About Us
We invite you to join us here at Epiphany, wherever you are on your spiritual path. We seek and strive to be a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse spiritual home, and we would love to share our journey with you.
Welcome!
Many of our members are not “cradle Episcopalians” but come from other - or no - church backgrounds. We are young and old, straight, and LGBTQ, and people of many colors. We believe that God’s doors are open to all and we humbly do our best to live out: “All are Welcome!”
Single? Married? Partner-ed? Divorced? We believe that God’s grace extends to all and so the church’s sacraments are for all. Everyone is welcome to Communion at God’s Table--the altar. Desiring to celebrate a lifelong commitment? The Episcopal Church celebrates marriage for all.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Our Sunday services (at 8:00 am and 10:00 am) center around Holy Communion (also known as Eucharist). Services begin by being reminded of our place in God’s story as the scriptures (bible stories) are read, a homily is preached, prayers are said together, and we celebrate God’s love and forgiveness. Then we bless bread and wine in the name of Christ and share them as a sign of unity and source of strength. Finally, we are sent out into the world bearing the gifts of strength and hope.
Our 8:00 am service is a quiet, contemplative Eucharist (Rite II) without music.
Our 10:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite II) service includes music and singing. (All voices are always welcome!) Our children hear the stories of the bible in “Godly Play” a Montessori-like way of learning about the wonders of God and creation. Childcare is available for the youngest, but they (and all children) are always welcome in church. There are rockers at the back of the church for parents and infants, and there's an assortment of children's books there, too.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
There is no dress code. (After all, we live and worship in the Bay Area!) Some people dress up in their Sunday best and others show up in khakis or jeans. The important thing is that you are with us and are comfortable being with us.
DO I SIT, STAND OR KNEEL?
Actor and comedian Robin Williams said that “pew aerobics” were among the “Top Ten Reasons for Being an Episcopalian.” You’ll quickly notice that people pray in a variety of postures and whatever is comfortable for them - and you - is the right way (i.e. there is no “just one right way.” In the worship bulletin (that an usher hand will give you when you arrive), we make a few suggestions to make it easy for Newcomers (and Old Timers) to follow along. (Check them all out: "Top Ten Reasons for Being an Episcopalian!")
DO YOU HAVE PROVISIONS FOR THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED?
Yes! We are wheelchair and walker accessible. Come across the outdoor labyrinth and enter through the chapel. (Ask one of the outside Greeters for help, if needed.) Inside, we have adapted our front pews to welcome those with walkers or wheelchairs. Hearing-assist devices are available from the ushers. Our bulletins include all the words and music so you don’t have to juggle books (but if you love singing in parts, grab a hymnal from the pew rack in front of you).
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER CHURCH?
After each service, we enjoy coffee hour in the courtyard or in our parish hall next to the church building. Kids hang out on the church’s playground while adults catch up with others - and welcome newcomers.
OUR HISTORY AND MISSION?
Epiphany was founded in 1947 as a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of California. Our primary mission is To know and share God's light, with ministry goals:
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to enable lay ministry both inside and outside the church
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to have a special focus on ministry for and with children and youth
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to create a warm atmosphere of inclusion within our community
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to be responsible stewards of our resources
We are a growing, hope-filled parish in the midst of Silicon Valley, with a vital congregation from all walks of life. Our worship binds us together and welcomes people with diverse concepts of God, faith, and the Holy. Our clergy won’t tell you “what” to believe, and they are always happy to chat about any questions or “wonderings” you may have.
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Clergy & Staff
Our Clergy
Melanie S. Donahoe
Rector
Our rector (pastor) Melanie has served at Epiphany since 2009. Prior to that, she served at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in San Mateo. Like many in our congregation, Melanie is not a “cradle Episcopalian.” She was raised as a Roman Catholic and actually attended a Roman Catholic seminary. She ministered in several Catholic churches before being invited into an Episcopal Church where she discovered that she had finally come home. In addition to many years of parish ministry, Melanie has also served as a Campus Ministry Chaplain, a Hospital Chaplain and is a certified Chaplain for Disaster Ministry. In her earlier years, Melanie was a TV producer and then a mom at home. She serves on the Board of the Canterbury Episcopal Ministry at Stanford, and is actively involved in Stanford Medical School’s organization SAFE (Scrubs Against the Firearms Epidemic), which educates about and advocates against gun violence. Melanie holds an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and graduate degrees from Georgetown University, The Washington Theological Union, and the Episcopal Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Her passions include teaching, reading and international pilgrimages and travel.
Associate Rector
Epiphany is currently conducting a search for a new associate rector.
Hailey McKeefry Delmas
Deacon
Hailey McKeefry Delmas has served as the deacon at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos since January 2000. She has been involved broadly in many aspects of parish life including pastoral care, worship, and outreach. She also serves on alternate Sundays at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in San Mateo. Hailey is a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator for Angel Hospice and Palliative Care. In the Diocese of California, Hailey served on the Transition Committee for its Bishop search in 2008; the Commission on Ministry; and the Episcopal Chaplaincy at Stanford Hospital. She currently serves on the board of California Clubhouse, which is a social and vocational rehabilitation program in San Mateo County for individuals living with a mental illness. She was ordained as a permanent deacon in June 1999 in the Diocese of Long Island. Read her blog at www.scatteredrevelations.com. We are also very excited to announce that Hailey has been recently appointed to Archdeacon in our diocese.
Our Staff
Jennifer Barnett
Director of Music Ministry
Daniel Highman
Pianist/Organist
Petra Gilmore
Bookkeeper
Lisa Simmons
Parish Administrator
Our Vestry & Treasurer
Adrian Jubb
Senior Warden
Laura Bierwagen
Jr. Warden
Cindy Belnick
Stephanie Meyer
Lora O'Haver
Lindsay Okamoto
Mallory Stevens
Aram Raissi
Elliot
Youth Representative
Chris Rimer
Treasurer