|
Ongoing Hospitality Conversation
Last week at Adult Education, nearly twenty-five of us joined in for a
rich conversation about how we practice hospitality at Church of the
Epiphany. We also began to discuss how we might enhance our welcome
to strangers in the future. Afterwards, several folks who'd
participated asked if we might have a follow-up conversation in order
to develop an "action plan" for hospitality in this community. What
concrete things can we do to make Epiphany a more welcoming place?
Bring your own ideas, grab a cup of coffee, and join us at 9:15 a.m.
this Sunday in the Multi-purpose room.
Questions? Call or email
Edmund at edmund{at}epiphanyep{dot}org
|
|
| |
Dear
friend,
Christ of the Breadlines" by Fritz Eichenberg?
As we will hear on Sunday morning, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews placed a high premium
on hospitality. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers," he told a group of early Christians,
"for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." In the letter, the writer was
drawing on a long tradition of stories about God or the angels of God taking on the form of
strangers and appearing to human beings. Many of you will remember the Old Testament story
about Sarah and Abraham who showed hospitality to the three mysterious figures who appeared
outside of their tent. The Gospels tell us that if we welcome strangers-if we offer a cup of water
"to the least of these"-we actually welcome Christ himself. Therefore, as Jesus says in this week'sGospel, when you throw a party, make sure to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
Now I don't think any of us would dispute the importance of welcoming strangers. Aimed at
potential newcomers, our church's own website echoes this welcome: "We welcome you to be our
guest." But exactly who are the strangers in our midst? More specifically, who are the strangers in
our own community, Church of the Epiphany?
I've noticed something about the way that Christians sometimes talk about welcoming the strangers
in our midst. Strangers are often "those other people." Those on the outside of our community-the
ones we should welcome inside. The bewildered newcomer who can't figure out which hymnal to
use on Sunday morning. The "obviously homeless" woman who turns up at the local soup kitchen.
And indeed, people such as these are strangers. An indeed, we should welcome them.
But as someone who spends many of his waking hours at church, I can tell you that there are also
strangers in our midst who already consider themselves as members of our community. People who
don't fit the bill as an "outsider," yet who don't feel fully included. Perhaps a woman who is
struggling to make ends meet and who is afraid to ask for help. Or perhaps a man weighed down
by severe depression. Or a woman in her twenties who doesn't feel like the church takes her
seriously. Or a gay or transgender young person who doesn't see anyone else like him at church and
feels isolated. The list can go on. All of these people are also strangers in our midst.
Dorothy Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, once reflected on the Christian duty
to offer hospitality to strangers with these words: "It is no use saying that we are born two thousand
years too late to give room to Christ--- Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our
hearts."
In whom in our own community is Christ waiting to be welcomed by you? In the week and months
to come, I encourage you to listen carefully for him knocking at the door of your own heart-in
people you might least expect.
Edmund
|
| |
| |
| |
| This Sunday |
| |
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 29, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Edmund Harris
Bible Study, 9:15 a.m.
The Gospel of Luke
Summer Education Offering, 9:15 a.m.
"Hospitality and Church of the Epiphany"
Scripture readings:
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Read these
lessons
Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Arthur Manning
Lector-Sally Erskine
Usher-Gerry McAvoy
Greeter-Ray & Robin Grant
Coffee Hour- Arthur & Geri Manning, Doris Firth & Rhoda Bucci
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Mary Lambert
Eucharistic Visitor-Gracelynn Rizzolo
Lectors-Susan McDonald & Phil Campbell
Cantor- Emily Dench
Acolytes- Matt Chase & Sarah Chase
Ushers-Bruce Lambert & Jean LeBreux
Greeters- The Dench Family
Altar Guild-Betsy Kelley & Bonnie Wright
Counters-Suellen Franze & Toppy Carlson
Coffee Hour- The LeBreux, Lambert & Hoffman families
|
| |
|
| |
| Calling all Ushers |
| |
There will be an organizational meeting for all ushers this Sunday, August 29 at 9:15 a.m. We will review responsibilities and plan for the next schedule, which starts October 3 and goes through January 30. Please look at your calendars to determine your availability; this includes whether you will be attending the 5 or 10 p.m. Christmas Eve service and if you are available to serve. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact John LeBreux by email at j.lebreux{at}comcast{dot}net or by phone at 508-336-3486. If you have considered serving as an usher and have not yet spoken to me, please join us or call if you have any questions.
|
| |
|
| |
| Sunday School at Epiphany |
| |
Sunday School resumes at Epiphany in just two weeks on September 12!
Whether you're 3 or 93, we invite you to take advantage of the excellent opportunities for Christian formation at Epiphany this year.
These include:
Godly Play (Aged 3-11)
Rite 13 (Ages 11-14)
Journey to Adulthood (Ages 14-16)
Young Adults in Church (Ages 16-18)
Adult Education
Bible Study
Christian Education registration starts this Sunday! We strongly encourage
you register yourself and/or your child before the first day of classes on
September 12. A registration table will be located in the entrance of the church. Questions? Call or
email Edmund at edmund{at}epiphanyep{dot}org
|
| |
|
| |
| Blessing of backpacks, briefcases & bookbags |
| |
Sunday, September 12, be sure to bring your backpacks, breifcases, bookbags or whatever you use to carry your things to and from school or work, to church to be blessed. Backpack/bag blessings will be done at both the 8 & 10:30 services. Start the Fall off right!
|
| |
|
| |
| Wanted: Godly Play Teachers! |
| |
Have you considered becoming a Godly Play teacher in our Sunday school program?
Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum, with a
multi-sensory approach to telling Bible stories using
three-dimensional materials. The goal of Godly Play is to
help children aged 3-11 to know God and find direction
in their lives while they are still young. A free Godly
Play training will take place at Church of the Epiphany
on Saturday, September 18 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please
prayerfully consider whether the Spirit might be leading
you to offer your time and talent to this important ministry
in our church. For more information, or to RSVP for
the training, contact Edmund at 401-434-5012 ext. #14
or edmund{at}epiphany{dot}org.
|
| |
|
| |
| Diocesan Program and Budget Hearings |
| |
During the month of September the Program and Budget Committee will be presenting a one year budget, for the purpose of operating the Diocese of Rhode Island in 2011. Come find out what your parish dollars can build for the whole of the Diocese.
Your attendance and participation at these hearings is vital, to help discern the call of Christ for the Diocese in this financially and spiritually challenging environment. All are welcome to come, learn, and discuss! Parish Delegates are especially encouraged to attend, in order to make well informed votes at Convention in October.
The Program and Budget Committee was charged at the last Diocesan Convention with recasting our budget for the upcoming year and anticipating the insights of the Mission Task Force. The Committee has worked diligently during this past year to develop a financial profile that most effectively promotes vital parishes. Be with us to add your voice and insights to this important process.
Questions? Contact Ty Creason (401)274 4500 x242
Hearing Dates
Tuesday Sept. 7th, 7pm @ St. Michael's, Bristol
Wednesday Sept. 8th, 7pm @ St Luke's, East Greenwich
Tuesday Sept. 14th, 7pm @ St. Mark's, Warwick
Thursday Sept. 16th, 9am (For Clergy Only) @ The Cathedral of St. John
Saturday Sept. 18th, 9am @ The Cathedral of St. John RSVP to any of the above dates on Facebook
|
| |
|
| |
| Next Sunday |
| |
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 5, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer L. Pedrick
Bible Study, 9:15 a.m.
The Gospel of Luke
Scripture readings:
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-5, 13-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
Read these
lessons
|
| |
|
| |
|
