Congregational News & Events – Week of February 3, 2019
The Fourth Week after the Epiphany
Service Times
8:30 am and 10:30am
The Rev. John Johanssen Celebrant and Preacher
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Choir Rehearsal – 8:30 am in the Chapel
Adult Bible Discussion Group 9:15am in Hobson Hall
Thrive! Children, Youth & Families Ministry Meet in Outer Office during 10:30am serivce, then upstairs in Hobson Hall
Campus Ministry Tuesday Night Oasis – 8:00pm, Sanctuary
Mid-Week Prayer and Luncheon – Wednesdays, 12:30pm
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From The Rev. John R. Johanssen
Office Hours
My office hours while serving as Priest in Charge at St. Stephen’s will be Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Meetings need to be arranged by appointment.
In case of emergencies, please contact me at my cell phone at 614-286-4736.
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Attention Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharist Visitors (and those interested in serving)
It is time to renew licenses for Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) and Eucharist Visitors (EVs).
If you are currently taking communion to homebound parishioners, or would like to serve the chalice on Sunday mornings, please give your name to the Parish Administrator via email at parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org. I will be arranging for a training in toward the end of Epiphany for those who are interested.
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St. Stephen’s “Town Meeting” Sunday, February 3, 2019 – Following the 10:30 service in the Sanctuary
You are all invited to attend our first “Town Meeting” to be held February 3, 2019 immediately after the 10:30 service in the sanctuary. This will be an informal time to get to know each other and discuss our life and ministry at St. Stephen’s. Please bring your questions and topics and join us. We hope to offer these informal information sessions on the first Sunday of each month as appropriate.
I look forward to seeing you there.
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Out of Town February 5-12, 2019 The Rev. Eileen O’Reilly – Guest Clergy
I will be out of the office from Tuesday, February 5th through Tuesday, Feb 12th and will return to the office on Wednesday, February 13th. I have engaged The Rev. Eileen O’Reilly, Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Cincinnati to supply for me on Sunday, February 10, 2019 for both services.
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2019 Vestry and Convention Delegate Elections
At the December meeting the Vestry scheduled the 2019 Annual Meeting for Sunday February 24th.
Please refer to the following dates regarding 2019 Vestry and Convention Delegates:
Monday, February 4th: Candidate bios and photos are due in to the Parish Office by 5:00pm in order that ballots can be prepared for distribution beginning Sunday, February 10th. Candidate bios and photos can be sent to the Parish Office via email at parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org.
Vestry and Convention Delegate elections will be on the following Sundays: February 10, February 17th, and February 24th (before the Annual Meeting.)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any Vestry member.
The St. Stephen’s Vestry
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Sunday Morning Adult Bible Discussion for February 3, 2019
The Sunday, February 3rd, the Adult Discussion Group will focus on Chapter 24 of Luke’s Gospel, which we have been reading as part of the DSO Big Read, and we will begin Chapter 1 of The Acts of the Apostles. If you can, read these chapters in the Collegeville Commentary books, or any study Bible. Bring your comments and questions, take a seat at the table, and join the conversation. Everyone is invited! Oh, yes, coffee and donuts are available, too!
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Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15am in Hobson Hall for the discussion! The new “Big Read” of the Diocese of Southern Ohio has begun, and we are finishing our study the Gospel of Luke and are now beginning the Book of Acts. We are using the book The Acts of the Apostles by Dennis Hamm, from the New Collegeville Bible Commentary series, which is available at Amazon.com or other used book sources on the internet for about $10 to $20, depending on where you purchase it. OR, a good study Bible will have helpful notes and commentary.
http://dsobeloved.org/big-read-home/.
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DSO Big Read – Luke & Acts and the Beloved Community
We will explore the story of Jesus and the creation of the early church, as we deepen our discipleship and reflect on how the church can bear witness to Jesus’ love that overcomes all that divides us. We encourage churches to be creative about how they will study and explore Luke, Acts, and Beloved Community in their context.
