From Rev. Christen's Desk

"This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." - John 6:51

Dear Epiphany Parish,

Every three years our lectionary cycle gives us what preachers often call, "A bread summer". Every third August, our Gospel readings work through the 6th chapter of John, a chapter that introduces the idea of Jesus as the 'Bread of Life'. Over the next few weeks in worship, we will be learning about the Eucharist and why we share the bread and wine together each week.

Holy Communion has been celebrated since the early days of the church, but it probably looked a little different than Communion during our worship services today. In the months and years after Jesus' death and resurrection, followers of Christ would gather, often at someone's home for worship and a meal. We know a little about what these gatherings were like. There was often a reading from the Torah, prayers were said, and sometimes letters were read - like the ones that Paul wrote that have been passed down to us in scripture. There was also a full meal - with bread and wine. During this meal, it is likely that the words of Jesus that people remembered were said as they passed around the bread and wine. Over time, this meal became ritualized. Instead of a full meal it became a piece of bread or a wafer and a sip of wine.

When we eat the bread and wine of the Eucharist, we are uniting ourselves with Christ in a unique and intimate way. At the same time, we also enact the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Eucharist is a ritual meal in which God is present, everyone is welcome, there is enough for all, and real transformation occurs.   It's a meal unlike any other.

I invite you to join us for worship over the next few weeks - come share in the experience of coming to the table together as we learn more about this central practice of our worship.

Peace in Christ,

Rev. Christen

From the Front [Street] Office

Here at Epiphany we have officially entered "summer mode".   This is the time of year when we all like to enjoy a slower pace, more time outside, enjoying the activities that the warm sunny weather encourages.

Summer Office Hours

From June 18 through September 3 the office will be closed on Mondays.  Office hours will be Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00am 'til 2:30pm.

Summer e-News

We will publish the e-News on a bi-weekly basis for the summer months, on the following schedule:

Tues, June 26

Tues, July 10

Wed, July 25

Tues, August 7

Tues, August 21

We will return to a weekly format beginning Tuesday, September 4.

Wishing all of you a safe, fun summer!

Outreach Opportunity

Walpole Families of Faith is an ecumenical organization made up of the six main churches in Walpole: Epiphany, Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary's, United Church in Walpole, South Walpole United Methodist Church, and Union Congregational Church.

The main focus of the group for the past eight years has been Breaking Bread, a free meal offered every Monday night at United Church in Walpole Center. Many of you have volunteered on Monday nights over the years to help us serve thousands of meals and provide companionship for Walpole Seniors and others seeking a nutritious meal.

Many of the current board members have been serving since the organization was founded eight years ago and feel the need to step away.  For Walpole Families of Faith and Breaking Bread to continue in its current format they are seeking volunteers to fill the following positions: Board President (presides over biannual Board meeting and files tax forms), Vice President (assists the President and presides over meetings in the absence of the President), and Supplies Manager (orders supplies).

We also are looking for new Board members to represent Epiphany (attend biannual meeting and make decisions about Breaking Bread finances and programs) as well as an Epiphany Meal Coordinator (identify dates for our church to host meals, communicate with the Parish by writing notices for the bulletin & e-News, line up volunteers to help with preparation and serve the meal, etc.).

If you would like to learn more about Walpole Families of Faith and Breaking Bread and how you might become part of this important ministry to our broader community, please reach out to Jay Barrett or Tom Schneider.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF A CHURCH BOWLING LEAGUE?

We have been contacted by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Dedham, because they are asking churches in the area to consider joining a Sunday night bowling league starting in September.  They would like to see if they could get ten teams together. Here are the details:

A team consists of six people.

Date/time:  Sunday nights: 7 - 9 P.M.

Start date:  September 16, 2018

Location:  Kings Dedham - Legacy Place

Duration:  Six weeks (with a break for Columbus Day

Cost:    $324 for a team of six people ($54 per person). If we are able to get ten teams together amongst the churches the cost will be $270 for a team ($45/person) The price includes 6 nights of bowling and shoe rental.

