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A note from the Rector...

Dear Saint Stephen’s, 


A new year brings wonderful opportunities to connect! This past Sunday, we hosted our second breakfast, an event that will now take place on the fourth Sunday of each month. The gathering space was filled with the aroma of delicious food and the sound of laughter. Meanwhile, Donna Brooks filled the parish hall with beautiful music and insightful reflections on creativity in times of change and challenge. You can view her presentation here. This Sunday, Bailey Hill will continue the second part of a three-week series on music — I hope you’ll join us! 


It’s not too late to sign up for the Women’s Weekend at Camp McDowell! This special retreat is designed for rest, renewal, and meaningful fellowship. Whether you come for a day trip or stay for the entire weekend, I encourage every woman in our parish to consider attending. 


I’m also thrilled to share that adults in our parish will have the opportunity to mirror our young people’s journey to Spain by walking the Camino de Santiago! I will be leading a group to walk the last 75 miles of this historic pilgrimage from September 22 through October 2, 2025. If you're interested, send me an email, and we’ll have an informational meeting in late February. 


Wishing you all the best, 

John+ 

Mark your calendar and learn more about these offerings:


It's a busy week for activities. How will you get connected?

  • Young Adults - Bible at the Brewery with John+: Tonight 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Birmingham District Brewing. We will be diving into the first 4 chapters of Pauls' Letter to the Romans.
  • Holy Hikes resume this Saturday, February 1 at Jemison Park in Mountain Brook. We will meet in the parking lot of Community Bank and plan to begin our trek at 9 a.m.
  • Bakin' for the Lord will meet Saturday, February 1 in the Parish Hall kitchen from 10 a.m. to noon. Come bake goodies to be used in various parish ministries throughout the week. All are welcome!
  • Labyrinth Walk will take place this Sunday, February 2. We will meet at 4:15 p.m. on the outdoor labyrinth prior to the 5 p.m. Celtic Service. This month's walk will be in will be in honor of St. Brigid. You can find more about St. Bridgid here.



  • Small Groups have resumed! Scroll down and see the options and new offerings that have been added including a Monday Being With group.


  • January Outreach Collection - Collecting gently used dishes, china, flatware, mugs, serving trays, etc. Many will be given to those starting fresh and in need of items for their new homes. Others may be saved for the ECW tea or stay at the church and used for special events. As you are organizing after the holidays, this is a great place for your unused items. Click here to purchase new items.


  • Laundry Love is next Tuesday, February 4. Click here to sign up.


Please scroll down to see all of the other outreach opportunities where Saint Stephen's is serving in the greater Birmingham community, including Laundry Love sign-ups for all of 2025

Click here to find out more about The Threshold Center & join their mailing list!

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS - SAVE THE DATE

Drop-Off Days for the Tea start THIS WEEK.

Drop off is at the lower parking lot at the basement of Carpenter Hall.

  • Thursday, January 31: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Friday, February 1: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 2: 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.


  • We are looking for volunteers to help with Drop-Off Days for items for the Tea Shop. Please CLICK HERE to see the list of dates.


  • We are also looking for help with setting up and serving at the Tea. Please CLICK HERE to see all of your volunteer options.
Click for this week's Children's Newsletter
Click for this week's Youth Newsletter

To be added to the Children's Ministry email list, please message Jennifer Jones.

To be added to the Youth Ministry email list, please message Taylor McLemore.

This week's prayer list

If you would like someone remembered in the prayers, please send your request to prayer@ssechurch.org by noon on Wednesday to be included in Sunday's printed bulletin.

SUNDAY - February 2, 2025



7:45 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II (spoken)


9:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II (with choir); Nursery is provided. Livestream.

Click here to watch the Sunday Forum on YouTube

11:15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II (with choir); Nursery is provided.


4:00-4:45 p.m. Music Makers with Miss Whitney (4K-6th grade)

Meet in Children's Choir Room 143.


4:15-5:00 p.m. Labyrinth Walk on the outdoor labyrinth prior to the 5:00 p.m. Celtic service.


5:00 p.m. - Celtic Contemplative Service. Nursery is provided.


EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) for Youth grades 7-12

Meet in the top floor of Carpenter Hall

- 5 to 6:45 p.m. - Grades 7 to 9

6 to 8 p.m. - Grades 10-12

6:00 p.m. - Dinner


6:00 p.m. Simple Community Supper

Meet in the Parish Hall. All are welcome!

A NOTE FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE..

2024 YEAR-END SSEC CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS


Thank you so much for your generous contributions to Saint Stephen’s!! 


Year-end 2024 contribution statements were mailed last week to all givers. Please take some time to review your statement, and let Ann know if you have any questions. If there is a balance on your pledge for 2024,and you are in a position to pay it, we gladly accept (and budget for) gifts for prior year pledges. Please be sure and mark your check or online gift as a pledge payment for 2024.  (Otherwise, all pledge gifts will apply to your 2025 pledge.)


