About Epiphany
Whether you are passing through and looking for a new church home, or one of our congregation, all are welcome here for spiritual rest and nourishment.
Our community is many things. We are a place to worship God. We are a place to find safety and comfort. We are a place to be strengthened. We are a place to learn. We are a place to build friendships. We are a place to be challenged. We are a place to make God’s love known.
Get to know us!
Since the challenges of the COVID epidemic we have grown and thrived in new ways. We now have palpable energy and momentum to continue our growth — spiritually, and as a community.
We worship in a beautiful but simple setting in our recently renovated sanctuary. We are a spiritual home to young and old in years and new and old in tenure. There are people of many backgrounds, careers, lifestyles, and religious traditions worshiping together. We are welcoming and embracing.
We spoke with several of our newer members and asked why they decided to worship with us. They emphatically indicated the welcoming nature of the people and sense of community. A majority of these new members lend their talents to our ministries. They are fully invested in our congregation and add to the fabric of our community.
Jesus taught us to love one another and this community does just that. Over time, coffee hours have come alive with food provided by parishioners, conversation, comradery and caring. People are still there an hour after the start. We have been told on multiple occasions how uplifting the service and coffee hour have been to those who were down when they entered Epiphany in the morning. A parishioner’s monthly music series is now a ten year tradition. Our Prayer Team supports parishioners and loved ones with healing prayer every Sunday and intercessory prayer through the week. We have Eucharistic Visitors trained for the interim period to continue caring for our home-bound members. We provide meals when an individual or family needs them and have sent out hundreds of prayer shawls over the years.
We continue to make smart frugal investments in the property to preserve and maintain our buildings and grounds; with most work is completed by volunteers. The building and grounds are busy from morning well into the late evening every day of the week.
Our physical property has connected us with outside organizations offering worship and fellowship. Trinity Tabernacle uses our Sanctuary for worship. East End Theatre rents spaces for rehearsals, summer and vacation camps, and music and dance lessons. Finally, our space is used by four different 12-step groups every day of the week.
Also on site is our Thrift Shop, offering clothing and household goods at minimal cost. Open Saturdays, it serves 100 to 150 people a month. Ten volunteers manage the store and spend time behind the scenes collecting and cleaning items.
Our footprint extends beyond our property. We are a significant supporter of Good Neighbors Food Pantry in Rumford. We learn of the pantry’s most pressing needs and our congregation provides. As an example, one recent Sunday prior to worship, several helpers transferred the collection to a car. By the time the service was set to begin, the rear of the church was full again. God provides. In addition to food donations, our community provides monetary gifts and on-site volunteers. This is truly a display of offering our time, treasure and talent.
Our Mission
We welcome all for Christian worship, fellowship, and service, trusting God to transform our lives and the world.
Our Values
Creativity
Compassion
Connection
Parish Goals
Spiritual Formation & Practice: We will grow as Christians by learning and practicing spiritual habits that deepen our relationships with God and each other.
Stewardship: We seek to grow in gratitude, generosity and commitment to our church, each other, the wider community and God’s creation, by the wise use and offering of all our gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Community Connections: We will foster a fellowship of love and care where all are welcome in gracious hospitality and connections are built to support our lives and faith.
Church Staff
Photo: Epiphany, Rumford
Beth Dench, Interim Parish Administrator
admin@epiphanyep.org
Beth is a well-known and welcoming face at the office. She keeps the parish running smoothly, coordinating publications, including the Sunday bulletins and the weekly e-News. You will find her answering the phone, greeting our guests, and assisting building tenants.
Photo: Epiphany, Rumford
Mary Therese Martinez, Music Director
marytherese@epiphanyep.org
Mary Therese Martinez serves as choir director, organist and pianist. She welcomes new choir members, and enjoys expanding the repertoire of congregational singing while maintaining the cherished musical traditions of the parish. A native of Chicago, Mary Therese lives in Providence with her husband and looks forward to the visits of their three grown daughters, Liliana, Marina and Cecilia.
Karl Provost, Finance Administrator
finance@epiphanyep.org
This role works in conjunction with the Vestry Treasurer to accomplish daily financial operations and tracking.
Leadership
Vestry
Believing that all people are ministers, our community relies on the work and service of many lay leaders, in addition to our clergy and staff. Leadership of our church resides in the Vestry. Members of the Vestry serve for three-year terms and Wardens serve for two-year terms.
Our Vestry meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Bill Dench, Senior Warden
Jaime Davin, Jr. Warden
Kyle Guglielmo, Treasurer
Fran Motroni, Clerk
Leo Fernandes
Janice Johnson
Steve McGrath
Erin McNeill
Lisa Pucino
Ministry Team Leaders
The spiritual life and work of our community is organized into teams which oversee our ministry. They meet regularly to coordinate many aspects of our life together as a congregation. Anyone interested in participating in these ministries should contact members of the relevant team.
Property
George Nunes, Chair
Meets second Thursday of the month @ 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Education
Youth Formation — Rector
Adult Formation — Rector
Finance
Kyle Guglielmo, Chair
Quarterly meetings as called by the Treasurer.
Outreach Ministries
Coordinator, Outreach Ministries — Maggie Holmes
Coordinators, Thrift Shop - Rhoda Bucci & Janice Johnson
We are proud to be the home of these community groups:
East End Theatre & Performing Arts
We welcomed this community youth theatre to our building in 2018 and have enjoyed their lively presence ever since! They host musicals throughout the year, dance and voice lessons, theatre workshops, summer and school vacation camps, and so much more serving children in elementary through high school and beyond. We are honored to serve as their rehearsal and lesson space.
Trinity Tabernacle Multi-cultural Outreach Ministries
In February 2022, Epiphany welcomed Trinity to use our sanctuary as their spiritual home on Sunday afternoons for worship and fellowship. They are a fantastic Christian community and we are blessed to be able to offer them the use of our space for their common life.
Other Groups
Our space is for rent! Find out more.
Numerous program groups utilize our meeting spaces weekly. 12-step “Anonymous” groups, a Girl Scout Troop, and more. Your groups could be next.