Note: You must be 21 years of age, as Kings serves adult beverages. Each team will need one captain to coordinate and collect fees.

If you are interested in coordinating or joining a team from Epiphany Parish, please let us know at the Parish Office by e-mailing office.epiphany@verizon.net or calling 508-668-2353.

Weekly Announcements

Summer time, summer time! Yes, summer is here, as is our summer worship schedule. One service at 9:30am ~ will continue through Labor Day weekend (September 2).

Please remember that although you may go on vacation during the summer, your church does not. We are here all summer for you. We ask that you remember to keep up your financial commitment to the church during the summer months. For those of you who are away on summer weekends, you can drop your envelope off during the week or mail it to the church office.

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LEM's and Lay Readers ~ We are currently looking to bolster our team of Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers. These are vital ministries in the life of our Parish. Our primary need is at the 10:00 service on Sunday morning (9:30 in the summer). Typically readers and LEM's serve once every 4-6 weeks. If you think you might be interested in serving talk to Rev. Christen or Cindy Stockwell. Summer is a great time to "try it out."

Cindy will be putting together the summer schedule soon, so don't wait to let her know you would like to be included!

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How does your garden grow? Beginning with Sunday, June 17 we have stopped our regular flower deliveries for the summer and, instead, we'll use flowers from our own gardens. If you garden is blooming and you would like to bring flowers on a particular Sunday, please let the office know at office.epiphany@verizon.net.

Please note: If there is a Sunday over the summer that you would like to donate flowers from the florist please give the church office a full week's notice so that we can contact the florist and place a special order for you.  We currently have a request for August 19. 

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Recent Sunday Attendance

(July 29)

33 adults & 1 child = 34

(August 5)

40 adults & 1 child = 41

~ In Our Prayers ~ 

Jack Hammill, Sandy Hammill, Marie & Paul Canavan, Laura Marchese, Bill Davidson, Patti Marchand

We also continue to remember: Richland Arcikowski, Frank Baronie, Dick Brideau, Jan Bryson, Clinton Dempsey, Peter DiPasca (Sr), Jane Emswiler, Vicki Fabbri, Mary Lou Fitzpatrick, Patrick Fleming, Sandy Frye, Jane Giovannucci, Ed Glebus, Skip Gould, Beverly Happnie, Nancy Harrington, Barbara Horton, Todd King, Bob Laurie, Dena Miller, George Najarian, Alex Panosian, Richard Parnagian, Harry Pritoni, Robert Quimby, Susie & John Rogers, Ashley Rose, Art Sachs, Eric Sanford, Nicole Shirley, Jackie Sones, Don Uliano, Tina Valentine, Rick Warrender, Ellie White, Barbara, Grant, Jim, Mark and Alexis, Maureen & Family, Molly, Sarah, Shawn

• We pray for our first responders and military personnel and their families.
• We pray for those affected by war, terrorism, natural disaster and violence, abuse, addiction or loneliness.

Parish Cycle of Prayer:Peter Ellison, Jane Emswiler, Samantha Fleming and Family, Allison & Brian Foley and Family

Walpole Cycle of Prayer:All Nations Worship Center

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:Trinity Church, Canton; Church of the Good Shepherd, Dedham; St. Paul's Church, Dedham; Parish of All Saints, Dorchester

Celebrating Birthdays:Aug. 12: Tom Fuller; Aug. 14: Kenley Robinson; Aug. 15: Hayley Montuori; Aug. 16: Kevin Miller

Celebrating Anniversaries: Aug. 13: Adriana & Leo Martinez; Aug. 14: Donna & Paul Bucklin; Aug. 19: Jamie & Dan McElaney

~ Please help us keep our prayer list current ~ 

Names on our prayer list are listed in the order in which the prayer request is received and are kept on that list for 6 weeks. At that point, if prayers are still needed, the name will be moved down into the alphabetical list. We appreciate updates for those we hold in prayer. Please contact the parish office or e-mail the office at office.epiphany@verizon.net to update our list.

