News for September 11, 2026 | | | |
- Season of Creation
- Join the Epiphany Choir
- Harvey Fund Grant Cycle Open
- Youth Group Cookout - 9/13 | RSVP
- New Thursday Book Study - 9/17 | RSVP
- Acolyte Training - 9/27 | RSVP
- Fireside Sit & Sip - 10/1 | RSVP
- St. Francis Animal Blessing - 10/4
- Pet Committal of Ashes - 10/4 |RSVP
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Season of Creation
This Sunday Epiphany will kick off our month-long celebration of the Season of Creation. Celebrated by Christians around the world, it is a time for renewing, repairing, and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction.
The 2026 theme is Living Water. The Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. It restores barren land and makes possible flourishing ecosystems. The vision of God’s living water invites human responsibility: recognizing ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, actively working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.
Water is a significant part of salvation history, which we hear recounted in our baptismal liturgy. Our lives and our lives of faith are connected to the life-giving properties of water. During this Season of Creation, may we be nourished by God’s living water and may we be inspired to ensure the survival of life-giving water for others.
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Youth Group: Friday Night Hangout
Friday, September 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
| | 9/11—Students from 6th through 12th grade are encouraged to come and spend time in the new youth room on Friday evening after school! Along with helping to choose the new room name, you can hang out with friends over snacks, jump into video and board games, or simply unwind in a quiet space to read or work on projects. | | The mural painted in 2018 remains (and the ping-pong table!), but everything else is changing. | |
The Rev. Carmie McDonald is away on leave to spend time with her family as her father's health is declining. She and her family would be grateful for your prayers. | | | | |
Adult Formation
11:30 a.m. • parish hall
Recognizing the Spirit in Creation: Join us in learning about Mandala's, creating a Mandala, recognizing the Spirit in Creation, and singing to accompany all of this. We will be going outside, weather permitting. Facilitators are members from Epiphany’s Earth & Soul Group.
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Formation for Children & Youth
Children’s Formation begins at 11:15 a.m.
- Room 206—Godly Play for children 3 years old through 2nd grade.
- Room 205—Wondering & Belonging for children in 3rd through 5th grade.
Youth Formation begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Lower-Level—Story Makers for youth in grades 6th through 12th.
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Contemplative Practice
2nd Sundays in the Choir Loft at 4:00 p.m.
| Come gather with us on second Sundays at 4:00 p.m. for a time of reflection, meditation instruction, and gathering with others seeking a more grounded way of being in the world. Led by Bobbi Patterson and Amy Dills-Wright. | | | | |
Youth Group Cookout
Sunday, September 13
| 9/13—Middle and High School students are invited to join us for our first regular youth group of the school year - a cookout! We’ll be serving up hamburgers and hot dogs in the parish hall starting at 5:00 p.m. After dinner, we’ll play some "Minute-to-Win-It" games. St. Bart’s and Holy Trinity’s youth groups will join us as well. Vegan options will be provided. | | Wearing Your Name Tag Matters More Than You Think | | | | | A name tag is a small thing with a big impact. Cultivating a sense of belonging and connection is important here at Epiphany. A name tag makes that possible. Wearing one is an act of hospitality and welcome for our many newcomers and visitors. If you misplaced yours and need a new one, add your name to the list and we will make one for you. | | | |
Art Ministry
Now Showing through October
| For the months of September and October, Epiphany’s Art Ministry presents a Parishioner Art Show featuring the Arts & Crafts of nine of our creators from the parish. Their talents are showcasing abstracts, botanicals, works with fabric, handmade journals, paintings, custom furniture, knitting, and woodturning. Some items are for display only (designated by NFS). Please pay by QR code and sign up to claim your favorites on the price sheet. Reminder: Epiphany earns 25% of all sales. | |
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Altar Arrangements & Sanctuary Light Sign Up
- The Arrangements at the Altar and the Sanctuary Light 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 Russell George Runnion, by Doug Runnion.
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 >>
| | | | New Youth Room Meeting Space is Finished! | Thank you to our Art Ministry for providing the funding for our Youth Room update. We are also grateful to Liefy Smith, George Smith, Tristen Webb, and Jason Sullivan for all their work in transforming the space. | | | | |
Epiphany Book Group
Resumes September 14
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9/14—The Epiphany Book meets on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. For September, they will meet 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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Join the Epiphany Choir
Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
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Join the Epiphany Choir! Our all-volunteer choir provides musical leadership for the 10:00 a.m. liturgy and feast days with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Membership is open to adults and high school youth.
Contact: Julie Ryder
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Thursday Morning Book Study
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. through October 15
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9/17—The Thursday morning book study group returns for the new program year to discuss the newly-released book Have Mercy: Following Jesus in Politically Perilous Times. Theologians and ethicists discuss the practice of mercy in times of fear and division in this collection of essays gathered under four major headings with a preface by The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. As we move through the material, we’ll determine a pace that feels appropriate — we anticipate that this study will last 5 weeks.
