Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
News and events for the week of Sunday, June 13
The Third Sunday of Pentecost
13 June 20210
Mustard Seeds, photograph by Joshua Lanzarini, 2018.
Kalendar and Readings
Readings for this Sunday


Click the readings above for links to the RSV
Music
Organ: Melodia, op. 59, no. 11, Max Reger (1873 - 1916)

Mass: Missa Sancta Maria Magdelena, Healey Willan (1880 - 1968)

Organ: Scherzo, op. 65, no. 10, Reger
A Word from the Rector
Dear Friends,

With the slight heat wave we had at the start of the week, it is clear that meteorological summer has arrived. We have entered what is typically the slowest and most relaxed portion of the year for many churches. Folks travel to see loved ones and take vacations. Children and college students enjoy a long summer break from school. It is, as we might say in our liturgy, "meet and right so to do."

While the vaccination rates in our community and the COVID-positivity rates continue to decline, there may be an impulse to think that now is the time to start to re-energize and ramp up activity. However, I think there is wisdom in letting summer be summer. Though the last year or so has seen a drastic reduction of "activity" at S. Stephen's, the truth is that we've all given more of ourselves than we realize, and that the pandemic has taken an emotional toll on some. So let summer be summer. We will come back ready to jump back into the deep end in September. Though it does not feature in this Sunday's Gospel reading, it is worth noting that the Gospels frequently mention Jesus withdrawing from the crowds and the disciples, taking time to himself to recharge and reset -- to practice self care.

As your Rector, I have done all that I can since my injury on April 25 to do what work I can and to keep things moving. One thing I have not been able to do is celebrate mass, which pains me as your Pastor and Priest. However, I remain most grateful to Fr. Bill Locke and Fr. Michael Pearson for their readiness to fill in during this time. We will have our last Sunday mass with Fr. Locke this Sunday before he begins a brief interim rectorate at our sister parish of St. John's, Newport. (Fr. Nathan Humphrey has been called to the parish of St. Thomas' in Toronto.) Fr. Pearson will then begin taking Sunday masses on June 20 and will do so through the month of July. I will resume celebrating mass on August 1, and will look very forward to a festive celebration of Our Lady on Sunday, August 15.

Let us take this summer to rest and recharge, so that we may be ready to serve with renewed vigor and renewed compassion so that we may boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both word and deed. May God's blessing rest upon you, now and always.


Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin+
Brownstone Restoration
Brownstone restoration around the main entrance into the church is ongoing. Please continue to enter the church through the Guild House doors. We expect that work will be completed by the end of the coming week. Thank you for your cooperation and continued patience. The stonemasons are nearly finished!
New Weekday Mass Schedule
Please be reminded of the new "Summer Schedule" that went into effect last week. Until after Labor Day, September 6, the following weekday schedule is as follows:

Tuesday - Noonday Prayer and Mass

Thursday -- Noonday Prayer and Mass

Saturday -- 9:30 Morning Prayer, 10:00 Mass
  • Holy Rosary on First Saturdays of the Month at 10:30
  • Monthly Requiem Mass on Third Saturdays of the month

No liturgies will be celebrated or offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Giving to St. Stephen's
You can mail your pledge card or weekly/monthly offering to the church office, or pledge online here. Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s. 
For your Prayers
Prayers have been requested for: Charles Calverley, Sandra Calverley, Lola Campagna, Ruby Campagna, Fr. Norman Catir, Diana Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Ernie Drew, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Joan Gordon, Richard Hogarth, Fr. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Jane Malone, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Rhoda Steinhart, Fr. Benjamin, and Christopher Whittingham.

Birthdays this week: Deedee Latimer (6/13), Charles Andrews (6/14), Andrew Campbell (6/19).
 
The faithful departed: Year's mind: David Hale Baldwin (6/13), Maria DiMezza Nicolella (6/13), F. Joseph Geogan, II (6/13), J. Carter Brown (6/17), John P. Ladds (6/18).
 
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion.) In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Commission on Ministry and all who walk with those discerning the ministries to which God calls them.
This Week at S. Stephen's
EVENTS THIS WEEK

Saturday 19 June
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
All Services Streamed on our Facebook Page

Sunday 13 June
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary

Tuesday 15 June
Evelyn Underhill, Mystic and Writer, 1941
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Thursday 17 June
Feria
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 19 June
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Monthly Requiem Mass 10:00 am

Next Sunday 20 June
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am