Congregational News & Events – Week of November 12, 2017
Sunday November 12th Services
8:30am and 10:30am
Preacher: Rev. Deacon Jared Talbot
Presider: Rev. Hanci Newberry
Awake & Aware: Rev. Becky Michelfelder and Daniel Buey
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Directory Update 2017
We are currently updating the church directory. Starting on Sunday, 10/15/17, there will be a draft of the updated directory in the front of the sanctuary on the Welcome Table. Please review your directory information and update (if needed) using the red pens provided. If you are new to St. Stephen’s and would like to be included in the directory, please include your information on the lined sheet provided next to the directory draft. You can also contact the office at parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org with your changes. Our goal is to have the directory ready for distribution by 12/3/17, the first Sunday of Advent. Thanks!
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November AWAKE & AWARE
Nov. 12 – Share, Save, Spend Where’s your money? Does God care?
Nov. 19 – Come, ye thankful people! Who are you going to thank? How?
Nov. 26 – Getting ready for Advent Calendars, Wreaths, and Prayers
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DSO Big Read – Week 12
There are 3 opportunities to engage with the Exodus journey. Each begins with a very interesting video clip produced here in the diocese by people you may know as they show us what Exodus means to them where they are. Where will the road take you? See dates and times below:
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NSI Collection for October – 500 Cans of Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets
Current Count as of 11.6.17: 461 Cans – 39 cans to go!
St. Stephens is collecting 500 cans of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets that will be provided by NSI. The collection will continue through the first two weeks of November until Sunday, November 12th, which will be the last day of collection.
In all the years of collecting Thanksgiving food items for NSI, this is the largest donation request yet; however, we’ve met the challenge before, and we can do it again!
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BREAD Update
BREAD… rises!
In our faith tradition, in the story of the Exodus, we read that the Hebrew slaves cried out to God. He heard their cries and then set a plan in motion to liberate them.
Many of you have participated in house meetings hosted by leaders of our justice ministry network. In these sacred conversations, we heard painful stories of loved ones lost to violence, the lack of resources for youth and families, and about how drug abuse is tearing our communities apart. As God’s agents of liberation, all of you who committed to be Network Members should join us in representing Saint Stephen’s at the Annual Assembly. This is the culmination of our Listening Process. This will take place on Monday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church at 2777 East Livingston Avenue in Columbus (between Kenwick Road and Wellesley Road/Eastmoor Boulevard). If you need a ride, please talk to one of the BREAD team members.
We’ll gather with the nearly 40 congregations in BREAD. We’ll hear updates on our work to keep kids in school, create better-paying jobs for people with criminal backgrounds, create a local ID program, and to decrease gang violence. We are expecting several officials to give reports, including: Dr. Dan Good, Superintendent of Columbus City Schools; Elizabeth Gill, Lead Juvenile Court Judge; Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Council; Michael Stinziano, Columbus City Council; and George Speaks, Deputy Safety Director.
That night, all of our Network Members will also vote on the new problem that we’ll tackle together over the coming year. The 3 problem areas to choose from are: 1) drugs, 2) youth and family concerns, and 3) violence. Each Network Member who attends will get one vote. We’re counting on you to be there as we work to move our world a little closer to the way that God intended it to be.
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet and Mignonne Whitlow
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Book Club for December
In December, Book Club will share poetry and/or favorite cookbooks, and in January we’ll suggest books for 2018. We already have the February selection, so if you wish to get started on that, it is The Dogs of Littlefield by Suzanne Berne.
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Calling St. Stephen’s Soul Sisters!
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.
The meet-up locations and times for November and December are:
- THURSDAY, November 16 @ The Wine Bistro,1750 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington from 7:00-9:00pm
- THURSDAY, December 7 @ Wesley Glen’s Ravine Room, 5155 No. High St., Columbus from 9:30-11:30 am. Hosted by Nan Platt. Coffee & pastries served. RSVP nanplatt@aol.com for planning purposes. (More details regarding parking to come in November.)
- THURSDAY December 21 @ Kaitlin Raver’s home from 7:00-9:00pm. Pot luck heavy appetizers and/or bottle of wine. RSVP (614) 956-8550 or kaitlinraver@gmail.com
Survey Question for December the 21st Holiday gathering:
Thinking about a cookie exchange (bring 3 doz. and take home an assortment) , pampering gift exchange (bath salts, tea, nail polish, etc), white elephant exchange, or service gift collection
(hats & mittens, kids books, toys?)…whatever you all think think would be most fun and make your holidays easy and enjoyable! Let me know what you prefer and I’ll have the details in November.