The group will meet in Room 201 Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. beginning Thursday, September 17. Participants are asked to read the Foreword, the Introduction and "Its Simply Biblical" for Session 1. Please feel free to register even if you know you won’t be able to attend all sessions and just attend as you’re able.
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Harvey Fund Grant Application Cycle
September 10 to October 10
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9/10-10/10—The Catherine D. Harvey Legacy Fund grant application cycle opens on September 10. Applications must be received by Monday, October 10. If you are aware of an organization that might qualify, please share the application link listed below.
Questions? Email the Harvey Fund Advisory Board.
| | Other Meetings & Programs Taking Place This Week | | |
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Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
9/14—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 to get on the reminder email list.
Epiphany Trivia Group—Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Wild Heaven in Avondale Estates
9/14—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.
Caregiver Support Group—3rd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. • Zoom
9/15—The Caregiver Support Group meets monthly over Zoom. Parish members who are caring for a loved one gather to talk about their experience and support one another. The group is co-facilitated by parishioner Nancy Thompson, a Georgia-licensed psychologist. Use Realm to contact Nancy to join this group.
The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
9/16—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.
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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
- 9/17—Thursday Morning Book Study—Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. • Room 201
- 9/21—Community of Hope’s Circle of Care—4th Mondays at 6:00 p.m. • Parish Hall
- 10/1—Grief Pastoral Care Group—1st Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. • Zoom
- 10/1—Fireside Sit & Sip—1st Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. • Courtyard
- 10/7-9—Gateway Shelter Meal Ministry—2nd Fridays • Parish Hall/Kitchen
- 10/13—Episcopal Church Women (ECW)—2nd Tuesdays at 9:30/11:00 a.m. • Parish Hall/Kitchen
- 10/20—Epiphany Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201 | Zoom
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Have a Popsicle with Edie!
Meet Edie at the church playground or a local park for a sweet treat and a chance to get to know one another. Time blocks are available through September 30. Click below to schedule a time.
| | Upcoming Services & Events | | | | |
Epiphany Choir “Treat”
Saturday, September 26
9/26—The Epiphany Choir will have a half-day retreat in the Music Suite to get a head start on upcoming music from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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We Belong to Each Other
Save the Date for Our Ministry Fair
| | 9/27—Mark your calendar for our annual Ministry Fair on September 27! This year’s Stewardship theme, “We Belong To Each Other,” celebrates something we experience every day in our parish: church is not simply a place we attend, but a community we create together. Join us as we kick off our Stewardship season by celebrating the many ministries that bring us together, care for one another, serve our neighbors, and help our parish flourish. Come see all the ways we belong to each other—and all the ways you are part of the story. | | | | | |
Acolyte Training
Sunday, September 27
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9/27—Training for current acolytes and those 4th grade and above interested in becoming acolytes, will be September 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We will play games, and review acolyte roles and responsibilities
Please contact Cecilia Democko if you cannot attend.
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A Senior Recital: You’re Invited
3:00 p.m. in the nave • Free admission
| | | | 9/27—Epiphanite and tenor choir member Clifford Edge is having a recital on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. His program includes love songs, spiritual songs, and unusual songs. David Ingham will accompany him on the piano. Plan to listen, relax, and enjoy! | | | | |
Fireside Sit & Sip
monthly at 7:00 p.m. • Courtyard
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10/1—The Fireside Sit & Sip group is for women primarily in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to come together just as you are. Bring a camp chair and join us around the fire pit in the courtyard to sit, sip, and enjoy conversation.
Please RSVP at epiphany.org/rsvp and sign up to bring drinks or snacks. Questions? Contact Kathy Corcoran.
Looking Ahead: 11/5, and 12/3.
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St. Francis Animal Blessing
during the 10:00 a.m. service
| 10/4—Pets of all sizes and stripes are invited to sit (leashed or crated) alongside their people in the pews at the 10:00 a.m. service as we celebrate with a Blessing of the Animals. St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of nature and the environment—was a lover of God’s creation and on his feast day we will bless our animals and offer our gratitude for the joy that pets and other animals bring to our lives. | | |
Pet Committal of Ashes Service
in the meadow
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10/4—Pet Committal of Ashes Service will take place after formation at 12:30 p.m. in the Pet Memorial Garden located in the meadow. If you would like to inter your pet’s ashes, please click the button below to register.
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For members who are bidding our prayers: Judy Cox • John Corcoran • Nick Theyerl • 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. Walter Jones, father of Carmie McDonald • Lisa Gibbs, friends of Mike & Marion Curry • Jimmy Kwan, father of Bonnie Kissler • Hal, Laura, and Alex, friends of Tracey & Brandon Laird • Margaret Miller, relative of Larry Wilcox • Kephart family, relatives of Kay Kephart • 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 celebrating birthdays the week of 9/13-19: Chris Braden • Billy Braswell • Jake Braswell • Henry Van Ness • Carmie McDonald • Riley Yeager • Mia Aldred • Barbara Bonner • Richard Ferrell
| | | | 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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