Church of the Epiphany (Anglican)

Epiphany This Week 

The Lectionary readings (large print, full text) for this week can be found here.

Thursday was Ascension Day and at this weekend’s services, we will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. Did any of you mark the day’s passing? I hope at least some members of the Monday Bible Study did—having just finished a really good book on the subject. Well, ok, it was authored by my brother, Aaron and me.

Ascension, wrote St. Augustine, is the Christian festival that makes sense of all the rest. Ascension, he was convinced, was more important than Christmas, Easter or Pentecost. For without Ascension, the Incarnation is a myth, Easter reduces to the coming of Spring, and Pentecost simply isn’t possible.

Ascension is the Day that marks the beginning of the End of the world. Christ has been caught away into God’s New Creation, a Creation for the appearing of which all who have been baptised are supposed to long. Because Christ has ascended, Christmas really does celebrate God’s entry into history and Easter, the victory of God (and of God’s people) over all who would frustrate or harm the good creation.

The Ascended Lord has sent his Spirit both as a sign of his continuing presence with us and as a foretaste of that New Creation and a guarantee of its coming.

Now, if this is true—and we confess its truth every Sunday—how might its truth actually challenge, change, or transform the way we live were we to come to believe it?

Tim+

Church of the Epiphany

. . .  where you are a stranger only once.

Parish Announcements:

Camp Manitou: There are a few bunks left! Camp Manitou is still accepting registrations for the 2012 summer camping season. “Smores”, canoeing/kayaking, campfires and adventures await children 8 years and up. Week long residential programs are available for boys 8-11, boys 12 and up, girls 8-11, and girls 12 and up. There are also week-long family camps and a four day nature camp. The Diocese’s Youth Synod is scheduled for August 4th – 7th.  With a La Cloche Mountain back drop and a lake view that inspires artists, Camp Manitou is located on the North Shore of Lake Huron in the Bay of Islands near Whitefish Falls. Children and families in the Diocese have been sharing summer camp experiences here since the 1960’s.If you are looking for an affordable summer camp experience like none other perhaps 2012 is your year to join us at Camp Manitou. For more information on our residential camp programs and how to register, visit www.manitoucamp.org. Camp Manitou Bay of Islands is an accredited member of the Ontario Camps Association. Hope to see you this summer on the Bay!

Wednesday Eucharist and Bible Study: The last Eucharist and Bible Study before the Fall will take place on May 23, 2012, with lunch following at Susan Becker’s home. Thanks, Susan!

An Invitation to Deanery Youth: The Church of the Ascension (1476 Sparks St.) invites ALL deanery youth to a special event on Sunday May 27th at 12:45pm. Following a free pizza lunch, Jacqueline Villeneuve will speak about building an orphanage in Kenya.

Newcomers’ Luncheon: will take place on May 27 immediately after the 10:30 service in the Phoenix Hall. Are you a newcomer? Please join us! Are you a regular? Come along! Would you like to help out? Please let Sue Masterson-Houle or Victoria Masterson know!

New Phones! The parish’s new phone system will be arriving in June. Our phone number is NOT going to change, but our answering service and voice-mail options will. Please watch ETW for changes to contact information and extensions.

Messy Church Fiesta: A reminder that all interested in children’s, youth, and family ministry, whether in an official role or not, are strongly encouraged to attend the Messy Church Fiesta on Saturday, June 9, at the Church of the Ascension (1476 Sparks Street). Please contact Cindy Derrenbacker (cderrenbacker@gmail.com) for more information!

Parish Outdoor Service and Picnic: We need volunteers to help with preparation, serving, and clean-up. Can you help? Please contact Peter Varpio at peter.varpio@gmail.com or Fr.  Tim at rector@epiphanysudbury.org.

Service Coverage During Fr. Tim’s Pilgrimage: Please take note of the chart below and plan accordingly. Thanks to all who have agreed to lead worship in Fr. Tim’s absence.

Ordination Announcement! Bishop Tom is pleased to announce the ordination to Priesthood of The Rev. Elizabeth Sipos on Saturday, June 9th (the commemoration day of Columba, Abbot of Iona and Apostle of Scotland, 597 AD) in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Mistissini, Quebec, beginning at 7 pm. A reception will follow the liturgy. The liturgical colour will be WHITE.  All clergy and Layreaders are invited to vest.

Fr. Tim’s Time(s) Away: Please take note of the following dates, when Fr. Tim will be away from the Parish. May 30-June 18, on pilgrimage in Canterbury; July 16-20 (Mon-Fri), teaching at Zion Hill Family Camp. Should any emergencies arise on these dates, please contact one of the wardens at (705) . For other matters, please phone the office at (705) 675-2279 or e-mail the wardens at  wardens@epiphanysudbury.org.

Ecumenical Yard Sale: On Saturday, June 2, from 9:00-2:00 there will be a city-wide church yard sale at the gym of the Lansdowne Public School (185 Lansdowne). Proceeds will sponsor children to go to Camp Norland. Items accepted at the school anytime between 8:00 and 9:00 on the day of the sale. For more information, contact John at 705-929-6562.

Episcopal Visit June 24^th. +Stephen will be with us on Sunday, June 24^th at the 10:30 service for confirmations. The 8:30 am service is cancelled and all are invited to the 10:30 service. Please pray for our confirmands, Oliver Ecclestone, Elizabeth Huska, and Mark Thom.

Summer Hours: Beginning July 1, we will move to our summer hours on Sunday—ONE service at 9:30 am. July 29 will be a BCP Eucharist.

Parish Roll: Our parish roll needs to be updated. If you are interested in this vital behind-the-scenes work, please contact Peter Varpio at peter.varpio@gmail.com or Fr. Tim at rector@epiphanysudbury.org.

Parish Directory: The Communications Committee will oversee this project, with a target of early fall to take photos of all parish members. If you would like to assist the committee, please speak with David, Marion or Wendy.

Counters: Do you have around 2hrs/week to help the parish? We’re looking for up to 6 people to serve in teams of 2 as offering counters. Please let the wardens know at wardens@epiphanysudbury.org if you can help out!

Church Bulletin – Makeover Edition. Over the months of June, July and August, a team from the Communications and Worship committees will be testing out some different formats for our Saturday and Sunday bulletins. At that time, we will be looking for your feedback and input regarding the bulletins in order to help us design a bulletin that serves as an effective guide to our liturgy, is accessible, environmentally responsible, low-cost, and easy to produce.

Cranmer Conference 2012: Are you between 19 and 29? Are you interested in traditional Anglicanism and Prayer Book worship? Do you know anyone who might answer yes to these questions? From Aug 24-26, 2012, at the Church of St. John the Divine, North Bay, a group of like-minded young people will consider “The Murder of Thomas Cranmer.” Please see Fr. Tim for more information if you’re interested.

Liturgy Online: If you would like to follow the service using your smartphone or mobile device, the Book of Alternative Services and the Book of Common Prayer (1962) are available free of charge in .pdf format from http://www.anglican.ca/resources/liturgicaltextsonline/.

SSNUFL: The Church of the Epiphany strives to be a scent-free, smoke-free, nut-free and latex-free environment so that people with allergies are welcome and, more importantly, safe. This is a matter of Christian hospitality, which we extend to both regulars and visitors.

Next week’s schedule:

Wednesday: Last Eucharist and Bible Study before summer.

Thursday: Quilter’s Group

Saturday: BAS said Holy Eucharist at 5:00 pm 

Sunday: BCP said Holy Eucharist at 8:30 am

               BAS choral Holy Eucharist at 10:30 am

Announcements for Epiphany This Week should be sent to rector@epiphanysudbury.org.