Important Dates: April / May 2024 | |
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►Wednesday April 17, 2024: Inquirer's Class and Supper -
Held in the Parish Hall from 5:30 - 6:30 PM (Soup)
Held in the St. Alban's Chapel from 6:00 - 7:00 PM (Class)
►Saturday, April 13, 2024:Celebration of a New Ministry - 11:00 AM
Installation and Celebration of Reverend Norman as Rector
Reception to follow in the Parish Hall
►Sunday, April 14, 2024: Celtic Service - 5:00 PM
Held at First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge
►Coffee with the Bishop - Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Celebration of Confirmation
►Holy Ghost Weenie Roast - Sunday, May 19, 2024
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St. Stephen's Website Links | |
This Sunday - April 14, 2024 | |
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► 7:45 AM – Holy Eucharist Rite I (spoken)
► 10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist Rite II (livestream)
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Tuesday - Bible Study 10:00 AM | |
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Join the Tuesday Bible Study group on Tuesday mornings in the Pollard Library. We start at 10:00 AM, and end prior to the Tuesday Healing Service.
Our study is based on "Twelve Women of the Bible: Life-Changing Stories for Women Today" and using the book and DVD of the same name. This week: What prompted Jesus to go through Samaria when the disciples wanted to go around. Who or what did he find at the well? Did the well really have magic water? Questions? please contact Jim Rousey at james.rousey@aol.com.
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Wednesday - Supper and Inquirer's Class | | |
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Inquirer's Class will meet this Wednesday! Supper will be served in the Parish Hall at 5:30 PM. The Inquirer's Class begins promptly at 6:00 PM in the St. Alban's Chapel. | |
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Installation and Celebration of Our Rector
==> Tomorrow Saturday, April 13, 2024 - 11:00 AM
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Come and be a part of this joyous occasion and significant milestone in the life of our Parish!
We invite you to join us for the Institution and Induction of Father Bailey as St. Stephen's 9th Rector! Bishop Cole will officiate at the installation, and clergy from throughout the Diocese, along with many local clergy members will also be in attendance.
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Please help us celebrate immediately after the ceremony by bringing a side dish to share to accompany our pulled pork barbecue. | |
Parish Life will provide buns, cupcakes, and beverages. Veggie burgers for our non-meat eaters will be provided as well. We will need lots of help to ensure a full supply of potato salad, slaw, baked beans, deviled eggs, veggie platters, fruit platters, chips, etc. These should be dropped off prior to the service in the kitchen. | |  |
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Celtic Service - Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 5:00 PM | | |
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We are excited to announce a new worship service, firmly grounded in the Christian faith! We join with First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge (FUMCOR) in presenting these services, alternating hosting each month. The first service will be held at FUMCOR | |
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These contemplative services will be ecumenical in scope, using prayers and liturgy from a range of Christian traditions. The language will be welcoming and inclusive, with an emphasis on the goodness of creation and the responsibilities that come from being made in the image of God.
There will be moments of silence, as well as times when we will simply allow beautiful music to nurture us. The goal is to create an opportunity for all to listen to the still small voice within. We hope you will come and join us.
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Coffee with the Bishop - Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | | |
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Please join us for a reception that will be hosted by Daughters of the King in honor of our confirmands and the Bishop’s visit. We will be serving cake, coffee, and citrus punch in the parish hall following the service. We hope that everyone in the parish will join us for this special event! | | |
Holy Ghost Weenie Roast - Sunday, May 19, 2024 | |
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Clearfork Learning Camp is a week-long summer program that provides educational and recreational opportunities for children and youth in Clairfork, Tennessee. This Appalachian community faces many challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, and a lack of resources.
St Stephen's Church organizes the camp in partnership with the local Clearfork Community Institute, which aims to empower the residents of Clairfork through education, advocacy, and community development. The camp offers arts and crafts, music, and sports activities. We are looking for volunteers to help at the camp in July 2024. You will be part of a team from St Stephen's Church, who will work alongside the staff and volunteers of the Clearfork Community Institute. Each volunteer must complete an online qualifying Diocesan Safe Church session before the camp. We will soon provide you with more information and answer any questions. We hope you will join us in this exciting and rewarding ministry. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the children and youth of Clairfork and share the joy of the camp with them.
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Tuesday Bible Study - Pollard Room, 10:00 AM
Wednesday WOW for ORHS Students - Parish Hall, 10:00 AM
Wednesday Men's Group - Pollard Room, 8:30 AM
Thursday Contemplative Prayer (Zoom) - 4:00 PM
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This week's loose plate offering is designated for the Clearfork Learning Camp. | |
Adult Christian Ed - Finding God in the Garden | |
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This adult formation class will gather to share a devotion and gardening wisdom. A plant exchange table will be set up each week to allow participants who wish to share potted plant divisions and seedlings from their garden.
We will meet in the St. Francis Garden behind the St. Stephen’s Labyrinth, weather permitting. In case of rain, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall and the plant exchange table will be set up there.
The class will meet at 11:30 on the following dates:
- April 14- Perennials
- April 21- Neglected Beds
- April 28- Companion Planting
- May 5- The Soils
Devotional material will be taken from the text, Devotions from the Garden by Mariam Drennan. Purchase the book is not required.
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This Week's Outreach Spotlight - Blessing Box | |
► Please keep the Blessing Box needs on your shopping list. This week we are requesting laundry soap, dishwashing soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, toothpaste. Please keep the size of the Blessing Box in mind when you shop. | |
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In May, our church will be assisting the Ecumenical Storehouse in Oak Ridge. It is operated entirely by volunteers from 11 local congregations and plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families facing challenging circumstances in Oak Ridge and the surrounding area.
We will be assisting in the collection and distribution of usable household items. These items include everything necessary to set up a small living space—except food and clothing.
If you have gently used household items such as furniture, kitchenware, bedding, and small appliances, please consider donating them to the Ecumenical Storehouse. Every contribution makes a difference.
Let’s come together as a community to support the Ecumenical Storehouse and extend a helping hand to those in need.
Please consider volunteering your time at the Storehouse in May. Whether it’s sorting donations, assisting clients, or organizing inventory, your help matters. Please call Liz Herbes at 865-228-2537 if you are interested in volunteering.
The Storehouse is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-12:00 noon for clients to pick up donations or for people bringing their donations. If you have items that need to be picked up, this is done on Saturdays starting at
9 am and requires prior arrangements. The phone number to call for this is 865-481-0274.
Kathie Shearer
Ecumenical Storehouse Coordinator for St. Stephen’s
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St Stephen’s Financial Status - April 7, 2024 | |
The church's office hours are 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Offices are closed on Fridays and weekends. | | |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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