Arts and Religion - Children and Youth - Courses and Classes - Discernment - Environmental Stewardship - Financial Stewardship - Worship - Ministry Teams

Arts and Religion

Church Art and Architecture
In the future, we hope to develop an online art and architecture tour of the Church of the Epiphany. Until then, go to Church Art and Architecture.

Epiphany Book Club
The Epiphany Book Club meets approximately once a month to discuss its current selection. Please feel free to drop in, even if you have not finished (or even started!) the book.

Music
At Epiphany, music is an integral part of our life together.  Through it, we are uplifted, comforted, and refreshed.  This parish has a long history of providing high quality music on Sunday as well as throughout the week. For more information, go to the music section of this site.

Tuesday Concert Series
This series features vocal and instrumental soloists as well as musical ensembles from all over the Washington area. The music is mostly classical, but regular attendees have learned to expect the occasional surprise! Concerts begin at 12:10pm in the church building and end before 1:00. It is a free concert, but donations are requested for the artists. If you work downtown during the week, come in, support the local music community, and be recharged with the gift of music.

View the schedule of upcoming concerts.

Gospel Art!
Gospel Art! creates space and time for the homeless, who attend worship on Sunday, to integrate articstic expression with Biblical reflection for a 6-week period. Participants share their creative project and the faith it inspires with each other. The hope is that participants' faith will deepen by seeing how their creativity can be connected with it. The project helps believers and unbelievers understand and articulate the Christian faith and to live accordingly. This program is a new initiative in evangelism with the homeless.

The homeless gather while waiting for worship and breakfast to create art and poetry projects in response to the Sunday Scriptures and share their at projects and the faith it inspires with each other.

Children and Youth

Godly Play
For children four to eleven, class is offered in the Godly Play Room, also on the second floor. Godly Play™ is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children ages 4-12. The goal of Godly Play™ is to teach children the art of using religious language - parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action - to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence in their lives. Godly Play™ was developed and classroom tested for more than twenty years by Episcopal priest, author, and teacher Jerome Berryman. For more information, visit www.godlyplay.org. Also see the Top Ten Reasons to Become and Godly Play Teacher.

Nursery
Our nursery, located on the second floor, is for children up to four years old. We are currently seeking someone to serve as nursery caregiver. Until that position is filled, the nursery is open for parents who need a place to stay with a young child. Children are welcomed to worship and if you would like children’s liturgy books and welcome bags, they are available in the church. Please speak to an usher for directions to the nursery and for children’s liturgy books or welcome bags.

J2A
The Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th - 12th grades. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core messages: manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God; and adulthood must be earned. There are three two-year segments of the program. The first two years (6th & 7th or 7th & 8th graders) is Rite-13, which focuses on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this. The middle portion of the program (8th & 9th or 9th and 10th graders), J2A engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment. YAC is a mentor-based program helping older teens (11th and 12th grade) to discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized.

YSOP
YSOP (Youth Service Opportunities Project) is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded by Quakers in 1983, which is committed to making young people a part of the solution to societal problems by helping them learn what a difference they can make in the lives of others. We prepare future service leaders through a unique method, YSOP Workcamps. By combining meaningful volunteer work with a communal living and learning program, YSOP'ers provide vital services to people in need and at the same time are able to reflect on their experiences and broaden their perspectives. While YSOP was created for young people, we welcome people of all ages to YSOP.

Courses And Classes

Faith Connections

Thursdays, 12:30-1:15 pm, immediately following the 12:10pm liturgy, in the Church. Several sessions are offered during the year.

Fellowship and Light
Epiphany welcomes you to an offering of adult formation on Wednesday evenings --- Fellowship & Light. Please join us to share a meal and conversation, spend time in communion with God, and learn together through study and discussion of a selected topic.

Community Bible Study meets each Sunday at 10am in the Willard Room, first floor of the Parish House.  The Kerygma curriculum is our tool for studying the Gospel of Mark.  In January, 2008 we will choose another book of the Bible to study.

