News & Articles

← Return to Articles

eNews For The Week of December 13, 2020

12.11.20 | News | by Site Admin

     

    eNews For The Week of December 13, 2020

    Morning Prayer Bulletin for This Sunday

    From Our Bishop:
     
    COVID-19 Surge: New Guidance Effective Immediately
     
    “We are unfortunately seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths,” I wrote to you, as your Bishop, just weeks ago. Since then, that trend has accelerated. Virginia’s overall positivity rate has now surpassed 10%, multiple counties in our Diocese exceed that rate with some approaching 20%, and the upswing, according to health professionals, will surge in the coming weeks.
     
    Accordingly, effective immediately all indoor church activities including worship are suspended in the Diocese of Southern Virginia until further notice. This suspension applies to every congregation in the Diocese. The Health Advisory Panel will continue to monitor developments to determine when the surge subsides sufficiently to enable indoor, in-person activity and worship to resume. Until then, all virtual activities including virtual worship and virtual formation activities are expected to continue for the spiritual health and well-being of all.
     
    Meanwhile, although indoor worship is suspended, outdoor worship may continue, subject to the following protocols to safeguard the health of all: no more than 25 people present, service length limited to 30 minutes, 6-foot physical distancing maintained, masks worn by all, and singing not permitted.
     
    Outreach in care of the needy may continue provided all distribution of food or other essentials takes place outdoors, masks are worn, and physical distance is maintained.
     
    Day schools should follow the practices and protocols of the public school district in their particular locality.
     
    These are difficult times. Our Advent yearning evokes our need for a Savior, for our Emmanuel to come, for God to be with us. And God is. Joining our hearts and voices in the words of the ancient plainsong hymn, let us offer the earnest prayer that transcends the ages:
     
    Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light,
    O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray you hear us when we call.
     
    In sorrow that the ancient curse should doom to death a universe,
    You came, O Savior, to set free your own in glorious liberty.
     
    Come in your holy might, we pray, redeem us for eternal day;
    Defend us while we dwell below from all assaults of our dread foe.
     
    To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One,
    Praise, honor, might, and glory be from age to age eternally.
    Amen.


    Epiphany Worship Online

    As previously announced we are now prerecording the services, which will be to view on the parish website EpiphanyEpiscopal.org beginning about 5:00pm each Saturday evening. Each Sunday morning at 10:00am this same service will be streamed via Zoom with brief “live” announcements from Fr. Jon. Instructions for logging-in or calling in to Zoom are below.

    Watch Morning Prayer via Zoom:

    Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/237880613

    Meeting ID: 237 880 613

    Call into the Zoom Stream:

    +13126266799,,237880613# US (Chicago)

    +16465588656,,237880613# US (New York)

    Family Christmas Greetings: We would like to put together a short video with Christmas Greetings from each of you to the rest of the parish. Please use your own device to record a 10-15 second video greeting and email that to the office at The deadline is Friday December 18th and you can begin sending those now.

    Key Fobs: Recently the computer which controls the programming of the key fob system had to be replaced. This required the reprogramming of all fobs. In this process we have discovered that some fobs which have been reprogrammed are no longer recognized by the system. If this happens to you please contact the office about getting a new fob.

    New Mailbox: It is not widely know that Epiphany has a new and secure mailbox. You may drop pledge payments or other “mail” in the box if you wish. The box is located on the wall opposite the intercom call button outside the 115 Jefferson Street entrance.

     

    This Week At Epiphany
    • Tuesday 12/15: 5:00pm Disciple’s Dinner
    • Tuesday 12/15: 7:00pm Contemplative Prayer with Drue via Zoom
    • Thursday 12/17: 5:00pm Disciple’s Lunch
    • Sunday 12/20: 10:00am Holy Eucharist via Zoom
    Details for all Zoom events can be found HERE
    Birthdays this week:

     
    Birthday Prayer
    Watch over your servant(s) (Name) O Lord as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


    Anniversaries this week:

     
    Anniversary Prayer
    Gracious God, we lift up your servants (Name) And (Name). to in thanks for your love. Guide them as they grow and surround them with your grace, that they may walk close to you and to each other always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.