Congregational News & Events – Week of December 3, 2017
Sunday December 10th Services
8:30am and 10:30am
8:30 am – Choir Rehearsal
9:15 Exodus & Revelation Study – Hobson Hall
10:30 am Awake and Aware Christmas pageant rehearsal
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Awake and Aware program for children and youth
Sundays at 10:30 am
December 10 – Christmas Pageant rehearsal led by Jeff Watters and Terrie Clark
December 17 – 10:30 am service – The Pageant
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Directory Update 2017
We are currently updating the church directory. Starting on Sunday, 10/15/17, there will be a draft of the updated directory in the front of the sanctuary on the Welcome Table. Please review your directory information and update (if needed) using the red pens provided. If you are new to St. Stephen’s and would like to be included in the directory, please include your information on the lined sheet provided next to the directory draft. You can also contact the office at parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org with your changes. Our goal is to have the directory ready for distribution by 12/3/17, the first Sunday of Advent. Thanks!
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DSO Big Read – Week 16
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 November/December: Mixed Vegetables
Total as of 12.3.17: 246 cans
(For more info on how you can help NSI this season, please click on the following to access the December 2017 NSI Newsletter: December 2017 NSI Newsletter)
For the Christmas holiday season, NSI is requesting 500 cans of mixed vegetables, which will be collected at St. Stephen’s through Sunday, December 10th, and need to be at NSI by Friday, December 15th. (If you take cans of vegetables to NSI directly in the week between 11/10/17 and 11/15/17, please let Carolyn Vander Stouw know how many cans you are donating so she can keep track of the count.)
If you would like to “adopt” a child for Christmas gifts, take a paper ornament from the Jessie Tree. Also take a paper titled “Christmas Adoptions 2017” and sign your name and phone number on the list on the clip board by the name of the parent and child you choose. Plan on spending about $50. Gifts need to be at church by Tuesday, Dec. 12th or take directly to NSI by Friday, Dec. 15th. Please let Carolyn Vander Stouw know if you are taking your presents to NSI. No need to wrap your gift. If you like, include wrapping paper with the gifts.
As an alternative to shopping, you may make a donation of any amount which will be spent on gifts. If you write a check, make it out to St. Stephen’s and write “NSI” on the memo line. All monetary donations need to be at church by Sunday, Dec. 10th
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BREAD Update
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
At the BREAD Annual Assembly earlier in November, the BREAD justice ministry network voted to address youth concerns as this year’s focus. Among the issues raised at house meetings are:
* Children not ready for school
* Hungry children
* Kids on the streets with nothing to do
* Child abuse
* Teen pregnancy
* Teen suicide, access to counseling services
* Bullying
* Families broken by deportation
* Grandparents with custody of grandchildren
The research kick-off is on Monday, December 11 at Christ United Methodist Church, 1480 Zettler Rd., Columbus 43227, at 7:00 pm. This meeting will be a brainstorming session for those interested in participating in the research from January through the Nehemiah Action on May 7. At this first session, people will discuss who in Columbus may be able to help and set priorities for the coming months.
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet and Mignonne Whitlow
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Book Club for December
Book Club News: Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30 PM at Sarah Luckay’s home (614-890-0635, sluckay@columbus.rr.com). Instead of a specific book discussion, this month we’ll be sharing poetry and favorite cookbooks. Everyone may share 1 or 2 favorite poems or 1 or 2 cookbooks or a combination of a poem and a cookbook. So, that everyone has time to share, if your poem is lengthy, please just pick one. We’ll begin with a potluck meal (please bring food and/or beverage to share) followed by the sharing of poetry and cookbooks. All are welcome. Kindly let Sarah know if you plan to attend, so she can plan for the correct amount of people. In January we’ll suggest books for 2018. We already have the February selection, so if you wish to get started on that, it is The Dogs of Littlefield by Suzanne Berne.
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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.
The next meet-up location and time is:
- THURSDAY December 21 @ Kaitlin Raver’s home from 7:00-9:00pm. Pot luck heavy appetizers and/or bottle of wine. RSVP (614) 956-8550 or kaitlinraver@gmail.com. We will be singing carols around the piano for the Soul’s JOY in celebration of the season. If you happen to be a good accompanist or know one, please share your talents or bring your friend along! As a charitable contribution, we will also be collecting Feminine Products for NSI to support our SOUL SISTERS in the world.
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 December 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter and October 2017 Community Resources Listing can be found on the Community News table in Hobson Hall. The Weekly Scoop for December 1-9 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:
December 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnership News
Community Resources October 2017
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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
