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July 17, 2013
The e-pistle
Your Weekly News Update from St. Stephen's
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In This Issue
Thank You from the Copeland Family
Father Stowe to Preach Sunday
Summer Campus Upgrades
Does the Vestry Call You?
No e-pistle Next Week
Event Calendar
Service Times
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  To The People of St. Stephen'sDear Friends,

 

This past Sunday I shared a statement issued by the Southern Poverty Law Center after the George Zimmerman verdict (a reminder: sermons are posted on the St. Stephen's website).  The point was made that we can both respect the jury's decision and acknowledge that the killing of Trevon Martin reveals racial bias continuing to "reverberate in our society like the primordial Big Bang."

 

It seems this year continues to be fraught with national bad news:  the erosion of voting rights, attacks on the rights of women, an immigration bill that will likely be DOA when it reaches the House, gridlock in Congress, ever-widening polarization between various groups of people, rising sea levels (take a look at "Goodbye Miami" in the current issue of Rolling Stone for an eye-opener).  Yet in the midst of all this a ray of hope:  a door has been opened that will, hopefully, lead to marriage equality for all.  

 

As Christians we must engage in the world around us; we are called to speak out and take action in the face of injustice.  It is tempting to be overwhelmed by so much bad news.  But as Christians we also have the bedrock assurance that the Holy Spirit continues to work through it all.  Someone recently commented that these times have caused her to reflect on the Dark Ages.  During those terrible times of plague, war, ignorance, and hunger cathedrals were being built, their spires rising as a beacon of hope above the chaos below.    

 

In Christ's Love,

 

Pastor Willie 

 

Many Thanks from the Copeland Family
Your thoughts, prayers, and meals have helped

On July 4, parishioner Claudia Copeland suffered a ruptured aneurysm in her brain, and she has been in Jackson Hospital's intensive care unit since then.  Thankfully, she is very strong and has made remarkable progress.  In fact, her prognosis is excellent, with a complete recovery expected.  After one more week in the ICU, she will receive another week of in-patient therapy and could be home with her family again by August 1st.

Claudia, Eric, Lara and Stefania thank everyone for the precious gifts of kind words, prayers, and home-cooked meals during this time.  If you would like to contribute a meal to the Copeland family while Claudia is in the hospital or once she is home, it's easy - just click here to sign up, then bring your meal to the church before noon on the day of your choice.  Eric will pick it up on his way to or from the hospital.
 
Father Stowe to Preach and Celebrate on Sunday
Welcome Home, Father!

Fr. Stowe Ah, summer.  Ah, vacations, including clergy.  This Sunday it happens that Pastor Willie, Rev'd Jo-Ann and Father Mike will all be out of town, and Father Stowe has agreed to preach and celebrate at both the 8 am and the 10:30 am Masses. 

Bless you, Father!  We look forward to welcoming you back home.

Check Out Our Campus Changes This Summer
Construction Zones Abound

Trees This summer while many parishioners are away and our school is on summer break, we've been taking advantage of the lull in foot traffic to make a few upgrades to our campus.  Take a stroll around and see.

For example, the walkway to the Hingston Youth Cottage is being repaved, and in the cottage itself we are installing a new air conditioner, due to be finished by September.  Also, a new water feature is on its way for the flag-salute courtyard (you'll notice broken ground there). Next to the school office off Main Highway, a raised-platform mini-playground for toddlers is being built.  And of course our big project, the improvements to Peacock Park on behalf of our children and the community is on schedule, due to be completed by the start of the school year. 

You may also notice that we've re-painted the metal work on the front of the church to a welcoming, "Episcopal red,"  and the communion rail has been sanded and re-painted.  No more splinters!

Is it Your Turn to Help Lead?
Consider Vestry Service

An Episcopal Vestry performs the job of governing boards everywhere.  It votes and makes decisions on matters affecting our parish life.  It supports our Rector and employees in the performance of their duties, and it handles the church's financial affairs, including budgeting and other financial planning.  Its subcommittees, led by or made up largely of Vestry members, include Stewardship, Finance, Property, the School Board, Outreach, Fellowship, and Evangelism.

Do any of these areas interest you?  If so, you may be called to serve our community by leading it through serving a term on the Vestry.  If you feel so called or would like to learn more, please send us a little about yourself - why you would like to serve and any special skills or experience that might help you serve this parish.

You can send an email to the Rector (Pastor Willie) or to the Senior Warden (Robin Lawrie), or see either one on Sunday.  We'll be glad to tell you more.

No e-pistle Next Week
E-pistle Goes to Bi-Weekly for the Summer

Because most of our programming eases back in the summer as much of our parish travels or otherwise vacates their usual activities, the e-pistle will be published every other week through mid-August when it will once again show up in your in-box every week. 

Upcoming Events
Don't Forget These Dates     

 

reminder

September 8 - Welcome Home Sunday

September 28 - Trivia Night!

At St. Stephen's All Are Welcome 

 
Sundays 
Said Mass at 8 am
Sung Mass with choir at 10:30 am,
with child care for children under 3
and Children's Chapel for children 7 and under  

The Noon Healing Mass on Wednesdays
is on hiatus until after Labor Day.
 
 2750 McFarlane Road
Just west of Peacock Park
Coconut Grove
305.448.2601

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 5