative Practice—2nd Sundays at 4:00 p.m. • Choir Loft
8/11—ECW—Sandwich Making 2nd Tuesdays at 9:45 a.m. • Parish Hall/Kitchen
8/12-14—Gateway Shelter Meal Ministry—2nd Fridays • Parish Hall/Kitchen
8/18—Epiphany & Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201 | Zoom
8/18—Caregiver Support Group—3rd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. • Zoom
8/19—The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
8/24—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—4th Mondays at 6:00 p.m. • Parish Hall
9/14—Epiphany Book Group—2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
| | | | Upcoming Services & Events | | | | Faith & Film Summer Movie Series | |
8/9—Join us for the final film in the Faith & Film summer series, Wake Up Dead Man. We will gather at 5:30 p.m. for pizza and popcorn. The show will start at 6:00 p.m. as we watch the film projected onto a 120-inch screen in surround sound in the parish hall.
We ask that you please RSVP no later than Friday, August 7 so we can plan for pizza and popcorn.
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Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception
Contact one of the clergy by August 16
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8/16 Deadline—On November 1, All Saints Day, we look forward to having our bishop, The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, as our preacher and celebrant.
At the bishop's visitation it is customary to also have baptisms and confirmations. If you desire baptism, or if you or your youth are interested in being confirmed or received, please reach out to Amy or Carmie by August 16 so we can arrange for the appropriate formation ahead of the bishop’s visit.
Contact: The Rev. Amy Dills-Wright
Contact: The Rev. Carmie McDonald
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Potluck for Families with "Littles"
Friday, August 21
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8/21—We invite all families with “littles” (newborn through kindergarten + any siblings) to a potluck dinner at the home of the Rev. Amy Dills-Wright on Friday, August 21 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Please register and sign up to bring a side dish or dessert.
Contact: Edie Brush
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Youth Group—Play Mini-Golf
Sign up by August 9
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8/23—Youth are invited to a night of Mini-Golf on Sunday August 23 at the Puttshack in Dunwoody. We will meet there at 5:00 p.m. for dinner first (please bring $15-$20 cash for dinner). After that, we'll play until 7:00 p.m. Cost to play is $25 per person. If participation presents a financial hardship, please contact Amy. Register to pay for your tickets and reserve your spot.
Contact: Tristen Webb
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Parish Retreat - September 18-20
Register by Friday, September 4
| | 9/18-20—The Annual Parish Retreat will once again take place at The Mountain in Highlands, NC the weekend of September 19-21. The Registration deadline is Friday, September 4. | | |
At this year’s retreat, Larry Winslett will join us to help lead our Saturday morning session on Contemplative Photography. Larry’s specialty is teaching classes related to nature photography and the Mountain is the perfect setting for that. You can read more about him at larrywinslettphotography.com. No fancy camera is needed. He will teach us how to frame beautiful pictures with just our smart phones. Middle school and high school youth are invited to join us for that session while Edie has fun planned for our younger members during that time.
For those who are interested in coming up earlier on Friday before the retreat begins that evening, Amy will offer a Quiet Day Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Email Amy if you are interested in participating or for more information.
| | | | Epiphany Book Group on Summer Haitus | |
The Epiphany Book Group is on hiatus for July and August. They will next meet on Monday, September 14 at Epiphany where they will be discussing Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver.
All are welcome. Contact Linda Ryder-Wolf if you have any questions.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Camille Shirah • Nick Theyerl • Patrick Hanna • Dianne Osborne • Michele MacLeod • Alix Janke • Joy Boyden • Lisa Gray • Larry Wilcox • Mike Curry • Chris Miller & Ron Hutcheson • Philip Anderson • Louise Bedrossian (wife of Bob Thompson) • Barbara Belcore • Esther Harbert • Sally Brockington
For friends and family: The Rev. Allan Sandlin, retired Diocesan priest • Steve Graf, father of Audrey Thompson, grandfather of Noah and Sparrow Thompson • Margaret Miller, relative of Larry Wilcox • Tara McKinnie, friend of Pam Tipton • Shay, friend of Eric Schulz • Hattie Thore and her family, and Beefy McBar, friends of Hazel Hall • Ben, co-worker of Dave Thompson • Rachel Blair Anderson, friend of Barbara Belcore • Bob Hogg, brother of Liefy Smith • Rachel Williams, daughter-in-law of Susan & Loren Williams • Kay Harris, mother of Rebecca Webb • Louise Peters, grandmother of Tristen Webb • 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 • Bruce Fort • Esther Harbert • Robin Hairston • Rod MacLeod • Sally McClintock • Chris Miller & Ron Hutcheson • Ellen Mintzmyer • Ann Rowles • Pat Spivey • Beth Towers • Michael Towers, Jr. • Wayne & Judy Urban • Larry Wilcox • Wes, Kelly & Lillian Wright • Colleen
For those who have died: George Ross • Rosalind Blair, sister of Katharine Hilliard-Yntema
For those celebrating anniversaries the week of 8/2-8: Sheila & Richard Ferrell • Jeanette Hanson & Galo Velasco-Jackson • Ann & Bruce Fort • Cathy & Jim McKinney
For those celebrating birthdays the week of 8/2-8: Susan Montgomery • Mary Eleanor Fraijo-Paul • Maia Higgins • Ruth Robertson • Graham DiBello • Austin Stephenson • Judy Cox
| | | | 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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