The Luke & Acts bookmarks are to help us and other Episcopalians in our Diocese read the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts together between now and next Easter. Our Sunday morning Adult Discussion at 9:15 will be following this schedule. You are welcome to join it! Or, you can read the chapters of the Bible at home on your own. You can also go to the website http://dsobeloved.org/big-read-home/ for resources and help in understanding what you read.
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Thrive!
Our children’s spiritual formation classes (Thrive) is meeting this Sunday during the 10:30am service. Look for Rachael Smith and Daniel Buey in the “meeting room”.
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The Tuesday Evening Oasis Campus Ministry
Join us on Tuesday evenings to pray, sing, and meditate in the St. Stephen’s sanctuary. If you have any questions, contact Jared Talbot (itsjaredcoffintalbot@gmail.com).
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Clinking Quarters
All quarters offered in the Sunday collection plates are used to support our outreach ministries, particularly to purchase the food for our twice yearly meal at St. John’s, Franklinton. Each time you donate a quarter, clink it on the side of the plate so we can be reminded of the needs of our community and the good works that your quarters help fund.
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BREAD Update – New Committee on Elder Care; 1.11.19 Columbus Dispatch Editorial
BREAD’s newest committee is researching problems affecting senior citizens such as transportation, home healthcare, and other challenges. The Kirwan Institute provided a study stating that “In Franklin County, there is a nearly twenty-year difference in life expectancy for seniors living in different neighborhoods.” The committee will continue to meet with local agencies to learn more about what is causing this issue. The study also shared that by 2040, Franklin County’s senior population will increase by 94% -meaning that if nothing is done, this injustice will continue to escalate. If you have any stories regarding Elder Care, please contact the BREAD office at 614-220-9363.
Please click on the below link to read the editorial about B.R.E.A.D.’s 2019 focus on affordable housing that was published in The Columbus Dispatch on January 11, 2019.
Remember, when we all work for justice, BREAD rises!
With your help, BREAD rises!
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet, and Mignonne Whitlow
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NSI Collection for February: Pasta (no egg noodles, please)
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Book Club for February 2019
The February Book Club meeting will be on Wednesday, February 13 starting at 6:30 PM. We’ll begin with a potluck meal; please bring food and/or beverage to share. The meeting will be at St. Stephen’s in Hobson Hall, which is reserved for us that evening. There ought to be plenty of room in the parking lot next to the church. Cynthia Whitacre will be serving as host, so kindly let her know if you plan to attend (614-975-7814 or whitacrc@oclc.org). After dinner we’ll be discussing Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks, a book of short stories. Remember that voting for books for the rest of the year is due by the meeting date. Please send your votes to Cynthia. If you need the voting list, compiled from the January meeting, please let her know. Everyone is welcome!
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Calling St. Stephen’s Soul Sisters!
Hi “Soul Sisters” of St. Stephen’s!
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.
New for 2019: All morning gatherings on the 1st Thursday of each month will be held in the Chapel at St. Stephen’s. Centralized for all, no need to remember where to show up, and kid-friendly! Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided. If you need a ride, transportation can be arranged.
February 2019 Meeting Dates:
- February 7 @ St. Stephen’s Chapel, 9:30am – 11:30am
- February 21 – TBA soon!
(Always looking for monthly hosts and/or open to ideas for places to meet or excursion sites conducive to conversation and 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 Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters for February 2019, Weekly Scoop Newsletter for February 1-9, 2019, and Health Living Center Wellness Activities list for Winter 2019 can be found on the Community News table in Hobson Hall. Also available are the Mount Carmel Diabetes Prevetion Program Class Listings for January-March 2019 and a flyer for the Diabetes Prevention Program.
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As we prepare for Refresh Your Soul, we wanted to let you know that we have a small amount of scholarship funding available to those who may not be able to pay the full price. Please feel free to let others know. If you would like more information regarding this and to obtain an application, please contact Rose Lindeman at rlindeman@erslife.org.
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