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October 29, 2014
The e-pistle
Your Weekly News Update from St. Stephen's
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In This Issue
All Saints Day
Necrology
Last Stewardship Lunch
From the Treasurer
Youth Notes
Invest 2
Memorial Service
HAC Needs Help
Calling all EfM Graduates
The Order of the Pig
Newcomers' Brunch
Advent Wreaths
Shoutout!
Event Calendar
Service Times
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To The People of St. Stephen's
Dear Friends,

As I wrote two weeks ago, last week I attended a conference/retreat based on Diana Butler Bass' book Christianity After Religion at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. The setting of Ghost Ranch in the mountains of north central New Mexico is stunning and lends itself to a time of spiritual refreshment.

The topic of the conference is very near to my heart.  What does it mean to be "Church" in the 21st century?  What do people mean when they tell me they are "spiritual, not religious"?  

One of my "take-aways" was very reassuring:  at St. Stephen's we are on a good path.  We understand that church is not a physical building, but a community of sojourners.  We understand that church is not just about taking care of our own, but, even more so, it's about taking care of the wider community.  We understand that as followers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are called to be his eyes, his hands, and his voice in this world.

The wider church now is facing many challenges.  But we are also presented with a great opportunity:  if we are no longer part of the mainstream formerly known as "Christendom," we have the opportunity to be more like the early church before Christianity became the state religion in the 4th century. The church before Constantine was much closer to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.  We are now called to be likewise. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Willie

All Saints' Day Observed     
Sunday, November 2

Join us this Sunday for the celebration of All Saints' Day, one of the principal feasts of the Episcopal Church.  As St. Paul writes in his epistles, "we are all saints."  Holy baptism will be celebrated, as is customary on this festival.  See you at 8 or 10:30 am.

clockface Note:  Please don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, or you will miss this celebration!

Necrology in honor of All Saints' Day
(People who have passed away this year)



If you have a loved one who has passed into God's greater realm during this past year and would like him or her to be remembered at our altar this Sunday when we observe All Saints' Day, please notify Anna in the parish office before the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday).
 
Last stewardship lunch this Sunday
Ask your questions, make your suggestions

On Sunday, November 2, after the 10:30 am Mass, all who have not yet attended a stewardship lunch or brunch are invited to the Great Hall for a pizza lunch put on by our stewardship committee, specially hosted by Bob Coulombe and Ross Gagliano. 

This is your opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about church finances and budget, as well as enjoy the fellowship of other parishioners and a fine meal.  Please call the church office at 305-448-2601 or email [email protected] if you plan to attend.

Please bring your filled-out pledge card - it's your ticket to the brunch!
 
From the Treasurer
Dominic Lamberti writes . . .

Greetings fellow parishioners!  The 3rd quarter contribution statements were mailed out last week.  You should have received yours by now.  If you have not received it, please notify Anna in the office ASAP and she will see to it that you receive it promptly.

If you have received it, please review it thoroughly for any errors or missing donations.  If you do have errors, we apologize, and I want to assure you that we will correct it as quickly as possible.  The accuracy of your donor statement is a top priority for the Church.  The most efficient way to correct it is if you would mark your statement with any errors and/or exclusions and make a copy for Anna ASAP.  You can either email it to her at [email protected], fax it to 305-448-2153, or give it to me on Sunday.  Thank you for your patience and for your understanding.   

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         Successful Youth Group Car Wash.  Thanks to the congregation for supporting the youth group car wash which raised almost $400 for future youth group activities.  Stalwart and wet car washers included Julie Moxly, Caroline Carlson, Alvaro Coraspe, Paula Coraspe, Bob, Kylie, and Tara Coulombe, Alia Cornet, Debbie and Zack Roncallo, Daniel Ledo, Ross, Martha and Marissa Galliano, Daisy and John Holcomb, Sophia Jarjour, and Liam Pafford.  Our apologies to anyone we've overlooked.

Intermediate Youth Group Trip.  The St. Stephen's Intermediate Youth Group (third, fourth and fifth graders) will be going to the Miami Science Museum on Sunday afternoon, November 9.  Please bring $10 for admission plus money for snacks.  We will be leaving St. Stephen's at 1 pm and returning to the parking lot by 4:30 pm.  The Intermediate Youth Group leaders are parishioners Brian and Julie Gabriel.  Save the date and watch for future details.

Join us for Invest 2 on Sunday mornings
Inquirers' Classes continue this coming  Sunday

Invest 2 logo For those who want to learn more about the Episcopal Church as well as for those who wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church when our bishop visits on November 9 -- this class is for you!

