Congregational News & Events – Week of October 1, 2017
October Worship Schedule
Sunday, October 1 – Commemoration of St. Francis with Blessing of the Animals – 10:30am
We will bless well-behaved and people-friendly pets at the 10:30 am service as part of the liturgy and reflect on the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi.
If you are allergic to animals you are urged to attend the 8:30 am service that day.
The children will be collecting pet food for the local animal shelters and food pantries. Bring a can or bag to share.
Children’s activities led today by Kaethe Sandman
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Thursday, October 5 – Chag Sameach (KHAHG sah-MEHY-ahkh) “Joyous Festival” – 6:00pm
Last year many of us enjoyed a unique experience at our church when we met before sundown on the evening of the Harvest Moon. We gathered in the courtyard at a table covered by a tent, shared some simple food and drink, and recalled the tradition of the Hebrew festival of Sukkot, the Festival of Booths. This festival is also known as “Jewish Thanksgiving” and commemorates the forty years of wandering through the desert and the miraculous way that God guided, instructed, and fed the people.
This year the Sukkot Full Moon is Thursday October 5th. The full moon will be well risen by sundown. So after food and prayers in our “booth” we will transport ourselves to the labyrinth on the Ohio State campus to walk and remember the journey of God’s People through the desert, and how God plenteously nourished and guided them to a new land.
We will gather at the church at 6 pm and then make our way to the labyrinth around 7 pm. Use of the Arps parking garage will be available, and we will have passes to give out for those who park there. There is ample parking lot near the labyrinth, and we will make an attempt to car pool there because there is a small charge for parking. Please email me any questions you may have, or look for me at church Sunday. Also please let me know if you are interested in attending. This will give us an idea of how many folks to prepare for.
Peace… Joe Rutter jrutter1@mac.com
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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 6
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 are continuing, in Hobson Hall after the 10:30 service on the following dates:
Sunday October 1 — Kaethe Sandman
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.
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 September 24-30, 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:
