Congregational News & Events – Week of October 22, 2017
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 9
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 10/22/17: 165 Cans
For October, we’ll be collecting 500 cans of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving food baskets that will be provided by NSI. The collection will continue throughout October and 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
From the Juvenile Justice committee:
During the last meeting with Dr. Good, he mentioned that the best way for BREAD to be influential in getting the next superintendent to follow through with his commitments is to fill out this community survey that will be looked at by the Search firm:
https://survey2.ecragroup.com/index.php/221383?lang=en
Example of what to respond:
* For our next superintendent we would like to see someone who is open to working with community partners such as the BREAD Organization, to set up a plan with specific benchmarks to reduce suspensions.
* We want someone who is passionate about improving school climate of all of the buildings in the district and cares for the students and their families.
* We would like to see a superintendent who will create a system for police officers in the schools to make direct referrals to the Juvenile Courts Restorative Justice program.
* We want our next superintendent to be supportive of Restorative Practices as a way to decrease suspensions and improve school climate.
From your B.R.E.A.D. team:
Rae Fellows, Kaethe Sandman, Norm Wernet and Mignonne Whitlow
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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.
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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All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser – Cancelled
Due to unforeseen schedule and life conflicts, this event has been cancelled.
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Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters
Mount Carmel Church Partnerships Newsletters
Copies of the October 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 8-14, 2017, October 16-21, 2017 and October 22-28, 2017 newsletters are posted on the bulletin boards in the Outer Office and in the front of the Sanctuary. To read online, click on the links below:
October 2017 Mount Carmel Church Partnership News
Community Resources October 2017
Weekly Scoop October 8-14, 2017
Weekly Scoop October 16-21, 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
