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The color for the season of Lent is purple, which characterizes waiting and yearning in the experiences of repentance, suffering, death, relinquishment, brokenness, alienation, abandonment, loneliness, isolation and conflict. While putting on the color purple, an individual might ask:
Do I feel like I am in a wilderness?
Am I facing temptation and need help to resist?
Do I see weakness in myself and the need to change?
What do I need to allow to die in me in order to be closer to God?
What do I need to confess in order to be rid of guilt?
With what am I struggling and in pain?
Do setbacks and losses eat away at me?
How far have I strayed from God's purpose for my life?
Do I doubt God, myself, others?
From what or whom do I run away and hide?
Does saying goodbye to people and places leave me feeling sad?
A friend and I used to compare notes on what we each were giving up for Lent or what new spiritual
Practice we were initiating for the season. Two years ago his response was, "I am entering chemotherapy." His chemo treatment started at Ash Wednesday and continued into the season of Pentecost. He accepted his trips to the clinic for six hours of chemical injection as a spiritual discipline,
One in which the forces of death were vying with the forces of life. The chemical injected into his body were aimed at a nasty tumor, but damaged his hair, digestive process and good cells. He experienced much "dying unto self" while he awaited the good news of Easter Life.
Congregations struggle, wait, and yearn as well. Betrayals of trust, posturing, power moves, hidden dirty laundry, and scores of other life-depleting attitudes and behaviors sap our common life and call for resolution and healing. The church knows the stories of Holy Week within it own life. We might ask, "Is it possible to discover God's presence in the midst of all this stuff?" Lent calls us to openly and humbly face them and to offer them to God for resolution. "Let go. Let God" changes into abundant life.
In the face of the worst that life can bring, in the honesty of raw human suffering, there is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. I know that listening in the darkness is an act of faith every bit as listening in the light. Listening and demanding a hearing with God is bold, honest faith in inexplicable pain. North Americans deny pain, it seems. We anesthetize it, shuttle it away from our eyes and silence the sound of it. But we cannot escape it.
Come and partake of the Wednesday Soup and Program dinners on THE SECOND BOOKEND. A holy Lent to you and yours,
Gary+
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Wednesday Lenten Program-The Second Bookend
With tradition we are offering our Lenten Soup and Salad followed by an hour of studying The SecondBookend: Completing a Life by Susan Jorgensen. Wednesdays- Fe. 21, 28, March 7,14,21 6pm meal and 7pm study in St. Cecelia Room. Ellen Shields is coordinating the soup roster with one vegetarian soup. Thanks grandly Ellen and soup makers!!! "Jorgensen's experience of living while dying challenges us to respond more deeply to mysterious and beautiful questions. Quietly overwhelmed by her raw spiritual honesty, one feels at once an intruder and a welcome quest. Only later do we realize that we've met God in a new and yet unsurprising place." -Mark Mossa, SJ. You may buy the book or not. I will extrapolate each chapter on Wednesdays. Hope you will be with us and bring a family member or friend.
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Sunday School and Youth Group News
Sunday School hosted their annual "Superbowl Chili Fundraiser" on
Sunday February 4th.
The kids sold hot dogs, chili, sandwich, and baked goods during coffee hour in the parish hall.
We raised an amazing $334.00. We are getting closer to our "Build an Ark" goal of $2500.00
Thanks so much kids for your help, BUT most of all , thanks to everyone for your appetite and your Sunday School support!!!!
There is
Sunday School scheduled for
February 11th, 18th and the 25th.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SHROVE TUESDAY
Tues Night Feb 13th -
Please come and have
ALL YOU CAN EAT pancakes, sausage and bacon
Yum Yum!!
Let get our fill before the start of Lent
6-7:30PM in the parish hall.
Activities for the kids
Sunday School help needed for setup, serving and cleanup
THIS OUTREACH SOUNDS LIKE FUN!!!
Please let Rhonda know if interested in going
I will provide transportation if another adult joins me. I was thinking at 11:15-12:15
We Are Super Excited To Host An
ART-A-THON FOR ST. JUDE'S
On Saturday, March 10th
Children's Workshops Will Be Offered At
10:00am - 11:00am
11:15am - 12:15pm
1:30pm -2:30PM
2:45pm - 3:45pm
$25 Per Child Per Workshop
100% Of All Proceeds Will Be Donated!!
To Register For A Workshop
OR
To Make A Donation
Please Join Us For This
ARTrageous Fundraiser!!
For the months of February and March,
St Stephens will once again be collecting "Caps for Kids" for the Cohen's Children Hospital.
There is a huge need for these caps for children ages 2-17.
Please donate hand knitted caps or new caps (baseball caps are welcome if they are in children's size)
There will be a looming table set up every
Sunday during coffee hour if you would like to lend a hand making a cap.
This outreach project was a huge success last year. Thanks to all of you, we collected 95 caps!!!
This year, Do you think we could collect 125???
