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St Stephen's Episcopal Church
Belvedere
 
Tidings for the Second Sunday of Advent
10th December 2017
 
 
  
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
 

SUNDAY SERVICES
8:00am
Contemplative Eucharist

10:00am
Holy Eucharist
with Festive Choral Music
St Stephen's Choir 
  
Sunday School
PreK - 12th grades
10:00 AM
Drop off begins at 9:45 AM
 

Childcare  is provided 
 from 9:45 to 11:30 AM for infants 
through age 3
 
  
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COFFEE CONNECTIONS:  

This Sunday -
10th December
The Second Sunday Advent
Christmas Concert Sunday
Team 12
Johnna Coats Garman


Next Sunday -
17 December
Third Sunday of Advent
Team 13
Sharon Hilpert

 

 

Join Our Mailing List 

 

 

Jesus and the children
 
FAMILY MINISTRY
  NEWS

Sunday School
10:00 AM
drop off begins at 9:45 AM

FALL and WINTER 2017
  
Sunday School Classes 

(from 10:00 to the Passing of the Peace at the 10:00 AM Eucharist, 
or approximately10:35am)
 
 
Godly Play
 PreK -  1st Grade

Bible in Life by David C. Cook
for 2nd through 3rd Grade

Bible in Life by David C. Cook
for 4th through 5th Grade

Youth Fall Sunday Class
6th - 12th Grades 
 
Student Ministry
Group discussion with scripture based original curriculum

All students  and older children are encouraged to serve as acolytes, ushers, and scripture readers at the 10 o'clock service. To volunteer yourself or your child for duties in any of these roles, please contact David david@ststephenschurch.org .
 
Childcare
(for infants through age 3)
9:30 - 11:30 PM

I MPORTANT ADVANCE

AND ONGOING INFORMATION

Gratitude Prayers
Prayer

Are you thankful for a blessing or something special?  Let the office know and we can add it to the prayers.  Deadline is Tuesday afternoon as Sunday bulletins are printed early Thursday mornings. Let us know and we can add it to the Sunday prayers of thanksgiving.  
Email Elizabeth Gravely at office@ststephenschurch.org
Wanted: Videographer/Photographer
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The church office is looking for someone with videography and photography skills to volunteer to vlog special events and talks throughout the year. Basic video shooting and editing skills are all that is required. 

If you are available and interested, please contact david@ststephenschurch.org .
Tiburon Thrift Shop
Tiburon Thrift Shop
Volunteers Needed

Volunteer at the Tiburon Thrift Shop and help St Stephen's! Our Parish receives a monthly check from the shop thanks to those who volunteer on St Stephen's behalf.  

Volunteers are needed on Thursdays and 5th Saturdays. 10am to 1pm and/or 1pm to 4pm. 

It is not a huge commitment but it makes a huge difference. To learn more, please contact: June Campbell 415.797.6142 or Jennifer Henerlau 415.608.3239.
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria
Donations through 
Episcopal Charities
hurricanes
Help those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Your generous support will supply critical necessities for communities as we help them recover and rebuild.  Here is the link for donations:
CAWildfire
Monetary Donations for Northern California Fire Victims

The fires in Napa and Sonoma have devastated communities and displaced many.

Most of the shelters are no longer accepting material donations but will need them again once folks are relocated in about two weeks. If you have beds and clothing or other soon to be needed items for setting up a household, please stockpile them or email David Hirsch at
 
If you would like to make a financial donation please consider giving to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Bishop's discretionary fund: 

Please keep our neighbors to the north in your prayers, as well as the first responders. 
Sonoma ReStore in need of Donations
Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity is a longtime partner of St Stephen's and their ReStore in Sonoma is in need of donations to help those affected by the fires rebuild. They are offering the items from the ReStore at no charge to those affected by the fires. 

