Congregational News & Events – Week of November 19, 2017
Sunday November 26th Services
8:30am and 10:30am
Campus Ministry for Wednesday, 11/22/17 will be cancelled.
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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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November AWAKE & AWARE
Nov. 26 – Getting ready for Advent – Calendars, Wreaths, and Prayer Chains
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DSO Big Read – Week 13
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 11.19.17: 64 cans
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.)
Thank you for answering the call! St. Stephen’s collected a total of 505 Cans of Cranberry Sauce for NSI Thanksgiving food baskets!
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BREAD Update
BREAD… rises!
This past Monday night, ten people represented St. Stephens at the BREAD Annual Assembly. We heard reports on the ongoing initiatives:
The Violence Must STOP – See the Dispatch front page story on Saturday, November 11th for a description of the CIRV project to reduce violence in Columbus. George Speaks, the Deputy Director of Public Safety and Stephen McIntosh, Judge in the Court of Common Pleas were present to discuss the program.
Welcome Columbus – The committee is optimistic that a city ordinance will be forthcoming. City Councilmember Michael Stinziano discussed his efforts with the BREAD team.
Hire and Better Pay! Don’t Throw Away! – The BREAD committee described the progress in working with OSU to leverage some of their purchasing power to benefit small businesses in the near east side of Columbus. Dr. Casey Hoy represented OSU. City Councilmember Elizabeth Brown was recognized for her efforts to pass a city ordinance to require hiring returned individuals for city contractors.
Fewer Suspensions! Effective Interventions! – The Juvenile Justice committee welcomed Judge Elizabeth Gill, Franklin County Juvenile Court, and heard how she has fulfilled all of her commitments from last May. Her staff have been trained at the International Institute of Restorative Practices, and another Restorative Justice Circle is in development for Whitehall and the far east side. There has been a huge increase in the number of referrals. The committee also described their recent trip to Pittsburgh to observe restorative practices in five schools. A large contingent of Columbus officials accompanied the committee and Dr. John Stanford, the Deputy Superintendent of Columbus City Schools described how his perspective changed over the course of the day.
Each of these committees continues their work to monitor the progress of the programs put in place.
From the house meetings that took place in September and October, three issues were often raised: youth and family concerns, violence, and drugs. We heard personal testimonies from three people related to each topic. Following the presentation, each congregation caucused and decided which of the three issues they wanted BREAD to address this year. The St. Stephen’s representatives all agreed on youth and family concerns, and many others felt the same way, as this issue was voted the most pressing for Columbus this year.
What’s next?
December 11th – the research kick-off. 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 bring up problems, discuss who in Columbus may be able to help, and set priorities for the coming months. All members of the Justice Ministry Network may be a part of the BREAD research effort. This meeting will take place at the Christ United Methodist Church, 1480 Zettler Rd., Columbus 43227, at 7:00 pm.
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 meet-up locations and times for November and December are:
- THURSDAY, November 16 @ The Wine Bistro,1750 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington from 7:00-9:00pm
- THURSDAY, December 7 @ Wesley Glen’s Ravine Room, 5155 No. High St., Columbus from 9:30-11:30 am. Hosted by Nan Platt. Coffee & pastries served. RSVP nanplatt@aol.com for planning purposes. (More details regarding parking to come in November.)
- 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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Otterbein Choral Ensembles to Perform Holiday Concert
Otterbein University’s choral ensembles, including the Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorale, and the Otterbein Singers, will perform a holiday concert at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2nd in the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove Street, Westerville. This event is free and open to the public. Each group will perform works that display their strengths and celebrate the season. Featured works will include Handel’s Sing Unto God, Bach’s Alleluia, Tormé’s The Christmas Song, and Praetorius’s Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming.
More information about the Otterbein University Department of Music and its concert schedule can be found at http://www.otterbein.edu/music. For more information about this event, visit the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/496274577379078/
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Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters
Copies of the November 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletter and October 2017 Community Resources Listing 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 November 14-25, 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:
November 2017 Mt. Carmel Church Partnership Newsletter
Community Resources October 2017
Weekly Scoop for November 14-25, 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