Epiphany Parish

62 Front Street

Walpole, MA 02081

508-668-2353

www.epiphany-walpole.org

Priest-in-Charge

The Rev. Christen H. Mills

christen.epiphany@gmail.com

Organist

Nancy Wakefield

Parish Administrator

Liz Knox

office.epiphany@verizon.net

Sunday School Superintendent

Jennifer Hee

Sr. Warden

Pamela Cormier

Jr. Warden

Mark Helm

Treasurer

Jan Nuzzolo

Financial Secretary

Nancy Parnagian

Pledging Secretary

John Parnagian

Clerk

Kate Procaccini

Vestry Members

Kevin Miller

Nancy Parnagian

Janice Allman

Donald MacKinnon

Alison DiPasca

George Ford

This Week at Epiphany

Tues, Aug 7, 2018

e-News Published

Wed, Aug 8, 2018

7:00 pm Women's AA (undercroft)

Thurs, Aug 9, 2018

7:00 pm Property Committee (Vestry Room)

Fri, Aug 10, 2018

8:00 pm AA (undercroft)

Sun, Aug 12, 2018

9:30 am Holy Eucharist ~ Rite I

10:30 am Punch on the Lawn

11:30 am Executive Committee (Christen's Office)

Mon, Aug 13, 2018

Summer Hours - Office Closed

5:30 pm Breaking Bread Community Meal Served (United Church)

6:30 pm Monday Night AA (undercroft)

Wed, Aug 15, 2018

7:00 pm Women's AA (undercroft)

Thurs, Aug 16, 2018

11:00 am Pastoral Care (Vestry Room)

2:00 pm Harrington House

Fri, Aug 17, 2018

8:00 pm AA (undercroft)

Sun, Aug 19, 2018

9:30 am Holy Eucharist ~ Rite II

10:30 am Punch on the Lawn

Mon, Aug 20, 2018

Summer Hours - Office Closed

5:30 pm Breaking Bread Community Meal Served (United Church)

6:30 pm Monday Night AA (undercroft)

Tues, Aug 21, 2018

e-News Published

7:00 pm Vestry [open meeting] (Vestry Room)

Participating in Worship on Aug. 12

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

   Click here for this week's lectionary readings.

Acolytes:

Alexia Clinton  

Briella Clinton  

Worship Leaders:

Rhonda Banks  

Elaine Glebus 

Ushers:

Brian Shea 

Ellen Grant

Altar Guild:

Elaine Glebus 

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Participating in Worship on Aug. 19

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

    Click here  for this week's lectionary readings.

Acolytes:

Justin Schneider   

[OPEN]   

Worship Leaders:

Jay Barrett  

Jim Langmead 

Ushers:

Jay Barrett  

John Parnagian  

Altar Guild:

Mary Jane Wiles 

Sandy Clinton 

From the Office

E-Mail & Sunday Announcements Deadlines

Announcements and notices for the Bi-Weekly e-News e-mails must be received in the office by noon on the Monday prior to publishing - call or e-mail the office.

To have your announcement included in the Sunday bulletin, please have it in the office by noon on Wednesday.

Hospital Visitation

If you or a loved one would like a visit from Rev. Christen while in the hospital please call the church office or e-mail Rev. Christen at christen.epiphany@gmail.com.  

 Feeling a call  

(or a tug, or a pull)

to get involved in the life of our Parish, but don't know where to start? Please contact Rev. Christen at christen.epiphany@gmail.com to learn about the many opportunities to serve.

 This week
(week ending Aug. 11)

The office will be open

Wednesday & Thursday

10:00am - 2:30pm

Next Week
(week ending Aug. 18)

The office will be open

Wednesday & Thursday

10:00am - 2:30pm

Rev. Christen is in the office most weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday.

If you have a pastoral emergency, please do not hesitate to contact Rev. Christen at 978-758-7270.

If you would like an opportunity to meet with Christen during the week please e-mail her at

christen.epiphany@gmail.com or call the church office to make an appointment. This will ensure that she is not out making pastoral calls and that you will have her undivided attention.