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- A Parish Conversation - 9/6
- Children & Youth Formation Begins - 9/6
- Welcome Brittany Cole, Seminarian
- 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
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Dear Epiphanites,
It’s the beginning of a new program year and there’s lots going on in the life of the parish. This Sunday we will gather in the parish hall after worship for a parish wide discussion on the future of our ministry to children, youth, and families that we are calling A Community of Belonging. You will have the opportunity to hear some of what we are hearing from parents at Epiphany and dream together about the future of this ministry and what investment that will ask of us. I really hope you will stay after worship to be a part of this conversation.
This Sunday begins the formation year for our children and youth. You’ll find the classroom information elsewhere in this newsletter. What I want you to take note of is that we are trying something new this year for children’s formation. We have heard from parents that the period of time from the end of worship until the start of formation (coffee hour) is sometimes hard when you have young children so we are going to experiment with starting children’s formation immediately after worship this fall. Children age 3 through 5th grade will gather at the back of the church at the children’s cross (where we gather for children’s chapel) during the final hymn to walk to their classrooms together.
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Finally, I’m excited to introduce you to our seminarian for this year, Brittany Cole. Epiphany has a long history of hosting Candler seminarians for their contextual education. You will see Brittany functioning in many different roles here as she continues her formation for ministry. I can’t wait for you to get to know her. I know you will offer her your typical Epiphany warm hospitality. You can read more about her below.
Grace and peace,
Amy
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Welcome Brittany Cole
Brittany Cole is a Seminarian at Candler School of Theology working toward her Master of Divinity. She returns to Atlanta after spending two years in New York City living in an intentional ecumenical community hosted at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Her ecclesial background is in the Non-denominational and Pentecostal traditions, earning her BS in Ministerial Leadership from Southeastern University in southern Florida. Upon graduating, she moved to the Utah desert where she served as the Young Adult Director and Worship Experience Director in a Non-denominational church plant. In pursuing a call to ecumenism, Brittany has spent the past six years exploring and participating in a variety of ecclesial traditions. Following her time in Manhattan, as well as a month spent exploring the Church of England this past Spring, she’s joined the Episcopal and Anglican Studies Program at Candler this fall to further discern her denomination and vocation. In her free time, Brittany enjoys being in the outdoors, devouring a sugary dessert, and impromptu phone calls catching up with her beloved friends scattered across the globe.
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A Community of Belonging
A Parish Conversation on Children, Youth, & Families:
9/6—On Sunday, September 6, we will gather in the parish hall after worship for a parish meeting on the future of our ministry to children, youth, and families. The clergy and Vestry want to share with you what we have been hearing from parents, talk more about our parish priority, hear from you what you are dreaming about for the future of this ministry, and talk about what commitment is needed from all of us as we look to the future.
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Formation for Children & Youth
9/6—Our 2026 - 2027 formation year for children and youth begins this Sunday, September 6.
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.
| | | 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. | | |
There will be no youth group on Sunday due to the holiday weekend. | | | | |
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.
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 >>
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Office Closure
9/7—The Office will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.
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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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Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
2nd Tuesdays at 9:30/11:00 a.m.
9/8—The ECW starts their new program year at 9:30 a.m. to make sandwiches for Emmaus House. The meeting and program begin at 11:00 a.m. in the parish hall. This month, plans for the year and the Harvey Fund will be the main topic of discussion. Afterwards, they will adjourn to Melton’s App & Tap for lunch. All women of Epiphany are de facto ECW members and are welcome.
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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.
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Youth Group: Friday Night Hangout
Friday, September 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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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. | | Other Meetings & Programs Taking Place This Week | | |
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Men’s Breakfast Group—Tuesdays following the 7:00 a.m. service
9/8—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.
Gateway Center Meal Ministry—meals served 2nd Fridays of the month
9/9-11—Volunteers cook in the Epiphany kitchen and then serve the meal at Gateway Shelter once a month. To help prepare, cook, or serve the meal, click here.
Epiphany Trivia Group—Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. • Universal Joint in Oakhurst
9/9—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
9/13—Contemplative Practice—2nd Sundays at 4:00 p.m. • Choir Loft
9/14—Epiphany Book Group—2nd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
9/15—Caregiver Support Group—3rd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. • Zoom
9/15—Epiphany Earth & Soul—3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. • Room 201 | Zoom
9/16—The Munch Bunch—3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. • Thinking Man Tavern
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
10/13—Episcopal Church Women (ECW)—2nd Tuesdays at 9:30/11:00 a.m. • Parish Hall/Kitchen
10/7-9—Gateway Shelter Meal Ministry—2nd Fridays • Parish Hall/Kitchen
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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.
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Parish Retreat
Registration is closed
| Registration has closed for our Annual Parish Retreat at The Mountain in Highlands, NC the weekend of September 18-20. However, if you would like to see if room is available, email the parish office. | | Upcoming Services & Events | | | | |
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. | | | | |
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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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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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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For members who are bidding our prayers: John Corcoran • 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: 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 anniversaries the week of 9/6-12: Sally Brockington & Ed Van Ness • Kathy & John Corcoran
For those celebrating birthdays the week of 9/6-12: Beth Towers • Polly Nodine • Caroline Walden • Kim Winslow • Kristin Mann • Jarrod Moody • Sabra Hanson
| | | | 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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