parishioners in circle holding hands dancing
parishioners preparing food in kitchen

Our parish life is enriched through the time and talent contributed by our community members, and we invite you to learn more about the many ministries and committees offered at Epiphany. Their good work impacts not only those within our parish walls, but also organizations in neighboring communities and beyond. If you have an interest in joining any of these groups, please reach out to the contact listed. Please note that leadership of these ministries and committees can change.

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matthew 18:20

Pastoral Care

Epiphany Visitors

Epiphany Visitors reach out in a variety of ways to those parishioners who, because of health or mobility issues or lack of transportation, find it difficult to participate in activities. The visitor brings a sense of Epiphany to them in homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in several ways: by chatting, listening, bringing news of the parish, or going for a drive or lunch. New visitors are always welcome to this fulfilling ministry. If you know of someone who would benefit from an Epiphany Visitor, we welcome this information.

The Reverend Nick Myers

Flower Delivery Ministry

After Sunday services, the altar flowers and a card are delivered to two parishioners selected by the rector. They are sent to parishioners for many reasons, such as the birth of a baby, death of a loved one, recovery from an illness or surgery, or even as a “we miss you” or as a thank you. Flower deliverers rotate and do deliveries once every 4-8 weeks. It is a much-loved ministry to recipients and deliverers alike.

Julie Broderick

Friends in Deed

This ministry is centered on gestures of caring and serving, primarily providing meals to those in need during illness and rides to appointments, but also sharing in sorrow or celebrating joy with plants, baked goods, or helping where needed. If your time is limited, you can also contribute an extra casserole or soup.

Sara Post

Healing Ministry

The members of the Healing Ministry offer prayers and thanksgiving during Communion time at our Sunday 10am service.

Fred Rowland

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

As with other Epiphany’s pastoral ministries, the prayer list team continues to experience God’s grace in these moments of petition, reflection, caring, and consolation. We invite parishioners to join this ministry by reaching out with prayer requests when you or your loved ones are in need; or, signing up to receive Epiphany’s weekly prayer list via email so that you might join our community of prayers.

Jake Montwieler

Lay Eucharistic Visitors

Lay Eucharistic Visitors take Communion to any parishioner who is unable to attend church services in person. For those who are in nursing homes or hospitals, or are homebound, a visit provides time for prayer, more active worship (even if attending worship online), and Communion. Newcomers are welcome and training dates can be obtained through the parish office.

Mary Street

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Shawls are knit with love and prayers in every stitch and given to those suffering grief or illness, in celebration of the birth of a child, or other occasions of joy. Shawls are also received by those in time of life transitions and for those who are caregivers. The knitters also receive benefits and blessings, as knitting each shawl is a prayerful experience.

Martha Lewis

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are a team of parishioners trained in a nationwide program focused on care and companionship, founded in 1976 by a Lutheran pastor and psychologist who realized that clergy cannot possibly provide the amount of pastoral care needed in a congregation by themselves. The training involves topics such as active listening, confidentiality, and crisis theory. Parishioners’ life experiences that might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister companion include grief after the loss of a loved one, serious illness, job loss, divorce, or the birth of a child. If you feel that you or someone you know might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please reach out to Rev. Nick.

The Reverend Nick Myers

Administration & Operations

Finance Committee

The committee works with the treasurers of the parish to monitor parish finances and financial procedures and keeps the church on a solid financial footing. The committee is responsible for preparing the annual operating and capital budgets for presentation to the vestry for approval. During the budget year, the committee tracks actual financial performance on a monthly basis against approved budgets. The committee may be called on to create financial strategies, cash-flow projections, or other financial models as the treasurer, vestry, Property Committee, or other groups have needs. The Finance Committee also develops financial policy and procedures for the running of office and parish financial administration. Committee members bring a variety of financial, analytic, or accounting experience, and working on the committee is a great way to learn from others about non-pro t cash-based accounting practices.

The Reverend Nick Myers

Property Committee

The property committee is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who work hard to keep our buildings—the main parish campus and the Rectory on Lakeview Road—maintained and in good working order to give us the physical space we need to flourish as a spiritual community. As stewards of Epiphany’s buildings and grounds, the committee oversees a range of projects, from minor repairs to major renovations. Some recent projects include the renovations to the Cloister Garden and forecourt, as well as an upcoming project to repair the roof of the sacristy.

