Sunday September 22, 2019
The Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Service Times: 8:30am and 10:30am
The Rev. Eileen O’Reilly Celebrant and Priest
Adult Bible Discussion Group 9:15am in Hobson Hall
Mid-Week Prayer and Luncheon – Wednesdays, 12:30pm
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Choir Rehearsal – 8:30am in the Chapel
Thrive! Children, Youth & Families Ministry meets during the 10:30am service
Common Office Area (between Hobson Hall and Sancturary) and 2nd Floor Hobson Hall
Campus Ministry 6:30pm – 8:30pm Common Office Area (between Hobson Hall and Sancturary) and Sanctuary
Please use the ARPS garage if convenient for you
We encourage everyone who drives in on Sundays to park in the ARPS parking garage if doing so is not a significant inconvenience for you. There are a number of members of the congregation for whom parking in the garage is very difficult, possibly to the extent of it being a deciding factor on whether they can make it to church. So if you are able, please consider using the ARPS garage and grabbing some of the parking passes that are provided on the tables at the north and Woodruff Avenue entrances to the Sanctuary. Thank you.
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From The Rev. John R. Johanssen
A special thanks to our Music Director, Dr. Dennis Davenport, for the beautiful preludes and postludes that he selects and plays for us each Sunday. I invite you to come to the sanctuary early or stay in your seats a little later to enjoy them!
I know that he and those around you who are listening will appreciate your attention.
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2020 St. Stephen’s Pledge Drive Begins September 29th
The 2020 pledge drive will begin Sunday, September 29th and run through October 13th. Our theme this year is
Shining our Light. It is the time for the parish to show our tangible support for the ministries of St. Stephen’s. It is the chance for the parish to shine light on the future programs of the congregation that enrich those we serve. It is also the best way to ensure a bright future for the work of the congregation.
We are conducting the pledge drive a little earlier than is traditional so that the budget for 2020 can be built and ready to share with the candidates for the new Priest in Charge.
Pledge materials will be mailed to all members the week of September 23rd. Please complete your pledge card and hold it for receipt at the Worship service on Sunday, October 13th which will be our formal ingathering of 2020 pledges. Pledges can also be sent by US mail and and by email, using “Pledge 2020” in the subject line.
Please be prayerful about the generous and sacrificial gift you wish to make to the church and its ministry.
Blessings,
John
Sunday School Update for September 15th
As a reminder for those with children ages 4-12, Thrive! has reconvened for the 2019/2020 season. Thrive! meets each Sunday during the 10:30 service with children returning to the service for Communion. This Sunday Olivia Mullen, our Sunday School Assistant, will be teaching with Jen Schmied and Daniel Buey.
This week we will be continuing our Old Testament unit with a lesson about the prophet Jeremiah.
Special thank you to Stuart Hobbs for volunteering with Thrive! the week of September 29th.
Thank You to Thrive! Volunteers
A big thank you to the following people who have volunteered to assist with Thrive! classes this fall: Janet McNaughton, Sarah Huelskoetter, Jen Schmied, Julia Sheppard, and Wayne Sheppard.
We also give thanks to Norm Wernet for the training of our newest acolytes, Coleton Raver and Dale Smith. This is a very important ministry, and we couldn’t ask for a better teacher than Norm!
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Discussion for September 22nd
NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT STUDY
Starting Sunday, September 22nd
Beginning Sunday, September 22, the Adult Bible Discussion group that meets at 9:15 in Hobson Hall will be reading and talking about “Some Hebrew Bible Stories Everyone Should Know.” Beginning with the entry into the Promised Land by the wandering tribes of Hebrews led by Joshua, we’ll go on to the stories of the Judges of Israel in the early days, including Deborah, Gideon, Samson and Samuel among others. Everyone is invited to join us! The complete syllabus for our study is in the rotating kiosk in the Narthex, and can be accessed by clicking on the link below. All you need is a Bible, though you also could get a copy of Joshua, Judges, by Roland J. Faley, New Collegeville Bible Commentary, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2011. $6 at online booksellers.