The goals for Community Bible Study are to:

• Know more about the Bible and how it speaks to our lives now
• Grow closer to God
• Deepen our sense of community
• Study God’s activity in history so we can see it in our lives
• Learn the story of God’s faithfulness to God’s people
• Maintain a spirit of inquiry and openness
• Listen for how God speaks through each of us

Seasonal Parish Events - click here

Discernment

Group Spiritual Direction
There’s a growing interest at Epiphany about what it means to discernor listen intentionally to God’s will, both as an individual and in our corporate life.  During Lent 2005, group spiritual direction was introduced as one way to facilitate discernment for an individual in a group.  Twenty-five members participated in the five-week program, and a group of ten continues to meet monthly. As we grow in awareness of God’s presence in our lives, we are also learning how to assist one another to have the eyes and ears to perceive the Holy in our everyday lives. The discernment working group re-formed this past summer, and began meeting this summer to discuss more ways to offer the church opportunities to learn about discernment. The discernment process is available to all members of the parish. We invite you to explore issues in your life with a small group of listeners. We also invite you to consider participation in a monthly group spiritual direction prayer group. We meet on the third Tuesday each month, 6:30- 8:30pm. If you would like to attend, please speak to Brenda, Eleanor Engh, or Susan Walker. They will be happy to give you more information. Contact Susan at 202-347-2635 x20 or at swalker=@epiphanydc.org. [NOTE: If you use the email link above, delete the "=" that apears before "@." Why?].

Spiritual Direction
Another avenue for discernment is through the relationship of one-to-one spiritual direction. Many people are not aware of what spiritual direction is, or they have a vague notion that it is reserved for clergy or monks.  Spiritual direction is a term used to describe the companioning relationship in which one person assists another in becoming more aware of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. The director and directee meet for an hour.  This includes taking time to establish an atmosphere of prayerful listening.  The directee brings a willingness to look at experiences of prayer and life events during the direction sessions.  The director acts as a listening, supportive presence. The frequency can vary with what is happening in your life, usually once a month. Spiritual direction does not impose a particular spirituality on a directee, and it does not seek to counsel or solve problems for a directee.  It is more about companioning another in learning about oneself and God’s love.

Susan Walker, Program Associate at The Church of the Epiphany offers spiritual direction. She can be reached at 202-347-2635 x20 or at swalker=@epiphanydc.org. [NOTE: If you use the email link above, delete the "=" that apears before "@." Why?].

Labyrinth - click here
The Epiphany Labyrinth is open for walks every Wednesday (except Ash Wednesday) from 10am until 3pm (except during the summer months, 9am-5pm). Please honor the liturgy at 12:10 as a time when the Labyrinth is not available.

Lenten Parish Retreat
2008 Lenten retreat is scheduled for March 14-15, 2008 at the Cathedral College.

Environmental Stewardship

Ministry Team Mission Statement

We are called to support the Epiphany community in transforming and healing our broken relationship with God and all of God’s creation.  We recognize the interdependence of life and the right of all living things to a safe and healthy environment.  We will help one another honor the Creator by revering the earth and by using its resources rightly in the service of others. 

These are goals that we have set:

Within the Parish—

• Recycle - paper, cans, glass, and eliminate use of styrofoam
• Conduct an energy audit of the building
• Ongoing education – such as including an Eco-Tip of the month in the Parish Guide
• Explore use of Fair Trade coffee and organic teas at coffee hour and possibly to sell.

Outreach within our Community—

• Participate in the Religious Partnership for the Anacostia River

Long Term—

• Incorporate green building practices into the Parish House renovation
• Establish a community (roof) garden, to bring members of the Epiphany community together to grow healthful food – downtown workers, the poor, and parishioners
• Get involved with Community Supported Agriculture.