Darwin Keith-Lucas

Vestry

Clergy and laity share in the responsibility of leading our parish. The vestry is the governing board of the Parish of Epiphany, working with the clergy and staff to carry out God’s mission for our church.

Vestry 2025

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee provides oversight of the financial reporting and internal control procedures at Epiphany, including annual audits.

Michael Schrader

Personnel Committee

The role of the Personnel Committee is to provide advice and support as needed to the Rector, the wardens, or other staff members. The Personnel Committee reviews the Employee Handbook on an annual basis. Time sensitive review of policies occur on an ad hoc basis, and any recommended policy changes are reviewed and approved by vestry. Future projects of the Personnel Committee are at the direction of the Rector and the wardens.

Lindsey Schrader

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee is responsible for organizing and leading the annual pledge campaign for the Parish of the Epiphany.

Nelia Newell

Gifts & Memorials Committee

Many of our parishioners choose to give gifts in memory of loved ones and dear friends, both in thanksgiving and for the future life of the parish. Memorial gifts and bequests provide important support for projects and special purchases not covered by the parish operating budget.

Parishioners are asked to consider a bequest of any size as they make and review their estate plans. We suggest that gift discussions be held with the Rector or Wardens, as they can best provide guidance and insight into the needs of the parish. All current gifts and planned gifts are sincerely appreciated, and used for the best good of the Church, our community, and our mission.

The Reverend Nick Myers

Events Steering Committee

The Events Steering Committee oversees Epiphany’s events calendar and recruits people to provide the food and clean up Sunday coffee hours and various special occasions throughout the year. The committee is currently recruiting more helpers to solicit donations of refreshments and to assist with service and clean-up, all to extend a genuine sense of hospitality to our parish community.

Annie Bing

Formation

Youth Ministries

Youth Formation invites volunteer parishioners to consider opening up their home and providing dinner for our youth faith circle.

The Reverend Janelle Hiroshige

Worship

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild cares for the altars, vestments, vessels, candles, and linens of the main church and chapel. These duties include managing supplies and set-up/clean-up before, between, and after Sunday and holiday services, weddings, and funerals, if required. Service is currently handled by one or two Guild members each weekend on a monthly rotation with wider participation as needed.

Kathy Hodges
Enno Becker

Flower Guild

The sanctuary space is enhanced by flowers arrangements that are usually created on Saturdays, in late morning or early afternoon. Flowers each Sunday are in memory of family and friends who have died. There are three large floral events—Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Flowers are then distributed to families and parishioners.

Leslie Aitken

Acolytes, Lectors, Lay Eucharist & Vergers

are the active participants in the solemnity of worship services. These ministers assist the celebrant/officiant in processing with the cross, candles, and scripture; reading of scripture; and assisting with the cup at Communion, among other duties. Youth and adults are welcome to participate.

Acolytes: Michael Aldrich
Lectors: John McConnell
LEMs: Jason Kinchen
Vergers: The Reverend Nick Myers

Greeters

welcome all those arriving at the church door for all services. This initial greeting draws us together in warm friendship as we prepare to worship. Our hope is to identify those visiting for the first time, to introduce them to fellow parishioners, and to orient them to the church and its campus.

Carol Hollingshead

Ushers

The ushers assist with distribution of service bulletins, seating needs, collection of offertory gifts, and the receiving of Communion. Ushers are offered flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs in terms of dates and frequency. For those new to the parish, ushering is a good way to meet and connect with our parishioners.

Reid Boswell

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry enables and assists all congregants to lift their voices in praise to God in many ways. Choir members prepare extensive repertoires of music for Sunday services and multiple services at Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter, as well as special programs for Evensong, Lessons and Carols, and Choral Requiem. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings.

The Director of Music, Jeremy Bruns, has structured and initiated a Chorister program for children with unchanged voices in grades 2-8, providing both vocal training and music theory instruction in weekly rehearsals. They sing monthly in church during the school season.

