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November 12, 2014
The e-pistle
Your Weekly News Update from St. Stephen's
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In This Issue
Bishop's Visitation
Pig and Bonell Roast
Invest 2 Sunday
ECW Meeting
Newcomers' Brunch
Thanksgiving at St. Stephen's
Volunteer for Tree Sales
Advent Wreaths
Prosperity Center
Advent Quiet Day
Event Calendar
Service Times
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To The People of St. Stephen's
Dear Friends,

Yesterday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we marked the end of World War I (the war meant to be the "War to End All Wars..."). WWI began 100 years ago this year.  We now observe 11/11 as Veterans' Day. 
 
Historians generally agree that the way the First World War ended (punitive reparations levied on Germany) set the stage for the Second World War. That war was concluded very differently.  Instead of insurmountable reparations, the Marshall Plan was instituted to rebuild Germany and other war-devastated areas to make Europe prosperous again.  An outcome was that our once fiercest enemy became one of our strongest allies.  
 
The very different ways each of these wars were concluded reveals two choices:  choices that a nation can make, but also choices that we individuals are faced with in our daily lives. Retribution, or, after a time of truth-telling (those guilty of crimes against humanity during WWII were, after all, held accountable), reconciliation.
 
Our theme for this coming year, beginning in Advent, is "Reconciliation."  As Christians one of our primary ministries is to "...carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world..." (Book of Common Prayer, p.855).  This is also the theme of the sabbatical I will undertake next summer.
 
We begin this year with a Quiet Day on "Compassion" which is a key element in the work of reconciliation (see elsewhere in this e-pistle for details). I invite you to be part of this journey.

In Christ's Love,

Pastor Willie

Bishop's Visitation last Sunday
Five confirmed, three received, three baptized, two reaffirmed their baptismal vows   

When Bishop Leo Frade visited St. Stephen's last Sunday, a number of people took advantage of the opportunity to be confirmed or received or to have their children baptized, and two renewed their baptismal vows.

Five people presented themselves for
confirmation:  Cristina Brooke Hoenig, Kaylyn Nikole Rodriguez, Amanda Katelyn Clavijo, Zachary Eli Roncallo, and Luis Alberto Pumar.  Three people were received:  Claudia Copeland, Ronald Herman Hoenig, Jr., and Donna Christina Vazquez.    

In addition, Deborah Roncallo and George Vazquez renewed their baptismal vows.     

Congratulations, everyone!




Bishop Frade also presented the  Bishop's Lay Award to Bob Coulombe.
 

Bob is our Senior Warden and co-chairs our Stewardship Committee.  He also teaches Sunday school and serves on the school board, the property committee, and the Rector's support and evaluation committee.

Congratulations, Bob, and thank you for all you do!

Come to a Pig and Bonell Roast
 
Here is your chance to contribute to the worthy work of the St. Stephen's AIDS Ministry, providing assistance to our neighbors affected by HIV/AIDS, and enjoy a wonderful party as well.  All-you-can-eat roast pig, dancing, a cash bar, and an opportunity to roast Bonell Denton!  Don't know who Bonell is?  Come and find out!  Plan on bringing your family and friends on Saturday, November 15, from 5 to 9 pm.

If you would like to help cook the pig, you can join "The Order of The Pig," enjoying all the rights and privileges thereof, too numerous to mention.  Email Bonell for more information.

Some "Order of the Pig" T-shirts will be available for $10 each, even if you don't help cook.

Invest 2 this Sunday
How do we elect a Bishop?

Invest 2 logo This Sunday, November 16, Pastor Willie will offer an Invest 2 session on the Process to Elect a Bishop Co-Adjutor.  Pastor Willie served on the diocesan committee that chose the nominees who are standing for election to succeed Bishop Frade when he retires in 2016. 

Invest 2 meets in the Great Hall at 9:30 each Sunday morning.

ECW Meeting to feature Welsh cathedral
Lunch will be served, and all are welcome

The next ECW meeting will be held next Sunday, Nov 16, in the Parish Center after Mass. Lunch will be served and all are welcome. Kitty Morgan will show a film about St. David's Cathedral of Wales, set on the picturesque Pembrokeshire coast. Founded in the 6th century, this site has attracted pilgrims throughout the centuries and is a burial site for members of royalty and clergy.

The nave consists of rows of both Romanesque and Gothic arches covered with sculptural details, a Tudor paneled roof, a 20th century wooden rood loft and soaring
organ case (see photo), and altars containing medieval fragments. However, even though there have been many changes over time, St. David's creates a harmonious whole.

Unlike many churches situated on hilltop lookouts, St. David's is set at the bottom of a valley, out of sight from  marauding pirates.  The cathedral rests beside a peaceful stream; several paths wind up to the quaint town above, and one leads gently down to the sea.  Music for the film is the 'Kyrie' from Bach's "B minor Mass."

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

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!

 

Thanksgiving at St. Stephen's
Help us serve others - food and volunteers needed



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. 

Also, we need ideas for activities for small children.  If you have ideas or want to know more about volunteering to help with food or serving, please email Alvaro Coraspe at [email protected].

 

Get on Santa's NICE list! 
Help make our Christmas Tree Sale a success
 
Christmas Trees Each year, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and Day School host a Christmas Tree Sale, with proceeds going to the church's outreach programs and the school's financial aid endowment.  
 

Volunteer to help sell trees
The Christmas Tree Sale starts November 28, the Friday after Thanksgiving.  We are looking for tree handlers and cashiers for each shift.  We are also looking for help with unloading trees on Tuesday afternoon, November 25, and set up on Wednesday, November 26.  Please click on the following link to sign up to help: 
 
Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on VolunteerSpot

Purchase your tree at St. Stephen's
. . . and encourage your family and friends to do the same!  We select the finest, freshest Frasier fir trees from North Carolina.  Remember, the sooner you come to pick up your tree, the longer your tree will last!

Questions?  Call Alvaro Coraspe at 786.287.4422. 
 
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.
 
The Prosperity Center Needs YOU!
We will be enrolling people in healthcare, beginning December 1
 
One of the services offered by our Prosperity Center is to enroll people from the wider community for healthcare under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act ("Obama Care").  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie Moxley via her email.

"For as you did it for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me" (Matthew 25:40)

Join us for an Advent Quiet Day
Envisioning compassion



"Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves." - Mason Cooley

On Saturday, December 6, from 9 am to 2 pm in the Parish Center, all are invited to give a gift to themselves this Advent season, joining us in a quiet time spent deepening our awareness of compassion.

This is the kick-off event for our 2015 focus on Reconciliation.
 
Upcoming Events
Don't Forget These Dates     

 

reminder

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

- Day School deadline for applications from parishioners

Sunday, November 16 - Invest 2 at 9:30 am, "How to Elect a Bishop"

- Newcomers' Brunch in the Great Hall after the 10:30 am Mass

- ECW meeting in the Parish Center after the 10:30 am Mass

- @OurTable dinner service for young adults at 5:30 in the Parish Center

Friday, November 28 - Christmas tree sales start.

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.