Financial Stewardship

God offers us a life of abundance,
and calls us to celebrate our lives
and unique capabilities as gifts.
We believe that God wants us to use these gifts,
not only for ourselves, but for all Creation.
In a world broken by unshared bread,
God invites us to a table
with room enough and bread enough for all.
We accept God's invitation,
and we bring with joy our gifts to God's table.

Pledge Card - click here for

Worship

Located in downtown Washington, we are a renewing urban parish whose vitality springs from our diversity. We represent a wide range of spiritual practices, economic resources, and social thought. We reside not only in the city, but in communities throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. We are made up of different ages, ethnic origins, and lifestyles. Our unity is our common commitment to Jesus Christ and the ministry to which we are called. For more information about worship at Epiphany, go to the worship area of this site.

Acolytes

Acolytes play a vital role in the service by leading the procession at the beginning of the service and the recession at the end. They also accompany the gospeler to the center of the pews for the reading. One acolyte carries the cross and two acolytes carry the candles.

Altar Guild

Prior to the service, members of the Altar Guild ready the altar for the service.

Eucharistic Ministers

Every Sunday, parishioners administer the Eucharist, side-by-side with clergy.

Faith, Hope, and Loaves – Eucharist bread bakers

The bread for the Eucharist is baked each week by a parishioner.

Flower Guild
Members of the Flower Guild acquire flowers to adorn the altar area each Sunday. The flowers are funded through a budget allocation and through the contributions of parishioners. Parishioners are encouraged to contribute once or twice a year in honor of, in thanksgiving for, or in memoriam for some-one or some-thing important to you.  Send a note about the dedication (and a copy of the Bulletin where it will be spelled out) to your honoree or organization as a thoughtful birthday gift, congratulatory or conciliatory gesture,  or expression of sympathy or caring.  If you prefer to provide the flowers (or greens or potted plants) instead of a cash contribution, just call the Flower Guild and we’ll sort out the logistics of “getting to the Church on time.”  Your dedication with you as the donor will still be included in the Bulletin.  A FLOWER CALENDAR is posted in the Parish Hall for you to sign up for your Sunday(s).  Thanks in advance for your participation.

Lectors

Lectors read the Old and New Testament readings, each Sunday, and lead the prayers of the people.

Oblation Bearers

Just before the Eucharist, two parishioners carry the oblations forward to the altar.

Ushers

Ushers help to ensure that the Sunday services runs smoothly, and that the needs of worshipers are tended to. Along with greeters, the ushers welcome visitors and regulars alike to the service.

Education Ministry Team
Mission Statement: We are called to equip saints of all ages for worship and ministry, by telling the story of our faith and by teaching Scripture and the tradition of the church.

Current Ministries

Nursery

Godly Play

Community Bible Study

Fellowship and Light

Arts and Religion

Welcome Table Bible Study

Adult Forum

Parish Library

Discernment Ministry Team
Mission Statement: We are called to assist individuals and groups at Epiphany in listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Current Ministries:

Stewardship Ministry Team
Mission Statement: We are called to develop parishioners’ understanding of personal and corporate stewardship, and their commitment to sharing time, talent, and money for the work of ministry.

Current Ministries:

Pledging for Ministry

Year-round Stewardship Education

Environmental Stewardship Ministry Team

Mission Statement: We are called to support the Epiphany community in transforming and healing our broken relationship with God and all of God’s creation.  We recognize the interdependence of life and the right of all living things to a safe and healthy environment.  We will help one another honor the Creator by revering the earth and by using its resources rightly in the service of others.

 

Worship Ministry Team
Mission Statement:We are called to celebrate the love of Christ in prayer, music, and Word, by providing faithful, inspiring, and inclusive corporate worship.

Current Ministries:

Liturgical Planning	Acolytes, Altar Guild, Eucharistic Ministers, Flower Guild, Healing Ministers, Lectors, Oblation Bearers, and Ushers
Liturgical Leader Guidelines, Training, and Coordination
Music at Epiphany

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