You can donate to them by calling the ReStore at 707-568-3228, ext 2 or go to
www.hatibatsoco.org/ . They are not currently picking up.
 The items they need are quality:

Furniture
Decorations
Dishes
Silverware
Cookware
Appliances
Tools
Nursery Caregivers
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St Stephen's welcomes Sally Burr, Abby Vergara, and Amanda Larsson to the St Stephen's staff as professional nursery caregivers.
More information to follow.
Year's Mind
Celtic Cross
P lease help Father Ellsworth compile the names and dates of the death of family members whom you would like to be remembered in prayers at the altar on, or close to, the anniversary of their death.This is an old custom, even if new to St. Stephen's.  Email Elizabeth in the office with this click-through.
From the Rector

T he Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. That could be reason for you to panic. You never know when God'll turn up. You'd better look your best; put out your best; clean the rug, and get rid of whatever's been swept beneath it.
     But when you sing the carols of Advent you begin to realize it's God who's coming, not a killjoy, and something begins to happen to you as something happened to Ebenezer Scrooge. 'Love, the Lord, is on the way', as The Advent Carol ('People, Look East') puts it. And what does God want for Christmas? You. Your anxiety, your fear, your sadness, your story. God wants you to be ready for him, ready to be loved, to be seen clearly and truthfully, to be held strongly, and transfigured forever. Advent is a season not for panic, but for heeding the most oft-repeated commandment in Holy Scripture: Don't be afraid. Welcome to St Stephen's.
     See you in church,
 
     Fr Ellsworth
The Church and the Church Office Closed
12th December
All Day
 
The Church and the Church Office will be closed on Tuesday, 12th December, due to a private event.

The Church Office will be open on Monday and Wednesday, the 11th and 13th. A film crew will be on our campus both days. Your patience is appreciated.

St Stephen Episcopal Church Rain Gear & Socks for the Homeless Drive

Sundays: Ends this Sunday, 10th December

socks
The rains have started and the cold weather is here. In a year where thousands locally have been made homeless our challenges have grown. Please help us shelter and warm our homeless.  We are collecting cash donations to purchase ponchos and wool socks that will be distributed by Ritter Center in San Rafael to the area's homeless and unsheltered. Ponchos cost approximately $20 each and Merino wool camping socks cost about $3. Our Youth Group will assist in preparing the ponchos and socks for distribution.

Please, cash/check donations only

Please make checks out to  St Stephens Church with  Rain Gear in the m emo line

Questions: Joe Jennings, josephwjennings@sbcglobal.net ,  
   415 - 279 - 3637.
Christmas Concert
10th December
4PM

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Tickets are sold out for the Annual Christmas Concert to be held at 4 pm this Sunday, December 10.

There is a Wait List for reserved seat tickets (since we frequently receive returned tickets before the concert).  Send any questions or requests to be on the Wait List to concert@ststephenschurch.org
.

If you have ordered tickets that you may no longer need, please advise us at concert@ststephenschurch.org
FAMILY MINISTRY - david@ststephenschurch.org

FAMILY TO FAMILY | Ritter House Christmas Giving: deadline this Friday, 8th December.
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Ritter House has provided a list of Families and Seniors to adopt for Christmas this year and St Stephen's has one family remaining that needs a sponsor. The cost is $100 per child plus a $50 family gift or $100 for a Senior Gift. Gifts need to be purchased and brought to church,  unwrapped, by this Friday, December 8th. (Please note the change from the previous announcement.) 

Email me if you are interested and I will shoot you further details. david@ststephenschurch.org

YOUTH SKI TRIP | January 19 - 21 | $450

The youth have been offered a place to stay in Truckee over the weekend of January 19 - 21 so the group is headed out there for two days of skiing! More details to come, but the cost covers travel, lodging, lift tickets and food for the weekend. 
       We will head out around 5 PM on Friday, ski Squaw on Saturday, Sugar Bowl on Sunday then head back to get a little rest before school. We recommend you rent equipment here. We have a decent amount of space but this trip could fill pretty quickly so drop off your payment to the office or bring it Sunday to reserve your spot. Friends are welcome to come too!  david@ststephenschurch.org

REST DINNER CAROLING | December 24th 5 - 7 PM | Mt Tam Methodist Church

We have the opportunity to bring some Christmas cheer to the REST dinner (for the homeless) on Christmas Eve. We will bring chocolates and sing to a group of 50 men for about an hour, with an hour of practice before hand. We have space for 10 people (adults and children) so let David know soon if you are interested!!

