How long will the church be closed?
Bishop Andrew Dietsche has suspended all public worship in the Episcopal Diocese of New York through Sunday, July 1st. He will reassess this policy after Easter. You can read the full text of his letter here.
Will we be having any worship services?
We will observe Morning Prayer online at 10:30 am this Sunday, followed by an online Coffee Hour at 11:30. An online Evening Prayer will be observed at 5:00 pm. The church will be using Zoom for these services. See below for how to join these services by video conferencing (Zoom) or phone this Sunday. Please know we are actively exploring other ways, in the short term, to keep our community together in worship, prayer, and fellowship through the use of online resources. Please see the Zoom Instructions Section below this FAQ for al the instructions to join us this Sunday.
What about Holy Week and Easter??
We join you in sadness to say that we will not be able to be physically together for Holy Week and Easter this year. Your clergy are actively exploring ways to observe Holy Week with you through online resources. However, let us remember that Easter lasts 50 days. The hope is that we may be able to have the Easter Service in all its glory in the church during that time - it will just not be on Sunday, April 12.
Are the church offices closed?
Following the guidance of Bishop Dietsche and other government officials, we have closed the church offices, and are asking everyone to work from home. Sextons, various senior staff, and the clergy will be regularly checking on the building starting next week (after the staff self-isolation is ended). However, until further notice, the building will not be open to the public.
What is happening to the Wednesday Night Dinner?
The Dinner is postponed for now, but we are working to have it back up and running ASAP, distributing “Take out” dinners, as many other faith based programs are doing.
What is happening to Carter Burden?
Carter Burden continues meal distribution to senior adults in front of the church entrance on East 74th Street on a daily basis, Monday through Friday. They are serving takeaway meals, social services will be available via telephone, and the staff will make outreach calls to check-in on all participants. Epiphany is doing all that we can to support them in their efforts. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.carterburdennetwork.org/
What is happening to all other events and meetings that meet at the church?
We are informing all of our 12-step groups and community classes that for the near future we are unable to host their groups and we are offering refunds to groups who have already paid fees up front. If you are a member of a 12-step group needing support in this time of social distancing and self-isolation, please see this online source for obtaining that support.
If you have questions about receiving a refund, or need instructions for how to pay for the first week of March, please contact Laura Noggle.
Will Epiphany Under the Stars still happen?
We will need to postpone Epiphany Under the Stars to a later date that is yet to be determined. In the meantime, we will keep you posted on ways to support the Wednesday Night Dinner Program.
Is Epiphany continuing to pay staff?
Yes, all full-time and part-time staff are receiving their full compensation and benefits.
What is happening with CEDS?
Currently CEDS is on Spring Break. Starting next week, the staff and teachers will be rolling out online resources for all our CEDS students and families. These will include scheduled online time with fellow classmates and teachers, as well as suggestions for keeping active minds and bodies from growing bored or lonely for their friends.
What is happening with 351 E. 74th Street? Will we still be able to move on time?
The site was functionally closed for the last two weeks due to the need to quarantine Shawmut staff after exposure to the Covid-19. During that time the on-site construction office has been professionally disinfected. At present there are no delays to the overall construction schedule at 351 related to Covid-19. Shawmut, our construction manager, has been regularly checking in with sub-contractors and suppliers to confirm that construction supplies and work crews remain on schedule. At present everything continues on schedule. Starting Monday, March 29, interior architectural demolition will begin and continue for the next 4-5 weeks. It is still our intention to move in May, 2021. So far nothing has disrupted that timeline. For other questions, please reach out to Fr. Roy or Mo. Elise.
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