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Welcoming the Reverend Edward Gammons!
Join us this Sunday as Epiphany welcomes, our
Interim Associate Rector, the Rev'd Edward
Gammons, and his wife Gretchen.
Ned, as
he is
called, will be working part-time, serving in the areas
of liturgy, preaching, teaching and pastoral care during
the interim period while we search for a permanent
Assistant to the Rector. This Sunday, Ned will be
preaching at both services; be sure to introduce
yourself and welcome him and Gretchen to Epiphany.
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Dear friend,
Last week in my sermon I invited members and
friends of our community to consider joining together
on our journey through Lent, by taking the "SIMPLE
CHALLENGE." Over the next few weeks I'll be
continuing to describe, define and invite you to
consider taking this challenge. The basic idea is that
as a community we join together in taking on a Lenten
discipline. My hope is that, to whatever degree
individuals or families engage in the Simple
Challenge, we will deepen our love of God as the
source of all abundance. The "Simple Challenge"
involves refraining from purchasing new things, and
clearing out some of our excess things. My family and
I have decided to change our habits as consumers
during Lent to see how it changes our minds, hearts
and lives. From Ash Wednesday until Easter, we have
decided that with a few exceptions, like food, fuel, and
the necessities of caring for our bodies and home, we
will not buy anything new. Whenever possible, we are
going to try to be more considerate about how our
purchasing decisions impact the lives of others and
the environment.
We are also going to make a conscious effort to clean
out, clear out and give away as much of our stuff as
seems reasonable to us. During Lent we want to de-
clutter materially as well as spiritually. These parts of
life are probably connected in ways we have yet to
discover.
In the coming weeks before Lent begins, I will write
more fully about how we can journey through this
process as a community. I have an idea that during
the season of Easter, we might host a great "give-
away" to people in need, followed by a yard sale, with
all the proceeds going to support relief to the people
of Haiti.
I believe that enjoyment of the material world,
including all of our cool stuff, is one of the great things
about being human. God created the material world
and human beings as a part of it. Just last week we
heard about Jesus changing water into wine for a
wedding celebration. Our Lord seemed to appreciate
the value of fine wine, expensive oil, and a good meal.
I love my stuff as much as the next person. This
challenge is not an invitation to asceticism. As
followers of Christ, our lives as American consumers
may be a fertile area for reflection at the least, and
perhaps even repentance -- changing our hearts,
minds and behavior in order to move to deeper
relationship with God.
Attached is a twenty-minute video called "The Story of
Stuff". This video along with the "another way"
suggestions have had an impact on my thinking about
life as a consumer, a parent, a citizen and a Christian.
I offer this link,
www.storyofstuff.com, in hope that it might get you
thinking as well. I
look forward to talking with you about the challenge.
Peace,
Jennifer
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| This Sunday |
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Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 24, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Edward Gammons
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-2: Parable of the Good
Samaritan
Gr.
3-5: Parable of the Deep Well
Adult Forum-Linda LeBreux-Mission Trip to
Jamaica
Bible Study- 1st & 2nd Timothy
Scripture readings:
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
Read these
lessons
Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Roger Decker
Lector-CArl Mayse
Usher-Mike Seger
Greeter-Rhoda Bucci
Coffee Hour-Kathi
Thurley
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Suellen Franze
Eucharistic Visitor-Anne Bryant
Lectors-Kristin Chase & Susan McDonald
Cantor-Abbey McGrath
Acolytes-Tyler Lockard, Abby Hawryluk &
Bella DeAngelo
Ushers-Bill Dench & Matt Hawryluk
Altar Guild-Barbara Kent & Charlene
Underhill
Greeter- Chase
Family
Counters-Vivian Johnson & Toppy
Carlson
Coffee Hour-The Pilato Family
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| Emergency Action - Haiti Earthquake |
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A catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti's capital, Port-
au-Prince, on January 12. At least three million people
are estimated to have been affected, innumerable
homes have been destroyed and major structures
have been damaged including the Diocese of Haiti's
headquarters.
Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with the
Diocese of Haiti to both address immediate needs
and prepare for long-term rehabilitation work.
Your help is critical in providing life-saving
services and emergency supplies such as
medicine, food and water, as well as long-term
support for the country's ongoing recovery and
rebuilding efforts in the days to come.
Visit
Episcopal Relief & Development's website,
for updated information on the crisis in Haiti and to
make an immediate, convenient and secure
contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development's Haiti Fund to help those affected
by the earthquake.
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| Annual Parish Meeting |
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Church of the
Epiphany
4th Annual Parish
Meeting
February 7,
2010
at Noon
in the Parish
Hall
All members are
invited and encouraged to attend.
Buffet lunch will
be provided.
Child care is
available.
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| Meals to Members |
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As many of you may know and have possibly
benefitted from, the Meals to Members program is one
of the many ways the Pastoral Care Commission
ministers to the community members of Church of the
Epiphany. The act of bringing a meal to someone who
is ill, grieving, bed ridden etc. brings joy to both the
recipient and the giver. If you would like to offer your
gifts in this way, the Pastoral Care Commission would
welcome your contribution. Contact Gracelynn Rizzolo
at 401-728-2329 or ailuros11{at}verizon{dot}net.
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| Improving Our Stewardship of Creation |
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Rhode Island Interfaith
Power & Light presents Improving Our
Stewardship of Creation Where are the
resources we need? This conference for clergy,
lay readers, parents, educators, business people,
students and other interested persons, will be held at
LaSalle Academy
on February 11 from 4:30 - 9:20 p.m.
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| Bread of Life Food Pantry |
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This ongoing
food collection is very important in assisting our
hungry neighbors. Please continue to bring in your
generous food donations every month to help keep
the pantries full. For the month of January the Bread
of Life Steering Committee is requesting these
specific donations:
- January 24 Baking mixes (brownies,
cakes, muffins)
- January 31 Canned tuna
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| Upcoming Adult Forum Topics |
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- January 24:Linda LeBreux-
Mission Trip to Jamaica. Learn about Linda's
experiences this past summer/fall while working in
Jamaica.
- January 31: Epiphany's recent
history. Join church historian, Ruth Porter, as she
details the recent history of Church of the
Epiphany.
- February 7, 21, & 28: Parenting in
Faith- How do we welcome Christ into our homes
and the relationships we share in our families? How
are we nurtured in our faith as parents, how do we
pray with our children and how do we grow in Christ
as our children are growing? Join Jennifer as she
explores these topics. Please note that you do not
have to be a parent to attend; experienced parents and
grandparents are welcome.
- March 7, 14, 21, & 28, April 11, 18 and 25:
Being an Episcopalian in the 21st Century. Via
Media, the Anglican Way. This series is designed for
those who are preparing for confirmation or reception,
and those wishing to reaffirm their Baptismal Vows
before the Bishop. This is also for those interested in
learning more about the Church. We will be using a
DVD series called "Via Media" containing
Episcopalians of all sorts talking about what it means
to be a Christian within the Episcopal Church. The
individual sessions are on such topics as Jesus, the
church, the Spirit, and more. A detailed schedule will
be provided.
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| Next Sunday |
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Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Edward Gammons
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-2: Parable of the Sower
Gr.
3-5: Parable Synthesis I
Adult Forum-Epiphany's recent history w/ Ruth
Porter
Bible Study- 1st & 2nd Timothy
Scripture readings:
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
Read these
lessons
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