Note: St Stephen's Christmas Eve services on 24th December are at 8 AM (Contemplative Eucharist) and 10 AM (the Feast of the Nativity Pageant) and at 9:30 PM (the Feast of the Nativity festive choral Eucharist).

CONFIRMATION | Sunday Evenings starting in February

If you have a student interested in Confirmation this year please contact David Hirsch, so we can coordinate a time that works for everyone to attend. This year we will also incorporate Sunday worship, youth activities and mission work into the program!
Advent and Godly Play, Pre-K, & First Grade

The Godly Play class, Pre-K - First Grade is learning about the joys of Advent (Ready, Set, Wait) this month. An excited class made Advent wreaths in Sunday School last Sunday. photography: Victoria Ellsworth
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COMING UP
New Member Welcome
17th December
10 o'clock
 
Kickoff Sunday
Please assist St Stephen's in extending a warm welcome to new members on Sunday, 17th December. All who have recently expressed interest in becoming part of St Stephen's vibrant community will be invited to come forward, during the 10 o'clock service, to be welcomed formally and liturgically into the membership of the church.
 
Adult Education Book Discussion, Luther Pt. II
17th December
11:30 AM
 
Martin Luther Metaxas
Mike Peters led a great discussion on Martin Luther 3rd December at Adult Ed. We unanimously decided to press on with part 2 on 17th December, following the 10 o'clock service. One reason to have a part 2 is so people have time to pick up the Eric Metaxas biography of Luther. Karl Belgum highly recommends it. The book is written in a very accessible style that makes Luther's life and times come alive. Please gather your coffee and treats and come to the Becker Conference Room. 

Click this link to purchase from Amazon:

Those of you who were at Adult Ed when we read Metaxas' biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer will remember Metaxas as a fine writer.  This book should be just as readable and interesting.

Altar Guild Tea
20th December
3:00 PM

Altar Guild Tea 2017
Victoria and Fr Ellsworth welcome members of the Altar Guild to the Rectory for Afternoon Tea, 20th December, 3 to 6 o'clock, 7 Sierra Court, Tiburon. Répondez s'il vous plaît to Victoria at victoria.ellsworth@gmail.com
Christmas Pageant
23rd December, rehearsals
24th December Pageant
 
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The Christmas Pageant is for everyone, adults, children, entire families, empty nesters, and singles of all ages. No memorization is necessary. 

We will have wild animals in the Pageant and a petting zoo before and after the Pageant in the courtyard.
We will have one rehearsal, Saturday December 23 at 9 AM for speaking roles, from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM for everyone else. Costumes will be provided on December 23 at rehearsal, or Sunday December 24 at 8:30-9 AM. If you cannot make the rehearsal you can still be in the Pageant in a non-speaking role.

Please send an email or call Joe Jennings, josephwjennings@sbcglobal.net, 415-279-3637 if you and your family would like to be in the cast or crew of this year's pageant.

Pageant Notes on Incarnation
This year we will have writings on Incarnation by contemporary authors for reflection. Please use them to help you enter the  crèche and be part of the birth story.

C.S. Lewis on Incarnation:
"The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation.They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this. Just as every natural event is the manifestation at a particular place and moment of Nature's total character, so every particular Christian miracle manifests at a particular place and moment in the character and significance of the Incarnation

There is no question in Christianity of arbitrary interferences just scattered about. It relates not a series of disconnected raids on Nature but the various steps of a strategically coherent invasion - an invasion which intends complete conquest and "occupation." The fitness, and therefore credibility, of the particular miracles depends on their relation to the Grand Miracle; all discussion of them in isolation from it is futile."

Source: C.S. Lewis, "Miracles: a preliminary study"

Question for Reflection: What does Immanuel "God with Us" mean in your life? How has God been with you?

Knitting Group
11th December
10:30 AM
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Next Monday, the knitting and crocheting group will meet downstairs in the teen classroom. Please park in the main St Stephen's parking lot and enter through the hall doors. (Two hall disabled spaces will be saved.) There are activities booked on the upper level in Kimball Hall on this day.
 
