Congregational News & Events – Week of October 1, 2017
Note to the Congregation:
Liz Hecker, Interim Parish Administrator, will be out of the office on Thursday, October 12th and Friday, October 13th, and will return to the office on Monday, October 16th.
Liz also requests that if you are in the building during her office hours that you stop by and announce your presence.
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Sunday, October 8 – Normal worship times
Children meet with Jen Schmied and Daniel Buey for “Make a Remembrance” during worship.
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Sunday, October 15 – Columbus Marathon Sunday – Vespers service 4:00pm
Due to the difficulty in driving anywhere in Columbus the morning of October 15th, worship that day at St. Stephen’s will be one service at 4:00 pm and will be a Vespers service (not Evensong) with Holy Communion. Potluck to follow!
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Sunday, October 22 – The Rev. Deacon Douglas Argue, Guest Preacher
Douglas joined COHHIO (Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio) as managing director in October 2005. Having promoted decent, safe, fair and affordable housing for more than 15 years, his previous work includes being the shelter director for Daybreak in Dayton, a homeless youth shelter; serving as the director of housing and emergency assistance for The Damien Center, an AIDS service organization in Indianapolis; practicing as a psychiatric social worker serving both adult and youth populations in inpatient and outpatient settings; and, doing managed care for mental health and substance benefits for an insurance company. Douglas serves as a “senior” deacon in The Diocese of Southern Ohio.
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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
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DSO Big Read – Week 7
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
For October, we’ll be collecting 500 cans of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets that will be provided by NSI. The collection will continue throughout October and 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 house meetings continue for two more Sundays, after the 10:30 service in Hobson hall. The meeting this Sunday is hosted by Mignonne Whitlow, and on October 22 by Norm Wernet. If you have not been invited to a house meeting and wish to participate, please speak to a member of the BREAD team.
Update from the Juvenile Justice committee:
Last week, the JJ committee met with Dr. Dan Good, superintendent of Columbus City Schools, to follow up on his commitments made at the Nehemiah Action last May. Although Dr. Good has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, he will continue to follow through with his commitments. A trip to visit the Pittsburgh school district to observe their restorative practices has been scheduled for November 1, and seven administrators from CCS will attend, including Dr. Good. An equal number of BREAD steering committee members will attend. The goal of this visit is to learn about how the institution of restorative practices three years ago has resulted in a decreased number of suspensions. The Pittsburgh school district has three years of data to document the results.
The Columbus Board of Education will hold several community forums to get input on the next superintendent. Dr. Good suggested that BREAD attend one of these to get expectations of lower suspensions and a move to incorporate restorative practices on the agenda.
Dr. Good will attend the BREAD Annual Assembly on November 13 to share what they learned in Pittsburgh and plans moving forward. He will also meet quarterly, as promised, with BREAD committee members, on December 12. The next two dates are on the calendar for the next superintendent, unless s/he specifically removes them. BREAD looks forward to a productive working relationship with the new superintendent.
BREAD house meetings are continuing, in Hobson Hall after the 10:30 service on the following dates:
- Sunday October 8 — Mignonne Whitlow
- [none on October 15 — Columbus marathon]
- Sunday October 22 — Norm Wernet
If you have not (yet) been invited, please speak with a member of the BREAD team.
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet and Mignonne Whitlow
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Book Club for October
Book Club News: Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30 PM at Jen Schmied and Rob Wood’s home ( jschmied73@gmail.com, 614-286-4540). The book we’ll be discussing is The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmund Tutu. We’ll begin with a potluck meal (please bring food and/or beverage to share) followed by the book discussion. All are welcome. Kindly let Jen and Rob know if you plan to attend, so they can plan for the correct amount of people. And, if you wish to read ahead, the book for November is The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.
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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. For October, the meet-up are at the following times and locations:
- THURSDAY October 5 meet @ Global Gallery Coffee Shop, 3535 North High St., Clintonville, from 9:30-11:30am
- THURSDAY,October 19 meet @ Hofbrauhaus, 800 Goodale Blvd., Grandview, from 7:00-9:00pm
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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Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters
Copies of the October 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter 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 1-7, 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:
October 2017 Mount Carmel Church Partnership News
Weekly Scoop October 1-7, 2017