Congregational News & Events – Week of October 29, 2017
Sunday November 5 – All Saints Sunday
ONE Service at 10:30 am
Potluck to follow
- The congregation is invited to bring pictures and mementos of loved ones to place on the Remembrance Table by the St. Stephen’s mosaic.
- Sign the Remembrance Book at the door with the names of those you would like remembered in the prayers at the altar.
- Bring a dish to share at the potluck associated with a friend or relative you would like to remember this day.
(Pay no attention to the Hot Chocolate Run. Should be past Woodruff Ave. by 10am.)
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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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3rd Quarter 2017 Giving Statements Are Ready
Giving Statements for the 3rd Quarter of 2017 are ready and will be available for pick up at the front of the Sanctuary beginning this Sunday, July 30th, prior to and following the 10:30 service. The statements will report giving from January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017. Edward Lasseigne, Treasurer, and Liz Hecker, Interim Parish Administrator, will be at a table to distribute the statements, which will be enclosed in sealed envelopes. If you prefer to have your statement mailed to you, please let Liz know by email at parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org or by phone at (614) 294-3749 and she will be happy to mail it to you. Any statements that are not retrieved in person by November 6th will be mailed.
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November AWAKE & AWARE
Nov. 5 – For all the Saints! What’s a Saint? Who’s your Saint?
Nov. 12 – Share, Save, Spend Where’s your money? Does God care?
Nov. 19 – Come, ye thankful people! Who are you going to thank? How?
Nov. 26 – Getting ready for Advent Calendars, Wreaths, and Prayers
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DSO Big Read – Week 10
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 October – 500 Cans of Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets
Current Count as of 10/23/17: 331 Cans
St. Stephens is collecting 500 cans of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets that will be provided by NSI. The collection will continue through the first two weeks of November until Sunday, November 12th, which will be the last day of collection.
In all the years of collecting Thanksgiving food items for NSI, this is the largest donation request yet; however, we’ve met the challenge before, and we can do it again!
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Choral Evensong
Trinity Lutheran Seminary – Gloria Dei Worship Center
Friday, November 3, 2017
7:30 Prelude 8:00 Evensong
Haydn – Mass in D Minor
Trinity Seminary Choir, orchestra, and soloists
(including members of St. Stephen’s)
Free parking – Freewill offering
GLORIA DEI WORSHIP CENTER
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
2199 East Main Street / Columbus, OH 43209
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BREAD Update
The BREAD organization is comprised of many different congregations, who in turn represent many different traditions. Each of our congregations believes something different — about the nature of God and the name of God. But each of us shares a commitment to pursue justice guided by our faith — to finding, in the things that we share, the strength that unity can bring.
On 10/23/17, BREAD teams from 37 congregations around Columbus gathered to report on our house meetings. In total, 113 house meetings were held for 939 people. Here at St. Stephen’s, we held four meetings for 26 people. Our primary goal this evening is to narrow down the concerns from our community, as we begin to focus on a problem to tackle this year. Of the many categories, the top concerns were (1) drugs; (2) violence; and (3) youth and families. This mirrored the concerns voice at St. Stephen’s house meetings, where many people noted fear about opioid addiction and racial tension in Columbus.
What’s next? The Annual Assembly on Monday November 13, 7 pm, at Christ the King Catholic Church on E. Livingston Ave. This is timed to be about 6 months after the Nehemiah Action, and many of the public servants and government representatives will attend to update us on what they have accomplished in this time. In addition, we will vote on the three concerns just listed and choose one as the focus of this year’s research.
From our congregation, the following people have stepped up to be a part of the BREAD Justice Ministry Network: Peter Anderson, Jay Fellows, Dale Harris, Stuart Hobbs, Edward Lasseigne, Jamie Massa, Joe Rutter, Yasue Sakaoka, Carolyn VanderStouw, Tracy Wimberly, and Andy Workum. They have committed to bring at least three people to the Nehemiah Action in May, to attend several other meetings, including the Annual Assembly, and to invest in the work of BREAD.
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet and Mignonne Whitlow
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To see the entire flyer, click here: Am I My Sister’s Keeper? Conference Flyer
Read more online at http://www.dsoconnections.org/2017/09/12/am-i-my-sisters-keeper/
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Book Club for November
Book Club News: Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, November 8 at 6:30 PM at Kaethe Sandman and Pete Anderson’s home ( anderson.sandman@gmail.com, 614-294-5647). The book we’ll be discussing is The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick. We’ll begin with a potluck meal (please bring food and/or beverage to share) followed by the book discussion. All are welcome. Kindly let Kaethe know if you plan to attend, so she can plan for the correct amount of people. In December, we’ll share poetry and/or favorite cookbooks, and 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 2 @ La Chatelaine Bakery & French Bistro 627 High St, Worthington from 9:30-11:30am
- 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
Survey Question for December the 21st Holiday gathering:
Thinking about a cookie exchange (bring 3 doz. and take home an assortment) , pampering gift exchange (bath salts, tea, nail polish, etc), white elephant exchange, or service gift collection
(hats & mittens, kids books, toys?)…whatever you all think think would be most fun and make your holidays easy and enjoyable! Let me know what you prefer and I’ll have the details in November.
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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5K Run/Walk for Batten’s Disease Research
Long time St. Stephen’s members Tim and Jan Betz lost their granddaughter, Celia Betz, a few years ago to a very rare and devastatingly terminal genetic disorder called Batten Disease. The Betz Family is now sponsoring a 5k Run/Walk in Celia’s memory to raise money for Batten Disease research so others won’t have to suffer the same loss.
The Battling Batten Disease 5k will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Scioto Audubon Metro Park, 400 West Whittier Street in Columbus. Information, registration, and donation options can be found at this link:
https://racepenguin.com/events/battling-batten-disease-5k/.
The Walk and Run kick off at 9:30 am, so depending on how fast you run or walk, you can still make the 8:30 or 10:30 Church Services.
If you decide to participate, join us under team: “St.Stephen’s Battles Batten with the Betz’s”. If you cannot join us that morning, please consider donating to this worthy cause in support of the Betz Family and in Celia’s memory.
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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 October 22-28, 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 October 22-28, 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