Don't want to wait for the mail to see your statement?? If you have a Realm account, you can login and view/print your 2024 giving statement yourself! Don't have a realm account yet? Please contact Ann (ann@ssechurch.org) or Gretchen (gretchen@ssechurch.org) or call the church office at 205-967-8786.


We are SO THANKFUL for all the support you provide Saint Stephen’s. THANK YOU!!!

LOOKING AHEAD...

SMALL GROUPS AT SAINT STEPHEN'S in 2025


Monday Being With Group **NEW**

January 27 - March 31

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chapel

For details, contact the Rev. Katherine Harper


Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study

7:00-8:00 a.m. Room 228 and Zoom (year-round)

Facilitated by Tom Robertshaw


Tuesday Morning Bead Ministry

9:30 a.m. in Room 229 (2nd and 4th Tuesdays)

Facilitated by Ann Mims



Tuesday Women's Circle with +Mary Bea **NEW

11:00 a.m. to noon in the Terrace Room

January 14 to April 15


The Women’s Circle will give attention to personal reflections and spiritual practices related to Dr. Barbara Holmes’ book Crisis Contemplation Healing the Wounded Village. This timely book engages deeply with both history and current events such as the pandemic, environmental disasters, and racism. It addresses the emergence of contemplation during crisis, both individually and in community. All women are welcome, feel free to invite your friends. Contact marybea@ssechurch.org for more information. 


Tuesday Lunch Book Group with +John

12:10-1:00 p.m. on Zoom

January 2025

The Screwtape Letters

by CS Lewis


Wednesday Morning Yin Yoga

This class will be taking a break for now.



Wednesday Women's Bible Study

9:30-11:00 a.m. in Room 228 and on Zoom

Facilitated by Virginia Hillhouse


Wednesday Morning Centering Prayer

10:00-11:15 a.m. (Chapel) - not first Wednesday

Facilitated by Louise Meredith


Wednesday Baby Blanket & Prayer Shawl Ministry

2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Church office conference room

Facilitated by Laurel Kuehr


Wednesday Men's Bible Study

5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 228

We will gather for conversation and an informal discussion of the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. Facilitated by the Rev. John Burruss.

Thursday Simply Prayer

Thursday mornings, 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Nave

Facilitated by Kathe Patterson


Thursday Women's Book Group **NEW

Thursday mornings, 11:00 a.m. to noon in the Terrace Room

begins January 9 and runs 6 weeks

Facilitated by Betty Shivers


A small group for women will explore the book Open the Door by Joyce Rupp. The book uses the imagery of the door as an invitation to personal and spiritual growth and awareness and encourages readers to seek a more authentic version of themselves and their relationship with God. For more information about the group, contact Betty at bshivs@gmail.com.  


Thursday Afternoon Bible Study: Luke's Gospel

1:00-2:15 p.m. on Zoom

Facilitated by the Rev. Katherine Harper


Friends of Paul Bible Study

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Zoom

We will be taking a leisurely stroll through the Book of Acts.

Facilitated by Verna Orr


Friday Morning Chair & Standing Yoga

11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Instructor, Franny James

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

  • Laundry Love: Sign-ups are available for 2025. Please check your calendar before signing up since there are so few spots. If you haven't served with Laundry Love before, please consider serving in this meaningful ministry.


  • Avondale Breakfast Ministry: Help assemble lunch sacks and/or serve breakfast & lunch sacks on Monday morning from 8:00-9:00 (alongside Lisa Schroeder) Call or text Lisa if you are interested or would like more information 334-546-4205. 


  • Community Kitchens at Grace Episcopal Church Woodlawn: Serve weekday lunch at 12 p.m.; Contact Dorothy Cochran.


  • Christ Episcopal Church Fairfield Food Pantry: Help hand out food on Wednesday mornings at 9am. Contact Connie Hancock.


  • Grace Church Woodlawn: If you are interested in filling any of their volunteer needs below, please email Deacon Marti Holmes and she will place you on an email list and will reach out when a need arises.


  1. Once a month on Mondays (Usually 1st or 2nd Monday) to help unload the food from the Food Bank.
  2. Volunteers to assist with the food distributions on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays. This would be from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. It would include setting up, assisting with the distribution, and then clean up afterwards. They serve 95 families, 2x a month.
  3. They also need help sacking the groceries on Tuesday mornings.
  4. Grace is re-upping their clothing ministry, but they will only be accepting gently used coats and shoes. No other clothes will be accepted. Other items will be purchased.
  5. Once a month they distribute zip loc bags with toiletries and feminine hygiene products. Items for these distributions are needed. Marti will generate lists of what those items are that they will need to fil their bags. 
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