Upcoming Congregational Activities
Sunday, June 19: 10:00am Welcome Task Force meeting
Wednesday, July 13: 6:30pm Book Club at the home of Louise Bishop
Sunday, July 17: 12 noon to 4:00pm: Olentangy River Bike Ride and Family Fun Day
Sunday, July 24 – Aug 14: MAKE for children during the 10:30am service
Pastoral Care Coverage
Deacon Pam Elwell has graciously agreed to be the coordinator for pastoral care calls. Several clergy will be available for pastoral care: The Rev. Bruce Smith, the Rev Deacon Sherm Everett, the Rev. Karl Stevens, and the Rev. Deacon Pam Elwell. Please call Pam first—she will know who is on call at any particular time.
Sunday, June 19
This Sunday, June 19 we welcome The Rev. Bruce Smith to preach and celebrate at both services.
AWAKE and AWARE
Although AWAKE and AWARE are on summer hiatus, we have begun planning for the return of classes in September. We are looking toward a more intentional approach to teaching and planning for the 2016/2017 year, which will require a core group of teachers who can commit to leading 1 to 2 Sundays a month as part of a teaching team. Ultimately we would like to have 4 to 6 teams (8-12 teachers). If you are interested in teaching AWAKE or AWARE classes this September, please contact Jeff Watters or Rachael Smith.
BREAD Updates
BREAD leaders were in action again this week, as we went to City Hall to present the 1560 signatures and the picture of BREAD faithful at the Nehemiah Action on May 9th. You know the history: BREAD sent a letter to Mayor Ginther In January, made repeated calls in February, filled out the official “request to meet with Mayor Ginther” paperwork on March 19th, continued to press for a meeting, had our invitation to attend the Action denied, and in the month since the Action have not been granted a meeting with the mayor. So we took the signatures to him.
About 30 people attended the news conference on the steps of City Hall. We were noticed – just as our final speaker was wrapping up, City Hall security appeared and told us we had to move. You’ll be glad to know we politely asked that we be allowed to finish our statement (and we did). Alternative media folks were there. The press release was sent to all local media.
So…although we have allies on City Council, our efforts to partner with the mayor in his expressed objective to lift Linden and the Hilltop out of poverty have been rebuffed. BREAD will not give up. We never do.
Members of the BREAD Justice Ministry Network will attend the annual celebration and kickoff of the investment drive on Monday June 20, at Christ the King church (school hall) on East Livingston at 6:00. Contact your BREAD team members if you need a ride.
Dinner will be served, we will be inspired, we will celebrate with other BREAD congregations and the St. Stephen’s BREAD Team. This night marks the kick-off of BREAD’s Investment Drive. BREAD is supported by member congregations, and some of Columbus’ justice-minded private companies. We get no government support. The goal this year is $120,000 for the congregational drive and $50,000 for the corporate drive. We hope you will prayerfully consider making an investment in BREAD.
With your help, BREAD rises!
Clinking Quarters and the St. John’s His Place dinner
On May 25, your clinking quarters were put to use by offering a meal to 120 hungry souls at St. John’s church in Franklinton. The dinner included fried chicken, bean and corn salad, rolls, and fresh fruit. Our thanks to Nora Anderson, James Marquart, Elise Schaefer, Carolyn Vanderstouw, Norm Wernet, and Mignonne Whitlow for helping to prepare, serve and clean up! St. Stephen’s serves this dinner twice a year, so keep the quarters clinking in the collection plate — just 10 of them will buy a complete dinner. Interested in helping at the next meal in September? Contact Peter Anderson at anderson.sandman@gmail.com.
NSI Donations for June
The item for NSI for June is SOUP!
Book Club News
All are invited to the July Book Club meeting. The book being discussed is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. We meet on Wednesday, July 13 starting at 6:30 PM at Louise Bishop’s home. Please let Louise know as far in advance as possible if you plan to attend. We’ll share a potluck super followed by the book discussion. Please bring something to share (main dish, side dish, dessert, beverage). Everyone is welcome! For those who you wish to read, the book for the August 10 discussion is The Little Paris Book Shop by Nina George.
13th Annual Iftar at St. James Episcopal: June 23
For the last several years St. James has hosted an IFTAR for our Muslim neighbors and friends, serving more than 80 guests and sharing fellowship and interfaith dialog. This is a meal that breaks the fast during the month long season of Ramadan and is served after sundown. This year the date is Thursday, June 23rd.
We are inviting our fellow Episcopalians and friends to help set up, serve and socialize, and stay late to clean up. Please consider helping with this ministry. Contact Janet Bailey at janetmbailey@msn.com for more information
Saint Stephen’s Gratitude Project
Olentangy River Bike Ride and Family Fun Day
Sunday, July 17, 2016 12 noon to 4 p.m.
What are we doing?
- Riding bikes (@ 4 miles) on the Olentangy River Trail
- Listening to stories about the efforts to restore the natural flow of the river.
- Learning about the natural environment of the watershed and the benefits of caring for its preservation.
- Exploring ways that stewardship of the natural world can be a spiritual practice.
- Celebrating at the Annual Chadwick Arboretum Open House.
Who are we doing it with?
- Our friends and neighbors in the greater campus and North Columbus communities.
Where do you find more information?
- Visit the River Ride 2016 webpage at: http://olentangyriverride.weebly.com/
- Send an email to: river_ride@ststephens-columbus.org
Annual PiMil Luncheon and Silent Auction: July 23
On Saturday, July 23, PiMiL will hold its annual Fundraising Luncheon and Silent Auction at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 700 High Street, Worthington. The theme is Feeding the Mind, Body and Soul (John 21:15). The theme is “Seeking, Caring and Belonging” (John 10:16). The goal is to raise $10,000 to send Liberia’s Ebola orphans to school in the coming year. This will be a family event with many activities for children.
How can we help now?
* Put an advertisement or personal message in the event program. Forms can also be obtained by contacting Edward Lasseigne at lasseigne@hotmail.com or by calling 504-874-3350.
* Purchase tickets to the July 23 Fundraising Luncheon. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Edward Lasseigne. Prices are $15 for adults, $5 for children.
* Ask family, friends, and neighbors to set aside items for the Silent Auction on July 23. More information about how to donate items will be available later.
* Go to www.pimil.org for information about sponsoring a child. Costs vary per grade level and are displayed on the site. This is a wonderful way to involve a school-age child in a humanitarian mission, because sponsored children will write to you and you can write back through the PiMiL organization.
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