The donation baskets are located inside both entrances of the church and also in the parish hall.
Thanks for helping a child in need!!!
Here are some VERY IMPORTANT Sunday School Dates for your calendar
Sunday Mar 11th - Girl Scout Sunday- CALLING ALL GIRL SCOUTS!!! Please come wearing your uniform :):) Everyone starts in church for the blessing of the Girl Scouts followed by
Sunday School. Lets honor these special girls that do so much for our community.
Saturday April 21st - Habitat for Humanity - Sunday School grades 2nd and up will bring lunch to the volunteer workers. Lets show appreciation for all that they do. This is a really fun time. 11:30 - 2:00 Transportation is provided.
Sunday May 6th - 1st Holy Communion Family Service. Please let Father Gary or Rhonda know if you are interested in having your child receive their 1st Holy Communion. Usually for grades 2nd and up.
Saturday May 19th - Sunday School is hosting St Stephens American Idol Fundraiser- Country Style. Please come for dinner and dessert and either perform your talent or sit and watch. SO MUCH FUN!!! 6-8PM in the Parish Hall
Help needed for setup, serving and cleanup
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY :):)
Rhonda Fay
Children and Youth Minister
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Announcements
ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH: The first of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. The ashes are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, and may be imposed with the sign of the cross. Ash Wednesday is observed as a fast in the church year of the Episcopal Church. The Ash Wednesday service is one of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days in the BCP (p. 264). Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes will be at 12 noon & 7:30pm in the church.
THANK YOU NOTE TO ST. STEPHEN'S FROM 'ADOPTED' FAMILY THROUGH OUR LADY OF FATIMA
2017 ANNUAL 2017 ANNUAL REPORT:
If you were not able to attend the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 21, 2018, you may access a copy of the 2017 Annual Report presented at the meeting here.
2018 WEEKLY OFFERING ENVELOPES:
There are still MANY current year, 2018, offering envelopes awaiting collection. WHY DO WE WANT YOU TO USE THESE ENVELOPES? Following good accounting practice, St Stephen's keeps a PAPER record, as well as, a computer entry of every donation or payment made to the church. If your contribution is NOT in the numbered envelope associated with your name - the counters are required to look up your number and write that on an index card along with your name, date, check #, amount, designated purpose etc., which takes time. So please, continue to GIVE however it is convenient for you, but the counters, all of whom are volunteers, would really appreciate your using the envelopes. This applies for parishioners who pledge and for non-pledgers. Parishioners who make contributions directly from their bank accounts or online MAY wish to take their boxes anyway and use them should they wish to donate for special services Christmas, Easter etc., for which there are designated envelopes. The boxes are on the bench in the CLOISTER, arranged in alphabetical order. Please find yours and take it home. THANK YOU to all who have already claimed their box and are using their envelopes.
LAUNDRY LOVE: Please see the attached flyer for details. The next Laundry Love event will be held Thursday, February 15th, 5:30 - 8:30pm at The Port Washington Super Laundromat, 4 Manorhaven Blvd. If you are interested in coming as a volunteer or if you have questions, please let Donna Blankman know. blankmangal2@gmail.com or (516) 570-2033. English flyer & Spanish flyer
ST. STEPHEN'S "BABY SUPPLY EXCHANGE" DONATIONS:
The Exchange is accepting donations of
strollers
(
especially needed
),
winter clothes
(up to size 5), and
infant bouncer seats
. If you have these items to donate,
please contact Leslie Bradshaw at (516) 883-3003 or (516) 728-6600.
ST. STEPHEN'S "BABY SUPPLY EXCHANGE" COORDINATOR NEEDED:
We are still seeking a volunteer to head the church's Baby Supply Exchange. After many years, Leslie Bradshaw, is stepping down from the post. If you are interested, please contact the church office at office@ststephenspw.org or (516) 767-0363. The Baby Supply Exchange is a free service open to all, providing baby and pre-school items, equipment, clothing and more for those in need in the community. It gladly takes in donations of clean and serviceable items and distributes them to those in local need. The items can then be returned after use to so that they may benefit others. Many thanks to Leslie for her years of service - job well done!
THE ST STEPHEN'S INVESTMENT CLUB WANTS YOU!:
See here for information
Plant a Row for the Hungry Workshop at the Port Washington Public Library: See
here for information
Episcopal Ministries of LI seeking "Angels" from St. Stephen's
: EMLI Angels are the parish liaisons who help keep the Episcopal Ministries of Long Island informed about what parishes are doing to serve their communities so we can share success stories, and help address challenges they face. Angels will be kept informed about all the resources available to support parish ministry and how to access them, and Angels make a commitment to share the news about EMLI events and to help support the Annual Appeal. Episcopal Ministries hopes that you and they together will develop the resources, inspiration and tools to effectively serve our communities.
