Congregational News
Quick Dates
Wednesday, Jan 116:30pm Book Club at the home of Kaethe Sandman
Sunday, Jan 15: after the 10:30 service Farewell Coffee Hour for Meghan
AWAKE/AWARE
Please note that there will be NO AWAKE or AWARE on January 1 and January 8 due to the Holidays.
Christmas/Epiphany Offering
In this season of light breaking into the darkness of our lives, we have decided to expand the season of giving to include the weeks of Epiphany following Christmas. Please use one of the Christmas offering envelopes found in the pews or simply mark your check “Christmas/Epiphany offering”. This year the proceeds will be divided between refugee assistance and “Street News”, a project of the Coalition for the Homeless that employs 50 people to both write and personally sell the news on Columbus’ streets in order to prevent homelessness for those on the economic edge.
Book Club News
The next meeting of Book Club is at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. The January meeting is where everyone brings 1-2 book suggestions that they want to suggest for book club for the year. We’ll all share our ideas, resulting in a list. We’ll decide together on a book for February. After the list is compiled and shared, we’ll vote on the list to see what we’ll read and discuss throughout the year. This is a great meeting, since you hear about so many books that you may want to read, even if they don’t get selected for the book club. The only rules: books must be available in paperback OR readily available from the public library for borrowing. We’ll be meeting at Kaethe Sandman’s home. Please let Kaethe know in advance if you plan to attend. We’ll share a potluck dinner; please bring something (main dish, side dish, dessert, beverage) to share. Everyone is most welcome, and the January meeting is a great first meeting for anyone!
A Fond Farewell
Dear friends,
In preparation for the birth of our second child, Brian and I have given much consideration to the needs of our family. After much thought we have decided that I will not return to work after the baby is born, and have provided my resignation to the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry. I will remain with you through January 15 at which time I will take my leave. It has been a pleasure to work for St. Stephen’s for the past 5 years, and I leave behind many fond memories and connections. I wish you all the best as you continue forward through your transitions and I hope that our paths may cross again in the future, as God wishes.
With all of my best, and blessings,
Meghan Western
St. Stephen’s has been greatly blessed by Meghan’s cheerful spirit and “can do” attitude these past five years. During a parish transition the person on staff who feels it most is always the Parish Administrator. Despite enduring several transitions Meghan has met that stress with grace and we are in her debt. In thanksgiving for her meritorious service here and in anticipation for another young soul in her household we are offering everyone an opportunity to contribute to a purse for Meghan (who decided to resign now rather than take her well-earned maternity leave and then resign) and to present it to her at a festive coffee hour after the 10:30 am service on Sunday, January 15, 2017. Please mark any available envelope or note in the memo line of your check “Meghan’s purse” and we will combine all contributions into one large gift. Thank you.
Becky Michelfelder, Rector
2017 Leadership Nominations Open
It’s that time of year again! We are currently accepting nominations for Vestry Members and Convention Delegates through January 29. You may nominate yourself or someone else (though please make sure you’ve spoken to that person first!) by placing a nomination form in the offering plate. As many candidates as would like can run for these positions. A quick description of the jobs and number of openings follows:
Vestry: 4 positions open
Vestry members are responsible for directing the business of the church. Meetings are once per month or by special schedule. A full Vestry term lasts 3 years.
Convention Delegate: 5 positions open (4 delegates, 1 alternate)
Convention Delegates and alternate attend the Diocesan Convention held the second weekend of November as a body to vote on the business of the Diocese for the coming year and to share in fellowship with other congregations of the Diocese. Convention for 2017 will be held in Dayton and expenses are covered by St. Stephen’s.
Service Opportunities
NSI Donations for January
For the rest of December and all of January we will be collecting cans of soup.
During the cold winter months there’s a special need for new or gently used winter clothing such as coats or jackets, hats and gloves or mittens or all sizes for men, women, and children.
Some interesting stats for December at Neighborhood Services, Inc.: 1,208 family visits, 4,014 individuals served, 82 Produce Market visits, 447 Christmas Baskets of food distributed, 619 children provided with Christmas gifts through NSI donors, and 461 children provided gifts through partnership with Firefighters for Kids.
BREAD News
“The Violence Must Stop” Committee (December 2016)
In 2015, BREAD secured a commitment from the Director of Public Safety to implement a proven initiative to reduce gang violence called the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). CIRV is a “carrot and stick” approach that brings community agencies and gang members together offering a way out for those who participate. Deputy Director George Speaks has reported that he has the full support of the County Prosecutor and Mayor Ginther to implement CIRV. Unfortunately several judges are preventing any forward momentum for reasons not yet understood. BREAD has begun meeting with area judges to understand resistance and press for their approval of this proven community initiative.
Benefitting NSI: 2nd Chili Cook Off – Saturday, Jan. 28th 5-7 pm
This year we’ll be at The Commissary – 1400 Dublin Road 43215 – with more room for more Chili and a bar of Actual Brewing Beers for purchase. We’ll have twice the fun with a popular vote winner AND a Souper Famous Judges Panel winner. (Stay tuned as we reveal our panel of judges and the awesome prizes!)
Enter your Chili
Fill out this form (click through and scroll down a bit) and enter your chili into the line up. You’ll bring a family-sized slow cooker full of any chili you want to enter, beef, turkey, vegetarian, mild, hot, white. Whatever you call Chili, we call Chili. (That doesn’t mean the judges will … but you get it.)
No chili to enter but want to try them all and be a part of choosing the winner?! Just come join us and dine on all the free chili and bread you’d like and take advantage of this opportunity to pay it forward in our Donation Slow Cooker to Neighborhood Services.
Around Town and Beyond
Hospice Volunteering 101
If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer whether at the bedside or behind the scenes, join us for a special panel discussion. A group of Mount Carmel Hospice volunteers will discuss their roles and contributions then answer your questions. The session can help you find the best way to serve your community at end-of-life. Please join us on February 7 from 1 pm to 2 pm or on February 21 from 6 pm to 7pm at the Mount Carmel Hospice and Palliative Care Center. Register by calling 234-LIFE (5433).
Reminder: If you’re mailing something to the church, especially time-sensitive materials, we recommend using the PO Box! St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 82263
Columbus, OH 43202