The Church of the Epiphany - Tempe

  • The Church of the Epiphany - Tempe
  • The Church of the Epiphany - Tempe
  • The Church of the Epiphany - Tempe

About Us

Inviting relationship. Connecting in Hope. Growing in Faith. Serving in Love.

What to Expect on Sunday

Welcome! As our guest, we want to make sure you feel the hospitality of Church of the Epiphany as soon as you arrive. You’ll likely meet our priest and leaders at the front door, who will greet you with a friendly hello and guide you to our worship space. As you enter our worship space, a greeter will invite you to join with the rest of our congregation in making a nametag (totally optional), and if you’d like, they will help you find a seat. During our worship, we will never single out newcomers or ask you to introduce yourself to the group.

What do I wear?

We are a pretty relaxed community — there’s no need for a suit or tie or a dress (unless you really want to wear them!). You’ll see jeans, shorts, khakis, button downs, polo shirts, skirts, dresses, brogues, sandals, and t-shirts. As long as you’ve got clothes on, we’re good.

What about children? Can they attend worship?

All of God's children (no matter how old or how young) are welcome at Church of the Epiphany! During our 10:30 am worship service, we offer children activity bags, and if you have a little one that gets a little too wiggly for your comfort level, we have a space set aside in the entrance to the church if your child needs to take a small break from worship.

Will there be someone like me at Church of the Epiphany?

Church of the Epiphany is made up of a diversity of persons reflecting the beauty in which God created humanity. We have folks from many different walks of life. Some of our diversity includes, but isn’t limited to: rich folks, poor folks, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, and trans* folks, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, left-handers, right-handers, hearing-impaired who don’t use ASL, old, young, pet lovers, pet averse, empty nesters, parents with kids, single moms, single dads, recently divorced, people with spouses who profess another religion, adoptive parents, people with spouses who aren’t religious, Caucasian, African-American, British… and our list keeps growing. We hope you’ll bring your gifts and add to our quirky, fun, diverse mix of people!

Is Church of the Epiphany an Open and Affirming parish?

We seek to be inclusive and we welcome into the full life and ministry of our church all persons without regard to age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, ethnicity, religious background, marital status, economic status or personal ability. We celebrate the diversity of humanity as a part of God’s abundance and grace, and affirm all families and relationships based on love, respect, responsibility and trust. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, and transgender people, as well as those who are questioning, intersex, and allies are welcome and encouraged to participate in the life, ministry, and leadership (both lay and ordained) of Church of the Epiphany.

At Church of the Epiphany, we invite relationship and commit ourselves to the work of becoming beloved community in which the broad diversity of humanity is celebrated through the life and ministry of Christ’s church.

What is Church of the Epiphany doing during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

As with most churches, we have had to adapt almost every ministry of our parish to keep people safe while still doing the work God has given us to do through our savior Jesus Christ. While we continue to offer in-person worship on Sunday morning, we do ask everyone to follow our Covenant of Care while attending in-person worship services or other events on our campus.

When you arrive for a worship service, you will want to go to the welcome table to get a bulletin and to check-in with our greeters. If it is your first time at Epiphany, they will ask you for your name, your email address, and your cell phone number. We are using the information for a contact tracing list. You may receive a welcome email from our rector, The Rev. Hunter Ruffin, but you will not be added to any email distribution list without your consent.

COVID-19 Precautions Policy Update - June 2021

Masks are mandatory for any person who is not fully vaccinated (defined as 2 weeks past the final dose of a vaccine) at all gatherings and worship services inclusive of children over the age of 2.

Fully vaccinated persons may choose to wear a mask or not at all parish activities. To be fully vaccinated means a person has received all rounds of shots and at least 14 days have passed since the last vaccination.

Singing will continue in worship; unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated persons must continue to wear a mask.

Worship and event check-in will continue to be required at all parish events and services so we are able to contact people if someone tests positive for COVID-19

Events with food and drink may resume indoors beginning on July 4, 2021



Our Services

Sunday
10:00am
Choral Sunday Worship
08:00am
Contemplative Sunday Worship
Wednesday
10:00am
Midweek Holy Eucharist (resuming September 2021)

What to Expect

What are services like?
Welcome! As our guest, we want to make sure you feel the hospitality of Church of the Epiphany as soon as you arrive. You’ll likely meet our priest and leaders at the front door, who will greet you with a friendly hello and guide you to our worship space. As you enter our worship space, a greeter will invite you to join with the rest of our congregation in making a nametag (totally optional), and if you’d like, they will help you find a seat. During our worship, we will never single out newcomers or ask you to introduce yourself to the group. In our sanctuary, you will find Prayer Books and hymnals in your pew. These books allow us to worship together. The Episcopal Church, like most other branches of the worldwide Anglican Communion, uses a version of The Book of Common Prayer for daily and Sunday worship. Page numbers and hymn numbers are posted, announced, or printed in the service bulletin. The most commonly used services found in the Prayer Book are The Holy Eucharist and Morning prayer. The Book of Common Prayer (1979) contains two versions of each service – one with traditional verbiage (Rite One) and one using contemporary words (Rite Two).

What is the community like?
The Church of the Epiphany offers many ways to experience worship, prayer, the Bible and service. Our outreach program is especially vital. We believe that everyone possesses God’s-given talents that can be celebrated through service to their community. Our choir and associated musical offerings are a strong and central part of our public worship, in which we especially emphasize hope-filled, quality preaching. Christian education for adults is available in various forms, including our own on-line courses. As a visitor, you will immediately notice a dynamic commitment to ministry for children and youth. Come join us for fellowship, conversation, and reflection at any or all events. We look forward to seeing you there.

What if I'm not a Christian?
We are a local congregation of The Episcopal Church and all are welcome here. We are an inclusive and diverse congregation, believing in community, shared prosperity, mutual care of one another, stewardship of the earth, peacemaking equality and human rights. Church of the Epiphany-Tempe promises visitors a warm welcome, thought-provoking sermons and engaging conversations. You are welcome here.


What Members Say

Add your voice

Go here? Tell us why you love The Church of the Epiphany - Tempe. Visited? Tell us what a newcomer can expect.