The EMLI Angels Orientations will be held at the following locations and times:
-
Saturday, February 10th from 10 - 11:30am
at The Mercer School of Theology, 65 Fourth St, Garden City 11530
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Thursday, February 16th from 6:30-8pm
at St Mary's Church, 315 Lake Shore Road,Lake Ronkonkoma 11779
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Saturday, February 17th from 10-11:30am
at St. Gabriel's Church, 331 Hawthorne Street, Brooklyn 11225
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Tuesday, February 20th from 6:30-8pm
at St David's Church, 117-35 235th Street, Cambria Heights 11411
Angels are encouraged to attend the one meeting that works best for them.
If you are interested in becoming a parish liaison (Angel), please let the church office know - office@ststephenspw.org or 516-767-0363. If you have any questions about the program, contact Tricia Vertucci at tvertucci@dioceseli.org or 516-248-4800 x119.
Port Washington School District's Free Pre-K Program:
See here for the English flyer and the Spanish flyer
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LENDING CLOSET:
The Community Synagogue, 160 Middle Neck Rd in Port Washington, has a lending closet with medical equipment, free to members of the community. You do not need to be a member of the synagogue. If you have wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. that you no longer need but that others could use, or are in need of yourself, please call Annette Rosalia, the synagogue's office manager, at (516) 883-3144.
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Read Sunday, February 11th, readings here.
Serving February 11th at 10 am:
Eucharistic Minister:
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Matthew Bendix & Jim Neville
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| Lectors: |
Dolores Kazanjian O'Brien & Bob O'Brien
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| Acolytes: |
Megan Day, Lucas Avazis & Thomas Day
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| Altar Guild: |
Nancy Dean, Laura Richards & Karen Lee
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| Coffee Hour: |
Nora Silbersack & Elisa Delaney |
| Counters Schedule: |
Maria Whisenand & Bob O'Brien
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Parish Calendar
February & March:
Sunday School will be knitting and collecting
CAPS FOR KIDS
for Cohen's Children's Hospital. Please donate a cap for kids ages 1-17.
Sunday, February 11th, 9am:
Adult Bible Study in Fr. Gary's office.
Sunday, February 11th, 10am:
Sunday School.
Tuesday, February 13th, 6pm-7:30pm, Parish Hall:
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner.
Wednesday, February 14th, 12 Noon & 7:30 pm:
Ash Wednesday Services.
Wednesday, February 14th, 12:45pm:
Wardens' Meeting in Fr. Gary's office.
Thursday, February 15th, 5:30pm-8:30pm:
Laundry Love
at the Port Washington Super Laundromat
(4 Manorhaven Blvd). Laundry Love takes place every third Thursday of each month.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer,
contact Donna Blankman at blankmangal2@gmail.com or (516) 570-2033.
Thursday, February 15th, 7:30pm:
Choir Rehearsal in the church.
Sunday, February 18th, 9am:
Adult Bible Study in Fr. Gary's office.
Sunday, February 18th, 10am:
Sunday School.
Monday, February 19th:
Parish Office Closed-Presidents' Day.
Tuesday, February 20th, 8pm:
Vestry Meeting in St. Cecilia Room.
Wednesday, February 21st:
Noon Healing Service.
Wednesday, February 21st, 6pm-8pm:
Lenten Soup & Study in St. Cecilia Room.
Thursday, February 22nd, 7:30pm:
Choir Rehearsal in the church.
Sunday, February 25th, 9am:
Adult Bible Study in Fr. Gary's office.
Sunday, February 25th, 10am:
Sunday School.
Wednesday, February 28th:
Bernadette will be out of the office.
Wednesday, February 28th:
Noon Healing Service.
Wednesday, February 28th, 6pm-8pm:
Lenten Soup & Study in St. Cecilia Room.
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Ministry Schedule
Find out if you're on the schedule
here.
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Coffee Hour
Thanks to our Coffee Hour volunteers!
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For Our Prayers
For the sick:
Virginia, Hank, Peter, Bob, Carol, Jo, Tom, Gerry, Nancy, Sue, Nina, Shirlee, Sister Mary Angela, Rey, Rose, Chris, Kyle, Elizabeth, Virginia, Bernadette, Ross, Gil, and Christine.
To have someone entered onto our Prayer List please send an e-mail with the person's name & the requester's name to: office@ststephenspw.org. Your prayer request will be included for 4 weeks - please submit another request if you wish to have prayers continue after this time.
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| Warden |
John Longmire |
516-695-3520 |
Wardens@ststephenspw.org |
| Warden |
Roopali Gupta |
917-969-7962 |
Wardens@ststephenspw.org
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| Music Director |
Mark van Schenkhof |
516-353-0738 |
mvansche@optonline.net |
| Youth & Children |
Rhonda Fay |
516-944-5635 |
rhonda@ststephenspw.org |
Consignment
Shop Supervisor |
Caren Salkin |
516-944-8829 |
shop@ststephenspw.org |
Parish Administrator
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Bernadette Reyes |
516-767-0363 |
office@ststephenspw.org |
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