In May of 1967 “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” premiered on WQED, Pittsburgh. The network, which was known as National Education Television, or NET, would eventually become Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, and “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood” its longest running program. Mister Rogers opened his door to viewers week after week and helped generations of children become more competent, compassionate, and caring adults by reminding us that we are all neighbors to one another.



In one episode he told us “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” As adults we often see scary things in the news, but Nancy McFeely Rogers’ advice still rings true. When things seem overwhelming, we can look around our community and see all of the helpers whose acts of kindness remind us of God’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves.

In this issue of the Community Engagement Quarterly, you’ll find stories of people who are helping in a variety of ways. As we continue discerning what is ours to do in this season of our common life, I hope you’ll consider where God might be calling you to be a neighbor.

Peace,

Carmie

According to Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), whose mission is to help communities of faith implement practical climate solutions, there are approximately 15,000 houses of worship in Georgia. Thanks to the commitment and generosity of this Epiphany community, we are now poised to become the 26th in the state to install a solar energy system. Not only will the system help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, it will set an example for the wider community, demonstrating how faith and action can work together for a more sustainable future.

Thank you to our Earth Guild for their vision and leadership, to our Solar Task Force members Carol Bartlett, Matthew May, Paul Hinson, Nan Ross, Beth Floyd, and Brian Gross who helped organize and implement our education and fundraising campaigns, and to all of you who supported this initiative. We look forward to providing project updates as we move towards our solar energy system installation this summer!

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

– Hebrews 13:2

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. 

Recent changes to federal migration policies have a had a profound impact on refugees and asylum seekers. In the face of such changes, one thing remains the same: Our faith calls us to welcome the stranger. 

Epiphanites Alix Janke and Peter Habib recently presented a three-part formation series exploring the history, terminology, and current context of migration in America and our Christian ethical response. In case you missed them, you can watch all three sessions online.

Epiphany’s Refugee Ministry is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Inspiritus, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower those whose lives have been disrupted to discover their strengths and resilience, accompanying them as they grow into vibrant contributors to their community. Inspiritus delivers programs and services to help individuals and families progress in four measurable markers of a thriving life: basic needs, stability/safety, community integration and self-sufficiency/self-determination.

The work of our Refugee Ministry will be led by Epiphanite Alix Janke, who has dedicated her career to working with refugees and promoting belonging across boundaries. Alix brings her years of experience and expertise as Assistant Director of Youth & Immigrant Services at Inspiritus to this ministry and we look forward to working with her to build our partnerships in the community. Thank you, Alix!

Please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities this summer and reach out to Rev. Carmie McDonald If you would like to be part of Epiphany’s growing Refugee Ministry.

by Laura Keys

Jumpstart Automotive Training Center was one of six organizations to receive a Harvey Fund grant from Epiphany during our most recent grant cycle. Out of his own early successes and failures and with the example of his school teacher/coach always on his mind, Larry Witherspoon and his partner co-founded this non-profit to provide positive pathways to employment for formerly-incarcerated youth in Atlanta. The program begins with the basics of automotive maintenance and offers students the possibility of moving on through an entry level in which a student can earn certification in alignment or other focused processes to the advanced course teaching technological skills dealing with sensors, suspension, and other complex systems. 

They have had over 300 graduates who have gotten positions at many major metro dealerships or have returned to Jumpstart as teachers. Each year in their grant application, Jumpstart asks for a specific piece of equipment that helps them expand the scope and effectiveness of their program.

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) feels like Jumpstart does exactly what the Harvey Fund is supposed to do: assist in helping someone achieve self-sufficiency. Or in this case, 300 someones!

• Epiphany Youth are invited to deliver and share dinner with our neighbors at Gateway Shelter on Friday, June 13. Please contact Taylor Irwin for more information or visit epiphany.org/rsvp to sign up.

• The Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry (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 or contact long-time DEAM volunteer Doug Runnion for more information.



• DEAM will also host its June pantry drive next month. We are collecting canned fruit (no fruit cocktail); multipacks of peanut butter crackers; tuna packs. 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 bin as well.