Epiphanies Happen!
Rector Calling Committee Survey Update
As of Monday January 18 at 8:00pm, we had more than 100 responses to our parish survey! If you have not completed it yet, please, please do it today! Each voice is important. If you are missing the link, write to us: [email protected]. If you need a paper copy, contact us and we can get one to you.
Interim Rector's Reflection
 
Well, here we are... waiting for snow. Snow is a lot like Christianity: mysterious, beautiful, and sometimes difficult. We are ready at Epiphany. At least as ready as we can be.

For the latest information, please check the Epiphany website and our  Facebook page.

The office will close immediately following the Friday 12:10 Holy Eucharist. If you have meetings or appointments on Friday afternoon at the church, please reschedule.
 
We will be open for those who are able to come for worship on Sunday. We will do what we can in the way of programs and breakfast for our 8:00 crowd. The 11:00 service will feel like the "old days" as we will not have bulletins but will use our Books of Common Prayer. It will be cold in the sanctuary so maybe we should even encourage everyone to have a cup of hot coffee with them!

Of course God will be celebrating the beauty, magic and mystery wherever we are. Remember, God is always with you. If it is unsafe, please do not attempt to travel on Sunday. Say your prayers. Read the psalms. Sing a favorite hymn. Do not come to church if it is too icy to travel!

We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Below are some important dates where we can all be together:
  • Absalom Jones Service 2/7 at 3:00pm at Washington National Cathedral
  • Mardi Gras Tuesday Concert 2/9 at 12:10 pm in the sanctuary
  • Celebration of Street Church's 10th Anniversary 2/9 at 1:00pm in Franklin Park
  • Mardi Gras Parish Party 2/9 at 6:00pm in Community Hall
  • Ashes to Go 2/10 at 8:00 - 9:30am at Metro Center
  • Choral Ash Wednesday Service with the Revd Dr. James Farwell preaching 2/10 at 12:10pm and 6:00pm in the sanctuary
May these upcoming snow days be windows for you to be re-enchanted with God's creation. Somehow snow has a special way of helping us see God in unexpected ways.  

Blessings,
Elizabeth
Table of Contents
Tuesday Concert Series, Upcoming Performances
DC Metro Area Hypothermia Hotlines
Sunday Bulletin, Epiphany Events and Announcements
Music & The ArtsMusic
Tuesday Concert Series
In Epiphany's Tuesday Concert Series this week Tzu-yi Chenpiano, the recent runner-up at the 7th Liszt-Garrison International Piano Competition and prizewinner for the 'Best Liszt Interpretation Award' plays Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and Debussy. The concert begins at 12:10pm, admission is free but a donation of $10 is suggested to support the artists and the running costs of the concert series itself.


January-June 2016 Tuesday Concert Series brochure.

Upcoming Performances
January 24, 2016, 6:00pm- What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow
POSTPONED until April 9, 2016 due to inclement weather. For more information, please see the Washington Performing Arts website

February 5, 2016, 8:00pm- Avanti Orchestra
The evening's program features the Holberg Suite (Grieg), Cello Concerto in B-flat major, G. 482 (Boccherini) with Zlatomir Fung, cello (first prize winner, Johansen International Competition), and Symphony No. 33 in B-flat major, K. 319 (Mozart). There is a $10 suggested donation, which benefits Epiphany's Tuesday Concert Series.

February 7, 2016, 3:00pm- Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
Twentieth Century Favorites
Maestro James, Conductor; Shaun Tirrell, Pianist; Karl Hovey, Tubist

Acclaimed Washington area pianist Shaun Tirrell joins WMP for a scintillating performance of Gershwin's unique Concerto in FThe program continues with Rachmaninoff's Symphonic DancesRounding out this exciting program is the fourth movement from Walton's music for Shakespeare's play, the Henry V Suite. This movement titled "Touch her soft lips and part," is one of Walton's most tender and expressive pieces of music. A special lighthearted treat will be the Philharmonic's principal tubist, Karl Hovey, performing the baritone solo aria, "Largo al factotum" (Make way for the factotum) from Rossini's Barber of Seville.  For more information and tickets, please visit the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic's website

Please note that all of Epiphany's guest artists and ensembles handle their own ticket sales. Please contact the respective individuals/ensembles for ticket sales and information pertaining to these concerts.
 
Learn more about musical events at Epiphany by visiting our website
Social Justice Justice
DC Metro Area Hypothermia Hotlines
Most of us in the DC Metro Area are bracing from some serious winter weather this weekend. Severe weather is especially dangerous for our city's most vulnerable populations. 

For a comprehensive list of hypothermia and shelter hotlines and warming centers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, check out this article from NBC Washington. 
Spirituality & Ministry Spirituality
This Sunday at Epiphany
For changes to this Sunday's schedule due to the anticipated severe snow storm, please visit our website. The church will be open on Sunday, but operating on a limited schedule. If it is too dangerous for you to drive or metro, please stay home. We want to stress safety first at Epiphany. 

