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November 20, 2013
The e-pistle
Your Weekly News Update from St. Stephen's
Join Our Mailing List
In This Issue
Help With Thanksgiving
Christmas Trees Here Soon
Volunteer to Help Sell Trees
Youth Notes
Parents, Please Use Our "Cry Room"
Advent Family Fun
Stewardship Update
Evensong at the Cathedral
Event Calendar
Service Times
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To The People of St. Stephen's
Dear Friends,

This Sunday, in addition to welcoming our Bishop, The Rt Rev'd Leo Frade, in his annual visitation we are also observing Christ the King or the Reign of Christ Sunday.  This is the final Sunday of the church's year, and it ends with our proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord and King.  It is a triumphal way to end the year before we once again begin the journey of Advent.

But what kind of king is Jesus who now reigns in triumphant glory? 

Certainly if we look at the examples of earthly rulers the track record isn't too great.  We all know the old adage, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  So many tragic examples throughout history abound of those who used their power for their own gain, or to subjugate others, or to conquer, or...

So the image of Christ as king may be a disturbing one.  Until we remember that Jesus' kingship was of a very different sort than that of his all-too-human counterparts.  As the words of Hymn # 489 remind us:

He sent no angel of his host to bear this mighty word,
but him through whom the worlds were made, the everlasting Lord.

He came as Savior to his own, the way of love he trod;
he came to win us by good will, for force is not of God.

Not to oppress, but summon all their truest life to find,
in love God sent his Son to save
not to condemn mankind.

In Christ's love,

Pastor Willie

Thanksgiving is Coming!
Please Help Us Serve Our Community


Two Thanksgiving guests from Christ Church

This Thanksgiving once again St. Stephen's will join with others in our community to prepare and serve a festive meal to people from all over the Coconut Grove community after the 10:30 service on Thanksgiving Day.  We have traditionally served over 200 meals; many of the people enjoying them have nowhere else to go.

We need people to bring (fully cooked!) turkeys to the Great Hall the afternoon or evening before (Wednesday), as well as people to help the night before and the day of.  We have traditionally served over 200 meals; many of the people enjoying them have nowhere else to go.

Please sign up to help with 2013 Thanksgiving at St Stephen's - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:    1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool): http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/12524810002
   2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
   3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
NOTE: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefe r not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

This year our preacher at the Thanksgiving Mass will be The Rev'd Jonathan Archer from Christ Church.  Please come and give him a warm welcome.
 
Christmas Trees Arriving Soon
Should be Here Before Thanksgiving

They are not here yet, folks, but once they come you'll want to be first in line to get the freshest tree possible, take it home, and put it in water right away.



Volunteer for Our Christmas Tree Sale!
Church and School join forces

For ten years now our church (SSEC) and our school (SSEDS) have come together to sell Christmas trees to the wider community.  Half the proceeds go to the SSEDS Financial Aid fund and half go to support various SSEC ministries.  We all agree it is a wonderful time of the year (the smell of the Fraser firs is heavenly) and we have a lot of fun.

Volunteering has become very easy, thanks to the efforts of SSEDS mom and parishioner Rebecca Weymouth.  She has set up a website for us to sign up.  To get a jump start on the prime selling days, follow this link.

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Intermediate Youth Group Everglades Trip

The Intermediate Youth Group (3rd, 4th, and 5th graders)  will enjoy an afternoon trip to Anhinga Trail in the Everglades National Park on Sunday afternoon, November 24. We will leave St. Stephen's about 1:30 pm (after Children's Choir practice) and return about 5:30 pm.

Of course, no visit to the Everglades would be complete without a stop at Robert Is Here, so be certain to bring money for refreshments. Please R.S.V.P. to Rev'd Jo-Ann by Wednesday, November 20, 2013, so that transportation can be arranged.

Please Enjoy Church with Your Child
Feel Free to Use the Nursery or "Cry Room"

Our nursery and "cry room" at the rear of the church are available for fussy or restless toddlers and infants.  Feel free to leave your toddler with our nursery attendant, or if you prefer, you can relax, sit with your child, and watch the service through a large window and hear the service through the speaker in the cry room (which we also lovingly call the "Sky Box"). We also have a "soft space" in the side chapel where families can sit with their youngsters who might like to play quietly on the carpet.

Parents, please consider using these safe, clean spaces so that other members of the congregation will be free to fully appreciate the worship experience. 

       Thank you!

Advent Family Fun
Learn and Play Together on December 1, 9:30 am

Parents -- kids -- grandparents -- aunts & uncles -- everyone is invited to a special family event as we begin our Advent journey, the four weeks of preparation, longing, and anticipation leading up to the birth of our savior Jesus on Christmas Day.

Join parishioner Krisan Lamberti in the Peacock Room at 9:30 am on Sunday, December 1, to make a Jesse Tree, a decoration full of symbols of the Old Testament stories of Jesus' ancestors. 

Neither Sunday School classes nor Invest II for Adults will be offered on December 1.  Instead, creatively celebrate the start of this holy season season together with your church family.  For additional information about this special event, contact Rev'd Jo-Ann at 305-537-1297 or [email protected].
 
The Stewardship Committee Reports . . .
Gatherings Enjoyed by Many
 
Many thanks to the following people who have hosted our gatherings:
  • A.R. and Lauren Barrington
  • Russell Corbet and Christopher Brandon
  • Tom Leness and Kirsten wood
  • Dianne and Ed Green
  • Lynette McGuinness
  • Curt Carlson and Julie Moxley
  • Chris and Martha Harrison
  • Jan and Roger Tobin
  • Erin Clancy and Alvaro Coraspe
  • Bonell and Nancy Denton
  • Bob Coulombe and Ross Gagliano  
Names of those who have pledged are written on the figures of people who make up our "Unity in Community" theme on the church windows.  Each household is invited to personalize "your" image.

Our vestry and clergy pledges are at 100%, and pledges are coming in from your fellow parishioners.  We are excited that we may reach our goal of $350,000. Your pledge can help!

Please return your pledge card to the parish office at your earliest convenience.  You can mail it, put it in the Sunday offering plate, or pledge online!

Evensong At Our Cathedral
Commemorating John F. Kennedy

A special Choral Evensong at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will be held on Sunday, November 24th at 6 P.M. The Anglican Chorale will sing "Take him, earth, for cherishing", by Herbert Howells, to mark the 50th anniversary of the death President John F. Kennedy. This anthem was originally commissioned for a memorial service held in Washington D.C.

Many churches and cathedrals across the United States will sing this compelling music on this anniversary weekend. In addition, there will be an organ prelude by composer Benjamin Britten to celebrate the centenary of his birth.  The cathedral is located at 464 N.E. 16 St. Miami, 33132.

Upcoming Events
Don't Forget These Dates     

 

reminder

November 24 - Intermediate Youth Group Everglades Excursion, 1:30 pm

November 26 - Christmas Trees arrive

November 28 - Thanksgiving Mass at 10:30, followed by Thanksgiving Meal at 11:30

December 1 - Advent Family Fun at 9:30 am

December 6-8 - Godly Play Training

January 5 -  Rector's Annual Christmas Open House, 5 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