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St. John’s His Place Dinner – Wednesday, September 25th
St. Stephen’s will be hosting the His Place Dinner at St John’s Town Street on Wednesday, September 25th. Set up starts at 4:30, with dinner served at 6:30. We are planning on serving Mexican Chicken Casserole and fresh steamed vegetables. If you are interested in serving, please contact Jennifer Schmied at jschmied73@gmail.com. We will need help cooking in the morning of the 25th at St Stephen’s and serving and cleaning up at St. John’s in the evening. Anyone who would like to come and serve as hosts in the front of the house sharing the meal and interacting with the guest would be welcome and appreciated as well. St John’s is located at 1003 W. Town St Columbus, OH 43222. We normally serve around 110 guests. This event could not happen without the hard work of all the people who volunteer their time and talent by cooking and serving.
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Message from Kaethe Sandman, Senior Warden
An important recent vestry activity has been the establishment of policies for the use of our building. Multiple groups meet here and vestry wants to ensure a positive experience for our guests, establish guidelines to protect our resources, and foster interaction among us all.
We have revised the guidelines for use and developed a values statement so that the groups who gather here understand our culture and policies. We have also set fees for the use of our space that recognize the real cost of maintaining it. Fees for use are not new, but we are in the process of updating rental agreements to reflect the fees. Some groups are entirely subsidized by the church: the Red Cross and Narcotics Anonymous. Other groups pay a modest fee, and these are discounted for members of the congregation and for students.
I am pleased to report that the Buckeye Food Alliance has signed a one year lease to use the Hobson Hall basement (formerly the Bookworm and EASE gallery) as the site of a food pantry that will serve food-insecure OSU students. During the fall, the group will prepare the space, paint and move in shelving and refrigerators.It is anticipated that students will be served in the spring semester. We gratefully acknowledge the connection established by Jared Talbot that brought our neighbors’ needs and our unused space together. For information on students and food security, see below link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/nyregion/hunger-college-food-insecurity.html
If you have passed the church on a Monday evening, you may have observed the Medieval College of Saint Brutus spilling out of Hobson Hall to sword-fight in the courtyard! These historic reenactors devote their time to learning and practicing the skills needed for life in medieval times. The Girl Scout troop that also meets here on Mondays was fascinated by the group! Our church also hosts the Peripatetic Poets, the Central Ohio Revolutionary Socialists, Tai Chi practitioners, recovery groups and Soul Sisters. I encourage you to investigate and participate in these other activities based at St. Stephen’s. The calendar is not full, and if your group is looking for space for regular meetings or a special event, consider us. (More to come as the rooms on the second floor of Hobson Hall take shape!)
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Let’s revive the idea of hosting an outside speaker to challenge us in spiritual growth. Reba Riley brought us the kindness challenge in the spring. Do you have an idea for a speaker or a topic? Can we form a committee to explore these ideas and perhaps set up something for Advent or Lent? As the finance committee establishes the 2020 budget, now is the time to plan for such events. Contact me at seniorwarden@ststephens-columbus.org
Some events that interest me, and to which I invite you to join me:
October 11 – Sister Helen Prejean speaking downtown, $9 admission
https://www.facebook.com/events/1443483205791950/
October 27 – University Area Mass Choir concert to benefit NSI, Maynard Ave UMC, freewill offering
November 1 – Trinity Lutheran Seminary choral evensong, Brahms Requiem for All Saints Day, free.
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NSI News
Neighborhood Services, Inc., is our neighborhood food pantry, supported by multiple congregations in the North Campus area. The need for food services is increasing, and St. Stephen’s is responding.
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NSI Collection for September: Cereal
Keep in mind: Diabetics often require lower carbohydrate levels, and brands like Special K (22 grams), Wheaties (22 grams), and Cheerios (20 grams) are recommended. Take time to read the nutrition label and opt for cereals with less than 30 grams of total carbohydrates per serving.
(Source: www.thediabetescouncil.com)
Starting in October, we will begin collecting cans of cranberry sauce for the NSI Thanksgiving Drive. More in next week’s newsletter.
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In August, St. Stephen’s collected 180 items for NSI.
