Did you know that God’s story can be told with colors? This coming October 1-2, Epiphany’s fall parish retreat will explore the ways that we can understand and share the good news of Jesus Christ through great works of visual art, particularly ones that we can see and share locally at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.
Our retreat leader will be the Rev. Mary Amendolia, pastoral associate for evangelism at The Falls Church Anglican. Mary earned her MA in Christian Spirituality from Heythrop College, University of London, with a focus on the visual arts and spiritual transformation. She trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England where she earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics and an Oxford Diploma of Ministry. Additionally, Mary holds a BA in Art History in Italian Renaissance Art.
Our parish weekend will begin with a light snack and coffee at 9:30am on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the church, and break at 2pm. Lunch will be provided. Those who are able are also invited to see and learn the Christian stories of some of the great works at the National Gallery with Mary on Sunday, Oct. 2. Mary’s tours (11-12 for parents with young children and then 1:30 – 2:30 for others) will particularly focus on art with connections to the coming Advent and Christmas season in order to equip us to both enjoy these works better, and also have tools to talk about our faith in those places with friends and family that might be visiting us around the holidays. Spots on the gallery tours are limited. Sign-up is at the church, or by email (pfrank@epiphanyanglican.net).
Attention Parents – a Gift from Epiphany!
One of our emphases at Epiphany is loving kids and their parents. We know getting time away, much less time to go downtown to a museum, is hard with young kids. We want to make it easy for you. On Sunday, Oct. 2, we invite you to drop your kids off at Epiphany for Sunday School starting at 10 am as you would any other Sunday, and then make your way to the National Gallery. Epiphany’s children’s ministry will take charge of your children while you can enjoy some “adult time” with other parents for the length of Mary’s tour and then lunch afterwards. Once the tour is done and you have had a chance to have lunch out (between 1-2 pm), simply return to church, and pick up your kids and head home for your normal Sunday afternoon. Space is limited on this special “Parent Friendly” tour at the National Gallery, so sign up soon.