Always looking for monthly hosts and/or open to ideas for places to meet or excursion sites conducive to conversation & new experiences. Contact Kaitlin Raver, Coordinator, with any questions at kaitlinraver@gmail.com or (614) 956-8550 with any questions. Looking forward to spending some time with St. Stephen’s wonderful “Soul Sisters”!
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5K Run/Walk for Batten’s Disease Research
Long time St. Stephen’s members Tim and Jan Betz lost their granddaughter, Celia Betz, a few years ago to a very rare and devastatingly terminal genetic disorder called Batten Disease. The Betz Family is now sponsoring a 5k Run/Walk in Celia’s memory to raise money for Batten Disease research so others won’t have to suffer the same loss.
The Battling Batten Disease 5k will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Scioto Audubon Metro Park, 400 West Whittier Street in Columbus. Information, registration, and donation options can be found at this link:
https://racepenguin.com/events/battling-batten-disease-5k/.
The Walk and Run kick off at 9:30 am, so depending on how fast you run or walk, you can still make the 8:30 or 10:30 Church Services.
If you decide to participate, join us under team: “St.Stephen’s Battles Batten with the Betz’s”. If you cannot join us that morning, please consider donating to this worthy cause in support of the Betz Family and in Celia’s memory.
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Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters
Copies of the November 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter and October 2017 Community Resources Listing can be found on the Community News table in Hobson Hall and on the Welcome Table in front of the Sanctuary. The Weekly Scoop for October 22-28, 2017 newsletter is posted on the bulletin boards in the Outer Office and in the front of the Sanctuary. To read online, click on the links below:
November 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnership Newsletter
Community Resources October 2017
Weekly Scoop October 22-28, 2017
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Episcopal Relief and Development – Responding to Recent Hurricanes
A message from the Diocese of Southern Ohio
In just two weeks’ time, two major hurricanes have caused massive destruction in the United States and in several Caribbean nations. The effects from the devastation from these storms is still being calculated, and rebuilding homes and lives will take months, maybe even years.
The US Disaster Program of Episcopal Relief and Development works with diocesan and congregational leadership in areas that have been affected by disasters. By partnering with diocesan leaders, Episcopal Relief & Development can provide technical resources and connections to others around the country that have faced similar challenges, as well as access to the Ready to Serve volunteer database. When necessary, Episcopal Relief & Development may also provide emergency financial assistance to dioceses to supplement these resources, enabling churches to connect with and offer assistance to their most vulnerable neighbors.
Our diocesan Episcopal Relief & Development coordinator, Toks Ogungbadero, is leading an effort to start a diocesan-wide fundraiser to raise $50,000 for hurricane victims by the start of our annual convention. Bishop Breidenthal has agreed to jump start this effort with a $10,000 donation from the William Cooper Procter Memorial Fund.
Congregations and individuals from around the diocese are invited and encouraged to join in this fund drive and send donations for Episcopal Relief & Development to the diocesan office in care of the Finance Department. Checks should be clearly marked as for Hurricane Relief in the memo line and mailed to 412 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or payments can be made online at https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/sfvahql0jvbx39/.
Questions about the fundraiser should be directed to Toks Ogungbadero at 614.284.9207 or ogungbt@uplifthealthcare.com.
Diocese Launches Fundraiser for Hurricane-Relief
To view a copy of Episcopal Relief and Development’s most recent Hurricane Response flyer, click on this link: Hurricane Response 2017 9.21.17 Update
Episcopal Relief & Development Responds to Hurricane Maria
Also, please remember to support the ASPCA and Humane Society in their efforts to care for and rescue animals that have been affected by the recent hurricanes: ASPCA Disaster Relief and Rescue; Humane Society USA Disaster Relief and Rescue
A Prayer for Those Affected by Hurricanes
We stand with you, but not only we. The Lord who sacrificed His life for us all and was raised from the dead is with you. Remember that we are your brothers and sisters, and we’re in this together. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you His peace, this day, and forever more. Amen.
– Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