Thank you for your continued support of NSI.
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For more info on how you can continue to help NSI, please click on the following link: https://www.neighborhoodservicesinc.org/take-action
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OSU Football Parking Volunteers Needed!
Calling football parking volunteers! Two volunteers are needed to man our parking lot during each of OSU’s home football games during the 2019 season. The lot fills up very quickly, so the shift is usually only 2-3 hours. This is a fun and easy way to help out at our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Please contact Mikalene Guiser at mguiser@hotmail.com or 614-406-4224 to sign up for a game.
Sept. 21 vs Miami University (OH), 3:30 pm (Charles Baker + Elliott Bush)
Oct. 5 vs Michigan State, 7:30 p.m. (need two volunteers, 3pm-6ish)
Oct. 26 vs Wisconsin, Time TBA (Cynthia Whitacre + Edward Lasseigne)
Nov. 9 vs Maryland, Time TBA (need two volunteers)
Nov. 23 vs Penn State, Time TBA (Jeff Watters + need 1 volunteer)
(TBA start times will be updated as they become available.)
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BREAD Update
Members of St. Stephen’s BREAD team will be hosting four small group discussions on the following Sundays:
- September 29th Rae Fellows
- October 6th Norm Wernet
- October 13th Mignonne Whitlow
- October 27th Kaethe Sandman
These discussions – in BREAD, we call them house meetings – will be taking place throughout Columbus this fall among 40 collaborating BREAD congregations. We’ll have our meetings after the 10:30 service, either in Hobson Hall or the Chapel.
Our purpose is to explore the call to do justice; to share our hopes and concerns for our city, and to consider how we might make Franklin County a more just and healthier community.
Please contact a member of the BREAD team to say you’ll be there. Remember, with your help, BREAD rises!
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet, and Mignonne Whitlow
Want to stay informed? Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/breadorganization)
or check out our website (www.breadcolumbus.com)!
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Book Club for October 2019
Book Club will be meeting on the first Wednesday of the month for the foreseeable future.
Book Club News: The October Book Club meeting will be on Wednesday, October 2nd. We’ll begin with a potluck meal; please bring food and/or beverage to share. Nancy and Hugh McCracken are the hosting home (614-718-1063, nmcc@kent.edu). Kindly let Nancy know if you plan to attend. After dinner we’ll be discussing River of Teeth by Sara Gailey. The November book is Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover.
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Calling St. Stephen’s Soul Sisters! Soul Sisters Meet-ups for October 2019
Hi “Soul Sisters” of St. Stephen’s!
You are invited to participate in fellowship with the women of St. Stephen’s in the Spirit of Friendship, Encouragement, Support, Gratitude, Hope, and Love as we share a moment in life’s journey together. It is a time out from daily doings to just BE in Friendship over a cup of tea with conversations to feed the soul.
We meet twice monthly: the first Thursday morning of the month will offer a “Coffee Klatch” from 9:30-11:30am for those available to meet during the day (kiddos welcome) the third Thursday evening offers a “Girls Night Out or In” from 7:00-9:00pm.
New for 2019: All morning gatherings on the 1st Thursday of each month will be held in the Chapel at St. Stephen’s. Centralized for all, no need to remember where to show up, and kid-friendly! Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided. If you need a ride, transportation can be arranged.
October Meeting Dates:
- October 3 @ St. Stephen’s Community Office/Chapel, 9:30am – 11:30am
- October 17 @ Little Eater, 4215 N. High St, Clintonville, 7-9:00pm
(Always looking for monthly hosts and/or open to ideas for places to meet or excursion sites conducive to conversation and new experiences.)
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Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newletters for September
Copies of the Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter for September 2019, Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Weekly Scoop for September 16-21, 2019 and Septemer 22-30, 2019 and the Healthy Living Center Class Schedule for Fall 2019 can be found on the Community News table in Hobson Hall.
To read electronic versions, click on the links below:
Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter for September 2019
Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Weekly Scoop for September 22-30, 2019
Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Weekly Scoop for September 16-21, 2019
Mount Carmel Healthy Living Center Fall 2019 Program Newsletter
