Masthead
October 9, 2013
The e-pistle
Your Weekly News Update from St. Stephen's
Join Our Mailing List
In This Issue
Invest 2 on Sunday
From the Stewardship Committee
Pictures from Blessing of The Animals
Edward Waters College Concert Choir
Beer and Bull
Baptisms on All Saints Day
"Be the Change"
Enquirers' Class November 16
Journey to Sacred Celtic Sites
Anglican Chorale on October 13th
Event Calendar
Service Times
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To The People of St. Stephen's
Dear Friends,

As our government continues into its second week of a shutdown, I have to question whether we as a nation have lost our way.  Members of Congress used to be able to disagree on the floor of the Senate or House, but they maintained civil ties with each other -- sometimes even friendships across party lines.  They still managed to keep the conversation civil, still managed to work through issues and find middle ground, still managed to keep the common welfare of the people their highest priority.

I am heartened by the presence of the Senate Chaplain, the Rev Barry C. Black.  A retired Navy rear admiral and Seventh Day Adventist, Rev Black offers prayers in which he  acknowledges "our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness and our pride," and petitions God to "Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable."  His prayers in a similar vein continue daily on the floor of the Senate.

It has always been the role of prophets to speak truth to power and remind those in authority that they are to be leaders of the people by being servants of the people.

O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth:  We beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress, that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  AMEN. (Book of Common Prayer, p.821).

In Christ's love,

Pastor Willie

Invest 2 This Sunday at 9:30
Silvia Larrauri to Speak
 
This coming Sunday, October13, 2013, we will welcome Silvia Larrauri, Head of St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School, as our Invest 2 speaker at 9:30 am in the Peacock Room.  All are invited, including prospective school parents, teachers, and parishioners, to hear Silvia speak about what Episcopal Schools give to the world.
 
A Word from Our Stewardship Committee
Small Gatherings Are Going Well
 
Your Stewardship Committee is presenting a series of small gatherings hosted by parishioners in their homes.  There are several formats:  dinner, appetizers & wine, Sunday brunch, but all underscore the same theme:  "Unity in Community."  Yes, we are talking about our parish's finances, present and future, and about making a financial commitment to our parish community.  The gatherings have also been an opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners better, enjoy some good food and drink, and have an enjoyable time with each other.

Please be on the look-out for an "e-vite" which will be coming to your email inbox soon if it hasn't already.
 
Blessing of The Animals Last Sunday
What a Hoot (Bark, Meow, Squeak, Hiss, etc.)

       
        

The Blessing of the Animals is another event that gets better every year.  Many thanks to our clergy and to the many local residents who showed up with dogs, cats, iguanas, hamsters and mice, and to the pets themselves who provided a noisesome and joyful barking, squeaking chorus or two.

Click here for lots more pictures.
 
The Edward Waters College Concert Choir
Saturday, October 19, 5 to 7 pm

Our Matthew 25:40 collection will go to underwrite tickets to this concert for children who would otherwise not be able to attend. For all others, tickets can be purchased at the door ($20), or you can purchase tickets this coming Sunday during Coffee Hour.
 
"Beer and Bull"
An Open Invitation from Tom Pafford

Are you interested in getting together for beer (or the libation of your choice) and conversation about spiritual topics on a monthly basis?  Beginning Wednesday, October 30th, we'll meet at Greenstreets Cafe, here in the Grove, at 9 pm.

To get the beer going, it'll be a Dutch treat. To get the bull going, I'll bring a one page excerpt from a modern author for discussion. Feel free to e-mail me ([email protected]) or call 786-474-1415.

Baptisms on All Saints Sunday
For Parishioners and Their Children

baptismal font The sacrament of Holy Baptism will be celebrated at the 10:30 am Mass on All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2013.  Parishioners who would like to be baptized or have a child or children to be baptized may contact (305-448-2601) or one of the clergy for additional information.

 

"Be The Change"
Support Food for Haiti

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Thanks to all who signed up to join volunteers from area Episcopal churches and schools to prepare 50,000 meals for needy families in Haiti on October 19.  Food will be distributed to Episcopal schools in Haiti through the South Florida Haiti Project.
 
To donate money to defray the costs of the meals, contact Julie Moxley at [email protected].

Inquirers' Class on November 16
For Those Who Wish to Learn More

For adults who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church, St. Stephen's clergy will offer an Inquirers' Class on Saturday, November 16, from 9 am until 3 pm.  Topics will be the history of the Church, the Book of Common Prayer, how we understand and use the Bible in the Episcopal Church, the Sacraments, Episcopal Church customs, and living a Christian life in the world.  There will be ample opportunity for questions. Lunch will be served and child care will be offered if requested in advance.

For those who wish to be Confirmed or Received when the Rt. Rev. Leopold Frade makes his annual visit to St. Stephen's on November 24, the Inquirers' Class will serve as preparation and instruction.  For those who are already members of the Episcopal Church the class will serve as review and offer an opportunity for a refreshing look at the Episcopal Church.

Please call the parish office at 305 448-2601 or speak to one of the clergy for additional information.

A Pilgrimage of The Soul
Travel With A Small Group to Celtic Sites



Would you like to travel with us to some of the most spectacular sacred sites of the Celtic North - Canterbury, Durham, or the holy island of Lindisfarne, for example?  Imagine Edinburgh, Iona, or Ireland - the possibilities are many.

We are now forming a group of people who might be interested in visiting the medieval abbeys, white sands and heather-covered hills of a land that calls to many as their spiritual home.  If you are interested enough to want to know more about such a pilgrimage in 2014, please contact Pastor Willie by email or mention it to her in church one Sunday soon.

May the road rise up to meet you
And the wind be ever at your back.

Anglican Chorale to Celebrate Anniversary
Sunday, October 13th, at 6 pm at Our Cathedral
  The St. Stephen's choir members who also sing in the Anglican Chorale hope to see some of us there.  It promises to be a beautiful service.
 
Upcoming Events
Don't Forget These Dates     

 

reminder

October 13 - Invest 2 at 9:30 in the Peacock Room

Anglican Chorale Evensong at Trinity Cathedral at 6 pm

October 19
- Assembling meal packets for the hungry in Haiti. 

Edward Waters College Concert Choir at Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church from 5 to 7 pm

October 30 - Beer and Bull at Greenstreet at 9 pm

November 3 - All Saints Sunday, Holy Baptisms

ECW meeting after the 10:30 am Mass

November 16 - Inquirers' Class, 9 am to 3 pm

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.
 
 2750 McFarlane Road
Just west of Peacock Park
Coconut Grove
305.448.2601

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 5