February 9- Mardi Gras!
On February 17th, 6:00-8:00pm, we will have our annual Epiphany Mardi Gras Party! The evening's festivities include a New Orleans style dinner and a live Dixieland band. Tickets are $20/adult, $5/children under 12. 
RSVP to 202-347-2635. Tickets can be purchased online here. Please select "Mardi Gras!" in the drop-down menu.

Explore Confirmation 
Are you baptized and do you consider yourself a committed Christian? Could it be that you are ready to re-examine the vows and promises that were made on your behalf and make them for yourself? Or you might simply want to reaffirm the vows you have already made. If you find you are drawn to the liturgy and worship of the Episcopal Church and feel it is time to declare your faith in God in a public liturgical setting, we encourage you to consider being confirmed. The Cathedral Confirmation service takes place on May 14, so the coming months are the perfect time to start preparing. We will be holding a series of discussions for preparation for confirmation this Lent. Together we will explore the teachings, history, traditions and liturgy of the Church in more depth and would love for you to join us. If you are not yet baptized, but feel this might be a step you now want to take, or if you would like to reaffirm your baptismal vows we would also love to speak further with you and you would be more than welcome to join our discussions. Please contact the Interim Rector, Elizabeth Gardner, or the Interim Associate Rector, Catriona Laing, for more information. 

Calling Committee Communiqu�
The Calling Committee is looking for your input again. The diocese has asked us to answer eleven standard questions about the parish. We welcome your ideas and suggestions. Below are the first three questions as a teaser, and we will post the full list in Community Hall. Please take a look and  e-mail us or tell us your thoughts... just words and phrases that come to mind are fine, we don't necessarily need full sentences. Thank you!

1. Describe a moment in your worshiping community's recent ministry which you recognize as one of success and fulfillment.

2. Describe your liturgical style & practice. If your community provides more than one type of worship service, please describe all.

3. How do you practice incorporating others in ministry?

Gracious God, we pray for this parish church and for the Calling Committee as we seek to call a new Rector. Help us to be strong, open, forgiving -- and truthful to those discerning a call to minister in this place. Accompany us on our journey in the knowledge of your love for us and your power to unite us all. AMEN

Godly Play
Godly Play returns this week.  Ann Gordon will facilitate the Parable of the Good Shepherd.  If you'd like to introduce your child to the parable, it can be found in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:1-7.  

Godly Play is looking for adults to work with Godly Play.  Would you like to teach our children our Bible stories in an experiential setting?  Would you like to help children with their work, their reaction to and understanding of the stories they've heard?  If any of this sounds interesting, please contact Ann Gordon at [email protected] or at 703-303-9833.  

TONIGHT- YSOP Happy Hour at La Tasca!
Join Epiphany resident partner YSOP's staff, Workcamp leaders, and partner agencies in attending YSOP DC's happy hour fundraiser at La Tasca! Starting at 5:00pm on Thursday, January 21st, when you mention YSOP at La Tasca in Chinatown a percentage of all food and drink purchases will go to YSOP - no fee for admission.

This is an open event - we encourage you to invite friends and join us for a fun night of tapas and sangria. The more the merrier! YSOP staff and supporters will be downstairs on the lower level by the bar, so come find them to talk, ask questions, or just hang out with other people who also love YSOPMake your happy hour count - and eat tapas for a cause - YSOP!

February 5- Hymn Sing with Theodicy Jazz Collective
Join young adults from around the diocese for a Hymn Sing with the Theodicy Jazz Collective on Friday, February 7th at St. Stephen's and the Incarnation from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Food and beverages will be provided. This event is free to all. For more information, check out the Facebook event

February 7- Absalom Jones Service
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry returns to the Diocese of Washington to preach at a Eucharist commemorating Absalom Jones, the first African American to be ordained an Episcopal priest. The service, which will include traditional African American hymns and music of the African diaspora, takes place at 3 pm on Sunday, February 7 at Washington National Cathedral and is open to all. 

Music at the service will be led by the Rev. Andy Barnett of Theodicy Jazz Collective. Barnett will lead a music and liturgy workshop on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Cathedral from 9:30-10:45 am. At 11 am, there will be a mass choir rehearsal for the Absalom Jones service. Choirs from across the diocese are invited to participate; email Canon Mike McCarthy to learn more or complete this form to submit the information for a participating choir.
 

Blogs & Websites
Episcopal Cafe  An independent Web site featuring news, commentary, art, meditations, and video
Sojourners  Faith in action for social justice
Sacred Space  Daily Prayer from the Irish Jesuits

Epiphany@Metro Center | 202-347-2635 | [email protected]
1317 G St, NW  |  Washington, DC 20005