This week Father Michael will give a presentation on the Book of Common Prayer.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Pastor Willie or Rev. Jo-Ann.

The class meets at 9:30 am in the Great Hall.

Memorial Service this Saturday
Longtime Parishioner Mary Rose Turner

Mary Rose Turner passed into God's greater realm on October 15, just shy of her 93rd birthday.  We will celebrate her life in a mass of the Resurrection on Saturday morning at 11 am in the church. May light perpetual shine upon her.
Homeless Assistance Center needs help
Volunteers have dwindled, homeless have not
 
St. Stephen's prides itself on its outreach. And we do a lot.  But right now we have a problem.

Over 20 years ago our church signed on with  HAC (The Homeless Assistance Center) downtown to help feed the homeless in their center.  We were among the first groups to volunteer, and we have been doing so ever since.  Once a month, on the second Wednesday of the month, a group of 7 or 8 go down and serve dinner to the people that
are living there and trying to get their lives back in order.   

We are now down to only two or three volunteers.  The job cannot be done with so few.  We desperately need you to give two hours a month to help us.  Our volunteers may have dwindled, but the homeless have not. The Homeless Assistance Center still needs our help on the second Wednesday of the month to serve dinner from 5 to 7 pm.   Please call Lois Bailey 305 598-0001 or Margaret Long
603 490-6264 for more information.
 

Calling all EfM Graduates
Take a "Journey into the Apocrypha"

EfM Logo The current Monday evening Education For Ministry class is taking a hiatus from that wonderful course in order to take a "Journey into the Apocrypha," those inter-testimal books that are often overlooked in normal study.

This will be an opportunity to engage in informative, collaborative study while in the midst of community. If you are interested, please join us on Monday, November 10th, 7:00 PM in the Parish Center. Costs will be actual cost of materials, including some communal supplies.

If you'd simply like to know more, please contact Krisan Lamberti, [email protected], 305-962-1450.

 

Become a member of the Order of the Pig
Get a badge if you help cook, or a T shirt for $10

If you would like to help cook the pig for the AIDS Ministry's November 15 Pig Roast, you can join "The Order of The Pig," enjoying all the rights and privileges thereof, which includes a lanyard membership badge (shown at left) and are otherwise too numerous to mention.  Email Bonell for more information.

We are also selling "Order of the Pig" T-shirts, with the same design as the membership badge above.  They will be available even if you don't help cook.  We have ordered 60, and half have already been sold.  See Sally James if you would like to reserve a shirt from the remaining 30, mostly L and XL.  They are $10 each.

Newcomers' Brunch on November 16
Are you new to St. Stephen's? 

The St. Stephen's Vestry and Clergy cordially invite anyone new to the church since April to come to a Newcomers' Brunch on Sunday, November 16, after the 10:30 am Mass in the Great Hall.  Bring your family and come with your questions.

See you there!
 
Advent Wreaths
Intergenerational Workshop November 30

On Advent 1, November 30, families and individuals are invited to the Great Hall at 9:30 am to construct individual advent wreaths to take home for personal use.  In order to assure that we will have sufficient supplies for all (wreath forms, greens, candles, bows, etc.), please let Rev. Jo-Ann know if you plan to attend.
 

 
An anonymous shout-out to Marilyn Jackson, who every week cares quietly for our garden around the statue of St. Stephen.  Thank you for making our church beautiful.


Have a shout-out?  Let us know.

The good you do matters.
 
Upcoming Events
Don't Forget These Dates     

 

reminder

Sunday, November 2 - All Saints' Day (observed) with Baptisms

 - Third and final stewardship brunch, after 10:30 am Mass in the Great Hall.

-  ECW meeting in the Parish Center after the 10:30 am Mass
 
Sunday, November 9 -  10:30 am Mass:  Bishop Frade's annual visitation; Baptisms, Confirmations, Receptions

- Intermediate Youth Group trip to Miami Science Museum

Tuesday, November 11 - Parent assembly at 8:15 am, a panel discussion on "Different Kinds of Families"

Saturday, November 15 -
NovemberFest Family Pig and Bonell Roast, 5 to 9 pm

- Day School deadline for applications from parishioners

Sunday, November 16 - Newcomers' Brunch after the 10:30 am Mass

Sunday, November 30 - Advent wreath making at 9:30 am

- Kirkin' o' the Tartans at Trinity Cathedral 

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 three
and Children's Chapel for children seven and under
1st & 3rd Sundays
@Our Table, a dinner church 
 at 5:30 pm (child care available)
Parish Center


Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.