Photo: Olive DePonte and Barbara Garcia-Romero at the International Maritime Association in the Port of Oakland with scarves and caps prepared by the Knitting Group for the program "Christmas at Sea."  
Christmas Flowers
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Envelopes are available in the narthex for Christmas Floral donations. Please make checks out to St Stephen's with
Christmas Flowers in the memo line. Either send your dedication to dee@ststephenschurch.org or write it on the envelope. 

This is a separate collection from the 2018 Altar Flower sign ups.
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Altar Flowers for 2018
 
Florals
The 2018 Flower Chart is now in the Narthex.  Please sign up for your special Sunday.  The donation for flowers is $150. You will be contacted the week prior to your Sunday week for your floral dedication.  You may send your check and dedication to the office any time prior to your chosen Sunday. 

If you have any questions, please email Barbara Garcia-Romero at barbara.c.garciaromero@gmail.com or Ginny Preston at ginny_preston@yahoo.com

This is a separate collection from the Christmas Floral Donations.
St Stephen's Online Directory
 
St. Stephen's Episcopal ChurchThe staff is in the process of creating parishioner access to the first online St Stephen's Directory. This directory will be for the express use of St Stephen's parishioners and will be in lieu of a printed directory. More information about this will be coming soon. Keep tabs on Directory progress by checking your Sunday bulletin or the Tidings.

There are a limited number of early March 2017 Directories available in the office for those who require information prior to the holidays. Stop by to pick one up.

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St Stephen's 
Asks For Your Help
 
The Vestry must draft a budget for 2018 
this month.
To date we have reached 93% 
of our needed pledges for 2018.
 
30 families have yet to submit a pledge for the coming year. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2018, please do so generously. 

We'd like to reach 100 percent participation in the campaign.  You can obtain a pledge card in the entrance to the church, or with this link:
     

or, simply send an email to office@ststephenschurch.org

Ministry of the Month
REST Dinners
food donations
The REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) program
provides a place to sleep for Marin residents who do not have shelter. The shelter provides a safe place and a warm meal every night during 5 winter months. REST participants sleep in congregations across the county.

St Stephen's is one of the congregations who provide food and volunteers on Sunday evenings at Westminster Presbyterian. Beyond the roof and sustenance, our volunteers provide hospitality and connection to the
guests.  This year St Stephen's has taken on extra participation dates. 

Contact Frances Barbour  if you are interested in hosting St Stephen's January 7th commitment.  Frances is also in need of prep help on Saturday 12/9 or to serve on Sunday 12/10 following the Christmas Concert. Other hosting dates will be announced for 2018. If you would like to participate in the REST dinners by hosting, helping with prep, or serving, please contact Frances at febarbour@gmail.com .
Food Bank Barrel
Urgent Need for Fire Victims & Christmas
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It is time to restock the Food Bank for Christmas meals and for victims left homeless by the recent wildfires.

 St Stephen's keeps a Marin/SF Food Bank barrel in the classroom level all through the year and another in the Hall foyer prior to Christmas. Please consider feeding those less fortunate by donating your non-perishable food items.
Art Angels 2017 teal 

Thank you to the Art Angels donors

American Bach Soloists   Robin Scott Catering         Whole Foods
An Affair to Remember     Rustic Bakery           Woodlands Market
Foodniks                           Trader Joe's                      Sweet Things

Thank you to the Art Angels boutique vendors

AH Archer                          Pearls & Gifts            Classy Bag Lady 
Julie Vos, 34 Main Street    All My Layers            DoTerra
Kathy Kamei                      Anna Hirsch              Ellie Kai 
Koze                                   Ark Angels Flowers   Geek Girl Rising
Lazy J                                 Ash and Ames          Glassy Baby Manjusha
Barbara Cobb                    Homeward Bound      MDVII                             
Carmen Priolo                   J'Amy Tarr                  My Red Tea                      
Chase Ewald                     Janice H Carson        Toss                               
Christine Yvette                 Johnnie O's                Virginia Knepper Doyle

Thank you to the Art Angels underwriters

Platinum    Johnna and Richard Garman, Teri and Byron Pollitt

Silver         Chris and Bruce Brent, Martha and David Irmer,  
                  Valerie and Dan King,  Lori and Jeff Runnfeldt

Bronze       Linda and Vito Bialla, Lori and John Buckley, 
                  Pam Martori and Bob McCaskill,  Joan and Roger McGee
 Paul and Sandy Odgen,  Patti and David Stalin, 
 Kathleen Zimmerman

