A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR...
Dear Saint Stephen’s 
 
I was really struck last week with our Wednesday Night Live event with Sean Dietrich, aka Sean of the South, co-sponsored by our wonderful ECW. By the way, he shared some thoughts from his evening with us on his daily blog  here . Our theme for our Fall Wednesday nights has been “Finding God through Storytelling, Art, Music, and Celebration” and last week touched on storytelling. Someone shared with me how much they appreciated the event and acknowledged that so much emphasis is often placed on theology, and this was just nurturing to the soul.   
 
I have been thinking about her words ever since. I think a lot of people feel that church is about having all the answers or believing the “right” things about God. There are certainly things I believe and other things that I want to believe and a whole lot of space in between, but I wonder if a more helpful image of the Body of Christ is more about finding a place for our souls to be nurtured.   
 
I don’t know what you believe. If it is important to you, I would love nothing more than to sit down and reflect, pray, and grow. I hope our formation opportunities help you grow in your faith. But I’m not too concerned if we don’t have it all figured out. Instead, my hope is that our souls are being nurtured and fed, that we are filled with an awareness that we are all a part of the Body of Christ, that our lives are enriched, and that we come to see our Lord manifest in our lives in new and powerful ways.   
 
It’s not about answers, it might not even be too much about theology. But it does take us being intentional, open, and present. I hope you are finding opportunities here to do just that. 
 
Faithfully, 
 
John+ 
Wednesday Night Live -
Finding God Through Art

5:45 Dinner - Grilled Chicken and Veggies
6:30pm – Photography with Irene Gardner


CHRISTIAN FORMATION : 10:10-11:00am

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

Inquirers' Class - Room 228

Parent Connect - Terrace Room

Children and Youth - Carpenter Hall
Wednesday, October 2nd
5:45 - Dinner - Grilled Chicken & Veggies
6:30 - Photography with Irene Gardner

Click here for the full fall schedule.
Click HERE for all the details of Saturday's Holy Hike.
This will be the last hike of 2019 - come and join us.
Dr. Robin Lanzi will continue our series on "Promoting Resiliency and Healthy Conversations with our Youth." Join us in the Parish Hall.
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.

Our October Outreach is collecting needed items to stock warming stations at Boutwell Auditorium, The Firehouse Shelter and Pathways Women's Shelter. Please drop these items in the Outreach Alcove anytime this month.
Thursday, October 17
3:30-6:30pm

To find out more about our Laundry Love ministry and how you can help, click HERE to read the blog.
Come spend your Tuesday lunch hour with
the Rev. John Burruss & the work of
Wendell Berry. Through December 3rd .
*bring your own lunch . Click here for the reading schedule and book information.
Wednesday, October 9th
5:45 - Pet Blessing and
Picnic in Overton Park

Click here for the full fall schedule.
Don't miss the two-part series with Dr. Shauntice Allen on
"The Role of Women of Color in the Environmental Justice Movement."
Please consider making your online gifts via EFT to help Saint Stephen's save on processing fees. For more information, please contact  Ann .

We appreciate your generous contributions!
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Birmingham, AL | ssechurch.org