Director of Music: Jeremy Bruns

Children's Ministries: Church School and Worship

Children’s Ministry in this parish is full of love, laughter, and beautiful, meaningful moments. We embrace a program called Godly Play, a non-didactic approach to wondering with children as we learn about the Christian faith, the Bible, our traditions, and—most importantly—God. Together we hear (and see!) our sacred stories, create art, and make friends. We have two classes: one for those in preschool through first grade, and one for those in second through fifth grade. The entire Church School participates in the annual Christmas pageant. Children are welcomed into Sunday worship as well. Each Sunday, our preacher offers a children’s sermon with excitement added by not knowing the topic until the contents of a mystery object is opened in a bag delivered by one of the children. First Sunday Worship is our formation program where children serve in various roles on the first Sunday of the month, rather than going to Church School. The roles include greeting, ushering, bearing elements, reading, or singing as part of the Choristers. Volunteers are welcome to assist in teaching or helping with Church School in various capacities.

Director of Children’s Ministries and Parish Life: Bryn Hollenbeck

Audio/Visual Team

Our Audio/Visual team helps with audio and video during services and other special events. Every Sunday 10am service we have a parishioner who helps run the sound board and another who helps run the video recording. Volunteers can be trained in their roles.

John Jenke

 

Community-Based Fundraisers

Christmas Fair

The annual Christmas Fair held in mid-November is a major fundraiser for the parish, but is also a well-loved and attended annual event by both parishioners and community members. The success of this holiday event can only happen through the dedication and work of many individuals. Volunteers greet visitors, wait on tables, help set up and take down tables, bake, sew, knit, publicize the event, provide activities for children, and much more.

Linda Brown

Rummage Sale

Epiphany hosts a Rummage Sale as a service to our greater community to receive clothing and goods in clean and good condition at low cost. We welcome volunteers to sort donations, oversee the sale, or help clean up.

Gabrielle Stott

Community Connections

Welcome Ministry

The Parish of the Epiphany strives to be a welcoming and warm community and offers many personal ways to discover who we are as a parish through our worship, outreach and social action activities, continuing education, and fellowship gatherings. The Welcome Ministry plays an important role in finding ways to engage and to connect newcomers to other congregants through personal interactions and shared interests. The Welcome Ministry plans four gatherings each year to introduce newcomers to clergy, church staff, vestry members, and fellow parishioners. Additionally, this committee acts as a resource to newcomers as they explore ways to apply their time and talents to the many committees and ministries offered at Epiphany.

Jim Bracciale
Priscilla Burns

Employment Transition Group

If you are searching for employment or are considering a transition, the Employment Transition Group offers a supportive, informal, non-judgmental environment where they cover topics such as networking, use of the internet including LinkedIn, resumes, elevator speeches, and interview techniques.

Robie White

Creation Care & Environmental Justice

The Diocese encourages congregations to convene conversations and educational events that address how tackling the climate crisis connects with efforts to alleviate poverty, fight injustice, and defend human life, as well as how to stop and reverse the warming of our planet. Help is given to parishioners to take steps to reduce emissions in their own households, to encourage “green audits,” and to advocate with environmental justice organizations.

Josh Reynolds

Journey to Justice

Journey to Justice partners with many communities and organizations beyond the boundaries of the parish, believing that one of the best ways to connect with God is to be in solidarity with our neighbors. The committee offers community programs, food assistance, and financial support while intentionally learning about justice, advocacy, and kinship. In-person support by parishioners is provided to St. Luke’s Food Pantry, where parishioners help to distribute food in Chelsea; The Warming Center in Malden, which serves those experiencing homelessness; The Dwelling Place in Woburn, which provides meals for individual and families; and the Holiday Giving Tree, which supports partner organizations with food, gift cards, books, and monetary donations.

Betsy Walsh

Community Gatherings

Midweek

Midweek is a parish-wide intergenerational ministry on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month when the whole parish family is invited to join together for a meal and to spend time together in community and formation. Many helpers are needed for Midweek to run, and it is an ideal ministry for new members of the parish to meet and make connections. Under the leadership of Chef Duane Wallick, a delicious, home-cooked dinner is prepared and served. On-the-job training is provided to volunteers who prep, cook, serve, and clean up. Volunteers can sign up for one-off help, or on a consistent basis.

Marie Lee

Parish Weekend Away

Parish Weekend Away is our annual retreat that we go on to Barbara C. Harris Camp in the Fall. Volunteers help plan the weekend and provide assistance on-site while we are there to make sure it is a wonderful and welcoming experience for everyone.