Thank you to the heavenly Art Angels Committee

Bill Brinkman, Anne Brown, Liz Canady, Lois Cannady,  Johnna Coats, 
Lance Dalzell-Piper, Virginia Doyle Fr. Phillip Ellsworth,  Jean Fair, Jerry Fair, Elizabeth Gravely, Rod Hall, Anne Hammer,  Sharon Hilpert, David Hirsch
Missy Leathers, Joe Jennings,  Marisa Jennings, Roger McGee, Betsy Menzel, Lilian Murray, Alex Norris,  Kathy Perasso, Mike Peters,  Melissa Prentis, Ginny Preston,  Mona Helen Renney,  Sudy Schneider, Sarah Sung, Dawn Vroegop,  Judith Wilson,  the fab St. Stephen's Youth Group Servers and the American Bach Soloists!
Thank you to Pablo Gaito 
Bubbles & Bach Featured Artist

Pablo Gaito, one of the newest artists attending St. Stephen's Church, was chosen to exhibit his work this year during Bubbles and Bach at the 2017  Art Angels Fair. 
 
In the past, this space has been reserved for a memorial exhibit that honors an artist or artists who have passed away in the two years since the last  Art Angels Fair. Luckily, we did not lose any of our St. Stephens artists during this time so we are honoring our newest artist who is most gifted, indeed!
 
Pablo Gaito, a Tiburon resident, hails from Argentina. The colors and intense movement of his designs reflect the lively paintings of his native country. With a double graduate degree in Human Development, and working in Human Resources, Pablo hopes to inspire others to integrate their business lives and their personal lives as he has done. 
 
If you are interested in Pablo's work, please visit his website at  https://www.pablogaitoart.com/
Morning and Evening Prayers
  
The Daily Office:

Morning Prayer is said in the church Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 9:30 AM (Please note, there is no Morning Prayer on Wednesdays.)

Evening Prayer is said in the church Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM.

Please note, there will be no Morning or Evening Prayer next Tuesday 12th December.
SAVE THESE DATES!
Special Calendar Planning Dates

Parish Retreat - 20 - 22nd April 2018
Youth Ski Trip -  19th, 20th, 21st January 2018 - Note Change!
Mission Trip - 17th - 23rd June 2018

St Stephen's  Calendar:
   

December
10, 17, 24, 31 Services at 8 & 10 AM
7, 14, 21 Youth Small Group Gathering - 6 PM

10 St Stephen's Christmas Concert - 4 PM
11 Tech crew on campus, Office open
12 Church and Office closed due to a private event
13 Tech crew on campus, Office open
17 Adult Education on Martin Luther, pt. 2 - 11:30 AM
18  Vestry Meeting, 6:30 PM, elsewhere
23 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal -  9 AM - Noon
24 Christmas Eve Day Services - 8 AM Quiet Eucharist
24 Christmas Eve Day Service - 10 AM Christmas Pageant
24 Christmas Eve Service - 9:30 PM - One only
25 Christmas Day One Service - 10 AM
31 First Sunday after Christmas, services at 8 & 10 AM
  
Ongoing:
The Daily Office:
Morning & Evening Prayer, Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 AM & 5:30 PM
2nd/4th Mondays: Knitting Group - 10:30am 
1st Wednesday: The Explorers Club (next date is in Jan.)
Wednesdays: Yoga with Capucine -   New day & time TBD, watch this space
5thThursdays:  Contemplative Prayer - 8:30am   
Thursdays: 9:50am-1pm or 12:50-4pm - Volunteers at the Thrift Shop
Thursday: Choir Practice - 7:30pm
2nd Thursday of the Month: Homeward Bound Meals
4th Thursday of the Month: Westminster Hot Lunch
Every Sunday: Healing Prayers at 8am & 10am
Sundays: Children's Choir 11:15 - 11:45 am 
             Get the latest updates at: ststephenschurch.org 
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 Find the link on the home page on the web.
 

 

Articles for submission are due by Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.

 

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Administrative and Communications Associate

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

3 Bay View Avenue

PO Box 97

Belvedere, CA 94920

415.435.4501