Epiphany is embarking on an exploratory year in a new area of ministry, funded by a Diocesean Congregational Development Grant. This new ministry is called Lighthouse: a multigenerational mission of radical discipleship and community across perceived boundaries.

Many ministry leaders here have seen a real and present need to grow in ministry for and with those with neurodiversity, disabilities, and mental health challenges. This grant will allow us to begin this work together. Radical welcome is a deeply rooted value of ours at Epiphany. The wisdom and heart we need to enter this work is here. This year, Lighthouse will prayerfully, vulnerably, and experimentally explore the ways that we can grow deeper into God's call for us to be a house of prayer for all people.

This exploratory year has two bookends. 

First, on October 27, we will welcome guest preacher Kevin Lazarus. Rev. Lazarus will preach at both services, and then hold an adult forum at 11:15am. He is an Emory doctoral candidate whose research lies at the intersection of Christian theology and disability studies. Rev. Lazarus will help us all begin to understand how, as followers of Christ and the people of his church, we are called to care and respond. We hope you will join us. 

In the spring, we will welcome the Rev. Lindsay Lunnum among us. Rev. Lunnum will help us all to consider the intersections of worship, liturgy, and neurodivergence.

Between these two events, for parents and caregivers on a journey of raising a child with neurodivergence, mental health challenges, or disabilities: we invite you to join Dr. Brian Litzenberger, our clergy, and Bryn for four sessions where we will engage in listening, support, and collaboration, and ask where the Spirit is leading us next. If you are interested in joining the parent/caregiver group, please fill out this form. 

For some reading right now, you have already self-identified. But, maybe, you’re not sure if we mean your family. You feel like you’re out of the bounds of what is typical. You know parenting is hard, but you are climbing through extra hard parenting and you need support. This group is also for you. Part of what this year is about is exploring this new space together.

If you are interested in joining the parent/caregiver group, please fill out this form. If you have questions, please reach out to Bryn Hollenbeck. 

For the entire congregation, young and old, neurotypical and neurodivergent: this is a ministry for all of us. This grant is not simply for families; it is not solely about disability and neurodivergence. This grant is about every one of us, and how we are the church. Thank you for being a part of Lighthouse. 

“Bach” by popular demand, on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 pm, Epiphany’s Director of Music & Organist will perform an organ recital on the church’s C.B. Fisk, Opus 65 mechanical action pipe organ. This family friendly 45-minute event, inside the dimly lit 1904 sanctuary, will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor among other thematic selections. Costumes are optional; candy and cobwebs will be provided!

On Saturday, October 12 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in Hadley Hall, Parish of the Epiphany is honored to host "An Evening with The Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum: Anglican Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem & Primate of the Middle East." This fundraising event will support the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ), a nonpolitical, nonsectarian, 501(c)(3) organization. All are invited for conversation with Archbishop Naoum, with a reception featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres. Please sign up for the evening here. 

AFEDJ's sole focus is to mobilize financial resources for the diocese and its humanitarian institutions – including schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon – to alleviate suffering and promote hope and healing, with a vision of a Holy Land where people of all faiths have opportunities to live full, flourishing lives. 

On Sunday, October 13, Archbishop Naoum will preach at our 8:00 am and 10:00 am services. The 10:00 am service will be livestreamed. At 11:15 am, the Archbishop will speak at our Adult Forum and offer a Q&A in Hadley Hall. This will be a time to learn about the ministries of the diocese at this critical time in our world today. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. 

The Parish of the Epiphany is grateful for each individual child in our community, and we make their care and safety our highest priority. To help us know and care for your children and family, we ask a parent/guardian to complete the following registration form. This form includes family contact information, security and pickup permissions, allergy information, and photo permission choices. 

This form is required for all minors (infants through teenagers) who participate in age-specific activities at the Parish of the Epiphany, such as the drop-off nursery, Church School, Choristers, Midweek, service trips, and Youth Group or Youth Faith Circle. We appreciate your time and are grateful for your partnership. We look forward to starting our new program year together!

Parish of the Epiphany now has merch that includes our new logo! Specially designed by Rev. Janelle, these t-shirts and sweatshirts are available in a variety of colors and sizes, including youth sizes. There are two versions ready for purchase on Bonfire: 

Version 1
Version 2

On Sunday, September 8 at 10:00 am, all are invited for a joyous Rally Day service with baptisms and Blessing of the Backpacks! Following the 10:00 am service, we will have a festive lunch provided by Bella Isla Café. Whether it’s been a week or a few years since you’ve joined for in-person worship at Epiphany, you won’t want to miss the joy and fellowship, crafts, games, bounce house, or pop-up basketball.

The 2024-25 Chorister program at Epiphany is for children with unchanged voices in grades 3-8. This program provides professional musical training to children in a challenging and fun environment at no financial cost to parents. Previous musical experience isn’t necessary for admission. This choir rehearses weekly on Wednesdays during the school year and sings in church at the 10:00 am worship service on the first Sunday of each month (October through June) and at other scheduled services and events during the year. Less intensive preparatory training for interested 2nd graders will also be made available during the 2024-25 season. For more information or to arrange a brief vocal evaluation for your child, please reach out to Director of Music Jeremy Bruns at jbruns@3crowns.org or by phoning the church office at 781-729-1922.

About a month ago, your Team Epiphany embarked on our annual ride to combat ALS, and we want to thank all of you for your support and prayers. The ride was a great success, despite some challenges with the weather. The first day, we were able to complete our assigned routes — either 100 or 30 miles. The temperature was really nice, and we only saw some scattered rain towards the end of the day. The second day was a slightly different story.  At the very moment we were to ride out, a nasty storm front came through, bringing with it hail, lightning, and the threat of tornadoes. In an unprecedented move, the ride organizers postponed the start and waited for the front to pass through. As a result, the second day had to be truncated, and all of us did the 30 mile course together — albeit in the pouring rain. Nevertheless, it was a great weekend, as all the riders returned safely and we had a lot of fun along the way.

But all of this is incidental to the main reason we were out that, and that is to raise money for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. As a team, we have raised almost $14,000 and remain in the top ten of fundraising teams — though many of those teams are much larger than ours. And all the riders together have raised almost $600,000.
But it's actually not over! It is definitely not too late if you'd like to contribute to the effort. Just head on over to www.team-epiphany.org and donate whatever you feel moved to.

Once again,  we are so grateful for this beloved community, which has been so generous to those combating this horrible disease. Be well, and we'll see you next year!

Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. Starting in October, J2J (Journey to Justice) will be offering several Sacred Ground discussion groups. These groups will meet every other week for 11 sessions. Sessions will be facilitated by parishioners who have completed the course. Please let us know if you are interested (no commitment yet!) here, and we will be in touch in early September. In March 2025, we hope to embark on a Racial Justice Pilgrimage to Atlanta, Selma, Montgomery, and Birmingham as the culmination of our learning. Participation in Sacred Ground is a prerequisite for attending the pilgrimage. 

Our Parish Weekend Away in New Hampshire is coming up on September 27-29. We have special merch designed by Rev. Janelle available now, including unisex, women's, and youth t-shirts; hoodies; and crewneck sweatshirts. Click to orders yours!