Weekly e-News - September 24, 2019

A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR...

Dear Saint Stephen’s,

About fourteen years ago, I was planning a trip to take my 10 th and 11 th grade students to England, and I reached out to my Uncle John who is a lover of all things Episcopal Church and has one of those memories that is unfairly accurate and resourceful. I had to ask, “Uncle John, what do I need to make sure that we all visit for this pilgrimage to be successful?” And his response were not what Cathedrals to see or visit, but what choirs to hear sing Evensong. It was not the answer I expected to hear. We had to make sure we heard the choir at Winchester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey for Choral Evensong. It was my first introduction to the beautiful tradition of singing Evening Prayer that is a part of our Anglican (English) heritage.

Singing the liturgy is not a normal practice at Saint Stephen’s, and there is something about our setting and the focus on a piano instead of an organ that leads me to believe this is an appropriate way of worshiping for us. However, there is such a rich heritage of Anglican music, and from time to time we should stretch a little so that we can all benefit from our incredible choir and the leadership of Whitney Page and our accompanist, Anise Morris. And it is formidable to be bound to the tradition in which we are rooted.

Next Sunday, the choir will offer for the second year in a row, a Choral Evensong at 6:30pm in the Nave . Following the service, the choir will host a reception in the Gathering Space. There will be an offering to support our fine music program, the additional musicians that we bring in from time to time, and the building of a more expansive music library. I hope you will join us Sunday evening at 6:30pm.

Faithfully,

John+

CHRISTIAN FORMATION : 10:10-11:00am

Robin Lanzi, PhD - "Promoting Resiliency and Healthy Conversations with our Youth." - Parish Hall

Inquirers' Class - Room 228

Children and Youth - Carpenter Hall

EVENSONG - 6:30pm - Sanctuary

Wednesday Night Live -

Finding God Through Storytelling

**note time change**

5:30 Dinner - Spaghetti

6:15pm – Storytelling with Sean of the South

Wednesday, September 25

5:30 - Dinner - Spaghetti

6:15 - Program

**note change in time**

Come enjoy the storytelling of Sean of the South .

This is something everyone can enjoy.

**Plan to arrive early, we are expecting a full house!

Co-sponsored by Saint Stephen's ECW.

Click here for the full fall schedule.

Dr. Robin Lanzi will begin the first of two Sundays on "Promoting Resiliency and Healthy Conversations with our Youth." Join us in the Parish Hall.

For newcomers and anyone interested in finding out more about the Episcopal Church. Please register for class HERE .

Click HERE to see a personal invitation from the choir!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: 2 yrs-6th grade

Click the graphic above to be taken to the Facebook page & request to join the group!

YOUTH MINISTRY: 7th to 12th grade

Please take the opportunity to click through , read the blog post, and prayerfully consider taking part in this wonderful outreach opportunity.

Volunteer slots are

still available .

Our September Outreach is collecting new men's socks for Grace Ministries. Please drop them in the Outreach Alcove anytime this month.

Saint Stephen’s volunteers help host a Christmas party for the guests of the Grace By Day program in Woodlawn. At the party, each guest is given new socks among other items. Grace offers hospitality in their Parish Hall on weekdays from 11:00am to 12:45pm.